These minutes are unadopted until approved at the succeeding meeting of the Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held at Church House, Widecombe on Thursday 1st Nov. 2007

PRESENT: Mr.Newbolt-Young (Chairman), Mr.Booty, Mr.Eveleigh, Mr.Morley, Mr.Nosworthy, Mr.Searle, Mr.Smerdon, Mr.Tame & Mrs. Tempest

APOLOGIES: PC 4486 Dudley and County Cllr Morgan

IN ATTENDANCE: Cllr. Mike Jeffrey, Mr.& Mrs. Raymond and the Clerk Mr.P.Roper.

PUBLIC COMMENT/POLICING MATTERS

The Chairman reported that he has spoken with the person currently ‘living’ in the bus shelter and reported the fact to PC Andy Dudley. No further action from Council.

2907 MINUTES: The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 4th October 2007 were approved and signed by the chairman as being an accurate account of the meeting.

2908 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

  1. Widecombe Fair Review: the Chairman welcomed Mr.& Mrs.Raymond and asked the Clerk to outline the finances surrounding this year’s Fair. It was stressed that over the last five years the Fair income for the WPC has dropped continuously which has resulted in a request for a substantial increase in the franchise fee. Mr.Raymond outlined the problems of finding the traders who would be willing to pay such an increase in the fee charged to them. There followed a discussion about how savings might be made and what would be an acceptable increase in the franchise fee. An unanimous decision was made to increase the fee from £2,200 to £2,500 for 2008. Mr.& Mrs Raymond agreed and paid a £250 deposit.
  2. Boundary White fence at Coach Park: Mr Newbolt-Young reported on the site meeting with representatives from TDC and DNPA. It was agreed that TDC would remove the worn out white wood fence and build a new toping for the wall which would still form a barrier but, at the same time, allow pedestrians to jump over it.
  3. Grass and Hedge Cutting in the Village: No reply as yet
  4. Parish Field Grass Let: the Clerk reminded Members that the current contract terminates at the end of the year. Mr. Newbolt-Young agreed to speak with the current holder.
  5. CCTV in the Village: the Clerk informed the Council that he has made various checks and discovered that it is permitted for Councils to use public funds to support CCTV if the whole community stands to improve their protection against crime. Mr.Newbolt Young agreed to continue to find out about costs. Mr. Eveleigh agreed to speak with various businesses to see if the owners would be interested in joining in a scheme. He pointed out that most businesses could get a reduction in their insurance premiums if such protection were available.

2909 PLANNING

  1. Weekly Lists sent weekly to the Chairman and placed for circulation.
  2. Grant of Planning for: None
  3. Refusal of Planning: Construction of agricultural building at Cator Court.
  4. Grant of variation to discharge treated sewage from three dwellings at Church Lane Head.

2910 CORRESPONDENCE placed for circulation:

  1. TDC: Agendas and Minutes, TALC 29th November agenda.
  2. DNPA: Minutes and Agendas,
  3. DCC: Devon in Touch,
  4. Various other Magazines/Documents plus above all placed for circulation to Councillors.

2911 HIGHWAYS

  1. Maintenance: no map completed but Clerk to write to complain that the mechanical process of clearing verges has resulted in many coverts being blocked.
  2. New Bridge Damage: a letter of reply from DCC has been received. The letter states that ‘It is therefore extremely unlikely that there would be any support to remove its Grade 2 Listed Status’ and therefore alter to width and curvature of the parapet. Other suggestions made by the WPC will be considered by DNPA and English Heritage.

2912 DELEGATES REPORTS None

2913 MATTER AT DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN None

2914 FINANCE

  1. Balance Carried forward deposit account £5,506.20
  2. Clerk’s Salary and Disbursements for Oct. £302.73
  3. Current Account Balance at the beginning of the meeting £1,236.93
  4. Income: Widecombe Fair Franchise deposit £250.00

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.15 pm.

THE NEXT MEETING OF THE COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY 3rd January 2008

Members of the public and press are welcome to attend any Parish Council Meeting and make comment at the start of the meeting which begins at 7.30 pm.

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