Widecombe-in-the-Moor Parish Council Minutes October 2011 Page

WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

Draft Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Thursday 6th October 2011 in the Church House, Widecombe

Present: Councillors Newbolt-Young (Chairman), Booty (Vice Chairman), Lewis, Nosworthy, Routley, Tame and Tempest.

In attendance: County Cllr Gribble, District Cllr Jeffrey, Mr & Mrs Raymond, PC Dudley, Anthony Beard (History Group) & Roger Ford-Evans (Widecombe Fair Committee).

Clerk: Suzanna Hughes

Members of the Public: 1

OPEN FORUM

There were no comments from members of the public.

3325 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Received from: · Cllr Morley · Bill Allen (DNPA)

3326 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were reminded of their responsibility to update their Notice of Registerable Interests and were invited to state whether they have a personal or prejudicial interest in any matter to be discussed during this meeting. Cllr Booty declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 3332 (a) (i) as the applicant.

3327 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting on 8 September 2011 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

3328 POLICE REPORT

PC Dudley reported one crime – a break in to a car at Bonehill Rocks on Sunday 25 September. The incident was witnessed by a member of the public and the culprit was charged with theft and driving whilst disqualified. PC Dudley emphasised how this demonstrates the importance of call from the public in catching criminals. PC Dudley advised members of the new general non-emergency telephone number 101 which replaces 08452 777444. He also advised that the parish had a new PCSO - Kevin McCloud.

3329 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

Cllr Gribble reported that he hoped that Newbridge toilets would remain open although a formal decision had not yet been made by DNPA. He commented on the successful Tour of Britain cycle race and confirmed that the police presence had been privately funded by the event.

3330 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

Cllr Jeffrey confirmed that the issue of weekly bin collections have not yet been discussed at TDC.

3331 MATTERS ARISING

(a) Widecombe Fair – review of 2011 The Chairman suspended standing orders and invited Roger Ford-Evans (Secretary, Widecombe Fair Committee) to review this year’s Fair Day. He explained that the Fair Committee this year was moving towards a break even situation. The main change to its organisation this year was the Park & Ride which proved successful despite a few teething problems. 1637 cars had visited. The Chairman invited Mr & Mrs Raymond to comment on the event. They reported that the new Park and Ride system had increased footfall on the village green however, trading was poor this year (due to the economic climate). They also commented that there were potential health and safety issues with vehicles coming out of the Fair field at around 4.00pm before the Park and Ride had finished. PC Dudley advised that the Park and Ride system worked well from the point of view of the police. Mr Beard commented that the Widecombe Fair Committee needs to budget more carefully.

(b) Heritage & Educational Centre

The Chairman suspended standing orders to allow Anthony Beard to provide members with an update. He advised that the Working Group had met again and had agreed that the proposed TDC lease does not support the long-term needs of the project. It was further agreed that the Parish Council should request TDC to transfer back to it a small parcel of land in the car park to allow the Heritage Centre to be built. This will secure the long-term future of the building and make it possible to obtain funding. Members agreed that a formal request be made to TDC to transfer a small portion of the car park to the Parish Council.

It was agreed to accept the findings of the report. The clerk would now establish with Sue Hitchcock (Community Council of Devon) how it should now proceed.

(d) Best Kept Village Competition 2011

The results of the competition and comments contained within the report were noted. It was noted, however, that the judges referred to a war memorial on the Green which in fact is the Millennium Stone. There was also no reference to the Saxon Well which is a key feature in Widecombe.

(e) Rural Skip

It was noted that the Rural Skip would be situated in the centre of the village on Saturday 8th October, 10.00am-4.00pm.

(f) Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations – to consider parish event(s)

The following suggestions were made:- Cllr Tame proposed that the Parish Council plant a tree to replace the dying chestnut tree. It was agreed that Cllr Tame would look into this. It was suggested that a party be held on the Green. It was agreed that the school should be involved. The Chairman agreed to speak to the headteacher. Members also queried whether the Social Group would be arranging anything. It was agreed to contact Mark Hutchings.

(g) Training

The clerk had circulated details of training events being organised by DALC and members agreed to contact the clerk should they wish to attend any of them.

3332 PLANNING

_ (a) New applications/appeals

(i) 0448/11 – Erect solar pv installation on existing agricultural shed at Sherwell Farm, Poundsgate [Cllr Booty, having declared a personal and prejudicial interest, left the meeting for this item] Members agreed to support the application.

(ii) 0488/11 – Retrospective application for the change of use of previously approved extension 0362/03 for use as one unit of holiday accommodation at Foxley, The Green, Widecombe-in-the-Moor Members agreed to object to this application on the grounds that the village ought to retain as much housing in the village as possible.

(iii) 0491/11 – Construction of permanent agricultural dwelling and related outbuildings at Blackdown Piper Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor The Chairman suspended standing orders to give the applicant the opportunity to provide information about the application. Members agreed to object to the application on the grounds of detrimental visual impact. The proposed building was also considered excessive for the purpose for which it is intended (i.e an agricultural dwelling)

(iv) 0466/11 – Refurbish and renovate existing domestic outbuilding at Bonehill Cottage, Widecombe-in-the-Moor Members had no objections to this application.

(b) Decisions

(i) 0388/11 – Demolition of the existing bungalow and erection of a two storey house, Hatchwell Bungalow, Widecombe-in-the-MoorUse of mobile home for temporary living accommodation and domestic storage, The Café on the Green, Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Granted conditionally

3333 CORRESPONDENCE

(a) Boundary Commission – 2013 Review of Parliamentary constituencies in England It was agreed that members would comment on the consultation at the next meeting once they had had the opportunity to look at the proposals.

(b) DNPA - Agendas and Minutes

3334 HIGHWAYS _ _

(a) Maintenance/Pothole map The pothole near the Chapel at Leusdon has still not been repaired.

(b) To report on any other highways issues. The Chairman advised that he still had some DCC signage which needed collecting.

3335 DELEGATES REPORTS

None

3336 MATTERS OF INFORMATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN

The Chairman advised that he had attended the Licencing Service for the new Vicar, Geoffrey Fenton, who was now living in the parish with his family.

3337 FINANCE

(a) The following payments were approved and cheques signed:

_ Cheque no 000744 - Clerk’s salary and disbursements - £222.60

_ Cheque no 000745 - HMRC - £53.40

_ Cheque no 000746 - Audit Commission fees - £144.00

_ Cheque no 000747 - Event Hire Solutions - £144.00

(b) Receipt of the second instalment of the precept - £3,000 – was noted.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.33pm.

Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ……………………………………….

THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY 3rd NOVEMBER 2011.

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 7.30pm. WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL