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Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Widecombe Parish Council Minutes
WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council
held on Thursday 1 November 2012
in the Church House, Widecombe
Present: Councillors Newbolt-Young (Chairman), Booty, Nosworthy, Routley, Tame & Tempest.
In attendance: County Cllr Gribble
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
Members of the Public: 1
OPEN FORUM
There were no comments from members of the public.
3475 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
• Cllr S Morley
• District Cllr Jeffrey
3476 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were reminded of their responsibility to update their Notice of Registerable Interests and were invited to state whether they have any interests in the items to be discussed during this meeting in accordance with the council’s Code of Conduct.
There were no declarations of interest.
3477 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council on 4 October 2012 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
3478 POLICE REPORT
There was no police report. Cllr Tempest commented, however, that upon the reporting of a recent incident in Lower Town, the police had responded very quickly and were in attendance promptly to resolve the issue. Conversely, the Chairman advised that he had called an ambulance on Sunday after a cyclist fell of his bike. He was concerned that the ambulance took 25 minutes to arrive. It was agreed that the clerk should contact the MP, Mel Stride, to seek his advice on how this response time might be improved.
3479 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr Gribble thanked the Widecombe Fair Committee for inviting him to their event at Badger’s Holt. He also advised that the cattle grid between Ullacombe Farm and Green Lane had now been replaced.
3480 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
No report.
3481 DELEGATE REPORTS
No reports.
3482 MATTERS ARISING
(a) Widecombe Fair – review of 2012
The Chairman welcomed Mr Raymond to the meeting. Having suspended standing orders, Mr Raymond was invited to comment on this year’s Fair and state whether he wished to attend again next year. Mr Raymond commented that, generally, 2012 had been a difficult year for traders impacted by poor weather, a weak economy and increased costs (fuel etc). He expressed that he wishes to attend next year and suggested increasing the number of craft stalls which would be housed in a marquee to provide protection if the weather was poor. Mr Raymond confirmed that he would organise this, including the marquee. Members of the Parish Council agreed that this would be a welcome addition to the Fair. Members further agreed to continue with the arrangements with Raymond Amusements and due to economic factors would not increase the cost. The cost for 2013 would therefore remain at £2,700. The clerk would seek a deposit from Raymond Amusements and would send the contract for 2013.
(b) Dartmoor National Park Management Plan – 2013-2018
Members considered the three questions being posed by the National Park seeking their views on Dartmoor and made the following responses:
What do you love about Dartmoor? All Councillors love living on Dartmoor – it is their home, for most – their livelihood and their inspiration. What are the most important issues facing Dartmoor in the future?
• Too many people on the Moor
• Increased traffic
• Rubbish, including general litter left by visitors and tourists, disposable barbeques, inappropriate disposal of dog mess (e.g. hanging in plastic bags on trees etc)
• Fly tipping
• Diminishing wildlife
• Visitors abusing their privileges and not respecting the Moor and those living on it
• Planning conditions not being enforced by the Planning Authority
• Increased number of cyclists
• Too many letterboxes
• Lack of affordable housing
What do you think needs to be done to address these?
• Educate visitors to respect Dartmoor
• Stop encouraging people on to Dartmoor, particularly if the Authority is not equipped to deal with the consequences of increased tourism all of which have a cost implication
• More rubbish bins large enough to cope with the amount of litter created by visitors
• DNPA to check that conditions imposed on planning applications are fulfilled
(c) Elector Fund
Members were reminded of the details of the County and District Elector Fund whereby Devon County Council and Teignbridge District Council have allocated a sum of money for grants available until 31 March 2013 for two or more parishes and towns working together.
The available grant is a sum based on £1.10 per elector in each Parish in Teignbridge based on the electoral register as it stood in July 2012. The fund is for Towns and Parishes working together and involving their communities to try to solve local issues.
After a discussion, it was agreed that an approach would be made to Buckland-in-the-Moor Parish Council seeking its approval to make a joint application for funding towards the refurbishment of the summer house at the Widecombe & District Sports Group which is not only enjoyed by Widecombe electors but also by those residing in Buckland-in-the-Moor. The combined number of electors is 581 and therefore a grant could be awarded to the value of £639.10 to improve this facility.The clerk also confirmed that an application had been made to the Dartmoor Sustainable Communities Fund for a grant of £400 towards the purchase of new card table for Leusdon Memorial Hall.
3483 FINANCE
(a) Payments for approval
The following cheques were approved for payment:
• Cheque no 000788 – Clerk’s salary and disbursements (Nov) - £229.10
• Cheque no 000789 – Clerk’s salary and disbursements (Dec) - £207.20
3484 PLANNING
(a) New applications/appeals
(i) 0529/12 – Installation of new sewage treatment plant at field opposite Rugglestone Inn, Widecombe-in-the-Moor Members agreed to support this application.
(ii) 0530/12 – Change of use of land for two yurts and associated sheds, comprising shower, compost toilet and kitchen (retrospective application) at New Cott Farm, Poundsgate Members raised no objections to this application.
(b) Decisions
(i) 0453/12 - Single storey side extension, Neds (formerly Foxley), Widecombe-in-the-Moor Members noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission.
(ii) 0460/12 & 0461/12 – Internal and external alterations to house including replacement windows and roof slate, re-instate demolished threshing barn and garage to form photographic studio and stores, plus other various works, Dunstone Manor, Widecombe-in-the-Moor Members noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission and listed building consent.
3485 CORRESPONDENCE
There were no items of correspondence requiring attention.
Items for information were placed in the circulation folder.
3486 HIGHWAYS
(a) It was agreed that the following matters would be reported to DCC Highways:
• The main signpost to Sherill was still missing.
• The signpost to Chittleford still needs replacing.
• Large pothole at Olds Brim.
• Poor condition of the road from Chittleford to Lower Dunstone.
• Poor condition of Jordan Lane.
• Poor condition of the road running through Lower Town and Deeper Marsh including a blocked drain under the road causing potholes to form.
(b) Cllr Tame advised that the gate to the common from Thornhill Lane has disintegrated and stock are entering the highway and becoming a hazard. It was agreed that the clerk would contact DCC to establish who is responsible for its replacement.
3487 MATTERS OF INFORMATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN
Cllr Tempest advised that the sewage plant at Lower Town was in a poor condition and the odours being emitted from it making it impossible to spend time in her greenhouse. Cllr Nosworthy added that the trees screening it were very overgrown. It was agreed that the clerk write to South West Water asking them to take action.
Cllr Booty expressed concern that the closure of Ashburton and Buckfastleigh Hospital was being considered. He proposed and it was agreed by all that the MP, Mel Stride, should be contacted. It was further suggested that he be invited to the Annual Parish Meeting in March.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.30pm.
Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ……………………………………….
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY 3rd JANUARY 2013
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.
The information on this page was last modified on December 31 2012 23:06:16.