WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council
held on Thursday 2 May 2013
in the Church House, Widecombe
Present: Councillors Newbolt-Young (Chairman), Booty, Morley, Nosworthy, Routley, Tame & Tempest
In attendance: County Cllr Gribble
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
Members of the Public: None
OPEN FORUM
There were no members of the public present.
3544 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
It was proposed by Cllr Morley, seconded by Cllr Booty and unanimously agreed by all members present and voting that Cllr Newbolt-Young is re-elected as Chairman
3545 CHAIRMAN’S DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
The Chairman, Cllr Newbolt-Young signed the declaration of acceptance of office which was witnessed y the Clerk.
3546 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN
It was proposed by Cllr Tame, seconded by Cllr Tempest and unanimously agreed by all members present and voting that Cllr Booty is re-elected as Vice-Chairman.
3547 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
• District Cllr M Jeffery
3548 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.
3549 REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
No requests were received.
3550 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council on 4 April 2013 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
3551 ELECTION/APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO OTHER BODIES
It was agreed that Cllr Tame would act as the Parish’s tree consultant.
It was agreed that Cllr Morley would continue to represent the Parish Council on the Widecombe Fair Committee and Widecombe & District Sports Group.
Cllr Tempest agreed to continue to serve on the Educational Trust and on the Church House Trust.
It was agreed that Cllr Booty would represent the parish’s highways issues.
It was agreed to write to Miles Fursdon thanking him for his efforts as Snow Warden and to confirm whether he wishes to continue with this role.
3552 REVIEW OF PARISH COUNCIL GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS
(a) Standing Orders
Members reviewed the Council’s Standing Orders and agreed no changes.
(b) Financial Regulations
Members reviewed the Council’s Financial Regulations and agreed no changes.
(c) General and Financial Risk Assessment
Members considered and adopted the General and Financial Risk Assessment subject to a minor amendment.
(d) Statement of Internal Control
Members considered and adopted a Statement of Internal Control.
(e) Fixed Assets Register
Members reviewed and approved its fixed asset register.
(f) Investment Strategy
Members considered and adopted an Investment Strategy for the Council.
3553 POLICE REPORT
No report.
3554 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr Gribble advised that he had attended a coffee morning at Leusdon Memorial Hall and a meeting of the History Group at which a presentation was made about the digitisation project. He had been busy addressing highways issues and had had a meeting with senior officers about the condition of roads in his rural parishes. The maintenance contract currently awarded to South West Highways comes up for renewal in 2015. He has also spoken to DCC Highways officer for this parish, Scott Riddell, about the items listed in April’s minutes. Finally Cllr Gribble advised members of the emergency telephone number for potholes and flooding which is 0845 551 004.
3555 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
No report.
3556 DELEGATE REPORTS
(a) The Chairman and Cllr Routley had attended the Parish Council workshop hosted by DNPA the minutes of which had been circulated to all members.
(b) The Chairman advised that he had spoken to Trevor Eveleigh about the sandbag store. Mr Eveleigh has agreed to construct a store free of charge if the Parish Council purchases the materials. A quotation was being sought.
3557 MATTERS ARISING
(a) Walkabout Inspection
The following items were noted:
• Land owned by First Step Homes currently being marketed for sale for £30,000
• The bridge to the park seemed safe
• It was noted that a grant for refurbishing the summer house at the Sports Group had been obtained; the fence was still to be repaired using grant aid received from the Parish Council
• Bill Allen, DNPA Ranger, expressed concern about the stile in the fence and suggested that it be replaced with a gate at the time when the fence is repaired/replaced
• Cluster of trees next to road, near play area – contact Brian Beasley about felling
• It was noted that the tunnel in the play area is now repaired
• Clerk to establish the boundaries of North Hall with DNPA field for insurance purposes
• Chairman to speak with Trevor Eveleigh who had expressed his intention to obtain some gravel/planings for the car park
• The bridge opposite the entrance to North Hall field is in need of repair, in particular the railings and concrete posts. Clerk to inform DCC.
• The public toilets were checked and were fine.
• Bill Allen reported that he is chasing Steve Chew with regard to the handrail which will be fixed on the wall next to the steps leading from the green to the road. DNPA will also spread some growan (decomposed granite) on the lower levels to improve the surface.
• Parish Field – the post at the entrance needs replacing. The current tenant of the field requested that the wooden gate be replaced with a metal gate or very strong wooden gate.
• There was a discussion about opening up the leat to run through the field. Bill Allen indicated that funding might be available to help with such a project. Issues to consider would be ongoing maintenance and how opening up the leat would affect properties further down.
• A parishioner informed members that the second gate into North Hall car park is falling to pieces. Clerk to report to DNPA.
• Clerk to contact DCC about cones around a manhole cover on Brook Lane which have been there for some time
• The bench outside Church House is in need of repair but ownership is unknown. Chairman to speak to National Trust.
• It was agreed that the Chairman would carry out a risk assessment of the Saxon well
• The tree on the little green is dying and needs removing. Cllr Tame will apply for relevant permission.
(b) Teign Housing/First Step Homes
The clerk advised that a representative from Teign Housing has agreed to attend June’s meeting to update members regarding First Step Homes’ approach to Teign Housing about purchasing the land. The Chairman reminded members that it had been noted o the walkabout that the land was currently being marketed on the open market for £30,000.
(c) Rural Aid
Cllr Tame advised members that Mike Pascoe was sourcing the three quotations necessary to accompany the Rural Aid application to refurbish the bell ringing tower. The clerk agreed that she would contact Mr Pascoe.
(d) Widecombe Fair
Members received and accepted a quotation for three portable toilets for Widecombe Fair day from Event Hire Solutions.
(e) Community Right to Bid
After a discussion, it was agreed to defer this item until members had given more thought to which assets, if any, should be nominated. (Clerk to recirculate leaflet to members).
3558 FINANCE
(a) Payments for approval
The following cheque was approved for payment:
• Cheque no 000807 - Clerk’s salary and disbursements (May) - £187.90
• Cheque no 000808 - DNPA – 1 year’s rent of North Hall field - £15.00
• Cheque no 000809 – Church House (hire for meetings – April 2012 – March 2013 inc) £110
b) Audit 2012/13
(i) Members received and approved the End of Year Summary and Accounts and authorised the Chairman to complete the Statement of Assurance in order that the papers can be sent for external audit.
(ii) Members agreed to maintain the internal audit arrangements which provide excellent reassurance for the public that the financial systems are robust and fit for purpose and to continue with the appointment of Ken Abraham as the Internal Auditor to the Parish Council. The clerk confirmed that the internal audit was to be carried out on 21 May 2013.
(c) Insurance
Members received, reviewed and approved the renewal quotation for 2013/14 with Community First at a cost of £149.94 (cheque no 810).
3559 PLANNING
(a) New applications/appeals
(i) 00198/13 – Erection of single storey rear extension and alterations to the roof at the rear at Wooder Bungalow, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members agreed to support this application.
(b) Decisions
(i) 0079/13 – Install Velux rooflight on converted barn linked to farmhouse Southway Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members noted that listed building consent has been refused.
3560 HIGHWAYS
(a) Members received and noted the comments of the DCC Highways Officer, Scott Riddell, regarding matters raised last month.
(b) No other highways matters were raised.
3561 CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Members received a letter of thanks from Widecombe History Group for grant awarded by the Parish Council.
(b) Members received a letter of thanks from St Pancras PCC for grant awarded by the Parish Council.
(c) Members received a request from Geoff Bamsey, Churchwarden for Leusdon Church, asking for the Council’s permission to use Widecombe Village Green for their annual fundraising 'Funday' on Tuesday 13th August. He confirmed that they have public liability insurance cover from Ecclesiastical Insurance Group. Members agreed that permission be granted.
(d) Members received and considered correspondence from Roger Claxton suggesting that the Parish Council ought to have a greater involvement with the ‘Moor than Meets the Eye Project’. After a discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council should not be steering/influencing how money should be spent and that it must remain impartial.
3562 MATTERS OF INFORMATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN
None.
Cllr Tame gave his apologies for June’s meeting.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.30pm.
Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ……………………………………….
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY 6 JUNE 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.