WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL 
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 7 November 2019 in Church House, Widecombe
Members Present: Councillor Hassell (Chairman), Edwards, Elliott, Morley, Partridge, Routley and Whiteside
Also present: County Cllr Gribble and District Cllr Nutley
Members of the Public: There were five members of the public present.
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
4489 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
• Cllr Booty
• District Cllr Cox
• District Cllr Parker-Khan
4490 OPEN FORUM
A resident commented on the removal of the wall by forestry contractors on the Natsworthy road resulting in debris washing on to the highway. DNPA is aware of the issue but it was also agreed to pursue this with DCC/
4491 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
Members were reminded of their responsibility to continually update their Notice of Registerable Interests and invited to state whether they have any interest in the items to be discussed during this meeting in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct.  Unforeseen requests for a Dispensation to be considered at this point only if there was no way a Councillor
would have been aware of such before the meeting. There were no declarations of interest or requests for dispensation.
4492 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Members received the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 3 October 2019 which were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
4493 REPORTS
(a) County Councillor
Cllr Gribble reported that he had visited Ponsworthy Splash and Spitchwick with Simon Pearson and Scott Riddell to discuss the issues which have been raised by this Council.
(b) District Councillors
District Cllr Nutley informed members that the Overview & Scrutiny Committee has recommended that the £250,000 contribution towards the Connecting Devon and Somerset superfast broadband rollout should be withdrawn on the grounds that it might not benefit the whole of Teignbridge. Up to 1000 households are trialling new recycling sacks. If the trial is successful, the sack will replace the black box. The outcome of the fire station closures will be announced on 19 December.
(c) DNPA Representative
Rob Steemson was not present at the meeting. Cllr Nutley as TDC’s appointed DNPA member gave the following update: Buildling work at Postbridge Visitor Centre has started. Natural England has launched 5 peat restoration pilots in a bid to help reduce the UK’s carbon emissions. One of the peatland bogs is located on Dartmoor. Increased woodland cover is also planned. Cllr Nutley advised that the consultation on car parking permits has now closed. Finally, permission has been granted for 39 houses in Ashburton.
(d) Police
No report.
(e) Delegate Reports
No reports.
4494 PLANNING/LOCAL LIAISON
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Booty & Elliott)
(a) New planning applications/appeals:
Members considered the following appeal:
(i) 0074/19 - Appeal against non-determination within 8 weeks for Erection of agricultural workers dwelling (principal dwelling) at land to the north of Lower Blackaton, Blackdown Piper,
Widecombe-in-the-Moor It was agreed that this Council would not comment on this appeal.
(b) Planning Decisions/Withdrawals
The following planning decisions were reported:
(i) 0381/19 – Erection of two general purpose agricultural barns (13.5 x 13.5m) with hardstanding and planted Devon bank, Higher Sherwell Farm, Poundsgate Members noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission.
(ii) 0357/19 - Middle Cator Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor Members noted that DNPA has issued a Certificate of Lawfulness or Development for part of the use described in the application.
(iii) 0310/19 – Erection of timber frame building for housing of horses and sheep, Land adjacent to Southcombe, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members noted that DNPA has refused to grant planning permission.
4495 PROJECTS
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Edwards & Morley)
(a) Affordable Housing
The Chairman advised that there was no further update.
4496 ESTATES
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Fenton & Whiteside)
(a) Community Right to Bid The Clerk advised that TDC had confirmed that only the field used by the school had been previously registered under this scheme as the other three fields (glebeland) were not eligible. An application to re-register this field has therefore been made.
(b) Poundsgate Notice board
Cllr Partridge has completed the paperwork for the grant and has contacted the contractor to start the work. Words for the interpretation panel will be circulated when drafted. Cllr Partridge also advised that she has informed and gained permission from The Tavistock Inn to mount the new notice board on its wall.
(c) Sandbag Store
Cllr Edwards advised that the new floor has now been fitted. It was agreed that the sandbag store should be advertised in the Parish Link and via the email communication system to remind parishioners of the facility and its location. After discussion about whether the store should be kept unlocked and how use of the sandbags is monitored, it was agreed that Cllr Edwards would devise some operating procedures for approval at the next meeting.
4497 FINANCE & GOVERNANCE
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Partridge & Routley)
(a) Payments
The following payments were approved:
• Cheque no 001028 - Civil Solutions Ltd (sandbag store floor) - £73.44
• Cheque no 001029 - Clerk’s salary and disbursements (Nov) - £253.40
• Cheque no 001030 - ABC Service (Printing of voting slip and envelopes) - £60.70
• Cheque no 001031 - Royal Mail Group (postal vote) - £118.50
(b) Budget and Precept 2020/21
Members considered budget proposals for 2020/21. As well as budget requirements, members briefly discussed whether there was any need to increase the precept, budgetary contingency levels and the level of year-end surplus. Once suggestion included increasing the budget allocation for small grants so that other community groups in the parish might benefit from additional funding to reduce this surplus It was agreed that members would give thought to the proposals for further discussion and approval at the next meeting.
4498 HIGHWAYS
There were no new issues. Potholes and other highways maintenance issues can be reported direct to DCC: Online: https://www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtr
ansport/report-a-problem/ Telephone: 0345 155 1004  Email: customer@devon.gov.uk
4499 CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Members received and noted correspondence from Mel Stride MP confirming that the public telephone service in Widecombe will stay in place for the foreseeable future.
(b) Members received and noted a letter of thanks from St Pancras PCC for grant received
4500 MEMBERS’ ITEMS FOR INFORMATION OR GENERAL DISCUSSION, FOR INCLUSION ON FUTURE
AGENDAS AND/OR ITEMS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION
Members are reminded that they have not received the statutory notice of this business to be transacted and should therefore recognise that any decision made may be taken to be unlawful if challenged in the future None.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.35pm.
Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ……………………………………….
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 2 December 2019 at 7.30pm.