Reading Out Loud
Focused Elements:
You can have these explanations read out loud by clicking on 'Speak Explanation' (access key 'a')
These controls are to provide alternative means of accessing the information on this page. Two main facilities are provided: adjusting the text size and listening to the text on the page.
1) Adjusting Text Size:
You can increase the text size by clicking on 'Larger' (access key '+'), and reduce it by clicking on 'Smaller' (access key '-'). You can reset the size back to its original value by clicking on 'Reset' (access key 'j')
2) Listening to the Text
You can adjust the pitch of the spoken word, the rate or speed of delivery and the volume. You can also choose the voice to use by clicking on the drop-down list. The default voice is whatever is the standard for the computer and browser you are using.
To set your default, please refer to the description in the Accessibility Statement.
There are normally three sections of text on the page that you can listen to: the headings, the main text and a selection. Click on 'Speak Headings to speak the page headings (access key 'l'). Click on 'Speak Main Text' (access key 'q') to listen to the main text.
You can also select an area of text in the page using standard select methods and click on 'Speak Selection' (access key 'w') to read the selection aloud.
You can enable the reading out loud of the element that currently has focus by clicking on 'Start Focus Speaking' (access key 'f') and you can stop this by clicking on 'Stop Focus Speaking' (access key 'd').
You can pause the audio by clicking on 'Pause' (access key 'r') and resume by clicking on 'Resume' (access key 't').
To cancel or stop the audio click on 'Cancel' (access key 'y'). To restart the current audio from the beginning, click on 'Restart' (access key 'k').
To hide the accessibility controls click on 'Hide Panel' (access key 'h')
To hide this explanation click on 'Hide Explanation' (access key 'x')
Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Widecombe Parish Council Minutes
WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Zoom on Thursday 5 November 2020
Members present: Councillor Hassell (Chairman), Booty, Edwards, Elliott, Fenton, Partridge, Routley and Whiteside
Also present: County Cllr Gribble
Members of the Public: There were no members of the public present.
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Cllr Clare
District Cllr Nutley
District Cllr Cox
OPEN FORUM
There were no members of the public present.
DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND 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.
Cllr Partridge declared an interest in item 4609.
RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Members received the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 1 October 2020 which were approved as a true and correct record. As a matter arising from the minutes, the clerk confirmed that WDSG were happy to support the recommendation by TDC’s Play Area Project Officer for new play equipment. Cllr Partridge advised that in response to the suggestion that a contribution of £27,000 is made by Teign Housing towards new play equipment, she had seen correspondence from Teign Housing requesting that this is not a condition of their planning application.
REPORTS
County Councillor
Cllr Gribble thanked Cllr Routley for informing him about the damage to Newbridge. He advised that he has given a £1000 grant to the new community building. He has also been approached for funds to purchase two new seats for both churches in the parish. A parishioner has contacted him about the state of the road in Lower Town. Cllr Gribble advised that it is on the list to be resurfaced at some point. He also met a resident of Jordan who wished to discuss the drainage along the road which is falling apart.
District Councillors
No reports.
DNPA Representative
No report.
Police
No report.
Delegate Reports
No reports
ESTATES
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Fenton & Whiteside)
Tree Survey
Having declared an interest, Cllr Partridge left the meeting for this item. Members received three quotations for the trees on the village green and parish field to be surveyed. After a brief discussion, it was agreed to accept the quotation from Dart Forest Trees for £495 + VAT.
PLANNING/LOCAL LIAISON
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Booty & Elliott)
New planning applications/appeals
0510/20 – New Cott Farm, Poundsgate
Non-compliance with the agricultural occupancy condition
After brief discussion, it was agreed that the Parish Council would not comment on this application.
Planning Decisions/Withdrawals
0405/20 – The Rugglestone Inn, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Demolition of existing barn and erect camping barn plus erection of WC/shower building Replacement hall chimney with replacement cap and lead tray at roof level; repairs to pointing and flashing of north chimney and replacement concrete cap Members noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning consent.
FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Partridge & Routley)
Payments
Members received and approved the following payment:
• Cheque no 001059 - Clerk’s salary and disbursement (November) - £263.27
Budget and Precept 2021/22
Members received draft proposals for next year’s budget. It was noted that, this year, the Parish Council had lost the income from Widecombe Fair following its cancellation due to Covid (£1,200) and that there had been a significant unbudgeted overspend resulting from the felling of the sycamore tree (£3,334). The Parish Council had used its reserves to cover any shortfall. TDC has also advised that there will be an adjustment in the council tax base number for 2021/22 due to a fewer number of anticipated new dwellings on the register. Giving consideration to all these factors combined with the fact that the precept has not been increased for a number of years, members considered that a small incremental increase may be appropriate. It was agreed that this would be discussed further at the next meeting.
HIGHWAYS
The Chairman thanked Cllr Routley and Cllr Gribble for responding quickly to the damage at Newbridge.
It was also noted that there was a permanent flow of water on the road between Dunstone and Widecombe forming a hole. Since the newer houses had been built on the former garage site, the drainage has been poor. Cllr Gribble offered to look at this.
Potholes and other highways maintenance issues can be reported direct to DCC:
Online: https://www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-a-problem/
Telephone: 0345 155 1004
Email: customer@devon.gov.uk
CORRESPONDENCE
Members received information regarding the permanent closure of the National Trust Shop in Widecombe. Consequently, there is an opportunity for someone to take out a short term, renewable lease as an independent retail outlet in order to keep the shop open for the foreseeable future.
After brief discussion, it was agreed that Cllr Fenton would ask the National Trust to draft a statement for the parish email communication system which could be circulated. It was agreed that this
statement could also be included in the school newsletter and posted on the parish noticeboards and on the shop door.
Members received correspondence from TDC regarding the upcoming vacant Hastoe Housing
Association property on Brook Lane. It was noted that Hastoe had again failed to notify the Parish
Council of the upcoming vacancy so that it could alert parishioners or those with a local connection
(this had happened in 2013 and an assurance had been given that it would not happen again). The Chairman informed members that he had written to TDC to advise them of this and that the vacancy was readvertised on Devon Homechoice (28 Oct-2 Nov). A flyer was also supplied by TDC and circulated on the parish email communication system. TDC has contacted all registered applicants and encouraged them to bid. Members requested that a letter is sent to Hastoe and TDC expressing the Parish Council’s disappointment that it had not been involved in the process at the start despite reassurances in 2013 that this would not happen again. Members received information about and an invitation to join the Councillors Advocate Scheme to improve communication between local councillors, the police and the Police and Crime Commissioner. It was agreed that the clerk would provide her contact details and would circulate information to all members as and when appropriate.
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
Cllr Fenton advised that there will be a Service of Remembrance in Widecombe and asked if this could be shared on the parish email communication system.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The date of the next meeting will be held on Zoom on 3 December 2020 at 7.30pm.
Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ……………………………………….
The information on this page was last modified on November 29 2020 12:39:13.