Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Zoom on Thursday 1 October 2020

Members present: Councillor Hassell (Chairman), Booty, Clare, Edwards, Elliott, Partridge, Routley and Whiteside

Also present: District Cllr Parker-Khan

Members of the Public: There was two members of the public present.

Clerk: Suzanna Hughes

4591 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

• Cllr Fenton
• County Councillor Gribble
• District Cllr Nutley
• District Cllr Cox

4592 OPEN FORUM

Two representatives of Widecombe Pre-School informed members that they had heard that the Parish Council is considering alternative uses for the Parish Field. They advised that the pre-school does not have use an outdoor classroom anymore and they would therefore like this to be considered as a possible use for the field. The space could be shared with the school.

4593 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

4594 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES

Members received the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 3 September 2020 which were approved as a true and correct record.

4595 REPORTS

(a) County Councillor

Cllr Gribble was not present at the meeting but had advised that he was visiting the parish tomorrow to address a highways issues which he had been contacted about. He will report on this next month.

(b) District Councillors

District Cllr Parker-Khan advised that TDC’s focus has been budgets, recovery plans and the financial impact of COVID. It has been estimated that there is a £2 million shortfall this year. This is as a result of the loss of car park charges and the closure of leisure centres. The Rural Aid scheme and the Rural Skip service have both been withdrawn. The government’s Test and Trace support payments of £500 for people who are isolating are being administered by TDC. The £1500 grant for businesses is also available for those businesses which have to close for more than three weeks.

(c) DNPA Representative

No report.

(d) Police

No report.

(e) Delegate Reports

No reports.

4596 PROJECTS

(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Edwards & Clare)

(a) Parish Field

Members received a proposal for future use of the Parish Field. In summary, it is considered there are three options:

(i) Continue to let the field for grazing on an annual basis

(ii) Sell it

(iii) Research ideas for local people and visitors to use

After a brief discussion, it was agreed that the Projects team should explore and research option (iii) and formulate a proposal for consideration by the Council at a future meeting.

4597 ESTATES

(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Fenton & Whiteside)

(a) Tree Survey

It was agreed that a tree survey of those trees for which the Parish Field is responsible should be carried out. Following receipt of quotes in March, it was agreed that the Estates team would make a recommendation at the next meeting.

4598 PLANNING/LOCAL LIAISON

(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Booty & Elliott)

(a) New planning applications/appeals

(i) 0405/20 – The Rugglestone Inn, Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Demolition of existing barn and erect camping barn plus erection of WC/shower building in adjacent field

It was agreed to support this application on the following grounds:

• The proposed replacement for the current barn is in-keeping with local agricultural buildings and modest in scale.
• The buildings are not over-looked and will not be easily visible.
• There is ample space in the existing pub carpark for any additional parking needs of the proposals.
• There is a focus on sustainable tourism, which is in-line with the DNPA Plan, and is the result of known and expected demand for camping facilities in the area.
• There is the potential to reduce wild camping in the area.
• The proposals are modest in scale and designed to fit neatly into the existing space, with minimal impact.
• The proposals will help to sustain a well-established, popular and much needed local business in the heart of the village and community, with the expected knock-on effect of providing trade for other local establishments.

(b) Planning Decisions/Withdrawals

(i) 0349/20 - Middle Natsworthy, Widecombe-in-the-Moor

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.

4599 FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE

(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Partridge & Routley)

(a) Payments

Members received and approved the following payments:

• Cheque no 001056 - Clerk’s salary and disbursement (October) - £314.79
• Cheque no 001057 - HMRC (PAYE) - £67.40
• Cheque no 001058 - Wollens Solicitors (sum on account of costs and disbursements associated with the North Hall Field lease) - £200

4600 HIGHWAYS

No new issues were reported.

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

4601 CORRESPONDENCE

Members received an email from Debbie Marshall (Play Area Project Officer, TDC) regarding the affordable homes development. She has been contacted by the DNPA Planning Officer dealing with the application seeking her opinion on play facilities. Ms Marshall is seeking clarification as to whether there is support for a new play area at the site (partly funded by a s106 contribution) if such contribution could be secured. (The question was being asked because of the responsibility for the ongoing maintenance costs which would have to be borne by the Sports Group). It was agreed that Cllr Partridge would seek confirmation from the Sports Group that they would be willing to take on the responsibility of the ongoing maintenance of some new equipment.

Having inspected the play area, there were also concerns raised about the safety of the equipment. Cllr Partridge confirmed that the equipment had been inspected by ROSPA in March and nothing had been identified as high risk though it was acknowledged that the equipment was tired. Efforts have been made by the Sports Group to obtain grants to purchase new equipment but, as yet, to no avail.

4602 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.

4603 DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The date of the next meeting will be held on Zoom on 5 November 2020 at 7.30pm.

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