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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 Zoom on Thursday 1 April 2021
Members present: Councillor Hassell (Chairman), Booty, Clare, Edwards, Elliott, Fenton, Partridge and Whiteside
Also present: County Cllr Gribble, District Cllr Cox
Members of the Public: There were three members of the public present.
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
4655 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
- District Cllr Parker-Khan
- District Cllr Nutley
4656 OPEN FORUM
There were no comments from members of the public.
4657 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 or requests for dispensation.
4658 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Members received the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 4 March 2021 which were approved as a true and correct record.
4659 REPORTS
(a) County Councillor
Cllr Gribble advised that he has spoken to DCC’s Bridge Officer regarding the loose stones at Newbridge but was unsure whether these had been secured yet. Cllr Routley was doubtful but would check and let Cllr Gribble know. He is also following up various highways matters in Ponsworthy and Lower Town which have been brought to his attention by local residents.
(b) District Councillors
District Cllr Cox reported that a meeting was held to look at options to replace the terminated Rural Skip service. The preferred option is a skip service similar to the one that TDC used to run. He has a list of items which TDC would allow and not allow and will now go back to contractors with this information. They would also have to be policed so that only residents from those parishes paying for the service are able to use them. Cllr Elliott advised that she was happy to continue to attend meetings on behalf of the parish.
(c) DNPA Representative
No report.
(d) Police
No report.
(e) Delegate Reports
No reports
4661 PROJECTS
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Edwards & Clare)
(a) Parish Field
Cllr Clare reported that scalpings have been spread at the entrance to the field. These were supplied free of charge by Glendinnings and put down voluntarily by Lloyd and Pete Mortimer and Richard Palmer. She advised that a new gate and posts are needed. The pre-school will be going into the field this weekend to erect their boundary fencing. Anything within this area will become their responsibility to maintain. The agreement for the pre-school and the sheep grazing agreements are being drafted and when completed, Cllr Clare will circulate them for members to consider. There has been an advert in the Parish Link to establish whether there is interest in establishing allotments. Some interest has already been expressed. Cllr Fenton had noticed that one of the trees has been cut down and chopped into pieces and wondered who was responsible for this. Members were not sure who had done this. He also advised that there is enthusiasm within the parish for a parish field open day and the History Group would be happy to support it by putting up a display to explain the history of the field. Cllr Edwards offered to help Cllr Fenton to organise the event. It was agreed to create a Doodle poll to establish a preferred date. It was also agreed that Cllr Clare should obtain quotes to install a new entrance gate and posts.
(ii) Members received a proposal that a section of the field is used to graze sheep only. This was agreed. As stated in item 4661 (a)(i), Cllr Clare will circulate a draft agreement for members’ consideration. Cllr Clare advised that sheep grazing is subject to water being available in the field and this is being looked into.
4662 ESTATES
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Fenton & Whiteside)
(a) Parish Trees
Cllr Fenton advised that he has received two quotes for the proposed works but was not yet in a position to present those. The item was therefore deferred until the next meeting.
(b) North Hall Field
Members received legal advice from the solicitors. It was noted that DNPA would be more comfortable with a 15-year lease within the Landlord and Tenant Act 1954 rather than a fixed lease for a term of 50 years but contracted outside the Act. After discussion, it was agreed to request a term of 25 years within the Act. If the Sports Group wished to apply for grants for new play equipment, there may be a requirement from funders for at least a 20-year lease.
4663 PLANNING/LOCAL LIAISON
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Booty & Elliott)
(a) New planning applications/appeals
(i) 0082/21 – Little Meadow, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Erection of agricultural barn (retrospective)
Replacement dwelling and associated outbuilding
The Chairman allowed the applicant’s agent, James Birchett, to explain the application. Members also gave consideration to the recommendations of the Parish Council’s planning representatives, Cllr Elliott and Booty, who summarised the following material considerations:
- The existing property does not have significant value in terms of appearance or character in the locality.
- These are well-thought through plans in terms of the development, particularly regarding a creative use of the shape of the site.
- The visual impact of the proposed dwelling will be reduced compared to the existing property.
- Careful thought has been given to the materials proposed for a sympathetic, yet modern appearance.
- Consideration for energy efficiency and passive solar design are welcomed.
Members agreed with Cllr Elliott and Booty’s recommendation that the Parish Council should support this application.
(ii) Road past Lower Cator Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Proposed application to Stop Up land (Highways Act 1980: Section 116)
It was agreed that the Parish Council had no objections to this application.
(b) Planning Decisions/Withdrawals
(i) 0625/20 – Blackdown Piper Farmhouse, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Permanent use for temporary agricultural workers’ dwelling (principal dwelling) – granted ref 0257/18
It was noted that DNPA has refused to grant planning permission.
(ii) 0057/21 – Littlecott Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Erection of agricultural barn (retrospective)
It was noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission.
4664 FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Partridge & Routley)
(a) Payments
Members received and approved the following payment:
- Cheque no 001070 - Clerk’s salary and disbursements (March) - £281.39
- Cheque no 001071 - HMRC (PAYE Q4) - £61.60
4665 HIGHWAYS
There were no new highways issues.
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
Cllr Routley stated that she had not seen any improvement on the double yellow lines on Newbridge Hill and surroundings which were supposed to have been done by Easter. Cllr Gribble offered to follow this up.
Cllr Fenton commented on the quality of the signposts which do not seem strong enough for this parish resulting in an endless cycle of signs being lost/broken. Cllr Gribble agreed to make enquiries.
4666 CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Dartmeet Telephone Box:
The Chairman updated members as to the actions which had been undertaken since the last meeting and copies of correspondence from TDC and DNPA had been circulated to members for information.
In summary, he advised that there had been a break-down of process: TDC had not consulted with parishes within DNPA.
Cllr Partridge recalled a conversation with the owner of Badgers Holt who thought that the telephone had not been working and may therefore have contributed to the low number of calls recorded by BT. It was agreed that she would confirm this with him.
Cllr Fenton referred to Off-Com guidance which sets out the consultation requirements including the responsibility of BT for ensuring that notices are received by all local people who are affected by them.
Cllr Partridge also commented that placing notices inside the telephone box was not a satisfactory way of consulting with the local people.
Cllr Routley also advised that this location is a meeting place for large events including Ten Tors and Duke of Edinburgh training.
District Cllr Parker-Khan had suggested to the Chairman that the Parish Council continues to pursue the matter with TDC with regard to reinstatement and they should be asked to fight for this on the Parish Council’s behalf. The Chairman asked if all points raised this evening could be forwarded to the clerk so that a letter can be drafted.
(b) The clerk advised that she had had a conversation with Jose Contreras (Gamma Solutions) about the opportunity to identify potential sites for EV charging points in Widecombe. The main car park was the obvious site but this would have to be put forward by TDC as the owner. The new community hall car park has been brought to his attention although this may be too soon for this particular scheme. On- street charging points would not be an option in Widecombe. Cllr Cox was asked if he could clarify whether TDC have put forward the main car park as a potential site.
4667 MEMBERS’ ITEMS FOR INFORMATION OR GENERAL DISCUSSION, FOR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDAS AND/OR ITEMS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION
Members are reminded th5r at 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
(a) Cllr Booty advised that he was resigning from the Parish Council and this would be his last meeting. The Chairman thanked Cllr Booty for his long service and valuable contribution as a parish councillor and all members were very sorry to lose him as a member.
(b) A member of the public commented that Dartmoor sign posts are named (e.g., Butts Cross) but as they are replaced with new signs, the names are not being included which he considers a great shame. Cllr Gribble offered to make enquiries as to why this was the case.
4668 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on Zoom on 6 May 2021 at 7.30pm.
Signed .................................................. Dated ..............................................
The information on this page was last modified on May 04 2021 10:46:12.