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 in Leusdon Memorial Hall on Thursday 2 March 2023 at 7.30pm
Members present: Councillor Elliott (Chairman for this meeting), Bibby, Butcher, Edwards, Fenton, Jones, Partridge and Zab
Also present: County Cllr Gribble and District Cllr Nutley
Members of the Public: Two
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
4864 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
- Cllr Hassell
- District Cllr Cox
- Rob Steemson (DNPA)
4864 OPEN FORUM
No comments.
4865 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.
Cllr Elliott declared an interest in items 4868(c) and 4870(b).
Cllr Bibby declared an interest in items 4868(c) and 4870(b).
Cllr Jones declared an interest in items 4868(b) and 4870(b).
There were no requests for dispensation.
4866 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Members received the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 26 January 2023 which were approved as a true and correct record.
4867 REPORTS
(a) County Councillor
Cllr Gribble summarised a written report which he circulated to members (copy attached). Concerns were also expressed to Cllr Gribble about the state of the roads and the poor standard of pothole repairs. Cllr Gribble was also advised (as reported in January’s meeting) that the Snow Warden or Parish Council are not receiving the required level of support from DCC to service the grit bins.
(b) District Councillors
Cllr Nutley reported that he has contacted Green Spaces about the hedge behind the toilets but it has been referred to the Car Parks department. He has spoken to the Car Parks manager about it but has not yet received an update.
Cllr Nutley circulated a document relating to TDC’s budget for 2023-24 detailing recommendations which have been approved by Full Council (copy attached).
(c) DNPA Representative
No report
(d) Police Report
PCSO Paul Wilson (Chudleigh Police Office) sent a report covering the period 1 March 2022 – 27 February 2023.
This report covers the parish of Widecombe which includes the village and surrounding area on Dartmoor including its road network.
The Parish is served by the Neighbourhood Police team, working out of Ashburton Police station and Chudleigh Police office. The Parish forms part of the Teignbridge Rural sector. The team is led by Sgt Seth Saunders, supported by PC Andy Dudley, at this time there is no dedicated PCSO for the parish.
In the period 1st March 2022 to 27th February 2023 (up until 10.30am on 27th when report was compiled) in the Widecombe area there have been 24 recorded offences:
Assaults: 3
Blackmail: 1
Criminal damage: 4
Dog worrying sheep: 5
Driving offence: 1
Harassment: 5
Sexual offences (non-assault): 2
Theft: 3
There were 27 other non-offence incidents in in this period, responded to by the Police. These include road traffic incidents, concerns for welfare, missing people, and anti-social behaviour.
Police have been carrying out patrols across this rural area and linking in with local farmers and businesses. We attended the Widcombe fair, working with Trading standards and giving advice around rural policing.
We are keen to hear any ideas that would help us support the local community in the future, particularly around Police surgery visits.
(e) Delegate Reports
None
4868 PROJECTS & ESTATES
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Fenton, Partridge, Butcher and Bibby
(a) Parish Field
(i) Grazing licence: this opportunity was advertised in the parish but no tenders were received. An offer has been made by a parishioner to graze his sheep at no cost. It was proposed and agreed that his offer is accepted subject to signing the agreement, paying a £1 peppercorn rent and supplying a copy of his insurance. It was agreed that Cllr Fenton would contact the parishioner to arrange this.
(b) Coronation
(i) Cllr Jones outlined plans for the coronation celebrations over the weekend 6 - 7 May. They are applying for a licence for a beer tent on the green. There will be a fireworks display in the evening of 6th May which will be let off from the churchyard. On Sunday, there will be an afternoon tea. Permission was requested to use the Village Green for the celebrations which was approved.
It was agreed that the clerk would check the insurance position. The event is not being organised by the Parish Council and therefore is unlikely to be covered by the Parish Council’s policy.
(ii) Coronation Memorial
There was a discussion about a suitable Coronation memorial. Members discussed the planting of a tree on the green to replace the horse chestnut which is going to be felled. It was concluded that there was general support for a tree to be dedicated to the Coronation with some kind of written commemoration.
(c) Community Hall event
Members received a request to use the village green for a pop-up stall on 16 June to advertise the work of the Widecombe Community Hall and raise funds. This was agreed.
(d) Affordable Housing
Members noted that the new housing will also be known Brook Lane Cottages (odd numbers).
Members received the Allocations Plan. After noting the need for a couple of minor amendments, members authorised the clerk to sign the Allocations Plan subject to those amendments being made.
4869 PLANNING/LOCAL LIAISON
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Edwards, Elliott, Jones & Zab)
(a) New planning applications/appeals
(i) 075/23 – Glebe Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Renovation and change of use of barn including roof extension (increase in height) to create ground floor interpretation room and first floor storage area for historical agricultural implements previously excavated on Glebe Farm, Widecombe-in-the-MoorMembers noted a report by members of the Planning Committee and it was agreed to support this application as it would be a positive village asset.
(ii) 0046/23 – Mill House, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Erection of a garage/garden machinery store with workshop over for incidental use following demolition of an existing garage/store
Members agreed not to comment.
(iii) 0088/23 – Pink Cottage, Ponsworthy
Listed Building Consent – addition of chimney cowl to existing chimney pot to prevent further water ingress
Members agreed to support this application.
(b) Planning Decisions/Withdrawals
(i) 22/0060 – Proposed Tree Works, Widecombe Green
Members noted that DNPA has confirmed that they are not protecting the horse chestnut with a TPO and therefore the proposed works can take place.
4870 FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Edwards, Elliott, Jones & Zab)
(a) Payments
Members received and approved the following payments:
- Clerk’s salary and disbursements (March & April) - £511.04
- G Fenton - Tree stakes (Parish field) - £227.52
- Church House (hire of hall April 2022-March 2023) - £50
- Leusdon Memorial Hall (hire of hall Jan 2023) – £20
(b) Small Grants Scheme
Members considered applications for a small grant and approved the following awards:
- £500 towards the Coronation event
- £204 to Leusdon Memorial Hall for a replacement defibrillator battery
- £500 to Widecombe Community Hall CIO towards the cost of connecting mains electricity in Hayes Field
It was agreed that an application from Spitchwick Cricket Club did not qualify under the terms of the grant scheme.
4871 HIGHWAYS
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
Highways issues had already been raised in the open forum.
4872 CORRESPONDENCE
None
4873 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
4874 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The Annual Meeting of the Council will be held on 11 May 2023 at 7.30pm in Leusdon Memorial Hall, Leusdon.
Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ……………………………………….
The information on this page was last modified on May 10 2023 12:00:25.