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
Minutes of the Meeting held at Church House, Widecombe on Thursday 28th Sept. 2000
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PRESENT : Mr.N.Smerdon (Chairman), Mr.S.Booty, Mr.M.Nosworthy, Mr.M.Pascoe,
Mrs.M.Phipps, Mrs.N.Tempest, Mr.C.Whale, Mr.M.Yates.
APOLOGIES : Mr.R.Newbolt-Young
IN ATTENDANCE : Mr.Bell (Commoners Assoc.), Mr.Mayhead, Mr.Allen (DNPA), two members of the public and the Clerk Mr.P.Roper.
2359 MINUTES : The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 17th August 2000 were signed by the Chairman as being an accurate record of the meeting.
2360 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
(i) Mr. Allen was invited to address the Council. He presented a copy of the final report of the Tree Planting Project which had successfully taken place in the Spring. He reported that a copy of the Report had been placed in the Time Capsule. Hopefully in 100 years time a check will be made on the progress of the trees then growing. He thanked the Council for its support throughout the time of the project.
(ii) Mr.Bell was invited to speak to the Council on the matter of damage caused by straying cattle in the village.
In the past there existed gates on roads around Widecombe Manor Common (CL 68) but sadly no longer. To replace such gates with cattle grids proved to be expensive. He said that cattle owners had been spoken with and pressure applied to exercise more control over straying cattle. These farmers were willing to remove their cattle if they are seen to be causing damage. A system of notifying these owners needed to be agreed.
The discussion that followed concentrated on what the Councillors considered to be the cause of increased numbers of cattle giving problems. The size of quotas was questioned. Mr.Bell said that a count has to be made following a formal request . However, cattle owners had quotas on different areas and it was difficult to be sure that the numbers were accurate.
It was felt that elderly residents should not have the responsibility of reporting on cattle movements. Although there was a certain charm for tourists to see cattle and ponies in the village, the mess they now make had the opposite effect on holiday makers.
It was felt that the open entrance to and gaps in the hedge of Mr.Palmer's field was one of the attractions for the cattle. The Chairman offered to speak with Mr. Palmer about this.
In conclusion it was felt that when cattle were seen to be in the village and likely to cause damage Councillors who lived or worked in the village would report this to the Chairman. He in turn would contact Mr. Bell who would help in contacting the owners of the said cattle.
The Chairman thanked Mr. Bell for attending the Council Meeting.
(iii) Mr. Mayhead was invited to present the final report of the Millennium Project to the meeting.
In total the capsule had finally contained 276 photographs : 260 private residences, 13 commercial/historic buildings and three groups. Only 6 property owners had refused permission to take part.
A bound copy of the photographs was presented to the Council to be placed in the Parish Chest. Also a copy of the contents of the capsule and copies of photographs for all those taking part. Councillors agreed to help with the distribution of these photos.
The Chairman expressed the feelings of everyone that Mr. Mayhead had achieved something outstanding and unique. He was thanked for his high standards and congratulated.
Councillors were presented with their WPC group photograph.
Two letters of appreciation from Mary Pascoe and Phyllis Pascoe were read to the meeting.
It was felt that these letters expressed the generally held view that the project had been a great success for virtually the whole community.
The Clerk informed the meeting that he had written several letters of thanks to those that had helped the Council on the day of the ceremony.
(iv) TDC Review of Free Car Parks : minutes of the meeting between representatives of TDC and WPC held on 21st September were distributed. It was decided to defer this item until the next meeting. This would give Councils time to read these minutes and also for any response from TDC.
(v) Lady Meadow Terrace : the Clerk reported on a copy of a letter from DCC Highways department to Mr. Graves, a property owner at Lady Meadow Terrace. In this letter DCC reported that they were unable to accept any responsibility for repairs to the approach road to Lady Meadow Terrace.
Mr.Whale reported that one of the householders at Lady Meadow Terrace had been recently charged by DCC for placing a skip on this approach road. This raised questions about ownership. Mr. Whale would seek to obtain proof of these charges and send them to the Clerk for investigation.
(vi) Rural Road Sweeping : the Clerk presented two maps of the cleaning routes around Widecombe supplied by TDC. These maps showed the winter and summer schedules.
Mr.Nosworthy asked to have these maps for further inquiry to check whether the schudules had been kept.
(vii) Toilet Damage : the Clerk reported the he had received a telephone call from WPC Evans. She intents to investigate the two incidents and report back.
There has been no reply from Mr. Warren of TDC regarding either the damage or the problem of lighting that cannot be turned off. It has been nearly five months since the original letter was written to Mr.Warren about the night lights in the toilets.
(viii) Methodist Church Roof Repairs : the Clerk reported on the reply from Mrs L.Smith of the DAPC on the question of financial support from the Parish Council.
It would appear that the rules of financial controls prevented public money being spent on Methodist Churches unless it could be shown that the building was of historic interest.
Alternatively such help could be given if a small amount of expenditure led to the Church receiving a larger amount of grant money. The Auditor would not look favourably on WPC giving money that was perceived to be a small amount being poured into a 'black hole'.
Mr.Nosworthy asked the Clerk to enquire from the Auditor whether money raised from rentals of WPC Village Green and field could be used for such purposes.
(ix) Widecombe Fair Report : the Clerk reported that the rent for the Village Green had been received and Banked. Mr.Nosworthy was thanked for collecting the money the day before the Fair !
A general discussion about the fair concluded that there was probably room for improvement.
Although Mr. Pascoe reported that the Town Crier competition had gone well it was felt that the quality of the traders outlets had fallen and that there were too many food outlets. It was considered whether village businesses could get together to provide the food outlets in future years.
In conclusion it was agreed to ask the people who live in Widecombe what they thought about that part of the Fair controlled by the Parish Council through an article in next month's Parish Link. The responses should be sent to either the Councillors or the Clerk and discussed at the November Council Meeting
2361 CORRESPONDENCE
(i) Dartington Rural Archive Exhibition : the Council was informed about this photographic exhibition to be held on 29th September.
(ii) DCC Final Electoral Arrangements : presented for inspection.
(iii) TALC : request for information on Councillors and meetings. The Clerk reported that he had supplied TALC with the information requested. TALC were trying to improve the consultative process.
(iv) Commons Registration : further amendments were presented.
(v) Police Posters for Special Constabulary recruitment were distributed for display.
(vi) DNP Annual Report : placed for circulation.
(vii) DCC Local Transport Plan 2001/2006 : the Clerk reported that this plan now included traffic calming measures for the road either side of the Village Primary School. This information was much welcomed.
(viii) Various items from DCC, DNPA and the Community Council were presented and placed for distribution to Councillors.
Councillors were asked to clearly sign the folder that contained the circulated items to assist the smooth running of the process. If all Councillors received the folder they should hold it for only three days before passing it on.
2362 PLANNING
(i) Permission granted to proposed developments at Ravenswood, Leusdon. The Old Inn, Widecombe and Green Acres, Leusdon.
(ii) Hedgerow Removal Notice at Higher Northway Farm : no objections.
(iii) 0559/00 0560/00 Old Glebe House, Widecombe Alterations ; recommended for approval. Car parking was queried.
2363 HIGHWAYS
2364 MATTERS AT DISCRETION OF CHAIRMAN
(i) Parish Noticeboard at Church House : the Chairman presented a letter from the National Trust (Owners of Church House) . In it the NT requested that the newly painted noticeboard should be re-painted a more neutral colour than green.
On reflection although those present felt that all the newly decorated boards look very attractive it was felt best to conform to the NT's wishes. The Chairman would ask Mr.Dry to help.
(ii) School Bus Service : a number of complaints about the Bus Service have been received. It would appear that buses were frequently late and on more than one occasion have not turned up at all. The Clerk was asked to write to DCC at County Hall to complain.
(iii) Councillors considered that they wished to show their appreciation to Mr.Mayhead. The Clerk agreed to write on their behalf.
2365 FINANCE
The Clerk presented a balance sheet of Income and Expenditure. (Attached).
One further item was added that had been presented during the meeting by Mr.Mayhead for the copy photographs to all those that took part in the Millennium Project. This invoice was for £195.52.
Current balances stood at Current Account £612.30.
Deposit £8,000.00 approx.
If the Council were to keep within annual income there was approximately £1,600 left for the remainder of the financial year.
The Chairman Closed the Meeting at 9.45 pm.
The information on this page was last modified on September 13 2005 17:46:46.