WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL

Draft Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting

held on Thursday 5 January 2012

in the Church House, Widecombe

Present:  Councillors Newbolt-Young (Chairman), Lewis, Morley, Nosworthy,  Routley, Tame and Tempest.

In attendance: District Cllr Jeffrey

Clerk:  Suzanna Hughes

Members of the Public: 3

OPEN FORUM

There were no comments from members of the public.

3351     APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

  • Cllr Booty
  • Cllr Wallace
  • County Cllr Gribble

3352     DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

Members were reminded of their responsibility to update their Notice of Registerable Interests and were invited to state whether they have a personal or prejudicial interest in any matter to be discussed during this meeting.  The Chairman declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 3360 (a) (i) being the applicant.

 3353    RATIFICATION OF MINUTES

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting on 3 November 2011 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.  The minutes of the Planning meeting on 17 November 2011 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.

3354     POLICE REPORT

No report.

3355     COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

No report.

3356     DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT

 No report.

3357     DELEGATES REPORTS

            Heritage and Educational Centre

The Chairman reported that he had attended two meetings relating to the proposed Heritage and Educational Centre.      Whilst not willing to transfer the land to the Parish Council, TDC are willing to grant a 50 year lease.  The Parish Council would be responsible for the building for this 50 year period.  There was a brief discussion relating to the hedge, part of which would have to be removed, and whether DNPA would allow its removal.  It was thought that the hedge was put there when the car park was constructed and was therefore relatively new.  The Chairman also advised that the DNPA are bidding for funding to the Landscape and Partnership Project and understands that by supporting the Heritage and Educational Centre their chances of obtaining the funding would increase.  As landlords, the insurance of the building would be the responsibility of the Parish Council.  However, the project could be dealt with in the same way as the sports field.  Members were happy with the way the project was progressing.

 3358    MATTERS ARISING

(a)        Widecombe Fair 2013

            It was agreed that the Council would continue with the arrangements with Raymond Amusements and due to economic factors would not increase the cost.   The clerk would seek a deposit from Raymond Amusements and would send the contract for 2012.    It was also agreed that the Raymonds should be informed that it was probably unreasonable for vehicles not to pass through the village until after 5.00pm and they should therefore expect that vehicles would start moving away from the Fair Field mid-afternoon.

(b)        Housing Needs Survey

Members were reminded that Sue Hitchcock from the Community Council of Devon had suggested a site appraisal meeting.  The date proposed was no longer available though she was happy to arrange an alternative mutually convenient date should members wish.  The Chairman reminded members that one of the Hastoe Homes (Brook Lane Cottages) had become vacant.  Over 130 applications had been received but very few satisfied the criteria (including the local connection).    It was questioned, therefore whether the actual need for housing for local people reflected the survey.  It was therefore agreed to wait until the outcome of the tenancy before arranging a meeting with Sue Hitchcock.

 (c)       Parish Plan

Members were reminded that she had received correspondence from  Martin Rich, CCD, asking how the parish was progressing with the Parish Plan.   Jo Rumble, DNPA , had also written stating that there would be some funding available should the parish wish to take this forward.

The Chairman agreed to contact the school again and it was further agreed that an article be written for the Parish Link asking whether anyone would be interested in being involved in such a project.

(d)        Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations

            A meeting held on 15 November in Church House to consider how the parish will mark the event.  Some ideas included a ‘bring your own’ lunch on Sunday 3 June including fun and games, lighting a beacon and firework display on Monday 4 June and a dance with bar at Glebe Farm barn. The Chairman suggested and members agreed that the Parish Council covers the cost of insuring the planned events.   Cllr Tempest agreed that she would communicate with the vicar about events planned in Leusdon.  A further meeting has been arranged for 30 January to which everyone was invited.  The Chairman confirmed he would be attending. Cllr Tame reported that he had contacted Brina Beasley, DNPA , who was happy for the Parish Council to replace a dead tree on the green with a commemorative tree.  Cllr Tame advised that he would formalise the request in writing.  He also advised that DNPA may assist with the digging out of the old stump.

 (e)       Military Shell

            It was reported that the History Group is going to approach DNPA about micro-chipping the shell.

(f)         Rural Aid

            The Clerk suggested that members give early consideration to projects in the parish which might benefit from Rural Aid funding.                    

(g)        Future meeting dates

Members received a schedule of meeting dates.  It was agreed that meetings would continue to take place on the first Thursday of the month but June’s meeting would move to the second Thursday to avoid the Jubilee celebrations.  There will be no meetings in August or December.

It was agreed that the Annual Parish Meeting would be held at 7.30pm on Wednesday14 March. It was agreed that Anthony Beard would be invited to speak at the meeting.

3359     FINANCE

(a)        The following payments were approved and cheques signed:

  • Cheque no 000753 - Clerk’s salary and disbursements  - £228.60
  • Cheque no 000754 - HMRC - £53.40
  • Cheque no 000755 - Widecombe Fair Committee - £270.50

(NB. Invoice from SPA has still not been received and will be payable at a later date)

(b)        Members received budget proposals for 2012/13 and agreed that due to economic factors, not to increase the precept.  A request would therefore be made for £6,000.

3360     PLANNING

            (a)        New applications/appeals

(i)         0598/11 – Certificate of Lawfulness in respect of the use of a mobile home as an independent dwelling unit together with an associated chalet structure and garden area at land at Chittleford Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor  Having declared a personal and prejudicial interest in this item, the Chairman left the room and Cllr Tame took the Chair.

            Members had no objections to the application.

            (b)        Decisions

(i)         0566/11 - Installation of solar PV panels on roof of existing carport, South Lake Cottage, Poundsgate  It was noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission

 (ii)       0547/11 & 0548/11 – Installation of photovoltaic solar panels on barn roof, Lower Natsworthy Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor  It was noted that  DNPA has granted conditional planning permission

(iii)       0574/11 – Installation of 458 metres of duct containing cable to feed airwaves mast, land adjacent to Bowden Barn, Widecombe-in-the-Moor  It was noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission

                        (iv)       0546/11- Land at The Copse, Glebe Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Retrospective application for use of land for siting of satellite antenna, generator plant and security fencing/netting for either a temporary 6 month period from date of application or until permanent provision is made for communication and power to serve installation, whichever is sooner   It was noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission

The Chairman advised that he had attended the Development Management Committee meeting  on 2 December where he had learned that another cable is to be buried from the mast site to the transformer in the village (down Bowden Lane).  Planning permission is not required although Western Power Distribution needs to give DCC Highways 3 months notice.  Members were also informed that 0574/11 had been discussed at the Development Management Committee despite the fact that the consultation period had not expired.  The clerk was asked to query this with the Director of Planning.                             

(v)        0518/11 – Installation of photovoltaic panels to south facing roof of property, West Sherril, Poundsgate  It was noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission

                        (vi)       0393/11 – Removal of fire-damaged static caravan and replacement with single storey three-bed house for use solely by Hall & Woodhouse team members, The Old Inn, Widecombe-in-the-Moor  It was noted that DNPA has refused planning permission

3361     CORRESPONDENCE

(a)        Devon Libraries – removal of the stop at Tavistock Inn, Poundsgate.  This was noted.

(b)        Hastoe Group – Brook Lane Cottages.  This has already been discussed at item 3358 (b).

(c)        Commons Act 2006 – new entries in the register  were noted and placed in the circulation folder.

The following items were placed in the circulation folder::

(d)        DALC Newsletter – Nov/Dec 2011

(e)        Dartmoor Hill Farm Project

            (f)         Teignbridge Connect

            (g)        DCC leaflet – Travelling in winter

            (h)        Village Green

            (i)         Dartmoor National Park Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document – Adopted Ver

3362     HIGHWAYS                                         

(a)        Maintenance/Pothole map

            The maintenance/pothole map was marked.          

(b)        Snow Warden scheme – nothing to report.

(c)        Members noted receipt of a letter from a parishioner and response from DCC re speed concerns.  DCC were unlikely to make changes to speed limits but the Chairman reported that he has already suggested to Highways that the 40mph roundels outside the school be removed.  It was questioned whether the 40mph roundels were enforceable.  Cllr Morley offered to confirm this with PC Dudley.

(d)       Cllr Nosworthy advised that the according to TDC, Lower Town was due to be swept once a year            between October and March.  However, this has not been done for a few years.  He has been told that this is not a priority road.  Cllr Jeffrey agreed to make enquiries to TDC. Cllr Routley reported that the BIFFA bin at Newbridge had not been emptied for 5 weeks and litter had been overflowing.  Cllr Jeffrey also agreed to look into this.

3363     MATTERS OF INFORMATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN

None.

There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.10pm.

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

THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY 2nd FEBRUARY 2012.

Members of the public and press are welcome to attend any Parish Council Meeting and make comment at the start of the meeting which begins at 7.30pm.