WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council
held on Thursday 2 July 2013
in Church House, Widecombe
Present: Councillors Newbolt-Young (Chairman), Fenton, Morley, Nosworthy, Routley, Tame & Tempest
In attendance: Tony Hodgkiss (Widecombe Fair Committee) & Roger Foord-Evans (Widecombe Fair Committee)
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
Members of the Public: 1
OPEN FORUM
Tony Hodgkiss
Mr Hodgkiss informed members present that the parking arrangements for Widecombe Fair will be the same as last year though some changes will be made to the notices as last year there were some complaints about them being misleading. They will be operating two park and ride systems and already have received a number of enquiries from coaches. Coach parking has increased from £15 to £20 but parking charges for cars will remain the same as last year (£15).
Anthony Beard
Mr Beard informed members present that Widecombe History Group is acquiring some land south of 1-2 Manor Cottages in order to create an Archive Centre. He asked members how much of the land around the Saxon Well belongs to the Parish Council. Cllr Nosworthy advised that the piece of land in front of Manor Cottages around the Saxon Well belongs to the Parish Council. It was agreed, however, that the clerk would carry out a Land Registry search to confirm ownership. He sought the Parish Council’s support to tidy up that area. He also confirmed that Widecombe History Group’s constitution dictates that should the History Group wind up, everything would come back to the Parish Council. Cllr Fenton added that the area is currently overshadowed by trees and might benefit from a reduction in the trees.
3579 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
• Cllr Booty
• County Cllr Gribble
3580 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were reminded of their responsibility to update their Notice of Registerable Interests and
were invited to state whether they have any interests in the items to be discussed during this meeting
in accordance with the council’s Code of Conduct.
There were no declarations of interest.
3581 REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
No requests were received.
3582 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council on 6 June 2013 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
3583 POLICE REPORT
PC Dudley sent his apologies but advised that if there were any issues the Council wished to apprise him of then to contact him.
The Chairman warned members that a white pick-up had been travelling the area collecting scrap metal.
3584 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
No report.
3585 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
No report.
3586 DELEGATE REPORTS
Cllr Tempest informed members that she had attended the AGM of Widecombe & District Sports Group where it had been agreed that they would be concentrating on the refurbishment of the summer house.
The fence has now been replaced and whilst Bill Allen, DNPA Ranger, had suggested a gate to replace the stile, it had been agreed that it would be replaced with neither and it is now just fenced.
Cllr Tempest advised that she had also attended the AGM of Church House where there was a discussed about the bench outside the National Trust shop. The National Trust representative at that meeting had no knowledge of the bench and whilst happy for it to be sited there, they were not in a position to replace it. The clerk advised that she had written to the National Trust about the bench and had received no response. After a lengthy discussion, Cllr Fenton proposed that the Parish Council purchase a new bench and advertise in the Parish Link that there were an opportunity to purchase a plaque which would be affixed to the bench in someone’s memory (if the family of current bench did not come forward).
Cllr Tempest reported that the Jubilee stone has been unveiled at Leusdon.
Cllr Fenton distributed a proposal for members’ consideration relating to a bid for funding through the ‘Moor than Meets the Eye’ project. His proposal seeks a grant of £46,500 which would be spent on interpreting Widecombe to the public through information boards, signage and leaflets etc to the benefit of the village and visitor experience. Cllr Fenton proposed that he is the lead person and sought the Parish Council’s approval for it to be the lead partner. A lengthy discussion ensued where members expressed concerns that there were too many unanswered questions relating to the project itself and the role and responsibilities of the Council as a lead partner. There were also questions about how the funds would be managed, responsibility for ongoing costs, whether the whole parish had been consulted, the legal position and how other parts of the parish would benefit. Cllr Fenton agreed that he would seek answers to these questions but in the meantime proposed that the application be submitted (with some minor amendments) stating that the lead partner was still to be decided. This proposal was supported by all members present.
3587 MATTERS ARISING
(a) Walkabout – update on matters discussed on the walkabout:
• Quotations for new gate in Parish Field
The Chairman was yet to seek these.
• North Hall field boundaries
The Clerk advised members that she had not yet received a response from DNPA.
• Felling of cluster of trees next to the road, near the play area and removal of dead tree on little green
Cllr Tame advised that he had spoken to Brian Beasley, DNPA and had submitted a request to fell the trees (required because they are within the Conservation Area). At the same time, he had also requested the felling of the dead tree on the little Green.
• Planings for the car park
The Chairman agreed that he would follow up Trevor Eveleigh’s offer to obtain planings for the car park.
• Ownership of railings and posts to bridge opposite entrance to North Hall field
The Clerk advised members that Scott Riddell, DCC, was still disputing DCC’s ownership and responsibility of these railings and posts. It was agreed that the Clerk should ask County Cllr Gribble to pursue this on the Council’s behalf as members strongly believe that these are not the responsibility of the Parish Council.
• Opening up of leat through Parish Field
The Chairman reported that having spoken to the owners of Mill House who were not keen for the leat to be opened up, he had concluded that this is not something which the Parish Council should pursue at this time.
• Bench outside National Trust shop
This item was discussed at item 3586.
• Saxon Well risk assessment
The Chairman informed members that he had completed a risk assessment and advised that he considered that no further action was required.
(b) Strimming around the village
Members agreed that Geoff Partridge should be asked to conduct strimming (before and after Widecombe Fair) as in previous years.
(c) Community Right to Bid
The Clerk advised members present that Peter Dracup had confirmed that the Church (Exeter Board of Finance) does own the land opposite the school and used by the school for recreation. It also owns three other fields in the parish. It was therefore agreed to nominate all glebe land in Widecombe under the community right to bid scheme.
3588 PLANNING
(a) New applications/appeals
(i) 00290/13 – Erection of a pole barn (12.2m x 3.1m) at Zellions, Poundsgate
The clerk advised that this Prior Notification application has already been approved by DNPA.
(ii) 0306/13 – Erection of timber stables (3.6m x 5.4m) in existing garden area at Mill House, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members raised no objections to this application.
(b) Decisions
(i) 0291/13 – Creation of hardstanding area (46m x 11m), Zellions, Poundsgate
Members noted that DNPA has approved these works
(ii) 0088/13 – Two-storey extension to replace existing garage, Newbridge Hill Cottage, Poundsgate
Members noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission
(iii) 0198/13 – Erection of single storey rear extension and alterations to the roof at the rear, Wooder Bungalow, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission
3589 FINANCE
(a) Payments for approval
The following cheques were approved for payment:
Cheque no 000814 – Clerk’s salary and disbursements (July) - £215.70
Cheque no 000815 – Clerk’s salary and disbursements (August) - £204.00
Cheque no 000816 – HMRC (PAYE) - £129.20
(b) Members received and noted the first quarter bank reconciliation.
3590 HIGHWAYS
Cllr Routley reported that the parking restriction sign at Baron Corner at the bottom of Newbridge Hill has been defaced.
3591 CORRESPONDENCE
Members had already been informed that Stage 6 of the Tour of Britain cycle race would be ending at Haytor. Members requested that the organisers be informed of the Council’s desire for there to be no writing left on the road after the event.
3592 MATTERS OF INFORMATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN
None.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.25pm.
Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ……………………………………….
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY 5 SEPTEMBER 2013
AT 7.30pm
Members of the public and press are welcome to attend any Parish Council Meeting
and make comment before the start of the meeting.