WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 3 April 2014 in Church House, Widecombe
Present: Councillors Newbolt-Young (Chairman), Booty, Morley, Nosworthy, Tame and Tempest
In attendance: District Cllr Jeffery
Members of the Public: 1
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
OPEN FORUM
Anthony Beard thanked the Parish Council for advertising the telephone number with which to report potholes to the County Council and advised members that he had used the telephone number to report potholes in the parish. There was a discussion amongst members about reintroducing the map to highlight potholes and highways maintenance issues for onward transmission to Devon County Council. The clerk advised, however, that the most effective way to report the potholes (the exact location of which need to be clearly defined) is by using the telephone number 0845 155 1004, the email address – customer@devon.gov.uk or by using the online reporting form which can be found at http://www.devon.gov.uk/road_maintenance.htm    Mr Beard also commented that he was unhappy about the presentation that was given at the Annual Parish Meeting about Project X. (This was addressed further at item 3689).
3676 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
• Cllr Routley
• County Cllr Gribble
3677 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.
Cllr Tempest declared an Appendix B interest in item 3684 (d) as Treasurer of Leusdon PCC.
3678 REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
No requests were received.
3679 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council on 6 March 2014 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.  The Chairman thanked Cllr Tempest for minuting the Annual Parish Meeting on 19th March in the absence of the clerk.
3680 POLICE REPORT
No report.
3681 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
No report.
3682 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
No report.
3683 DELEGATE REPORTS
Cllr Tempest informed members that she had attended the Church House Management Committee meeting at which the issue of water coming in on the stairs was discussed. She advised that the National Trust has agreed to look into the cause of the problem and make the necessary repairs. A further project is the boxing in of the electrics downstairs. Cllr Tempest advised that a soup kitchen will be held on 11th April.
3684 MATTERS ARISING
(a) Sandbag Store
Members noted that the sandbag store had been delivered and was now in the car park. Members thanked Cllrs Booty and Morley for erecting it. After a discussion it was agreed that the store should be kept locked and that Trevor Eveleigh and Diana Cameron be asked to be the keyholders. The Chairman would also keep a spare key. If agreed, their telephone numbers would be published on the store itself and in the Parish Link.
(b) Community Right to Bid
The clerk informed members that following the Parish Council’s nomination of all glebe land in the parish to be protected under the Community Right to Bid scheme it had been agreed by Teignbridge District Council that one of the four fields nominated should be listed as an asset of community value under the Community Right to Bid regulations. [This field is currently used by the school as a sports field]. The asset owner now has the right to request that the District Council reviews its decision which must be made with 8 weeks of notification of listing.
(c) Rural Aid
It was agreed that the Parish Council would support an application by Leusdon Memorial Hall to this scheme.
(d) Leusdon Church
[Having declared an Appendix B interest, Cllr Tempest did not vote on this item].
(i) Members considered a request for funding to assist with the cost of the grasscutting and general maintenance in the churchyard. It was agreed that a grant of £500 would be made (cheque 846)
(ii) Members considered a request for permission to use the Village Green for the annual funday on Tuesday 12th August. It was agreed that this request would be granted.
(e) Annual Walkabout
It was agreed that this would be held prior to the next meeting of the Parish Council on Thursday 1st May meeting at 7.00pm outside Church House.
3685 FINANCE
(a) The following payments were approved:
Cheque no 000841 – Clerk’s salary and disbursements (March) - £241.93
Cheque no 000842 – HMRC – £144.60
Cheque no 000843 – Cllr N Tempest (refreshments for Annual Parish Meeting) - £9.00
Cheque no 000844 – Cllr R Newbolt-Young (refreshments for Annual Parish Meeting) - £35.90
Cheque no 000845 – Teignbridge District Council (Sandbag store) - £1838.00
3686 PLANNING
(a) New applications/appeals
None received
(b) Decisions
(i) 0045/14 – Erection of conservatory to south elevation, Sherwell Farm, Poundsgate
Members noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission.
(ii) 0102/14 – Mono-pitch agricultural storage building (30m x 10m) Broadaford, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members noted that the Authority has approved the work described in a notification received 24 February.
(iii) 0080/14 – Two-storey extension and alterations at Bonehill House, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members noted that this application has been withdrawn.
3687 CORRESPONDENCE
(i) Mrs Bell of Wooder Manor expressed concerns about the boundaries at Coombe, bordering the commons, which in her view are in very bad order and need urgent attention. After a discussion it was agreed that it is the landowners’ responsibility to maintain their boundaries.
(ii) Mr Bell of Wooder Manor expressed concern that most of the approach roads into Widecombe do not have cattle grids between the moor and the village leading to animals coming off the moor and down into the village. He is concerned they are destroying the Devon banks. When asked whether there was a historical reason for this, the Chairman advised that the absence of cattle grids was due to lack of finance.
Other items for information only were placed in the circulation folder or emailed direct to members.
3688 HIGHWAYS
(a) As per the discussion in the open forum, it was agreed that members would report potholes and other highways maintenance issues themselves by telephone (0845 155 1004), email (customer@devon.gov.uk) or by using the online reporting form (http://www.devon.gov.uk/road_maintenance.htm).
3689 MATTERS OF INFORMATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN
(a) Further to Anthony Beard’s comment in the open forum about the speaker at the Annual Parish Meeting, the Chairman informed members that he had agreed that she could attend. However, after a discussion, it was agreed by all members that the presentation was unclear and that they would like to hear more about the project. It was therefore agreed to invite the speaker, Stella West-Harling, to June’s Parish Council meeting. It was further agreed that this meeting should be well advertised to inform parishioners that she would be attending.
(b) Members were informed that the fencing in the Parish Field had been started but not yet completed and that Cllr Tame would chase this up with the contractor. Concern was also raised about the condition of the field which is very churned up and was thought to have been caused by the weather and the number of ponies being grazed on the field. It was agreed to look at the Grazing Licence to ensure that it was being complied with.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.45pm.
Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ……………………………………….
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON  THURSDAY 1 MAY 2014 AT 7.30pm
THE ANNUAL WALKABOUT OF THE VILLAGE WILL PRECEDE THIS MEETING AT 7.00pm.
Members of the public and press are welcome to attend any Parish Council Meeting
and make comment before the start of the meeting.