WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council
held on Thursday 4 September 2014
in Church House, Widecombe
Present: Councillors Newbolt-Young (Chairman), Booty, Fenton, Morley, Nosworthy, Routley, Tame and Tempest
In attendance: District Cllr Jeffery
Members of the Public: 3
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
OPEN FORUM
Anthony Beard informed members that the ‘A Time to Remember’ exhibition held in Leusdon in August had been a success. He thanked the Parish Council, on behalf of the History Group, for its ongoing support. The exhibition will be repeated at Widecombe Fair and over the Armistice weekend on 8/9 November. Cllr Tempest asked members whether they would have any objections to having donkey rides on the village green as part of the Christmas Fair on 13th December. Members had no objections.
3737 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
• County Cllr Gribble
• PC A Dudley
3738 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.
No interests were declared.
3739 REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
No requests were received.
3740 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council on 4 September 2014 were approved and signed by the
Chairman as a true and correct record.
3741 POLICE REPORT
PC Andy Dudley was unable to attend but sent a written report covering the period 8th August – 4th September stating that 8 incident reports were made. One was a report of a broken down coach blocking the road at Ponsworthy on the afternoon of 9 August. A suspicious vehicle was also reported in the Poundsgate area on the 26 August, the vehicle and driver were located by officers and found to be all in order. There were no crimes reported. Thefts from vehicles have occurred during the month in other parts of the National Park, PC Dudley therefore encourages any suspicious activity to be reported on 101 or 999 if an emergency situation. The next police surgery is at Ashburton Information Centre at 10am on Tuesday 30 September. I can be contacted at Conway House, Ashburton via the central no. 101. Alternatively the totally confidential Crimestoppers number - 0800 555111 - can be used to pass information to the Police. The Neighbourhood Team can also be contacted by e-mail – Teignbridge@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk   With regard to the broken down coach, members considered that the ‘No wide vehicles’ sign approaching this location was not obvious enough and suggested that DCC install a repeater sign further along the road as a reminder.
3742 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
No report.
3743 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT 
No report.
3744 DELEGATE REPORTS
No reports.
3745 MATTERS ARISING
(a) Widecombe Fair 2014
It was agreed that there were no outstanding issues. The Chairman and Cllr Tame would carry out a risk assessment on the village green and Cllr Nosworthy would collect the outstanding balance from Phil Raymond.
(b) Mobile Infrastruture Project
Members considered correspondence from Harlequin Group requesting suggestions for viable sites for mobile phone masts and associated equipment. Members also considered further correspondence seeking their view on the proposed installation of a 23-25m high lattice tower mobile phone base at Drywell Farm, Widecombe.
After a discussion, members unanimously agreed that the centre of Widecombe should be a priority for mobile phone coverage as this was important for both residents and visitors alike. Members therefore requested a coverage map to indicate the extent of the coverage that a mast sited at Drywell Farm would give and confirmation that it would cover the centre of the village. Members were also keen to find out if other masts in the parish are planned and, if so, whether the locations for these have already been identified.
(c) Parking outside the school
Members were copied in to correspondence with regard to vehicles being issued with parking tickets whilst picking up their children from the school on 24 July. After a discussion, it was agreed that the clerk should respond to the letter requesting that the Parish Council is kept informed of the response received from Devon County Council.
(d) ‘Your Dartmoor Fund’ and ‘Dartmoor Communities Fund’
Members were informed and noted that there were grants available for eligible projects.
(e) Rural Skip Service
Members noted the date of the Rural Skip Service which would be sited in the coach park on Saturday 4th October.
3746 FINANCE
(a) The following payments were approved:
Cheque no 000857 – Rupert Baker (Tree survey) - £365.60
Cheque no 000858 – Clerk’s salary and disbursements (September) - £217.50
Cheque no 000859 – Max Bayles (Remedial tree works on village green) - £828.00
Cheque no 000860 – Steve Weymouth (Repairs to noticeboard) - £99.45
3747 PLANNING
(a) New applications/appeals
(i) 0432/14 – Erection of timber framed agricultural livestock building (12m x 7.5m) at land adjacent to Bonehill, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members had no objections to this application.
(ii) 0472/14 – Conservatory to front of house at Smoothmoor, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members had no objections to this application.
(b) Decisions
(i) 0334/14 - Construction of a highly sustainable new build single family dwelling to provide essential accommodation for a stock manager at Blackdown Piper Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members noted that DNPA has refused planning permission
(ii) 0263/14 – Replacement of 13 timber windows on the rear and side elevations at Southcombe, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members noted that DNPA has refused planning permission  (iii) 0341/14 – Extensions and alterations, Bonehill House, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members noted that DNPA has refused planning permission
(iii) 0294/14 – Cover for dung store, Great Cator Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members noted that DNPA has granted planning permission
3748 HIGHWAYS
(a) Cllr Fenton informed members that works to the bridge near the vicarage were planned. The proposed works were mainly cosmetic including strengthening the railings and creating a step for easier access onto the footpath.
(b) To report a pothole:
Telephone: 0345 155 1004
Email: customer@devon.gov.uk
Online: http://www.devon.gov.uk/road_maintenance.htm
3749 CORRESPONDENCE
There were no items of correspondence requiring attention.
Other items for information only were placed in the circulation folder or emailed direct to members.
3750 MATTERS OF INFORMATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN
The Chairman informed members of the sad news that Trevor Eveleigh had died. His funeral was to be held on 16 September at 2.00pm. Members agreed that Trevor had contributed to village life in so many ways and would be sadly missed.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.30pm.
Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ……………………………………….
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON
THURSDAY 6 NOVEMBER 2014 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.