WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
                  Minutes of the Annual Meeting of the Council held on Thursday 21 May 2015 in Church House, Widecombe
Present: Councillors Newbolt-Young (Chairman), Booty, Morley, Routley, Tempest and Whale
In attendance: County Cllr Gribble, District Cllr Jeffery, Bill Allen (DNPA Ranger)
Members of the Public: None
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
OPEN FORUM
Bill Allen gave his apologies for not being able to attend the annual walkabout. He gave a report informing members that:
• They are mid-way through the lambing and nesting season.
• There have been problems at Venford with dogs worrying sheep. He can supply the parish with cards to display if there is a similar problem in this parish.
• The ‘Enjoy Dartmoor’ magazine was out at Easter and is available to give to tourists and visitors etc.
• The Information Centres are now open every day, 10am – 5pm.
• The Haytor Hoppa is now running (Easter to October).
• The Rangers are working through the swailing map.
• The yellow lines at Newbridge and Deeper Marsh are now in place and so far so good. Their true effect will not be seen until August but they seem to be discouraging parking.
• The litter campaign is continuing. This has been supported by Radio Devon. It is a balance between education and enforcement.
• He has organised a Radio Devon walk in Holne.
• The path clearing season has started and Bill would be happy to hear from anyone wishing to volunteer.
• The fifth annual Teddy Bear’s Picnic has been held – it was sunny and 65 people attended.
• There is a WW1 exhibition in Princetown until September which is well worth attending.
3836 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
It was proposed by Cllr Whale, seconded by Cllr Booty and unanimously agreed by all members present and voting that Cllr Newbolt-Young is re-elected as Chairman.
3837 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN
It was proposed by Cllr Tempest, seconded by Cllr Routley and unanimously agreed by all members present and voting that Cllr Booty is re-elected as Vice Chairman.
3838 DECLARATION OF ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE
Members signed their Declarations of Acceptance of Office which were witnessed by the Clerk.
3839 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
• Cllr Fenton
• Cllr Nosworthy
3840 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were reminded of their responsibility to complete their Notice of Registerable Interests for onward
transmission to Teignbridge District Council within 28 days of the elections.
Members were also 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.
3841 REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
No requests were received.
3842 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
(a) The minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council on 1 April 2015 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
(b) The minutes of the meeting of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 18 March 2015 were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
3843 ELECTION/APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO OTHER BODIES
It was agreed that Simon Tame would act as the Parish’s tree consultant despite no longer being a Parish Councillor.
It was agreed that Cllr Morley would continue to represent the Parish Council on the Widecombe Fair Committee and Widecombe & District Sports Group.
Cllr Tempest agreed to continue to serve on the Educational Trust and on the Church House Trust.
It was agreed that Cllr Booty would represent the parish’s highways issues.
It was agreed to write to Miles Fursdon thanking him for his efforts as Snow Warden and to confirm whether he wishes to continue with this role.
3844 REVIEW OF PARISH COUNCIL GOVERNANCE DOCUMENTS
(a) Standing Orders
Members reviewed the Council’s Standing Orders and agreed no changes.
(b) Financial Regulations Members reviewed the Council’s Financial Regulations and agreed no changes.
(c) General and Financial Risk Assessment
Members reviewed its General and Financial Risk Assessment and agreed no changes.
(d) Statement of Internal Control
Members reviewed the Statement of Internal Control and agreed no amendments.
(e) Fixed Assets Register
Members reviewed its fixed asset register and agreed no amendments.
(f) Investment Strategy
Members reviewed its Investment Strategy and agreed no amendments.
3845 POLICE REPORT
No report.
3846 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr Gribble congratulated councillors for continuing to represent the parish. He informed members that he is continuing to chase the repair at Newbridge. He also advised that DCC still has a shortfall of £110m in its budget. He stated that he would be happy to offer financial support to the purchase of the defibrillator and the refurbishment of the Church House toilets being undertaken by the pre-school.
3847 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr Jeffery informed members that he had attended the Annual Meeting of Teignbridge District Council at which a new Chairman and Vice Chairman had been elected.
3848 DELEGATE REPORTS
None.
3849 MATTERS ARISING
(a) Housing Needs Survey
Members received a request from the Rural Housing Enabler at Devon Communities Together, Janice Alexander, to undertake a new housing needs survey to update the survey previously produced by Sue Hitchcock in 2011 which identified a need for 14 affordable homes for local people. This has been prompted by Teign Housing’s intention to develop its land adjacent to Brook Lane Cottages in 2016/17. [Housing needs surveys have a shelf life of 5 years so Teignbridge have requested a new survey to bring the need figures up to date and identify those in housing need in the village to ensure that the correct number of homes are constructed].
As with all these rural schemes, Devon Communities Together like to work with the agreement and support of the Parish Council and would therefore appreciate the chance to come along to a Parish  Council meeting to give a short presentation on affordable housing and housing needs surveys in particular and to answer any questions that Councillors may have. It was agreed to invite Ms Alexander to the Annual Walkabout on 4 June and to the Parish Council meeting which follows.
(b) Electoral review of Devon
Members received and were invited to comment on draft recommendations published by the Local Government Boundary Commission. No comments were made.
(c) Leusdon Church
Members received a request to use the Village Green for church’s annual funday event on 11 August. This was agreed.
(d) Grant request - Widecombe Pre-School
Members received further information, as requested, regarding the refurbishment of the Church House toilets. After consideration, it was agreed to make £500 available for the project.
(e) Defibrillator
Members considered information provided by the Ambulance Service regarding the purchase of a defibrillator. After a discussion, it was agreed that Cllr Whale would research and lead this project.
(f) Roll of Honour
No update.
(g) Welcome to Widecombe
The Chairman advised that he was yet to speak to Penny Whale regarding the criticism made of the Parish Council in how it has approached this project.
(h) Nominations of Parish Members to DNPA
Members were informed that nominations are to be returned by 5pm on 28 May, ballot papers will be sent out by 29 May and ballot forms are to be returned to DALC by 12 June.
3850 FINANCE
(a) The following payments were approved:
Cheque no 000882 – Clerk’s salary and disbursements - £266.85
Cheque no 000883 – St Pancras PCC (grant) - £200
Cheque no 000885 – South West Internal Audit - £90
(b) Audit 2014/15
(i) Members received and approved the End of Year Summary and Accounts and authorised the Chairman to complete the Statement of Assurance in order that the papers can be sent for external audit.
(ii) Members agreed to maintain the internal audit arrangements which provide excellent reassurance for the public that the financial systems are robust and fit for purpose and to continue with the appointment of Ken Abraham as the Internal Auditor to the Parish Council. The clerk confirmed that the internal audit was carried out on 19 May 2015 and there were no observations requiring the Council’s attention.
(c) Insurance
Members received, reviewed and approved the renewal quotation for 2015/16 with Community First at a cost of £161.73 (cheque no 884).
(d) Cheque signatories
It was agreed to remove Simon Tame as a signatory and add Cllr Booty.
3851 PLANNING
(a) New applications/appeals
(i) 0211/15 – Installation of electronic communications apparatus comprising 22.5m high lattice tower and other equipment within fencing compound at land at Drywell Farm, Ponsworthy, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
After a discussion, members agreed to object to this application on the following grounds: The Parish Council has always stressed that it is, in particular, the village centre which requires mobile phone coverage in order to benefit both residents and visitors. As the proposed mast does not extend to the village, the benefits it would provide would not outweigh the detrimental impact that the mast would have on the landscape. It is also disappointing that the mast would not cover Ponsworthy and surrounds either.
The Parish Council is aware that a second mast is being proposed at Blackslade and this site would seem more favourable as it would provide coverage in Widecombe village centre and the mast is already there thus minimising the impact on the landscape. Widecombe is a beautiful, rural parish and members would be very concerned if unsightly masts were to be erected if no clear benefits can be demonstrated.
Members also declined the offer of a ‘pump-up’ mast demonstration as viewing this will not change the fact that the mast offers inadequate mobile phone coverage.
(ii) 0174/15 – Existing static caravan in use as a dwelling with garden at Lower Aish Rear,
Poundsgate  Members had no objections to this application.
(iii) 0209/15 – Alteration to existing outbuilding to form home office at Molly’s Cottage, Jordan, Widecombe-in-the-Moor Members had no objections to this application.
(iv) 0351/14 - Appeal against refusal of full planning permission for Extension of existing agricultural building to provide covered manure store and feed areas Members agreed they had no additional comments to those already made previously.
(b) Decisions
(i) 0102/15 – Retention of mobile home for twelve month temporary period, installation of roof lights, provision of air source hear pump and flue on cafe, Cafe on the Green, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission.
(ii) 0107/15 – New livestock shed (252sqm) adjoining existing shed, Great Cator Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor  Members noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission.
(iii) 0164/15 – Agricultural building (66sqm) for storage of manure at Drywell Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor Members noted that DNPA has approved the work described in the notification.
(iv) 0143/15 – Closure of field entrance and alterations to a filed entrance/gateway, road from Southcombe Cross to Lower Dunstone Cross, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission
3852 HIGHWAYS
(a) Members were reminded of the various ways to report potholes and other maintenance issues:
Telephone: 0345 155 1004
Email: customer@devon.gov.uk
Online: http://www.devon.gov.uk/road_maintenance.htm
There were no new issues reported.
3853 CORRESPONDENCE
(a) Members received and noted a letter of thanks from Leusdon Church for the grant received.
(b) Members were reminded that the fence behind the recycling skips in the car park was still in need of repair despite having already reported it to TDC. District Cllr Jeffery agreed to follow this up with TDC.
(c) Cllr Booty informed members that he had received a complaint about the state of the hedges at Coombe Farm. The Chairman suggested that the complaint is put in writing in order for the Parish Council to take any action.
Other items for information only were placed in the circulation folder or emailed direct to members.
3854 MATTERS OF INFORMATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN
None.
There being no further business the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.15pm.
Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ……………………………………….
               THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON THURSDAY 4 JUNE 2015 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.