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Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Widecombe Parish Council Minutes
WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday 1 November 2015
in Church House, Widecombe
Present: Councillor Booty (Chairman), Fenton, Routley, Tempest, Welby (from item 3912) & Whale
Also present: District Cllr Jeffery, PC Dudley
Members of the Public: Two
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
OPEN FORUM
The Chairman of the WDSG reported that the Sports Group has repaired the hole in the tennis court which cost almost £1,000. She asked whether the Parish Council could make a contribution. District Cllr Jeffery offered a sum of £200 from his community fund and it was agreed that the Parish Council would also make a grant of £200.
Members of the Church House Committee wish the Parish Council to chair a meeting to see if anyone wishes to take the idea of a new village hall. It was agreed that this would be discussed at the Annual Parish Meeting. Cllr Fenton suggested that costs for a new hall are obtained in advance of the meeting together with running costs and potential income.
3911 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
• Cllr R Newbolt-Young
• Cllr S Morley
• County Cllr Gribble
3912 CASUAL VACANCY
Members received and considered an application to fill one of the casual vacancies on the Parish Council. It was agreed unanimously by those present and voting that Michael Welby is co-opted to the Council until the next ordinary elections (May 2019). Mr Welby signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office, which was witnessed by the Clerk, and immediately joined the meeting.
3913 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.
3914 REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
No requests were received.
3915 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council on 1 October 2015 were approved and signed by the
Chairman as a true and correct record.
3916 POLICE REPORT
3 crimes were reported. – sheep worrying; domestic related assault; ice cream sign stolen from outside the kiosk. In the Teign Valley and Lustleigh there have been spates of shed break-ins. Call 999 if you hear anything. Cllr Fenton thanked the police, on behalf of the Widecombe Fair Committee, for their presence on Fair day.
3917 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
No report.
3918 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr Jeffery reported that the new recycling scheme had now been phased in over some parishes and would be introduced to Widecombe later in the month.
3919 DELEGATE REPORTS
Cllr Tempest reported that the Church House Committee has requested that, for safety reasons, the chairs in Church House are only stacked two high.
3920 MATTERS ARISING
(a) Housing Needs Survey
Members were informed that the survey form and covering letter have been customised for Widecombe with a closing date of 29 February 2016. It is recommended that there are four weeks between delivery and closing date to allow time for the survey to be completed. Members approved the closing date and agreed that they would each distribute a share of the forms as before.
(b) Lease of North Hall field
The clerk and Cllr Booty reported on their meeting with DNPA with regard to the future of North Hall field. DNPA has offered the Parish Council a new 21 year lease with a condition that it is cost neutral to DNPA i.e. it does not wish to be liable for the rates on the land. The land has an amenity value of £8,000 - £9,000 but DNPA’s advisors have advised DNPA to retain the land. After discussion, members agreed that their preference would be for the land to be transferred into the ownership of the Parish Council in order to preserve the area as a community facility for the long term future. Members were aware that this land has been subject to review by DNPA and the recommendations of the Conservation Officer contained within a report dated 5 August 2011 regarding asset management and the disposal of DNPA sites included North Hall field and car park. It was therefore agreed to request that DNPA revisits previous recommendations and formally considers such a transfer.
(c) Defibrillator
Members received information regarding the governance and training requirements of a British Heart Foundation funded defibrillator. An appropriate location also had to be agreed. [District Cllr Jeffery to speak to TDC about using the bus shelter]. Three members of the public have contacted the clerk offering their help. It was agreed that members would consider the requirements of the scheme with a view to making a decision in January’s meeting. In the meantime, Cllr Whale offered to speak to the local businesses to find out their interest in being involved in the project.
(d) Parish Field Grazing Licence
It was agreed that the Parish Field Grazing Licence for 2016 should run for 8 months from 1 April – 30 November. Tenders for the licence will be invited for consideration in February’s meeting.
(e) Reports
Cllr Fenton reported that he had raised the issue of traffic management at the last meeting of the Widecombe Fair Committee and he advised that the signage is being reviewed. Will Dracup has taken over from Tony Hodgkiss in this role. The Parish Link is now available to download from the Widecombe website.
A meeting is being held on 4 November about the future of Ashburton Hospital which is likely to close in favour of care in the community. Cllr Fenton also reported that he had attended a recent meeting in Postbridge about the proposals for broadband and understood that superfast fibre broadband would be available in the parish from 1 April 2016.
3921 FINANCE
(a) The following payments were approved:
Cheque no 000900 - Clerk’s salary and disbursements - £442.99 (November & December)
Cheque no 000901 – Widecombe & District Sports Group - £200
3922 PLANNING
(a) New applications/appeals
No new applications were received.
(b) Decisions
(i) 0447/15 – Replace existing sliding patio door with casement window and infill wall below the sill, Springdown, Poundsgate
Members noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission.
(ii) 0456/15 – Replace roof with slate to outbuildings, extension to garage and store; timber cladding to store at The Old School House, Lower Dunstone, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission.
(iii) 0415/15 – Increase height of existing chimney, Honeysuckle Cottage, Ponsworthy
Members noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission.
(iv) 0476/15 – Full reinstatement of the building to its original condition following a fire a Dunstone Cottage, Ladymeadow Terrace, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission.
3923 HIGHWAYS
(a) Cllr Routley questioned who is policing the double yellow lines at Spitchwick out of season. It was agreed to ask County Cllr Gribble.
To report a pothole:
Telephone: 0345 155 1004
Email: customer@devon.gov.uk
Online: www.devon.gov.uk/road_maintenance.htm
3924 CORRESPONDENCE
Members received and noted the following items of correspondence:
(a) Shallowford Farm Trust updating members about the plans for Shallowford Farm. It was agreed that members would wait for the plans to be submitted to DNPA before discussing the proposal further.
(b) Broadband meeting for Dartmoor parishes – 11 November, 7-9pm, Postbridge Village Hall
(c) Trago Mills Pensioners’ Week - 23-27 November
Other items for information only were placed in the circulation folder or emailed direct to members.
3925 MATTERS OF INFORMATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN
None.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.47pm.
Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ……………………………………….
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON
THURSDAY 7 JANUARY 2016 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.
The information on this page was last modified on January 03 2016 12:30:50.