WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council
held on Thursday 4 February 2016
in Church House, Widecombe
Present: Councillor Newbolt-Young (Chairman), Booty, Morley, Routley, Southcombe, Tempest, Welby & Whale
Also present: County Cllr Gribble, District Cllr Jeffery & PC Andy Dudley
Members of the Public: There were 18 members of the public present.
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
Before the start of the meeting, the Chairman asked those present to observe a minute’s silence following the death of Anthony Beard who sadly passed away on 30 January 2016 and who had been such an important member of this community.
OPEN FORUM
The following representations were made regarding the application at East Shallowford to be discussed at item 3947(a)(i).
1. A representative from the East Shallowford Trust together with the architect thanked all those who had visited the site and given their input which had resulted in the revised set of plans being submitted. There had been three main concerns: (i) form and scale (ii) what will happen to the project should something happen to East Shallowford Farm and (iii) traffic. In an attempt to allay these fears, it was stated that there will only be a 9% increase in the footprint, there will only be 11 bedrooms (accommodating 40 beds), can only be used for the charitable aims of the trust and a revised green travel plan has been submitted.
2. A parishioner, representing the views of some members of the community, circulated a map showing where objectors to this application live. A folder containing 60 signed objections was also presented to the Chairman. A number of concerns were listed including the scale of the project, breaches of numerous DNP policies, the impact on the isolated, untouched West Webburn Valley which should remain as such, loss of amenity and a very significant increase in traffic resulting in more accidents. There has been no traffic assessment and no car parking proposal has been submitted. A lighting plan has not been included nor an environmental impact or protected species assessment. It was stated that the work of the Trust was supported but they wish that it continues as it is without the expansion as proposed.
3. A parishioner expressed his disappointment that there is so much dissent. The proposals are in line with Miss Braun’s vision. The project has to evolve to satisfy modern day practice and requirements. This is fantastic opportunity for many under privileged children.
4. A parishioner informed the meeting that he had moved to the area for the tranquillity and whilst supporting the aims of the Trust, the scale of the project is excessive and the views of local people should be listened to.
3940 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
• Cllr Fenton
3941 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
Councillors were reminded of their responsibility to continually update their Notice of Registerable Interests and to declare any disclosable interests, including the nature and extent of such interests they have in any items to be considered at this meeting. Unforeseen requests for a Dispensation to be considered at this point only if there was no way a Councillor would have been aware of such before the meeting.  Cllr Southcombe advised that prior to being co-opted on to the Parish Council, she had written a letter supporting application 0591/15 to be discussed at item 3947(a)(i). As it might be perceived that she could be predetermined on the issue, she stated that it was her intention to leave the meeting when this item was being formally considered by the Parish Council.
3942 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council on 7 January 2016 were approved and signed by the
Chairman as a true and correct record.
3943 POLICE REPORT
PC Dudley reported that three incidents had been reported in the last month, all of which had been medical  emergencies relating to mental health issues. One crime had been reported where a car had been broken into at Dartmeet and a handbag stolen.
3944 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr Gribble informed members that he had driven around the parish with DCC Highways Officer, Scott Riddell and has asked him to organised the resurfacing of the road by the Wayside Cafe.
Cllr Gribble left the meeting at 8.05pm.
3945 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr Jeffery reported that there was a meeting at TDC on 8 February for members to find out what the Executive Committee had been doing.
3946 DELEGATE REPORTS
There were no reports.
3947 PLANNING
(a) New applications:
(i) 0591/15 & 0592/15 – Change of use, conversion and extension to existing barns to form accommodation for holiday/educational use including staff accommodation and office facilities and the erection of new agricultural barns at East Shallowford Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Cllr Southcombe left the meeting whilst this item was being discussed.
Members acknowledged that they had given careful consideration to the views of those both in support of the application and those with objections. On balance, it was agreed that a comment of ‘no objection’ would be submitted to DNPA. However, concerns were voiced about the impact of the development on the environment and the inevitable increased traffic along a narrow road. It appears that no environmental impact assessment, protected species assessment or traffic assessment has been included within the application and therefore it has been impossible to evaluate this aspect.
Cllr Southcombe returned to the meeting.
(ii) 0672/15 – Extension to existing barn to provide covered feed area, Blackdown Piper, Widecombe-in-the-Moor  Members had no objections to this application.
(iii) 0022/16 – Single storey lean-to extension at Broadaford, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members had no objections to this application.
(iv) 0042/16 – Installation of mobile telecommunications and ancillary equipment involving the erection of a 12m high telegraph pole with eight consumer antennas and four backhaul radio antennas and 15m of trenching to power source at Land near Higher Natsworthy, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members had no objections to this application.
(b) Decisions:
There were no decisions reported.
3948 MATTERS ARISING
(a) Grazing Licence 2016
The clerk advised that no tenders had been received as yet. It was agreed that this would be considered again in March’s meeting. If no applications were received, it was agreed that the field would benefit from being left fallow for a year.
(b) Defibrillator
The clerk advised that applications to the British Heart Foundation had been closed as all funding had already been allocated. A lengthy discussion ensued about whether there was a desire to pursue the project and it was agreed that Cllrs Southcombe and Whale would investigate further and would report at the next meeting.
(c) Signage on village green
The clerk informed members that an anonymous letter had been received complaining about signage advertising the Cafe on the Green which had been placed on the village green and on the surrounding paths. It was agreed that the Chairman would speak to the owners of the Cafe on the Green.
(d) Widecombe PCC
Members received a grant application requesting funds to support the maintenance of the churchyard. It was agreed to grant a sum of £200 (s 137 LGA 1972) (Cheque no 908).
(e) Widecombe Fair 2016
Members received a quotation from Event Hire Solutions for portable toilet hire for this year’s event. It was agreed to accept the quotation and authorise the payment of a 25% deposit. (Cheque no 909)
(f) HM Queens’s Birthday Celebrations
Members agreed that they did not wish to organise a parish event to celebrate this event.
(g) Lease of North Hall field
The clerk informed members that DNPA were short on legal services support at the moment but the Authority is trying to move things along as soon as possible.
3949 FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE
(a) Payments for approval:
The following payments were approved:
Cheque no 000906 - Clerk’s salary and disbursements - £222.57
Cheque no 000907 - Church House (hire of hall for PC meetings from April 2015 - March 2016) - £110
(b) Members received and noted the bank reconciliation and balance of accounts.
(c) Members considered whether the Parish Council wishes to opt out of the Sector Led Body for procurement for audit for smaller authorities from the 2017/18 financial year. It was agreed that this Council would remain opted-in.
(d) Members received and noted a report from the clerk outlining the Parish Council’s responsibilities in respect of pensions auto enrolment. This Parish Council’s staging date is 1 January 2017.
(e) Members received a draft Anti-fraud and Corruption Policy. It was agreed to adopt the policy as presented.
3950 HIGHWAYS
(a) The clerk advised that a meeting to discuss a proposed scheme to reduce the damage caused to Newbridge had been arranged for Tuesday 9 February at 2.30pm. The meeting had been organised by DCC and representatives from Widecombe and Holne Parish Councils had been invited. It was agreed that Cllrs Booty and Routley would attend.
To report a pothole:
Telephone: 0345 155 1004
Email: customer@devon.gov.uk
Online: www.devon.gov.uk/road_maintenance.htm
3951 CORRESPONDENCE
There were no items of correspondence.
Other items for information only were placed in the circulation folder or emailed direct to members.
3952 MATTERS OF INFORMATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN
None.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.10pm.
Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ……………………………………….
THE NEXT MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL WILL BE HELD ON
THURSDAY 3 MARCH 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.