WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
                                                                  Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council
                                                        held on Thursday 5 May 2016 in Church House, Widecombe
Present: Councillor Newbolt-Young (Chairman), Booty, Morley, Routley, Southcombe, Tempest, Welby & Whale
Also present: District Cllr Jeffery and County Cllr Gribble
Members of the Public: There was one member of the public present.
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
3981 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN
It was proposed by Cllr Booty, seconded by Cllr Routley and unanimously agreed by all members present and voting that Cllr Newbolt-Young is re-elected as Chairman.
3982 ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN
It was proposed by Cllr Tempest, seconded by Cllr Welby and unanimously agreed by all members present and voting that Cllr Booty is re-elected as Vice Chairman.
3983 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
• Cllr G Fenton
3984 OPEN FORUM
A parishioner expressed his thanks to Devon County Council for the recent resurfacing works in the village.
An observation was also made about the sheep which are wondering off the common and into the village. It was requested that the Parish Council writes to Dartmoor Commoners Council asking it to confirm that Commoners who own these animals have a duty to keep their stock on the Common, hefted and leared, and a responsibility to ensure that they do not wander off the Common into the village and into the properties of others. This was agreed by members present.
3985 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.
There were no declarations of interest or requests for dispensation.
3986 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
A minor amendment was made to the minutes of the meeting of the Parish Council on 7 April 2016 after
which they were approved and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
3987 ELECTION/APPOINTMENT OF MEMBERS TO OTHER BODIES
(a) It was agreed to ask Simon Tame whether he would continue to would act as the Parish’s tree consultant.
(b) It was agreed that Cllr Welby would represent the Parish Council on the Widecombe Fair Committee
(c) It was agreed that Cllr Morley would represent the Parish Council on the Widecombe & District Sports Group.
(d) Cllr Tempest agreed to continue to serve on the Educational Trust and on the Church House Trust.
(e) It was agreed that Cllr Booty would represent the parish’s highways issues.
(f) 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.
(g) It was agreed that the Chairman and Cllr Fenton would continue to be the keyholders for the sandbag store. A query was raised over the whereabouts of a third set of keys. Enquiries to be made. 
3988 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.
The Chairman wished to seek clarification on the ownership and responsibility of the Ernest Knight paintings hanging in Church House. It was agreed that the clerk would contact The History Group.
(f) Investment Strategy
Members reviewed its Investment Strategy and agreed no amendments.
(g) Anti-fraud and Corruption Policy
Members reviewed its Anti-fraud and Corruption Policy and agreed no amendments
3989 POLICE REPORT
No report.
3990 COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Cllr Gribble was sorry that he was unable to attend the Annual Parish Meeting in March which he usually very much enjoys. He  informed members that DCC’s financial difficulties continue. He has expressed his disapproval of the proposals being put forward by The Boundary Commission with reference to the proposed changes to his ward. He confirmed that the Tour of Britain will be finishing at Haytor on 9th September.
3991 DISTRICT COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
No report.
3992 DELEGATE REPORTS
There were no reports.
3993 MATTERS ARISING
(a) Defibrillator
Cllr Southcombe informed members that she had been quoted £1,695 + VAT for a device which included training for eight people @ £63 per person. The clerk suggested that further advice is sought and would provide Cllr Southcombe with appropriate details.
(b) Community Helipad
Members were informed that Toby Russell from Devon Air Ambulance Trust had requested a list of potential sites which he could survey. It was agreed that the Widecombe Fairfield should be put forward along with the sports field which already has floodlights which may be able to be utilised. The clerk advised that there would be a cost to the parish of around £7,000-£8,000 to install the required lighting column to enable night-flying. Should the sites put forward be considered appropriate, Toby Russell will come and speak to members about how to take the project forward, should there be a desire to, and discuss possible grant opportunities.
(c) New Village Hall proposal
It was confirmed that a meeting will be held on Monday 23 May at 7.00pm in Church House.
(d) Electoral Review of Teignbridge
Members were informed that The Local Government Boundary Commission for England has
formally commenced an electoral review of Teignbridge District Council and are invited to give
their views on future ward boundaries for the district. The consultation closes on 4th July 2016.
Further details are available at www.lgbce.org.uk
3994 PLANNING
(a) New applications/appeals
(i) Members noted that an appeal has been lodged against the refusal of planning application 0663/15 for a two-storey extension, first floor bedroom extension and replacement porch, Drywell Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor [As the appeal is proceeding under the Householder Appeal Service there is no opportunity to submit further comment]
(b) Decisions
(i) 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 noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission.
(ii) 0127/16 - Certificate of Lawfulness for an existing use in respect of non compliance with agricultural condition in excess of 10 years at Littlecot, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members noted that DNPA has issued a Certificate of Lawfulness.
(c) Correspondence
Members receive correspondence from Mr Charles Godfrey with regard to the objections raised by this Council to his planning application (Ref: 0140/16 - Siting of a mobile home for temporary agricultural dwelling at Blackdown Piper, Widecombe-in-the-Moor).
The Chairman led a discussion on this matter after which it was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council’s observations submitted to DNPA in respect of this planning application would not be withdrawn. It was further agreed that as a democratically elected body, the Parish Council will continue to consider and comment on all future planning applications as a statutory consultee. In the meantime, the Chairman would speak to the local MP with a view to seeking confirmation from the Secretary of State that Parish Councils and their members are protected from unsubstantiated allegations, threats and intimating behaviour from planning applicants in the future.
3995 FINANCE AND GOVERNANCE
(a) Payments
Members received and approve payments for approval:
Cheque no 000914 - Clerk’s salary and disbursements - £237.27
Cheque no 000915 - R Newbolt-Young (refreshments APM) - £42.20
Cheque no 000916 - N Tempest (refreshment APM) - £6.70
(b) Audit 2015/16
(i) Members received, completed, approved and authorised the Chairman and Clerk to sign Section 1 of the Annual Return (Annual Governance Statement 2015/16).
(ii) Members received, approved and authorised the Chairman and Clerk to sign Section 2 of
the Annual Return (Accounting Statements 2015/16).
(iii) Members confirmed that this Council is confident that the internal audit arrangements 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
(c) Insurance
Members received, reviewed and approved the insurance renewal quotation for 2015/16 with Community First at a cost of £168.91 (cheque no 917).
3996 HIGHWAYS
The following matters were raised:
• Ponsworthy Splash – there is a triangular manhole cover which has a hole beside it. The tarmac needs raising to prevent damaging someone’s tyre.
• The road from Cordon Ford to Shallowford - tarmac is cracking and dipping and the road is starting to subside. This has been caused by the water run-off from the moor.
• The drain cover outside Willow Cottage, Church Lane Head, is broken and is dangerous and needs to be replaced.
3997 CORRESPONDENCE
There were no further items of correspondence.
3998 MATTERS OF INFORMATION AT THE DISCRETION OF THE CHAIRMAN
The Chairman informed members that there had been an occasion just recently when an ambulance was too wide to cross Ponsworthy Bridge thus causing considerable delay in reaching the patient. It was suggested and agreed that the clerk writes to the Emergency Services suggesting that all personnel are made aware of the width restriction at Ponsworthy Bridge so that alternative routes are used thus preventing this from happening again.
Cllr Welby informed that the Widecombe Fair Committee would like the Parish Council to give consideration to Widecombe Fair Committee organising the stalls on the green in 2017. It was agreed that the Widecombe Fair Committee should put together a proposal for the Parish Council to consider.
Cllr Morley advised that the stile at the bottom of Widecombe Hill has now been repaired.
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 Monday 6 June 2016 at 7.30pm.
Please note that there will also be a walkabout of the village commencing at 6.45pm
from Church House.