WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council
held on Monday 2 December 2019
in Church House, Widecombe
Members Present: Councillor Hassell (Chairman), Edwards, Elliott, Partridge, Routley and Whiteside
Members of the Public: There were eight members of the public present.
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
4501 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
• Cllr Booty
• Cllr Morley
• Cllr Fenton
• District Cllr Cox
• District Cllr Parker-Khan
• Cllr Nutley
4502 OPEN FORUM
There were no comments from members of the public.
4503 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST & REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
Members were reminded of their responsibility to continually update their Notice of Registerable Interests and
invited to state whether they have any interest in the items to be discussed during this meeting in accordance
with the Council’s Code of Conduct.
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.
As council tax payers in the parish, all members present declared an interest in item 4509(b). A dispensation
was granted to enable them to discuss the item.
Cllr Elliott declared an interest in item 4508 (a)(ii).
4504 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Members received the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 7 November 2019 which were approved
and signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
4505 REPORTS
(a) County Councillor
No report.
(b) District Councillors
No reports.
(c) DNPA Representative
No report.
(d) Police
No report.
(e) Delegate Reports
No reports.
4506 PROJECTS
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Edwards & Morley)
(a) Postal Vote
Announcement of the result of the postal vote asking the question:
‘Do you support an increase in the annual parish precept (part of your annual council tax bill) as stated
in the accompanying fact sheet, so that Widecombe Parish Council can take out a loan in order to
make a grant to the Widecombe Community Hall CIO towards the capital costs of building a new
community hall in Widecombe?
The Chairman announced that 165 postal votes had been returned (out of 285). 79 votes (48%)
supported an increase in the annual precept; 86 votes (52%) did not support an increase in the annual
precept.
The Chairman thanked everyone for the time and effort put into this project.
(b) Affordable Housing
No update.
4507 ESTATES
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Fenton & Whiteside)
(a) Sandbag Store
Cllr Edwards presented a sign for the sandbag store together with an article for publication in the
Parish Link. Members approved both the signage and the article for the Parish Link.
(b) Poundsgate Noticeboard
Cllr Partridge informed members that the interpretation panel is being worked on and she would
circulate it to members when completed for approval. The contractor has it in his schedule and it is
hoped that the noticeboard will be completed by January.
(c) Parish Field Tenancy Agreement
The clerk advised that quotes had not yet been received for the drafting of an updated Grazing
Licence. It was agreed that the Licence must indicate that tenants would not be permitted to draw
water from the stream running through the field. It was also agreed that the field should be advertised
for grazing from 1 April – 30 November unless an alternative proposal is put forward in February’s
meeting. It was agreed that Cllr Whiteside would contact Cllr Fenton to discuss this with him.
4508 PLANNING/LOCAL LIAISON
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Booty & Elliott)
(a) New planning applications/appeals:
Members considered the following applications:
(i) 0519/19 – Erection of timber framed agricultural building (13.7m x 5.1m) at Bowden Barn,
Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members agreed to support this application.
(ii) 0550/19 – Erection of new Community Hall, associated new access point, parking and breakout space, Hayes, Field, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
It was noted that members had been invited by the applicants to attend a briefing on this prior
to this meeting to receive an explanation of the plans.
After discussion, members agreed to support the application. However, it was agreed to
request that DNPA considers the lighting to ensure it is sensitive to neighbouring properties.
It might be preferred, for example, if the lighting is set back from the roadside to the cattle
grid.
It was also agreed to request that DNPA gives consideration to parking which may also impact
neighbouring properties.
(b) Planning Decisions/Withdrawals
The following planning decisions/withdrawals were received:
(i) 0426/19 – Installation of replacement private sewage treatment and water supply systems,
Tunhill Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Members noted that DNPA has granted conditional planning permission.
4509 FINANCE & GOVERNANCE
(Lead Councillors: Cllrs Partridge & Routley)
(a) Payments
Members received and approved the following payments for approval:
• Cheque no 001032 - Clerk’s salary and disbursements (Dec & Jan) - £462.84
• Cheque no 001033 - HMRC (PAYE) - £157.80
(b) Budget and Precept 2020/21
Members considered budget proposals and considered the precept requirement for 2020/21. (They
also noted an item of correspondence from a parishioner received following discussions in November’s
meeting).
After discussion, the budget was accepted as presented with one minor amendment relating to the
budget allocated for s137 grants. A total budget of £1500 was agreed for s137 grants including the
maintenance of parish churchyards.
Members received budget proposals and considered the precept requirement for 2020/21. The budget
proposals were accepted. It was agreed that the cash required from TDC would be £6,317 equating to
a 0% year on year increase in the precept.
(c) Annual Parish Meeting
It was agreed to hold this on Thursday 19 March at 7.00pm (subject to availability of the hall). It was
agreed that the focus of the meeting should be an update on the Affordable Housing project. The clerk
will invite Mary Ridgeway (TDC) and Colin Pike (Teign Housing).
4510 HIGHWAYS
Cllr Partridge reported that the directional sign at the junction beyond the Moorland Hotel towards Bovey
Tracey is pointing in the wrong direction. The clerk will report this to DCC. It was also agreed to contact DCC
to follow up other issues previously raised including Ponsworthy Splash and the section of Natsworthy Road
where forestry contractors have removed part of the wall resulting in debris washing on to the highway. There
is also a collapsed drain at the bottom of Eastern Lane. Water is being prevented from entering and has led to
a pool in the road which is not overflowing.
Potholes and other highways maintenance issues can be reported direct to DCC:
Online: https://www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtr
ansport/report-a-problem/
Telephone: 0345 155 1004
Email: customer@devon.gov.uk
4511 CORRESPONDENCE
None.
4512 MEMBERS’ ITEMS FOR INFORMATION OR GENERAL DISCUSSION, FOR INCLUSION ON FUTURE
AGENDAS AND/OR ITEMS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION
Members are reminded that they have not received the statutory notice of this business to be transacted and
should therefore recognise that any decision made may be taken to be unlawful if challenged in the future
None.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 8.07pm.
Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ……………………………………….
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday 6 February 2020 at 7.30pm in
Leusdon Memorial Hall