Minutes of Past Parish Council Meetings

MINUTES

February 13th 2008

Minutes of the Ashwater Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 13 February 2008

Parish Participation - in items on the agenda - 7.30 pm

Present: Barry Parsons, Peter Capron, Adrian Littlejohn

Before the meeting commenced the chair read out a notice of a proposed sale to be held in the village hall on 23 and 24 February 2008 in aid of the new village hall.

Parish Council Meeting – 7.45 pm

Present: Betty Batt, Pete Jennings, Steve Furse, Eric Burnill, Fiona Bull, Trevor Moon

1. Apologies for Absence

Mary Gliddon, Lawrence Langston

2. Declaration of Interest of any Agenda items and approval of the minutes of the last meeting

None

The minutes of the previous minutes from the December meeting were approved and proposed by PJ, seconded by SF, and signed by BB.

2.1 Village Notice Board: The notice board has now been made and is ready to erect, PJ and TM will organise.
2.2 Swings on village Green: The shackles have been replaced - no further action needed.
2.3 BT Telephone Box: Sandrymoor Cross - no news to report, carry forward to next meeting
2.4 Grass cutting Village Green: Two estimates have been received, one from Lesley Hughes (previous company) and another Countryside and Garden. It was decided to continue with Lesley Hughes as the parish council has been satisfied with the services given. Proposed PJ, seconded FB. SM will write to Ms Hughes and would ask for a copy of her public liability certificate for the parish council’s records.

3. Planning

3.1 Middlecroft Farm, Clawton: BB said that the parish council had no knowledge of the building being used as a self contained dwelling house.
3.2 West Down Stables: BB had looked at all the information received and recommended approval prior to the meeting as no meeting was held during January 2008.
3.3 Bonsai Nursery: A letter had been sent regarding the appeal. A hearing is set for 7 May 2008, and parish councillors will be allowed to attend but not to speak. The appeal will be held in Holsworthy. EB said that the matter has been going on a long time.
3.4 Swingate Farm: Notice has been received but this is nothing to do with Ashwater Parish.

4. Footpaths

Each year the parish council has to complete a form to show how the parish council has used its grant. The work on the footpath at Quodditch has now been completed and an invoice has been submitted for £540. This amount is slightly over the original estimate of £515. However there was sufficient monies in the bank account reserved for footpaths to cover the additional amount. EB will complete the forms for the next financial year. He said that the footpaths in Ashwater were in good condition. BB congratulated EB for all his work.
4.2 Devon Countryside Access Forum: Anyone who wants to join is welcome and the closing date is 29 February 2008.

5. Finance

There is £4,381.55 in the bank account.

5.1 Audit Commission Invoice: £58.75 proposed SF, seconded TM
5.2 Audit Commission Appointment of External Auditor: A notice received for information
5.3 Carey Woodlands (Footpath): £515 has already been paid and the balance of £25 was due. Proposed PJ, seconded SF.
5.4 Kirk Engineering
: Printing newsletter £23.50 proposed PJ, seconded EB.
5.5 Gary Cox: Supply of notice board £638.00 proposed EB, seconded FB.
5.6 CPRE: Continuation of Membership - BB said that it would be beneficial to continue with this membership, the cost is £27, proposed SF, seconded TM.

6. Correspondence / Communications

6.1 Election of Parish Councillor and Vice Chair: TM agreed to stand as vice chair until the AGM in May, proposed EB, seconded FB. Adrian Littlejohn was nominated to become a parish councillor. Proposed SF, seconded TM.
6.2 North Devon and Torridge Core Strategy Issues and Options Report
: Carried forward to 6.19.
6.3 Parish Recycling Pavilion: A letter has been received that the facilities in Ashwater are to be removed. The parish council object to this as they feel it is essential. A letter will be written in support and also that when bins are emptied a lot of items are left on the road, especially glass which is dangerous.; Noted
6.5 New Parish Hall: Letter to Torridge District Council - The bid to the National Lottery has gone in the post today. The project needs additional money from Torridge and the parish hall committee would like the parish council to write a letter in support. BP said that the parish hall committee is doing a great job, he said that there is not much money available especially as there are other projects also looking for funding. It was suggested that BB, EB and LL would get together to draft a letter.
6.6 Letter from Post Office regarding Ashwater Post Office: Noted
6.7 Countryside and Garden letter received: An estimate has been received regarding cutting the grass on the village green.
6.8 Parish Council Training: Determining a Planning Application - to be held on Friday 29 February 2008. TM and BB would be interested in attending and SM would find out where the training will be held.
6.9 South West Lifelong Learning Network: Noted
6.10 Devon Towns Forum: Community Plans Database - Devon Communities in Action - noted
6.11 Training – CiCLA / Chairmanship / Clerk / New Legislation: Noted
6.12 NALC Conference
: Noted
6.13 Aylebeare Parish Council: Playground Equipment - noted
6.14 DAPC Meetings Calendar 2008: Noted
6.15 Awards: Council / Clerk of the Year - noted
: Noted
6.17 Clean Neighbourhood and Environment Act 2005: Noted
6.18 Survey of Renewable Electricity and Heat Projects in South West England: BB to look into and comment on renewable energy in the parish newsletter.
6.19 Unitary Authority - (including 6.2): The new planning legislation is making huge changes. BP suggested that the parish council might like Maria Bailey from Torridge to attend a parish council meeting to explain about making a parish plan. The parish council agreed and requested BP to invite her to the next meeting.
6.20 Community First’s Parish Council Insurance Scheme: Ask LL if Ashwater parish council uses scheme.
6.21 North Peninsula Housing Market Assessment: BB will place on notice board.
6.22 Roadford Lake Consulutation Group: Still ongoing.
6.23 Sustainable Funding Workshop: Passed to PC.
6.24 North Devon Biosphere and AONB Discovery Day: BB passed around for anyone that was interested.
6.25 CICLA Fees: Noted
6.26 Devon Association of Community Buildings: Passed to PC
6.27 Article - Parish Council: Put more faith - BB read out article that had appeared in the Western Morning Newspaper
6.28 Publications Received: Various publications were circulated.

The meeting closed at 9.45 p.m. The next meeting will be on Wednesday 12 March 2008. BP has confirmed that Maria Bailey is able to attend the meeting and the meeting will commence at the usual time of 7.30 pm.

John van de Laarschot, Chief Executive of Torridge has also agreed to attend the Parish Council’s meeting on Wednesday 9 April 2008 - to be discussed by councillors at next meeting.

Minutes 02/08

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