Minutes of Past Parish Council Meetings
MINUTES
March 26th 2008
Minutes of the Extra Ordinary Ashwater Parish Council Meeting Wednesday 26 March 2008
Present: Betty Batt, Pete Jennings, Eric Burnill, Mary Gliddon, Lawrence Langston, Sheila Myers (Clerk), Barry Parsons
1. Apologies for Absence
- Fiona Bull, Steve Furse, Trevor Moon, Adrian Littlejohns
2. Boundary Committee Review in Devon
LL and PJ attended a meeting in Holsworthy on the 19 March 2008 at short notice. The Boundaries Commission wanted information from TDC before they create borders - there is nothing ruled in and nothing ruled out. They need opinions by the 11 April 2008 and they will make their recommendations by July 2008. The meeting lasted over two hours and no decisions could be made as there was not enough information.
BP said nobody really knows exactly what is going on. There probably will be a unitary authority in Devon but they do not have a lot of factual information and therefore they need feed back. No decisions have been made but the Secretary of State can make his own decisions. There could be a North Devon authority or an authority for the whole of Devon. Any plans put forward have to be viable.
Plymouth and Torbay will stay as unitary authorities but could be made bigger and they could ‘cherry pick’ for the areas that they want. Exeter could do the same and the rural areas could be left out, as there was not much to gain from them.
TDC has been given two working weeks to submit and cannot recommend a status quo as they need evidence.
People need to voice their opinions.
The members of the Boundary Committee are not rural people and therefore possibly do not know and understand the exact needs of the rural community.
Whatever changes happen cannot be added onto Council Tax.
There was a suggestion that the press should be contacted but not a lot can be achieved until July.
A questionnaire was circulated to the meeting and BB suggested that everyone express an opinion on the form to show that the community cares what is happening. The questionnaire was due in by Friday 28 March 2008 and all councillors were requested to complete it and return it urgently to meet the deadline.
A listening event will be held on Wednesday 2 April 2008 from 7.00 pm to 9.00 pm to discuss the matter.
The meeting closed at 5.45 p.m.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 9 April 2008.
Minutes 03/08
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