Minutes of Past Parish Council Meetings

MINUTES

Wednesday, March 11th 2009

Public participation - in items on the agenda - Colin Dixon attended the meeting.

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING - 7.30 pm

Present: Trevor Moon, Steve Furse, Pete Jennings, Lawrence Langston, Alex Beynon, Pat May, Eric Burnill, Barry Parsons, Sheila Myers (Clerk)

1. Apologies for Absence

Betty Batt, Mary Gliddon

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

No declarations of interest were recorded. The minutes of the previous meeting were approved and signed by TM. Proposed PJ, seconded LL.

3. Planning

SM has spoken to TDC and requested an extension of deadlines for the parish council to make comments when planning is received between meetings. In future, in these circumstances she will advise the parish councillors of the particular planning application so that they can look at TDC’s planning website and have access to the full information before each meeting.
3.1 Hunscott Beacon: Free range poultry unit to include access road and visibility splay - Colin Dixon attended the meeting in this respect. The parish council has not received any comments directly from neighbours concerning the proposed planning. Mr Dixon said that the unit will be managed 24/7. Once planning is approved they will then apply for planning for temporary accommodation. Concern was raised regarding lorries at night, Mr Dixon said that these would be only every 72 weeks when pullets were delivered. Standards for health will be higher than Defra stipulate. The owner of the other local poultry unit does not have any objections. The parish council decided that as there were no major issues, they did not have any objections. Proposed LL, seconded SF. SM will return the signed letter to TDC but will add comments made at the meeting for TDC’s records.
BP said that each planning application is looked at on its own merit.
3.2 Orchard Hen Farm: Erection of detached dwelling in connection with existing agricultural enterprise. The parish council voted to approve the planning application. Proposed SF, seconded PM.
3.3 Cross Lanes: Nigel Marshall called SM and said that the dung heap does not need planning. It would only be taken into consideration if planning is granted and then there would be a condition on the siting. Planning are still waiting for the re-submission. Access is still a question. If planning is not given then it could be looked at as an environmental health issue. The matter will be monitored and carried forward to the next meeting.
3.4 Bonzai Nursery: Nigel Marshall visited there 2 weeks ago. They have had a verbal offering of housing but not in writing. It is proposed to review in 6 months. He is going to write to them suggesting that they still look for somewhere to live either through the council or privately.
3.5 Dunsland Cross Wind Tubines: BP mentioned that a meeting was to be held at Bradford Village Hall in this respect.

4. Footpaths

4.1 Dog Fouling Bins: Suggestions for positions where bins could be placed are, between Cross Lanes and Chapel, near Sunny Pooh Corner and Henford Road. EB to contact Michael Crocker in Holsworthy.
4.2: EB had received an invoice from Roy Moon for £409 for work undertaken at Langaford, Quodditch and Barn Park Lane/Church Walk.
The parish council confirmed that the invoice should be paid, proposed PJ, seconded LL.
4.3: EB had completed an annual summary of expenditure form. Last year £113.50 was left over from the previous year. The grant was £680.00 (total £793.50), less £409 for footpaths, £35 for printer ink for Ivan Buxton for printing walks leaflets, and £5.00 to cover stationery, phone calls etc. leaving a balance of £344.50. EB suggested that some of the P3 money could be used to provide dog fouling bins or the parish council could wait for perhaps four weeks to see how much DCC will grant Ashwater in their next budget. However if there is £349.50 in the bank account DCC might say that Ashwater does not need much more P3 money. It was decided to go with purchasing 2 dog fouling bins at a cost of £85 each (installed and serviced TDC). Proposed PM, seconded AB.

5. Finance

5.1 Grass Cutting: 2 quotes received, Lesley Hughes £30 per cut (total £450) and Pete Badge £900 plus VAT.
It was decided to continue with the services of Lesley Hughes and SM will contact her to advise her of the parish council’s decision and also to get a copy of her public liability insurance certificate. Proposed PJ, seconded SF.
5.2. Cheques Paid: £409.00 - Roy Moon - P3 footpaths
£338.36 - Sheila Myers (clerk’s salary and stationery)
There is £1,872.23 in the bank account.

LL said that he would like someone else to take over from him from the AGM and also the clerk’s salary should be put on next month’s agenda.

6. Correspondence / Communications

6.1 Meetings Attended: None
6.2 Annual Parish Meeting: To be held on Wednesday 10 June, 2009. BP reminded the parish council that last year the chief executive of TDC, John Delar was invited to speak but he was not available. BP said that he would ask him again and if he is not available Councillor James Morrish would be approached.
6.3 Dog Control Orders: A notice has been placed on the notice board, people have complained about the notice, no decision will be made until the end of the month.
6.4 Settlement Assessment: Passed to SF to read.
6.5 Evaluation of the Rural Enabler Programme: Passed to SF to read.
6.6 Local Needs Assessment Parish Survey: Passed to LL to complete.
6.7 Strategic Housing - Land Availability Assessment: Noted.
6.8 Boundary Committee - change of deadline: Noted
6.9 Devon Link: Distributed for parish councillors to read.
6.10 DAPC Newsletter: Distributed for parish councillors to read, it was noted that co-opted members can now stand as chair.
6.11 Barnstaple and District Civic Society: Copies to be forwarded to Betty Batt and Fiona Bull and also forwarded to Ivan Buxton to be placed in the newsletter.
6.12 Country Dance - Saturday 21 March 2009: Noted.
6.13 Post Offices – Securing their future: Public meeting Tuesday 17 March 2009 at County Hall, 4.30 to 5.30 - noted.
6.14: EB mention that a signboard is missing at the entrance to the village from Thorny Cross to Longmans Cross and the signboard at Ashmill has fallen down. SM to contact Highways.
6.15: PJ said that the hedges at Henford needed trimming, BP will contact the owners of the respective property.
6.16: Overgrown trees were a concern and LL said that he will let SM know the address of where action needs to be taken.
BP mentioned that TDC has not made any increase in Council Tax, rises have resulted from other parties. He also mentioned that Community Council Funds money has been ring fenced for Ashwater for 2009/2010.

The meeting closed at 9.00 p.m.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 8th April 2009.

Minutes 03/09

Website designed by Anthony Williams and Henriette North.
Comments and Submissions to webmaster@ashwaterparish.org.uk
Last modified: Sunday December 18, 2011