Minutes of Past Parish Council Meetings

MINUTES

Wednesday, 13th May 2009

There was no public participation - in items on the agenda

PARISH COUNCIL MEETING - 7.55 pm

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

1. Apologies for Absence

Betty Batt, Barry Parsons.

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

No declarations of interest were recorded. In the minutes of the previous meeting the names of the councillors who approved and seconded March’s minutes were omitted. PM proposed and PJ seconded these minutes. The minutes were then approved and signed by TM. Proposed PJ, seconded PM.
SM had written to the owners of the house on Ashwater Hill with regards to the overgrown trees and had received a telephone call advising her that the matter was in hand and that a local tree surgeon would be attending to the problem within the next few weeks.
SM has emailed Highways but has only had a confirmation and no further correspondence. The matter was discussed and PM said that he would contact either Steve Dawe or Bruce Pedrick with regards to the missing Ashwater sign.
SM has written to the late Councillor Des Shadrick’s wife and family sending condolences from the parish council on her bereavement.

3. Planning

3.1
Hunscott Farm – Steel Framed Building - granted
Orchard Hen Farm - General Purpose Agricultural Building - granted
3.2 Higher Larkworthy
Proposed Slurry/Dung Store – no objections, proposed AB, seconded LL
3.3 Higher Larkworthy
Proposed Livestock Building for housing of cattle - no objections, proposed SF, seconded PM
3.4
EB mentioned about a proposed new access way at Swingdon Farm. The gateway is already there and it opens on to an existing lane, so the bank does not need to be cut.

4. Footpaths

4.1
The cost of dog fouling bins is not covered by P3 money and EB wanted to know if the parish council wish to continue with installing the bins as it would now be funded from parish council funds. It was thought that this project should be continued and EB should contact Mike Crocker in Holsworthy to arrange a site meeting. Proposed LL, seconded AB.

5. Finance

5.1
As LL has now stood down from attending to the parish council’s finances, SM would take over the day to day running of the finances with AB overseeing her work.
5.2
A request had been received from Henriette North in respect of an invoice for £57.99 in connection with the website. A cheque was issued, proposed MG, seconded SF. LL said that Ivan Buxton would come to a meeting to explain how the website works.
5.3
LL had purchased a new cash book, and a cheque was issued for £5.80, proposed PJ, seconded AB.
5.4
An invoice had been received for the parish council’s insurance renewal for £354.77. A cheque was issued, proposed MG, seconded SF.
5.5
Angel Gerry had once again audited the accounts for the parish council. LL suggested that an amount of £30.00 be given to her. Proposed MG, seconded EB.
5.6
An amount of £2,501.00 had been received for the 1st instalment of the parish precept.
There is £5,178.02 in the bank account.

6. Correspondence / Communications

6.1 Meetings Attended
Holsworthy Area Advisory Group – re-scheduled for Monday 18 May 2009 - details passed to EB and TM.
6.2 Annual Parish Meeting
Wednesday 10 June 2009 John van de Laarschot will be attending. A list was circulated of people that were invited last year and some additional names were added. SF said that his wife would sort out refreshments and EB’s wife would be able to assist. TM was asked if he could organise wine, soft drinks and glasses. The monthly parish council meeting will be held before the Annual Parish Meeting. SM would ask BP to find out what John van de Laarschot would be speaking about and add this to the invitations.
6.3 Public Sector Duties
A letter had been received regarding equality and human rights.
6.4 Highway Maintenance 2009/10
Highway maintenance will be £60,895 - a cash increase of just over 9.5%.
6.5 Structural Reviews of Devon: Further Draft Proposals
Estimated costs of proposed changes.
6.6 The Power of Community
TDC would like local communities to come forward with ideas and proposals to promote the sustainability of their local area, the document was circulated.
6.7 Parish Lengthsman Service
Visiting Ashwater 11 May to 15 May - the details were passed to PM to contact Bruce Pedrick
6.8 Working with Wildlife in Torridge
TDC have set up a working group tasked with identifying initiatives to benefit wildlife and would like feedback from the parish council.
6.9 Parish Council Consultation Event
Event organised in relation to the advancement of the N Devon and Torridge Core Strategy. Holsworthy Memorial Hall - Thursday 28 May 9.30 - 14.30. BP would like to encourage participation so that we can all influence the development of planning policy locally. Passed to LL.
6.10 The Ruby Country Partnership Limited
Ruby Country Initiative now closed and now set up a not for profit limited company in the hope of offering the Ruby Country greater opportunities for the future.
6.11 Survey of Rough Sleeping in Torridge
South West Peninsula Housing Consultancy would like survey completed - not applicable.
6.12 Re-Registration of Common Land under the Commons Act 2006
Passed to MG to look at website.
6.13 Admissions to Schools 2010-11
Arrangements for the community can be inspected on DCC’s website.
6.14 Publications Received – leaflets from Highways
Farming and the public highway
Travelling in Winter
Roadside hedge and tree management
What the County Council does and who to contact
Drainage from roads
It was noted that information regarding Japanese Knotweed can be obtained from DCC by calling 0845 1551004 - this information will be placed in the Ashwater Newsletter.
6.15
A series of burglaries had been made in the area, including the NFU.
6.16
PJ, PM and LL inspected the swings on the village green and reported that everything is ok apart from the mats which will need to be restuck when the weather improves. The benches need to be repaired and there were various options from dipping the benches or sand blasting which could be done without removing the benches. The cost could be around £30 each, to sandblast and therefore the parish council would need to get an estimate of the exact cost.

The meeting closed at 9.00 p.m.
The next meeting will be on Wednesday 10 June 2009 prior to the Annual Parish Meeting, time to be confirmed.

Minutes 05/09

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