Minutes of the Westleigh Parish Council Meeting held on 2nd February 2022 at the Parish Hall – 19.30hrs
Attendees – Cllr David Fairbrother (Chair), Cllrs Lesley Burgess, Colin Frajbis, Kevin Farrell-
Agenda
1. Apologies – Cllrs Chris Heard, Lyn Gear, NDDCllr (&MP) Selaine Saxby, DCCllr Biederman
2. Declarations of Interest – none declared
3. Minutes – to confirm and agree the signing of the minutes of the meeting held on the 8th December, and update actions agreed -
4. Correspondence and Communications – an email notifying Parishes that Aura Power has sold its Litchardson Cross Solar Farm Project to British Renewable Energy Company Infinis. The contact is now Claire.hannan@infinis.com. A report from NDC on ‘Talking Rubbish’ concerning the monitoring and placement of litter bins in the district was discussed, and Council decided that there was no action to be taken as a result. The Clerk conducted a short quiz on the new Highway Code changes, which parishioners will be relieved to know that the pass rate was 100%!
5. Public Session – 15 minutes where Parishioners can raise any issues of concern within the Parish, or concerning the Parish – none received
6. County and District Ward Members reports – apologies noted and no reports received as nothing of significance to report
7. Finance – to receive an update on the current financial position of Westleigh Parish Council, and to confirm authorisation of salary payment of £593.32 in January – unanimous. Balance currently £4626.75
8. Village/Neighbourhood Plan – Cllr Frajbis is in the process of formulating an outline plan, on which to base a full plan in the future (as previously minuted, this is not a fast process, but one which has to be carried out in a very careful manner, and in which the Parish will be consulted). Cllr Burgess wanted to know if Westleigh Parish as a ‘rural community’ received any additional safeguards regarding possible development – the Clerk to investigate.
9. Planning matters – the Council’s objection to the ‘change of use’ at Knapp House had been received and listed. Parishioners can monitor this by logging into www.torridge.gov.uk/planningonline and using search reference 1/0077/2021/CPE.
10. Defibrillator training – Council decided that as it was proving extremely difficult to source a qualification course, that the Clerk would approach South Western Ambulance Service asking for a visit to which parishioners could be invited
11. Highway issues – none raised apart from noting that the potholes at the road junction of the Bideford/Instow road had reappeared
12. Councillor training and refresher training – Clerk to contact DALC to arrange
13. Update regarding the ground behind the War Memorial – a verbal response indicated no interest in a sale at this time
14. Environmental issues – Cllr Burgess reminded the Council that now Westleigh had planted a ‘wild verge’ on the approach from the main road, that it had been agreed that Eastleigh should also be offered the same option. It was agreed that Cllr Heard would report back. Cllr Burgess also reminded the Council that David Paull (naturalist) had been verbally given permission to list the flora and fauna in and around Tapeley, and the Council should invite him to discuss his findings once made. The Clerk to confirm what had been agreed with Tapeley. An email had been received regarding Project Wingspan, which is a project to highlight the National Wildlife Crime priorities, by raising public awareness. Full details can be obtained from Martin.BECK@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk
15. Agenda items for the next meeting (Wednesday 2nd March 2022). Council agreed that the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee should be celebrated in some way by the Parish. An article to be placed in the Village Magazine asking for ideas which can be discussed at March’s Parish Council meeting
16. The meeting closed at 20.45hrs
