DRAFT MINUTES
Westleigh Parish Council – Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held on Wednesday 21st November 2018 at the Westleigh Village Hall commencing at 7.30pm.
Present: Cllrs K. Griffin (Chairman), L. Gear, L. Burgess, C. Heard, S. Ettling
In attendance: Mr. M. Harris, Parish Clerk, 1 member of the public.
MH11.18.1 Apologies
Apologies were recorded on behalf of Cllr B. Moores.
MH11.18.2
Declarations of Interest
Members were reminded that all interests must be declared prior to the item being discussed. None received.
MH11.18.3
To approve, and sign the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on the 19th September 2018
Noted that the minutes should read Oxman’ s Cottage
It was resolved, to confirm and sign the minutes as a true record
Proposed: Cllr S. Ettling, Seconded: Cllr K. Griffin (all in favour)
There were no matters arising.
MH11:18.4
Correspondence and Communication:
The following items of correspondence were received:
Southwest Heritage – Update North Devon Records Office -
Cllr R. Cann – Future of the Communities Together Fund (TAP) – agreed to inform NDC that the Parish Council would like the criteria to support the current cluster approach.
Cllr B. Moores – Loans for Housing repairs – Wessex Resolutions CIC – circulated.
North Devon Council – Update Polling District Review – circulated.
Devon County Council – Road closure – Brimstone Lane – circulated.
County and District Council Ward Members Reports
No reports for this meeting.
Public Session – at the discretion of the Chairman members of the public can ask questions and make comments to the Council.
A member of the public raised an issue on the dangers of crossing the main road when accessing the Tarka trail and the bus shelter. The speed of the traffic is a real concern, and there is a case to introduce speed restrictions on that section of the road. What can be done?
Cllr L. Burgess reported that she had recently attended the Devon County Council Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) to make the case for speed restrictions on the road. She was supported at the meeting by Cllr F. Biederman. The committee noted the concerns and agreed to continue discussing the matter at the next meeting of HATOC.
Actions:
The Parish Council will continue to raise the matter with HATOC after each meeting until the matter is resolved.
The Parish Clerk to contact Cllr F. Biederman to request a copy of the HATOC agenda and minutes.
MH11.18.5
Financial Matters
a) To receive an update on the current financial position.
The Parish Clerk reported that the current balance in the Parish account is £6,005.14
b) To receive any accounts to pay:
To approve payments as follows:
Jeremy Harris – Parish Maintenance -
Parish Clerk Expenses – £59.99 software security – cheque No 100459
Parish Clerk Salary – £334.96 – cheque No 100460
Parish Clerk Expenses – wreath -
Nigel Morgan – Footpath posts installation -
Parish Clerk Expenses – stationary/stamps -
It was resolved to approve the above payments.
Proposed: Cllr K. Griffin Seconded: Cllr l. Gear (all in favour)
c) To note any income received:
2nd instalment of the precept -
d) Any other financial issues
Budget 2019/20 & Precept 2019/20
Discussion took place on the budget for 2019/20 and the level of precept. In order to implement projects identified in the Parish Action Plan it was proposed that the precept be increased from £3,000 to £3,500 for 2019/20. Approval for the increase would be subject to NDC confirming the impact of the increase for local parishioners.
It was resolved to approve the budget for 2019/20, and approve an increase to the precept of £500, subject to the confirmation of the impact for local parishioners.
Proposed: Cllr L. Gear Seconded: Cllr K. Griffin (all in favour)
MH11:18.6 Planning Matters
a) New planning applications
Ref: 65360 – Construction of Earth Lined Slurry Lagoon at West Webbery Farm – following discussion and research into the application, the Parish Council was minded to support the application subject to the implementation of the recommendations from advisors.
b) Planning decisions
Ref: 6507 Prior application for erection of one agricultural building to cover existing yard at Little Pillhead, Webbery. Confirmation that prior approval is not required.
c) Other planning issues
3, Oxman’s Cottage – Cllr K. Griffin reported that he had contacted the District Council Planning Officers to raise the issue of the current access provided at the property. He is awaiting a response and will chase up if no response is forthcoming in the next two weeks.
Myrtle Cottage – An email was received from the District Council confirming that a site visit had taken place, and that currently no enforcement action can be taken. NDC confirmed that efforts had been made to contact the owners of the property, but without success. NDC confirmed that individuals affected by the property should contact the Council to discuss their concerns.
MH11:18.7 Review of Parish Projects
a) Westleigh Footpath
Cllr K. Griffin confirmed that the footpath posts have now been installed. He also confirmed that 40 tonnes of plaining had been delivered to Westleigh House Farm for use on the improvements to the surface of the path. It is now necessary to engage a contractor to undertake the work.
b) Parish Action Plan
The Parish Clerk had previously circulated a copy of the draft Parish Action Plan to all Councillors. There was some discussion relating to the potential to provide low level lighting on the footpath, and it was agreed to keep this item in the Plan until further investigation take place on the feasibility of providing lighting for the footpath.
It was resolved to approve the draft Parish Action Plan.
Proposed: Cllr L. Gear, Seconded: Cllr K. Griffin.
c) Additional hours – Parish Clerk
The Parish Clerk confirmed that he had worked an additional 14 hours on the process of drafting the Parish Action Plan.
It was resolved to agree an additional hour’s payment of 14 hours to the Parish Clerk.
Proposed: Cllr L. Gear Seconded: Cllr K. Griffin (all in favour)
d) Housing Needs Survey
The Parish Clerk reported that since the last meeting it had been confirmed that the estimated cost to undertaking the survey, would be £2,800. Funding from NDC is currently being investigated by Devon Communities Together, and a decision is expected prior to Christmas.
e) Highway Issues
This item was discussed during the public session.
f) Defibrillator Training
Cllr K. Griffin confirmed that he would be attending, with the Clerk, a Defibrillator Awareness Event at the Northam Town Council Offices on Thursday 21st November. He agreed to report back on the possibility of training event in the parish, and the provision of a defibrillator in Eastleigh.
MH11.8 Other items at the Chairman’s discretion.
Cllr L. Burgess raised an issue relating to the recent Remembrance Service and requested that in the future information is circulated to all Councillors on the arrangements for the service. This was noted by the Parish Clerk.
MH11:18.9
Agenda items for the next meeting:
Westleigh Footpath
Housing Needs Survey
Highway Issues – standing item
Defibrillator -
Review of policies – Standing Orders/Financial Regulations
Approval of grants for 2018/19
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9. 05 pm
The next Meeting of the Parish Council will take place at the Westleigh Village Hall on Wednesday 16th, January 2019 commencing at 7.30pm.