Minutes of the Westleigh Parish Council Meeting held on the 3rd July at 7.30pm
In attendance – Cllrs Fairbrother, Burgess, Griffin, Frajbis, Heard, and Cllr Selaine Saxby from NDC.
Parish Clerk – Roger Levick (PC)
Agenda
1. Apologies received in respect of the meeting – apologies received from Cllr Frank Biedermann, Cllr Lyn Gear, and Cllr Kevin Farrell-
2. Declarations of Interest – to receive Declarations of Interests from Councillors of any disclosable, pecuniary, or other Interests in items on the agenda – there were no declarations of interest
3. Minutes – to confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on the 22nd May 2019 and any matters arising – agreed and signed by the Chair
4. Correspondence and Communications – to include a summary of C&C received from the Chair and Clerk – nothing from the Chair. PC reported on emails received and forwarded to Cllrs, plus emails received regarding the pending Housing Survey, the ongoing grant for the completion of the footpath, London Hearts (a defibrillator charity), the Devon Air Ambulance landing sites, and the postponement of the Code of Conduct Training until the 1st of August. Most of the above points to be covered later in the meeting
5. County and District Ward Members reports – Cllr Biedermann asked via email that any relevant issues should be forwarded to him. Cllr Saxby gave a full report on her time so far as the Cllr representing the Instow Ward, and informed that she would be holding ‘drop in’ surgeries at the Anstey Road Chapel, the first one to be held on the 20th July at 10.30am. She also gave her take on the housing needs survey recently carried out in Instow, and supplied example packs that would be handed out when the survey takes place in Westleigh and Eastleigh. Cllr Saxby also requested to be copied in on the Taw and Torridge Estuary Forum details sent to the PC
Public Session – at the discretion of the Chair, any members of the public may speak following item 5 and before item 6 – no members of the public attended
6. Finance – to receive an update on the current position, to receive accounts to pay, to note any income received, and any other matters relating – the PC explained in detail the financial issues relating to the handover of the account – these being the length of time for changes of mandate, the lack of available signatories due to holidays, and a lack of enough cheques to pay all invoices outstanding. NDC have been very understanding about the delay, and cheques were agreed and signed, for work completed by N Morgan, J Harris, and expenses for the outgoing PC M Harris. This left a balance of £5272.22 (after all cheques have been paid in, plus the outstanding invoices totalling £385.32 owing to NDC).
7. Planning matters – any issues that need raising – none raised
8. Review of Parish Projects -
9. Westleigh Footpath update – it was noted that very few people are using the footpath, even in dry weather, apparently preferring to use the road. It was also noted that the original contractor had withdrawn the quote for the surfacing of the path due to lack of available materials. After discussion it was agreed that Cllr Griffin would attempt to find alternative contractors, and also explore the possibility of sponsorship. The PC had already held a discussion with NDC grant department, who would put the matter on hold as long as the matter was concluded in this financial year. It was also noted that there could be a possibility of having to repay some grant money if the project could not be completed. It was also agreed that the present contractor who cuts the grass would be asked to complete an extra cut in March and October. Cllr Heard agreed to look at the Health & Safety risk assessment issue of the grass cutting from the Parish Council’s perspective
10. Housing Needs Survey – it was agreed that the PC would contact the Survey team for clarification on the existing position, and report back at the next meeting. It was also agreed that the Cllrs would arrange for the distribution of the survey packs without any external involvement.
11. Eastleigh Defibrillator – it was agreed that the PC would contact London Heart regarding the email recently sent regarding the possibility of a grant towards the cost of a new defibrillator at Eastleigh. Cllr Heard expressed his concern at the lack of progress as he was ‘holding’ £150 raised by Eastleigh residents towards the cost (PC to bank the monies, but ensure allocation towards project). £450 had been pledged by Eastleigh residents, and £500 by Cllr Biederman. Cllr Heard would obtain a quote for the installation costs. Cllr Saxby would also look to see if she had any allowance monies available.
12. Highway issues – several issues were raised, those being the ‘Slow’ sign for Eastleigh (Cllr Biedermann was looking at this), plus the flooding at Eastleigh and the damage to the bridge. PC to ask for progress, and to relay the Parish Councils concerns about the Westleigh road junction with the main Bideford road. It was proposed that the PC should write to Cllr Biedermann asking for a 40mph limit from Instow to a point 250m past the bus stop at the Westleigh junction. This, it was felt would slow traffic down in order to aid those crossing the road, slow traffic down from 60mph on the approach to the junction, and the nearby turn into Tapeley Park.
13. Environmental issues – Cllr Burgess gave out copies of the Parish Councils environmental policy, which she asked all Cllrs to read and bring comments back to the next meeting. Cllr Saxby agreed that she would speak with the Environment Agency Regional Manager and bring her findings to the next meeting. Cllr Griffin agreed to look at the possibility of grants for those landowners who were prepared to ‘set aside’ verges in their fields.
14. Bus shelter – after discussion, it was agreed that Cllr Frajbis would give a firm quote for aluminium mural panels to repair the fire damaged bus shelter
15. Summer Fete – it was agreed that the possibility of holding a village fete in 2020 should be looked at. It was agreed that the PC would contact Tapeley Park re the possibility of Sticks Meadow being used, and what time of year would be suitable (if agreed)
16. Agenda items for the next meeting (Wednesday 7th August) – Devon Air Ambulance night time landing sites. Cllr Frajbis would obtain details of nearest locations to Westleigh
17. Any other business not covered – the entrance road to the Parish Hall had deteriorated due to heavy farming machinery, to the degree that it would be impossible for wheelchair usage. Cllr Griffin to supply a plan to the PC who would then write to Tapeley Park who own the field alongside the Hall. Dog fouling in and around the Cricket Club was raised as an issue and will be an agenda item for August
18. Confirmation of actions agreed, by whom, and by when – actions for individual Cllrs and Parish Clerk (PC) are in bold and underlined
The meeting ended at 21.25 with the next meeting agreed as Wednesday the 7th of August at the Parish Hall 7.30pm.
Signed as a true record…………………………………………………………………….
Cllr D Fairbrother -
