Westleigh Parish Council Meeting 7/8/19
In attendance – Cllrs Fairbrother, Griffin, and Frajbis, and County Cllr Biedermann. Parish Clerk Roger Levick (PC). Meeting started at 19.30hrs.
Agenda
1. Apologies received in respect of the meeting – Cllr Burgess, Cllr Heard, Cllr Gear, Cllr 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 3rd July 2019 and any matters arising – agreed and signed as a true record
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, including Devon Communities Together article for inclusion in the Parish Magazine, the upcoming Parish Forum on the 19th September (6.30pm) Brynsworthy, and the process for obtaining maps of the Parish (KG to follow up). Also notification from Cllr Lyn Gear that she had been selected as one of the consultees for NDHA regarding proposed changes to service. The Cllrs were unanimous in expressing their congratulations to Cllr Gear. The Cllrs were also unanimous in expressing their support for Cllr Farrell-
5. County and District Ward Members reports – in person or via email. District Cllr Selaine Saxby via email updated the Council on the following subjects – Air Ambulance Landing site and her interest in progressing this, Biodiversity and the recommendation to contact the Heritage Lottery (LB) regarding grants, and a ‘Big Clean’ scheduled for 20-
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 required it minuted that as Barclays would not accept cash direct into the Councils bank account (only cheques) the Chair and Cllr Griffin had agreed that the PC could transfer £100 direct from his own account (this was part of the £150 raised by Eastleigh towards the defibrillator) The current bank statement clearly shows this has happened. The meeting was satisfied that although this was unusual and not normal practise, it was clearly the only way to place the funds in the Councils account. The meeting agreed that the following cheques could be authorised and paid – North Devon Council (£225.88 and £159.44), J Harris £75, C Frajbis £77.88, and PC expenses £89.38. The meeting also agreed that the PC should look into operating a PAYE payroll as opposed to using NDC, which would save money
7. Planning matters – any issues that need raising – there was only one planning application of note (Torphins), and there were no objections or questions raised
8. Review of Parish Projects – see points 9-
9. Westleigh Footpath update – the meeting agreed that although extra signage may be useful in encouraging more usage, it did not intend to change anything at the moment. Cllr Griffin (KG) continues to try and access supplies of ‘scrapings’ to surface the path, but has had no success to date. It was noted that with recent growth, the hedge may well need cutting at some point to stop intrusion onto the path.
10. Housing Needs Survey – the Housing Needs survey will take place in early October this year. It was agreed that every effort would be made to publicise this and encourage participation.
11. Eastleigh Defibrillator – with the monies promised from Eastleigh (£150 already donated), plus the grant from Cllr Biedermann, the PC should progress talks with London Hearts with the aim of one being provided.
12. Highway issues – the possibility and costings of a mobile camera will be looked into (PC). It was noted that the hedge at the junction with the Bideford road had now been trimmed which had improved visibility
13. Environmental issues – no specific issues raised
14. Bus shelter – it was agreed that the mural would be made of wood rather than aluminium due to cost, and that Cllr Frajbis (CF) would look into the possibility of an anti-
15. Summer Fete – contact had been made with Tapeley Park regarding the possibility of holding a summer fete next year, and a very positive response was received. The Chair (DF) will now contact Andrew Woollacott to arrange a meeting to examine possibilities. Cllrs to bring ideas for a theme or focus to the next Council meeting
16. Agenda items for the next meeting (Wednesday 4th September) – none received
17. Any other business not covered – the PC had received a notification that all Cllrs were required to fill in and submit a paper copy of their Register of Interests as apart from Cllr Heard, no others were on record. The PC to arrange
18. Confirmation of actions agreed, by whom, and by when – highlighted in bold initials
19. The meeting closed at 21.05hrs
