Minutes of Westleigh Parish & Parish Council Meeting AGM 2022 – Tuesday 23rd May 2023


Attendees – Cllr David Fairbrother (Chair), Cllr Chris Heard (Vice-Chair), Cllrs Colin Frajbis, Lesley Burgess, & Lyn Gear. Also NDCllr Lucinda Renshaw


Min 1 AGM 2023 - Apologies – DCCllr Frank Biederman. The Chairman congratulated NDCllr Renshaw on her election victory, and welcomed her to the meeting.

Min 2 AGM 2023 - Declaration of Interests – none

Min 3 AGM 2023 - Chairman’s report – see appendix 1

Min 4 AGM 2023 - Environment report – see appendix 2

Min 5 AGM 2023 – Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman. Cllr Gear proposed and Cllr Frajbis seconded the motion that if the current Chair and Vice-Chair are willing to continue in their roles, that they continue throughout 2023/24. Carried unanimously

Min 6 AGM 2023 – Approval of the minutes of the AGM held on the4th May 2022 had already been given in June’s 2022 meeting

Min 7 AGM 2023 – Nominations for positions as follows. Village Hall liaison – Clerk to continue until more Parish Counsellors are appointed, Internal Auditor, Michael Green, Environment, Cllr Burgess, and Taw & Torridge Estuary Forum, Cllr Frajbis. All nominations agreed and accepted.

Min 8 AGM 2023 – Approval of 2022/23 accounts – Cllr Heard proposed and Cllr Gear seconded the motion that the accounts be accepted as a true and accurate representation. Unanimously approved.

Min 9 AGM 2023 – Annual Governance & Accountability Return 2022/2023 can be approved and signed by the Chairman once prepared. All agreed

Min 10 AGM 2023 – A provisional date for the 2024 AGM was agreed as May 15th. (This is of course dependent on many outside factors yet unknown)

Min 11 AGM 2023 – The AGM closed at 7.22pm


Appendix 1 – Chairman’s report


Welcome to my Third Annual report for Westleigh Parish council for the year ending 31st March 2023.  In no order I would like to mention the following;

Finance - Year end accounts have been provided which show we have a healthy bank balance of £4354.20p which is slightly down on the balance last year which at 31st March 2022 was £4626.75. Further details can be found on the finance report. It is worth noting that the precept was only increased by 5%, as the Council felt that it was unfair in the current economic environment, that it should be increased further to cover the additional costs of the local elections!

Environmental issues - Councillor Burgess has again been very active in this area and has managed to secure a £2000 grant to enhance the parish. This work includes nest boxes, fruit trees and Pollinator trees. We have agreed to set up a working party which may include other members of the community in order to ensure the grant money is spent in the most appropriate way.

The new solar farm at Lovacott is progressing quite quickly now as can be seen from the main highway between Bideford and Roundswell which should result in extra funding for the Parish council in the coming years.

I would like to put on record my thanks to David Paull for the Flora & Fauna survey carried out around the parish, interim results of which can be found in the January edition of the Parish news. Further and more extensive details of this can be found in the environment report produced by Councillor Burgess

Planning - Several planning issues have appeared over the preceding years which have not been notified to us due to us being on the other side of the river. I am pleased to note that we now receive notifications of planning matters from Torridge council which affect us.

 Village Fete - We may finally be getting somewhere with the village fete. After much discussion, and a kind offer from Hector Christie, we will be looking at holding the village fete up at Tapeley in August. Hector has kindly offered the services of his events manager, Nigel Mann to help us organize it. A committee is to be formed to oversee the event, to include Nigel, Cllr Gear, Cllr Frajbis, Cllr Heard, DCCllr Biederman, possibly someone from Fremington running club, and The Westleigh Inn, and the Village Hall.

DCCllr Biederman has kindly arranged a £500 grant towards the cost of the fete.

And Finally - to conclude this report, I would personally like to thank our County Councillor Frank Beiderman, our Councillors for their hard work this past year and particularly our Clerk Roger Levick who once again has gone above and beyond.

Appendix 2 – Environment report, Cllr Burgess

Westleigh Parish Council continues to promote and support green initiatives and endeavours to improve the environment by supporting nature and wildlife in our villages.

Investment in Nature CEG 22/23

North Devon Council awarded us £2,000.00 from the Climate and Environment Grant (CEG) the maximum available. The grant was available for small parishes with population under 1,000. The aim of the grant - to improve the environment and help tackle climate change.

 Phase 1. Wildflower Planting Scheme- started November 2021 and funded by the WPC. Jez Harris was engaged by WPC to plant bulbs throughout the village. He begun work November 2021 and by 6th January 2022 daffodils were already emerging in the verges. This work was seen as the start of a process, with more planting of wild flowers, such as fritillaries and primroses to follow.

Phase 2. CEG to fund planting of pollinators, flowers, and tree saplings in all available areas and to improve wildlife habitats

Jez helped cost the work and hopefully will be available to start planting as soon as possible.

Cllr Dave Fairbrother and Cllr Chris Heard have volunteered to manage the CEG fund. Thanks to

Jez Harris for his expertise and willingness to undertake the work

Roger Levick for liaising and input with NDDC CEG Grants Office - See appendix 1 CEG


Nature Surveys in Westleigh and Tapeley Park.  David Paull continues his monthly Wildlife Surveys of Westleigh and Tapeley Park. His findings are recorded and added to a national register.  He presented WPC an interim report, March – November 2022 and published in the Parish News. The interim report was additional evidence to the NDDC CEG grants team, showing our commitment to nature and wildlife. Access to the lake is now possible, providing greater variety of species. Thanks to

David Paull for his generous use of time and expertise.

Hector Christie and Christie Estates for their support.

Cllr Lyn Gear, Tapeley Park Liaison.

see Appendix 2

Field Management -The farming of the field below the village hall and around West Living, is in new hands. Sadly, the field margins have treated with herbicide and ploughed over. Concerns have been raised with Andrew Woollacott, regarding the changes and consequent loss of wildlife habitat and the increased possibility of flooding. Water has been flowing continuously from the field, this year compared with last year, when no flooding was reported in West Living or the river. A new supporting wall, at the road junction and a newly constructed drainage channel has improved the drainage significantly. Regular monitoring of the situation will be needed.

Hedge Management- No change WPC expressed concerns over the severe cutting of hedges and consequent loss of winter habitat for wildlife. At a recent meeting with Andrew Woollacott, it was agreed that better communication and shared aims could help towards a better understanding and improvements for wildlife and habitat.

Swallow cups, House Martin Nests and additional wildlife habitat enhancements funded.

see appendix 1.

The Parish News has supported our green initiatives and has provided an essential conduit for getting wildlife         information out to parishioners. It has a regular Wildlife Gallery feature, where contributors send nature and wildlife pictures.

Thanks to Cllr. Colin Frajbis for his regular support

Appendix 1 – Investment in Nature -Phase 2 taken from the CEG application

to begin Spring Meadow planting in the grass verges in Westleigh. to buy 1000 bulbs, plants and wildflowers.

Crocuses, snakeshead fritillary, camassia

Cost of a local gardening contractor to do the work.

to plant the memorial bank with Spring Meadow planting combination.

to plant fruit trees, apple, pear, crab etc where sites are availableto plant hedgerow trees such as hawthorn, blackthorn, hazel.

to encourage insects, birds, bees and wildlife

to buy bat boxes

swallow nesting bowls

housemartin nesting bowls

owl nesting boxes

Sheltered Hedgehog Feeding Stations

Wildlife habitat has declined in the opinion of this report, due to unsympathetic farming practices, monoculture planting, severe hedgecutting coupled with less than sympathetic house and barn restorations.

Westleigh birdlife has been severley affected, with swallows and housemartins returning in smaller numbers and without their traditional nesting sites.

Hedgehogs are endangered, in decline and an important part of the eco system.


Appendix 2  - Interim report of wildlife surveys, Westleigh & Tapeley Park


March- November 2022 -David Paull - I carried out my first survey in late March 2022

This was at the request of Westleigh Parish Council and with the kind permission of Hector Christie with the support of Nigel Maur and Lyn Gear.

On every survey I have had the company of Veronica Leat, Peter Hames, and Lesley Burgess, which has added to the fun of the exercise, walking the lanes and fields of the parish. We have open access to all Tapeley except, unfortunately, the lake, where access was deemed too dangerous, due to fallen trees since the terrible gales early in the year. I hope access to the lake will be available in the future, as this location would provide a different environment and attract different species.  I have carried out a survey each month and intend to complete a calendar year. I will produce reports for both Tapeley and Westleigh, in 2023. 

Moths and Other Insects - 29th July-my mothing friends joined me at Tapeley, equipped with their special lighting equipment. We recorded 64 species of moths. The lights attracted other insects including the strange looking Eared Leafhopper (Ledra Aurita) found on oak trees and rare in North Devon. Also, a Lesser Stag Beetle and an Oak Bush Cricket. These insects were. Identified and then released unharmed.

Birds, Butterflies, and Insects - Birds identified and recorded at Tapeley - 37 species so far. At Westleigh- 34 species recorded, which include the Mistletoe Thrush, the Green Woodpecker, the Tree Creeper, the Goldcrest, and the Stock Dove. 

May 14th -Swallows at the Westleigh Inn - 2 pairs constantly flying in and out of the building where they had nests. 

Butterflies - 10th September - at Tapeley, in the formal Italian Garden -a Small Copper and Common Blue Butterflies on the Golden Rod Flowers. Seen in the Kitchen Garden, several Red Admirals (or Red Admirables to give them the original Victorian name), feasting on the juice of fallen and rotten apples. 

Highlights - the Painted Lady. This species migrates to Britain in variable numbers, most years. The Golden-Ringed Dragonfly, seen in the lanes of Westleigh- 15th July. 

Wild Flowers - At Tapeley - 100 varieties recorded so far, at Westleigh 90 varieties. 

I would like to acknowledge the following people whose support and enthusiasm has made the surveys possible.

Hector Christie -Tapeley Park, Nigel Maur- Tapeley Park, Lyn Gear - Tapeley Park and WPC Councillor, Lesley Burgess- WPC Councillor and environmentalist, Veronica Leat - keen naturalist, environmentalist and supporter, Peter Hames- Torridge District Councillor, keen environmentalist and supporter.

Mothing friends - Steve Hatch and Wayne Brace




 

 



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