Westleigh Parish Council Meeting Minutes

Wednesday 2nd September 2026, 7pm, Westleigh Village Hall

Attendees – Cllrs Moores, Heard, Saxby, and Stewart, plus Parish Clerk

Min 26 26/27 – Apologies received – NDCllr Becky Coombs

Min 27 26/27 – Declarations of Interest – Cllr Heard declared an interest in the planning application for the Pines, as owner. Support for the application given.

Min 28 26/27 – Minutes – To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on the 14th May 2026. Unanimously confirmed

Min 29 26/27 – Matters arising – none had been raised since circulation to all Councillors

Min 30 26/27 – Planning – see minute 27 above. No other planning applications received

Min 31 26/27 – Open Forum – no members of the public attended

Min 32 26/27 – Correspondence – a note had been received expressing concern as to the closeness of trees overhanging the road and their closeness to power lines on the entrance to the Village. Bearing in mind the forecast for effects of El Nino later this year, the Council agreed that SW Electricity should be informed of the concerns expressed. Cllr Stewart informed the Council that SW Water had identified a considerable underground leak opposite the entrance to the lane leading to The Folly. The Clerk agreed to inform Andrew Woollacott of Tapeley of their findings. A Parish Forum would take place on the 1st October at Brynsworthy to discuss Local Govt Reorganisation as well as Emergency Planning and Community Hubs – all Clerks, Chairs, and Cllrs invited.

Min 33 26/27 – County & District Reports – NDCllr Coombs sent an email apologising for her absence due to a NDC meeting, and asked that the Clerk could forward any questions for her consideration, which she would answer as soon as possible. Nothing received from County apart from general updates sent out to all Councils.

Min 34 26/27 – B3233 and possible speed reduction, Bulworthy Solar Farm & BESS, Community Funds update, & Village Emergency Plan. Cllr Saxby reported on the above, and her report is attached as Annex A

Min 35 26/27 – Finance – the Clerk distributed the latest banking details which showed a balance of £5627.58. He also went through projections which indicated a likely end of year balance of £6365. Further considerations were looked at, those being the local Govt pay award for 2026/27 of 3.3%.  He asked the Council to consider the following:- 1) as his hours had been reduced from 5 to 4 in 2024 due to low reserves, that his hourly rate be raised to £16.50, a 5.1% raise, whilst leaving his paid hours as 4pw, 2) that the equipment he had bought on appointment as Clerk (laptop £495, Microsoft £219) could be purchased by WPC for the sum of say £250, in order that in the event of a new Clerk being appointed, a handover could be expedited. A basic printer would also need to be purchased at some point, and that his employment contract to be altered such that he was paid monthly instead of 3 monthly, and his contract to be altered so that he was required to give 3 months notice as opposed to the present 1 months notice, as there was no way that 1 month would be enough time to advertise, recruit, and train a new Clerk & RFO. After some discussion Cllr Saxby proposed, and Cllr Heard seconded, that the Clerk’s hourly rate be increased to £16.50, that WPC purchase the Clerk’s computer for £250, and that consideration be given to increasing his hours to 5 per week. Unanimously agreed. Cllr Heard asked if a cash flow forecast could be produced until year end – Clerk agreed to expedite.

Min 36 26/27 – AOB – Concern was expressed by Cllrs about the plans for the AI proposal at Great Torrington, and the effects on the environment, wildlife, and visual impact. It was agreed that the liaison with Devon CPRE was important in being kept updated.

Min 37 26/27 – Next Meeting – Wednesday the 4th November, 7pm at Westleigh Village Hall.

Appendix A – Cllr Saxby

B3233 Speed Limit Review - From Head of Highways 10/08/26: I found out late last week that following the SCARF meeting colleagues in the Transport Planning team have been looking at a route study for the B3233. We are arranging for Dan Thomas as Cabinet Member to provide a verbal update at the September Cabinet meeting. Many Villagers had commented on the reduced visibility, due to overhanging branches, which may well have contributed to recent accidents. Could DCC ‘sort’, or would they allow WPC to do so?

To Councillor Biedermann: Please note previous comments, and is it possible to be kept abreast of developments?  Many villagers are concerned that any reduction in speed limit will increase the likelihood of building on the adjacent fields – please can the situation be clarified?

Bulworthy Solar Farm and BESS update - The Regulation 25 notice has been published with a long list of requirements from the Case Officer which looks like will take at least a year to complete due to absence of nesting bird surveys. The concerned community group met last week and would like an update from District Councillors on:-

o Timing of the planning application reaching planning committee and how this interacts with LGR?

o Will there be anything within LGR to address the cumulative impact of these multiple developments

linked to Alverdiscott to deliver a strategic rather than piecemeal plan? Recognise there are concerns about planning decisions at district council level?

o Anything else that can be done to raise the community concerns as there still does not appear to be

an adequate response to the fire risks, emergency vehicle access, and highways in general. Anyone else that can object to the Webbery BESS there is a week to enter concerns (https://appeal-

planning-decision.service.gov.uk/comment-planning-appeal/enter-appeal-reference) Ref: 6013918

Community Funds update - Westleigh Hall have contracted their work from their award earlier in the year. The Litchardon Cross Fund is now open for applications and the flyer was sent to the Parish News for inclusion in September’s edition, and copy with clerk. Closing date 9th December

Village Emergency Plan – Given limited resource a full emergency plan has not been progressed at this time, however more numbers have been added to the village what’s app group, and if we have new residents moving in please encourage them to join. However, Westleigh have registered for a Community Hub at the village hall. And we are awaiting delivery of our box. This is registered with the Local Resilience Forum and will hopefully ensure we have a better flow of information if there is another emergency like Storm Darragh. Encourage all residents who may be eligible to register for the Priority Services Register (https://www.thepsr.co.uk/) . This is available to anyone over 60, unwell, young children, and the vulnerable members of our community.

Anyone interested in being involved with the Community Hub, and this is only if there is an emergency no other requirements, please contact Cllr Saxby. I will write a piece on the Hub for the October Parish News, am awaiting an update from Instow to see if they have arranged a Hub as well so we can co-ordinate an article








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