DRAFT MINUTES SUBJECT TO AMMENDMENT
LYDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in The Nicholls Hall
Tuesday 17th February 2004
14-2004. Present:
Mr S Powne (Chairman): Mrs R Baker: Mrs S Holland: Mr P Fletcher:
Mrs L Cole: Mr DG Evans (Clerk)
Parishioners in attendance:
Mr F Russell
Others in attendance: Cllr R Williamson (WDBC): Revd. I Sykes
15-2004. Apologies for absence:
Mrs P Martyn (Vice-Chairman): Mrs K Boyd
16-2004. Parishioners and Visitors time:
16.1 Mrs Holland asked the Rector why it had been requested that the PCC item be removed from future agendas. The Rector replied that this was a decision made by the PCC. He detailed repair work that is to be carried out to the roof of St Petrocs at a cost of £8K. The funds for this have been raised in a variety of ways, mainly through the Village Fete. On this point, the Rector sought clarification about the proposed Village Fair to be held in the summer on the sports field. Mr Powne explained that this was to raise funds for the sports field. As a consequence, the Rector stated the church would not hold the traditional church Fete; instead it will "tap into" the sports field event. Mr Fletcher asked the Rector why he felt the two events could not be held. The Rector stated that, in his opinion, the one would detract from the other. He stated that the flower festival will be held as in the past during September. Finally, as a school governor, he stated that the recent OFSTED report for the primary school was outstanding. He praised the Head teacher and staff for such an excellent report.
16.2 Cllr Williamson reported on the meeting he had attended today, accompanied by Mr Fletcher, at WDH. He stated that he had called this meeting, intending it to be informal and was amazed when he and Mr Fletcher arrived to find nine people present. These included the Chief Executive of WDH, the Housing manager from WDBC and Mr G Wall of DNPA. He asked Mr Fletcher to give his views of the meeting. Mr Fletcher stated the following as his observations of the meeting;
Cllr Williamson requested a progress report on Orchard Field and for an explanation from DNPA regarding their objections to a lack of footpaths. (Mr G Wall of DNPA had not arrived to the meting at this time.) Mr Fletcher felt that Cllr Williamson established Orchard Field as being a prime site, especially after the technical report on the site has revealed that power and mains water is available. Ms Pyle (WDBC) stated that Lydford had originally been prioritised, however, both she and the Chief Executive of WDH explained that this is no longer the case, Lydford is no longer considered to be a priority because only one person is currently registered on the housing needs register. (At this point Mr G Wall arrived at the meeting.)
Cllr Williamson persisted in his questioning of DNPA as to why this site was considered unsuitable. Mr Wall responded by stating that the main reason was that it was on the fringe of the village and not in the centre. He also stated that Town Farm and the field to the rear of Hawthorn Park are the only sites DNPA would consider for Affordable Housing. Cllr Williamson asked Mr Wall about the view of Highways on Town farm. Mr Wall responded by stating that it was nothing to do with Highways, if DNPA, as the LPA, wished to put houses there then they would. He continued by saying that no other authorities views would be considered. Cllr Williamson stated that he was amazed that the figure given by WDBC of one registration on the housing register astounded him.
The Rector requested time to speak, which was granted by the Chair. He stated that the previous evening he had attended a meeting at Brentor, where Ms Pyle was in attendance. She stated that the housing list does not centre on villages as most people apply for either Tavistock or Okehampton. The reason for this is that they feel there is no point in applying for Lydford or Brentor due to a lack of Affordable Housing in these villages. The Rector also stated his concern as to why he, as custodian of Orchard Field, was not invited to attend the meeting. He felt that DNPA are fighting a rearguard action in an effort to stop the building of housing in this village.
Mr Fletcher stated that people in Lydford have a need for shared ownership housing, not housing for Social needs. He also said that anyone on the list for Lydford must have an identified need and currently live or work in the village.
Mrs Holland questioned why the figures available in July 2003, as shown on WDBC website, showed a need for Lydford of 115 names and WDBC perceived need at this time, up to 2011, was 5. She also asked where DNPA perceive the centre of Lydford to be? Mr Fletcher related a conversation he had recently had with Cllr Ms D Moyse (WDBC for Burrator) who expressed an opinion that if the site was not agreed by DNPA then forget it as it will not happen.
(The Rector, Cllr Williamson and Mr Russell left the meeting at this point.)
17-2004 Minutes of the previous meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 20th January 2004 were signed, by the Chair, as a true and accurate record.
18-2004 Matters arising:
18.1 Jubilee seat - It was reported that this is now installed on The Granite Way and looks superb. A plaque, bearing a suitable inscription, was now required.
18.2 Photographic CD's - The clerk advised that Mrs Weeks had passed some photographs on to him, although these were not felt to be of sufficient historic merit to consider having them transferred to CD.
18.3 Seat outside of West Grange - This continues to be ongoing, hopefully a licence will be issued very shortly.
18.4 Quality Council Status and Parish Plan - It was unanimously agreed to remove these items from future agendas.
18.5 Stopping Up Order, Mucky Duck - It was agreed to ignore the communication sent through to members from the developers.
18.6 Public conveniences - It was unanimously agreed to allow the responsibility for the upkeep and cleaning of these to revert back to WDBC from Aril 4th 2004.
19-2004 To receive report from Councillors on respective outside bodies:
19.1 DNPA - Mr Fletcher stated that the next meeting is scheduled for April23.
19.2 Police Authority - No report because of Mrs Boyd's absence.
19.3 Board of School Governors - The reports from Mrs Barkell were circulated and read. The clerk was requested to write to Mrs page congratulating her and the staff on the superb OFSTED report received.
19.4 Southern Link Committee - Nothing to report
19.6 Nicholls Hall Committee - Mrs Holland thanked the PC for it's letter of support regarding the funding bid for background heating.
20-2004 Financial report:
20.1 Receive report from Responsible Financial Officer; The clerk reported the following balances; Current account - £71.81 Deposit account - £3,221.77 Petty Cash - £7.08 20.2 The following cheques were authorised: D Evans Clerk salary and toilet cleaning £257.56 - DCC Contribution towards cost of Jubilee seat £470.00.
21-2004. Items raised for inclusion on February Agenda:
21.1 Appointment of Internal Auditor It was unanimously agreed to appoint Mr G Boyd
21.2 Receive report from National Trust (Clerk to invite Mrs Brenda Hague) The clerk has been unable to contact Mrs Hague
21.3 To discuss mounting of CCTV cameras on buildings in the village. Due to the absence of the person who raised this question (Mrs Boyd) it was agreed to carry this item forward to the March meeting.
21.4 Consider formulation of a Planning Committee. It was unanimously agreed that a sub-committee consisting of three members would be set up. These members would agree planning applications, on behalf of the full council, when time constraints for response required it. The three members proposed were; Mr Fletcher, Mrs Holland and Mrs Baker. It was agreed that these three would form the planning sub-committee.
21.5 Dog fouling. Mrs Holland reported that she has spoken to Mr D Arscott of WDBC who has visited along with the Dog Warden and has seen no evidence, on roads covered by the bye-law, of fouling.
22-2004 Planning applications:
22.1 Hartswood Farm - Alterations to existing barn - No objections.
22.2 Shellaford Cottage - New Conservatory - No Objections.
22.3 The Dartmoor Inn - Internal bar extension, new toilets and conversion of four upstairs rooms to letting accommodation - No objection in principal, however, concern was expressed regarding the stated amount of car parking spaces, stated as 65. It was felt that if the rear car park was properly lined out into designated parking bays this would alleviate the parking of vehicles on the roadway during busy periods.
23-2004 Correspondence:
22.1 Broadban4devon and BT - Mr Powne reported that he had spoken to BT who stated that there is no hope that the Lydford exchange will be upgraded to accept Broadband because it is commercially unviable. Mr Powne felt that this was totally against the statement the members had received recently from Broadband4Devon. It was agreed that continued pressure needs to be exerted on BT to ensure Lydford is not left behind other areas.
22.2 Royal Garden party - It was unanimously agreed to nominate Mrs Cole to attend.
24-2004 Items raised for inclusion on the March agenda:
24.1 To agree response to WDH and WDBC (Housing) re: the need for Affordable Housing in Lydford.
24.2 To agree policy regarding the condition of the Armillary.
25-2004 To agree the date of the next meeting:
The date of Tuesday 16th March was agreed commencing at 7.00pm.
Their being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chair at 9.10pm.
DG Evans
Clerk to the Parish Council .......................................................
23 February 2004
Signed as a true and accurate record
Date
.
................................................... (Mr
S Powne - Chairman)