DRAFT MINUTES SUBJECT TO AMMENDMENT
LYDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in The Nicholls Hall
Tuesday 16th March 2004
26-2004. Present:
Mr S Powne (Chairman): Mrs R Baker: Mrs S Holland: Mr P Fletcher:
Mrs L Cole: Mrs P Martyn: Mr DG Evans (Clerk)
Parishioners in attendance: None
Others in attendance: Cllr R Williamson (WDBC)
Members not present: Mrs K Boyd
27-2004. Apologies for absence:
None received
28-2004. Parishioners and Visitors time:
Cllr Williamson stated that he was not happy with the "file notes" received from WDH regarding the meeting he and Mr Fletcher attended. He stated that no mention had been made of a new housing survey, to be carried out during 2005/06, as agreed by Marion Pyle of WDBC. Mrs Holland asked why Cllr Moyse was present at the meeting. Cllr Williamson replied that she had not been invited by him but, as a Director of WDH, she had a right to attend any meetings held by them. It was agreed that their now appears no way to progress this matter.
29.2004 Minutes of the previous meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 17th February 2004 were signed, by the Chair, as a true and accurate record. (With amendments to 16.2.2004 , requested by Mr Fletcher, made by hand and initialled on the original minutes.)
30.2004 Matters arising:
30.1 Seat outside West Grange - The clerk reported that the licence was being progressed but had no further progress to report. Mr Powne stated that this seat and others needed new commemorative plaques. It was agreed that Mrs Martyn would organise these.
30.2 Public Convieniences - A letter regarding the possibility of grant funding to enable the toilets to be kept open for the full year was discussed. Mrs Holland expressed concern at the proposal made by WDBC to spend £200k on the Guildhall toilets in Tavistock. Mr Powne reiterated the comments made by WDBC at the recent meeting he and other members had attended regarding the toilets in Lydford. It was unanimously agreed that had WDBC stated this proposal at that time this parish council would not have supported WDBC in its quest to save money by closing the toilets. Mr Fletcher enquired how the management of the toilets and the cleaning of them had changed over the last two years. Mr Powne detailed these changes. It was unanimously agreed that if WDBC had the funds to support a £200k refurbishment in Tavistock they should have been able to support the cost of keeping Lydford's open through the winter period at an anticipated cost of £450. Cllr Williamson sought permission, from the Chair, to speak which was granted. Cllr Williamson stated that a letter he had received today, from WDBC, stated that DNPA would consider grant aid for 50% of the cleaning costs incurred in keeping the toilets open for the winter period. The clerk was requested to write to DNPA stating the full details of this ongoing saga, emphasising the importance of the toilets in enabling economic growth for this area. It was also agreed to write to WDBC stating the same reasons and questioning why Tavistock has been given priority in the spending stakes.
31.2004 To receive report from Councillors on respective outside bodies:
31.1 DNPA - Mr Fletcher stated that the next meeting is scheduled for April23.
31.2 Police Authority - No report because of Mrs Boyd's absence.
31.3 Board of School Governors - The reports from Mrs Barkell were circulated and read.
31.4 Southern Link Committee - Nothing to report as unable to attend the meeting because of adverse weather conditions
31.6 Nicholls Hall Committee - The latest minutes were circulated.
32.2004 Financial report:
32.1 Receive report from Responsible Financial Officer;
The clerk reported the following balances;
Current account - £134.81
Deposit account - £2,721.77
Petty Cash - £7.0832.2 The following cheques were authorised:
D Evans clerk salary and toilet cleaning £257.56 - The Nicholls Hall (Room hire) £65 - Mainly Stationery £42.50 - DAPC (Local Council Review) £12.50 The clerk reported that the end of year bank balance would be slightly higher than anticipated due to under spends in the following areas; Toilet cleaning - Admin - clerks remuneration. The Precept request for £5665 had been agreed by WDBC which equates to a 3.2% increase over prior year.
33.2004 Items raised at February meeting for inclusion on this agenda:
33.1 To agree response to WDH re: Affordable Housing - The action notes from the meeting called by Cllr Williamson and attended by him and Mr Fletcher were discussed (see 28.2004) no further comments were made. It was unanimously agreed to remove the item "Affordable Housing" from future agendas.
33.2 Condition of Armillary - It was agreed that Mrs Martyn would contact the manufactures and seek assistance regarding the paint flaking off the time dial.
33.3 CCTV cameras - In the absence of Mrs Boyd, who initially raised this question, it was agreed that having sought advice from DNPA and Devon and Cornwall Police, the camera concerned appears to be positioned within the parameters laid down by DNPA.
33.4 Dog Fouling - It was unanimously agreed that no change should be taken to the decision made by the members in December (minute ref: 6.4). Continual concern was expressed regarding one person who continues to allow his dogs to foul the highway, without cleaning up after them. Mr Powne agreed to place an article into the parish magazine, in the hope that this would alleviate the problem.
34.2004 Correspondence;
34.1 The Common Land and Open Country map for the parish was discussed. It was agreed that this should be made available for public viewing.
34.2 Council tax benefit - A circular from WDBC was discussed. It was agreed to place a copy into the notice board.
34.3 Code of Conduct - A letter from the Standards Board regarding the declaration of membership to the Freemasons was discussed. Mr Fletcher stated that, in his opinion, this was unreasonable and asked Cllr Williamson if this also applied to other bodies, like the Lions or the Ancient Order of Buffaloes? Cllr Williamson agreed to enquire.
35.2004 Planning applications:
None received
36.2004 Items raised for inclusion on April Agenda:
36.1 Lane (The Old Saxon Way) at the side of the Castle Inn.
36.2 Condition of the footpath leading from The Old Saxon Way to the Old Spring and the apparent dumping of garden refuse into it.
37.2004 To agree the date of the next meeting:
The date of Tuesday 20th April was agreed
commencing at 7.00pm.
(The date for the AGM was also agreed.)
Their being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chair at 9.00pm.
DG Evans
Clerk to the Parish Council ............................................................................
18 March 2004
Signed as a true and accurate record
Date
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(Mr S Powne - Chairman)