DRAFT MINUTES SUBJECT TO AMMENDMENT
LYDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in The Nicholls Hall
Tuesday 16th November 2004
113-2004. Present:
Mr S Powne (Chairman): Mrs R Baker: Mrs S Holland: Mr P Fletcher:
Mrs L Cole: Mrs P Martyn (Vice-Chairman): Mrs K Boyd:
Mr DG Evans (Clerk)
Parishioners in attendance:
A total of thirteen members of the public were present.
Others in attendance: Cllr R Williamson WDBC - Rev I Sykes & Mrs B Weeks representing St Petrocs PCC.
114-2004. Apologies for absence:
None
115-2004. Parishioners and Visitors time:
The Chairman invited comments from those present. Mrs Brickle stated that she represented the action group formed to investigate the possibility of improvements to the crossing at Skit Lane. She stated that the aim of the action group was to reduce the gap between them and the parish council. She continued by stating that the crossing is used more by pedestrians than horse riders and that the action group totally accepts how dangerous the crossing of the A386 is. She requested that the members give support for signage, of some form or another, at this crossing. Cllr Williamson stated that he was supporting the action group and felt that everyone should also support them. Mr Friend stated that he was concerned that improvements would increase the usage of this crossing which he felt was unwise because of the speed of traffic at this point and coming through the "S" bends just before it. Cllr Williamson stated that he was more concerned with family groups using it rather than horse riders; he felt it was an "accident waiting to happen". The Chairman stated that this item would be added to the December Agenda of the PC and debated in full at that meeting. The Chairman directed those present to look at previous minutes relating to this issue and stemming back over the past few years. (Available on the web site.) He continued by stating that the view of the members continues to be that any expenditure of Public money, an ever decreasing resource, should be spent on improvements at the Dartmoor Inn junction. A parishioner (John, surname unknown.) stated that the fact that the Skit Lane crossing currently has no signs either side of it could give motorists "an out" if an accident occurred. Mrs Brickle felt that Highways have a "duty of care" and therefore should improve both Skit Lane and the Dartmoor Inn junction. The Chairman stated that Mr Paul Marshall had been invited to attend a meeting in the near future to discuss the Dartmoor Inn junction and traffic speed in the 40mph area on the A386. He stated that he would advise parishioners of the date as soon as known. The Chairman asked for any further questions and none were forthcoming. The majority of those present then left the meeting, leaving; Mr Friend, Mrs Harris, Rev I Sykes, Mrs B Weeks and Cllr Williamson. The Chairman offered Cllr Williamson his customary time to update the members on items he has been involved with as Borough councillor. Cllr Williamson stated that he has requested that the September minutes be amended. He stated that they have caused concern. The Chairman stated that the minutes, as signed at the meeting held on Tuesday 19th October, were signed as a true and accurate record, and that following Cllr Williamsons written request to amend them he had spoken to every member who all agreed that the recording of the issues raised was correct. Cllr Williamson stated that he wished to request that the parish council amend the minute reference 91.3 by deleting from the word agenda in line 6. He then requested that, through being "under some pressure" a new statement should be inserted. He continued by stating that he had contacted some of the parish councillors to discuss the minutes. All of the members present refuted that Cllr Williamson had made contact with them. He continued that as allegations have been made about a WDBC Councillor the parish council should forward these complaints to his leader, Cllr D Eberley. Cllr Williamson again stated what he would like to be recorded and again the Chairman stated that the minutes had been signed "as a true and accurate record", therefore, as he had been advised by the clerk, it was illegal to alter/amend them. He further stated that this council was not prepared to talk with his leader. He considered that the best possible route for this council was through the Standards Board of England, this would be discussed, in closed session, at the end of the meeting. He further expressed concern about other WDBC Councillors who had recently "harangued" members of this parish council in the street. Cllr Williamson stated that this was totally unacceptable. (Cllr Williamson requested that his comment was not minuted which was refused by the Chairman.) Cllr Williamson requested, in light of the Chairman's comment of possible referral to the Standards Board, that he withdraw from the meeting at this point. Cllr Williamson left the meeting at 7.25pm. (The clerk read back to the members his rough notes, as shown in his notebook, and requested that if the members agreed they were a true and accurate record that the Chairman sign, date and seek unanimous approval of them. The Clerk read out his notes, all present agreed that they were correct and an accurate record of the proceedings. The Chairman signed and dated them.)
Mr C Friend left the meeting at this point.
116.2004. Minutes of the previous meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 19th October 2004 were signed, by the Chairman, as a true and accurate record. Save for Mrs Bake should read Baker and Castle Lane should read Castle/Chapel lane. The amendments were initialled by the Chair.
117.2004. Matters arising:
117.1 Home Guard Seat - The seat outside of West grange has now been repaired. The members thanks to Mr Colin Friend were recorded and the Chairman offered to write personally to Mr Friend thanking him for the excellent job he has carried out. The Chairman also offered to place an acknowledgement of this into the parish magazine.
117.2 The Rector and Mrs Weeks detailed the work and costs of the Health & Safety checks that needed to be carried out on the tombstone in the burial ground. The likely costs of the inspection are £140. Mrs Weeks offered the recent accounts for St Petrocs to the members for consideration. The Chairman stated that this will be debated later in the meeting and advise the PCC accordingly of the outcome. Reverend I Sykes and Mrs B Weeks left the meeting at this point.
117.3 Cricket Club request for grant funding - It was reported that written quotations for the work were still awaited.
117.4 Tree Warden - It was confirmed that Brian Beasley of DNPA will now be attending the January meeting to detail the Tree Warden scheme and the Tree preservation area in Lydford.
117.5 Grass cutting - The clerk confirmed that Mr Liversedge had confirmed that he was prepared to cut the grass on the areas previously tendered for the same sum of money through 2005/06. It was unanimously agreed to award the contract to Mr Liversedge for a further year.
117.6 Notice Boards - it was agreed to move the Notice Board currently at the garage to the triangular grassed area, in front of the Home Guard Seat, on the entrance to Downtown Farm. The clerk was requested to write to the owners and seek approval for this. Mrs Cole agreed to speak with Graham Huggins to request a quotation for this work and for the repair of the two Notice Boards outside of The Nicholls Hall.
117.7 VE Day Celebrations - it was agreed that an open public meeting should be held to discuss and agree the village celebration. The date of Wednesday 26th January 2005 at The Nicholls Hall was agreed with an announcement being placed into the parish magazine.
118.2004 Receive report from Councillors on respective outside bodies:
118.1 DNPA - The Chairman stated that he was unable to attend on behalf of Mr Fletcher who had already tendered his apologies.
118.2 Police Authority - No meetings have been called. The clerk was requested to amend the name of the parish council representative to Mrs Holland.
118.3 Southern Link - The next meeting is scheduled for the 9th December which will be attended by Mrs Cole and Mrs Martyn.
118.4 Nicholls Hall - Mrs Boyd stated that the AGM is scheduled for the 25th November. Mrs Holland stated that the background heating is now installed and due to be commissioned this week.
119.2004 To receive Financial report:
119.1 The clerk circulated balances as follows;
Current - £651.47
Flexi - £6388.35
Petty cash - .48
119.2 The following payments were authorised:
Clerk - 358.32 (Includes Nov: £232.86 - Fixed exps - £15.00 - Stamps £3.36
- Salary increase back dated to April 2004, as agreed DAPC and minuted October of .51p per hour.) - Grant to Nicholls Hall towards background heating - £250.00, previously agreed in September 2003.
Agreed but cheque not raised - St Petrocs for H&S check on Tomb Stones - £140.00
119.3 Precept 2005/06 - Considerable time was spent debating the Precept requirement for the next financial year. It proposed by Mr Fletcher and seconded by Mrs Martyn that this council would request a Precept of £6,000 which represents a 5.90% increase. This was unanimously agreed.
120.2004 Correspondence:
120.1 A letter received from DNPA in response to the letter sent seeking guidance on the installation of plastic windows was read out and discussed. The contents were noted.
121.2004 Planning applications:
121.1 New Stable Block at Widgerys - It was unanimously agreed to support, in principle. However concern was expressed about the siting of it so close to the boundary of the adjoining property and the scale of the proposed size in relation to the size of the dwelling house as shown on the plans.
122.2004 Items raised for inclusion on the November agenda:
122.1 Condition of Chapel Lane - The clerk was requested to advise English Heritage of the concerns expressed by parishioners and this council over the condition of this and adjoining lanes, requesting immediate remedial work be carried out.
(Mr Fletcher left the meeting at this point.)
122.2 Cutting of certain verges in the village - The clerk was requested to contact Mr Colin Hicks for guidance regarding the offending areas and to request that the path and steps leading from Hawthorn Park down to the main street which are considered by residents to be slippery and dangerous.
123.2004 Items raised for inclusion on the December agenda:
123.1 Proposed work by South West Water in January
123.2 Skit lane/Bridleway to Highdown
112.2004 To agree the date of the next meeting:
The date of Tuesday 21st December 2004 was agreed commencing at 7.00pm
There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chair at 9.30pm.
DG Evans Clerk to the Parish Council ...................................... 17th November 2004
Signed as a true and accurate record Date . (Mr S ....................................................... Powne - Chairman)