DRAFT MINUTES SUBJECT TO AMMENDMENT
LYDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in The Nicholls Hall
Tuesday 21st December 2004
125-2004. Present:
Mr S Powne (Chairman): Mrs R Baker: Mrs S Holland: Mr P Fletcher:
Mrs L Cole: Mrs P Martyn (Vice-Chairman): Mr DG Evans (Clerk)
Parishioners in attendance:
A total of four members of the public were present.
Others in attendance: Cllr R Williamson WDBC
126-2004. Apologies for absence:
Mrs K Boyd
127-2004. 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 Skitt Lane. She enquired as to who would represent this group at the debate, as shown on the agenda. The Chairman stated that the members would hold a discussion on this item, based on the facts to hand, so no one else would be asked to contribute to it. Mrs Brickle requested that the minutes for November are amended to show this which was agreed. She also requested that the statement made at that meeting by Mr Colin Friend regarding the access and that he is one of the few who use it should be recognised by the members. This was also agreed. Mrs Brickle continued by stating that the members are not taking account of the horse riders comments re travelling through traffic to access the Dartmoor Inn crossing. The Chairman asked Mrs Brickle if she considered new signage on the A386 by Skitt Lane would make this crossing safer? Mrs Brickle considered that a hazard sign would improve the situation. The Chairman expressed concern that signage would encourage more riders to use this crossing which the parish council would not wish to support. Mrs Cole stated that a "Beware Tractors" sign before the entrance to her farm made no difference to the speed of vehicles. The Chairman reiterated a conversation he has had with Mr Brian George of Okehampton Local Services Group who are "minded" to place horse hazard signs each side of Skitt lane. He continued by explaining that the parish council had no funds available and could only lend support to any proposal, if it felt fit to do so. Mrs Holland enquired of Mrs Brickle as to how many accidents had occurred at the Skitt lane crossing? Mrs Brickle stated that none had occurred and agreed that all accidents involving horses have occurred at the Dartmoor Inn junction. However, she questioned the reasoning as to why they were being asked to use this crossing as opposed to Skitt lane if this crossing point is deemed more dangerous than Skitt lane. Mrs Brickle quoted from a Ministerial statement regarding the future use of Bridleways.
Cllr Williamson stated that the parish council was not being asked to finance any proposed schemes but was being asked to support them via the usual route. He continued by stating that Highways has a statutory requirement to improve the crossing and that it is not a contest between Skitt lane and the Dartmoor Inn, rather they should both be equally viewed as dangerous crossings of the A386. The Chairman requested any further comments, none were forthcoming.
128.2004. Minutes of the previous meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 16th November 2004 were signed, by the Chairman, as a true and accurate record. Save for the word "debated" being changed to "discussed" at 115.2004 and that Skitt lane should have two "t's"! The Chairman explained about the purpose of minutes and requested a show of hands that the minutes for November were accepted as a true and accurate record. This was unanimous.
129.2004. Matters arising:
129.1 Skitt lane - The Chairman again detailed his conversation with Mr Brian George of LSG who are "mindful" to place horse hazard signs on the approaches to this lane. Any other form of warning would cost a huge sum of money which could not be justified. Mrs Holland felt that the erection of signs would make no difference and will not make the crossing any safer. Mrs Martyn enquired if the hedge to the North side could be moved back to create a better visibility splay? Mrs Baker considered that if public funds are available they should be used at the Dartmoor Inn crossing thus improving safety for everyone and not just the few horse riders who use the Skitt lane crossing. Mr Fletcher stated that he had specifically driven up and down the road and felt that the approach to Skitt lane, when approached from the North, was blind. He considered that the only way to improve safety was to remove the bends which was not a viable option. The Chairman reported that the LSG was concerned that if an accident occurred the driver of the vehicle could rightly say that no signs were displayed warning of the danger. The Chairman proposed that this parish council should support horse hazard signs each side of the Skitt lane crossing. This was seconded by Mrs Martyn with the ensuing vote being: Three (3) in favour - Two (2) against and One (1) abstention. The proposal was carried by majority. The clerk was requested to advise Mr Brian George accordingly.
129.2 Grant request from the cricket club - It was proposed by the Chairman that as the cricket club had not responded to the request for a copy of the detailed quotation for the work they required a grant, this item should be removed from the agenda.
129.3 Notice Boards - it was agreed, subject to final confirmation from the owners of Downtown Farm, to move the notice board from the garage to the triangle of land, adjacent to the Home Guard seat, at the entrance to Downtown Farm. Mrs Cole stated that she had been unable to see Mr Huggins regarding requesting a quotation for the repair of the three notice boards. It was also agreed that the clerk would speak to Mr Mick Jones and seek his advice as to the possibility of repair. The clerk was also requested to ascertain costs for replacing the existing ones with new ones. The clerk was also requested to establish the availability of grant funding for the replacement of them.
129.4 Update on Tree Warden and DNPA - The clerk advised the members that Mr Brian Beasley of DNPA will be attending the January meeting to advise on the Tree Warden scheme and discuss other tree related issues in the village.
129.5 VE Day celebrations - The date of January 26th was confirmed for the public meeting to discuss and agree the form of the celebrations the village would take. The clerk reported that he has located a dedicated funding source, Home Guard Recall, which he has requested information from.
129.6 Progress report on the condition of hedges along Chapel Lane and The Old Saxon Way - The clerk reported that English Heritage had been informed of the need to cut and lay the hedges and that he awaited confirmation that this work would be carried out. He was also requested to advise DNPA of the problem and to seek their assistance.
129.7 Hedges and other areas of concern in the village - It was unanimously agreed that pressure should be applied to the owners of the hedge and verge opposite Downtown Farm to have the hedge laid and the verge cut. The clerk was requested to liase with Highways regarding this issue. It was further reported that the path from Hawthorn park to the main street had been cleared of moss, however, it was agreed that this area needed constant attention. It was also agreed that several gulleys needed attention due to silting. The clerk was requested to advise the Local Services Group and seek their attention to these matters.
130-2004 Receive report from Councillors on respective outside bodies:
130.1 DNPA - Mr Fletcher reported that the next meeting was scheduled for April 2005.
130.2 Police Authority - No meetings have been called.
130.3 Southern Link - Mrs Cole and Mrs Martyn attended the last meting on the 9th December and detailed that the main topic concerned the new licensing regulations and that the crime figures for the area, apart from thefts from vehicles, were down. The minutes of the meeting will be circulated to members as soon as they are received.
130.4 Nicholls Hall - With the absence of Mrs Boyd, Mrs Holland explained that the background heating for the Nicholls Hall was now complete and operational. The cost to the Nicholls Hall from it's funds was circa £400 with the rest of the money being raised from grants.
131.2004 Correspondence:
131.1 A letter received from WDBC regarding the new regulations for Skin piercing and tattooing was noted. It was felt that this was unlikely to cause the parish of Lydford any problems.
132.2004 To receive Financial report:
132.1 The clerk circulated balances as follows;
Current - £402.15
Flexi - £5963.35
Petty cash - .48
132.2 The following payments were authorised:
Clerk - £232.86 - Fixed expenses £15 - Stamps £5.25 - WDBC for the costs of keeping the Public Convieances open through the winter period £1042.23 (It was noted that this figure would be reduced by the grant, already received, from DNPA of £444 and by the re-claim of VAT which was £155.23. Giving a net cost of £443) Agreed at November meeting but cheque not raised
St Petrocs for H&S check on Tomb Stones - £140.00
132.3 It was agreed to transfer £1,000 from the Deposit account to the Current account.
133.2004 Planning applications:
133.1 Conservatory at Bolts house - No objections
133.2 Replacement shed for tractor and store - Rear of Shellaford House on land owned by Mrs Hill - No objections
133.3 Alteration to windows at Highdown - No objections
133.4 Pollarding of Ash trees adjacent to the path from Hawthorn park to the main street and on the land of Townend House - No objections.
134.2004 Items raised for inclusion on the December agenda:
134.1 SWW and work to be carried out - The Chairman reported that he had, at last, established a contact at SWW and would be in a position to advise on the extent of the work at the January meeting.
134.2 The cutting of verges - This item was dealt with under 129.7.
135.2004 Items raised for inclusion on the January agenda:
135.1 The reconstruction of the bridges over the river Lyd and dislodged by high water levels in the Spring of 2004. The clerk was requested to invite DNPA to the meeting to comment on this item.
135.2 Agree policy for future traffic diversions if the A386 has to be closed. The clerk was requested to invite a representative of the Devon and Cornwall Police to attend.
124.2004 To agree the date of the next meeting:
The date of Tuesday 18th January 2004 was agreed commencing at 7.00pm
There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chairman at 8.30pm.
DG Evans
Clerk to the Parish Council ......................................................................
28th December 2004
Signed as a true and accurate record
Date
.
.................................................. (Mr
S Powne - Chairman)