DRAFT MINUTES SUBJECT TO AMMENDMENT
LYDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in The Nicholls
Hall
Tuesday 20th July 2004
77-2004. Present:
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: Mrs M Harris
Others in attendance: Cllr R Williamson (WDBC): PC G Callender: Mr & Mrs Betteridge
78-2004. Apologies for absence:
Mr S Powne (Chairman)
79-2004. Parishioners and Visitors time:
79.1 Questions from the floor - None received
79.2 Cllr Williamson reported on his duties during the month, these included attending a Garden party at Buckingham Palace and agreeing the new name for the development of houses at the Mucky Duck Inn. (He informed members that this will be called the Mucky Duck)
79.3 PC Calendar reported on the theft of a Quad bike from a farm and that known criminals are operating in the area, targeting farm buildings. He invited members to put together a "wish list" for improvements to the junction at the Dartmoor Inn. Mrs Boyd enquired as to what options were available? PC Calendar stated that members should explore all possibilities and then arrange a meeting with Highways to discuss them. Mrs Martyn, as the acting Chair, thanked PC Calendar for attending the meeting on his day off.
80-2004. Minutes of the previous meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 15th June 2004 were signed, by the Chair, as a true and accurate record.
81-2004.Matters arising:
81.1 Public conveniences - It appears that they are now being cleaned more thoroughly with a new hand wash/dryer having being installed into the gents w.c. Mr Fletcher asked Cllr Williamson for a report on the progress he has made regarding the funding for them in the next financial year. Cllr Williamson stated that these are unknown at this point. Cllr Williamson was reminded that he had agreed to pursue this issue on behalf of the members and Mrs Holland requested that he obtain information and a breakdown on the costs incurred to keep them open.
81.2 Broadband - A letter was received from Mr J Shadbolt objecting to the use of wireless Broadband on the grounds of potential health risks. Mrs Boyd enquired if the transmission rates where comparable to mobile phone masts and as the potential demand for Broadband in the village appears to be small that the Parish Council should channel its efforts into other, more needed areas, like solving traffic problems. It was agreed to pass the letter from Mr Shadbolt to Mr Powne to enable him to respond.
81.3 Litter bin in car park - The clerk reported that the damaged one has now been removed and a new bin was due to be installed on the rear wall of the toilets shortly. Internet access scheme for villagers - Mrs Boyd reported that she had placed this item to the Nicholls Hall Committee for discussion. They are in agreement with the proposal subject to security, supervision, maintenance and on-going costs being confirmed and agreed. The clerk was requested to talk with DCC and attempt to hold a final decision off until after the September meeting of the parish council.
81.4 NPower CFL scheme - The clerk reported that this is in place and he awaits delivery of the light bulbs.
81.5 Home Guard seat - It was reported that the bolts holding the wooden slats to the concrete side supports have rotted through and that some of the wood is also rotten. It was agreed to ask Colin Friend if he could assist in the repair and for Mrs Holland to ascertain costs for replacement hard wood.
81.6 Hedges - The clerk reported that the hedge at Moorside has been cut back and that he will contact Colin Hicks of Highways to arrange a tour of the village to identify other areas of concern.
82-2004.To receive report from Councillors on respective outside bodies:
82.1 DNPA - Mr Fletcher stated that their have been no meetings since the April one he attended.
82.2 Police Authority - Mrs Holland attended the meeting June 30th which she considered was a complete waste of time. It was agreed to write to the Chief Constable stating how useful it has been to have the Community Beat Manager attend parish council meetings and to question why he has been told to de-prioritise this? It was felt that mention should be made that PC Calendar attends many of this councils meetings in his own time.
82.3 Board of School Governors
82.4 Southern Link Committee - Mrs Martyn and Mrs Cole attended the recent meeting and reported that WDBC spent half the night telling everyone how good they are! It was not felt to have been a constructive meeting.
82.5 Nicholls Hall Committee - Mrs Boyd reported that some grant funding has been obtained for the provision of background heating and that tenders have been sent out. She also reported that the bookings secretary, Mrs Holland, felt that bridges should be re-built between the Nicholls Hall and the Sports Field. It was unanimously agreed that this was an excellent idea.
83-2004.To receive Financial report:
83.1 The clerk circulated balances as follows;
Current - £380.21
Flexi - £4,269.27
Petty cash - .48Interest of £6.74 had been received on the Flexi account and the grant from DNPA for £444 to enable winter opening of the toilets had been banked into the current account.
83.2 The following payments were authorised:D Evans Clerk - £232.56 (July): D Evans Clerk and postage - £235.92
(August): Mainly Stationery £22.79: Grant awarded to the Sports Field for
purchase of Marquee £176.24: Grass cutting £15: .
84-2004. Correspondence:
84.1 Tree Warden - This voluntary post has been filled by Peter Stokes. Whilst acknowledging the usefulness of this role the members expressed concern that DNPA appeared not to be involved with it. The members requested that the clerk contact Brian Beasley (Head of trees DNPA) to ascertain how WDBC and the Silvanus Trust would liase with him over trees giving concern
85-2004. Planning applications:
85.1 Caravan park - The application, as presented, was considered to be too vague, not making clear exactly what is being applied for. Concern was expressed that it was an attempt to obtain permission for the sitting of a static caravan. The clerk was requested to advise DNPA accordingly.
85.2 Lyd Barn - Erection of a garden shed adjacent to a listed building - The members objected to this proposal on the grounds that it would be aesthetically unacceptable and too conspicuous from the highway in the conservation area of the village.
86-2004.Items raised at June meeting for inclusion on this agenda:
86.1 Agree councillor's areas of responsibility in the village - With the absence of Mr Powne it was agreed to postpone this item to the September meeting.
86.2 60th Anniversary of VE Day - Again, through the absence of Mr Powne, it was agreed to postpone this item to the September meeting. The clerk agreed to establish the date that has been set by Central Government for the official celebration.
86.3 Lane by Lake Cottage - It was agreed to ask the lengthsman to attend to the drainage problem on his next visit.
86.4 Waste Treatment Works - It was reported that the long awaited upgrade will commence in September 2004.
87-2004. Items raised for inclusion on the September agenda:
87.1 None received
88.2004 To agree the date of the next meeting:
The date of Tuesday 21st September was agreed commencing at 7.00pm.
There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chair at 9.20pm.
DG Evans
Clerk to the Parish Council ..................................................................
30 July 2004
Signed as a true and
accurate record
Date
.
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(Mr S Powne - Chairman)