LYDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in The Nicholls Hall
Tuesday 16th September 2003
1. Present:
Mr S Powne (Chairman): Mrs R Baker: Mrs K Boyd: Mrs S Holland: Mr P Fletcher: Mr DG Evans (Clerk)
Parishioners in attendance: None
Others in attendance: Mr A Hepworth - Web site designer
2. Apologies for absence:
Mrs P Martyn (Vice-Chairman): Mrs L Cole: Cllr R Williamson: PC G Calendar
3. Parishioners time:
None present
4. Minutes of the previous meeting:
4.1 The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 15th July 2003 were signed as a true and accurate record with the following amendment: The name of Mrs V McConnell to be added after that of Miss Moyse reference the firing of blank ammunition on Dartmoor.
5. Matters arising:
5.1 Lydford PC web site - A letter from Dr Palmer, delivered by hand to each member prior to the meeting, was discussed. It was unanimously agreed that a response should be sent to Dr Palmer detailing the reasons behind local businesses being invited to advertise, free of charge, on the PC web site
5.2 Receive update on web site - Mr Hepworth showed and discussed the initial site and handed out prints of each page. In order to progress this he explained that he needed information from all members regarding the various organisations in the village. All present agreed to talk to organisers of these with a view to obtaining further information; especially the PCC who it was felt should have a presence. Mr Powne thanked Mr Hepworth for the work he has put in so far and for the quality of the site, which, whilst not yet complete, was already shaping up to being a professional looking site.
5.3 The Triangle - Mr Powne reported that one load of soil has been delivered and a further load is required which he would organise. It was agreed to invite Mr Easley to contribute towards the cost of this, as he had previously offered. The total cost of soil will be in the region of £80.
5.4 Affordable Housing - Mr Powne detailed the site meeting he had attended with DNPA, West Devon Homes, The Rector and the clerk. He reported that DNPA would support the site at the rear of Hawthorn Park in favour of the other sites viewed.
5.5 Jubilee seat - Mr Powne reported that no progress has been made regarding this, or the improvement to the road layout at the access point of the Granite Way. He would speak to Mr Cornish of DCC to ascertain likely completion dates.
5.6 Dog Fouling - Mrs Holland reported that this was being dealt with by the Dog Warden visiting at certain times in an attempt to catch the offenders.
5.7 Home Guard Seat - Completed petitions, bearing in excess of one hundred signatures, were handed in. It was agreed that these should be presented to Mr Rippon. It was also agreed to conduct a thorough search at the Land Registry in an attempt to establish ownership of the verge in question. The land around the seat will continue to be maintained by the PC.
5.8 Hedges and Trees - It was confirmed that DCC has contacted owners of the offending hedges. This will be monitored to ensure the appropriate work is completed.
5.9 Parking of cars from Greystones to Silver Street- It was agreed to leave this for the Community Beat Manager to deal with.
5.10 War Memorial - It was unanimously agreed to add the name of Pte A J Kelly to the War Memorial and for the contract to clean it to be awarded to Pascoe and sons. Mr Powne stated that he has spoken to the Rector regarding the Service of Remembrance being held at the memorial at 11.00 am. He confirmed that the Rector was investigating this possibility and would advise.
6. Receive report from Councillors on respective outside bodies:
6.1 DNPA - Next meeting 31st October
6.2 Police Authority - Date of next meeting awaited
6.3 School Governors - Next meeting October
6.4 Southern Link - Date of next meeting awaited
6.5 WDBC - Due to the absence of Cllr Williamson no report was received. Mr Fletcher asked why Cllr Williamson had requested an invitation to all PC meetings in his recent letter. It was explained that it was in order for him to be able to claim expences for attending the PC meeting. Mr Fletcher proposed that Cllr Williamson should not be invited to future meetings on the grounds that the costs, weighed against the usefulness of his attendance, could not be justified. This was seconded by Mrs Holland and unanimously agreed.
6.6 Nicholls Hall - Mrs Boyd detailed the content of the last meeting and requested that the PC give consideration towards a grant for the new kitchen floor. It was unanimously agreed to award a grant of £250 for this purpose.
6.7 Mr Fletcher requested that consideration be given for the church to be represented and to receive a regular, quarterly, update from the Rector. This was unanimously agreed with the clerk requested to invite the Rector to attend.
7. Receive financial report:
7.1 The clerk reported the balances as follows:
Current account £415.97
Deposit account: £4080.77
Petty cash: £20.967.2 The following payments were authorised:
D Evans - Clerk salary,
Toilet cleaning and exps £332.51
DCC - Search fee £18.00
WDBC - Election costs £363.04
Nicholls Hall grant - £250
Transfer from Deposit to current - £1,000 The clerk advised members that the budgeting process for the 2004/05 precept would commence at the October meeting with the budget being finalised at the December meeting in readiness for submission to WDBC by the 31st December.
8. Items raised at July meeting for inclusion on September meeting;
8.1 Firing of blanks by the Army on Dartmoor - It was agreed that this should not be pursued by the PC and that parishioners with concerns should voice them directly to the MoD.
8.2 Quality Council status - It was agreed that this item and that of a Parish Plan should be placed on the next agenda when a full council would be present.
8.3 Computer access/Broadband - It was agreed to place this item on the next agenda for discussion.
9. Correspondence:
9.1 A letter from the Rector requesting a grant towards the anticipated loss on the Parish Magazine this year was discussed. It was unanimously agreed that whilst the PC wishes to be supportive it couldn't make grants until it is clear of expenditure/income. It was agreed that a set of accounts (2002/03) for the magazines costs and income should be presented.
10. Planning applications:
10.1 Church Cottage - No objections were raised to the proposed extension to the garage.
10.2 Dartmoor Inn - No objections were raised to the addition of a new window to the proposed new ladies toilet area.
10.3 Sign at Castle Inn - No objections were raised to the Non-illuminated sign.
11. Items raised for inclusion on the September meeting:
11.1 Budgets
11.2 Toilets - Appointment of supervisor
11.3 Condition of land to the rear of the Castle Inn.
11.4 Parish Plan
10. Date of next meeting:
10.1 The date of Tuesday 21st October 2003 was agreed for the next meeting.
Their being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chair at 9.30pm.
DG Evans Clerk to the Parish Council -------------------------------------------------------- 19 September 2003
Signed as a true and accurate record
.Date
.
------------------------------------- (Mr S Powne
- Chairman)