LYDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in The Nicholls Hall
Tuesday 21st October 2003
1. Present:
Mr S Powne (Chairman): Mrs R Baker: Mrs K Boyd: Mrs S Holland:
Mr P Fletcher: Mrs P Martyn (Vice-Chairman): Mrs L Cole:
Mr DG Evans (Clerk)
Parishioners in attendance:
Mrs S Beck
Others in attendance:
Cllr R Williamson: PC G Calendar
2. Apologies for absence:
None received
3. Parishioners time:
No items were raised
4. Minutes of the previous meeting:
4.1 The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 16th September 2003 were signed as a true and accurate record
5. Police report:
5.1 PC Calendar reported on crime in the village, these being damage to a parked car and keys stolen from a car that were returned the next day. He stated that he would contact Highways regarding the parking of vehicles from Greystones to Luxmoor to ascertain their view. He reported that his "surgeries" will commence on 12th November and will be held on the second Wednesday of every month. He will use the WI room at the Nicholls Hall between 10.30 and 12.00. Mr Powne thanked PC Calendar for his time and PC Calendar left the meeting.
6. Matters arising:
6.1 Jubilee seat: No progress to report, the clerk was requested to contact Graham Cornish for an update.
6.2 Affordable housing: Mr Powne read out the latest letter received from West Devon Homes and explained that this item would be moved to the end of the meeting in order that discussions could be held in private.
6.3 PC website: It was agreed to have the presentation from Adrian Hepworth in November. The clerk was requested to print all the pages off in order that these could be circulated for correction.
6.4 Dog fouling: Mrs Holland reported that no problems currently exist.
6.5 Funding request from the Rector for Parish Magazine: The Revd Ian Sykes stated that it was always the intention for the magazine to be self funding. He presented a set of accounts showing that, because of the increased printing costs, a loss, excluding advertising revenue, of £93 would be incurred this year. He requested a grant to cover this loss. In the future it is proposed to increase the cover price. The Rector was asked about advertising revenue, he explained that the PCC did not view advertising income as anything other than a donation to the Church. It was agreed to discuss this matter under the financial section of the agenda. The Rector also agreed that the suggestion for him to give a quarterly report on St Petrocs was a good idea and requested that suitable dates be advised to him. He also felt that the letter from DNPA regarding the unsuitability of Orchard Field as a site for Affordable Housing, because of a lack of footpaths, was completely irrelevant. The Revd Ian Sykes left the meeting at this point.
6.6 Home Guard seat outside West Grange: It was reported that the PC has been advised to request a licence for the seat to be in situ from Highways. The cost of this is likely to be around £200. It was unanimously agreed to apply for this with a ceiling of £200 being placed on the cost. Mr Powne reported that the commemorative plaque on the seat has been removed. It was agreed to ask Cllr G Madigan of DCC for her assistance in this matter.
6.7 War Memorial: It was reported that this has now been cleaned and the new name will be added in time for Remembrance Sunday. The Rector has suggested that people gather at the memorial at 10.50 for the minutes silence to be observed at 11.00. It was stated that Pte A Kelly's family intend to be present. It was agreed to send a letter to his family advising that the name has been added to the memorial.
7. Receive report from Councillors on respective outside bodies:
7.1 DNPA - Next meeting 31st October
7.2 Police Authority - Meeting next week.
7.3 Board of School Governors - Mr Powne read out a report received from Mrs Barkell.
7.4 Southern Link Committee - Next meeting 27th November.
7.5 Nicholls Hall Committee - Mrs Boyd gave a report on the recent meeting she attended.
8. Receive financial report:
8.1 The clerk presented figures showing the following balances;
Current account - £422.42
Deposit account - £5,830.77
Petty cash - £7.52The following cheques and transfers were authorised;
Soil for Triangle £120.00 - Clerk salary £217.56 - Toilet cleaning £75 - Clerk exps (including telephone and stationery) £105.83.
The clerk reported that the annual audit for 200/03 has been satisfactorily completed.
8.2 Spread sheets were circulated showing expenditure YTD and a projection for the rest of the financial year. All members were asked to read through them and to have comments ready for the November meeting in order that the Precept requirement can be agreed.
8.3 Before commencing discussions, Mrs Martyn and Mrs Cole declared an interest as members of the Parochial Church Council. It was decided that this interest was not prejudicial. After considerable discussion it was proposed that a grant be awarded to the Parish Magazine for £93 to cover the anticipated shortfall, as detailed under 6.5. This was carried by majority.
9. Appointment of Toilet Supervisor:
9.1 Mr Powne proposed that each member should be responsible for a six month period to oversee the toilet cleaner and to monitor the cleaning standards. Concern was expressed that to do this each member would require training in the Health & Safety requirements and on COSH regulations for the chemicals used. It was agreed that Mr Powne would re-visit his proposal and bring it back to a future meeting.
10. Land to the rear of The Castle Inn: It was reported that this has now been cleared.
11. Planning applications
11.1 Waste Water Treatment Works - No objections were raised.
11.2 New dwelling at Downtown Farm - Proposal to increase size of dwelling to the one already granted outline planning permission - It was unanimously agreed to object to this on the grounds that the original plans were for a dwelling for an agricultural worker and not for a house of these dimensions.
12. WDBC
Before moving the meeting into camera, in order to discuss the proposal from West Devon Homes, Mr Powne asked Cllr Williamson if he had anything he wished to report to the meeting. Cllr Williamson asked why Mr Fletcher felt that he wasn't giving value for money? Mr Fletcher stated that this was not the point and reminded Cllr Williamson that there is national concern about the level of Council Tax and this Parish Council does not wish to be instrumental in adding to costs from whatever cause. Cllr Williamson detailed the amount he was entitled to. Cllr Fletcher felt the amount was immaterial and that it was a point of principal. Mr Powne requested that Cllr Williamson leave the meeting at this point in order that members of the PC could discuss the issues regarding Affordable Housing in private. Cllr Williamson stated that this was out of order and that he could not be excluded from discussions held by members. Mr Fletcher stated that he felt that Cllr Williamson, in his role on the Planning and Housing committee of WDBC and West Devon homes, had a conflict of interest. Cllr Williamson stated that he had no connection with West Devon Homes and was entitled to stay. Cllr Williamson then proceeded to read out a letter received from the Environment Agency regarding Long Ridge. Mr Powne again requested that Cllr Williamson leave the meeting and that the issue regarding Long Ridge had been debated and resolved in the past, as a consequence he did not wish to go over old ground, as it had been agreed that this was a civil issue and was not something the PC should become involved with. He again requested that Cllr Williamson leave the meeting. As Cllr Williamson continued in his attempt to discuss the matter of Long Ridge, Mr Powne, in his capacity as Chairman, called an adjournment to the meeting.
The meeting was adjourned at 10.05pm with the date of Monday 3rd November being agreed for it to be re-convened to discuss item 3.3 on the previously circulated agenda.
Lydford Parish Council, re-convened meeting from 21st October 2003
Held on Monday 3 November 2003 at the Nicholls Hall
Present:
Mr S Powne (Chairman) - Mrs S Holland - Mrs R Baker - Mr P Fletcher
Mrs P Martyn (Vice Chair) - Mrs K Boyd - Mrs L Cole - Mr D Evans (Clerk)
Agenda item 3.3 - Affordable Housing
Mr Powne declared an interest in so much as the proposed site is opposite his place of residence. This was not deemed to be a pecuniary interest. Mr Powne signed the Declaration of Interest book accordingly.
A proposal from Mr Fletcher, in response to the letter received from West Devon Homes, was put forward. Mr Powne asked for any further proposals. Mrs Holland requested that mention be given to the site at Orchard Field, she felt that DNPA were putting unreasonable obstacles in the way of what was considered to be an eminently suitable site. Mrs Martyn stated that whilst she agreed with the first part of the proposal she did not agree that a decision was made at the Public Meeting regarding School Hill. It was agreed to remove this part of the wording from the resolution. Mr Fletcher felt that part ownership was the main consideration and stated that DNPA had said, at a recent meeting he attended, that the choice of shared ownership or rented rested with the parish.
It was resolved, with six members in favour and one abstention that this Council wishes to support the provision of Affordable Housing in Lydford.
The clerk was requested to reply to West Devon Homes and advise them of the outcome.
It was further resolved, with five in favour and one against with one abstention, that this Council does not support the proposal for Affordable Housing on the field opposite Lydford School.
10. Date of next meeting:
10.1 The date of Tuesday 18th November 2003 was agreed for the next meeting.
Their being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chair at 7.35pm.
DG Evans
Clerk to the Parish Council -------------------------------------------------------------3 November 2003
Signed as a true and accurate record
Date
.
--------------------------------- (Mr S Powne -
Chairman)