DRAFT MINUTES SUBJECT TO AMMENDMENT
LYDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in The Nicholls Hall
Tuesday 19th October 2004
101-2004. 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: Mrs M Harris - Mrs J Heathman
102-2004. Apologies for absence:
Cllr R Williamson
103-2004. Parishioners and Visitors time:
Mrs Heathman detailed problems with Castle lane and the overgrowth of the hedges. It was agreed to establish who is responsible for this lane and request that they carry out regular maintenance work.
104.2004 Minutes of the previous meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 21st September 2004 were signed, by the Chair, as a true and accurate record.
105.2004. Matters arising:
105.1 Home Guard Seats - Mrs Baker confirmed that she has carried out safety checks on all of the seats and apart from the one outside West Grange they are all in good condition. Mr Powne confirmed that Colin Friend will arrange for this seat, in conjunction with Ivor Connybeare and Dutch Holland, to be repaired and to replace the missing plaque in the near future.
106.2004 Receive report from Councillors on respective outside bodies:
106.1 DNPA - Mr Fletcher reported that the next meeting is scheduled for the 29th October which he is unable to attend. Mr Powne stated that he would try to attend.
106.2 Police Authority - Mrs Holland stated that she could not attend the last meeting.
106.3 Southern Link - Mrs Martyn and Mrs Cole stated that they attended the meeting on Thursday 23 September. The minutes from it will be circulated to all members in the next envelope. The main item was the change to the Licensing Laws. It was agreed that the members would make comment on this through the clerk. It was felt that the new regulations will penalise Village Halls when applying for licences in the future.
106.4 Nicholls Hall - Mrs Boyd explained that the background heating installation will commence in the first week of November. The AGM of The Nicholls Hall will take place on Thursday 25th November. It was agreed that Mrs Boyd would continue as the representative of the Parish Council on The Nicholls Hall Committee
107.2004 To receive Financial report:
107.1 The clerk circulated balances as follows;
Current - £929.03
Flexi - £3556.35
Petty cash - .48107.2 The following payments were authorised:
D Evans £217.56 - Clerk exps - £15 - Grass cutting £45
The clerk confirmed that the second part of the precept payment for £2832.00 has been received and that payment from DCC for cutting the grass at The Triangle (£75) was awaited. The clerk confirmed that Mr Liversedge, who has undertaken the cutting of grass in the village this year, has stated that the cut this month will be the last for this season and that he hoped to be granted the opportunity to undertake the work again next year. It was unanimously agreed that providing the cost for this service would be the same he should be given the contract for 2005. The clerk to advise Mr Liversedge accordingly.
107.3 Precept requirement for 2005/06: The clerk circulated a costs and income against budget analysis. All present were requested to give these figures serious thought and be prepared to agree the Precept at the November meeting. Mr Powne requested that the clerk should write to WDBC regarding potential costs of keeping the toilets open again during the next financial year. It was felt prudent to thank WDBC for the recent upgrade to them, which has resulted in a toilet block that this Parish Council is proud to be associated with.
108.2004 Correspondence:
108.1 Mr Powne explained about his personal quest in striving to attain a BT Broadband connection for this village. To this end, the Right Honourable John Burnett MP has offered to attend a public meeting in the village on Friday 26th November to discuss this and other associated issues. It was agreed that Mr Powne would place an announcement into the Parish Magazine, inviting questions that could be placed to him.
109.2004 Planning applications:
109.1 West Pulborough Barn - Replacement windows in brown PVC. After discussion on the use of plastic windows within the conservation area it was agreed that the members had no objections, in principle, to this application. The clerk was requested to confirm with DNPA the principles applied for this type of application, in the light of a garage on Highdown, outside of the conservation area, being requested to make the window and door in natural, stained wood.
110.2004 Items raised for inclusion on the October agenda:
110.1 Proposed feasibility study by WDH
The proposed report by WDH on Low Cost Housing in Lydford was discussed. It was proposed by Mr Powne that this parish council will not support any further surveys for Low Cost Housing; this was seconded by Mrs Bake and carried on a majority of six for with one abstention.
110.2 Clerk salary review
Mr Powne stated that this was a "rubber stamping" exercise as it had previously been agreed that the clerk to this council would be paid at the rate recommended by the SLCC/NALC. It was unanimously agreed that the hourly rate should have increased from April 1st 2004 to £7.76 and should increase to £7.99 from April 1st 2005. (Based on Scale LC1/SCP 17). Resolved.
110.3 Cricket Club grant application
It was agreed that the members would wish to support this application, especially as the planned facility is for the Colts which represents the youth of this village. However, concern was expressed at the overall amount of cost (£800) and the ability of the Cricket Club to fund the difference between the grant request (£250) and the total amount according to the accounts submitted. The clerk was requested to seek detailed copies of the quotations for the work before the members were prepared to authorise the expenditure of Public Money.
110.4 St Petrocs grant request re: headstones
It was agreed that, subject to the submission of accounts and a detailed quotation for the anticipated costs, the members would authorise a grant to assist towards this expenditure.
110.5 Condition of Notice Boards
The clerk was requested to obtain quotations for the refurbishment of the three notice boards and for the re-sitting (to be agreed) of the one currently placed at The Post Office.
110.6 Skit lane survey
A copy of the results has been promised from the Local Services Group (Mr Brian George).
110.7 Flower bulbs for Triangle
It was agreed that the members would meet at the Triangle on Sunday 24th October to carry out the planting of bulbs.
110.8 VE Day Celebrations
It was agreed that Mr Powne would place an announcement in the Parish magazine calling an informal meeting to agree the date and style of celebration. This will be placed into the Parish Magazine in January 2005.
111.2004 Items raised for inclusion on the November agenda:
111.1 Condition of Church Lane
111.2 Cutting of grass verges
112.2004 To agree the date of the next meeting:
The date of Tuesday 16th November 2004 was agreed commencing at 7.00pm. Mr Brian Beasley - Tree Officer DNPA will be in attendance.
There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chair at 9.15pm.
DG Evans
Clerk to the Parish Council ...........................................................
22nd October 2004
Signed as a true and accurate record
Date
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(Mr S Powne - Chairman)