LYDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in The Nicholls Hall
Tuesday 14th December 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:
Mr T Lyon
Others in attendance: Cllr R Williamson (Arrived at 7.20pm)
2. Apologies for absence:
Mr A Hepworth (Web master)
3. Parishioners time:
Mr Lyons stated that he had no points to raise and was attending as an observer only.
4. Reports from the floor:
As Cllr Williamson was not present at this point no reports were presented.
5. Minutes of the previous meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 18th November 2003 were signed, by the Chair, as a true and accurate record.
6. Matters arising:
6.1Web site - It was agreed that the pages should be printed off and circulated to members for correction as necessary.
6.2 Triangle - It was agreed that the figure offered by Highways for the cutting of the grass (£75) should be accepted and the clerk was requested to place this out to tender.
6.3 Jubilee seat - The clerk was requested to contact Graham Cornish and establish a date for the erection of this seat.
6.4 Dog fouling - This item is to be removed from future agendas as it was unanimously agreed not to support the increased costs requested by WDBC.
6.5 Home Guard Seat - The clerk reported that a licence has now been obtained from DCC for this seat to be in situ outside of West Grange. The clerk was also requested to photograph the plaque on the seat outside Merriment House and pass this to Mrs Martyn to enable her to obtain quotes for two replacements.
7. To receive report from Councillors and others on respective outside bodies:
7.1 DNPA - Mr Fletcher reported on the meeting he attended in November. It was agreed that Mr Fletcher would put himself forward for the vacancy on the Sustainable Development Panel.
7.2 Police Authority - Mrs K Boyd - Nothing to report
7.3 Board of School Governors - Mrs M Barkell - The last report has been circulated and read by all members.
7.4 Southern Link Committee - Mrs P Martyn & Mrs L Cole - Mrs Martyn reported that a letter concerning councillor's allowances would be sent shortly.
7.5 PCC - Mrs Martyn reported that the next PCC meeting is scheduled for 27th January 2004
It was agreed to raise the cheque previously granted for £93 as a one off grant towards the shortfall in funding for this year incurred on the parish magazine.
7.6 Nicholls Hall Committee - Mrs K Boyd - At the AGM Mrs Boyd was elected as secretary, advance bookings are high and the next meeting is scheduled for 5th February 2004.
8. Financial report:
8.1 Receive report from Responsible Financial Officer;
The clerk reported the following balances;
Current account - £468.27
Deposit account - £4,796.77
Petty Cash - £21.36
8.2 The following cheques were authorised: D Evans Clerk salary and toilet cleaning £275.35 - A Hepworth - web site design and hosting £644.99 - St Petrocs £93 grant towards parish magazine costs.
8.3 Precept 2004/05: After considerable debate, during which the clerk circulated a budget proposal, it was agreed that the precept requirement for 2004/05 should be set at £5,665 a 3% increase on prior year.
9. Items raised for inclusion on the January Agenda:
9.1 Production of a photographic CD of scenes in the village. The clerk was requested to ascertain approximate costs.
9.2 Quality Council status - Mr Powne stated that he had a quantity of leaflets on this subject which he will circulate in the next envelope. It was agreed to keep this item on the agenda.
9.4 Broadband - Mr Powne stated that he had been in touch with BT and awaited a telephone call from the person dealing with this item.
9.5 Parish Plan - The clerk was requested to circulate any documentation he may have on this subject.
9.6 To agree level of grant towards bore hole at Lake Cottage. It was unanimously agreed not to support this proposal.
9.7 Agree the appointment of the internal auditor. It was unanimously agreed to appoint Mrs M Barkell. The clerk was requested to write to ascertain if she was prepared to undertake the work.
10. Correspondence:
10.1 A request for assistance in identifying local areas of the moor was received from The Dartmoor Trust. It was agreed to place this into the parish magazine seeking volunteers.
11. Planning applications:
11.1 Downtown Farm - Revised plans for an agricultural dwelling - No objections were received.
11.2 Mucky Duck - A stopping up order for one of the existing entrances was discussed. It was unanimously agreed that this point had been raised at the very beginning by this PC and Brentor PC. It was felt then and opinion has not changed that this road is and should remain as Public Highway, thus enabling public access to the telephone box and to enable car drivers to be able to park on it whilst using the telephone. It is felt that this issue should have been dealt with at the outset by the planning authority.
11.3 Conservatory at 2 Shellaford Cottages - No objections were received.
12. Items raised for inclusion on January Agenda:
None received
13. Agree the date of the next meeting:
13.1 The date of Tuesday 20th January 2004 was agreed for the next meeting.
There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chair at 9.45pm.
DG Evans
Clerk to the Parish Council ....................................................................................... 23 December 2003
Signed as a true and accurate record
Date
......
................................................ (Mr
S Powne - Chairman)