LYDFORD PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

Held in the Nicholls Hall

Tuesday 17^th April 2007

Present:

Mrs L Cole: Mrs L Ellicott (Vice-Chairman): Mrs K Boyd (Chairman): Mrs S Holland: Mr P Fletcher: Mrs P Martyn: Mr DG Evans (retiring Clerk): Mrs A Martin (new Clerk)

Parishoners and others in attendance:

Four parishoners, Lt-Col A Clarke (MOD, regarding military use of the moor) & Police Community Support Officer D Chapple

37-2007 Apologies for Absence:

Cllr A Hosking & PC K Reed

38-2007 Parishoners and Visitors Time:

38.1 Lt-Col Clarke was welcomed by the Chair and he addressed the meeting regarding the use of the moor for military training. He stressed the value of this training for personnel deployed in combat zones. He explained that the use by the military of the moor does not go through the normal local planning channels but that their planning nevertheless mirrors such procedures and is submitted direct to the Secretary of State. They are keen that there should be local consultation on the use of the moor, and Lydford has taken up their offer of inclusion in this process, Mrs Cole and Mrs Martyn being the Council’s representatives. Problems recently arose in this process as a result of the minutes of a previous meeting being sent to the Chair, who was on holiday, and not the Parish Clerk, who could have disseminated the information; as a result a change of date of the meeting was not noted. The chair apologised verbally and will additionally send a written apology. Mr Powne suggested that a good ongoing relationship was more important than glitches in the past, and this received unanimous agreement. Mr Fletcher noted that there will always be individuals who support the military use of the moor and other individuals who disagree with it, but proposed that the council express its support for the military, and there was agreement for this proposal. Col Clarke thanked the council and underlined the effect on the morale of personnel in combat zones of positive support like this. He reiterated the desire of the MOD to minimize the effect that their use of the moor has on local communities and cited as an example the fact that the notice period has been extended to 6 weeks from 2 weeks to allow local organizations such as the scouts to plan their activities in advance. Mrs Ellicott drew attention to the fact that the MOD has been invited to send a representative to the Parish Plan meeting on May 8^th. Mesdames Martyn and Cole handed over their completed questionnaire, which Col Clarke was pleased to receive, and he concluded by stating that the Parish Council will be invited to make a formal statement in due course.

38.2 Mrs Brickle, representing the South West Riders Group, presented an update to the suggested horse trail including two new copies of the map. She stated that 10% of the Lydford population ride, and that this figure includes a number of children. Mr Powne pointed out that a road crossing of the A386 at the Dartmoor Inn has been requested in the past and has been turned down by the Highways Department in the absence of six fatalities having occurred. There was agreement that if the riders could get such a crossing instigated it would benefit everyone. Mrs Holland asked if this proposal was just for horses or were all members of the community being considered. Mrs Brickle replied that riders also sometimes walk and travel in vehicles, but that on this occasion she was representing the riders.

38.3 Mrs Powne raised the question of the spending of the £10,000 received from ING. She felt that the council had moved very slowly towards fulfilling the proposal to restore the Saxon spring, and additionally felt that there was little public enthusiasm for the project. She questioned the historical importance of the spring and doubted that the money was actually needed, suggesting that only basic repairs were needed and that the Council return the money to ING, or ask that it could be redirected to a different project. The Clerk pointed out that gaining such a large award was the pinnacle of the grant applications he has been responsible for during his time in the position, and that it was one of just three awards made from a very large number of applications. The money has been awarded specifically for this project and is subject to terms and conditions, including a need to spend it within a 2 year time frame, and stipulating a percentage that can be held back to meet ongoing costs. It is not yet known what the full costs will be as the working party is still to report back. It was felt that this is an ongoing project for the new council to take on. The Chair pointed out that it is hoped that local labour will be employed and paid, and this could include volunteers working on behalf of other projects. The cheque from ING was only received in February, and for some time the weather was not conducive to progress. Furthermore there had been a time delay caused by waiting for site visits from professionals. The award is specifically for this project, and the application for it received unequivocal support from the individual Council members at the time it was made. In addition the Chair made the point that one of the selection criteria for the new Clerk was the willingness to show the same diligence as Mr Evans in hunting down sources of finance like the ING award. Mr Fletcher proposed that a time limit of six months be set on the production of realistic estimates for the work and that if at the end of the time limit the estimate is less than £5000 that the Council should contact ING regarding the reallocation of funds. There was no support for this proposal, though there was general agreement that time should not be allowed to slip away and that the project should be moved forward.

38.4 The Chair welcomed Police Community Support Officer Chapple to the meeting. He reported three recent crimes in the area, all involving theft or attempted theft from unattended vehicles. There were also 10 other logged incidents, including an abusive caller, a domestic dispute, an accident on the A386 (for which no details were available), and suspicious jewellery salespeople who had been in the village earlier in the day. Mrs Holland questioned the fact that this had apparently missed the cascade system, it could not be established why this had happened. Mrs Holland also expressed concern for the safety of youngsters skateboarding on roads in the village, and CSO Chapple promised to look out for this happening and to warn the young people of the dangers if he came across them. The Chair thanked CSO Chapple and his colleagues for the high standard of policing that the community enjoys.

39-2007 To approve the minutes of the previous meeting:

39.1 The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 20^th March were signed, by the Vice-Chairman, as a true and accurate record of the proceedings.

40-2007 Matters arising:

40.1 C&CC site – further discussion was held back pending the receipt of the planning report.

40.2 The Parish Plan – There is a meeting scheduled for 8th May, and details of this should appear in the Parish News. The net of people and organisations who it is hoped will be involved has been widened.

40.3 The Saxon Spring – it was felt there was nothing to be added to the earlier discussion at this meeting.

40.4 The fence outside the toilet block – this project is still waiting for funding from the Dartmoor National Park. No further action needs to be taken at present as the Council had already been informed that this would need to wait for the new financial year.

40.5 Captain Hunter’s Plaque – The sum of £200 has been verbally offered from the Duchy of Cornwall. It was decided to leave the application for financial support from the Dartmoor National Park until the new Council and Clerk are up and running. Permission for the project has already been granted.

40.6 Bus Stop signs – a letter has been received from Brian George (Highways) in which he anticipates a reply being sent by 23^rd April, so this should be received prior to the next meeting. The Dartmoor National Park are not supporting the Parish Council’s concerns. Mrs Holland stated that in her opinion the Cross Cottage stop is in a dangerous place, and now that it has been erected the bus actually stops at it where previously the driver might have exercised discretion regarding a safe place to stop. She also expressed concern about the stop halfway up the hill towards Brentor. Mr Powne pointed out that historically the stops were listed as at the Gorge, the War Memorial and the Dartmoor Inn, and that additionally the bus would stop on request at any point along its route through the village. CSO Chapple, himself a former bus driver, confirmed that in rural areas buses will normally pick up and set down passengers on request. There was general agreement that in principle designated signed stops were desirable for the convenience of visitors who may be unaware of this practice.

41-2007 Receive report from Councilors on respective outside bodies:

41.1 DNPA – Next meeting 26^th June

41.2 Police Authority – Mrs Holland stated that there was to be a meeting the next day which she would be unable to attend as it clashed with a training course which she will be attending.

41.3 Southern Link Committee – No meeting

41.4 Nicholls Hall Committee – Mrs Boyd reported that the committee is very close to getting their funding bid for the upgrade of the WI room and Kitchen. It is hoped that work on the kitchen will start in June. The most recent Bistro Night produced £304. The committee is bidding for £14000, and will need to provide £8000.

42-2007 Receive financial report:

42.1 The following balances were reported and payments authorised:

Current account - £1,007.50

Deposit account - £3,841.46

Parish Plan - £2,025.00

Saxon Well - £10,000.00

42.2 The following cheques were authorised: Clerk - £261.00: DAPC - £62.00: Grant to Lydford Sports Field £250.00: Grant to St Petrocs - £250.00: Web site hosting - £10.00

Provisions held as shown on the sheet circulated to members and attached to the master set of minutes.

It was reported that the first part of the precept has been paid including the Burial Grant - £3,159.00 in total.

42.3 The Annual Accounts for the year 2006/2007 were presented by the retiring Clerk and are due to be put forward for External Audit in June. These will be formally adopted at the AGM in May. Meanwhile a new Internal Auditor must be sought as Mr Boyd cannot fulfill the role this year because Mrs Boyd is now Chairman. A couple of names were suggested and this will be followed up.

43-2007 Correspondence:

43.1 A letter has been received regarding specialised disabled equipment required by Zac Ogden. The Council are currently unable to provide financial assistance and a letter will be sent to this effect.

43.2 Leaflets have been received for those concerned about domestic violence. Mrs Holland agreed to make these available to the community via the Nicholls Hall.

43.3 A letter has been received from Tanya Morel regarding her Arts Project. The Council are happy to send a letter of support for this project.

43.4 A map has been received from WDBC detailing the felling of two trees and indicating a third tree on which a tree preservation order has been placed at Moor View.

43.5 DAPC Committee nomination forms have been received

43.6 The Senior Council for Devon nomination forms have been received.

43.7 Details have been received from the Anchorage Centre, Tavistock, of a morning of fun for the Over 50’s. Mrs Holland will distribute these via the Nicholls Hall.

43.8 A letter has been received regarding the forthcoming Parish Council Election. The 6 candidates are elected uncontested from 3^rd May. The new Council have until Friday 22^nd June to co-opt a further member to fill the remaining vacancy, but cannot do this until four days after the election day. If it fails to do this the District Council have powers to order a fresh election.

44-2007 Planning applications:

It was reported that none had been received this month.

45-2007 Items raised at the last meeting for inclusion on this agenda

45.1 Proposed Horse Trails – Mrs Holland raised the point that clarification has still not been given as to whether these will be solely for the use of horses or for multi-use. She noted that some of the proposed trails cross private property, and wondered whether permission had been sought from the owners. There was agreement that the Parish Council are happy to support the principle of increased safety for riders, but cannot support a change in designation of existing tracks, nor the use of private property unless the landowners are happy to give their consent. This item will be discussed at the next meeting.

46-2007 Items raised for inclusion on the May agenda

None

47-2007 To agree the date of the next meeting

47.1 The date of Tuesday 15^th May was agreed commencing at 7.00 pm.

This being the final meeting of the existing Council the Chairman thanked the retiring members, Mrs Martyn, Mr Fletcher and Mr Powne, for their years of service, and the contributions they have made. She noted that Mr Powne preceded her as Chairman and also that Mrs Martyn has been a member of the council for twenty years. She presented Mrs Martyn with a small gift to mark the occasion.

The retiring Clerk informed the retiring members that they are entitled to attend the next meeting as members up until the time when the new officers have been chosen.

There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chairman at 9 pm.

A Martin

Clerk to the Parish Council 18^th April 2007

Signed as a true and accurate record……………………………….Date……………….

(Chairman)

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