Draft Minutes subject to Confirmation
LYDFORD PARISH
COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE
MEETING
Held
in the Nicholls Hall
Tuesday
19th June 2007
63-2007 Present:
Mrs L Ellicott (Chairman): Ms J Gannon (Vice-Chairman): Mrs L Cole: Mrs S Holland: Mrs K Boyd: Ms C Moriarty: Mrs A Martin (Clerk)
Parishoners
and others in attendance:
Four parishoners were in attendance.
64-2007 Apologies for Absence:
Cllr I McPhie
65-2007 Parishoners and Visitors Time:
65.1 Mr S Hannaford (Parishoner) spoke on the subject of the land around the Ancient Spring. He expressed disquiet that the Council are considering registering ownership of this land, and in particular his worries that if this came to pass the land might then be closed off from the public. The Chairman replied that no decision has yet been taken as the council is waiting to hear from the Insurance company as to how much the premium might go up if the land were included in the current Insurance Policy. A discussion ensued about the ownership of the green lanes around the village. Mrs Holland referred to her own experience and stated that sometimes lanes are included on the deeds of individual properties and sometimes they are not. The Chairman pointed out that the Land Registry details are available to any member of the public and can be accessed by visiting the Land Registry office in Plymouth or via the Land Registry website on the Internet. Regarding the land around the Ancient Spring she attempted to reassure Mr Hannaford that registering it as the property of the Parish Council would actually ensure public ownership and public access in perpetuity, but would also mean that the Council would become liable for the upkeep and responsibility for public safety at the site. It was noted as part of this discussion that Stuggy Lane appears to have an issue with drainage.
(Cllr
A Hosking entered during the course of this discussion)
65.2 Neither PC K Reed (Community Beat Manager) nor CSO D Chapple (Community Support Officer) was present at the meeting, although no apologies had been received. The Clerk reported that she had sent PC Reed an e-mail specifically requesting a representative from the police to attend this meeting, and that she had also sent the Agenda as usual. The Chairman reported that she had personally telephoned the Police Station to reiterate this request. The Clerk will contact PC Reed again.
66-2007 To approve the minutes of the
previous meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 15th May 2007 were signed, by the Chairman, as a true and accurate record of the proceedings.
67-2007 Matters arising:
67.1 Progress re: Bank signatories and Declaration of Interest forms The Clerk reported that the new signatories had each taken the necessary identification into the bank and that the transfer of names has been completed. The Clerk thanked Mrs Holland for her help in taking the Transfer form to Mr Powne (former Chairman) for his signature agreeing to the transfer. She reported that all six existing Councillors had completed their Declaration of Interest forms and the originals have been submitted to the Returning Officer at West Devon Borough Council. She also informed the members of the public present that copies were available for their inspection at this and future meetings.
67.2 Progress re: Ancient Spring The Chairman reiterated that we are waiting for the Insurance quotation before taking a decision on whether to try to register ownership of the land. We have recently received a list of approved contractors from the DNPA and will be drawing up a list of works to put out to them. The Chairman referred to the drawing supplied by Mrs P Martyn (see item 54.2 from the May Minutes) and Mr J Pettit expressed and interest in viewing this drawing. He was invited by the Chair to contact the Clerk, who will be happy to arrange for this to happen. The proposed works include the improvement of access to the site, including wheelchair access if possible, which will be carried out in conjunction with the DNP Archaeologist. The Council intends to renovate the area of the spring in a sensitive way and to erect interpretive boards. In the past hedge cutting has been carried out by English Heritage and this resulted in unsightly debris being left lying about at the site. The Council, at the time, attempted to get English Heritage to return to clear up the mess or to pay for this to be done, but without result. As the new work to the site will involve the use of heavy machinery it was felt that this could now be done as part of the project with little extra cost involved. It is hoped that when the project is completed, as well as some of the money being earmarked for ongoing maintenance, that the work carried out will be of a more permanently lasting character than on previous occasions when attempts to improve the site have soon been overtaken by the regrowth of unwanted vegetation.
67.3- Progress re: Captain Hunters Plaque The Clerk reported that she has now obtained an application form for funding from the DNP Historic Features scheme, and that this will be submitted shortly.
67.4 Progress re: The fence outside the toilet block We will continue to push for DNPA to get this done.
67.5 C&CC Site: Further to Item 54.5 (May Minutes) the Clerk reported that she has written to Mr Greenaway by e-mail and also by a letter which was delivered by hand to the WDBC offices, but that no reply has been received to date. A further letter will be sent. The Chairman reported that she and the Clerk are planning to visit the Site to establish a new communication channel following the change of Council, and invited any other interested Council Members to come along as well. It was reported that since the hot dry spell of weather has ended no further complaints of smells have been received, and the Clerk was asked also to follow up progress with the South West Water Authority regarding the intended works at the Sewage Treatment Facility now that the new financial year is underway.
68-2007 Receive Reports from Councillors
on respective outside bodies:
68.1 DNPA Ms Moriarty will be attending a meeting on Friday. Mrs Holland will accompany her.
68.2 Police Authority no date has been received for the next meeting.
68.3 Southern Link Committee Mrs Cole, accompanied by Mrs Boyd, will be attending a meeting on Thursday.
68.4 Nicholls Hall Committee Mrs Boyd reported that there was some good news in that the funding for 50% of the cost of improvements to the kitchen has been granted and so the planned work to provide a dishwasher, two sinks, proper hot water system and improvements to the electrics is hoped to take place in August, which is a quiet month in the Hall. The next Bistro Nite will be on 6th July. All other activities at the Hall appear to be carrying on successfully and bookings are healthy.
69-2007 Receive the financial report:
69.1 The following balances were reported and payments authorised:
Current account 387.90
Deposit account - £5456.73
Parish Plan - £1568.73
Ancient Spring - £10,000.00
69.2 The following cheques were authorised from the general budget: Clerk (Salary and expenses, net of tax)- £243.24: DAPC re Training day, Ms Moriarty - £45.00: Mainly stationery (includes £61.67 invoice re: Parish Plan) - £82.82 : Grass Cutting £17.00
Provisions held as shown on the sheet circulated to members and attached to the master set of minutes.
69.3 The Annual Accounts for 2006/07 were signed off by Mrs Boyd following receipt of the latest bank statement so that the closing balances could be verified (from Item 57.2 in the May Minutes), and the Statement of Assurance accepted ready for the Internal Audit to be completed.
70-2007 Correspondence:
70.1 A letter from the Standards Board for England advised the Council that a resolution would be needed if the Council wished to adopt paragraph 12.2, which is not automatically included in the adoption of the Code of Conduct. The adoption of Paragraph 12.2 was formally proposed by Mrs Holland and seconded by Ms Gannon. It was resolved by a unanimous vote that section 12.2 of the Model Code of Conduct be adopted by the Lydford Parish Council.
70.2 The Newsletter of the West Devon Neighbourhood Watch caused some disquiet among the Members as we may soon be without a Neighbourhood Watch Scheme operating in the area. This is because the administration of the scheme has become reliant on one individual, with no forum or support structure behind him, and he has resigned. The Police and the Devon and Cornwall Community Watch Association are striving to establish a new Forum in West Devon and we should be hearing in due course about the local meetings they are organizing. It was noted that a number of Parishoners enjoy the benefit of a discount on their Home Insurance premiums through their membership of the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, and that this will be lost if the organization ceases to exist in this area.
70.3 We have received notification of the Annual Conference of the Devon Community Composting and Recycling Network. The Chairman reported that Mr Adrian Hepworth had agreed to attend.
70.4 A Thank You card had been received from David Evans (retiring Clerk)
70.5 A request had been received from the Peninsula NHS Treatment Centre for a link to be placed on the Parish Council Website. There was general agreement that the Council would be happy for this to be done even though it seemed unlikely that a reciprocal link would be put in place.
70.6 We have received a request from Devon County Council regarding the Definitive Map Review seeking evidence regarding the route between the Ancient Spring and Raddon, passing through East Cleave and Raddon Woods. The County Council is requesting information about the existence (or not) of this path. The Chairman will publicise this quest via the Parish Magazine and invite the submission of written evidence both for and against the existence of the path. Cllr Hosking outlined briefly the processes involved at County Council level. The Clerk will inform the County Council that the consultation process is underway.
71-2007 Planning Applications
71.1 The most recent plans for the Sports Field Pavilion have been received, for information only, by the Council.
71.2 C&CC Site A letter has been received from Mr Chris France regarding the recent planning developments and sewage odour problems at the site. The Council was highly impressed with the letter, which was crafted in a very comprehensible way, and a reply will be sent to Mr France expressing our appreciation that he should have taken the trouble to communicate with us in this way. Cllr Hosking underlined the importance accorded to the Planning process by the National Park Committee.
71.3 Proposed conversion of redundant agricultural building to holiday unit and works to highway to improve visibility at Lower Watervale Farm, Lydford. A previous application had been supported by the Council but was turned down by the National Park. It was noted that the present state of the building was unattractive and it was agreed that the Council would support the application.
72-2007
Items raised at the previous meeting for inclusion on this agenda:
72.1 Vandalism in the village: A spate of vandalism had occurred around the time of the schools half-term week, which included vandalism to the bollards by the entrance to the Granite Way and the theft of a house name from a garden gate. It was noted that the bollard vandalism required a degree of physical strength that ruled out younger children. The Council expressed a hope that any parishioners affected by such acts would report them to the police immediately. It was, however, understood that more vulnerable members of the community might be reluctant to contact the police directly for fear of reprisals, and in this instance they should feel free to contact the Parish Clerk, or even a member of the Council, who can contact the police on their behalf. Members noted that recent incidents in Lydford had been logged on police files and that other villages appear to be suffering from similar problems. It was agreed to include this item on the next agenda, when hopefully a representative from the police will be in attendance. It was believed that the police have taken steps to address the problem, but this could not be confirmed without direct communication.
72.2 Beating of the Bounds: Research has indicated that the Lydford bounds were last beaten in 2002, and that traditionally this is carried out on Rogation Sunday at seven year intervals. Reference was made to historic practices, and to the rather tribal origins of the practice. The Chairman suggested that we consider preparation for Beating of the Bounds around Rogationtide in 2009. The Clerk will make preliminary contact with the PCC.
73-2007 Items
raised for inclusion on the July Agenda
No items were raised.
74-2007 To
agree the date of the next meeting:
The date of Tuesday 17th July 2007 was agreed commencing at 7.00 pm.
There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chairman at 8.30 pm.
Annie Martin
Clerk to the Parish Council 20th June 2007
Signed as a true and accurate record (Chairman)
Date
.