Draft Minutes subject to Confirmation
LYDFORD PARISH
COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE
MEETING
Held
in the Nicholls Hall
Tuesday
16th October 2007
99-2007 Present:
Ms L Ellicott (Chairman): Ms J Gannon (Vice-Chairman): Mrs L Cole: Mrs S Holland:
Mrs K Boyd: Ms C Moriarty: Mr I Hammerton: Mrs A Martin (Clerk)
Parishoners
and others in attendance:
Cllr I McPhie (WDBC). In addition two parishoners were in attendance.
100-2007 Apologies for Absence:
None
101-2007
Declaration of Interests
None
102-2007 Parishoners and Visitors Time:
Mr N Skeaping reported the existence of Japanese Knotweed along the bridleway adjacent to some of his land, and expressed his frustration that he had been passed from one public body to another in his efforts to get one of them to take responsibility for it. The Clerk had made enquiries from the National Park on his behalf, and reported the following response:
i) People at the National Park are aware of the existence of that particular patch of knotweed and have been monitoring it over a period of time. It appears to be stable at present.
ii) It is pointless attempting to eradicate this particular patch unless knotweed further up the drainage channel is eradicated at the same time.
iii) Attempts to eradicate the knotweed can have the reverse effect of stimulating growth in what was previously a stable patch.
iv) The land on which the knotweed is growing is unregistered land.
The Clerk had also accessed the Devon Knotweed Forum on the internet and gave Mr Skeaping some information from their website and a form for reporting the knotweed should he wish to do so. The Forum records the presence of knotweed in the county and provides advice to landowners. Local government organisations are not responsible for clearing knotweed on land unless they own it.
The Chairman suggested that the Council put an item in the Parish Newsletter reminding the general public that it is an offence to allow pernicious weeds such as ragwort and knotweed to grow, and that it is the landowner’s responsibility to deal with them.
103-2007 To approve the minutes of the
previous meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 18th September 2007 were signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record of the proceedings.
104-2007 Matters arising:
104.1 Progress re: Ancient Spring – The plan of the land the Council is seeking to register has been sent to the solicitor. Mr John Pettit RIBA has been formally approached as a potential project manager. If he is unable to do it other possible candidates will be considered.
104.2 Progress re: Captain Hunter’s Plaque - The new plaque has been delivered and arrangements are progressing for its transportation and installation at the site. Captain Hunter’s family have been approached regarding the dedication ceremony, and have expressed a wish for a Christian ceremony, but are happy to allow us to make the arrangements. The planned date is March 25th 2008, the 90th Anniversary of Captain Hunter’s death. This will fall on the Tuesday immediately following the Easter Monday Bank Holiday.
104.3 Smells in the Village – Both Mrs Holland and Mr Hammerton reported that they had made visits to the churchyard on various occasions and that no smell was in evidence. Mr Hammerton had also been over to the gate of the Treatment Works where a smell could be detected, but on that occasion it was being efficiently dispersed by the wind. We will continue to monitor the situation. The number for reporting smells, which is manned around the clock, is 0800 169 1144.
104.4 Parish Plan Update - Ms Gannon reported that the Parish Plan Questionnaire had been sent to Devon (Corporate Consultation Services of Devon County Council) for checking and that editing was in progress. The extra editing may delay the timescale – we are in the hands of the CCS.
104.5 Post Office – The provision of a direction sign was discussed and it was decided that a signpost, or similar, in the garden of the Nicholls Hall would help prospective customers find their way without compromising the integrity of the building. The Clerk will liaise with Mrs Holland and Mrs Boyd to get this under way.
105-2007 Receive Reports from
Councillors on respective outside bodies:
105.1 DNPA Consultative Forum – No meeting this month.
105.2 Police Authority – No meeting this month, but it was noted that a Public Meeting would take place at Tavistock College on Thursday 18th October.
105.3 Southern Parishes Link Committee – Mrs Cole and Ms Moriarty had attended a meeting on Thursday 20th September. The Police report showed that the crime statistics for our area (Tavistock Rural West) for April to July 2007 indicate that:
Violent crime increased from 5 to 7 offences
Domestic burglary decreased from 3 to 2 offences
Other burglary increased from 8 to 14 offences
Criminal damage increased from 18 to 23 offences.
Following the Police Report was an update on Waste and Recycling in the area, including some interesting information about what happens to the recycled items. This prompted a discussion about recycling in Lydford. Residents who put out thick card with the weekly green box instead of the fortnightly garden bags may be unaware that it then simply goes in with the black bag collection destined for landfill sites. A trial of food waste collection is taking place in Tavistock, though there is little food wasted in Lydford as many food scraps are fed to animals. Plastics remain a difficult item for recycling, although plastic bottles are now included. The Chairman reported that the National Trust have put in place new measures at the gorge in the pursuit of environmental neutrality, and it was decided to invite Catherine Maddern, Visitor Services Manager at the Gorge, to attend a future meeting to update us on their progress.
105.4 Nicholls Hall Committee – It was noted that refurbishment of the WI Room was proceeding, with the insulation and plastering complete, the redecoration well under way and new flooring booked to be laid the following week. It was noted how light and bright the room felt with the new lighting and pale coloured walls already completed. Mrs Boyd reported that the last Bistro Nite raised £296 and that the November and December dates have already been planned, the latter scheduled for a Saturday night. The Hall Committee AGM would take place on 3rd December, and in addition to Committee Members there would be a recruitment drive for “Active Friends”, who would be prepared to help out on specific occasions or in defined capacities without the commitment of full committee membership.
106-2007 Receive the financial report:
106.1 The Clerk, as Responsible Financial Officer, presented members with the financial statement and a supplementary written report detailing the following points:
i) The second half of the Precept has been received.
ii) Bank statements on the Current account are now issued monthly rather than quarterly.
iii) Annual interest for the current year has been added to the Flexi Account.
iv) Bank error update: A further 21p interest has been withdrawn by the bank. The Clerk will invoice the bank for the Council’s administrative charges when the matter is finally settled.
v) The invoice from the foundry for Captain Hunter’s Plaque is included in this month’s authorisations, but the Clerk will now draw down the grants and donations promised.
vi) HMRC has changed the Clerk’s tax code with the effect that some PAYE will now be deducted by the Council. This will be paid to HMRC through the Post Office, where a stamped receipt will be recorded. The Chairman reported that the sub-committee had reviewed the completion of the Clerk’s probationary period and that she was now permanently employed under NALC terms and conditions. Hours and expenses will be reviewed again in six months time, and the permanent contract will now be issued.
vii) The Precept request form for the Year 2008/09 had been received and the Clerk presented Members with an analysis of Income and Payments for the current year, including the half-year spending figures and the projected annual figures. A possible budget for next year, based on the current year’s spending was included for Members’ consideration. This will be discussed at the next meeting. The closing date for submission of the Precept request is 28th December.
106.2 The following balances were reported:
Current account – £203.53
Deposit account - £4289.08
Parish Plan - £1331.38
Ancient Spring - £9905.00
The following cheques were authorised from the general budget: Clerk salary & expenses £276.58: HMRC (via Post Office Ltd) £11.30: Grass cutting £17.00; The Cast Iron Company Ltd £2325.85. A transfer mandate of £2700.00 into the current account was authorised. Provisions held as shown on the sheet circulated to members and attached to the master set of minutes.
107-2007 Correspondence:
107.1 A letter from Devon and Cornwall Constabulary informing us that Inspector David Hammond has just taken over from Inspector Milligan as Sector Inspector for West Devon. He will be based at Okehampton Police Station. We will invite him to attend one of our meetings.
107.2 WDBC consultation on Alcohol, Public Entertainment and Late Night Refreshment Policy Consultation, closing date 21st November. Mrs Holland was appointed by the Council to reply to this consultation on its behalf.
107.3 Correspondence from Mr Ellington (parishoner) had requested that the latest Parish Plan minutes be made available on the website: this has now been done. He also suggested that a nominated person or sub-committee be made responsible for monitoring the website on a regular basis. The Chairman, assisted by the Clerk, volunteered to perform this function, and this met with unanimous approval.
107.4 We have received notification of flu clinics from the Okehampton surgery. The nearest one to Lydford is at Sourton village hall. The Clerk reported that she had asked the Parish Magazine to include a reminder in the November issue. The Chairman wondered why there was no flu clinic held in the Nicholls Hall, but it was thought that as Lydford residents are scattered around three different practices in Tavistock as well as the one in Okehampton it would be impractical for any of them to come here.
108-2007 Planning Applications
108.1 No new applications have been received this month.
108.2 The following planning decisions have been received:
108.2.1 Proposed removal of highway access, demolition of garage and erection of new garage and studio/garden tool store at Gorse Hills, Vale Down, Lydford Permission granted subject to 4 conditions (DNPA)
108.2.2 Proposed conversion of former builder’s office to affordable (low cost) dwelling opposite Prince Charles Terrace, Lydford Permission refused (DNPA)
109-2007 Items raised at the previous meeting for inclusion on this agenda:
There were none.
110-2007 Items raised for inclusion on
the November Agenda
110.1 The Precept for next year
110.2 Bus services
110.3 Parking and traffic issues in and around the village
110.4 Highways issues
111-2007 To agree the date of the next meeting:
The date of Tuesday 20th November 2007 was agreed commencing at 7.00 pm.
There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chairman at 8.20 pm.
Annie Martin
Clerk to the Parish Council 17th October 2007
Signed as a true and accurate record…………………………………… (Chairman)
Date……………….