Draft Minutes subject to Confirmation
LYDFORD PARISH
COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE
MEETING
Held
in the Nicholls Hall
Tuesday
20th November 2007
112-2007 Present:
Ms L Ellicott (Chairman): Ms J Gannon (Vice-Chairman): Mrs L Cole: Mrs S Holland:
Ms C Moriarty: Mr I Hammerton: Mrs A Martin (Clerk)
Parishoners and others in attendance: One Parishoner was in attendance.
113-2007 Apologies for Absence: Mrs K Boyd (away on holiday) : Cllr I McPhie (clash of dates)
114-2007 Declaration of Interests None
115-2007 Parishoners and Visitors Time:
115.1 The Chairman, speaking on his behalf, reported that a Parishoner has complained about the Hunt using the Granite Way, on which horses are not allowed. She stressed that the Council does not take a political stand on the issue of hunting, nor is it a law-enforcement body, and had already told him that anybody considering that the Hunt was acting in breach of the law should contact the police directly. The clerk will, however, write to both the Lamerton Hunt and the Spooners and West Dartmoor Hunt requesting that they respect the “no horses” status of the Granite Way.
The “no Horses” notice on the gate of the Granite Way has disappeared. This was reported to the Clerk soon after it happened and she has already arranged to get it replaced by Devon County Council, the responsible body.
115.2 PC Reed
was not at the meeting, but had called at the Drop In earlier in the day and
reported via Mrs Holland that it had been very quiet at Lydford. It was assumed that he was referring to
crime and associated incidents as a number of road accidents had occurred on
the A386 within the Parish boundaries recently.
116-2007 To approve the minutes of the
previous meeting:
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 16th October 2007 were signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record of the proceedings with one alteration: the date of the Nicholls Hall AGM has been changed to 4th December and not 3rd December as recorded.
117-2007 Matters arising:
117.1 Progress re: Ancient Spring – A letter has been received from Mr John Pettit outlining his fees for project management, and there was unanimous agreement that he should be appointed. A letter has also been received from the solicitor regarding the registration of the land, and the clerk will reply with answers to the queries.
117.2 Progress re: Captain Hunter’s Plaque - The installation of the new plaque has been completed and those who had already seen it reported how smart it is looking. Mr Hammerton, accompanied by the Clerk, had attended the Scouts Remembrance Ceremony and both had been much impressed by the event. A letter of appreciation will be sent to the youngsters who arranged it. A formal letter of thanks will also be sent to Tony Halse and his team at the DNPA, who kindly erected the new plaque in time for the ceremony, which was also attended by Alex Hunter, Captain Hunter’s great nephew. The dedication ceremony for the new plaque had been arranged to take place on Tuesday 25th March 2008, which is the 90th Anniversary of Captain Hunter’s death, and this will be followed by an informal gathering at the Nicholls Hall. Mrs Holland was asked to make the hall booking, which will not affect the Tuesday Drop In as this does not normally take place during Easter Week. The clerk reported that a letter has already been sent to Col Clarke at Okehampton Camp, to ascertain any involvement that the military might wish to have in the event. The scouts have also been notified of the date with a view to some involvement in the ceremony. The Council will also invite Michael Meachin, who lives locally and is a Royal Navy chaplain, to participate in the ceremony if he is available.
117.3 Smells in the Village – None had been reported this month. The clerk reported that she had rung Doug Yates at South West Water to remind him that the manhole at the war memorial needs a dropping pipe fitted to the C&CC Site outfall, and suggesting that now that the site is closed for the winter it might be a good time to get this done. No reply has been received, and she will contact him again.
117.4 Parish Plan Update - Ms Gannon reported that the Parish Plan Questionnaire is still being compiled. Lydford residents had been very pro-active in the preliminary stages, and raised so many items, that it was difficult to cut the number of questions down to the suggested maximum. Work is continuing in preparation of the main Questionnaire, which should be finished by the end of the year.
117.5 Post Office – The Council are moving towards the erection of a direction board. It was noted that when “the shed” was at the Nicholls Hall it had a very attractive A-board outside the gates, and it was decided that Tanya Morel should be approached regarding the supply of a similar board for the post Office, for which reasonable costs will be met by the Council.
118-2007 Receive Reports from
Councillors on respective outside bodies:
118.1 DNPA Consultative Forum – The briefing notes for the forthcoming DNPA Forum meeting were passed to Mrs Holland and Ms Moriarty.
105.2 Police Authority – No meeting this month.
105.3 Southern Parishes Link Committee – The clerk reported that the minutes of the last meeting had now been received, including the interesting item regarding recycling. As a result of the ensuing discussion Catherine Maddern, from the National Trust, had been invited to attend a PC meeting, and this has been arranged for February.
105.4 Nicholls Hall Committee – It was agreed that Mrs Boyd will be nominated as the PC Representative on the new committee at the AGM on 4th December. Mrs Holland reported that work in the WI room is almost complete, with new cupboards now installed, and that similar cupboards were planned for the other side. Chairs are to be ordered, and new lights have been fitted outside following the failure of the previous lights due to an ingress of water. The November Bistro Nite raised around £280, and the December event is planned for Saturday 8th December, to be a Village Family Christmas Bistro.
119-2007 Receive the financial report:
119.1 The Clerk, as Responsible Financial Officer, presented members with the financial statement and a supplementary written report detailing the following points:
i) The External Audit has been completed by the Audit Commission and no points had been raised.
ii) The bank has been invoiced for the extra administrative work caused by their error in July. We have not heard back yet. Meanwhile the clerk has requested information about the rate of interest on our flexi account. The teller at Lloyds TSB (Tiverton Branch) was unable to give this information, but “the interest on these old TSB accounts is very small, less than one percent”. The clerk requested authorisation to seek out a better interest rate, either by changing accounts or possibly by changing banks, and members were unanimous in giving such authorisation.
iii) All promised grants and donations have been received for Captain Hunter’s Plaque, and also an anonymous cash donation of £30.00
iv) The final figures have been received for the cost of keeping the toilets open during the winter months. The net cost to the council, taking into account the DNPA grant offered and the VAT which we would eventually claim back, is £1171.88. This compares to a figure of £674 last year. After some discussion it was RESOLVED that the council would write to West Devon offering to keep the toilets open only if it could be done for a net cost to the council of £674, and otherwise, with reluctance, they should be closed.
v) A model set of Financial Regulations has been received from the Devon Association of Parish Councils, which all councillors had seen prior to the meeting. The clerk outlined the three options that a) the model Financial Regulations should be adopted or b) the Council should write its own or c) the matter should be ignored. It was unanimously RESOLVED that the model Financial Regulations should be adopted with immediate effect.
vi) New public sector pay scales, operative from 1st April 2007, have been published giving a 2.5% cost of living increase to local government officers, and this has been applied to the clerk’s salary this month.
vii) The Precept request was once more considered. The clerk was requested to adjust the projected figures to take account of the toilet closure (or acceptance by West Devon of the reduced figure) and to bring the adjusted budget figures to the December meeting when a final decision will be made ahead of the 28th December deadline for submission.
119.2 The following balances were reported:
Current account – £272.80
Deposit account - £4716.28
Parish Plan - £1331.38
Ancient Spring - £9905.00
The following cheques were authorised from the general budget: Clerk salary (including back pay) & expenses £315.47: HMRC (via Post Office Ltd) £17.70: Mainly Stationery £4.89: RBL Poppy Appeal £20: Hepworth Workshops (website fees) £156.09: Citizens Advice Bureau (grant) £50.00
Provisions held
as shown on the sheet circulated to members and attached to the master set of
minutes.
120-2007
Correspondence:
120.1. An invitation from Cllr Dennis Bater, Mayor of West Devon, to a Christmas social event at Hatherleigh on Tuesday 4th December. Members were pleased to have received this invitation, but regretful that as the date clashes with the Nicholls Hall AGM and other prior engagements nobody was able to accept.
120.2 An invitation from the DNPA to put information in the Dartmoor “What’s On” supplement for April/September 2008. Mrs Holland will deal with submissions from the various village organisations.
120.3 Details of a campaign called “Detox for Devon” aimed at cutting binge drinking and excess alcohol consumption.
120.4 We have received a reply from Western Power Distribution regarding the shutdown of supply in the Vale Down area, and they now have updated contact details on record.
120.5 A letter from Mr David Evans regarding the sudden closure of the shop and outlining steps he may take to try to get a shop re-established in Lydford, possibly on the same site. Ms Gannon informed members that work on the Parish Plan carried out so far revealed that a village shop was strongly desired by parishoners. It was RESOLVED that a letter be sent to Mr Evans giving generic support for his efforts.
120.6 A parishoner has requested that the council contact WDBC regarding the promised rate rebate for soldiers serving in Iraq. There are two parishoners with sons in Iraq, both of whom are thought to live in Tavistock. The clerk will write a letter to WDBC for clarification.
121-2007 Planning Notifications and Applications
121.1 a) Planning permission has been granted by DNPA for solar panels at Little House, Skitt Lane.
121.1 b)
Notification has been received of Enforcement procedures for an unauthorised
building at Wastor Farm.
121.1 c) In our adjacent Parish of Mary Tavy an application has been made to construct 19 dwellings at Blackdown garage (DNPA 0853/07). It was decided to request more information.
121.2 a) An application for amendments to be made to the original plans for an extension at Barn Park, Lydford had been received (DNPA 0332/06). After consideration the Council it was RESOLVED that:
The Council
SUPPORTS this application.
121.2 b) An application has been received for permission to remove the existing chimney and build a new chimney on the side of the house at Downside, Vale Down (WDBC 11135/ 2007/ TAV). Members expressed surprise that this type of structural alteration was sought on so new a building, and wondered about building regulations on the proposed height. After consideration it was RESOLVED that:
The Council SUPPORTS this application.
121.2 c) An application has been received for the Conversion of adjoining outbuildings into extra living space in the form of an additional reception room and an office/studio/library over a store at Cross Cottage, Lydford (DNPA 0897/07). This gained unanimous support for bringing the store back into useful space, and for making what is currently an ugly building more attractive. There was some discussion about the proposed patent glazing, but this appeared from an enclosed letter to have been a suggestion from the National Park Planning Officer. It was RESOLVED that:
The council SUPPORTS this application. The existing building is unattractive, with a corrugated roof and generally scruffy appearance and Members feel that the proposed conversion would make a better use of the space and provide a much more aesthetically pleasing building.
122-2007 Items raised at the previous meeting for inclusion on this agenda:
122.1 The Precept for next year – dealt with in the financial section under item 119.1 vii
122.2 Bus Services – Mrs Holland produced a letter to the bus company from the Drop In which was signed by over twenty parishoners expressing concern that the morning bus had been withdrawn as it is the one most used to attend doctors and other health related appointments. She said that Senior Citizens’ bus passes are not valid on the earlier bus, and even if it is used our elderly parishoners now face an unacceptably long wait before they can get a bus back. Mrs Holland also reported that the bus continued to run for a month after the stipulated withdrawal date, during which time it was running empty.
122.3 Parking and traffic issues around the village: The council has been contacted by a Parishoner regarding the approach road to the School and the amount of parking in the vicinity with possible implications for the safety of the children. After some discussion it was RESOLVED that a letter be sent to Mrs Wells (Head Teacher) asking for the opinion of the Head, staff and governors of the school on the matter. The Council will consider the matter further in the light of the reply received.
122.4 Highway Issues: The Clerk reported that the Lengthsman will next be in the village early in February. Members expressed concern about the speed with which traffic proceeds through the village. Also that there is now no priority at the narrows by the entrance to the Granite Way. Mre Holland felt that trees overhanging the roadway cause a danger as drivers move from bright light into heavy shade at the top of the village. She also has concerns that trees in the garden at Mucky Duck obscure a clear view around the corner, causing a traffic hazard. It was agreed that the clerk will write to Highways voicing these concerns and that at the same time we will enquire whether the roadside verge along the approach to the school might be flattened out to create a footpath.
123-2007 Items raised for inclusion on
the November Agenda
No new items were raised.
124-2007 To agree the date of the next meeting:
The date of Tuesday 18th December 2007 was agreed commencing at 7.00 pm.
There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chairman at 9.10 pm.
Annie Martin
Clerk to the Parish Council 21st November 2007
Signed as a true and accurate
record……………………………..… (Chairman) Date………………