Draft Minutes subject to Confirmation

 

LYDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
 
 

 

 


MINUTES OF THE MEETING

Held in the Nicholls Hall on Tuesday 14th October 2008

 

 

110-2008  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)

Cllr I McPhie WDBC

 

Parishioners and others in attendance:   Ten Parishioners were in attendance.

 

111-2008 Apologies for Absence:

Cllr A Hosking and CPSO Chapple were accepted. 

 

112-2008 Declaration of Interests:

The Chairman examined whether any of the members might be deemed to have any personal interest in the proposed resiting of the sewage treatment works.  Mr Hammerton and Ms Moriarty are the only members of the Parish Council connected to the SWW sewer, but as they have this in common with a large number of parishioners this was not deemed to be a personal interest.  All remaining members have private septic tanks serving their homes.  Of these only Mrs Holland lives in a location where she has been affected by smells from the existing works.  Again this is in common with a number of parishioners living in the same area of the village and so was not deemed to be a personal interest.

           

113-2008 Parishioners and Visitors Time: 

113.1 Some of the parishioners in attendance stated that they had questions that they wanted asked of SWW regarding the proposed sewage treatment works.  The Clerk began writing these down, but as the list appeared extensive and the parishioners seemed to have them already written down she asked if she could be given a copy of the list.  It then transpired that the questions had already been sent to SWW by a group believed to be calling itself the “Lydford Sewerage Focus Group”.  The Clerk asked whether she could be given a contact address, but none was forthcoming at the meeting. 

At this point Cllr McPhie asked if she might be allowed to speak, and was invited to do so by the Chairman.  She made a statement in support of the Lydford Sewerage Focus Group, who had supplied her with a copy of the letter sent to SWW.  Parish Councillors expressed surprise that they had neither been made aware of the formation of the Lydford Sewerage Focus Group, nor received a copy of the letter.  The landowner of one of the potential sites stated that she too had not been made aware of this information.

A parishioner stating that he was a retired engineer stated that he was extremely unimpressed with the SWW presentation of facts at the public exhibition and said that no potential dimensions of the proposed works were given.  He also stated that part of Silver Street is solid rock and will prove impossible to dig.

The question was raised as to whether the works would be better sited by the bridge.  Mrs Holland thought that the topography would be too steep.  The Chairman stated that as the land belonged to the National Trust, who she believed had categorically refused to release it, the question may be futile.  She understood that it is not possible to compulsorily purchase land from the National Trust without a statute going through Parliament. 

The Chairman reiterated that SWW had expressed a willingness to look at any alternative sites that the village might wish to propose, but that any such site must meet the technical requirements which include road access, access to an electrical supply and an outflow into a water course of sufficient flow to give adequate dilution, and also within the financial constraints of the organisation.

The issue of the discharge of effluent upstream of the local swimming area at Tucker’s Pool was raised.  The Clerk pointed out that in other parts of the country (she quoted Oxford from her own personal experience) the public swim in rivers into which many sewage treatment works have already discharged.  Mrs Holland pointed out that technically Tucker’s Pool is situated on private property, but that at Black Rock the part of the River Lyd known locally as Hunter’s Pool is accessed from the moor which has no access restrictions, is upstream of the proposed new works, and is, in her experience, the best place to swim locally.

The parishioners expressed disappointment that neither the National Trust nor English Heritage were represented at the Public Exhibition.  The Chairman replied that the exhibition had been held by SWW and not by the Parish Council.

The Chairman stated that the Parish Council consultation with parishioners is ongoing and that representations in writing will continue to be accepted up until noon on 7th November.  These should be sent to the Parish Clerk, either in the post, by e-mail (with name and address supplied) or through the letter box at 8 Hawthorn Park.  In response to a statement by one of those present that the Parish Council should represent parishioners she stated that it was the duty of the Parish Council to represent all parishioners. This prompted a statement by another of those present that perhaps only parishioners who had taken the trouble to become “informed” on the issue should have their views taken into consideration.  This was refuted by the Councillors as undemocratic.

The Clerk informed the meeting that an approach had already been made to Dr Roger Meyrick, the independent Chairman of the West Devon Standards Committee, requesting that either he, or his nominated representative, should act as an independent scrutineer of the written responses received. 

113.2  A Parishioner asked about the possibility of there being a 20mph speed limit outside the school.  The Chairman informed her that the Parish Council had raised this issue in the past and she was confident that if the school were to campaign for such a limit the Parish Council would give wholehearted support.

 

After Parishioners and Visitors time had extended to 30 minutes the Chairman stated that the formal meeting of the Parish Council should begin.  She reminded those present that in this part of the meeting the public are welcome to attend but not to speak unless asked to do so.

 

114-2008 To approve the minutes of the previous meeting:

The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 16th September 2008 were signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.

 

115-2008 Matters Arising:

115.1 Highways, Parking and Traffic Issues:  The Council had received yet more complaints from Parishioners regarding the removal of double white lines at Vale Down.  One Parishioner had helpfully sent the Council “before and after” photographs to support the representations and has also copied the council in on his correspondence with the highways department.  The Clerk had written to the Highways Department on behalf of the Council, but although a reply to specific questions had been promised by 8th October this had not yet been received.  The issue is ongoing, and whilst our Devon County Councillor is out of action the Clerk will try to establish whether there is a “deputy” to whom representations can be made.  The Council members recorded their thanks and the Clerk was instructed to convey this to the parishioner.

As regards the issue of traffic outside the school Mrs Holland stated that Lydford School is in a very small minority among comparable schools in not having “zig-zag” white lines outside, but that the school itself had resisted any proposal to request them as it is the only place where staff and parents may reasonably park, and the safe delivery to school of children who are driven in from outlying areas is also a consideration.  There was, additionally, a concept that parked cars narrowed the road and caused traffic to slow down.

The Clerk reminded the meeting that the Council had also tried in the past to get tighter speed restrictions placed on the A386 outside the Dartmoor Inn, but without success.  The Council had been informed that the status quo will remain on that section of road unless a number of fatal accidents occur.

115.2 Parish Plan update – Ms Gannon had been informed by Malcolm Roberts at Devon County Council that he has completed the first draft of the statistical analysis.  The Council has not yet received it.

115.3 Progress re: Ancient Spring and Opening Ceremony – The seats are now in situ and those who had visited the site were extremely impressed with them.  The Clerk was authorised to set a date for the Opening Ceremony on a Saturday in the middle of March, hopefully to take advantage of the daffodils which have been planted.

115.4 Progress re: Emergency Plan – No volunteers have come forward as yet.  Mr Hammerton and Mrs Boyd will hold a working meeting to collate ideas before the next full Council meeting.

115.5 Beating of the Bounds – The Clerk reported that she had contacted our Dartmoor Ranger, the Military and the Dartmoor Rescue Group with the proposed date, Saturday 16th May 2009.  Col Clarke had confirmed that there will be no live firing on that day, and he will accompany the group on the walk. 

115.6 Quality Council Status – Other issues were deemed to be more pressing at this present time.

115.7 Community Land Trust Update – Ms Gannon has discovered that Holsworthy have experience of using the Trust, and will contact them for further information.

 

116-2008  Receive Reports from Councillors on respective outside bodies:

116.1 DNPA Consultative Forum  No meeting.

116.2 Police Authority  Ms Moriarty was unable to attend the Public Meeting on 1st October having been detained at an earlier meeting. 

116.3 Southern Parishes Link Committee  The Police report stated that crime was down in the Tavistock area, but that there is more in the Tavistock town centre.  The smoking ban in public buildings has led to increased open air drinking in public.  There is a new community messaging service by which automated telephone messages are sent providing alerts on current concerns locally.  Anyone can join by contacting their local Neighbourhood Policing Team.  There was also information regarding the new Tavistock Community Sports Hub.  The new facilities are planned to include a dance studio, activity hall, athletic track, grass pitch and all weather football pitch as well as a reception area and changing facilities.  These facilities will be open to the public after 4.30pm, and construction work has already commenced with completion expected by June 2009.

116.4 Nicholls Hall Committee  The recent Bistro Nite raised £330.  The next one will be held on Halloween Night, 31st October, and a Cabaret Night is planned for November.  The Nicholls Hall AGM will be held on Wednesday 28th November at 7pm in the Hall, and new committee members will be welcome.

116.5 WDBC  Cllr McPhie stated that the Boundary Committee consultation period had now closed. 

(A copy of WDBC’s response had been circulated to Parish Councillors along with the DAPC response and the Tavistock Town Council response in their briefing pack for this meeting.  Lydford Parish Council’s response was sent in earlier in the consultation period)

 

117-2008  Finance:

117.1 The Clerk, as Responsible Financial Officer, gave a report detailing the following points:

i) The second part of the Precept for the current year had been received from WDBC.

ii) The Clerk will provide members with a possible budget for 2009/10 for their consideration at the next meeting.  It was decided that no provision for the possible winter opening of the toilets would be made in this budget as there was no possibility of the cost coming down.

iii) The clerk was authorised to order, through Mrs P Martyn, two poppy wreaths for Remembrance Sunday.  One will be laid by a nominee of the Church.  Mrs Cole, as longest serving member, was chosen to lay the wreath on behalf of the Parish Council.  The Clerk will contact the Scouts regarding their laying of the old wreaths at their Act of Remembrance at Captain Hunter’s Memorial.

117.2 The following balances were reported:

Current account – £496.87

            Deposit account - £4163.90

            Parish Plan - £1204.23

            Ancient Spring - £4469.61

The following cheques were authorised from the general budget:  Clerk salary & expenses £265.41:  HMRC (via Post Office Ltd) £54.32: T Liversidge (grass) £34.00; Sean Hellman (for the seats at the Ancient Spring) £580.00. A transfer of £750 from the deposit account to the current account was authorised.  The precept payment of £3175.00 has been received by BACS into the deposit account.  Provisions held as shown on the sheet circulated to members and attached to the master set of minutes.

           

 

118-2008 Correspondence

118.1 Correspondence requiring action or decision:

1.  Consultation from HMG regarding the Making and Enforcement of Byelaws.  There were no strong opinions on this, and therefore it was decided that the Parish Council would not send in a response.

2.  Consultation on the Validation of Planning and Related Applications from DNPA.  Again there was no support for making a response.

3.  Consultation on the West Devon Local Development Framework.  It was RESOLVED that a response should be made to this consultation that the Council considers it imperative that the necessary infrastructure is put into place to support the amount of new housing proposed.

4. A letter had been received from a planning applicant querying the procedures used by the Council when dealing with this application.  The Clerk had sent a letter explaining the procedures, and the applicant had acknowledged that these had been correctly applied.  members agreed that the Council stood by its original decision regarding the response made to the DNPA.

5. A letter had been received from a parishioner regarding the Parish Plan.  Ms Gannon was authorised to reply on behalf of the Council.

118.2 Correspondence for Information Only

1.  West Devon e-connect

2.  DNPA Agenda and Minutes of the Authority Meetings

3  Standards Board Newsletter

4  From DNPA re: laying of the Lydford/Bridestowe boundary stone.  Since receiving this letter the Council has been informed by our Ranger that the stone has now been laid.

5  Correspondence with Land Registry re: First Caution.  The Land Registry has advised the Council to take no further action in seeking to place a Register of First Caution on the land at the Ancient Spring in view of the lack of commercial value, and the cheque which had been authorised and written to the Land Registry for this will not be sent.  The amount of £40 has been re-credited into the Ancient Spring Account.

6  From WDBC Environmental Health re: bonfires

7  From Col Clark re Beating of the Bounds

8  From Barbara Weeks (Churchwarden) re: John Willliams charity archive

9  From CCD re: Community food growing projects

10.  Boundary Committee Review – copies of the responses made by DAPC, WDBC and Tavistock TC

11. From DNPA – copy of the public notice that appeared in the local press on 2/3 October inviting landowners to put forward suggested land for their Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment.  Landowners have until Friday 21st November to submit their completed forms.

12.  From DNPA – letter informing the Council of changes to permitted development rights under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (No2) (England) Order 2008 – Changes to Permitted Development Rights for Householder Developments.  Permitted development rights continue to be more restrictive in National Parks, but not to the same extent as before.  The changes came into effect on 1st October 2008.

13  From WDBC – as item 12

14  From WDBC giving new procedure for planning application consultations now using a barcoded response sheet.  There is also a new procedure for the notification of planning decisions from WDBC.

15.  From DCC re:  Commons Act 2006, Part 1 of which came into force on 1st October 2008.

 

                        

119-2008 Planning Applications

119.1 Decisions Received  None this month.

119.2  Applications Received  None this month.

 

120-2008  Items raised at the previous meeting for inclusion on this agenda:

120.1 :  Christmas Tree Festival  Ms Moriarty was appointed to be in charge of the Parish Council’s entry in the Festival.  Other members promised to help under her direction.

120.2 :  Proposed Sewage Treatment Works  With the Parishioner Consultation ongoing the Parish Magazine will be used to ensure that any parishioner who has not yet expressed an opinion but who would like their views to be considered will be made aware of the opportunity.  Cllr McPhie requested a copy of the Consultation sheet to be e-mailed to her, and the Clerk will do this.  The Council authorised the Chairman to contact the National Trust to clarify their position.

The Chairman expressed her thanks to Mr Steve Powne, who does have expertise in Sewage Treatment, who has kindly been acting as a technical expert in assisting the Parish Council to understand the technical details presented on a pro bono basis.  Mr Powne will be asked to make a submission in the Parish Magazine, as an independent technical expert. 

 

121-2008 Items raised for inclusion on the next Agenda

121.1  Japanese Knotweed – prior to the meeting the Clerk will contact Alder King, as agents, to alert them to the growth of Japanese Knotweed at the old garage site on the A386 opposite the Dartmoor Inn.

 

122-2008 To agree the date of the next meeting:

The date of Tuesday 18th November was agreed commencing at 7.00 pm.

 

There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chairman at 8.45 pm.

 

 

Annie Martin

Clerk to the Parish Council                                                               15th October 2008

 

 

 

Signed as a true and accurate record……………………………………  (Chairman)

 

Date……………….

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