DRAFT MINUTES SUBJECT TO AMMENDMENT
LYDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in The Nicholls Hall
Tuesday 17 th May 2005
52-2005 Present:
Mr S Powne (Chairman): Mr P Fletcher: Mrs L Cole:
Mrs P Martyn (Vice-Chairman): Mrs K Boyd: Mrs S Holland: Mrs L Ellicott
Mr DG Evans (Clerk)
Parishioners in attendance:
Four members of the public were present and Mr Brian George of DCC Highways.
53-2005 Apologies for absence:
None received
54-2005 Parishioners and Visitors time:
Questions from the floor were received regarding improvements to the crossing of the A386 at The Dartmoor Inn. Mr Brian George stated that a scheme costing a ‘handful of thousands’ could be available but he nor the Police Authority would support a 30mph restriction at this point as it was not considered right for this road. The question of speed cameras was raised with Mr George stating that to have these in place the junction would have had to have had four deaths or serious accidents within a three year period the requirement for mobile ones being two deaths. Mr George stated that until accidents of a serious nature occur the finances do not come into the equation. Flashing signs, similar to Sourton and Mary Tavy were discussed and the cost of these was estimated to be circa £2 - £5k. Mr George stated that if local communities raised this money then he would consider it, however, he still felt that the lack of serious accidents would probably preclude them. Concern was expressed that the junction is really a cross roads because of the well used bridle way to the car park on the moor. The possibility of double white lines was discussed with Mr George stating that this may be possible if the accident rate was to increase. Mr Fletcher felt that cameras are placed on roads with a lower accident rate than suggested by Mr George. Mr George agreed to check this with the Police. Mrs Holland felt that the voice of the local community was not being listened to. Mr George considered that no money would be available in the current year and that any bid for funding towards flashing signs should be submitted before the autumn of 2005. Mr Powne suggested the use of ‘gateways’ to which Mr George stated that the costs for these are quite high and he questioned as to what it would be a gateway too? Mr George finished by stating that the next five years funding would be targeted at large towns and that Highways will loose the current flexibility they have with rural plans. Mrs Boyd enquired if funding could be more readily available if it was match funded? Mr George stated that Highways would consider joint funding with a Parish Council. The Chairman closed the discussion by stating that this Parish Council will not let this issue drop and will continue to strive to arrive at a solution to improve this dangerous crossing for all users. (Mr George left the meeting at this point at 8.20pm.)
55-2005To approve the minutes of the previous meeting:
55.1 The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 19 th April 2005 and those from The Annual Parish meeting held on the 27 th April were signed, by the Chairman, as a true and accurate record.
56-2005 Co-option of a Councillor to fill vacancy:
56.1 The formal co-option of Mrs Lorraine Ellicott was conducted with Mrs Ellicott signing the Acceptance of Office and the Declaration of Interests. The Chairman welcomed Mrs Ellicott to the council.
57-2005 Matters arising:
57.1 Receive progress report on Notice Boards – It was unanimously agreed to re-site the re-furbished Notice Board back to its original site at the Garage and Post Office. Both Mrs Martyn and Mr Fletcher agreed to monitor the contents of the board once re-sited back.
57.2 Insurance of Home Guard seats and War Memorial – It was agreed to increase the value of the insurance cover for the seats and to leave the War Memorial cover as is.
57.3 Proposal to change the Bridleway at Bolts House into a BOAT – A letter of appeal from this Parish Council was read out.
57.4 VE/VJ day celebration – The clerk confirmed that a grant for £4,500 has been received from Home Front Recall. It was agreed that everyone present wished to be involved with organising this event with a date set for Monday 23 rd May at the home of the Chairman to agree the details.
58.2005 Receive report from Chairman for year 2004/05:
The Chairman referred those present to the report he had presented at the Annual Parish Meeting.
59.2005To elect the Officers of the Council for 2005/06:
59.1 Chairman – Nominations were received for Mr Powne from Mrs Boyd and seconded by Mrs Holland. No other nominations were received. The vote for Mr Powne was unanimous. Accordingly, Mr Powne took the Chair. (As Mr Powne has already served two terms as Chairman it was proposed to temporarily suspend the Standing Order referring to this for a period of one year with the Standing Order being reinstated in May 2006. This was Resolved.)
59.2 Vice-Chairman – Nominations for Mrs Boyd were received from
Mrs Cole and seconded by Mr Powne. No other nominations were received. The vote for Mrs Boyd was unanimous.
59.3 Responsible Financial Officer – Nominations were received for Mr Evans (clerk) from Mrs Martyn and seconded by Mr Powne. No other nominations were received. The vote for Mr Evans was unanimous.
Councillors to represent Lydford PC on outside bodies for 2005/06:
59.4 DNPA – Mr Fletcher
59.5 Police Authority – Mrs Holland
59.7 Southern Link Committee Mrs Martyn and Mrs Cole
59.8 Nicholls Hall Committee – Mrs Boyd
59.9 Planning sub-committee – It was unanimously agreed that all planning applications should be seen by all members at all times.
60-2005: Receive report from Councillors on respective outside bodies:
60.1 DNPA – Mr Fletcher reported that the next meeting was scheduled for Friday 28 th October.
60.2 Police Authority – Nothing to report
60.3 Southern Link – Nothing to report
60.4 Nicholls Hall – Mrs Boyd reported that the refurbishment was going well and that bookings were continuing to increase.
61.2005 - Receive Financial report:
61.1 The clerk circulated balances as follows;
Current - £225.50
Flexi - £3563.35
Petty cash - .48
61.2 The following payments were authorised:
Clerk – £240.70 – Fixed expenses £15 – Nicholls hall £25 – Allianz & Cornhill £379.22 - Grass cutting £30 – Street party costs VE Day Celebration - £74.64.
61.3 Receipts received from Home Front Recall for VE/VJ Day celebrations in August £4,570.
61.4 The accounts for 2004/05 were presented and signed off by the Chairman and the Responsible Financial Officer.
62.2005 - Correspondence:
62.1 Nothing was received
63.2005 - Planning applications:
63.1 Proposal for a utility room as an extension to the new property being built at Downtown farm was received. It was unanimously agreed to object to this on the grounds that, whilst this proposal is smaller than the previous application which was rejected by DNPA and on appeal later, it should have been incorporated within the original plans.
64.2005 - Items raised at the last meeting for inclusion on the May agenda:
64.1 VE Day Celebrations – See 57.4
64.2 Neighbourhood Watch – Mrs Holland agreed to talk with PC Kevin Reed in an effort to ‘kick start’ this back into action.
64.3 Insurance – See 57.2
64.4 Waste Treatment Works – The Chairman reported that this is in hand and that he is dealing with the problems previously reported. He also reported that DNPA are considering an enforcement notice on the work carried out and that the smell emanating from the camp site is again causing problems. The clerk was requested to write to the Chief Executive of SWW requesting urgent action on the problem of septic sewage being discharged into their pipelines.
64.5 Chapel Lane hedges – The Chairman agreed to contact English Heritage to obtain an update on the situation.
64.6 Tree Warden – The clerk apologised for failing to invite Mr Stokes to this meeting. He will arrange for his presence at the July meeting.
65.2005 - Items raised for inclusion on the June agenda:
65.1 None raised
66.2005 - To agree the date of the next meeting:
66.1 The date of Tuesday 21 st June2005 was agreed commencing at 7.00pm
There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the
Chairman at 9.45 pm.
DG Evans
Clerk to the Parish Council 25 th May 2005
Signed as a true and accurate record……………………Date………………….
(Mr S Powne - Chairman)