Draft minutes subject to confirmation
LYDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in The Nicholls Hall
Wednesday 27 th April 2005
Present:
Mr SPW Powne (Chair) – Mrs P Martyn (Vice-Chair)
Mrs L Cole – Mrs K Boyd - Mr P Fletcher - DG Evans (Clerk)
Apologies for absence:
Mr and Mrs N Skeeping – Mrs S Holland
Parishioners present:
A total of nine parishioners were present
39.2005 – Chairman’s report:
Mr Powne explained that the % increase of Precept made by this council had been incorrectly stated by WDBC as 8% when in fact it was only 5.9%. He detailed the anticipated costs to keep the toilets open again for the winter period and the hope that grants towards this cost will again be available from DNPA. The Triangle enhancement scheme is now complete and has been under planted by the members with spring flowering bulbs. The Home Guard seats have had new plaques fixed to them and the one outside of West Grange has been repaired. Thanks were expressed to Ivor Conybeare and Colin Friend for carrying out this work free of charge. PC Graham Calendar has moved from Beat manager to a position in Tavistock and his replacement is PC Kevin Reed who is introducing himself to people already. The Notice Boards are currently being repaired and renovated courtesy of Mick Jones of Cross Cottage. It was thought preferable to re-site the one previously at the garage to a position on the triangle of land at Downtown Farm, however, suggestions for other positions would be gladly received. Proposed celebrations for the 60 th anniversary of VE/VJ Day were discussed and details of a funding bid were presented by the clerk. Mr Powne continued by explaining the planning process and the part played in this by the Parish Council and the detailed approach adopted by the members when viewing planning applications. The junction of the A386 at the Dartmoor Inn continues to cause everyone concern. Various suggestions were discussed, reduced speed limit, village gateway effect etc. Mr Powne stated that a public meeting would be held soon to discuss this with representatives from the Highways Agency in an effort to attain funding for improvements. The appointment of a Tree Warden by WDBC was announced, this person being Mr Peter Stokes who will be invited to attend a future meeting to discuss his role in the village and how he will link with Brian Beasley of DNPA. He concluded by explaining that unfortunately Mrs Rona Baker had decided that she could no longer continue in her position as a councillor and that the members had been given approval to co-opt for her vacant seat. He stated how sorry all the members were and wished it to be recorded what a loss her input would be and how he personally had valued her contribution during the time she had been a councillor.
Mr Powne finished by thanking those present for attending the meeting and requested any questions from the floor.
40.2005 Questions from the floor:
40.1 Mrs Powne requested that consideration be given to not changing the sitting of the Notice Board from the garage to Downtown Farm. Her reason being that the proposed site for the re-positioning was un-accessible for the majority of parishioners. This view was held by the majority of those present. It was also felt that catches should be considered rather than locks, enabling anyone to place notices in to the boards. The proposal to leave the refurbished Notice Board at the Garage/Post Office was moved, for discussion, to the next meeting of the Parish Council.
40.2 Mrs Shadbolt felt that consideration should be given to utilising the strength of the tourist trade in the village towards a funding bid under the Community Access Plan that the Parish Council would produce towards the much needed safety measures at the Dartmoor Inn crossing of the A386. This, amongst many other practical thoughts were aired, with the Chairman agreeing that full consultation would be offered before any decisions were taken.
40.3 Mr Lyons detailed a recent ‘scam’ in the village involving supposedly Polish students. As a Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator he telephoned Crime watch. However, every time he telephoned he was met with a pre-recorded message stating that this number was unavailable”. It was agreed that this was unacceptable and the clerk was requested to advise Devon and Cornwall police accordingly. Mr Powne asked Mr Lyons if there was a need for more co-ordinators. Mr Lyons felt that it would be helpful if the village, in view of the linear definition of it, had co-ordinators at the top, middle and bottom. He agreed to call a meeting to agree who are the co-ordinators and to encourage more people to be actively involved with the scheme.
There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chairman at 8.00pm.
DG Evans
Clerk to the Parish Council ......................................................... 3rd May 2005
Signed as a true and accurate record……………………Date………………….
.................................................... (Mr S Powne - Chairman)