DRAFT MINUTES SUBJECT TO AMMENDMENT
LYDFORD PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in The Nicholls Hall
Tuesday 15th
November 2005
112-2005 Present:
Mrs L Cole: Mrs P Martyn: Mrs K Boyd (Vice-Chairman): Mrs S Holland: Mr S Powne (Chairman):
Mr DG Evans (Clerk)
Parishioners in attendance:
One member of the public was present plus PC K Reed - Revd. I Sykes
Mrs B Weeks (PCC) – Cllr R Williamson
113-2005 Apologies
for absence:
Cllr A Hosking DCC - Mrs L Ellicott - Mr P Fletcher
114-2005 Questions from
the floor:
114.1 The Chairman asked those
present if anyone had any items they wished to raise. Mrs Weeks explained that
she and the Rector were present to offer a grant application to the members for
assistance towards the repair of those tombstones identified as unsafe. She
detailed the extent of the work required and that the stonemason’s costs are
likely to be £800. The Chairman thanked them for attending and explained that
the application would be considered under the financial section later in the
agenda. Mrs Weeks and the Rector left the meeting at this point. No other items
were raised.
115-2005To approve
the minutes of the previous meeting:
115.1 The minutes of the meeting held on 18th October were signed as a true and accurate record.
116-2005 To receive report from the Police:
116.1
PC Kevin Reed was welcomed to the meeting by the Chairman. PC Reed gave a
résumé on his work since his appointment. The Chairman expressed the concern of
the members over the parking outside of the school. PC Reed detailed his
conversations with the school where it was considered impractical to construct
a footpath on land used by the school and owned by a private individual. He
wondered if the verge could be removed and made into a footpath to continue
from The Croft to the school. He confirmed that he will talk with Highways
regarding this. (Cllr Williamson arrived
at this point) The Chairman asked why the school had no zigzag markings
outside the gate? PC Reed considered that this would not help and in fact could
encourage speeding at this point if no vehicles were parked there. Mrs Holland also felt that the problem was
being exasperated due to the car parked opposite The Croft. It was considered
that the removal of the verge to enable a footpath should be explored. PC Reed
agreed to submit a road defect report to Highways requesting that they
investigate this possibility. The possibility of reducing the speed limit to
20mph at this point was discussed with PC Reed stating that he would not
support this as he does not consider speeding at this point to be a problem. PC
Reed detailed the incidents reported in the village since April, forty four in
total, however of these only six were classified as crimes. In the last month
the Police had received twelve calls of which six were to report flooding, five
related to animals and one was a suspicious caller. He explained about his
efforts to revive the Neighbourhood Watch scheme and that he has organised a
meeting with the current co-ordinators and other interested parties for Tuesday
22nd November. Mrs Boyd requested that PC Reed give the members
assistance towards improving the junction opposite the Dartmoor Inn and if he
could perhaps point the members in the right direction where they should be going
to improve this junction. PC Reed stated that he hopes to be able to carry out
mobile speed checks shortly at this point. The Chairman thanked PC Reed for his
attendance and input. (PC Reed left the
meeting at this point.)
117-2005 Receive report from Cllr
Williamson.
117.1 Cllr Williamson stated that he had nothing to report regarding the query sent to him about work carried out at Lake Hill.
117.2 Cllr Williamson stated that he had no progress to report regarding the traffic speed along the A386 at Vale Down.
117.3 Cllr Williamson reported that he has held surgeries enabling parishioners to discuss issues with him throughout his area.
118-2005 Matters arising:
118.1 Waste Treatment Works and Bridge House – Response from DNPA regarding the enforcement order is still awaited. The clerk was requested to chase up the relevant people.
118.2 A progress report on the book of recollections and audio tapes was sought. The Chairman detailed current progress and expressed his concern over the lack of progress of the audio version. As the written recollections have increased it was felt that the emphasis should be placed on the book and to produce it to a higher quality than originally planned with the audio tape being cancelled. This was unanimously agreed. The clerk was requested to contact Home Front Recall to agree this change.
118.3 Resiting of the Post Office – A parishioner, who is also a Trustee of the Nicholls Hall, has stated that in his opinion it is wrong to resite the PO to the Nicholls Hall. It was considered that as no other options are available this decision should rest with the committee members of the Hall. Mrs Holland stated that she has again requested that Post Office Counters discuss the possibility of it being placed within the Castle Inn as they have expressed an interest. The clerk confirmed that contact details have been passed to the landlord of The Castle Inn requesting that he contact Post Office Counters.
118.4 Sign at Castle Inn Car park. It was confirmed that this has now been attended to.
118.5 English Heritage regarding hedges – No response has been received.
118.6 Parking outside of school – (See Police report under 116.1)
119-2005 Receive reports from Councillors on
respective outside bodies:
119.1 DNPA – It was reported, in Mr Fletchers absence, that the meeting held on 28th October was attended by him although the time had been changed without advising him and several other members.
119.2 Police Authority – No meeting held
119.3 Southern Link Committee – The next meeting is scheduled for December.
119.4 Nicholls Hall Committee – Mrs Boyd reported that the AGM and election of officers was scheduled for Thursday 17th November inviting those present to attend.
120.2005
- Receive financial report:
120.1 The clerk circulated balances as follows;
Current - £353.09
Flexi - £8618.95
120.2 The following payments were authorised for November:
Clerk – £254.70 – Grass cutting £15 – WDBC winter toilet costs £1538.66
and Web Site Host cost £24.66. It was agreed to transfer £2,000.00 from the deposit account to the current account.
120.3 Precept requirement for 2006/07. The clerk presented a spread sheet detailing costs incurred in the current year and projected costs for the remainder of this financial year. Detailed discussion was held on all areas of expenditure, especially those relating to the continued opening of the toilets. It was agreed that only 50% of the projected costs for 2006/07 should be included into the budget, assuming that DNPA would continue with grant aid for the other 50%. It was further agreed that if DNPA did not support with a grant then this Council would no longer financially support the opening of them through the winter period. The Chairman detailed the grant request programme and how this Council had dealt with them in previous years. Mrs Boyd proposed that the Precept figure should be set using an increase of 2.5% on the current year figure. She then felt that the money left after anticipated expenditure could be utilised for the grants requested. It was proposed by Mr Powne and seconded by Mrs Boyd to set the Precept for 2006/07 at £6,150 this was unanimously agreed.
120.4 The clerk detailed the requests for grant funding received. These were individually discussed and agreed as follows:
Citizens Advice Bureau - £50
Ring & Ride service - £50
St Petrocs Church as a contribution towards the safe reinstatement of those memorials that have been identified as unsafe - £250.
The requests from The Nicholls Hall and The Sports Field were both considered and in principal the members wished to support. However, they requested that the clerk advise that the members are unsure as to the amount of funds that would be available at this point in time. It was felt that they should both be invited to re-submit requests later. In the case of the Nicholls Hall when they had confirmed that a suitable second hand cooker was available and the final costs for purchase and installation was known. In the case of the Sports Field it was agreed that whilst the members fully support the current proposals for the enhancement of this facility they would prefer to wait until the current funding bids, from outside agencies for the proposed improvements, have been agreed.
121.2005 - Correspondence:
121.1
The document detailing the new legislation proposed for the Clean
Neighbourhoods and Environment Act was discussed. It was agreed that this
Council did not wish to appoint people authorised to issue fixed penalty
tickets.
122.2005 - Planning
applications:
122.1 Pulborough House – Change of use of disused barn to ancillary accommodation and a holiday let – Revised plans were discussed with no objections being raised.
122.2 Raddon Farm – Conversion of barn – No objections were raised.
122.3 Seat outside of West Grange – The clerk detailed the work carried out to date to secure a licence from Highways for this seat.
123.2005 - Items raised
for inclusion on this agenda:
123.1 Grass cutting – It was unanimously agreed to continue with the current contractor for the next year but to advise him that the grass on the Triangle should not be cut for the first time until advised by the members. The clerk was also requested to confirm that the current figure of £15 would remain for the next year.
124.2005 – Items
raised for inclusion on the November agenda:
124.1 Roadwork’s at Lake Hill
125.2005
- To agree the date of the next meeting:
125.1 The date of Tuesday 20th December 2005 was agreed commencing at 7.00pm.
There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the
Chairman at 9.35 pm.
DG Evans
Clerk to the Parish Council 19 October 2005
Signed as a true and accurate record……………………Date………………….
(Mr S Powne - Chairman)