Parish Council meeting: Tuesday, 2 February 2016

Approved Minutes for the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday, 2 February 2016

These minutes were approved on 8 March 2016

Please noteEvery care has been taken to present this accessible copy of the minutes with accuracy, but the formal record of the meeting remains the signed paper copy of the minutes.

OPEN FORUM

One member of the public was present. A letter was presented from a parishioner concerning the speed and driving of traffic on the road from Old Bridge Cross to Avonwick Cross. Damage had been caused to a parked vehicle. Malicious damage had also been caused to the same vehicle. The Council noted requests made in the letter.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

None

PRESENT

Councillors Bell, Gabriel, Grevatt, Hunt, Luscombe, Seager-Berry and District and Parish Councillor Steer.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

County Councillor Vint.

MINUTES

The MINUTES of the meeting held on 5^th January 2016 were confirmed and signed. Proposed Cllr. Steer seconded Cllr. Hunt

MATTERS ARISING

The Council noted that the notice board in North Huish had not yet been replaced on the wall. No response had been received from parishioners concerning the proposed “Patrons Lunch”. It was suggested that a notice advertising this should be put on the Parish website. The chairman presented a number of responses made concerning the recently published report on the Community Consultation Report. It was noticed that while a large number of those who responded to the questionnaire would be pleased to see such

a building made available there was a disconnect between that number and the number wishing to become involved in the necessary work to obtain such a building. Other matters such as the need for adequate parking and the long term financial support of the building were raised as was the possibility of the survey not being totally accurate due to the methods used in gathering the information. The question was asked as to whether the possible shared use of existing buildings within the village had been explored. The church was mentioned as a possible building for such use.

REPORTS

County Councillor Vint presented a wide ranging report on his work within the Council. He was keen to ensure that parishes were prepared for adverse weather conditions. Clerk to request more salt for the Snow Warden.

District Councillor Steer reported that the District Council were investigating the possible devolution of responsibility for some of its work to Parish Councils. The District Council was also looking at ways to increase its income in order to offset reductions in government funding. Increased income was considered necessary in order to protect front line services. A decision was awaited concerning the request for a solar farm at Blackmoor Farm.

Councillor Grevatt reported that the new Parish Website has been live for two weeks and has received positive feedback from parishioners. It was agreed that certain notices placed on the Parish website would also be made available to the community website.

PLANNING

It was noted that the request for planning permission for a waste transfer station at Cockwells Nursery had now been withdrawn.

CORRESPONDENCE

Specific items of CORRESPONDENCE were noted as follows:

Totnes and Dartmouth Ring and Ride. Representative to be invited to a future meeting

Diptford Parish Council. The chairman stated that he had not been kept informed of decisions made by Diptford Parish Council concerning the road warden scheme despite joining with them when the matter was being investigated. The lack of communication from Diptford concerning their proposals left our council having to make rapid decisions in the time available.

FINANCE

The clerk reported that the external auditors had accepted the annual return for the year ended March 2015. Certain matters drawn to the attention of the Council would receive consideration.

 

Balance c/f	9582.74
Income (interest)	0.35
Balance c/f	9583.09

 

This balance is made up as follows:

 

P3 money	149.40
Council funds	9433.69
Total	9583.09

 

It was agreed to pay for the costs involved it setting up the new website.

The Council agreed to pay the cost of the external auditors which would be considerably larger this year due to complaints/concerns being raised by a parishioner.

HIGHWAYS

The chairman noted the work of the road warden who was providing a rapid response when and where necessary. It was reported that the funding for this work would not be available for the year 2016/17.

Attention was drawn to the state of the road surface between Woodland Barton and Fancy Cottage. Clerk to contact County Councillor Vint concerning this.

Potholes and/or road deterioration were reported at Horsebrook and on Black Hall Hill. Action clerk

ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

Totnes and Dartmouth Ring and Ride

NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 8^th March 2016 at 7.30pm at St James Church, Avonwick. (Please note change of date).