Parish Council meeting: Tuesday, 4 May 2021

Key information

Meeting location: On-line

Meeting time: Following Annual Parish Meeting

Sound Recording You can download the audio recording for this meeting or use the player embedded in this page after the download link. Download the audio file here.
Agenda

Agenda for the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday, 4 May 2021

1:             Open Forum

For parishioners to raise matters of concern relevant to the work of the Parish Council

(NB matters concerning other bodies e.g. SWW, SHDC and DCC should normally be referred directly to such bodies.  The Parish Council would try assist where difficulties arise after such a referral has taken place.)

2:             Present

3:             Apologies for absence

To receive apologies for absence (if any)

4:             Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of interest (if any)

5:             Previous Minutes

To agree the Minutes of the meeting held on 6th April 2021

6:             Matters Arising

To discuss items arising from those Minutes

7:             Reports

To receive Reports from

  1. County Councillor Hosking
  2. District Councillor Pannell or Smerdon
  3. The Play Park
  4. others (if any)

8:             Planning

To consider Planning Applications and to note decisions:

9:             Correspondence

To consider correspondence received.

10:          Finance

  1. To note recent and future income and expenditure.
  2. To renew Council insurance
  3. To consider, approve and sign the Annual Governance Statement 2020/21
  4. To consider, approve and sign the Accounting Statement for 2020/21
  5. To agree to certify itself as exempt from a Limited Assurance Review and sign the Certificate of Exemption

11:          Highways

To consider Highway matters.

12:      Meetings

To consider “face to face” meetings of the Council

13:       The Play Park

To review the situation re the Play Park

14:        North Huish Defibrillator

Update of progress made      

15:        Next meeting

To consider items for future meetings

To agree upon a date for the next Meeting. (1st June  or  6th July 2021?)

 

 

Approved Minutes

Approved Minutes for the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday, 4 May 2021

These minutes were approved on 3 August 2021

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.

Present

Councillors Gabriel, Bell, Grevatt, Hunt, Luscombe, Seager-Berry, Steer and County Councillor Hosking.

Apologies for absence

District Councillors Pannell and Smerdon.

Open Forum

There were no members of the public present.

1: Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held the on 4th May 2021 were confirmed and signed. Proposed Cllr. Hunt seconded Cllr.Bell

2: Matters Arising

It was reported that the interactive 30mph sign in Avonwick was still awaiting repair.

3: Reports

County and District Council reports are available below.

Playpark It was reported that the unofficial BMX track had been removed and the grass reinstated. Barbed wire had been removed from the hedge. The climbing net fixing could not be repaired but it is felt that it does not cause any danger to children using the net. The baseboards under the perimeter fencing are reported to be rotting and need treatment. Clerk to thank Mr Cooper for the completed work and ask him to   look at the boards. It was also reported that rodents appeared to have occupied holes on the play mound. (This has been investigated and expert opinion has been gained – this states that the holes are old mole hills and that they may have been occupied by mice. They have not been used by rats). Mr Cooper to be asked to fill the holes. The growth of nettles under the steps on the mound has caused parental concern.

4:   Finance

Balance c/f  8,552.03
Inc (int)  0.07
Precept  2,000.00
Exp (DALC Subs)  106.13
Exp (Buddle holes)  96.00
Balance  10,349.97

The Council considered, approved and signed the Annual Governance Statement for 2020/21.

The Council then considered, approved and signed the Accounting Statement for 2020/21.

The Council agreed to certify itself as exempt from a Limited Assurance Review and Signed the Certificate of Exemption.

Cllr. Grevatt informed the Council of a considerable increase in the cost of our website. He asked for the approval of the Council to switch providers. This was proposed by Cllr. Hunt and seconded by Cllr. Luscombe. Carried.

The Council had received a Quotation for the erection of a fence in the playpark. It was decided not to go ahead with this at present

The Council agreed to pay 1) the requested Council insurance premium and 2) for the repairs to the play park.

5: Highways

It was reported that the pothole at the entrance to Avonwick had been repaired. It was also reported that Pennystone Lane will be reinstated.

6: Meetings

As it would be illegal to hold future meetings in a virtual form it was agreed not to meet in June but to meet in July when it is hoped that meetings will, once again, be possible in St James’s Church

7:  North Huish Defibrillator

The Council was informed that it is now the owner of the ‘Phone box in North Huish. Cllr. Grevatt is awaiting the final quote for the new defibrillator.

8:   Next Meeting:

Tuesday 6th July 2021 at 7.30pm in St James’s Church Avonwick.

Parish Councils report by SHDC Cllrs Pannell & Smerdon

May 2021

COVID

SHDC continues to administer Re-start grants, which provide one off payments for businesses. If SHDC can allocated all its Additional Restrictions Grant by the end of June it will qualify for further Government funding of £891,000. This means that SHDC can be more generous with its funding in terms of making discretionary grants to those who have so far not qualified for funding. First payments of Re-start grants will be made on Tuesday 4th May. As of last week there had been 1,086 applications for this grant with 87 already authorised for payment.

The Government has extended the deadline for the LRSG (Local Restrictions Support Grant) and the CBLP (Closed Business Lockdown Payment Schemes) from last Friday until Friday 14th May. This gives businesses extra time to submit supporting evidence for these earlier grants.

The vaccination centre at Follaton House, Totnes, seems to be working well.

LEISURE CENTRES  are open to the general public for lane swimming/family swims/ fitness centres, and from 17 May for indoor group exercise. From 21 May back to normal. More new health programmes on GP referral and to help those with cancer, Parkinsons, cardiac problems and dementia. Recovery programmes for those suffering from Long Covid, and youth activity nights.

Remote Meetings

The case against the Government’s decision not to extend the provision for council meetings to continue remotely has been lost in the High Court. Because the air conditioning at Follaton House fails to meet Covid safety standards SHDC has arranged for the Council’s Annual Meeting on 20th May to be held in person at the Tavistock HQ of West Devon Council. Hybrid meetings similar to Parliament, with some Members present in person and others remotely, continue to be banned.

Elections

We’ve needed to risk assess all the polling stations, introduce more staff to support cleaning and social distancing and re-arrange the verification and count to accommodate a reduced number of staff whilst maintaining the integrity and transparency of the election.

New Super Recycler Service

Delivery of new containers is going smoothly. The team has however decided to have a one week pause in rolling out the programme. Unfortunately this means that much of South Brent Ward won’t now be getting the new service until the end of May.

The new recycling boxes and bags will be delivered to properties 1 WEEK prior to the new service starting.

Motorhomes

The Executive has agreed to consult the public on the possible relaxation of council car park regulations so campervans can park overnight. The fee would be £10 or £15 a night, depending on location. The nearest to us would be Leonards Road Ivybridge. There would be safeguards over hygiene and safety etc.

The link to the consultation page can be found at https://www.engagement.southhams.gov.uk/

Comments can be made in writing to parking@swdevon.gov.uk

Planning and enforcement

There is to be a review of the work of Planning and Enforcement departments. This will focus on how to improve performance, quality, communication and Customer and Member satisfaction.