Parish Council meeting: Tuesday, 3 January 2023

Approved Minutes for the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday, 3 January 2023

These minutes were approved on 7 February 2023

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.

1:      Open Forum

A member of the public raised a concern over the wording of the council’s objection to the planning application number 4012/22/FUL Application to regularise and retain an agricultural access track (part retrospective) (resubmission of 1592/22/FUL) – the clerk advised that the wording has already been edited and re-submitted regarding this.

Cllr Steer raised an issue regarding a lorry at the pumping station in Avonwick having been there for a fortnight, and parishioners need to know what’s happening there. Cllr Bell explained that SWW are under new legislation, and the rainwater is apparently ending up in the sewage system, which is why they are pumping it. Cllr Bell suggested that an email be sent to SWW, for the attention of Peregrine Leigh, to ask about the long term plans for the pumping station in Avonwick, and a member of the public suggested asking how many households the pumping station is designed to support. Clerk to action.

Cllr Grevatt asked for the council to approve a notice to be put on the noticeboards regarding the pantomime in South Brent, this was approved unanimously.

Cllr Bell suggested that due to the large amount of rain recently, it may be pertinent to ask Mr Widdicombe to clear some drains and buddleholes in the area, Cllr Grevatt asked Cllr Bell to come up with a list of these, that need looking at and clearing, to forward onto the clerk to contact Mr Widdicombe.  Cllr Bell to action.          

2:      Present: 

Cllrs Grevatt, Seager-Berry, Steer, Bell and Hunt. District Cllr Pannell. One member of the public attended the meeting.  

3:      Apologies for absence

Cllrs Gabriel and Luscombe, County Cllr Thomas.

4:      Declarations of Interest

None.

5:      Minutes 

The minutes of the meeting held on the 6^th December 2022 were confirmed and signed. Proposed Cllr Steer, Seconded Cllr Seager-Berry.

6:      Matters Arising

Jubilee Tree plaque and wording

Cllr Bell explained he hasn’t yet sent an email to the full council about this yet but he will do this shortly.

Defibrillator in North Huish problem, needing an electrician

Cllr Grevatt advised that Cllr Gabriel had contacted a couple of electricians who didn’t want to complete this work, so Cllr Grevatt has been asked to contact the original installer, which he will do, update to follow in the next meeting. He has reset the trip switch in the meantime.

Playpark

Cllr Grevatt advised that he is still waiting to hear from Sutcliffe Play, but he hasn’t chased them since the last meeting, will do this shortly.

7:      Reports

County Council

No report was received this month, however County Cllr Thomas sent an email to the clerk with his apologies for absence, and to remind councillors that the deadline for locality fund applications is February 24^th.

District Council

Cllr Pannell advised that a report was sent to the clerk, and the clerk has circulated this to the full council. Attached to the minutes.

Playpark

Cllr Bell advised there is nothing to report this month.

Tree Warden's report

Cllr Bell advised there is nothing to report this month.

8:      Planning

Applications

None since the last meeting.

Decisions

1. Application number 3047/22/FUL 5 The Run, Avonwick, TQ10 9LY – Application for construction of a garden office. Decision – Conditional Approval.
2. Application number 2636/22/HHO The Rock, Avonwick TQ10 9NB – Application for replacement rear extension to grade II listed building and works to outbuildings – Decision – Conditional Approval.

The clerk advised that the objection to planning application number 4012/22/FUL discussed in the last meeting, has been submitted, and then re-submitted with edited comments.

District Cllr Pannell left the meeting.  

9:      Correspondence

All correspondence has already been circulated to the full council by the clerk, nothing particular to note this month.                 

10:   Finance

Opening balance of treasurers account as at 14^th November was £2,363.33, the following payments were made up to 12^th December:

02/12 Penalty for non-submission of PAYE to HMRC, for two months between locum clerk leaving, and new clerk’s submission of first wages £44.43.

Previous locum clerk’s back pay due to the NALC salary award recently, £56.50.

PAYE to HMRC for the above wages £14.20.

Clerk’s wages from 21^st October to 30^th November £128.16.

PAYE to HMRC for the above wages £32.00.

09/12 Cheque paid to cover Tristram’s expenses re: website hosting, previously approved £19.14. 

12/12 Payment to R Northmore for playpark maintenance and grass cutting, hedges etc from April to November 2022 £685.00 approved at the last meeting.     

12/12 Payment to DALC for clerk’s course £36.00 attended in November and previously approved.

Closing balance of treasurers account as at 14^th December £1,347.90.

Balance of the Business Bank Instant Account at 14^th December was £7,844.27 – interest was added during the month of £1.79.

Cllr Grevatt asked for clarification regarding the penalty payment to HMRC and the clerk advised that no-one would have been aware at the time of the penalty, but that this was paid as soon as the clerk was aware, once access to the government gateway account was obtained.

An invoice to Mr Widdicombe for £211.20 for November drain clearing, and clearing of buddle holes was approved for payment. Proposed by Cllr Seager-Berry, Seconded Cllr Hunt. Clerk to pay this.   

The proposed budget figures circulated to the council for 2023/24 were discussed. Cllr Bell asked what was spent last year for buddle hole clearing, the amount spent last year was £1,284.00 The proposed budget figure has been increased slightly to £1,400.00 for this year.

Cllr Seager-Berry asked for the wording of the Church donation of £250.00 to be edited, as this is in fact towards the cost of using the church for monthly council meetings, in lieu of room hire. Clerk to edit this to “use of the church for meetings”

Cllr Bell suggested also that buddle hole repairs be edited to “highway drainage maintenance”, clerk to edit this as well. 

The budget figures for 2023/24 were approved by the council, proposed Cllr Bell, seconded Cllr Seager-Berry, all in favour – unanimous.

11:   Highways

With the recent rain we have had in the area, parishioners are reminded to report any potholes to Devon County Council – details on their website.

Cllr Bell requested that the clerk draft an email to County Councillor Dan Thomas re: asking for a site visit with Devon County Council representatives/contractors at Kitterford Cross to discuss issues raised at the previous meeting ie the design and layout of the works, the camber, and any other issues arising. Clerk to draft an email and forward to the council.

Cllr Grevatt reported that we are still awaiting a repair at Cobbly Walk, Avonwick, but that the previous failed repair has not deteriorated further at this stage.

12:   Next Meeting

Tuesday 7^th February 2023 at 7.30pm, at St James’ Church, Avonwick. TQ10 9NA.