Draft minutes subject to confirmation
MARY TAVY
PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
Held in the
Reading Rooms
Tuesday 11th
December 2007
Present:
Cllr T Pearce (Chairman)(WDBC),Cllr M Anning , Cllr C Downham
Cllr R Elton, Cllr G Hill, Cllr A Prosser, Cllr M Robins, Cllr M Roe, Cllr S Street.
C Williams (Clerk)
Others present:
One member of the public, Cllr C Marsh, Mr D Arscott (West Devon Borough Council)
Apologies for absence: None.
175-2007 Parishioners time:
No parishioners wished to comment.
The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.30pm.
176-2007 Declarations of Interest:
Cllr Robins declared a prejudicial interest as a neighbour to the land to the north of the Royal Standard Community Housing Project. Cllr Hill declared a personal interest as a Trustee of the Mary Tavy Victory Memorial Recreation Ground (MTVMRG).
177-2007 Minutes of the previous meeting:
Save for two amendments to 162.3-2007 Grant Requests, Mary Tavy Historical Society £822 Equipment for recording information. and also Cllr Roe declared a personal interest in the CAB all agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 13th November 2007 were a true and accurate record and were duly signed by the Chairman.
178-2007 Matters arising: The Chairman introduced the new Councillors to Cllr Christine Marsh.
178.1 Dog Warden Scheme The Chairman introduced Mr Dave Arscott Technical Officer Environmental Health WDBC who gave details of the joint partnership scheme available. Legislation is already in place to deal with offenders but is not currently enforced, by joining the scheme enforcement action could be taken by the Dog Warden. Mr Arscott explained that all areas within the village are covered including car parks, playing fields, footpaths and verges but not open moor land, common land or forestry. Cllr Hill explained the problems faced by the Trustees of the Recreation Ground where signs had previously been placed. Mr Arscott explained that he would have to have agreement from the Trustees, before the playing fields were included should the Parish Council decide to go ahead with the Dog Warden Scheme.
The scheme operates on a 50:50 basis between the parish and borough council. A dedicated dog warden is employed 3 days a week and would respond at various times of day to confront problem behaviour based on information provided to him. Mr Arscott answered questions from councillors and then retired from the meeting.
178.2 Dog Fouling - Councillors felt that action should be taken
now to address the issue of dog fouling.
Cllr Hill proposed that the Parish Council should join the Dog Warden
Scheme. This was seconded by Cllr Anning. A vote followed with 8 for and 1
abstention. Carried.
Cllr Prosser proposed that the
Parish Council purchase a dog waste bin to be placed in Carr Road and to
request that the Trustees of the Field consider purchasing a bin to be placed
inside of the main gate to the recreation ground. This was seconded by Cllr Robins and a vote followed with 8 for unanimous.
178.3 Flood Prevention Work A letter has been received from the commoners to confirm that work has been completed in burning out the storm drains on the moor. No reported problems during the recent heavy rain. Cllr Prosser had cleared some hedge clippings away that were partially blocking a drain and reminded house/land owners of their responsibility to keep hedge clippings out of drains. The Parish Lengthsman is due now and any areas requiring attention should be advised to the clerk. All agencies have now replied to confirm their willingness to participate in an annual inspection of the leats and storm drains on Gibbet Hill to help prevent future flooding.
178.4 Community News - The decision made at the closed meeting on 20th November 2007 to produce the newsletter with an in house production team of Cllrs Prosser, Robins and Street with printing by Mr & Mrs Rogers with effect from February was agreed by all ratified. The Chairman and this team are to meet with Mr and Mrs Rogers to discuss further. Clerk to send a letter of thanks to Steve Elton for all his hard work on the Mary Tavy Community News.
178.5 Emergency Plan Cllr Roe circulated a second draft to the sub committee members with action points to be taken. All were in agreement that the flyer to everyone in the village will go in this months community news. The Chairman commended Cllr Roe on his work.
179-2007 Police: - To receive
report from PC Reed The
clerk read the following report
received from PC Reed. Criminal damage was reported at
St Mary's church, the notice
board
and the door were marked. Local enquiries have been completed.
Four non crime incidents were
reported, one was a welfare concern, a court case result was requested, one
driving incident was reported and one excrement deposit noted.
Speed detection training for
officers is due to start this month and Mary Tavy is the chosen location.
180-2007 Correspondence
180.1
Letter from Mary
Tavy Victory Memorial Recreation Ground Trust (MTVMRG) re support grant. Reply
to be agreed by members of the parish
council and sent. The MTVMRG accounts were handed to the Clerk by Cllr Hill.
180.2
Letter from
MTVMRG re Blackdown garage site
180.3
Letter from
MTVMRG re article in Blackdown News re dog fouling
180.4
e-mail from
MTVMRG requesting copy of CPRE report
180.5
Invitation to
public exhibition re Hill Bridge, at the Power Station 14.00 to 20.00 12.12.07
180.6
Newsletter from
Mary Tavy & Brentor Community Primary School
180.7
Inland Revenue
notification of increase in statutory minimum holiday wef 1.10.2007 from 4
weeks to 4.8 weeks
180.8
e-mail from DCC
re Exeters Unitary Bid
180.9
e-mail enquiry
from Chardstock Council re 20mph zones/traffic calming measures
180.10 Confirmation from Inland Revenue re PAYE
180.11 Details of Devon Woodland Competition Part of
Devon County Show to promote best practice in woodland management.
180.12 WDBC further consultation on West Devon
Local Framework major alternative proposals for Tavistock & Okehampton so
further public consultation days being held in Tavistock Thursday 14.2.08 and
Saturday 1st March 2008.
180.13 WDBC letter re method of sending electoral
register to clerks
180.14 Thank you letters from Mrs Lamb for Poppy
Appeal donation and Mary Tavy & Brentor Under 5s and Mary Tavy Historical
Society for approving some grant monies to them.
180.15 DNPA News Release Government Boost for
Dartmoor & the National Park Defra have increased their funding to
National Parks.
180.16 DNPA News releases Climate Change
Exhibition tour dates, and Working Together for DNP Launch of the DNP
Management Plan.
180.17 West Devon e-connect WDBC newsletter
180.18 West Devon Community Voluntary Services Newsletter
180.19 Rural Transport Partnership Newsletter
180.20 Clerks & Councils Direct newsletter
180.21 Village Green Newsletter
180.22 Neighbourhood Watch Report spate of
offences in Horrabridge.
Cllr Roe suggested that in future post received up to a week before the next parish council meeting could be circulated to members in advance. Clerk to implement.
181-2007 Financial report
181.1 Receive report from Responsible Financial Officer - The financial report detailing the following balances was circulated:
Current account - £5734.14
Cemetery account - £4486.03
Community Plan Account £1503.74
Mary Tavy Community News £460.00
181.2 To authorise payments for November - .The following payments were authorised: Methodist Chapel Room Hire £12.50, A Prosser Mileage, ink, laminating £33.99, C Williams Stamps £9.84, SLCC Membership £80.00, C Williams November Salary £423.97, C Williams Burial Clerk salary £25.79, Ottery Press £80.00.
182.2007 Cemetery:
182.1 To Form a Cemetery Committee The decision made at the closed meeting on 20th
November 2007 for Cllrs Pearce,
Downham, Anning and Hill to form a Cemetery Committee was proposed by Cllr
Elton and seconded by Cllr Street and all agreed unanimous ratified.
182.2 To receive report from Burial Clerk.
182.2.1 Grave Markers remedial work to be completed after the
cold weather by Cllr Hill.
182.2.2 Headstone Risk Assessment - Notification has been received from WDBC that Headstone Risk assessments are to be carried out in the next few months. Some headstones from the closed churchyard are still laid down following a previous risk assessment. After discussion all agreed to pursue assistance from English Heritage and set aside funds to rectify these graves. Unanimous.
182.3 Deeds to Cemetery - The decision made at the closed meeting
on 20th November 2007 for the deeds to the Cemetery to be kept
locally at the bank whilst ongoing issues are dealt with was proposed by Cllr
Prosser and seconded by Cllr Anning. A vote followed 8 in favour and 1
abstention - ratified.
183.2007 Receive reports
from members elected to outside bodies:
183.1 DNPA Meeting was held on 23rd November 2007. The
new Chief Executive Kevin Bishop was introduced. Report deferred to next
meeting.
183.2 Police Authority Held 18th October 2007. The new Sector Inspector for West Devon, David Hammond was introduced. The rural gateway from Horrabridge to Tavistock was discussed.
183.3 Southern Link A presentation on the Post Office review was given. It is possible that there could be 50 closures in Devon. A website is available to encourage parishioners to make their views known and support their Post Office. Inspector D Hammond introduced. The police are now able to use the handheld speed detector guns again. Cllr Prosser raised the issue of speed camera signs as a minimum for our village. It was suggested that a letter is sent to thank him for his time given to Cllrs Prosser and Roe and to invite the Inspector to a Parish Council meeting.
183.4 Coronation Hall AGM has been held. A new
Committee member was gained but an existing member has left. This years
pantomime has now finished its run and was a success.
184.2007 Planning .
184.1 To discuss planning applications received Cllr Hill declared a prejudicial interest in the planning application for his property and left the room at this point.
Kingsett Farm minor extension to large farm building for access for animal feed no concerns. Cllr Hill re-entered the room.
Blackdown Garage Site Mining Report and minerals report have now been received. Cllr Robins and Pearce are to meet with the DNPA to discuss the application. The Parish Council strongly wish the development to proceed but not in its current form.
Holditch Farm Amended plans received planning committee to meet and respond.
Land rear of Royal Standard 18 local needs houses. Cllr Robins having earlier declared an interest left the room. Whole council to view plans and to meet and discuss on 19th December 2007. Cllr Robins re-entered the room.
184.2 To receive notification on previous applications None received.
184.3 Planning Matters None received.
185.2007 Unsafe Trees Cllr
Hill reported that the DNPA Tree Officer and the MTVMRG Trust were to visit a
beech tree by the changing room in the playing fields to discuss whether the tree
may be unsafe and possible felling works required.
186.2007 Beating The Bounds A date was agreed of Saturday 2nd August 2008.
187.2007 To agree items raised
at the November meeting for inclusion on this agenda.
187.1 Seat on Gibbet Hill Enquires have been made
with regard to this request. All agreed that in the first instance, the clerk
writes to the parishioner with details of whom they must contact for initial
consent before proceeding further.
188.2007. To receive items raised for inclusion on January Agenda
188.1 Hill Bridge proposals
189.2007 To agree the date of the next
meeting:
The date of Tuesday 8th January 2008 was agreed for the next meeting of the Parish Council to commence at 7.30pm to be held in the Reading Rooms.
There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chair at 10.25pm.
C Williams
Clerk to the Parish Council 16 December 2007
Signed as a true and accurate record .Date .
(Cllr T Pearce - Chairman)