Draft minutes subject to confirmation

 

MARY TAVY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

Held in the Reading Rooms

Tuesday 12th February 2008

 

Present:

Cllr T Pearce (Chairman) (WDBC) Cllr M Anning, Cllr C Downham, Cllr G Hill, Cllr A Prosser, Cllr M Roe, Cllr S Street (7)

C Williams (Clerk)

Others present:

            One member of the public was present.

Apologies for absence:

Cllr M Robins, Cllr R Elton.

14-2008 Parishioners time:  

Mr Colin Grice a trustee of the Mary Tavy Victory Memorial Recreation Ground (MTVMRG) spoke with regard to the grant application made by the Trustees of the MTVMRG.

The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.50pm.

15-2008 Declarations of Interest:

Cllr Hill declared a personal interest as a Trustee of the Mary Tavy Victory Memorial Recreation Ground (MTVMRG).

16-2008 Minutes of the previous meeting:

            Save for an amendment to 9.4 Coronation Hall; Cllr Downham reported that a reduced profit was made on the pantomime (not a loss), all agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 8th January 2008 were a true and accurate record and were duly signed by the Vice-Chairman.

17-2008 Matters arising:

17.1 Dog Fouling – The dog warden is visiting the village and has been highlighting the amount of dog fouling.  Cllr Downham reported twenty incidents of fouling on the football pitch that had to be cleared before a football match could be played.  Cllr Hill confirmed that the MTVMRG is included in the dog warden scheme and that a dog waste bin is being purchased by Trustees and to be placed inside the main gate. A second bin to be placed at the bottom of Carr Road is to be provided by the parish council.  The Post Office are kindly holding a supply of reporter forms for residents to report regular offenders and a supply of dog waste bags.  It is hoped that everyone can pull together to eliminate this nuisance.

17.2 Community News – A meeting of the new production team (Cllrs Pearce, Prosser, Robins, Roe & Street) was held on the 11th February 2008.  In future all submissions will be sent to Cllr Prosser – the Community News Co-ordinator, a monthly meeting of the team will then be held to collate these before going to Mr and Mrs Rogers for in house printing with final proof reading by Cllr Street. Cllr Roe will be responsible for financial matters. The latest date for submissions is to be the 28th of the month. It was proposed by Cllr Roe and seconded by Cllr Anning that any spare copies are to be placed in the Post Office for sale at 20p per copy subject to Sally & Brian Edwards being in agreement. A vote of 6 in favour with 1 abstention followed. Carried.

17.3 Emergency Plan – Cllr Roe issued an amendment to members. Any queries to be submitted to Cllr Roe by the month end.  WDBC were unable to supply high visibility clothing and an approach is to be made to Devon County Council. Insurers have confirmed that volunteers acting under the instruction of the parish council would be covered if they assisted during an emergency.

17.4 Unsafe Tree – The Chairman wished to point out that contrary to the statement made at the last meeting and recorded in the minutes, the Tree Officer, Mr Brian Beesley had not said the beech tree below the Coronation Hall was unsafe. Cllr Hill informed the meeting that 2 quotes had been obtained for the works to carried out on the tree and these were within the original estimate.  It was hoped the works would be carried out in early March.  There was some confusion whether the grant application to the DNPA had been applied for at this stage.

17.5 Grant for MTVMRG – Cllr Hill declared a Personal Interest as a Trustee of MTVMRG and took no part in the vote on this item.  Members were being asked to consider a grant application for £850 which had arrived after the precept had been finalised.  A contingency fund of £500 was made in the precept for next year and this could be used to award a grant to the MTVMRG.  It was agreed at the last meeting (minute 4.4-2008) that a grant be made to the MTVMRG from the contingency fund, that 25% of the cost of the works required to the beech tree in the Playing Fields would be met up to a maximum of £75 .  Following a discussion Cllr Anning proposed another grant be awarded to the MTVMRG of £400. This was seconded by Cllr Downham.  Cllr Roe then proposed an amendment to award a grant of £500 with the costs of works to the tree be paid from the current precept year if funds allowed and failing that they would come out of the £500. This amendment was not seconded.  A vote then took place on the original proposal 4 in favour, 1 against and 1 abstention. Carried.

17.6 Hill Bridge Proposals – Steve Cryer of South West Water has confirmed that our concerns regarding heavy plant traffic will be taken into consideration to avoid traffic congestion especially around school time.  DNPA have not provided plans to the parish council for viewing as Hill Bridge is in Peter Tavy.  The clerk was requested to write to DNPA to request these again as the parish of Mary Tavy will be most affected by the works.

18-2008 Police: - To receive report from PC Reed – PC Reed was unable to attend.  The issue of

parking on the old Blackdown Garage site is a concern with many complaints that the line of sight when exiting the Coronation Hall is blocked.  The Parish Council have also contacted all the relevant authorities on the matter of cars being sold on this site.

Members were saddened to learn of the recent attack of vandalism at the school last weekend and hoped that anyone with any information would pass this on.  Crimestoppers can be called anonymously on 0800 555 111.

19-2008 Correspondence-

1.      Entry form for CPRE Best Kept Village competition. All agreed to enter the competition.

  1. Notice of road closure on 3.3.08 near Glider Club/Cherrybrook House.
  2. Nomination Forms for 6th Annual West Devon Mayoral Awards.
  3. West Devon Neighbourhood Watch briefing.
  4. Letter from parishioner re speeding. Clerk to reply and write again to Highways.
  5. WDBC notice of training to be held in March.
  6. Graveyard memorial safety – notice to be displayed.
  7. Mary Tavy & Brentor Community Primary school newsletter.
  8. Audit Commission – appointment of external auditor.
  9. South West Lifelong Learning Network – research programme.
  10. Emergency Plan - Confirmation of insurance cover for volunteers acting on instruction of the Parish Council.
  11. Devon County Council – Planning & Compulsory purchase Act 2004 – Not applicable to villages in DNPA.
  12. WDBC Local Development framework – Core Strategy Further Consultation – poster detailing event dates to be displayed.
  13. West Devon e-connect newsletter.
  14. Devon Communities in Action – new on line tool and workshops.
  15. My Devon – improving contact with DCC. Includes DVD. Now only 8 numbers to contact DCC on and 80% calls dealt with at 1st point of contact.
  16. WDBC Planning Applications received.
  17. DNPA News Release – Dartmoor Landscapes by Lucy Evans.
  18. Junk Mail – recycling newsletter.
  19. Clerks & Councils Direct – January issue.
  20. Email re Japanese Knotweed. This is a major problem which is spreading and we have requested this is raised for discussion at the next Southern Parishes Link Meeting.
  21. Community Council for Devon (CCD) – Free workshop re online facility for Parish Plans, workshop 21st February 2008.
  22. The Local Channel – services for local councils.
  23. West Devon e-connect – Grants for village halls – passed to Cllr Downham to referral to Coronation Hall Committee.
  24. CCD – Devon Association of Community Buildings: Access project - passed to Cllr Downham to referral to Coronation Hall Committee.
  25. MTVMRG letter was tabled and will be referred to a legal advisor for advice prior to reply.
  26. CPRE – membership leaflet. – to be discussed at next meeting.

20-2008 Financial report

20.1 Receive report from Responsible Financial Officer - The financial report detailing the following balances was circulated:

                        Current account - £4672.27

                        Cemetery account - £4526.34

                        Community Plan Account £1503.74

                        Mary Tavy Community News £220.00

            20.2 To authorise payments for January  - .The following payments were authorised: WDBC (Dog Warden Scheme) £66.75, C Williams January Salary £355.21,C Williams salary adjustment £54.01, C Williams Printer Cartridges £19.52, C Williams Burial Clerk salary £2.15, Ottery Press £80.00.

            The invoice for grass cutting has been received and all agreed a cheque could be raised for this invoice once the total has been clarified.

21.2008 Cemetery:

21.1 To receive report from Burial Clerk. – The clerk advised that Headstone safety checks by WDBC were to commence soon. The Chairman expressed concern over the number of headstones that were laid down in the closed churchyard and asked members to consider a contribution towards putting these right in future years.  The clerk is to write and request that this issue is also raised on the Southern Parishes Link Meeting.

22.2008 Receive reports from members elected to outside bodies:

            22.1 DNPA –None.

            22.2 Police Authority – None.

            22.3 Southern Link –None..

            22.4 Coronation Hall –Cllr Downham reported that the children of the youth club had themselves applied for and been awarded a grant of £2000 towards the panelling of the hall and polishing of the floor.  Members felt that this was excellent and asked the clerk to write and congratulate them on their efforts.

23.2008 Planning:

            23.1 To discuss planning applications received   

            3 Higher Spring – replacement of porch – site visit to be held.

            Homer – Garden room and staircase and bedroom extension – site visit to be held.

            23.2 To receive notification on previous applications –

            Field Cottage – Approved.

            Cranmere – Approved.

            23.3 Planning Matters –

            - Appeal for Miners Dry has been postponed until 14th May 2008.  To be held at the Moorland Visitor Centre at Princetown.

            - Land adjacent to Glendale – DNPA are looking into various items.

            23.4 The site of the old Blackdown Garage – Revised plans are being drawn up and will be sent to the Parish Council with a view to a meeting also to include the trustees of the hall and playing field before plans are submitted to the DNPA.

24.2008 Community Plan - A meeting with WDBC, DNPA and Community Plan Leader is scheduled for the 3rd March.

25.2008 To agree items raised at the January meeting for inclusion on this agenda.

            None.

26.2008. To receive items raised for inclusion on March agenda

            26.1 CPRE membership.

            26.2 Closure of Job Centre Plus in Tavistock.

27.2008 To agree the date of the next meeting:

            The date of Tuesday 11th March 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 Chairman at 10.20pm.

 

 

 

C Williams

Clerk to the Parish Council                                                  16th February 2008

 

 

 

Signed as a true and accurate record……………………….Date………………….

                                                (Cllr T Pearce - Chairman)

 

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