Draft minutes subject to confirmation

 

MARY TAVY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

Held in the Reading Rooms

Tuesday 14th October 2008

 

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, (9)

Others present: C Williams (Clerk)

Apologies for absence: None.

144-2008 Parishioners time:  

No parishioner wished to speak.

The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.30pm

145-2008 Declarations of Interest: None.

146-2008 Minutes of the previous meeting:

All agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 9th September 2008 were a true and accurate record and were duly signed by the Chairman.   Following further information it was also unanimously agreed to amend the minutes of the July 2008 meeting as follows. The Chairman was incorrect in the statement made in the minutes 110.3-2008 as the ESA agreement for Mary Tavy Common does not include the maintenance of water courses, which has been the usual case for other areas of moorland in the county.

147-2008 Matters arising:

147.1 Drains – Cllr Robins circulated notes from the meeting held with representatives of the agencies DNPA, SWW, Commoners, the Environment Agency and the Parish Council held on 8th September 2008. DNPA & WDBC are already dealing with issues raised at this meeting.

147.2 Bus Shelter – We have received two differing replies back from Highways and are awaiting further clarification from them.

147.3 Road Condition verges and hedges – Highways have problems with their contractor and no parishes have had their verges cut at present. Highways budget cuts along with 28% increase in tarmac costs so far this year mean that many pot holes are not being filled in.

147.4 BT Phoneboxes – DNPA have objected strongly to the removal of the phoneboxes.  The deadline to adopt a phonebox has been extended. All agreed that the decision made at last month’s meeting still stands, to wait to see what BT’s decision will be.

147.5 Community Plan – A meeting is being held on Thursday 6th November 2008 to launch the Community Plan at Coronation Hall 4pm to 7pm. Representatives from DNPA, DCC, WDBC & Highways will also be present. Cllr Roe arrived at the meeting at this point.

147.6 Emergency Plan – Cllr Roe issued the 5th draft to members and has also contacted businesses in the community for details of facilities available.   The Chairman thanked Cllr Roe for his efforts and advised that this document has been very well received by WDBC. The need for more wardens in some of the areas was highlighted again.

148-2008 Police: - To receive Police Report – None received.

149-2008 Correspondence

  1. Speed camera signs. Letter received from Highways to confirm that speed camera signs will at last be placed in the village.
  2. DCC – Registration of common land and village green – Cllrs Prosser & Pearce dealing with.
  3. WDBC & DNPA – changes to permitted development rights – we are in DNP so fall under their planning regulations rather than WDBC which continue to be more stringent.
  4. DNPA – Validation of planning and related applications – proposed checklist and explanatory document. Deadline for comments 31st October. To be circulated to members.
  5. Communities and Local Government – Making and Enforcement of byelaws. To be circulated – any comments please advise Clerk by 2nd November so they can be discussed at next meeting.
  6. WDBC – Local Development Framework – preferred options for Okehampton & Tavistock. To be circulated – any comments by noon 30/10/08.
  7. Mary Tavy & Brentor School Newsletter – Harvest Festival Wednesday 2pm St Mary’s Church. Also they are collecting Morrison Let’s Grow vouchers if anyone has any to donate.
  8. DCC – Waste Management Proposal. Public consultation to be held Wed 22nd October 4-8pm Parish Centre, Tavistock.
  9. CCD – E-mail received to enquire whether there are any complaints about the amended bus service? Cllr Prosser to forward details already received to Hyder Pirwany.
  10. West Devon e-connect – online petition for the retention of the current    system of local government in Devon.   http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/devonstatusquo
  11. Tavistock Town Council response to Boundary Committee – wish to see the status quo remain.
  12. WDBC - Local Government Structural Review in Devon – West Devon response to Boundary Committee.
  13. CVS Newsletter – details of grants available and other useful info.
  14. DNPA Ranger Service Survey and newsletters.
  15. WDBC – Southern Parishes Link Committee minutes.
  16. WDBC – new finance system.

150-2008 Peter Tavy Church Photograph – This photograph was used in error on the front page

of the Community Plan and in the Mary Tavy Community News and a full apology has been  printed in the Community News.  Following discussion all agreed to also send a letter of apology however it was felt that a financial recompense was not appropriate as no financial gain had been made from what had been a genuine error.  Cllr Prosser to speak with Keith Rogers to get a new front page to ensure that this photo is not displayed at the forthcoming launch of the Community Plan.

151-2008 Financial Report –

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

                        Current account - £7420.501

                        Cemetery account - £5257.44

                        Community Plan Account £0

                        Mary Tavy Community News £163.60

            The second part of the precept has been received and transferred to the Reserve account.

The clerk is to transfer £500.00 from the general reserve account to the current account. 

            151.2 To authorise payments for October - .The following payments were authorised –A Prosser mileage £10.40, C Williams postage £10.80, M Robins mileage £22.75

S Street stationery £6.00, C Williams salary September £402.48, B Wardell grass cutting September £40.50, N Nankivell grass cutting to July £167.90, C Williams padlock keys £6.75, C Williams Burial Clerk salary September £40.83, K Rogers Community plan £850.00.

151.3 To present Cost to Budget Report for Precept for next year – The cost to budget report to enable members to consider the Precept requirement for 2009/10 was circulated together with grant applications received. This will be discussed and a decision made at the meeting in November.

152-2008 Cemetery – The Clerk reported that a key had now been obtained to access our right of way to the cemetery. One burial has taken place.

153-2008 Receive reports from members elected to outside bodies.

            153.1 DNPA – none.

            153.2 Police Authority – Cllr Elton advised that a reduction in crime year on year figures was reported. Current concerns are fuel and metal theft and also agricultural and plant machinery theft.

            153.3 Southern Link – Cllr Robins reported that the Unitary bid was discussed and the status quo is now an option.  Insp. Hammond reported an increase in violent crime and cctv for the Meadows was discussed.

            153.4 Coronation Hall – Cllr Downham reported that there was disappointment that the grant applied for to CCD has been turned down but they are still looking for grant funding as the heating and lighting really need updating.  The pantomime is to be held the first week in December (Oh no it isn’t!) and a barn dance in aid of the Under 5’s is to be held on the 21st November 2008.

154-2008 Japanese Knotweed – Devon have no legal rights in place to take enforcement action at present unlike Cornwall County Council who do.  It is the Landowners responsibility to deal with the problem.  If people have a problem they should contact the Parish Clerk who will contact the appropriate officer at West Devon Borough Council. Cllr Pearce left the meeting at this point.

155-2008 Christmas Celebrations – It was agreed that members would meet for a Christmas meal at the Mary Tavy Inn. Cllr Pearce re-entered the room at this point.

156-2008 Planning

            156.1 To discuss planning applications received

            Beechwood Barn – only concern is whether this will meet with the DNPA policy on barn conversions. Letter to be sent to planning officer.

            Blackdown Garage Site – WDBC and Highways are dealing with the outstanding issue regarding drainage. All agreed to send a letter stating that members support the application subject to this drainage issue being resolved, now that other issues of concern have been resolved.

            156.2 To discuss notification on previous applications. None.

            156.3 Planning Matters

156.3.1 Dartmoor National Park Local Development Framework (LDF) Strategic Land Availability Assessment. Anyone wishing to propose land for consideration as residential development may do so now to the DNPA.

156.3.2 Road Naming – County have suggested naming different sections of the main roads in Mary Tavy following confusion over Station Road.  The Chairman asked members to give consideration to names.           

157-2008 To agree items raised at the September meeting for inclusion on this agenda-None.

158.2008 To receive items raised for inclusion on the November agenda.

            158.1 Horndon Clam

159.2008 To agree the date of the next meeting –            The date of Tuesday 11th November 2008 was agreed for the next meeting of the Parish Council to commence at 7.30pm to be held in the Reading Rooms.

160.2008 At this point the Chairman asked if there were any members of the public present that they leave as the rest of the meeting would be held in closed session under Section 1(2) of the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960. Any decisions made in closed session will be ratified at the next full meeting of the Parish Council.

 

There being no further business the meeting was formally closed by the Chairman at 10.15 pm.

 

 

C Williams

Clerk to the Parish Council                                                                                     17th October 2008

 

 

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

Cllr T Pearce – (Chairman)

 

Return to Mary Tavy Parish Council Website