Draft minutes subject to confirmation

 

MARY TAVY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING

Held in the Reading Rooms

Tuesday 13th January 2009

 

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: None

Apologies for absence:

 PC K Reed, PCSO Dave Chapple

1-2009 Parishioners time:  

No parishioner wished to speak.

The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.30pm.

2-2009 Declarations of Interest:

Cllr Robins declared a personal interest in 6 Laburnham Villas.

Cllrs Prosser & Downham declared personal interests in 11 Station Road.

3-2009 Minutes of the previous meeting:

All agreed the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 9th December 2008 were a true and accurate record and were duly signed by the Vice-Chairman.

4-2009 Matters arising:

4.1 Bus Shelter – A one-off payment has been agreed by Devon County Highways for the Parish Council to adopt responsibility for the bus shelter.  A discussion regarding splash protection at the bus stop at Station Road was held and this will be placed on next month’s agenda. Clerk also to contact Highways again about this.

4.2 Emergency Plan – Cllr Roe asked members to endorse the final draft and to authorise the purchase of equipment to be retained in an emergency box which will be stored at a central location. Cllr Robins proposed to allow up to £100 for this purpose. This was seconded by Cllr Hill and unanimously agreed. The emergency plan will now be issued to all Councillors and Wardens. Cllr Roe to liaise with clerk regarding printing and clerk to contact WDBC re the equipment required.

4.3 Community Plan – Members discussed the action points to be a priority for this council. Cllr Hill spoke about government funds for the putting a pathway up to the Mary Tavy Inn.  It was suggested to hold a meeting with highways, DNPA and landowner to see if there is a way forward for this project.  New school – members would support the building of a new school.  Reduction of overnight street lighting – clerk to contact Highways.

4.4 Edward Morshead Award 2008 – All agreed to nominate Jim Luxton for his traditional walling work. Clerk to forward nomination to DNPA.

5-2009 Police: - PC Reed and PCSO Chapple were unable to attend but advised that speed checks are ongoing in the village. The clerk is to chase up the replacement of the upper speed warning sign as this was removed for repair by highways some time ago.

6-2009 Correspondence

1.      WDBC – email invitation to Devon Home Choice Consultation event to be held Monday 19th January 1pm – 4pm at The Red & Black Club, Tavistock.

2.      Parish Planning Drop In surgery at Hatherleigh Community Centre Friday 30th January 9.30-13.00.

3.      West Devon Mayoral Awards – nomination forms with clerk.

4.      Open Spaces Society – news release re registering Common Land – some areas in the Parish are noted.

5.      DAPC Newsletter includes info on Power of Wellbeing being extended to Town and Parish Councils once they have received training – further details to come.

6.      DNPA Development Management review – lean-system approach to streamline service. No longer sending weekly list (new page on website) and consultation to tie in with our meeting dates.

7.      DAPC – Quality Status training at Bridestowe 29th (Thursday) £10 per council.

8.      WDBC – Mortgage Advice Project – Help for householders struggling with mortgage repayments.

9.      DCC – Newsletter re emergency planning – pass to Cllr Roe.

10.  Info for parents – unclaimed Childrens Tax Allowance for the year 2002/03.  (The year before Tax Credits) £520 or £1040 available.  This was not advertised by the Inland Revenue so some parents may not have claimed – deadline for claims is 31 January 2009. Contact your tax office to check whether you have claimed this and are eligible. (Child born 6/4/86 – 5/4/03)

11.  Highways – bus stop data update – clerk to complete and return.

12.  Highways leaflet – travelling in winter – includes salting map for Devon.

13.  Copy of e-mail to Highways re unsalted road to school.

14.  Rural Services Network – membership organisation of rural service organisations to be a voice for rural Areas. Membership now available to parish councils without charge. Cllr Street proposed and Cllr Anning seconded that this council join. A vote followed with 7 in favour and 2 abstentions. Carried.

15.  Clerks & Councils Direct – newsletter.

16.  The Clerk – newsletter.

17.  West Devon newsletter December.

18.  DNPA News release – successful lobbying brings more money to Dartmoor.

 

9-2009 Financial report

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

                        Current account - £5541.18

                        Cemetery account - £5614.48

                        Mary Tavy Community News £153.60

            9.2 To authorise payments for December –The following payments were authorised: Audit Commission £155.25, C Williams postage/ retirement gift £16.81, C Williams December salary, T Pearce mileage, stationery, retirement gift £49.52,Ottery Press £90.00, C Williams Burial Clerk.

10.2009 Cemetery: To receive report from Burial Clerk

            10.1 The clerk had no interments to report. A meeting of the cemetery committee was called for Wednesday 21st January 2008 at 6pm at the Reading Rooms. Following previous agreement to review the work of Mr Bill Wardell at the end of December Cllr Elton proposed to continue with Mr Wardell. This was seconded by Cllr Anning and was unanimously agreed by members. There has been an increase in mole activity in the cemetery and Mr Wardell is to deal with these humanely.

11.2009 Receive reports from members elected to outside bodies:

            11.1 DNPA Forum – None.

            11.2 Police Authority – None.

            11.3 Southern Link – The next meeting is to be held on the 19th March 2009.  A question will be put forward regarding the salting of side roads and the road outside of school. Any further questions should be forwarded to the clerk for submission before the meeting.

            11.4 Coronation Hall – Cllr Downham reported on the AGM which had 3 members of the public present.  A new bookings clerk is required to deal with invoicing and booking. The summer fete is to be held on June 13th 2009. The committee thanked the Parish Council for their grant approval. A further £1000 funding has also been obtained for stage works. It appears that there is no room for a dishwasher in the kitchen. Cllr Pearce expressed concern over the uncovered manhole cover in the car park which has now been exposed.

12.2009 Planning

            12.1 To discuss planning applications received

            11 Station Road – provision of off road parking and creation of access gates with turntable. Cllrs Downham and Prosser declared personal interests as neighbour and friend.

            Following a discussion the majority of members were not against the application but did have concerns that this may set a precedent for the area.

            6 Laburnham Villas – extension – site meeting was held. Some concern with overlooking of neighbouring property.  Cllr Robins declared a personal interest as a friend

            12.2 To receive notification on previous applications –

            Box Cottage – tree work – approved.

            12.3 Enforcement – DNPA planning committee have unanimously decided to take legal action against the landowner of Blackdown Garage over unauthorised car sales.

12.2009 Freedom of Information Act – Members unanimously agreed to adopt the new model of the Freedom of Information Act with effect from January 2009.

13.2009 Dog Warden – Some parishioners at Horndon have expressed concern over the number of dog fouling warning signs that had been posted in the hamlet. These comments have been noted and fed back to the dog warden and the number of signs reduced.

14.2009 To agree items raised at the December meeting for inclusion on this agenda.

14.1 Conservation area – DNPA have provided a summary of the implications of living in the conservation area and Cllr Street is preparing a piece for the Community News. A letter has been received from a parishioner on this subject. Clerk to liaise with members and reply.

14.2 Horndon Clam – The Chairman read out an e-mail from Peter Tavy Parish Council Clerk and Highways regarding the history and possible solutions to this problem. Cllrs Hill & Prosser advised that they had attended a meeting some years ago but were advised by Highways at that time that there was insufficient funding to deal with the Mary Tavy parish side of the clam. Highways are still looking into possible solutions and will be in contact when they can determine how to proceed. It was agreed by members to ask for a site visit to include Peter Tavy Parish Council, Mary Tavy Parish Council, DNPA and Highways.

15.2009 To receive items raised for inclusion on February Agenda

            15.1 Footpath to Mary Tavy Inn

            15.2 Litter Clean Up Day in village

            15.3 Annual Parish Meeting – 22nd April 2009

            15.4 SWW - Drains response received?

16.2009 To agree the date of the next meeting:

            The date of Tuesday 10th February 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 10.30pm.

 

C Williams

Clerk to the Parish Council                                                  16th January 2009

 

 

 

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

                                                (Cllr T Pearce - Chairman)

 

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