Parish Council
Parish Council Minutes March 2024
Minutes of the Meeting of Sticklepath Parish Council held on 4th March 2024 at 7.30 pm at Sticklepath Village Hall
Councillors Present:
Cllr Kevin Sales (Chair), Cllr Derek Moore (Vice-Chair), Cllr Niki Wooldridge, Cllr Jake Powell, Cllr Kay Loram.
In Attendance:
Six members of the public,
Sally Fullwood, Clerk.
532.1 Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
532.2 Apologies for Absence
Cllr Emma Bell sent her apologies which were accepted.
Cllr Lynn Daniel (West Devon Borough Council) sent her apologies.
532.3 Public Participation
A member of the public raised the following issues:
- The wreath on the war memorial.
- A problem with the sluice gate at the Leat Cleaning had revealed a lack of access to National Trust personnel in an emergency.
- The abandoned car.
The Volunteer Dartmoor Ranger reported that Dartmoor National Park had appointed a new Dartmoor Ranger for the area. Fred Hutt will commence his duties on 1st April.
532.4 Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting held 5th February 2024
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 5th February 2024 were considered and agreed as a correct record.
532.5 Housing Initiative
Ralph Mackridge, Director of Chagford Community Trust, explained how a development of 92 houses, with 27 affordable houses had been developed by Chagford Community Trust who own the freehold of the land. Applicants must be registered with Devon Home Choice and have local connections as defined by the Trust. He, and Alex Rehaag of West Devon Borough Council, answered questions about the responsibilities of the Trust, the Housing Association, the Planning Authority, Devon Communities Together, Developers, Middlemarch, Grant Providers and West Devon Borough Council, all of whom are involved in the development. Using a Community Trust ensures that local people have priority for houses and that the housing assets are safeguarded for the community (they cannot be sold off).
532.6 Reports
532.6.1. West Devon Borough Council (WDBC) and Devon County Council (DCC) Reports
There were no reports to discuss.
532.6.2. Chair’s Report
Cllr Sales responded to the member of the public’s points:
- The wreath on the war memorial; this had blown down and been put away.
- The lack of access to National Trust personnel in an emergency. The Council will obtain a 24-hour number for emergencies to be put on the Emergency Plan. Action: Cllr Moore.
- The abandoned car; this had already been escalated to West Devon Borough Council, and MP Mel Stride. The DVLA are responsible for removing it. Action: Cllr Loram will telephone the DVLA to ask for an update. Action: Cllr Sales will circulate Mel Stride’s email reply.
532.6.3. Committee Reports
Playing Field Committee –There was no report.
Hardship Fund Committee – There had been no applications. The purchasing of the items for the pantry would commence in March.
532.6.4. Clerk’s Report
The Clerk’s report, previously circulated, was noted. The full report is available on the website, or by application to the Clerk.
532.6.5. Road Warden’s Report
Cllr Powell reported that the road sweeper had visited again, and that he had reported cracks in the road and an ‘abandoned’ car which had now been moved. Cllr Wooldridge requested for him to report the potholes between Steddaford Court and the shop, which he will do. He emphasised that DCC Highways have no money. The purchase of the Leaf Blower will be discussed at the next meeting.
532.6.6. Thermal Imaging Camera
Cllr Moore had produced a report with the results of the loan of the Thermal Imaging Camera, which had also been forwarded to WDBC. The full report is available on the website, or by application to the Clerk. WDBC will lend it out again next winter, with some training. There had been some feedback about Air Source Heat Pumps, which could be used to initiate a public meeting on the subject. Action: Cllr Moore.
532.6.7. Any Other Reports
There were no other reports.
532.7 Items Brought Forward and Actions from Previous Meeting
532.7.1. Speeding
Cllr Moore reported that there were still only 3 people who had volunteered for Speedwatch, and that locals were now slowing down with the support of the 20 is plenty signs.
Cllr Moore had enquired about the Vehicle Activated Sign, which is still with the manufacturers for repair. Action: Cllr Moore will request a refund in the payment of the service contract or an extension to the period covered as it has been out of action for a long time.
A consultation on the Active Travel Route through the village had proposed a lower speed limit through the village. It was agreed that the Council support any initiative to reduce the speed, particularly in the light of the increase of children in the village. Action: Cllr Moore will respond to the consultation.
532.7.2. Defibrillator
Cllr Wooldridge reported that the VETS scheme was a condition of the support from Community Heartbeat Trust who provided the defibrillator, so it was necessary to continue it. The First Responders are organised by the ambulance service and are initiated by a 999 call, whereas VETS does not need a 999 call.
Cllr Sales reported that a volunteer had started scraping the telephone box ready for painting and has the paint.
532.7.3. Bus Stops
Cllr Sales was still intending to put up the noticeboard. Action: Cllr Sales & Cllr Powell.
The West Bound Bus Stop needs a pressure wash and another coat of paint, and the East Bound needs some touching up. The work will be done when the weather is dryer.
532.7.4. Okehampton Hospital
There had been no update on the Okehampton Hospital campaign, and there had not been a public meeting.
532.7.5. Long Service Award
Only Borough Councillors or above were eligible for the Long Service Award mentioned in the last minutes, so the Council could not apply.
532.7.6. Newsletter
Cllr Sales thanked Cllr Bell in her absence for organising the newsletter and getting it printed, and all the councillors for their contributions and delivery.
532.7.7. Village Work Day
Cllr Moore thanked Steve Matthews for his contribution to the organisation and success of the Work Day on the Moor, and for the refreshments which he supplied at no cost to council. 15 people had worked at the Moor to facilitate drainage, and 12 in the village (4 children) tidying the Millenium Garden and the bridge. It was agreed to hold another work day in the autumn to clear leaves from kerbs and haunches.
Action: Cllr Moore and Cllr Powell
532.8 Finances
532.8.1. Payments –
It was agreed to authorise the following payments:
| 532.8.1.1. | Sally Fullwood Clerk’s Gross Pay Jan-Mar 2024 | £656.76 |
| 532.8.1.2. | Newsletter Printing | £88.00 |
| 532.8.1.3. | Website Hosting and admin (invoice not yet received) | Up to £180 |
Action: Clerk to set up payments.
Action: Cllr Wooldridge and Cllr Sales will authorise the bank payments.
532.8.2. Receipts – The following payments had been received:
| 532.8.2.1. | Devon County Council (Grant for Leaf Blower) | £99.99 |
532.8.3. Other Financial Matters
532.8.3.1. The current balance is £11,499.19 (05/02/24).
532.9 Planning
532.9.1. Planning Applications
| 532.9.1.1. | 0069/24 | Planning Permission – Retrospective retention of height increase of existing chimney plus proposed installation of lead flashing at roof /chimney junction at Bracon Cottage, Sticklepath, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 2NW | It was agreed to record a comment that “Sticklepath Parish Council would like to object to the planning application until the rectification requested by the Listed Building officer is complete”.
Proposer: Cllr Sales, Seconder: Cllr Wooldridge |
| 532.9.1.2. | 0070/24 | Listed Building Consent – Retrospective retention of height increase of existing chimney plus proposed installation of lead flashing at roof / chimney junction at Bracon Cottage, Sticklepath, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 2NW | It was agreed to record the same comment as above. |
| 532.9.1.3. | DEV007 | Pre-Planning Application Consultation for a Mobile Phone Base Station Installation at Dev0007, Land at Ash Park Farm, Willey Lane, Sticklepath, Okehampton, EX20 2NG (Ngr: E264355, N095127) | It was agreed to record a comment that “Sticklepath Parish Council support the construction of the new mast which is a long way from the village and next to the A30, and may improve connectivity.”
Proposer: Cllr Moore, Seconder: Cllr Sales |
Action: Clerk to respond to planning applications.
532.9.2. Planning Decisions
There were no planning decisions to note.
532.9.3. Planning Matters
There were no other planning matters.
532.10 National Grid Work
Cllr Sales reported that he had been in contact with the National Grid with regard to earthworks and tree works to replace the transformer in Back Lane. Electricity in the area will be switched off for half an hour in the morning and evening. Some properties will have an extended power cut, and Cllr Sales is trying to obtain information on which ones, so that support can be given to vulnerable people. All households should have had a letter.
532.11 Asset Review
Cllr Sales had reviewed the Asset Register and updated some conditions and values. Councillors volunteered for the vacant inspection roles. The re-painting of the village gates will be considered at the next meeting.
Action: Cllr Sales will complete the changes.
532.12 Wild Flower Areas
The possibility of a wild flower area on the playing field had been raised by the Children’s School Council, and will be referred to the Playing Field Committee. A member of the public offered to help with the work, and Cllr Sales will liaise with him. Cllr Sales reported that West Devon Borough Council may provide matched funding for the work. Action: Playing Field Committee.
532.13 Local School Management
Cllr Powell expressed the concern of many parents about the management of the local primary school. It was agreed that the Council wished to represent the residents’ feelings to the authorities, perhaps by having a Councillor on the Board of Governors. Action: Cllr Powell will investigate further and produce a report when he is able.
532.14 Items for Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Monday 8th April at Sticklepath Village Hall, 7.30pm.
Items for agenda – Guidance for Correspondence, Risk Assessments, School Environment Report, Social Media Policy, Village Gate Painting.
The Meeting ended at 21:37