Parish Council Minutes July 2024

Minutes of the Meeting of Sticklepath Parish Council held on 15th July 2024 at 7.30 pm at Sticklepath Village Hall

Councillors Present:

Cllr Kevin Sales (Chair), Cllr Derek Moore (Vice-Chair),  Cllr Kay Loram, Cllr Emma Bell, Cllr Niki Wooldridge, Cllr Jake Powell

In Attendance:

Sally Fullwood, Clerk.
Cllr James McInnes (Devon County Council)

537.1  Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest.

537.2  Apologies for Absence

There were no apologies for absence.

537.3  Public Participation

There was no public participation.

537.4  Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting held 24th June 2024

The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 24th June 2024 were considered, agreed and signed as a correct record.

537.5  Reports

537.5.1.                  West Devon Borough Council (WDBC) and Devon County Council (DCC) Reports

Cllr James McInnes (DCC) presented his report with details of the County’s finances and progress with improvements to methods of working. He answered some questions from the Councillors about Highways and Education. The full report is available on the website, or by application to the Clerk.

Cllr Lynn Daniel (WDBC) had forwarded a report with details about ID for Dogs and a training opportunity for bystanders. The full report is available on the website, or by application to the Clerk.

537.5.2.                  Chair’s Report

Cllr Sales reported that Steve Matthews has cut the path from Billy Green to the bridge. There has been scaffolding blocking the pavement at the west end of the village, and residents had asked if Highways were aware. In addition a new entrance to a field has been created at the west end of the village. Cllr Powell will investigate both these, and report to the Neighbourhood Highways Officer (NHO), Josh Scillitoe. Action: Cllr Powell. A resident in Grove Meadow has complained about 25 bags of rubbish, Cllr Sales has reported it on the West Devon website.

537.5.3.                  Playing Field Committee Report

Cllr Bell reported that a donation in memory of Stan Cooper to the Playground Equipment fund would be commemorated by a plaque on the same bench as that to his late wife. This would cost £14.98. This was agreed.

537.5.4.                  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. It was agreed that getting a gov.uk domain should be put on the next agenda. Action: Clerk.

537.5.5.                  Road Warden’s Report

The Road Warden, Cllr Powell, reported that he will be meeting shortly with the Neighbourhood Highways Officer to discuss potholes that have been left, and the use of new pothole filling technology. Cllr Moore reported that a resident has noticed that there are two ash trees in bad condition, he will send the details to Cllr Powell for forwarding to Josh. Action: Cllr Moore/Cllr Powell

537.5.6.                  Any Other Reports

It was noted that there has been an increase in thefts of machinery in the area recently, and that all equipment should be secured.

537.6  Items Brought Forward and Actions from Previous Meeting

537.6.1.                  Bus Stops

Cllr Sales noticed that the bus stops were greening up, and will ask a resident if they could be cleaned with a pressure washer. It was suggested that work on the bus stops and the gate painting could be done on a village work day. It was agreed to arrange the work day for the afternoon of 6th October. Action: Cllr Moore will start to organise it and notify the Beacon magazine.

537.6.2.                  Village Gate Painting and Verges

The verge has been cut and the painting will be done on the work day.

537.7    Finances

537.7.1.                  Payments –

It was agreed to authorise the following payments:

537.7.1.1.

SLCC Membership £56.00

537.7.1.2.

Defibrillator Pads & Battery £274 + VAT

537.7.1.3.

WestCountry Grounds Maintenance (Mowing Playing Field & Verge) £330.75 + VAT

Action: Clerk to set up payments.
Action: Cllr Moore and Cllr Bell will authorise the bank payments.

537.7.2.                  Receipts

The following receipts were noted:

537.7.2.1.

Open Gardens Refreshments £332.50

537.7.2.2.

Interest £21.38

537.7.2.3.

Coffee Morning Donations for Defibrillator £55.00

537.7.2.4.

Grant from West Devon for Equipment £300.00

537.7.2.5.

Donation in memory of Stan Cooper for Equipment £204.00

537.7.2.6.

Open Gardens Proceeds for Equipment £550.00

537.7.2.7.

Anonymous Donation for Equipment £400.00

537.7.3.                  Other Financial Matters

537.7.3.1.                     The current balance is £14,301.69 (15/07/24) including £12,021.38 in savings. The Playing Field Fund stands at £6,676.44.

537.8  Planning

537.8.1.                  Planning Applications

There were no planning applications to which to respond.

537.8.2.                  Planning Decisions

The following Planning Decisions were noted.

537.8.2.1.

0180/24 Erection of rear extension at 13 Oaktree Park, Sticklepath, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 2NB Granted Conditionally

 

537.8.2.2.

Communication Station Willey Lane (in Sampford Courtenay parish) – Notice of intent to install electronic communication apparatus comprising the following technical network requirements: CS 12368501 (Cornerstone, Vodafone), proposed 1.6m fence line extension, 17.5m pole, 3no. antennas, 300 cable ladder and ancillary development thereto Permitted Development

537.8.3.                  Planning Matters

There were no further planning matters.

537.9    Clerk’s Appraisal

It was agreed that Cllr Wooldridge and Cllr Sales should perform the Clerk’s appraisal in August. Action: Cllr Wooldridge and Cllr Sales.

537.10  Parking Restrictions by shop

Parking near the shop and pub has caused concerns of safety at the end of Willey Lane. There is a lack of visibility when coming out of Willey Lane, due to inconsiderate parking. There is some disagreement as to the best way to deal with this, but it has been considered by the Council in earlier years.

  • At this point in the meeting three members of the Council were called away to a medical emergency.

  • It was agreed that Cllr Moore will attend the West Devon Matters meeting online on 17th July.
  • It was agreed that all other agenda items should be moved to the next meeting on 2nd September, including the Parking Restrictions item which had not been concluded, in order that they could be considered by the full council.

 537.11                    Items for Next Meeting

The next meeting will be held on Monday 2nd September at Sticklepath Village Hall, 7.30pm.

Items for agenda  – Parking Restrictions by shop, Hardship Fund Reallocation, Fund Raising Options, Speeding, Financial Regulations, Defibrillator and VETS list, Emergency Plan.

 

The Meeting ended at 20:44

Parish Clerk: Sally Fullwood, 5 Tor Down, Belstone, Okehampton, EX20 1QU
Tel: 01837 849131      Mobile:  07885 959554          Email: clerk@sticklepath.org