Parish Council
Draft Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 7th February, 2022 at 7.30 pm at the Village Hall.
Present:
Cllr. Sales (Chairman), Cllr Bell, Cllr Cruse, Cllr Rowlands, and Cllr Duffield.
In Attendance: Malcolm Harris (Clerk) , Cllr Daniels WDBC
506/1 Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr Moore.
506/2 Public Participation
No members of the public were present at the meeting
506/3 Cllr Declarations of Interest None
506/4 Parish Council Minutes
It was RESOLVED to approve and sign the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 10th January , 2022
506/5 Reports
5.1 Chairman’s Report
Report to follow as an attachment.
5.2 WDBC/DCC Reports
Cllr Daniel circulated a report prior the meeting. Key points from the report are as follows:
· Home Scheme to Cut Bills and carbon is still available. For further details email eco@swdevon.gov.uk or call 01822 813600.
· Community Funding News For grants available to Community Groups. www.devon.gov.uk/fundingnews
· BroadBand Champions – WDBC Scheme for areas of poor wifi connection. There are y 2 champions in the local area covering Belstone and South Tawton.
Cllr Cruse raised a question on the effectiveness of the bin collections. Cllr Daniel assured the meeting that staffing issues were now almost resolved , and that the standard of the service should now return to normal.
Regular updates are received from Cllr McInness – DCC
5.3 Councillor Reports
Cllr Moore circulated a report prior to the meeting. It was noted that Cllrs Cruse, Bell, Moore, and Duffield had removed blue graffiti on the Taw River Bridge. The incident was reported to the Police.
Cllr Rowland reported that a quote for a lock for the Parish noticeboard had been received. The cost would be £8.40 + VAT. Some felt would also be purchased to replace the backing. It was agreed to go forward with the work.
Cllr Cruse reported that preparations are now underway for the Village Work Day on the 27th February. It was agreed to liaise with Cllr Bell in respect of the use of the Playing Fields.
It was reported that the quote for the reprint of the Village Walks Leaflet is £380 for a run of 5,000. It was noted that advertising space would be offered at a cost of £25. Provision has been made in the 2022/23 budget.
Cllr Cruse placed on record her thanks to Dora Cowland for help in planting out around the two gateways to the Village.
5.4 Action Tracker Report
It was noted that the plaque for the tree is to be ordered in April. Quotes from Rob Turner for Lengthsman work have been requested. The Playing Fields Quiz is on hold until Spring.
5.5 Committee Reports
None for this meeting
5.6 Other reports
None for this meeting,
506/6. Finances
6.1 Current Year Finances
The Finance Report was noted.
6.2 Payments
No payments were received for approval. Noted a VAT Refund of £1,99.86 had been received.
6.3 Appointment of Internal Auditor.
It was agreed to approach John Conway to be Parish Councils Internal Auditor for 2021/22. Action Point: If the appointment cannot be confirmed, it was agreed that the Clerk will contact adjacent Parish Councils to source an Internal Auditor.
506/7. Planning
7.1 Planning Applications
None received.
7.2 Planning decisions
Application No: 0620/21 Tawleat, Sticklepath, Okehampton. To extend chimney height. Conditions of permissioned outlined in the consent notice.
7.3 Any other planning matters
None for this meeting.
506/8. Correspondence
No key matters to be noted from correspondence.
506/9. Review of Parish Policies/Procedures
9.1 Standing Orders
Chairman and Clerk to jointly review and report back to the next Parish Meeting.
9.2 Emergency Plan
Chairman to lead on updating the Plan, Reporting back to July Parish Meeting
9.3 Grants Policy Review
No changes required to the current policy.
9.4 General Data Protection Policies
The Clerk to review the current retention and archive policy to ensure compliance.
9.5 Review of Assets
The Clerk to circulate the list of current assets to all Cllrs for review and feedback
9.6 Risk Assessments
The Clerk confirmed that the current risk assessments do not require updating.
9.7 Councillors Responsibilities
Cllrs to feedback any updates to the Clerk.
506/10. Payroll Services
The Clerk set out proposals from WDBC for a payroll support service to the Parish Council. After a discussion
a discussion it was agreed to stay with the HMRC payroll system, and to arrange for the payment of the
of the Clerk on a quarterly basis.
506/11 Award of Grants 2021/22
It was RESOLVED to award the following donations:
Royal British Legion – £25
Citizens Advice – £50
StOC – £50
Heritage Project – £50
Local Foodbank – £50
Community Transport – £50 subject to receiving information on service usage within the Parish
Payments to be set up by Cllr Rowland, and authorised by Cllr Bell.
506/12. Queens Platinum Celebrations
It was RESOLVED to form a Sub – Committee of the Parish Council to consider events for the Parish
Parish. Cllrs Bell and Cruse to sit on the Sub – Committee.
506/13. Annual Parish Meeting
It was agreed to hold the Annual Parish Meeting on the Monday 9th May, prior to the Parish Council Annual Meeting.
506/14. Review of Parish Council Meeting Dates
It was agreed to cancel the March meeting, and hold the next meeting of the Parish Council on
Monday 11th April, 2022. All subsequent meetings to be held on the second Monday in each
month. Details of the new meeting dates to be placed on the website, and Parish Noticeboard.
506/15 AOB. The Chairman confirmed he would not be attending the Civic Reception.
There being no further business the Chairman concluded the meeting at 9.05pm
506/16 Date of Next Meeting
Monday 11th April, 2022. Commencing at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.