Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 11th March 2020 at 7.30 pm in Sticklepath Village Hall.
PRESENT: Cllr Moore (Chairing), Cllr Daniel, Cllr Loader, Cllr Bell, and Cllr Sales.
IN ATTENDANCE: Andrew Wyer (Clerk).
485/1 APOLOGIES
It was resolved to receive and accept apologies from Cllr Cruse and Cllr Grubb (Proposed by Cllr Moore.)
485/2 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No members of the public were present.
485/3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
485/4 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 5th FEBRUARY 2020
It was resolved to approve and sign the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 5th February 2020. (Proposed by Cllr Moore.)
485/5 MATTERS ARISING
5.1 Online Banking for Clerk. – The Clerk reported that Bank Statements were now coming through to the correct address so the previous Clerk could now be safely removed from the account. Action: Clerk to organise this.
5.2 Council Meeting Calendar Invites – The Clerk reported that a shared calendar had been sent to all Councillors. The Clerk was asked to send individual meeting invites. Action: Clerk to send calendar invites for future meetings.
5.3 Emergency Plan. – Cllr Bell reported that the Contact details had been updated and that the revised version had been circulated prior to the meeting.
5.4 Village Walk Leaflet. – Cllr Moore reported on behalf of Cllr Cruse that the budget available was £51 short of the quoted reprint price. An alternative quote had been sought which was significantly cheaper and within budget. Cllr Bell queried if this was an exact “like for like” quote. Action: To be added to the Agenda for the next meeting.
485/6 COUNCILLOR REPORTS
6.1 Chair’s Report – Cllr. Moore reported on behalf of Cllr Cruse: The Parish Council Notice board may well need an additional door catch.
6.2 WDBC Report – Cllr. Daniel reported WDBC have committed to reducing Carbon by 40% by 2030 and to 0% by 2050 and enhancing biodiversity. Progress on this will be regularly monitored. WDBC looking to invest in “green energy” schemes, such as a solar farm. Dog bin collection prices for the upcoming year and the following year have been agreed (see Agenda Item 13). The use of recycling bags is still under review.
6.3 Any Other Reports – Cllr. Moore reported that: the Parishscapes grant application had been unsuccessful this time. The commemorative tree offer from DCC had been reviewed and following an offer to collect the tree by Alan Wright, we now have a Rowan tree. This will be planted near the incised stone with a publicity photograph being taken at 3pm on Friday, where having as many people present as possible would help add impact to the photo. He had attended the Dartmoor Assembly and heard that DNPA will struggle to meet their carbon commitment given their need for 4×4 vehicles as suitable electric alternatives do not exist and that they would welcome ideas/suggestions. With Cllr Daniel he had attended the latest Councils Together Okehampton Area meeting. Action: Clerk to distribute the minutes from this group.
485/7 PLANNING
7.1 0057/20 – It was resolved to object to the application as it was an intensification of an unsuitable use and failed to conserve and enhance the National Park. (Proposed by Cllr Moore)
485/8 FINANCE
8.1 Current Year Budget – The Finance and Budget information had been circulated before the meeting. It was resolved to accept the Finance and Budget figures. (Proposed by Cllr Moore)
8.2 Earmarked Reserves – It was resolved to delegate the Clerk to transfer any unspent provisions in the revenue budget to earmarked reserves.
8.3 It was resolved to approve the following payments (set up by Andrew Wyer and to be approved by Councillor Bell): (Proposed by Cllr Moore)
AB Web Design Website Fees £150.00
DNPA Sticklepath Moor Fence £250.00
Cllr A Cruse Workday Materials £33.99
Mr. A Wyer Salary £140.91
HMRC PAYE £35.20
485/9 CONTRACTS
Cllr Sales confirmed that she was happy to continue cleaning/overseeing the bus shelters on a voluntary basis. It was resolved to formalise this with a basic contract. (Proposed by Cllr Moore)
485/10 WEED SPRAYING
Cllr Daniel suggested various alternatives to weedkilling, including an additional Village Workday, an article in the Beacon and a letter drop. It was resolved to not use glyphosate weed killer this year. (Proposed by Cllr Daniel)
485/11 “YOUR DARTMOOR” DRAFT MANAGEMENT PLAN
It was resolved to defer this item until the March meeting. (Proposed by Cllr Moore)
485/12 INTERNAL AUDIT
It was resolved to re-appoint David Youle to conduct the Internal Audit. (Proposed by Cllr Moore)
485/13 DOG WASTE BINS
It was resolved to note WDBC dog collection charges for the year 2021/22.
485/14 FLOOD RESILIENCE
It was reported that Mike Johns had been monitoring river levels through the recent storms and closed off the footbridge behind Billy Green as the footpath was dangerously flooded. Thanks to him for his diligence. (Proposed by Cllr Moore)
485/15 VILLAGE WORKDAY
It was reported that more than 25 people attended the Village Workday and that all the planned works had been completed. It was a great success especially given the weather on the day.
485/16 VILLAGE PRAISE
It was resolved to note the report.
485/17 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
Invites are to be sent to the usual representatives. The Clerk suggested that the Annual Parish Meeting is a good venue for publicly distributing Grant/Donations as the recipients can attend and explain a bit about their work. It was resolved to start the meeting at 7pm with the Parish Council meeting (Annual General Meeting) following at 8pm.
PLEASE NOTE THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING HAS NOW BEEN POSTPONED
485/18 FOOTPATH
Cllr Moore reported that Cllr Cruse had been in contact with South West Water who will inspect the path and report back by 20/03/2020.
485/19 EASTERN LINKS
It was resolved to note the location and dates of the upcoming meetings, which Cllr Daniel will be attending. (Proposed by Cllr Moore)
485/20 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED / DATES TO NOTE
Cllr Daniel suggested that on VE day (Early May Bank Holiday) that there would be a war time themed bring and share afternoon tea event in the Village Hall.
It was resolved to note the Correspondence and Dates to Note. (Proposed by Cllr Moore)
485/20 DATE OF NEXT MEETING: Wednesday 8th April 2020 at 7.30pm
PLEASE NOTE THE 8TH APRIL MEETING HAS BEEN CANCELLED.