Parish Council
STICKLEPATH PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 4th December 2019 at 7.30 pm in Sticklepath Village Hall.
Present:
Cllr Cruse (Chairperson), Cllr Moore, Cllr Daniel, Cllr Bell, Cllr Grubb, Cllr Sales and Cllr Loader.
In attendance:
Andrew Wyer (Clerk).
2 members of the public.
482/1 Apologies
There were no apologies.
482/2 Public participation
The public participation session is not considered part of the meeting and, as such, is not minuted.
482/3 Approval of minutes of meeting 6th November 2019
The minutes were approved as an accurate record and were signed by Cllr Cruse.
482/4 Declaration of interests
None.
482/5 Matters carried forward
5.1 WDBC Report Cllr Daniel reported that in the next financial year WDBC need make further savings of £398k to balance their budget. Working with South Hams District Council has resulted in a 35% reduction in staffing numbers, but they will be holding a public consultation on future savings. The WDBC part of the Council Tax is likely to rise by 1.99% or £5 on a band D property. Dog bin collections will no longer be subsidised so will rise to £3.06. There is no budget for Climate Change activity, but they are hopeful that the next Government will free up grants for this. WDBC produce 5000 tonnes of carbon annually of which Leisure Centres make up a significant amount. All new council vehicles purchased will be electric, and they are looking into investing in a solar farm. New housing should be carbon neutral throughout the life of the house.
5.2 Decorative lighting Cllr Cruse reported that it should be possible to get 3 working sets of lights. The Christmas tree should arrive on Friday (donated by Karen Longworth, owner of Gidleigh Tor). Discussions are ongoing with Finch Foundry about best way of hanging lights there. Photographs of the lights will be required following the grant. Saturday suggested for putting lights up around the village.
5.3 Climate change Derek provided report (Appendix One) on BEVA activity. It was agreed that there should be a specific page on the website for BEVA.
5.4 Highways “Doing What Matters” project Parish Councillors are meeting with Devon Highways 16th December at 1.30pm. All Councillors to forward ideas to Cllr Cruse ahead of the meeting. Action: All
482/6 Planning
6.1 19/0068 – Tree works at Staplers – There were no objections
6.2 0508/19 – Mount View, 26 Oak Tree Park – Happy to support with the comment that we note that this design is significantly improved to the extent we are happy to accept the bigger size than current policy allows.
482/7 Finance
7.1 Accounts and Budget figures were circulated prior to meeting. The Budget will need to be reconsidered re.dog bin collection charge – increase from £200 to £300. The budget and precept can be finalised at the January meeting once WDBC have confirmed the precept pricing breakdown.
7.2 As agenda It was agreed to add Andrew Wyer as a signatory with online banking access and once set up, to remove Lois Rowlands Action: Clerk
7.3 The following payments were approved – set up by Lois Rowlands, to be approved by Cllr Cruse:
Mr A Wyer Salary (December) £140.91
Mrs L Rowlands Salary (additional hours x 6) £63.42
HMRC PAYE £35.20
482/8 Matters Arising
8.1 Whitehouse Services are looking to include restaurant in their alcohol licence (not just the shop). All in favour of supporting this.
8.2 Millennium Seat and Ladywell garden – Duncan Rice has discussed this with Cllr Cruse who recommends that Millennium Seat work to be included in 2020 February work day. Ladywell Garden area – current plants should be relocated and added to. Recommended using five bags of mulch. Cllr Cruse to further these plans, using funds from the Enhancement Fund. Action: Cllr Cruse
A replacement tree (Rowan seedling) is available for the site where Western Power removed a tree earlier in the year. Councillors agreed to this being planted.
482/9 Chairperson’s Actions
9.1 The National Trust are positive about the idea of Electric Vehicle charging points at the Foundry
9.2 Sticklepath Moor fence has been repaired so a DNP invoice will follow in due course.
9.3 Flowers and a card were presented to Lois Rowland for all her hard work as Clerk. Lois thanked everyone and said that she had enjoyed her time working for the Council.
482/10 Items for next month’s agenda
None.
482/11 Dates to note/correspondence received
It was noted that on 16th/17th December 2019 Willey Lane will be closed for BT works.
Date of next meeting:
Wednesday 8th January 2019 at 7.30pm
Meeting ended at 20:20
Appendix One – Report to Sticklepath Parish Council – 4th December 2019
Climate emergency
1. BEVA met again in November. There are notes from the meeting which can be shared. Ali’s suggestion that a new page is made on Sticklepath website and that the notes uploaded.
Proposed aims for BEVA
1. To bring the realities about the climate emergency to our communities
2. To consider actions which contribute to public awareness, changes in behaviour and that impacts on the causes of the emergency
3. To apply pressure and to support public bodies, businesses and communities to respond to the emergency.
Three small groups considered: Actions, Lobbying, Publicity
At the moment, the most significant output is around publicity…articles in the Beacon
2. Date of next BEVA meeting Thursday 9th January 7pm in the Devvy or the Village Hall with Ian Brooker as guest speaker to discuss (re)wilding.
3. An invitation from the Okehampton Town Council to take part in a Eco Share Coffee Morning on 18th January. The terms and references of their working group are yet to be determined, so I would expect a more formal invitation to be included to surrounding parishes by Xmas
4. Highways suggestions: I have batted some ideas around. I think we need to be ambitious and forward looking……there is an agenda to reduce services based on only that which is essential. Cuts need to be considered based on the needs of the community, but also the overall strategies and priorities in Devon….and that centres on the Climate Emergency
• Want to see more collaborative planning re highways: to ensure that the Parish Council is included, but jointly with WDBC/DCC/Highways England:
o To seek sources of Designated Funding as in Cornwall for those communities close to the A30 ( as has been achieved in Cornwall)
o To have better collaboration with local residents re use of the B road as a relief road for the A30
o To seek traffic calming / slowing measures which improve the environment, safety, reduce damage to the highway and contribute to Carbon Zero and Climate Emergency targets.
o To include pedestrian crossing
o To have cross DCC plans to reduce car use and promote public transport
o To seek changes in street lighting to reduce light pollution
o To enforce hedging maintenance to ensure full carriageway/pavement access
o To reconsider management of verges to improve biodiversity and to engage communities in environmental management. To consider joint planning re weed control / pot hole management on carriageways. This does not apply to drainage…….Sticklepath needs street cleaning and drain clearance regularly by specialist providers
o To require DCC to seek strategies to support on-street electric car charging
Gate signage confirmed and to be ordered
Derek Moore