Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 15th July 2020
at 7.30 pm via Zoom.
PRESENT:
Cllr. Cruse (Chairing), Cllr. Moore, Cllr. Daniel, Cllr. Bell and Cllr. Grubb.
IN ATTENDANCE:
1 member of the public.
Andrew Wyer (Clerk).
489/1 APOLOGIES
Apologies received from Cllr. Sales.
489/2 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
No member of the public wished to speak.
489/3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
There were no declarations of interest.
489/4 PART 2
It was resolved that no agenda items needed to be held with the public excluded but that this would be reconsidered at the time if it became necessary. (Proposed by Cllr. Cruse.)
489/5 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 10th June 2020
It was resolved to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 10th June 2020. These will be signed at a later date. (Proposed by Cllr. Cruse.)
489/6 MATTERS ARISING
6.1 New Finance spreadsheet – The Clerk reported that the new Finances spreadsheet had been shared. Councillors commented that they appreciated the colour and layout which was easy to understand.
6.2 Website Training – Cllrs. Daniel and Moore and the Clerk had been on the training and now felt confident to update the website and add content.
489/7 COUNCILLOR REPORTS
7.1 Chair’s Report – Cllr. Cruse reported that a volunteer had cut the grass on Oak Tree Green. The Post Office has reopened with social distancing measures in place. Action : Cllr. Bell will post an update on the website. The bench in the playing field that was damaged has been removed. A report of speeding traffic on the road to South Zeal had been received and several possible options were discussed. Action : The Clerk to contact the DCC Neighbourhood Highway Officer. The Council had been contacted to comment on a request by Western Power Distribution contractors to conduct tree coppicing work on Sticklepath Moor. Action : Cllr. Moore to respond accepting the need for these works but asking that they be done sympathetically and with regard to the shape and health of the trees concerned. Cllr. Cruse had also received complaints about the timing and severity of the Bridleway vegetation clearance work. Action : Cllr. Cruse to pass on these comments to DNPA.
7.2 WDBC Report – Cllr. Daniel reported that WDBC would welcome not only cost cutting suggestions as they look to recover from the financial implications of Coronavirus but also suggestions on the best ways to help those worst affected. The trial of three weekly black bin collections has been going well. Weekly food waste collections are helping to stop bags being attacked by animals and increased recycling levels are resulting in less physical waste needing to be put in a black bag. This is likely to be rolled out across the Borough. Volunteer services are providing a valuable addition to the pandemic response and Parish Councils are urged to remember them when considering Grants/Donations.
7.3 Any other reports – Cllr. Bell reported that two new benches were being delivered for the playing field at the same time as the new basket swing – which should be installed very soon. The Clerk reported that the professional survey of the sick/diseased/dying Lime tree in the playing field had come back and had been circulated to Councillors. He would inspect the tree at the end of the month for signs of recovery but was not hopeful. Also on the report was a note about a nearby Sycamore tree which is on private property. Action : Cllr. Bell to advise the resident concerned.
489/8 FINANCE
8.1 Current Year Finances – The financial reports for the current year had been circulated before the meeting. It was resolved to accept these. (Proposed by Cllr. Cruse)
8.2 It was resolved to approve the following payments (set up by the Clerk and to be approved by Cllr. Bell): (Proposed by Cllr. Cruse)
R.J.C. O’Bryen Professional Tree Report £75.00
Mr. A Wyer Zoom £14.39
Cllr. A Cruse Hardship Fund Vouchers £10.00
489/9 PLANNING
9.1 0057/20 – It was resolved to support the application as it was a small-scale farm diversification in line with DNPA policy. (Proposed by Cllr. Cruse)
489/10 COUNCILLOR VACANCY
The Clerk reported that the vacancy had been reported to WDBC and that the Notice was currently being displayed. Should an election be required, it would not be possible to hold it until May next year. Once the 21 day Notice has expired, then the Council can fill the Vacancy via Co-Option.
489/11 ANNUAL MEETING
It was resolved to use the September meeting as the Annual Meeting and to hold the elections (Chair, etc) that would usually have been done in May. (Proposed by Cllr. Cruse)
489/12 CORONAVIRUS
The Clerk reported that the Risk Assessment for the reopening of the play area had been completed and circulated to Councillors. With the signage and precautions in place Councillors were pleased to see the play area open again and being used. There was concern that some people might try and interfere with the social distancing measures (such as only re-instating one from each pair of swings) but this could be re-assessed in the future if it became an ongoing issue.
Cllr. Cruse reported that with the donation from the Plant Sale, the Coronavirus fund is in a healthy state. Nobody knows how long this fund might be required but funds are available for those in need.
489/13 CODE OF CONDUCT
The new model Code of Conduct had been distributed to Councillors prior to the meeting. It was resolved to submit a positive response from the Council, particularly with regard to the simple, easy to understand language used. (Proposed by Cllr. Cruse). The Clerk reminded Councillors that they could also comment as individual Councillors if they wished.
489/14 FOOTPATHS
It was noted that the footpaths leading out of the village towards Okehampton were becoming overcome with weeds. Cllr. Daniel explained that she needed a three day dry spell to treat the weeds successfully and would be looking to start this weekend. She would prioritise treating these footpaths and Oak Tree Park. She also agreed to take before and after pictures ahead of the September meeting when the report of the trial (of environmentally friendly weed killing solutions) would be presented.
The brambles growing from the bank and overhanging the footpath from Ladywell towards Okehampton were discussed. A quote will be obtained with the view to contracting it and including it in next years’ budget. Action : Cllr. Bell to get a quote for having these cut back.
Public verges and green areas within the village were discussed and it was decided that we need an agreed policy with specific management for each area and where areas were being managed to promote wild flowers etc, that this management was signposted to ensure it was fuller understood that the area was being managed rather than neglected. Given the differing views among Councillors and the public in general it was agreed that wider public consultation would be a good idea. Action : Cllr. Grubb to map the verges and green spaces that currently exist within the village.
489/15 DEVON CITIZEN’S ASSEMBLY ON CLIMATE CHANGE
Cllr. Moore reported that he was involved in this project but had nothing to report at this time.
489/16 PLANTING OF BANK AREA
Following a request from a resident to maintain the roadside bank near the Taw River Inn car park the Clerk reported that the land is “unregistered” so it is impossible to contact whoever may own it. As no landowner appears to be maintaining it, local residents have been managing it. Action : Cllr Daniel to liaise with the local residents who have been maintaining it.
Providing it was appropriate, was resolved to allocate £50 from the Village Enhancement funds to plant low maintenance and ground covering shrubs on the bank. Action : Cllr. Cruse to liaise with Duncan Rice over suitable species.
489/17 A DISPUTE
Following numerous noise complaints it was resolved to ask the Clerk to write to the property owner and to copy in W.D.B.C. who are also aware of the issue. The letter should be sent recorded or signed for to ensure there is a record of delivery. (Proposed by Cllr. Cruse)
489/18 CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED / DATES TO NOTE
It was resolved to note the Correspondence. (Proposed by Cllr. Cruse)
The Clerk was asked to include Notification of Appeal letters within Planning agenda items rather than within correspondence.
489/19 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be Annual Meeting of the Parish Council and will be held on 9th September 2020 at 7:30pm, depending on the regulations at the time, this will be held in Sticklepath Village Hall or via Zoom.
Meeting ended at 9.03pm