Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 13th January 2021
at 7.30 pm via Zoom.
PRESENT:
Cllr. Grubb (Chairing), Cllr. Moore, Cllr. Bell, Cllr. Cruse, Cllr. Duffield and Cllr. Rowlands.
IN ATTENDANCE:
Cllr. Daniel (WDBC) and Andrew Wyer (Clerk).
494/1 APOLOGIES
There were no apologies.
494/2 PUBLIC PARTICIPATION
There were no members of the public present.
494/3 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr. Grubb declared an interest in Agenda Item 8.1 planning application 0577/20.
494/4 APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD 2nd DECEMBER 2020.
It was resolved to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 2nd December 2020. These will be signed at a later date. (Proposed by Cllr. Grubb.)
494/5 ACTIONS REPORT
5.1 Councillor Responsibilities – The Clerk confirmed that this had been done.
5.2 Precept % calculation – The Clerk reported that the precept represented an increase of 15.96% or 9p per week.
494/6 COUNCILLOR REPORTS
6.1 Chair’s Report – Cllr. Grubb reported that he had received numerous complaints about the former Highways Depot (Agenda Item 9). The Local Plan for Dartmoor has reached the review stage with hearings being held in March. There should be no need to add or expand on the submission already made by Sticklepath Parish Council.
6.2 WDBC Report – Cllr. Daniel reported that grants were available again for businesses affected by Coronavirus lockdown. All businesses are urged to check the criteria and if eligible to apply. Sustrans are preparing a report into the possibility of creating a cycle path link from Sticklepath to Okehampton. The Parish Councils along the route and Okehampton Town Council are all keen. Depending on the findings of the report, the next stage would be a proper feasibility study. Cllr. Daniel is trying to organise a meeting with the Highway Dept. to discuss the lane between Sticklepath and South Zeal – with the possibility of creating a one-way system to allow the creation of a pedestrian footway being suggested as one way of making the road safer and encouraging more children to walk to school. When Village Halls reopen, she is hoping to start regular “Meet your Councillor” sessions. ACTION: Cllr. Moore agreed to start liaising with local residents.
6.3 Committee Reports – Cllr. Bell (Playing Field Committee) had nothing to report. Cllr. Cruse (Coronavirus Hardship Fund Committee) reported that there had been no additional requests.
6.4 Any other reports – Cllr. Bell agreed to put together a Village Newsletter. Various Councillors would write articles/reports ahead of a deadline of the early February meeting. This would be too late to publicise that the annual “Village Workday” would have to be cancelled. ACTION : Cllr. Bell to post this information on the Website.
Cllr. Rowlands reported that Dog poo bin collection had been a bit erratic lately but that she would keep an eye on it.
Cllr. Cruse reported that some bits of masonry had fallen from the old Methodist Chapel. Cllr. Moore reported that he had been in touch with the owner about this. It is believed that the masonry was in fact frost blown render rather than masonry. The owner is planning on completing the renovation of the building once COVID restrictions allow.
494/7 FINANCE
7.1 Current Year Finances – The financial reports for the current year had been circulated before the meeting. It was resolved to accept the reports. (Proposed by Cllr. Grubb)
7.2 It was resolved to approve the following payments (set up by the Clerk and to be approved by Councillor Cruse): (Proposed by Cllr. Grubb)
Mr. A Wyer Salary £140.91
HMRC PAYE £35.20
Mr. A Wyer Zoom Subscription £14.39
Westcountry Groundworks Mowing Billy Green £60.00
Community Heartbeat Defib battery & pads £275.60
Mr. A Wyer Printer ink and paper £41.85
494/8 PLANNING
8.1 It was resolved to support application 0577/20 Erection of Stables at Bude Lane, although with additional comments regarding the state of the surface of the lane and requesting that the first 5m of the track be hard surfaced to limit the debris ending up on the highway.
8.2 The following Planning Decisions were noted:
0465/20, Ash Park Farm (Granted)
0471/20, Willey Lane (Refused)
0504/20, former Highways Depot (Granted)
8.2 It was resolved to note the Appeal re Glendale, with no additional submission required.
494/9 FORMER HIGHWAYS DEPOT
It was noted that the ”Storage and Distribution” use that the site has permission for, allows quite a wide range of activities so little could be done about the intensification of use and increased number of lorries. Some activity on site may not be allowed but this would be a matter for DNPA. A dual approach of raising the issue with the landowner and checking the planning situation with DNPA was agreed. ACTION: Cllr. Grubb to contact Nick Savin at DNPA and the site owner. (Proposed by Cllr. Grubb)
494/10 COUNCIL VACANCIES
Several people had expressed an interest or made enquiries, but none had formally put themselves forward. Potential Councillors would be encouraged to attend a Council meeting (in person or via Zoom, as appropriate).
494/11 ONGOING DISCUSSIONS WITH NATIONAL TRUST
Recent emailed updates were noted. There was concern about the legal status of the pathway across NT land and through Billy Green. Cllr. Moore offered to look at the issue ahead of the next meeting. (Proposed by Cllr. Grubb) ACTION: Cllr. Moore to bring report to next meeting.
494/12 CHRISTMAS TREE
The Council wished to express its thanks and appreciation to those responsible for the Christmas tree and lights. The benefits of having a proper permanent hole for the tree were discussed and Cllr. Cruse offered to contact the landowner to discuss this. (Proposed by Cllr. Grubb) ACTION: Cllr. Cruse to approach the relevant landowner.
494/13 VILLAGE FLAG
It was resolved to buy replacement flags (3 for £162.00) and support a resident’s crowd funding initiative to fund this. (Proposed by Cllr. Grubb) ACTION: Cllr. Cruse to forward the quote to the Clerk.
494/14 VERGES & OPEN SPACES MANAGEMENT PLAN
It was resolved to prepare the plan for consultation but to consider at the next meeting, how this could best be achieved given the present lockdown and meeting restrictions. (Proposed by Cllr. Grubb)
494/15 CORRESPONDENCE
It was resolved to note the Correspondence. (Proposed by Cllr. Grubb)
494/16 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be held on 10th February 2021 at 7:30pm via Zoom.