Parish Council
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council held on 8th January 2020
at 7.30 pm in Sticklepath Village Hall.
Present:
Cllr Cruse (Chairperson), Cllr Moore, Cllr Daniel and Cllr Grubb.
In attendance:
Andrew Wyer (Clerk).
4 members of the public.
483/1 Apologies
It was resolved to receive and accept apologies from Cllr Loader, Cllr Bell and Cllr Sales (Proposed by Cllr Cruse.)
483/2 Public participation
The public participation session is not considered part of the meeting and, as such, is not minuted.
483/3 Declaration of interests
Cllr. Grubb declared a personal interest in Agenda Items: 8.2 and 8.3
483/4 Approval of minutes of meeting 4th December 2019
It was resolved to approve and sign the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 4th December 2019. (Proposed by Cllr Cruse.)
483/5 Matters Arising
5.1 Decorative Lighting – Cllr Cruse thanked all of the volunteers for helping to erect and dismantle the Christmas tree. Many positive comments have been received from around the Village. Mike Harding has donated more lights for next year. Infrastructure for the lights is now in place for next and subsequent years. Congratulations and thanks to all involved.
5.2 Highways “Doing What Matters” – Cllr. Cruse reported that a report of the meeting held Monday 16th December 2019 had been circulated. (Report attached as Appendix 1)
5.3 Online Banking for Clerk. – The Clerk reported that he was now set up and able to use the bank account. The address needs to be updated, which requires 2 signatures on the form the clerk had brought. Once the address was changed then the previous clerk could be removed. Action: Clerk to provide update at next Council meeting.
5.4 Millennium Seat and Ladywell garden – Cllr Cruse reported that these works will be included in the village workday – 23rd February 2020. Duncan Rice will organise the plants and Cllr Cruse will obtain the mulch.
483/6 Recording Protocol
A copy of the Council’s Recording Protocol had been issued prior to the meeting. It was resolved to adopt the Council’s Recording Protocol and to review it 3 yearly or in the event of legislation changes. (Proposed by Cllr. Cruse)
483/7 Councillor Reports
7.1 Chair’s Report – Cllr. Cruse reported: That a charity is being set up in South Tawton to raise funds for defibrillators which may be beneficial for us to join, awaiting further information. The defibrillator costs about £300 per year but has been deployed 5 times in 2 years. Village workday – does not need to include Sticklepath Moor this year so will focus on tree planting with some possible drainage work. Refreshments will be provided in the pavilion. The village workday will need to be advertised. Sad passing of Marion Cooper and on behalf of Sticklepath Parish Council offer our sincerest condolences to Stan.
7.2 WDBC Report – Cllr. Daniel reported: WDBC produce 2500 metric tonnes of carbon itself and same again is produced by its contractors. Progress on reducing this to zero is being monitored, as is aim of increased biodiversity. There is a recognition that young people are particularly anxious about the future of planet. Dog/Litter bin proposed collection price increase has been challenged, so WDBC to look at possibly staggering the increase to £2 this year and £3.06 next year (still to be agreed). Still issues with white bag recycling being blown around, Cllr. Daniel happy to feedback any comments/reports brought to her. Three weekly waste/recycling collections are being trialled in specific towns for a full year before wider rollout in Autumn 2021.
7.3 Any Other Reports – Cllr. Moore reported he had attended the Okehampton Town Council Climate Change Working Group meeting. They will be organising a coffee morning on Saturday 18th January where there will be displays by various groups concerned with Climate Change. Beacon villages environmental action group – meeting 09/01/2020 with guest speaker Ian Brooker (Dartmoor NP Ranger). Millennium wood – an application for 45 trees has been made and so has an application for 2 commemorative trees both for the top of village, where a hawthorn was lost. Signage now in place on gateway.
The Clerk reported that he had been asked if he could send electronic invites to future meetings, for Councillors who use electronic calendars. He explained that he could and checked if all councillors wanted these. Action: Clerk to send electronic invites.
483/8 Planning
8.1 0553/19 – It was resolved to object to the siting of steel containers and erection of building for storage purposes together with change of use from B8 to B8/B2 at Former Highway Depot, Sticklepath as it was contrary to Policies DMD 34 and 1B and Core Strategy 18 of the Local Plan. Specifically, it did not conserve or enhance the National Park and intensification of use was inappropriate in this setting.
8.2 0577/19 – Following a report from the applicant it was resolved to support repairs to fabric of cottage, minor changes to internal layout, demolition of extension, construction of new extension and chimney works at Sycamore, Sticklepath. Cllr. Grubb abstained.
8.3 0578/19 – It was resolved to support Listed Building Consent for the works detailed in 0577/19 at Sycamore, Sticklepath. Cllr. Grubb abstained.
483/9 Section 211 – Tree works in a Conservation Area
9.1 19/0075 – It was resolved to offer no objection to the proposed felling of a Sycamore at 1 Brookside Cottage.
9.2 19/0076 – It was resolved to offer no objection to the proposed re-pollarding of a Norway Maple at 6 Steddaford Court.
9.3 19/0077 – It was resolved to offer no objection to the proposed felling of a Birch at 5 Steddaford Court.
483/10 Licence Applications
It was resolved to offer no response to Licence applications from outside Sticklepath and the immediately surrounding Parishes. The Clerk was instructed to only bring forward applications relating to these parishes.
483/11 Finance
11.1 Current Year Budget – The Finance and Budget information had been circulated before the meeting. It was resolved to agree the Finance and Budget figures
11.2 Budget and Precept for 2020/2021 – The Budget and Precept for 2020/2021 had been circulated before the meeting. It was resolved to agree a budged expenditure of £5101.44 and to request a precept of £4681, resulting in a “Band D” property paying £29.79 (which is a 30p or 1.02% increase).
11.3 It was resolved to approve the following payments (set up by Andrew Wyer and to be approved by Councillor Daniels):
Ken White Signs Highway Signs £55.20
Mr. A Wyer Salary £140.91
HMRC PAYE £35.20
Cllr. Cruse withdrew a claim for £6 as the budget for decorative lighting had been fully spent.
483/12 Delegated Powers
A copy of the draft policy was distributed before the meeting. It was resolved to adopt the draft policy and to review it 3 yearly unless required. (Proposed by Cllr Cruse)
483/13 Financial Regulations
A copy of the policy was distributed before the meeting. It was resolved to agree the current policy, which is reviewed yearly. (Proposed by Cllr Cruse)
483/14 Asset Register
A copy of current Asset Register and Inspection plan was distributed before the meeting. It was resolved to note the Asset Register. The Clerk clarified which areas of land Sticklepath Parish Council actually owned and advised that a regular inspection of the trees on that land should be undertaken. (Proposed by Cllr Cruse) Action: Clerk to inspect trees on SPC property.
483/15 Contracts
It was noted that Eddie Kingdom had already indicated that grass cutting prices would remain unchanged next year and it was resolved to defer any decision on the Bus Shelter until the February Meeting (Proposed by Cllr Cruse)
483/16 Donations
It was resolved to defer any decision until the February meeting. (Proposed by Cllr Cruse)
483/17 Correspondence received / Dates to Note
It was resolved to note the Correspondence. (Proposed by Cllr Cruse)
There were no Dates to Note.
483/18 Date of next meeting: Wednesday 5th February 2020 at 7.30pm
Meeting ended at 21.03
Appendix ONE
NOTES FROM THE ‘DOING WHAT MATTERS’ PROJECT’ MEETING WITH HIGHWAYS DEPT.
On Monday 16th Dec 2019 at Sticklepath Village Hall
PRESENT: Highways Dept: Sticklepath Parish Council:
Darryl Jagger Ali Cruse (Chair), Derek Moore (Vice Chair), Hilary Sale,
Nick Bowls Peter Grubb, Lynn Daniel and Val Loader
Darryl Jagger explained how the current system of highways maintenance is prioritised, which often leaves minor roads to deteriorate over a period of years. They want to change this, and the new project involves listening to parish / town councils to prioritise the maintenance tasks which are of importance to the council.
Specific problems were identified by the PC:-
• Main road
o Water drain-off from the fields by Greenhill Farm leads to localised flooding
o Eastern end of the village – drains regularly get blocked
o Poor / deteriorating road surface outside Sunnyside
• Willey Lane
o flooding outside The Orchard / Merryfields
o Frequent pot-holes along its’ length
• Back Lane
o Flooding outside Tudor Cottage
PC gave Darryl a list of dates which they need to avoid when planning roadworks (Village Day, Carnival, Dartmoor Folk Festival)
Other problems were discussed which were not specifically the remit of Highways:
• Speeding through the village, and various ways in which it could be managed. It seems unlikely that much can be done to manage this in the present climate
• Cycle route isn’t taken into account when considering maintenance
• Roads need sweeping in Back Lane and Willey Lane, to avoid the build-up of decaying leaves which block drains. ACTION – Clerk to ask WDBC if they can sweep these two roads
• Overgrown vegetation outside The Copse, which causes a hazard to pedestrians who have to walk in the road ACTION – Clerk to send letter to Highways to request further action
PRIORITIES
Darryl asked us to list our priorities for road maintenance. These were given as:
1. Willey Lane
2. Main Road