Parish Council
Kevin Sales (Chairman of Sticklepath Parish Council), 10 residents of Sticklepath, Cllr James McInnes (Devon County Council), Mr Ian Brooker (Dartmoor National Park), and Sally Fullwood (Clerk to Sticklepath Parish Council). Cllr Lynn Daniel (West Devon Borough Council) joined the meeting later.
Mike and Carol Johns.
The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on zoom on 5th May 2021 were agreed and signed as a true record of the meeting. The additional meeting mentioned was never held.
Cllr McInnes presented some points from his report, which had previously been circulated. These included the shortage of care workers, the need to take money from reserves, the Devolution Deal and Climate Change. A member of the public asked whether any consideration had been given to pedestrians during the diversion of the A30; it was also asked why the Parish Council had not been notified.
The full report is available on the website, or by application to the clerk.
Mr Brooker reflected on the problems and opportunities of the last few years during the Covid pandemic. He mentioned the expectation from government to encourage more people to visit, yet the grant remained static. He thanked Mike Watson for his work as voluntary warden for Sticklepath and South Tawton, and welcomed his replacement, Steve Matthews.
The full report is available on the website, or by application to the clerk.
Cllr McInnes and Ian Brooker left the meeting.
Cllr Sales read out the West Devon Borough Council report which had previously been circulated.
The full report is available on the website, or by application to the clerk.
Cllr Sales read out the report from the National Trust which is available on the website, or by application to the clerk.
Cllr Rowlands presented a summary of the accounts, available on the website or by application to the clerk. It was asked what the training was for, this was planning training for the new councillors. It was asked what donations were given. These were to Citizens Advice Bureau, Heritage Group, Okehampton Community Transport, Okehampton Food Bank, StOC and £378.27 to the Heritage Project on distribution of unused Covid Hardship Funds.
Cllr Sales read out his report, which is available on the website, or by application to the clerk.
Peter Williams asked what was being done about second homes in terms of paying higher council tax; there are an increasing number of second homes in the village, now about 12. Cllr Daniel replied that there is a review of second home ownership being undertaken, and WDBC are lobbying government because there are tax loopholes for short term rental businesses. Cllr Daniel apologised for the shortage of HGV drivers for refuse collections, members of the public noted that Sticklepath refuse collections were good. It was reported that all Devon rubbish is incinerated in Plymouth, there is no landfill.
There was a discussion about highways matters which was actually a Devon County Council matter. Complaints were made about potholes on main roads, and tarmacking back lane when it was unnecessary. Michelle asked whether there was still a parish Lengthsman. There is not a retained Lengthsman but the Parish Council can hire in a Lengthsman for particular jobs. It was asked if people could just clear drains, they were advised that they should be trained before working on the road. The Parish Council will look into the recruitment of Road Wardens.
Peter Williams asked the Council to remember that there are many people who do not have access to the internet, and to provide information in paper form as well. The minutes and agendas are always on the noticeboard.
The meeting closed at 19:50