Parish Council
Cllr Kevin Sales (Chair), Cllr Derek Moore (Vice-Chair), Cllr Emma Bell, Cllr Ian Duffield, Cllr Michelle Westcott.
Sally Fullwood, Clerk.
One member of the public, Jake Powell Road Warden also attending as a member of the public.
There were no declarations of interest.
Cllr Niki Wooldridge sent her apologies, which were accepted.
Cllr Lynn Daniel (West Devon Borough Council) and Cllr James McInnes (Devon County Council) sent their apologies.
There was no public participation.
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 6th March 2023 were considered, agreed and signed as a correct record.
There had been no reports.
It was agreed that the housing survey should be publicised. Action: Cllr Sales will draft an article for the Beacon and website.
Cllr Moore had contacted the owner of the Methodist Chapel, but had not heard back.
Cllr Duffield will not be re-applying for the Council due to pressures of work; the Council thanked him for his service. He will continue to be involved in village events and monitor the defibrillator.
The Old Coach House is now going to be let as a holiday apartment, another house in Back Lane is now occupied. Action: Cllr Wooldridge will do a welcome letter.
There will be a Safari Supper on 13th May, soon to be publicised.
Playing Field Committee – The mole hills will be hand raked and levelled using a drive-on roller. It was agreed to rent the roller for £100. Cllr Bell will give a report on the equipment next meeting, but the RoSPA report had found that the Trim Trail requires replacing. The Playing Field Committee will meet shortly. Action: Clerk to send template agenda and minutes.
Hardship Fund Committee – Cllr Moore has composed a report which will be circulated, Action: Cllr Moore and Clerk. It was agreed that only the generic email and no phone number would be given on advertisements. For a non-technical option it was agreed that the friends of the Heritage Centre should be approached to have a box for written requests in St. Mary’s Church along with the pantry. Action: Cllr Moore. Several ideas were raised for telephone access, which will be discussed further next month.
The Clerk’s report, previously circulated, was noted.
Cllr Moore had previously circulated a report that we have a partnership with Stevens’ Estate Agents. They will supply 10 signs.
There were no other reports.
See also 20 is Plenty above.
Josh Scillitoe, Neighbourhood Highways Officer (NHO) has acknowledged that there is a pinch point in the middle of the village, and hopes to provide ‘road narrows’ signs. Action: Cllr Moore will write to the resident who was involved in the accident to update her. The Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) isn’t working, a contact from Drewsteignton Parish Council will attempt to mend it.
Sticklepath were the only council to respond to Okehampton Town Council regarding the Community Speedwatch; they will prompt other councils again. It was agreed to approach Sampford Courtenay Parish Council to combine with their Speedwatch. Action: Clerk.
Cllr Duffield reported that an application for paint has been submitted, and the gold paint can be supplied as well. He will continue to arrange training, with a possibility of joining with an Okehampton session.
Cllr Moore proposed a vote of thanks for Ian’s work on the defibrillator which was agreed, together with acceptance of his offer to continue managing the Defibrillator.
Cllr Sales had reported a hole near Steddaford Court three times, but it was not acknowledged as within scope.
Action: Jake Powell, Road Warden, will speak with Josh Scillitoe (NHO) about the pothole and other village issues after he and Cllr Moore have completed their online training next week.
Action: Cllr Sales to obtain the noticeboards and store them in the hall. It was agreed that he could buy any plaque for £20 or less. Action: Councillors were encouraged to look for suitable plaques and forward details to Cllr Sales.
Action: Cllr Moore will re-phrase the questionnaire.
It was agreed to promote the meeting organised by Lynn Daniel on the website. Action: Clerk
Spencer Stallion had given the Clerk access to set up emails on the existing hosting account. It was agreed to use the format cllr.[surname]@sticklepath.org. Action: Clerk to set up emails after election. It was agreed to stay with the existing OneDrive for storing documents as there was no need for collaborative working. The Clerk had investigated the hosting company and is satisfied that the backup is secure.
Action: Cllr Moore will meet with Cllr Bell and Cllr Sales to hand over and finalise arrangements for the Coronation Big Help Out. The Clerk had confirmed with the insurance company that there is personal accident insurance for volunteers. Cllr Moore had obtained permissions from the National Trust, Dartmoor National Park and Belstone Commoners for the work at Billy Green, White Rock and in the village and playing field.
Cllr Westcott reported that a resident is offering to provide wood to edge the path at Billy Green and will put him in touch with Steve Matthews volunteer Dartmoor Ranger. Action: Cllr Moore/Cllr Westcott.
It was agreed that the Wild About Devon grant will not be tied in with Big Help Out Day, the fund is open until October. Action: Cllr Moore will apply following public consultations at the Big Help Out.
Jake Powell introduced himself as the new Road warden.
Cllr Bell had delivered 5 nomination forms to Tavistock. Jake Powell offered to stand for co-option to the Council next month.
522.7.1.1. |
Hardship Fund (paid to Cllr Duffield) | £100 |
522.7.1.2. |
RoSPA Playground Safety Inspection | £115.20 |
522.7.1.3. |
DALC Membership | £114.94 |
522.7.1.4. |
Playground roller hire | £100 |
522.7.1.5. |
Coronation Plaque | Up to £20 |
522.7.2.1. |
Defibrillator Fund Coffee Morning proceeds (Ali Cruse) | £30 |
522.7.2.2. |
DCC Locality Fund for Coronation | £200 |
It was agreed that the Council wished to support the application due to its good green credentials and in the hope that light pollution would be minimal. Proposer: Cllr Sales, Seconder: Cllr Moore. Action: Clerk.
Rejected, This was noted.
There were no other planning matters.
Delayed to next time.
The Clerk had circulated a draft agenda for the Annual Parish Meeting.
It was agreed to add reports from St. Mary’s Heritage group and Sticklepath and Okehampton Conservation Group (StOC) to the agenda and that the Green Energy Scheme should be removed.
Action: Clerk to invite Carol Johns and Mike Watson.
Cllr Moore proposed and Cllr Duffield seconded that the Council should nominate Alison Cruse and Hilary Sales as trustees to the Sticklepath and Belstone School Charity. This was agreed.
The next meeting will be held on Monday 10th May at Sticklepath Village Hall, after the Annual Parish Meeting.
The Meeting ended at 21.12pm.