Parish Council
Cllr Kevin Sales (Chair), Cllr Derek Moore (Vice-Chair), Cllr Emma Bell, Cllr Niki Wooldridge, Cllr Jake Powell
1 Member of the public.
Sally Fullwood, Clerk.
It was agreed that Kay Loram should be co-opted as Councillor to Sticklepath Parish Council.
Proposer: Cllr Moore, Seconder: Cllr Sales. All agreed.
Cllr Loram signed the Acceptance of Office form.
There were no declarations of interest.
Apologies were received from Cllr James McInnes (Devon County Council).
There was no public participation.
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 4th December 2023 were considered, agreed and signed as a correct record.
The North Tawton housing initiative is not run by the Council, but by a Community Land Trust (CLT). The Trust were only in the early stages of planning the housing so recommended that other organisations who know the process more fully should be invited to speak. Representatives from Middlemarch (a facilitatory organisation) and Chagford Community Land Trust had been invited to attend; Middlemarch suggested that they could attend later in the year, and Chagford had not responded.
Alex Rehaag (Principal Affordable Housing Officer from WDBC) had confirmed that the assessed need for 7 homes was just for Sticklepath.
Cllr Moore has spoken with a councillor from Sampford Peverell regarding their Community Land Trust, who would be willing to speak to the Council.
There was concern that there would be too much of a commitment for any Councillors that took on a Community Land Trust, and whether other people would join.
It was agreed not to suggest possible locations for affordable housing at this time.
It was agreed that there was a need to hear more information about the options from different sources.
It was agreed that an exceptional Parish Council meeting should be arranged to consider the options for possible action following the results of the Housing Needs Survey. The public should be invited, as well as Alex Rehaag and representatives from Chagford CLT, Christow CLT, Sampford Peverell CLT and possibly Simmons Homes charity. Action: Clerk.
Proposer: Cllr Sales, Seconder: Cllr Wooldridge
There were no reports, but a Happy New Year message and information on 20 MPH speed limits from Cllr McInnes.
Cllr Sales had nothing to report.
Playing Field Committee –Cllr Bell reported that she had been successful in obtaining Locality Grants of £200 from Cllr Lynn Daniel (WDBC) and £300 from Cllr James McInnes (DCC).
The work on the wall had not been started as it was too wet.
The ‘No Dogs’ sign had been bought. It will be put up securely along with the new playing fields sign which had blown down. Action: Cllr Bell
Hardship Fund Committee – There had been no applications.
Hardship Fund notices had been put on the lampposts again, and information had been published in the Beacon. The Council will consider ways to use the Hardship Fund to maximise benefits to the community at the next meeting.
The Clerk’s report, previously circulated, was noted. The full report is available on the website, or by application to the Clerk. The Council were aware of disappointment at their lack of commitment to the Remembrance Day Ceremony. Cllr Bell reported that the Council had actually agreed to take over the organisation of the ceremony about five years before. Councillor Wooldridge agreed to read the Roll of Honour next year.
It was agreed to publicise the Ash Dieback replanting on the website. Action: Clerk.
Cllr Powell had circulated a report just before the meeting. The full report is available on the website, or by application to the Clerk. He reported that there had been 3 major storms with damage and floods. The tree on the main road had been cleared by volunteers and Highways within the hour; having a Road Warden had prioritised our parish. The leaf blower grant application had been submitted and the Neighbourhood Highways officer had supported it.
There had been concern about the lack of grit on the local roads which caused two accidents, the road warden had warned residents on social media. Minor roads are not gritted by Devon Highways, and are the responsibility of residents and the Snow Warden.
The Clerk reported that the sofa that had been dumped at the bottom of Skaigh Lane had been reported on the WDBC website, which resulted in an immediate phone call from WDBC to confirm that the contractors should be going out soon. It has now been removed.
Cllr Sales had reported the abandoned car full of rubbish, which had been a source of many reports from residents. It was agreed to raise the issue with Cllr Daniel again, although she was already aware of it. Action: Clerk
Residents were encouraged to fill out the Let’s Talk consultation from WDBC. Cllr Moore will attend the re-arranged councils meeting. Action: Cllr Moore
Cllr Moore reported that there is a Leat Clearance, organised by the National Trust, on Sunday 4th February, volunteers are needed to help.
Cllr Moore had moved the ’20 is plenty’ signs and is still looking for more volunteers to host them.
There had been no volunteers for Speedwatch, but residents were known to be aware of it. Councillors should continue to promote it. Action: All Councillors.
Devon County Council have announced a new round of 20 mile an hour speed limit applications. It was agreed not to apply for the limit, as Sticklepath will not score well on the criteria.
Cllr Wooldridge still had not heard anything from Ian Duffield. Cllr Sales will prompt him. Action: Cllr Sales
Cllr Bell reported that the defibrillator was purchased in 2016, so may be overdue for servicing.
Cllr Sales reported that there had been a complaint that anybody sitting in the bus stop could not stop the bus, because it was a request stop, not a compulsory stop.
It was agreed to make a request to Stagecoach. Action: Cllr Loram
Cllr Sales reported that the noticeboards are ready and will be put up. Action: Cllr Sales & Cllr Powell.
Cllr Wooldridge will put the letter on the shared drive (drag and drop). Action: Cllr Wooldridge.
Cllr Moore reported that he has the thermal imaging camera, and it has been loaned out 10 times for a night or 2 nights. A form is filled out by each participant detailing problems found and actions taken, which will help WDBC formulate policy.
Cllr Moore had enlisted Malcolm Harris to organise the Annual Parish Meeting on Wednesday 22nd May and produced a report with the arrangements. The full report is available on the website, or by application to the Clerk.
Cllr Moore will liaise with Malcolm Harris. The groups to be invited will be those that have been invited before, together with the Jack & Jill group. Action: Cllr Moore
It was agreed that the Council would support this initiative, and make financial provision for the hire of the Village Hall and refreshments.
Proposer: Cllr Moore, Seconder: Cllr Sales.
It was agreed that the following donations would be made this year, in addition to the Royal British Legion one already made:
It was agreed to authorise the following payments:
| 530.10.1.1. | Donations as agreed above | £175.00 |
| 530.10.1.2. | Repair to wall | £1,440.00 |
| 530.10.1.3. | Replacement ‘No Dogs’ Sign for playing field | £30.00 |
Action: The payments will be authorised by Cllr Sales and Cllr Bell
| 530.10.2.1. | Defibrillator Coffee Morning Donations from Alison Cruse. | £85.75 |
530.10.3.1. The current balance is £12,589,71 (08/01/24) following payments authorised last month and the payment of the MVAS contract to Drewsteignton Parish Council.
There were no planning applications to discuss.
The following planning decisions were noted:
| 23/0071 | Tree Order, Allotments. | Approval Given. |
| 0456/23 | Hayes Torr Storage Building. | Consent granted. |
There were no other planning matters.
The Clerk had amended the draft budget after discussion at the last meeting.
It was agreed that the Council should adopt the budget and request the precept of £7,033, and Cllr Sales signed the budget.
Proposed: Cllr Sales, Seconded: Cllr Moore
Cllr Moore had responded to approaches from residents and has supplied information in a recent report about the campaign to re-open beds in Okehampton Hospital. The full report is available on the website, or by application to the Clerk.
The Council recognised that there was concern about the issue in the village.
It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Cllrs Richards and Marsh of Okehampton Town Council to express the Council’s support and request updates on the progress of the steering group. Action: Clerk
Proposed: Cllr Sales, Seconded: Cllr Moore.
The next meeting will be held on Monday 5th February at Sticklepath Village Hall, 7.30pm.
Items for agenda – Guidance for Correspondence, Future of the Hardship Fund.
The Meeting ended at 21:04
Parish Clerk: Sally Fullwood, 5 Tor Down, Belstone, Okehampton, EX20 1QU
Tel: 01837 849131 Mobile: 07885 959554 Email: clerk@sticklepath.org