Parish Council
Cllr Kevin Sales (Chair), Cllr Derek Moore (Vice-Chair), Cllr Kay Loram, Cllr Emma Bell.
Four members of the public, including Cllr Lynn Daniel from West Devon Borough Council, a councillor from Spreyton Parish Council and Alison Ward of Middlemarch.
Sally Fullwood, Clerk.
There were no declarations of interest.
Cllr Niki Wooldridge sent her apologies which were accepted.
Cllr Jake Powell was not present.
There was no public participation.
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 4th March 2024 were considered, agreed and signed as a correct record. The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 5th February 2024 were signed, they had been agreed on 4th March, but the signing was accidentally omitted.
Alison Ward of Middlemarch Community Led Housing gave a presentation explaining the role of Community Land Trusts (CLTs), and their relationships with Housing Associations, builders and financiers. Government grants will only go to Registered Providers of housing (such as Housing Associations), who buy the land and transfer it to the CLT. When setting up they would need money (approx. £10,000 per home), some of which could be provided by West Devon Borough Council by matched funding. The whole process usually takes about six years from conception to build finished. Most Housing Associations do not consider developments of less than 10 homes. Middlemarch receive a fee of over £3,000 for each house that they facilitate from the Housing Association funding, and Local Authority grants to cover cash flow.
The members of the public left the meeting.
Cllr Lynn Daniel (WDBC) had sent a report for March, which was noted. Her April report was not yet available, but her Locality fund for this year has increased to £1,150. WDBC have released a plan for the next 20 years with priorities for Housing and the Natural Environment. Lynn’s term as mayor will end this month. The South Zeal shop campaign will be closed as there were not enough people to continue it, an AGM will be held before closure.
Cllr James McInnes (DCC) had forwarded an annual report, which was noted.
Cllr Sales reported that the abandoned car has now been removed, but nobody is aware who removed it!
The Vehicle Activated Sign (VAS) is back operating in the village, but is not working correctly.
Cllr Bell had forwarded a report about their meeting on 3rd April, 2024. The full report is available on the website, or by application to the Clerk. Cllr Moore seconded the report which was accepted by the Council. The committee have selected the equipment that they would like to replace the Trim Trail, and are getting quotes and raising funding for approximately £11,000 (nearly £5,000 has already been raised).
Cllr Moore reported that there had not been any applications to the fund.
The Clerk’s report, previously circulated, was noted. The full report is available on the website, or by application to the Clerk.
There was no Road Warden’s report.
The Council will not be represented at a police liaison meeting, following previous unsatisfactory meetings.
There will not be a public meeting on Air Pump Heating at this time of year.
There were no other reports.
There was no update regarding the defibrillator. The need for the VETS number to be better known will be discussed at the next meeting.
There was no update on the bus stops.
Cllr Marsh of Okehampton Town Council had written to deny recently published information saying that the kitchen has been removed (it was removed in 2017).
There will be a public meeting on Friday 12th April, 7.30pm at the Ockment Centre.
Cllr Moore had obtained a 24-hour number for the National Trust, it has been added to the Emergency Plan, but will not be given out more widely as it accessed a private number.
Action: Cllr Moore will take some leaflets to the museum.
The updated Asset Register was agreed and signed.
Action: Cllr Bell will supply a picture of the VAS.
It was agreed to authorise the following payments:
| 533.8.1.1. | Playsafety Play Area Safety Inspection | £102.00 + VAT |
| 533.8.1.2. | Community Heartbeat VETS | £100.00 + VAT |
| 533.8.1.3. | WDBC Bin Emptying Winter Service | £159.12 + VAT |
| 533.8.1.4. | DALC Membership | £142.00 + VAT |
| 533.8.1.5. | Website hosting and administration | £189.50 |
Action: Clerk to set up payments.
Action: Cllr Sales and Cllr Moore will authorise the bank payments.
533.8.3.1. The current balance is £10,775.83 (08/04/24).
No planning applications had been received for comment.
The following planning decision was noted:
| 531.8.1.2. | 0039/24 | Part Retrospective Alterations at Finch Foundry | Granted Conditionally |
There were no other planning matters.
The Clerk had updated the Risk Register and circulated it. The Council approved the assessments and the document was signed for review in 3 years.
The Clerk had identified some online training which would be a good way to initiate a social media policy; however it was agreed that it was not urgent as there was no need for a Social Media policy unless the Council set up its own social media presence. It was agreed to add publicity from the website to the existing Sticklepath groups, but that no councillors should reply to comments except to say it would be referred to the Clerk for discussion at the next meeting.
This item was delayed until the next meeting for choosing paint colours.
The next meeting will be held on Monday 14th May at Sticklepath Village Hall, 7.30pm.
Items for agenda – Election of Chair & Vice-Chair, Budget Review, Code of Conduct, Dissemination of emergency numbers and information, Village Gate.
The Meeting ended at 21:22