Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 29th March 2012 at Walkhampton Memorial Hall, Walkhampton
Present: Mr T MacDonald, Mr N Morrison, Mrs B Cole, Mr C Symes, Mr J Howells, Mrs P Fisk, Mr M Harding, Mrs J Moorhead, Mr P Cater & Mr B Andrew.
Absent: Mr D Wright, Mrs C Cowell, Mr K Thomas & Mr K Scrivener.
Cllr Howells opened the meeting at 7.30pm.
1. Apologies for absence.
Cllrs Cowell, Thomas & Scrivener.
2. Declarations of interest.
None. As recorded in the Register.
3. Minutes of the last meeting held 23rd February 2012.
The Minutes were approved and signed as accurate by the Chairman. Proposed Cllr Andrew Seconded Cllr Cole.
5. Matters arising from the Minutes.
None.
6. Planning Committee – Chairman’s Report.
a) Minutes of the Meeting held on 15th March 2012.
Cllr Andrew presented the Minutes and reported on the site meeting that he and Cllr Howells had recently attended with regard to item 7.
7. Finance & General Purposes Meeting – Chairman’s Report.
a) Bill for Payment.
It was agreed to pay the Bills presented at £2597.25. Proposed Cllr Andrew Seconded Cllr Harding.
b) Financial Statements
These were noted.
8. Royal Oak Inn Committee – Chairman’s Report.
Cllr Moorhead advised that there had been no recent meeting and that finally the ceiling the works to the ceiling were nearly completed.
9. Burrator Beacon.
Cllr Cole advised that the Editor was short of articles for the Easter Edition therefore the publication may be a little delayed. Cllr Morrison asked on his role on the Beacon Checking Group and he was advised that the Editor emails out a draft version for those Councillors to check through.
10. Borough Councillors Report.
No Report.
11. Reports from outside bodies.
None.
12. Parish Plan.
Cllr Thomas had prepared another draft Parish Plan and this had been circulated previously to the Councillors. Cllr Howells stressed the need for all Councillors to respond directly to Frank as he requests by the 12th April with more input to the plan where it is required.
13. Parish Property.
It was reported that the Notice Board in Hoo Meavy had fallen off the wall and that a nearby resident was storing it for safety. It was agreed to add this repair and replacement to the list of Parish Property Repairs recently awarded to Mr P Shapcott.
14. Grouping Order & Standing Orders.
Cllr Howells advised that Cllr Scrivener had prepared a letter for WDBC along with proposed amendments to the Grouping Order. The Clerk summarised that the item would need to be placed on the Annual Parish Meeting Agendas for further agreement by the three separate Parishes before the Parish Council can instruct the amendment to be carried out by WDBC. It was agreed that the item may be placed on the APM Agendas and the letter of intention be sent to WDBC.
15. Highway Matters.
Cllr Howells reported on the overgrown hedges on the B3212 between Dousland and Woodmans Corner. This sparked discussion over speed limits again and the Clerk was asked to request that Highways action hedge cutting by the land owners as soon as possible and also to write to Mr Watkins to request a Speed Review in that area.
Cllr Fisk reported on deep pot holes in Lovaton particularly near the Telephone box. The Clerk was asked to report this also.
Speeding out of Yennadon Quarry was discussed and Cllr Howells proposed a letter be sent directly to the Quarry Manager to request that all staff be reminded to exit with due care down Iron Mine Lane. Cllr Cole advised that the Commoners had recently met on site to look at the boundary fencing as they have great concern for their stock. They have written a letter of concern to DNPA. Cllr Howells requested through Cllr Cole that the Commoners’ copy their correspondence with regard to the Quarry to the Parish Council and vice versa to ensure that both parties are up to date with the various ongoing issues.
Also reported was a split gate post on the cattle grid at Meavy Weir and poor surfacing on Lowery Car Park. The Clerk was requested to report these items to the DNPA Ranger.
Cllr MacDonald spoke on his concerns on congestion at Burrator Dam particularly at weekends. The Clerk was asked to request Highways formal response on this matter.
Cllr Fisk reported of the lack of dog waste facilities at Burrator Dam with many deposits being bagged and left. It was reported that South West Lakes Trust have arranged a clear up session for the following month.
16. Correspondence.
Cllr Howells read aloud an email of thanks from a local resident on the great improvements to Walkhampton Green. Also, an email from the same resident requesting use of the Green to celebrate the Jubilee on the 3rd June. It was agreed that permission be given.
Councillors asked if the Parish Council had any intentions to purchase Jubilee Mugs for the children of the Parish. It was briefly discussed and agreed that this was a little late in the day to be raised now along with concerns over the quantity and costs given the large area of the Parish.
17. Urgent additional business by leave of the Chair.
None.
All votes and proposals at the above meeting were carried unanimously unless recorded otherwise.
The meeting closed at 8.20pm
Signed: John Howells Date: 26th April 2012
