Burrator Parish Council
Meeting of the Parish Council held on Thursday 24th November 2011
at Walkhampton Memorial Hall, Walkhampton
Present: Mr T MacDonald, Mr N Morrison, Mrs B Cole, Mr C Symes, Mr J Howells, Mr B Andrew, Mrs J Moorhead, Mr D Wright & Mr P Cater
Absent: Mrs A Bickel, Mrs C Cowell, Mr K Scrivener & Mrs M Wilkins.
Also Present: Mr M Tozer, member of the public & Mr M Harding, member of the public for co-option item.
The Chairman Cllr Howells welcomed everyone and invited Mr Tozer to speak. Mr Tozer presented to the Councillors a design for a snow plough/grit spreader. He reported that if this works successfully he could provide one for each area of the Parish. Cllr Howells thanked Mr Tozer and it was agreed that he would liase with the Snow Warden Cllr MacDonald on the way forward.
Cllr Howells then opened the meeting at 7.30pm.
1. Apologies for absence.
Cllr Scrivener, Cowell & Wilkins.
2. Declarations of interest.
None. As recorded in the Register.
3. Co-Option of Councillor.
Mr M Harding had applied for co-option; he briefly introduced himself to the Councillors before leaving room for the vote to take place. It was agreed to co-opt Mr Harding onto the Parish Council. Proposed Cllr Cole Seconded Cllr Morrison.
4. Minutes of the last meeting held 27th October 2011.
The Minutes were approved and signed as accurate by the Chairman. Proposed Cllr MacDonald Seconded Cllr Morrison.
5. Matters arising from the Minutes.
Item 13 Cllr Howells advised that there was no representation present at the last meeting from Walkhampton Councillors and had been since notified that two more leaflets had been returned. Cllr Howells proposed that the Parish Council support a Conservation Area for Walkhampton and asked any members representing Walkhampton to speak on the motion if they were against the proposal. There was no objection or discussion forthcoming and therefore the proposal was seconded by Cllr MacDonald. The vote was carried with one abstention.
6. Planning Committee – Chairman’s Report.
Cllr Andrews advised that there had been no recent meeting and the next was scheduled for 8th December.
7. Finance & General Purposes Meeting – Chairman’s Report.
a) Minutes of the meeting 10th November 2011
Cllr MacDonald presented the Minutes of the last meeting and summarised to the Councillors. The next meeting is scheduled for 8th December.
b) Parish Precept 2012/2013
Cllr MacDonald advised that the Committee recommend the Precept remain at £4250. This was agreed; proposed Cllr Moorhead Seconded Cllr Wright.
c) Bills for Payment
The bills for payment at £2153.36 were agreed. Proposed Cllr Symes Seconded Cllr Andrew.
d) Financial Statements
These were noted.
8. Royal Oak Inn Committee – Chairman’s Report.
Cllr Moorhead advised that there had been no recent meeting however it had been agreed to instruct RM Builders to re-slate the porch roof as soon as possible.
9. Burrator Beacon.
Cllr MacDonald advised that the Editor, Jenny Sharp, had agreed to bring the publication dates of the Beacon back to the original timescales i.e. a Christmas, Easter Edition etc. Cllr Symes thanked Cllr Andrews for covering his distribution areas in his absence.
10. Borough Councillors Report.
Cllr Moyse gave a verbal update.
11. Reports from outside bodies.
None.
12. Parish Plan.
Cllr Howells reported on the lack of progress by the Sub Committee set up in Feb 2010. He reminded Councillors that there had been 4 Councillors nominated to this Committee but for various reasons most of the work has fallen to Cllr Bickell alone. Cllr MacDonald has been present at the Committee meetings but to date disagrees with the procedure being proposed by Cllr Bickell. Cllr Howells advised on his role as Chairman, to look after the members and the Parish, the need for a Parish Plan and to take leadership on the matter. Cllr Howells presented a draft Parish Plan for Burrator that he has written. Cllr Howells proposed that this draft be published in a Special Edition of the Burrator Beacon thereby hitting the doorsteps of every household in the Parish and requesting feedback or assistance in finalising the plan to a definitive version. Cllr Howells would prefer to go ahead with Parish Council support but he is aware that he may also publish this as a member of the public. This was discussed and during the discussion Cllr Howells expressed concern over the absence of the key player Cllr Bickell who had unfortunately not sent her apologies to the meeting. Councillor Symes advised that he had spoken with Cllr Bickell in the last couple of days during which she had expressed the view that she would continue with the Parish Plan Committee with whom she has arranged a meeting for 8th December but would not be continuing on the Parish Council. However as no word as been forthcoming from Cllr Bickell on her position such comments at this stage cannot be considered “authoritive”. Cllr Howells draft Parish Plan was circulated to each Councillor for consideration. It was agreed to read through the draft and within the next 7 days, each Councillor to indicate to Cllr Howells if they agree to its publication. Cllr MacDonald proposed that the draft Parish Plan and procedure for publishing go ahead subject to a feedback period of 7 days to Cllr Howells. This was seconded by Cllr Moorhead. Vote carried with one Councillor against.
13. Parish Property.
Cllr Howells reported that he and the Clerk had carried out a comprehensive visit of all Parish Property (instructed by Finance & General Purposes Committee) and the Clerk has prepared a schedule of works to be presented to the next Finance meeting on 8th December.
14. South West Lakes Trust – Burrator Management Plan
Cllr Howells advised that he had emailed his thanks to Mr Neil Reeves for attending the last meeting and asked that any Councillor wishing to make comments on the draft Plan report these direct to Neil or to Cllr MacDonald who sits on the Burrator Advisory Group for the Parish Council.
15. Standing Orders.
Cllr Scrivener was absent but it another Committee meeting is expected shortly.
16. Highway Matters.
Cllr MacDonald reported on the Snow Warden Scheme. All area plans have been received with the exception of Meavy Village as Cllr Bickell has been absent however the tenant of the Inn is keen to assist with storing salt. Newly appointed Cllr Harding agreed to take on the role as Meavy Village representative for the Scheme.
Cllr Andrew urged the Parish Council to consider purchasing additional grit bins to prevent bags being stolen from the Highway. He reported that yet again, bags have disappeared shortly after they are delivered. Cllr MacDonald advised that this is not an advisable route as Highways report that many bins are also stolen also and if the Parish Council purchase bins, they will not be filled by Highways. Cllr Howells advised that the discussion is down to Finances and asked that this be discussed further in the Finance & General Purposes Committee.
17. Correspondence.
Cllr Howells advised that he has been sent the recent Monitoring Report for Yennadon Quarry.
He reported that enforcement action is being taken by DNPA over the height of the spoil tips. It is clear however in the document that a Planning Application for an extension is due out soon and that DNPA are encouraging the Quarry Management to communicate with the Parish Council and the Public before submitting their proposals.
18. Urgent additional business by leave of the Chair.
Cllr Cater reported that he had a visit from the local Police and that regular automatic monitoring of speed with now take place on the B3212.
Cllr Moorhead asked, on behalf of a resident, who is responsible for maintenance of the leat through or adjacent to private land. Cllr MacDonald advised that if there is water in the leat then it is SWW.
All votes and proposals at the above meeting were carried unanimously unless recorded otherwise.
The meeting closed at 9.05pm
Signed Cllr John Howells Date: 26 January 2012
