MINUTES of  the Meeting of

PARISH COUNCIL held in the Village Hall , Westleigh, on Wednesday  1st Oct.  2003 at 7.30 p.m.

 

Present

Councillors  M.Hudson  (Chairman ) , P.Fronteras, M. Parks. B.Marshall, A.Samphier, J. May, M.Cumiskey. L. Kenny.

 

1003/1 Apologies for Absence. Cllrs R.Cann and L. Brown are on holiday.

 

1003/2 Police Report.

Crime analysis for the period dated 30.06.03. to 28.09.03. as follows:-

Burglary from a Port a cabin at Eastleigh Manor.

Theft of a Solar panel , A39.

Positive breath test on the B3233 Westleigh.

 

PC. Johnson reported that the drug culture was on the increase locally and people should be vigilant.

It was pointed out that drug exchanges were taking place from cars parked in back lanes and that people should be aware of the situation and report anything suspicious to the police.

PC Johnson’s operational area has been reduced and he will shortly be working from Fremington covering a much smaller area, which will include Westleigh.

 

1003/3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 3rd Sept.  2003.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Meeting held on 3rd Sept. 2003 to be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

1003/4  Matters Arising

Memorial Garden / General Maintenance.

The enhancement of the Westleigh “Gateway” scheme and the planting of spring flowering bulbs at the Memorial Garden has been discussed with Mr. Harris by Cllrs M.Hudson and A. Samphier. The work to be put in hand in due course.

The replacement of the lock on the Eastleigh notice board is also being dealt with by Mr. Harris.

 

Traffic Speed / Management Westleigh Village.

In the absence of Cllr. R. Cann. there was no report this month.

 

Westleigh Website.

Cllr P. Fronteras reported that there had been 151 “Hits” on the Westleigh Website in September.  It was also reported that the review  on the BBC Website had given the Westleigh Website  a good write-up. 

 

Northern Devon Community Transport Association Ltd.

The questionnaire has now been finalised and printed. The Chairman Cllr. M.Hudson will issue the appropriate No. of copies to councillors for distribution throughout the parish.

Street Lighting.

The clerk reported that having spoken to Mr D. Netherway of DCC , it would appear that the installation of the  two new street lights  would be carried out by the end of the year.

 

Undergrounding of Cables. 

 Nothing to report.     Cllr. Cumiskey suggested that the parish council should be pursuing this matter with a little more determination and following a discussion the clerk was asked to write to our County and District Councillors, to seek assistance in promoting this scheme.

 

Parish Magazine.

It was proposed by Cllr. M. Cumiskey and seconded by Cllr. P. Fronteras that Westleigh parish council should re-establish the contribution that used to be given to The Instow and Westleigh Parish News .

It was suggested by Cllr. Cumiskey that the more positive attitude of the producers of the magazine, together with their intention to include more news from Westleigh, warranted our renewed support.

The council agreed that support should be given  to the magazine and a vote was taken as to the amount  of the annual contribution.

It was proposed by Cllr Cumiskey and seconded by Cllr Fronteras that an annual sum of £80.00 be donated

Cllr. A.Samphier  supported the motion whilst Cllrs M.Hudson, L.Kenny, M.Parks,    B. Marshall and J.May. abstained from voting.

The motion was carried and it was resolved therefore that an annual donation of £80.00 be granted to the Instow and Westleigh Parish News.

 

Church Restoration Fund.

Following the receipt of a letter from the Westleigh PCC. requesting financial assistance towards the cost of restoration and maintenance of  the Westleigh parish church, a presentation was given by  Westleigh church warden Mr. T Lowry.

Mr. Lowry gave the council his appraisal of the financial aspects of the church with particular emphasis on the need to raise finance for the repair and restoration  of the church building itself.

The total amount of money currently required to keep the church building sound, was considerable, and in order to sustain a future maintenance programme, it was envisaged that the PCC would require something in the region of £20,000 to £30,000 every 5 years for the next 30 years.

Any donation forthcoming from the parish council would be used solely for the restoration of the church building.

It was pointed out by the clerk that there was no provision in this year’s budget for a  donation of this nature , although a grant of £275.00 was committed towards the

upkeep of the Burial Ground.

Following a vigorous debate including questions and answers, it was regretted, that at the present time the council was unable to provide any financial support.

It was agreed however, that the council should support the PCC in its endeavour to restore and maintain the church  building , therefore the request for financial help would be discussed later in the year, when this year’s balances are reviewed and next year’s budget is being considered.

The Chairman thanked Mr Lowry for his attendance.

1003/5 Parishioners Questions.      There were none.

 

1003/6   County  &  District  Reports.

With both the County and District Councillors being away, there were no reports.

 

1003/7 Parking / Play Area.     Nothing to report.

 

1003/8Correspondence.

A copy of all correspondence was made available to all Councillors.

Resolved  that correspondence be noted.

 

1003/9 Finance.

A copy of expenditure was presented to Councillors.  Resolved , that  expenditure totalling £75.69 be approved and accounts be paid accordingly.

The 2002-2003 Audit has been concluded satisfactorily. Notice of the conclusion to be posted on the Westleigh notice board from 3rd Oct to 17th Oct 2003.

The Barclays Community Account is now operational and the Cheque account with the Portman has been closed. A closing credit balance of £928.61 has been transferred to Barclays Bank.

 

1003/10 Planning.

NDDC has granted Planning permission for :-

Conversion of Barn & Erection of Garage & Change of use of Agricultural Land to Form Extension to Domestic Curtilage.

At The Folly , West Living Westleigh.  Planning Ref. 35831.

 

Planning Ref. No. 29924       Erection of Power Station West Yelland.

The above application has been withdrawn and will no longer be considered by the Local Planning Authority.

 

1003/11 Millennium Book

The draft copy of the Millennium book is with Mr. D. Boswell for his comments.

 

1003/12 Any Other Business at Chairman’s Discretion.

The Minute Books dated from 15th April 1895 until 15th May 1991 have been passed to Cllr P. Fronteras for him to ascertain whether there are any items of interest for the Website.

 

The clerk to order a Wreath for Remembrance Sunday.

 

Cllr Fronteras suggested an approach be made to the appropriate authority for possible provision of a new access from the Tarka trail to serve Tapeley Park, as cyclists and pedestrians using the trail are having to negotiate a stretch of the B3233 to visit the Estate.

 

 

Signed……………………………(Chairman)     Dated……………………………