MINUTES of the Meeting of WESTLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL held in the Village Hall , Westleigh, on Wednesday 1ST Dec. 2004 at 7.30 p.m.

Present. Cllrs. P.Fronteras ( Chairman ) , B.Marshall, J. May, M.Parks,
M. Cumiskey and L.Kenny.

1204/1 Apologies for Absence. Cllr. M. Hudson.

1204/2 Police Report.
PC J. Parker had nothing specific to report, but had, as requested previously, visited the village to monitor traffic speeds at various locations.
On the four occasions he had attended, he had not witnessed anyone driving at a speed he would consider excessive.
The Chairman thanked PC Parker for his assistance in this matter.

1204/3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 3rd Nov. 2004.
Resolved that the minutes of the Meeting held on 3rd Nov. 2004 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

1204/4 Matters Arising

Memorial Garden / General Maintenance
Cllr Hudson had repaired the Eastleigh notice board.
Cllrs B. Marshall and J. May. Were intending to re-erect it in the near future.

Westleigh Website It was reported by Cllr Fronteras that the Website was continuing to improve and averaging 88 hits /visits per day.
There had been several comments locally on the excellent quality of the Website.

Undergrounding of Cables Nothing further to report.

Westleigh Parish Heritage Forum
Cllr. Cumiskey (Forum secretary ) expressed his disappointment at the withdrawal of the local school from their involvement with the Heritage Forum and was unsure at this stage, if any other school would be interested.
The development of the forum was still relatively new and it would take time to progress into an accomplished project.
Cllr Cumiskey apologised to the council for disputing the status of the Forum when discussed at the October meeting.

1204/5 Parishioners Questions.

Cllr R. Cann responded to questions over the Wheelie bin system

1204/6 County and District Council Reports.

Cllr L. Brown , had nothing to report.

Cllr R. Cann.DCC.
Whilst Cllr. Cann had nothing specific to report, he gave the meeting an update on the progress of the “ wheelie bin “ refuse and recycling system together with the financial implications involved.
Cllr Cann also gave an appraisal of the situation regarding the establishment of Gypsy and Traveller transit sites that had been proposed throughout Devon.

Cllr Cann was hoping that the Westleigh village road marking and signing scheme agreed at the November meeting would be completed within this financial year.

1204/7 Parking / Play Area.
The clerk reported that following a phone call to NDDC, an offer was made for a Planning Officer to attend a parish meeting to discuss in general terms the possible future development of Westleigh.
Clerk to make the necessary arrangements.

1204/8 Correspondence.
A copy of all correspondence was made available to all Councillors. Resolved that correspondence be noted.

1204/9 Finance.
A copy of expenditure was presented to Councillors. Resolved, that the expenditure totalling £139.73 be approved and accounts be paid accordingly..
The applications for 2005 –2006 Grants and Precept were due and the clerk submitted the proposed budget to the council for approval.
It was Resolved to apply for the maximum grant allowed. ( £272 for the
Burial Ground and £272.00 for the Village Hall ) The Precept application to remain at £2500.00 the same as last year.

1204/10 Planning
Rose Mill Cottage Southcott. Ref 39005
An amendment to a previous planning application has been re submitted.

Parish Council decision – Approve / No comment.

1204/11 Any Other Business at Chairman’s Discretion.
The Council wished Cllr Mike Hudson a speedy recovery and hoped to see him home and well in the very near future.