MINUTES of the Meeting of WESTLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL held in the Village Hall , Westleigh, on Wednesday 3rd Jan. 2007 at 7.30 p.m.

Present. Cllrs. P.Fronteras (Chairman) M.Hudson, A.Samphier , J.May ,M.Parks,
B.Marshall and J.Craze.

0107/1 Apologies for Absence. There were no apologies.

0107/2 Police Report.
PCSO Charles reported a damaged vehicle was the only recorded incident in the last month within the parish of Westleigh. There were no witnesses and no information available. The investigation will continue.
PCSO Charles also explained that high profile patrols and increased police presence in Barnstaple town centre over the Christmas break meant patrols in rural area were reduced but things have since returned to normal.

0107/3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 6th Dec. 2006.
Resolved that the minutes of the Meeting held on 6th Dec. 2006 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

0107/4 Matters Arising
Co-option of Mr Jonathan Craze.
All the relevant forms had been sent to NDDC.
NDDC has yet to notify the parish that the co-option has been recorded.

Memorial Garden / General Maintenance
The clerk was asked to contact Mr Jacobs to ascertain that he intends to accept our proposal and to request that he contacts Cllr. Fronteras to discuss the possibility of carrying out some preparatory work on the Memorial Garden.

Bus Shelter. Cllr J. May offered to obtain a quotation from a local builder for
re establishing seating in the bus shelter to a similar specification to the seating in the shelter on the opposite side of the road.

Westleigh Website
Nothing to report. Annual hits totalled 56,273. The Website continues to be well used.

Westleigh Heritage Forum.
Nothing to report

Parish Clerk.
Mr. Michael Harding has been sent a formal offer to replace Brian Baker as Westleigh parish clerk.
Mr Harding has accepted the offer verbally and will confirm his acceptance in writing as soon as possible.
The transfer of responsibilities will take place throughout January and Mr Harding will attend his first meeting as clerk on 7th February 2007

0107/5 Parishioners Questions.
There were no questions

0107/6 District and County Council Reports.

Cllr Lynn Brown NDDC
Cllr Brown Conservative District Councillor for Instow Ward , which includes Westleigh, Eastleigh, Horewood, Lovacott, Newton Tracey is considering stepping down.
Cllr Brown has been a councillor for 8 years and feels it is time to allow someone else to have the opportunity to serve the people of the InstowWard and perhaps provide a fresh approach.
If anyone is interested in taking on the job please contact Llyn on
Mobile No. 07887890056 or e-mail Lynn@devonshirepine.co.uk for further information

Cllr. R. Cann DCC.
Cllr Cann expressed his concern over the recent news that the emergency phones on the A361/A39 link road are to be removed.
He said that he was appalled that the decision has been made without consulting local communities, Parish or District Councils.
Cllr Cann felt that the loss of this service could mean the difference between life and death and more detailed facts should be made available before the final decision is made.

Devon is one of the top three counties in the country for recycling and Devon County Council is continuing to work in partnership with North Devon District Council to promote further improvements.

Much to the concern of Devon County Council, Exeter City has bid to become a Unitary Authority.
Devon has already lost Torbay and Plymouth who were awarded unitary status some years ago and the loss of Exeter could lead to serious repercussions for Devon services.

Cllr Cann also reported that the County Ward Member’s fund is to be increased by £1500 to £7000 for this year.

Cllr Cann thanked the Parish Council for the support given to him during 2006


0107/7 Parking / Play Area.
Nothing to report


0107/8 Correspondence.
A copy of all correspondence received in the past month was made available to all councillors. Resolved that all correspondence be noted.

0107/9 Finance.
A copy of expenditure was presented to councillors. Resolved, that the expenditure totalling £ 124.92 be approved and accounts be paid accordingly.

It was resolved that the clerk will make an application to NDDC for a Parish Precept of £3000.00.
As in previous years the subscription to DAPC can be deducted direct from the April instalment of the Precept.


0107/10 Planning
Application Ref No.43947
Proposal. 1Agricultural Dwelling.
Location. Wearlands Farm, Westleigh, Bideford.

Parish Response. Approve, No Comment.


0107/11 Any Other Business.

Cllr Marshall is to contact Andy Bowman again regarding the clarification of operating conditions at Holmacott landfill site.

The clerk was asked to write to DCC to thank them for the highway repairs recently carried out in Eastleigh.

Cllr Cann to arrange the time and date for the presentation of “litter picking “ equipment to the parish. (possibly at next months meeting.