Minutes of the Meeting of Westleigh Parish Council held in the Village Hall, Westleigh on Wednesday 3^rd June 2009 at 7.30pm.

Present:  Cllrs.B.Marshall (Chairman), Mrs.M.Parks (Vice Chairman), J.May, W.J.Dart, D.Peel.

0609/01:  Apologies.        Cllr.J.Craze.

0609/02:  Police Report.

PC.T.Hodgson apologised for being unable to attend the meeting, but advised that the crime report for Westleigh and Eastleigh for this period was NIL. There were 6.no. logs reported of which 5.no. were vehicle related.

0609/03:  Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 3^rd June 2009.

Proposed by Cllr.Mrs.M.Parks and Seconded by Cllr.D.Peel that the minutes be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman accordingly.

0609/04:  Matters Arising. 

                A).  Memorial Garden and Bus Shelter.

The Memorial Garden footpath had been made safe by Devon County Council.

                B).  Westleigh Website.

Cllr.P.Fronteras who maintained the highly successful Website on behalf of the Parish Council (but has since resigned as a Parish Councillor) has agreed to continue and act on behalf of Westleigh Parish Council to keep the website a success. Westleigh Parish Councillors were unanimous in their thanks and agreed that Capt’ P.Fronteras continue his good work.

0609/05:  15 Minutes for Parishioners Questions.

One Parishioner attended the Parish Council Meeting, and raised matters of concern which would be addressed.

0609/06:  County and District Council Reports.

Devon County Councillor Mr.R.Cann apologised for being unable to attend the Parish Council Meeting.

North Devon District Councillor Mr.B.Moores presented the following information:

Matters relating to ‘Support for Devon’, ‘Voters Rights’ and the employment situation of ‘Leaderflush’ in Barnstaple were at priority level for North Devon District Council.

Cllr.B.Moores did advise the Parish Council regarding his funding for a new replacement seat in the village; forms of approval have to be agreed to release funding, so the replacement seat is on hold for the present time.

0609/07:  Correspondence.

Correspondence received from Westleigh Village Hall requesting payment for yearly rental for the hire of the hall for parish meetings; period of payment  is for April 2009 to march 2010, and payment will be duly made.

Also a request for the annual grant payment applied for by the Parish Council to North Devon District Council for Westleigh Village Hall; Proposed by Councillor.Mrs.M.Parks and Seconded by Councillor.D.Peel that the grant for this financial year be paid to Westleigh Village Hall.

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

RESOLVED: All correspondence be noted.

0609/08:  Finance.

Income:             NIL

Expenditure:     NIL

Cllr.D.Peel completed the Notice of Financial and Other Interests Form.

0609/09:  Planning.

North Devon District Council

Town and Country Planning Act 1990

- Extension to Dwelling at Clarendon Mount Pleasant Bideford

Planning Application no: 48471

Proposed Ground and First Floor Extension.

- Councillor Mr.D.Peel declared an interest in this application and took no part in the matter.

The Parish Council reviewed the planning application and there were no objections.

0609/10:  Parish Council Vacancies.

Correspondence was received from Councillor.P.Fronteras resigning as a Parish Councillor for Westleigh on the 31^st May 2009.

The Chairman requested a letter be written by the Clerk thanking him for his valuable services to the Parish Council both as Chairman and Councillor.

Capt.P.Fronteras agreed to represent Westleigh Parish Council on the Taw Torridge Estuary Forum, as he is already a member of the Forum as Port Volunteer Officer, Bideford, Instow & Barnstaple, Maritime Volunteer Service.              

The Parish Council thanked him and accepted his kind offer.

This resignation would now leave a vacancy on the Parish Council of which

North Devon District Council will be notified, and duly processed.

0609/11.  Any other business at the Chairman’s discretion.

Cllr.Peel had received concerns about a property in the village which had fallen into disrepair, and ownership was being investigated by the Building Control Officer of North Devon District Council.

There were no other matters.