MINUTES of the Meeting of WESTLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL held in the Village Hall , Westleigh, on Wednesday 3rd May 2006 at 7.30 p.m.


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


0506/1 Apologies for Absence. Cllr. M.Hudson.


0506/2 Police Report.
In the absence of PC J.Benbow there was no police report.


0506/3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 5th April 2006.
Resolved that the minutes of the Meeting held on 5th April 2006 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.


0506/4 Matters Arising
Memorial Garden / General Maintenance
The clerk was asked to ascertain from Mr Souster when his next maintenance visit was due, in order to request owners to move their vehicles from the road adjoining the memorial Garden to provide access to the area and prevent unnecessary damage to the parked cars.

Bus Shelter.
Repair work to the roof was in progress.

Fly Tipping.
A small amount of litter near the roundabout was reported to Cllr Cann and he indicated that the anti-fly tipping campaign was continuing.

Westleigh Website Still performing well

Westleigh Heritage Forum Nothing to report.

Undergrounding of Cables Nothing further to report.

Ashridge.
Cllr Cann reported that DCC Local Services Dept had issued an order for the appropriate signs to be erected.


0506/5 Parishioners Questions.
There was none.



0506/6 District and County Council Reports.

Cllr. L.Brown.NDDC.
Cllr Brown reported on a variety of matters including the partnership with Ireland and France over Water sports, beach and sea safety and environment, together with marketing and development.
NDDC are also investigating future redevelopment proposals within Barnstaple over the next few years, following the completion of the new bypass.
The future of the Marine Car Park in Instow will be considered at the Executive meeting in June.
Proposed new Unitary Authorities are still under review but there is not much support for the proposal within Devon.

Cllr R. Cann ( DCC )
It has been a year since Cllr Cann’s re-election as a county Councillor and he reported that he opposed both the proposal to increase councillor’s allowances and the changes in funding of social services.
The decision to change the DCC logo has attracted a storm of criticism and the controversy is still on going.
Since the introduction of free bus travel for the over sixties concessionary usage has risen by 50 –70%.
The road signing at Ashridge will be dealt with by the Local Services Dept. as soon as possible.

0506/7 Parking / Play Area. Nothing to report

0506/8 Correspondence.
A copy of all correspondence was made available to all Councillors. Resolved that correspondence be noted.

0506/9 Finance.
Income. £1300.00 - £52.00 DAPC payment and £278.00 Grant.
A copy of expenditure was presented to councillors. Resolved, that the expenditure totalling £629.05 be approved and accounts be paid accordingly.
It was Resolved to approve the Statement of the Accounts and the Statement of Assurance relating to the 2005 / 2006 audit and in accordance with the audit regulations.
The clerk expressed his thanks to Mr T Lowry for acting as internal auditor to the parish council.

0506/10 Planning There were no planning issues this month.

0506/11 Any Other Business.
Cllr Marshall expressed his concern over some of the activities occurring at Holmacott Landfill Site and Cllr Cann agreed to investigate and report back.