MINUTES of the MEETING of WESTLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL held in the VILLAGE HALL, WESTLEIGH on WEDNESDAY 4th, APRIL 2007

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

0407/1. Apologies: None.

0407/2. Police Report:
PCSO Charles apologised for his absence. There was nothing to report.

0407/3. Minutes of the meeting held on the 7th. March 2007:
Resolved that the minutes of the meeting held on the 7th.March be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

0407/4. Matters Arising:
Memorial Garden/General Maintenance:
The maintenance sites within the parish are now being cut as per the schedule of maintenance.

Bus Shelter:
Mr.Towl will complete the works regarding re-establishing seating in the Bus Shelter by the end of April 2007.

Westleigh Website:
The Chairman informed the Councillors that the website continues to be well used by users both in the United Kingdom and Internationally.

Westleigh Parish Heritage Forum:
There was nothing to report.

Instow and Westleigh Parish News:
A letter was received from the secretary acknowledging receipt of the parish grant towards the cost of the parish news, and their appreciation of same.

0407/5. Parish Questions:
There were no questions.

0407/6. County and District Councils Reports:
Cllr.R.Cann. DCC. apologised for his absence. There was nothing to report.
Cllr.L.Brown. NDDC. apologised for her absence. There was nothing to report.

0407/7. Correspondence:
A copy of all correspondence received was made available to all Councillors.
Resolved that all correspondence be noted.

0407/8. Finance:
There were no financial matters or transactions this month; but is was noted that Mr.Lowry who was the Internal Auditor for the Parish Accounts has since left the parish.The Parish Clerk of Little Torrington has offered to audit the Parish accounts for this financial year 2006/2007 only, if this was acceptable to the Parish Council.
It was proposed, seconded and resolved that the Parish Clerk of Little Torrington audit the Parish Council accounts for the financial year 2006/2007 only.

0407/9. Planning:
Application ref.no: 43947
Proposal: 1. Agricultural Workers Dwelling
Location: Wearlands Farm, Westleigh.
NDDC – Decision: Planning Permission Refused.

0407/10. Any other business at the Chairman’s discretion:
It was resolved that the Parish Council give a vote of thanks to Brian Baker for his past services of nearly five years as Westleigh Parish Clerk.
The Telephone Box in the village was in need of repairs and maintenance, and Councillor Craze offered to investigate the matter on behalf of the council.
The Chairman wished to remind the Councillors that he was the Council’s representative on the Taw and Torridge Estuary Forum, and also a member of the local Maritime Volunteers Service.
The Chairman advised the Council that he had received letters from Cllrs. Cumiskey and Samphier; they would not be seeking re-election at the forthcoming parish elections.