Minutes of the Meeting of Westleigh Parish Council held in the Village Hall, Westleigh, on Wednesday 4th. February 2009 at 7.30pm.

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

0209/01: Apologies. Cllr.J.Craze.

0209/02: Police Report.
PC.T.Hodgson unable to attend due to Police duties. No Report.

0209/03: Minutes of the Meeting held on the 21st.January 2009.
Proposed by Cllr.J.May and Seconded by Cllr.Mrs.M.Parks that the minutes be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman accordingly.

0209/04: Matters Arising.
A). Memorial Garden and Bus Shelter.
There were no items for discussion.
B). Westleigh Website.
There were 177 hits per day on the website during January 2009.

0209/05: 15 Minutes for Parishioners Questions.
There were no questions.

0209/06: County and District Council Reports.
Devon County Councillor Mr.R.Cann presented the following information:- Council Tax for 2009/2010 would probably be below 3%.
The Litter Pick Programme on the Link Road carried out by South West Highways Ltd who are the Devon County Council Contractors was a great success, and showed how much litter is actually left on highway verges.
North Devon District Councillor Mr.B.Moores was unable to attend the meeting, but sent a report with the following information:- Outstanding planning matters within the parish were now being pursued by the authorities planning officers.
The Local Government Review was still being progressed.
North Devon Council’s work to help rough sleepers has been praised by a national organisation for the prevention of homelessness.
The Council is aware of the impact that the recession is having, and to make sure that people who feel the financial impact of this recession are aware of all the services the council can offer.

0209/07: Correspondence.
Cllr.J.May Proposed and Cllr.P.Fronteras Seconded that the Parish Council give the Instow and Westleigh Parish News a grant of £80 towards the cost of supporting the Parish News; as per their letter of request.
A copy of all correspondence received was made available to all Councillors.
RESOLVED: that all correspondence be noted.
0209/08: Finance.

INCOME - NIL

EXPENDITURE FOR AUTHORISATION AND PAYMENTS.

A Copy of Expenditure was presented to Councillors.
RESOLVED. That the Expenditure of £175.00 be Approved and Accounts be paid accordingly.

0209/09: Planning.
North Devon District Council
Town and Country Planning Act 1990

No Items.

0209/10: Parish Council – Vacancies.
Correspondence has been received from North Devon District Council confirming that 10.no. names were not received from the Electorate of Westleigh Parish requesting the vacancy be filled by an election.
Therefore the Parish Council is now obliged to co-opt as soon as is practicable.
North Devon District Council is to be informed of new councillors.
Notices will be posted on the Village Notice-boards inviting anyone interested in being co-opted onto Westleigh Parish Council, to write to the Parish Council Chairman giving reasons why he or she would like to be co-opted onto the Council.
The Chairman then reports any letter to the council who then either co-opt direct or invite applicants to appear at the council meeting for an interview.

0209/11: Any other business at the Chairman’s discretion.
There were no items.