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

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

0309/01: Apologies. Cllr.J.May.

0309/02: Police Report.
There was no Police attendance, an no report.

0309/03: Minutes of the Meeting held on the 4th February 2009.
Proposed by Cllr.W.J.Dart and Seconded by Cllr.Mrs.M.Parks that the minutes be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman accordingly.

0309/04: Matters Arising.
A). Memorial Garden and Bus Shelter.
Correspondence to be sent to Mr.Jacobs inviting him to tender for the 2009, Parish Council Grounds Maintenance Contract.
B). Westleigh Website.
Cllr.P.Fronteras advised the Parish Council that the Website continued to be well used.

0309/05: 15 Minutes for Parishioners Questions.
There were no questions.

0309/06: County and District Council Reports.
Devon County Councillor Mr.R.Cann presented the following information:-
Care Provider Shaw Healthcare, with whom Devon County Council has been negotiating over the potential transfer of some of its residential homes, has announced that it is withdrawing from negotiations. The Council is committed to a further period of community engagement, before inviting other potential partners to come forward with development proposals. In the meantime, services at each of the Council’s residential homes continue unchanged.
The County Council Tax for 2009 has been set at 2.89%.
The Secretary of State has extended the deadline for the Boundary Committee to provide advice concerning the re-organisation of Local Government in Devon, from the 13th February, to the 15th July 2009. This means that most probably any re-organisation will be delayed until April 2011.
The very successful benefits advice project for children (0-15) and young people (!6-21) with special needs is continuing, with funding from Devon County Council agreed until 2011.
North Devon District Councillor Mr.B.Moores presented the following information:-
Unauthorised Development: EMF 206 Lester House and EMF 626 White Lodge planning matters are still being progressed.
Local Government Review are as detailed as above.
The Council has set up a Credit Crunch Local Impact Forum formulating an action plan.
The Council tax for North Devon Council was set at 2.5%.
North Devon Council and Torridge District Council are working together to produce a planning document called the ‘Core Strategy’ which aims to highlight what can be built in the area, and where it can be built.
A Strategic Housing Inspection has been carried out by the Audit Commission, covering:
Making the best use of our existing housing; Enabling new housing; Preventing homelessness; Private sector housing. The outcome of the assessment will be known in April 2009.
Devon Home Choice:- This is a new way of letting Council and Housing Association homes in North Devon. Devon Home Choice is what’s known as a choice-based letting scheme (CBL); this will be launched at the end of this year.

0309/07: Correspondence.
There were no items for discussion.
A copy of all correspondence received was available to all Parish Councillors.
RESOLVED: All correspondence be noted.

0309/08: Finance.

INCOME - NIL

EXPENDITURE FOR AUTHORISATION AND PAYMENTS.

A Copy of Expenditure was presented to Councillors.
RESOLVED. That the Expenditure of £189.62 be Approved and Accounts be paid accordingly.

0309/09: Planning.
North Devon District Council
Town and Country Planning Act 1990
 NO ITEMS.

0309/10: Parish Council - Vacancies.
The Parish Council Chairman has received one letter from a Parishioner wishing to be co-opted onto the Parish Council. A letter will be sent inviting the applicant to attend the next Parish Council Meeting on the 1st April 2009.

0309/11: Any other business at the Chairman’s discretion.
No items for discussion.