MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF WESTLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON WEDNESDAY 4^th NOVEMBER 2009 AT 7.30pm.

Present:-  Cllrs.B.Marshall (Chairman), Mrs.M.Parks (Vice Chairman), WJ Dart, D.Peel.

1109/01:  Apologies:     Cllr.J.May

1109/02:  Police Report:

PC.T.Hodgson apologised for being unable to attend the Parish Council Meeting.

PCSO.D.Cornish has now been relocated to duties within Barnstaple Town and PC Hodgson will introduce the new PCSO to the Parish Council at the next meeting.

There was no report.

1109/03:  Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 7^th October. 2009.

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

1109/04:  Matters Arising.

A).  Memorial Garden and Bus Shelters.

Mr.Jacobs has cut down the growth at the Bus Shelters as requested, and presented his account for the seasons work.

The Parish Council thanked him for the work he has done.

Devon County Council have been contacted regarding outstanding works.

B).  Westleigh Website.

The Website continues to be well used.

C).  BT Telephone Kiosk, Eastleigh.

North Devon District Council have confirmed with BT that the Parish Council wish to ‘Adopt the Kiosk’ and BT will require the Parish Council to complete forms agreeing to this.

1109/05:  15 Minutes for Parishioners Questions.

The maintenance queries raised at the last meeting have been passed to Devon County Council Highways and will be programmed in by the Highways Officer.

One Parishioner attended the meeting and there were no new questions raised.

1109/06:  County and District Council Reports.

Devon County Councillor Mr.R.Cann presented the following information.

Devon Care Homes; Devon County Council currently arrange care into the independent and voluntary sector Care Homes for approximately 3,860 people and Providers Care for approximately 600 people in DCC Care Homes.

Devon currently operates 24 Residential Homes for older people.

Staffing revues are planned over two years.

Devon’s road maintenance back log now stands at 220 million pounds.

Devon’s ageing population; in ten years there will be 20%  more residents over the age of 65 years.

Devon’s Schools are under funded compared to the rest of the country. Devon are 148^th out of 151 in terms of funding received from Central Government.

Food Waste one month on – food waste recycling was rolled out across North Devon and figures suggest that the service is being well received.

A39 Westleigh Junction – Cllr.Cann has made further representations regarding the Junction. The Parish Council has forwarded a letter to Cllr.Cann and the Leader of Devon County Council regarding their road safety concerns.

North Devon District Councillor Mr.B.Moore apologised for being unable to attend the Parish Council Meeting, but advised that both he and a North Devon District Planning Officer were investigating the situation of Myrtle Cottage, Westleigh.

1109/07:  Correspondence.

Westleigh Parochial Church Council; The payment of the Annual Grant for the Burial Grounds, Westleigh Church was proposed by Cllr.Dart and Seconded by Cllr.Mrs.M.Parks

The matter of a request for a grant towards Restoration work at St Peters Church, Westleigh would be discussed at the next parish council meeting.

Correspondence was received from the ‘Rural Housing Project’ regarding ‘Affordable Rural Housing’. The Rural Housing Enabler offered to come and give information on this matter and the Parish Council agreed it would be a worthwhile offer, and a suitable date for this would be arranged.

BT Telephone Kiosk, Eastleigh – North Devon District Council confirmed with BT that Westleigh Parish Council wished to ‘Adopt the Kiosk’ and that the Parish Council would have to complete an ‘Adoption Form’.

Resolved:  All Correspondence be noted.

1109/08: Finance.

INCOME:

North Devon District Council (50%.Final) Parish Grant    2009/10.  £  263.00

North Devon District Council (50% Final) Parish Precept 2009/10.  £ 1250.00

EXPENDITURE FOR AUTHORISATION AND PAYMENT:

A copy of expenditure was presented to Councillors.

Resolved: That the expenditure of £532.39 be approved and Accounts be paid accordingly.

Proposed by Cllr.WJ Dart and Seconded by Cllr.Mrs.M.Parks.

1109/09:  Planning.

North Devon District Council.             There were no items.

1109/10: Parish Council Vacancies.

Applications for co-option to be forwarded to the Parish Council Chairman, and will be discussed at the next meeting. North Devon District Council advise that there is no time limit for notices, and will remain until vacancies have been filled.

1109/11: Any other business at the Chairman’s discretion.