Minutes of the Meeting of Westleigh Parish Council held in the Village Hall, on Wednesday 6th, February 2008.

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

0308/01. Apologies: Cllrs.J.May,J.Craze.

0308/02. Police Report:
PC.T.Hodgson attended the meeting, and presented the following information;
Westleigh Parish – Reported Crime over the period between 06/01/2008 and 06/02/2008.
Assault – 1.no. (serious GBH)
4.no. Vehicle RTC, A39 Torridge Bridge.
Over the same period the Police received 9.no. phone calls where information logs were created.

0308/03. Minutes of Meeting held on the 2nd January 2008:
Proposed by Cllr.M.Hudson and Seconded by Cllr.P.Fronteras that the minutes be agreed as a correct record , and signed by the Chairman accordingly.

0308/04. Matters Arising:
A. Memorial Garden.
The Parish Council agreed that the ‘Westleigh Parish Council – Schedule of Maintenance’ be continued as per last year.
B. Bus Shelter.
No Comments.
C. Westleigh Website.
The Website continued to be well used with total hits of 47,666 for January 2008, and usage came from all over the world.
D. Instow and Westleigh Parish News.
No Comments.

Mr.Tom Hynes of the North Devon Coastal and Countryside Office presented a brief talk on Trees and Hedgerows regarding the parish council wishing to pursue the idea of an ‘Avenue of Trees from the main road to the village. This idea presented difficulties.
Resulting from Mr.Hynes presentation, councillors suggested there might be other areas within the parish that could benefit a ‘tree planting’ programme, and local views on this matter would be appreciated. Mr.Hynes would also be available for any future advice

0308/05. 15 Minutes for Parishioner:
There were no questions.

0308/06. County and District Council Reports:
County Councillor R.Cann presented the following information:
Fatal Road Collisions and the responsibilities of the County Council.
The County Council has a Statutory responsibility to investigate road traffic collisions and take measures to prevent them (1988 Road Traffic Act). The County Council must report progress on meeting its targets to reduce road collisions.
In 2007 there were 12 deaths on Highway Agency roads and 37 deaths on Devon County Council roads. The ‘cost’ of these deaths in Devon in 2007 is in the order of £68 Million.
The percentage of rubbish recycled in the Devon County Council area is now 50.5%, and well above the national average of 30.9%
Recent recycling figures show North Devon’s recycling rates are hitting 2010 targets more than two years ahead of schedule.
North Devon Council has experienced a record increase in demand for its bulky goods collection service.
Westleigh A39 Junction – Funding has been approved for a large reactive sign to be placed at the junction at a cost of approximately £25,000. Evidence would suggest that most accidents occur with traffic travelling from the Bideford direction clashing with vehicles crossing the road.
Cllr. R.Cann also advised that he would like any suggestions for projects from the parish council that he may be able to fund.

North Devon District Councillor, Mr.B.Moores apologised for being unable to attend the meeting.
Cllr.R.Cann reported North Devon District Council matters on his behalf.

0308/07. Correspondence:
A copy of all correspondence received was available to all Parish Councillors.
RESOLVED: All correspondence be noted.

0308/08. Finance:
Income – Nil

Expenditure – A copy of expenditure was presented to Councillors.
RESOLVED: the expenditure totalling £147.90 be Approved, and the Accounts paid accordingly.
Proposed by Cllr.M.Hudson and Seconded by Cllr.P.Fronteras.

0308/09. Planning.
North Devon District Council
Town and Country Planning Act. 1990
1). Planning Application no: 45711
Extensions to Dwelling 4.Langmead, Westleigh
Planning Permission granted.

2). Planning Application no: 45969
Listed Building Application for Internal Alterations & Works to Garage at Well Cottage, Westleigh, Bideford.
Comments: Parish Council requested letter be sent to NDDC Planning regarding concern for the light aspect to an adjacent property.
3). The Environment Act 1995; The Hedgerow Regulations 1997
Hedgerow Retention Notice, Application no: 45727
Hedgerow Removal Notice removal of 3 Hedges at Eastleigh Manor Farm adjacent Old Barnstaple and Bideford Road Horwood Cross.
NDDC Decision – Removal of the hedgerows may not be carried out.
Westleigh Parish Council consulted as neighbouring parish.

4). Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 Schedule 2, Part 6 and Part 7 – Agricultural and Forestry Buildings and Operations.
Application no: 45677. Ref: Agricultural Building Works prior notification for restoration of Sawmill Building & Workshop/Store at Tapeley Park Instow Bideford.
NDDC Decision – prior approval of details for this development will NOT be required in this instance.

5). Town and Country Planning (General Permitted development) Order 1995 Schedule 2, Part 6 and Part 7 – Agricultural and Forestry Buildings and Operations.
Application no: 45678. Ref: Agricultural Building Works prior notification for Erection of Timber Processing/Storage Unit & a Welfare Room/Logstore at Tapeley Park Instow Bideford. NDDC written approval not yet given.

Devon County Council – Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004
Article 6 Town and Country (General Development Procedure) Order 1995
Consultation on New Procedures for the validation of Planning Applications.

0308/10. Any Other Business at the Chairman’s discretion.
Mr.B.Towl has fixed and repaired the notice board that had fallen off the wall in the village.