Minutes of the Meeting of Westleigh Parish Council held in the Village Hall, Westleigh on Wednesday 6th May 2009 (At the rising of the Annual Meeting in the Village Hall, Westleigh) to consider the following business:-

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

0509/01: Apologies. Cllr.J.Craze.

0509/02: Police Report.
PC.T.Hodgson attended the meeting and presented the following information;
Crime report for Westleigh and Eastleigh for the period Thursday 2nd April 2009 to Wednesday 6th May 2009. Throughout this period there has been 1.no. reported crime; Harassment/Stalking without fear of violence, Eastleigh; under investigation.
Over this period there have been 5.no. logs created, of which 1.no. was a silent 999 call, 2.no. Highway matters, 1.no. Anti-Social Behaviour and 1.no. Public Safety/Firearms, there were no offences.

0509/03: Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 1st April 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.

0509/4: Matters Arising.
A). Memorial Garden and Bus Shelter.
Replacement of old metal seat at Blackgate nearby to Westleigh Church to be replaced by metal seat and timber slats. Mr.Holman of North Devon District Council to be contacted on guidance and advice as to suitability of seat; a site meeting to be arranged if required. North Devon District Councillor Mr.B.Moores kindly advised the Parish Council that he might be able to help towards funding of seat. The Parish Council thanked Councillor Moores.
B). Westleigh Website.
Cllr.P.Fronteras continues to maintain a very successful site.

0509/5: 15 Minutes for Parishioners Questions.
There were no questions.

0509/6. County and District Council Reports.
Devon County Councillor Mr.R.Cann presented the following information:-
There were a total of 15.no. collisions at the Westleigh Junction on the Link Road between January 2006 and December 2008, and he is pursuing improvement works to be carried out.
This years Surface Dressing programme started on the 20th April 2009and is scheduled to run until the end of August 2009 with a plan to Surface Dress 1.4 Million Square Metres of carriageway in North Devon, equating to 14KM of road network.
Three Utility Companies have been ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £17 thousand pounds for Street Works offences in Devon.
A wide range of mobility aids with expert advice is now available at the Shopmobility Centre close by Barnstaple Bus Station.
North Devon District Councillor Mr.B.Moores presented the following information:-
Unauthorised Development;
1). EMF206 Lester House
2). EMF626 White Lodge

1). North Devon District Planning Officer to write to Christies Estate to either get the parking stopped or for an application to be submitted. If neither happens North Devon District Planning will get a Planning Contravention Notice served, which is a legal fact finding document which is needed if they are to reserve their position over a possible Enforcement Notice.
2). The Listed Building Notice has been drafted requiring the wall to be reconstructed. This could be Subject to Appeal which would hold the notice in abeyance.

The Local Government Review is ongoing. The Boundary Committee is asking for public views on the Single Unitary Authority covering the whole of Devon except Plymouth and Torbay, and a Unitary Authority covering Exeter and Exmouth and surrounding area, and a separate Unitary Authority covering the remainder of the County except Plymouth and Torbay.
Strategic Housing Inspection; North Devon Council Strategic Housing Service has a good report.
Students help get Anti-Social behaviour message across to the young.

0509/7: Correspondence.
A copy of correspondence received was available to all Parish Councillors.
RESOLVED: All correspondence be noted.

0509/8. Finance.
INCOME:
NDDC. 50% Parish Precept (2009/2010)…………………..£1250.00
NDDC. 50% Parish Grant (2009/2010)…………………….£ 263.00

EXPENDITURE:
A copy of expenditure was presented to councillors.
RESOLVED: that the expenditure totalling £591.74 be approved and accounts paid accordingly.
It was RESOLVED – to approve the ‘Statement of the Accounts’ and Annual Governance Statement’ relating to 2008/2009 audit in accordance with the audit regulations.
The above were Proposed by Cllr.J.May and Seconded by Cllr.Mrs.M.Parks.
The Clerk again expressed his thanks to Mr.M.Sampson for acting as internal auditor to the Parish Council.
Note: North Devon District Council advise that the DAPC 2009/2010 Annual Subscription will not be deducted from the April 2009 Precept Payment. This year DAPC will make a separate charge.
The Parish Council require new signatories for the signing of cheques relating toParish Council business. Cllr.B.Marshall is already a signatory and two new signatories are required. Cllr.W.Dart proposed and Cllr.D.Peel seconded that Cllrs.J.May and Mrs.M.Parks be the new signatories.
Resolved: the Clerk will obtain the necessary forms to complete a new Bank Mandate.

0509/09. Planning
North Devon District Council. Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
- Town and Country Planning(General Permitted Development)Order 1995 Schedule 2, Part 6 and 7-Agricultural building Works prior notification in respect of Erection of Machinery & Equipment Storage Building at Land Adjacent Potting Shed near Tapeley Garden Cottages Merchants Park Tapeley Instow. NDDC have decided that prior approval of details for this development will not be required in this instance.
- Planning Application. Extension to Garage & Raising Roof of Garage to form additional Living Accommodation at Manor Lea Mount Pleasant Bideford.

0509/10. Parish Council Vacancy.
Clerk seeking information for a possible co-option.
Letter of resignation has been received from Cllr.P.Fronteras; but after discussion Cllr.P.Fronteras agreed to tender his resignation from the Parish Council as from the 31st May 2009.

0509/11. Any Other Business at the Chairman’s discretion.
Cllr.D.Peel offered to take over from Cllr.P.Fronteras the Westleigh Neighbourhood Watch representative. The Chairman represents the Eastleigh area.
Mrs.Ansell, Westleigh Parochial Church Council has spoken to the Chairman regarding extra parking for both the Church and Westleigh Cricket Club within the Estate and Church areas and asked if the Parish Council would have any objections, and if the Parish Council would support the scheme. Resolved: the Parish Council would send a letter of support subject to any Parish Council liability.
The Chairman has received a letter of invitation to the Instow,Westleigh and West Yelland ‘Community Show Day’ on July 18th. 2009. The Clerk would write a letter of acceptance on behalf of the Parish Council Chairman.