MINUTES of the Meeting of WESTLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL held in the Village Hall , Westleigh, on Wednesday 6th Oct 2004 at 7.30 p.m.

Present. Cllrs. M. Hudson Chairman, P.Fronteras M.Cumiskey. B.Marshall,
J.May, A.Samphier and L.Kenny.

1004/1 Apologies for Absence. Cllr.M.Parks. Cllr R.Cann DCC
and CllrL.Brown NDDC

1004/2 Police Report. In the absence of P.C. J. Parker, there was no police report.

1004/3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 1st Sept. 2004.
Resolved that the minutes of the Meeting held on 1st Sept. 2004 be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

1004/4 Matters Arising
Memorial Garden / General Maintenance.
It was reported that the Eastleigh notice board had still not been repaired and the Memorial garden in particular was in urgent need of attention.
The Chairman kindly volunteered to attend to the repair of the Eastleigh notice board, the clerk advising Mr. Harris accordingly.
The clerk was also asked to contact Mr M.Harris and request a programme of maintenance throughout the parish with emphasis on a thorough overhaul of the Memorial garden, prior to Remembrance Sunday.

Westleigh Website It was reported by Cllr Fronteras that the Website was receiving on average 88 hits /visits per day.
Cllr Fronteras again stressed the importance of obtaining financial assistance to help fund the scheme.

Undergrounding of Cables Nothing further to report.

Parish Alliance. Date of next meeting. ( Provisional ) Wednesday 12th January 2005 at 7.00 pm. At Westleigh Village Hall.
The clerk was asked to check the booking arrangements for the hall at the appropriate time.

Westleigh Parish Heritage Forum
Cllr. Cumiskey reported that he had been in touch with the local conservation officer and had received useful guidance and very helpful advice.
Cllrs P.Fronteras and M.Cumiskey indicated that the intention of the Forum was currently to promote the “ Listing “of various properties within the parish.
Generally, it was the opinion of the meeting that care should be taken over this project with “ Listing “ not being pursued until the permission of owners / landlords and tenants, of each individual property had been obtained.
At this point, the question was raised on the degree of responsibility the parish council was expected to bear over some aspects of the Forum’s activities.
The clerk was asked to check the past minutes to determine the guidelines on which the Westleigh Heritage Forum had been established. It was proposed the subject should be included on the agenda for discussion at next months meeting.
1004/5Parishioners Questions.
It was suggested that a complaint concerning the aggressive attitude of NDDC in pursuit of council tax should perhaps be submitted to the local MP.

1004/6 County & District Reports.
In the absence of Cllrs R.Cann and Cllr. L.Brown there were no reports
Cllr. Cann however had contacted the clerk indicating that he would present his traffic report at the next meeting.

1004/7 Parking / Play Area.
A letter received from Mr. Hector Christie setting out his preliminary proposals for housing development in Westleigh village was submitted to the council.
The clerk was asked to draft a response to Mr Christie, which would be discussed at the next parish meeting.

1004/8Correspondence.
A copy of all correspondence was made available to all Councillors. Resolved that correspondence be noted.

1004/9 Finance.
A copy of expenditure was presented to Councillors. Resolved, that the expenditure totalling £134.52 be approved and accounts be paid accordingly..
It was confirmed by the Chairman that the Notice of the conclusion of the 2003-2004 Audit together with copies of section 1-3 of the annual return had been displayed on the parish notice board from 3rd – 17th Sept 2004.

1004/10 Planning
County Planning Matter Application.
Proposed construction of control kiosk to serve new underground storage tanks and pumping station, at land adjacent to Country West Trading Ltd Northgate,
Barnstaple St. Bideford.

Decision – Approve /No comment.


1004/11 Any Other Business at Chairman’s Discretion.

It was pointed out that a shopping trip by coach to Exeter which would include a
Choir concert was being arranged for Thursday 16th December.
Seats are available at the moment. Contact your parish councillor for information.