Minutes of the Meeting of Westleigh Parish Council held in the Village Hall, Westleigh, on Wednesday 7^th November 2007 .

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

11/01:  Apologies:  None.

Cllr.W.Dart registered an interest in item 11/04B, and was not party to any discussion in this matter,

11/02:  Police Report:

PC.T.Hodgson attended the Parish Council meeting and gave information relating to the month of October 2007. There was 1.no. Non Crime Domestic Incident, and there were 3.no. telephone calls where information was logged; 2.no. abandoned vehicles at the Westleigh Lay by, and a report of an object in the road on the A39. PC.Hodgson advised that it was important that crimes are recorded, to build a picture of local communities.

11/03:  Minutes of Meeting held on the 3^rd October 2007:

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.

11/04:  Matters Arising:

A.  Memorial Garden:

Because of the continued growth of weeds and falling leaves, and the forthcoming ‘Remembrance Service’, councillors agreed that Mr.Jacobs be contacted, to liaise with Cllr. M.Hudson to inspect and clear Memorial garden and Church Path as necessary, and make safe before the ‘Remembrance’ Sunday Service.

B.  Bus Shelter:

A quotation has been received for £20 from Mr.B.Towl regarding the repair to guttering. Proposed by Cllr.M.Hudson and Seconded by Cllr.Mrs.M. Parks that Mr.Towl be instructed to complete repairs.

C.Westleigh Website:

Cllr.P.Fronteras advised that the Website continued to be very well supported, and that there were 6,413 total visits for October 2007 and the total hits this year was 38,942.

D.  Instow & Westleigh Parish News:

A member of the Instow & Westleigh Parish News very kindly gave a brief outline of the organisation and running of the Parish News, whereby all work was voluntary.The Chairman gave thanks for this information.

11/05:  15 Minutes for Parishioners Questions:

There were eight parishioners who attended the Parish Council Meeting.

Questions were raised regarding:-

Wheelie Bins at Westleigh Lay by, and their usage.

Seat required on edge of village for use by parishioners.

Church seat at Church lane needed repairing; meeting was advised that this repair had been completed by a parishioner.

Planning matters within the parish.

A number of planning concerns were noted which are currently being investigated by the appropriate authorities, and further details would be obtained for future meetings.

11/06:  County and District Council Reports.

County Councillor R.Cann presented the following information:

Planning Permission has been granted for ‘In Vessel Composting’ at Deep Moor Tip.

There was a total of 3.no. collisions last year on the A39 Westleigh Junction; 2.no. slight injuries and 1.no. damage only; (motorist turning right and joining the A39 being hit from vehicle from Bideford.)

Weight Restriction on local roads whereby a route is to be identified, and formal police consultation.

In Devon,’Parking Enforcement’ is currently carried out by Traffic Wardens employed by the Police Authority. The Police have written to Devon County Council to give notice of intention to withdraw Traffic Warden resources in both Devon and Cornwall by March 2008.    

Devon County Council will be assuming responsibility for Parking Enforcement in partnership with District Councils, for ‘On Street’ and ‘Off Street’ parking enforcement; and will be combined by ‘Delegating Powers’ to each District to enforce the ‘On Street’ restrictions in their area. (May 2008).

North Devon District Councillor.B.Moores advised that planning permission had been granted for the Fullabrook Down Wind Farm.

A presentation was made to the District Council outlining a proposal for a ‘Wind Farm’ north of Lundy Island.

North Devon District Council is continuing to make improvements in its delivery services to local people, as per the Audit Commission’s Comprehensive Performance Assessment Inspection .(CPA).

Recommendation to the North Devon District Council Executive that the ‘Beach Cleaning’ grant be maintained for Instow.

‘Stagecoach’ have confirmed that the operation of their bus service along Marine Parade, Instow ceased as from the 30^th September 2007, and ‘First Devon and Cornwall’ have taken note of this situation.

11/07:  Correspondence:

A copy of all correspondence received was available to all Parish Councillors.

RESOLVED: All correspondence be noted.

11/08;  Finance:

INCOME -     Nil

EXPENDITURE –

A copy of expenditure was presented to Councillors.

RESOLVED: The Expenditure of £930.90 be approved and the accounts paid accordingly.

11/09:  Planning:

‘No items’11/10:  Devon County Council Energy Street Lighting Scheme.

The Chairman gave a brief outline of Devon County Council Policy on the above matter, and would be further discussed at a future meeting.

11/11:  Any Other Business at the Chairman’s discretion.