MINUTES of  the Meeting of WESTLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL held in the Village Hall , Westleigh, on Wednesday  3rd December  2003 at 7.30 p.m.

 

Present

Councillors  P.Fronteras (Chairman ) , B.Marshall, A.Samphier, M.Cumiskey, J.May and L. Kenny.

Also Present.

Cllrs R. Cann DCC. and L.Brown NDDC.

 

1203/1 Apologies for Absence.

Cllr M. Hudson and M. Parks

 

1203/2 Police Report.  PC D.Johnson.

Members were informed of the theft of a mobile phone from an unattended car on the A39 and the reported theft of another mobile phone from the Westleigh Inn. Otherwise, it had been a very quiet month in the parish.

 

1203/3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 5th Nov.  2003.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the Meeting held on 5th November  2003 to be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

1203/4  Matters Arising

Memorial Garden / General Maintenance.

Cllr. B. Marshall has met Mr Harris to discuss the arrangement at the “ Westleigh Gateway” and the problem of the lock on the noticeboard at Eastleigh.

Both problems have now been resolved.

 

Traffic Speed / Management Westleigh Village.

A speed check by DCC is being undertaken at the moment.

Cllr. Cann indicated that DCC had agreed to advertise a 30mph speed restriction early in 2004 , in order for the scheme to be implemented in the next financial year.

Further investigations are taking place to establish whether conditions will support a 20mph speed limit.

 

Westleigh Website.

Cllr P. Fronteras reported that there had been 186 “Hits” on the Westleigh Website in November. Cllr Fronteras also suggested that members should continue to promote the Website and seek contributions in order to finance the running costs.

Cllr R. Cann generously made a contribution of  £20.00 , received with thanks.

 

Northern Devon Community Transport Association Ltd.

Responses to the questionnaire are awaited.

 

Street Lighting.

Local information seems to suggest there is some confusion over the programming and progress of the work.

The clerk was asked to contact DCC to clarify the situation.

 

Undergrounding of Cables. 

Nothing further to report .  

 

1203/5 Parishioners Questions.

A query was raised over the route of the service cable to one of the street lights.

Clerk to investigate.

 

1203/6   County  &  District  Reports.

Cllr R.Cann. DCC. 

 Improvements to the road markings and traffic signing have now been carried out at the Westleigh junction on the A39.

A survey by the landowner has apparently revealed that local opinion is overwhelmingly against any improvements to the junction from Westleigh onto the B3233 .

Cllr Cann had attended a site meeting with Mr J. Deasy ( Local Services Officer. DCC ) on the B3233 , to discuss the possibility of an additional  access onto the Tarka trail in the vicinity of Tapeley Park.

It was concluded however, that poor visibility within the proposed location would not allow a safe or suitable option.

The council accepted the findings and thanked Cllr Cann for his assistance.

 

Cllr. L. Brown NDDC .

Cllr. Brown had attended a site visit in Instow to consider the provision of new toilets.

The District Council had proposed to demolish the two existing toilet blocks and replace them with one “super block” at the car park.

Following a protest by Cllr Brown and Instow Parish Council , the District Council is now considering the provision of two more modest proposals to replace the existing toilets at each end of the village.

 

1203/7 Parking / Play Area.

Discussions continue at County and District levels.

 

1203/8Correspondence.

A copy of all correspondence was made available to all Councillors.

Resolved  that correspondence be noted.

 

1203/9 Finance.

A copy of expenditure was presented to Councillors.  Resolved , that  expenditure totalling £120.88  be approved and accounts be paid accordingly.

The clerk reported that applications for 2004/2005 grants are required by NDDC.

As last year, our application will be for £275.00 towards the Burial Ground and £275.00 for the Village Hall.

In accordance with the “risk assessment” resolution made in 2002 the following items were made available to the members for inspection.

Receipt & Payment Ledger, Bank statements, Cheque book, Post / Expenses book,

together with current expenditure details.

 

 

 

1203/10 Planning

There were no Planning matters.

 

1203/11 Millennium Book

The draft copy of the Millennium book has been returned to the chairman Cllr.M Hudson.

Mr Boswell is continuing to research items for the book.

 

1203/12 Community Planning ( Parish Alliance )

Cllr P. Fronteras reported on the recent meeting at the Civic Centre attended by himself Cllr M. Cumiskey, the Chairman M Hudson and the Clerk .

Following a discussion and with the advice of Cllr. R. Cann , it was resolved that Westleigh Parish would be prepared to form an alliance with Instow , Horwood /Lovacott/ Newton Tracey , with the possible addition of rural Tawstock.

Cllr Cann would take the matter forward to the next stage.

 

1203/13 Any Other Business at Chairman’s Discretion.

The clerk reported that he had spoken with Mr R. Butler in connection with the Braunton Burrows Biosphere Project.

An arrangement for Mr Butler to give a presentation on the subject , to be discussed at the next parish meeting.

 

 

 

 

 

Signed……………………………(Chairman)     Dated……………………………