Minutes of the Meeting of Westleigh Parish Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 14th. January 2010 at 7.30pm.

Present: Cllrs. B.Marshall (Chairman), Mrs.M.Parks (Vice Chairman), WJ Dart, Mrs.D.Gibbs, B.Moores.

0110/01: Apologies: Cllrs.J.May, D.Peel.

0110/02: Police Report:
PC.T.Hodgson attended the meeting and presented the following information;
Period from 14/12/2009 to 14/01/2010, 8.no. logs were recorded by the Police which breakdowns as follows:- Road related 4.no.logs, Crime related 1.no.log, Concern for welfare 3.no.logs. 1.no. Crime was recorded; CB/10/80 Burglary at Eastleigh currently under investigation.
The Police are currently training to set up a community speedwatch group which will entail the community volunteering to use speed guns within the area.

0110/03: Minutes of the Meeting held on the 2nd.Decmeber 2009.
Proposed by Cllr.Mrs.Parks and Seconded by Cllr. WJ Dart that the minutes be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman accordingly.

0110/04: Matters Arising:
A). Memorial Garden/Bus Shelters.
Mr.Jacobs to be sent details for 2010 season grounds maintenance work within the Parish.
B). Westleigh Website.
Capt Fronteras provided information regarding Westleigh Website with total hits of 29,152 worldwide for December 2009.
C). BT Kiosk. Eastleigh.
Still ongoing, but meeting confirmed that no electricity supply would be required and that Western Power would charge approximately £200 to disconnect and take away supply.

0110/05: 15 Minutes for Parishioners Questions:
There were no questions.

0110/06: County and District Council Reports:
Devon County Councillor. Mr.R.Cann presented the following information:-
Externalisation of Care Homes.
Highway Maintenance; Devon County Council are currently in a position whereby they are only able to respond to emergencies or safety defects on the highway.
Warning sign now in place on Westleigh Straight, and Instow 30mph limit extended.
Recycling; almost 100 tons of cardboard was collected in December 2009.
Consultation of Mobile Library Service; there has been a decline in usage of his service.
North Devon District Councillor. Mr.B.Moores presented the following information:-
Unauthorised Development update; EMF206 Lester Lodge and EMF626 White Lodge, Notices have been served.
Local Government Review, January 19th 2010 last date for any consultation to Secretary of State.
Myrtle Cottage, Westleigh ; initial investigation shows owner had property registered as their primary residence, on the 1st April 2009 it was re-rated as a furnished second home. The Council has no powers to deal with such properties that are not council tax class C exempt, ie, registered as empty for six months or more. The Council has written to the owner asking him to carry out routine maintenance and offered assistance.
The North Devon Street Wise Project has been possible following a series of grant awards. It’s primary aim is to prevent young people from becoming homeless.
Helping the Homeless in the coldsnap.
Community Councillor Grant Scheme.
The Planning Proposal for Mixed use development; Land at Knapp House, Churchill Way, Northam, Bideford is being discussed by North Devon District Council and Torridge District Council in partnership, and Councillor Moores will be raising concerns about this proposed development, to include Westleigh Parish Council.

0110/07: Correspondence.
Letter to be sent to Westleigh Parochial Church Council regarding correspondence received requesting a grant towards Restoration Works to St Peters Church; Westleigh Parish Council are unable to support funding for restoration works.
Mr.Savage the ‘Rural Housing Enabler’ for the ‘Rural Housing Project’ has been invited to give a short talk at 7pm, Wednesday 3rd February 2010 prior to the Parish Council Meeting at 7.30pm. All Parishioners are welcome to attend.
RESOLVED: All correspondence be noted.

0110/08: Finance.
Income:- NIL
Expenditure for Authorisation and Payment:-
A copy of Expenditure was presented to Councillors.
RESOLVED: That the expenditure of £122.38 be approved and Accounts be paid accordingly. Proposed by Cllr.Mrs.M.Parks and Seconded by Cllr.WJ Dart.
Final Application for 2010/2011 Parish Precept to be submitted to North Devon District Council. Proposed Application for PRECEPT £2,500.
A).Confirmation of £2,500 to be submitted to North Devon District Council.
B).Confirmation for the deduction of Devon Association of Parish Council Subscription 30th April 2010 by North Devon District Council from Precept.
C). Confirmation of ‘Precept upon Charging Authority’.
D). Confirmation of Change of Parish Grant due to increase of Register of Electors2010. (In force from 1st. December 2009) Grant.£276 – Village Hall; £276 – Burial Ground. Total £552.
Proposed by Cllr.Mrs.M.Parks and Seconded by Cllr.B.Moores

0110/09: Planning.
North Devon District Council. Town and Country Planning Act 1990.
No items received.
Torridge District Council.
Planning Reference 1/1179/2009/OUTM – Mixed use Development
Land at Knapp House, Churchill Way, Northam,Bideford..
Parish Councillors have been advised of the above, and no comments have been received by the Parish Clerk regarding any observations; but North Devon District Councillor Mr.B.Moores advised the Parish Council that he would bring any observations to the Parish Council. As per item 0110/06 under North Devon District Council Report.

0110/10: Parish Council Vacancies.
Still awaiting completed relevant forms from all newly co-opted members.
The Chairman had received correspondence from a parishioner wishing to be considered as a co-opted member of the Parish Council.

0110/11: Matters raised by Councillors.
There were no matters raised by Parish Councillors.