MINUTES of the Meeting of WESTLEIGH PARISH COUNCIL held in the
Village Hall , Westleigh, on Wednesday 3rd Sept. 2003 at 7.30 p.m.
Councillors M.Hudson (Chairman ) , P.Fronteras, M. Parks. B.Marshall, A.Samphier, J. May, M.Cumiskey.
Also Present.
Cllr R.Cann DCC and Cllr.L Brown NDDC
0903/1 Apologies for Absence.
Apologies had been received from L.Kenny.
0903/2 Police Report
No Police report this month.
0903/3 Minutes of the Meeting held on 2nd July 2003.
RESOLVED that the minutes of the Meeting held on 2nd July 2003 to be agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.
0903/4 Matters Arising
Mr. Melvyn Harris is continuing to carry out maintenance tasks within the Parish.
The Memorial Garden has received further attention and the grass around the parish seats has been strimmed .
A tractor tyre has been placed and planted at the Westleigh “Gateway” but it was considered not to be particularly attractive. This opinion was not intended as a criticism of Mr Harris's work but more of a disappointment in the council's proposals. The clerk should contact Mr Harris to discuss how the situation might be enhanced.
The notice board in Eastleigh has been repaired although it had been reported that the lock was not operating very well. The clerk was asked to speak to Mr Harris on the matter.
A suggestion was made that the Memorial Garden should be planted with spring flowering bulbs. The clerk to ask Mr Harris to liaise with Cllr. A.Samphier over the necessary details.
The question of a new roadside seat at Eastleigh was raised and it was left for Cllrs May and Marshall to consider the possibilities.
Westleigh Website.
Cllr P. Fronteras reported that there had been 309 “Hits” on the Westleigh Website in July and 134 in August. It was also reported that there was a possibility that the BBC might link with our Website.
Northern Devon Community Transport Association Ltd.
The Clerk had returned the amended questionnaire to NDCTA. for photocopying and as soon as the copies are available they will be forwarded to Westleigh for distribution.
Street Lighting.
The proposals for the two additional street lights are with DCC and we are waiting for the work to be scheduled.
Traffic Management Westleigh Village.
Cllr R.Cann. reported that speed checks had been carried out, but was of the opinion that insufficient information had been obtained . A further check would therefore be carried out at a different location within the village.
Millenium Book.
Most councillors have read the draft copy of the Millennium book and it is now necessary to decide how to improve, present and produce the finished article.
It was suggested by Cllr. Samphier,that following a conversation with David Boswell he felt that Mr Boswell may be of some assistance in taking the project further.
More work and discussion required.
Undergrounding of Cables.
Nothing to report
Notice Boards.
It was resolved that use by other organisations will only be allowed with the express permission of Westleigh Parish Council , and only then if space is available.
0903/5 Parishioners Questions.
The question was raised on roadside litter generally, together with the problem of foraging animals damaging refuse bags left out overnight.
Comments were also passed on the unsatisfactory development of the Westleigh “Gateway” site.
0903/6 County & District Reports.
In response to the complaint regarding litter, Cllr Cann indicated that he would approach both DCC and NDDC with the problem to try and improve the situation.
Further work is to be carried out on the Westleigh / Link road junction to improve safety.
Resurfacing work on the B3233 between Westleigh and the Huish junction has been programmed by DCC.
Following requests to DCC by the parish council for improvements to the footways and visibility at the junction from Westleigh village onto the B3233, Cllr Cann reported that discussions with local land owners are continuing.
The parish council offered it’s full support to Cllr Cann in his efforts to secure these local highway improvements.
The council were also informed of the extended opening hours of the local recycling centres.
Cllr.L.Brown NDDC.
Work is ongoing to produce the “ Revised Deposit Local Plan”for publication in October 2003. Provision will be made for about 3100 new dwellings in North Devon in the period 2003-2011.
Recycling continues to be a high priority for both NDDC and DCC and the provision of “Wheely Bins”is being extended to other parts of the district.
0903/7 Parking / Play Area.
Cllr Cann informed the council that discussions continue with local landowners for possible solutions to this problem.
0903/8Correspondence.
A copy of all correspondence was made available to all Councillors.
Resolved that correspondence be noted.
0903/9 Finance.
A copy of expenditure was presented to Councillors
Resolved that the expenditure totalling £114.73 be approved and accounts be paid accordingly.
The clerk reported that the new account with Barclays Bank would come into effect on 11th Sept. 2003.
A letter to the Portman B.Soc closing the existing accounts was signed by Chairman M.Hudson , Cllrs P. Fronteras and M.Cumiskey.
0903/10 Planning.
The Folly, West Living, Westleigh. Planning Ref. No. 35831.
Conversion of Barn & Erection of Garage & Change of use of Agricultural Land to Form Extension to Domestic Curtilage.
Council recommend approval / no comments.
0903/11 Any Other Business at Chairmans Discretion.
Cllr. Cumiskey raised the subject of the parish magazine as he felt the new presenters of the publication were trying to include more “ Westleigh news” and perhaps we, as a council, should reconsider our position regarding a donation towards it’s running costs.
The clerk was asked to include the topic on the next agenda.
The Chairman had received a letter from the Church Warden seeking funds for the exterior restoration of the Church.
The clerk was asked to include this item on the October agenda.
In response to the question of the whereabouts of old parish records, the Chairman M.Hudson confirmed to the council that he was holding several volumes of past council minutes, but was unsure of the earliest dated copy in his possession..