June 2022 -
Held at Westleigh Parish Hall on Wednesday 8th June 2022 7.30pm
Attendees – Cllr David Fairbrother (Chair), Cllr Chris Heard (Vice-
1. Min 38 22/23 – Opening of the meeting at 7.30pm
2. Min 39 22/23 – Apologies – NDCllr (&MP) Selaine Saxby
3. Min 40 22/23 – Councillors Declarations of Interest – none declared
4. Min 41 22/23 – To confirm and agree to the signing of the minutes of the meeting held on the 4th May 2022 -
5. Min 42 22/23 – Matters arising from the minutes. The Clerk updated the meeting on the letters he had been tasked to write (see correspondence & communications). Cllr Burgess asked if any response had been received from NDC regarding her query of whether membership of the Masonic Guild should be declared on the ‘declarations of interest’ form. No formal answer had been received from NDC, and the Clerk agreed to contact NDC for an update. The Chair updated the meeting that springs had been purchased for the footpath gates, but had not yet been fitted. Cllr Frajbis volunteered to help with the fitting. A late email from Cllr Burgess was received at 7.12pm by some Councillors, with observations regarding the minutes – after some discussion, the meeting agreed to consider the content under minute 13
6. Min 43 22/23 – Correspondence & Communications. The Clerk reported that he had written to Torridge District Council as instructed, and had received a reply stating that Westleigh Parish Council would in future, be copied in and consulted on all matters affecting the wider landscape and public views from the Parish of Westleigh. The Clerk also reported that he had written to Mr & Mrs Cumiskey regarding the safety of the large tree trunk overhanging their bank. A reply had been received saying that it would be removed. An email was received from the Broadband Project in Westleigh, saying that the project was nearing completion, with 25% testing carried out, and all necessary cabling completed. The remaining 75% testing would be completed over the next few weeks. A letter received from Mr Ian Gibb, saying that if Parishioners noticed activity near Lester House, Ivy Cottage & Walter Cottage with diggers and dumper trucks, that this was not building alterations, but landscaping works.
7. Min 44 22/23 – 15 minutes for Parishioner questions. None had been received
8. Min 45 22/23 – County & District Ward reports. NDCllr Saxby sent an email to say that she had nothing specific to report, and that she hoped everyone had enjoyed the Jubilee weekend. DCCllr Biederman also reported that there was nothing of significance to report, but that he was pleased to be able to attend the meeting. He reiterated previous messages about the dire need for more foster homes in Devon, and asked everyone to promulgate the need. DCCllr Biederman fielded questions ranging from the volume of second homes in the District, the need for affordable social housing, progress on the solar farm, and the Yelland Appeal.
9. Min 46 22/23 – Finance – Cllrs agreed to the retrospective payments of the Annual Insurance Policy, and 2 invoices which had not arrived from Mr J Harris through a fault in his system. These had been sent out to all Cllrs asking for permission to pay (emails received). 3 invoices needed agreement, Parish Hall meeting costs, Website maintenance, and Clerk’s expenses. All agreed. The Clerk then explained some areas of the budget which were either overspent, or would be overspent due to unknown factors when preparing the budget, these being defibrillator costs, and salary increase. There was some leeway to reduce some outgoings, but there would be an overall overspend at the end of the financial year. The current balance including cheques written but not presented was £4701.06
10. Min 47 22/23 – Councillor Training (18th July). The Clerk asked for names of definite attendees, of which there were 5 definites, and 1 tentative. Cllr Frajbis asked if it would be a good idea to publicise the training, and ask for people who were interested in becoming Parish Councillors if they would like to attend. The Clerk pointed out that there was a specific cost for ‘up to 10 attendees’ and that the cost would increase for additional numbers. It was agreed that the advert should state ‘limited spaces’ available, and to contact the Parish Clerk.
11. Min 48 22/23 – Planning update on liaison with Torridge District Council. See Point 5 (minute 42 22/23) above. Cllr Gear informed the meeting that in addition to the letters sent by the Chair, and Clerk, to Torridge District Council, that a letter from Tapeley had also been sent.
12. Min 49 22/23 – Environmental update. It was noted that there were 3 nesting boxes still available from those purchased, and that interested parties should contact the Clerk who would relay details.
13. Min 50 22/23 – Any other business. Cllr Gear suggested that to raise the profile of the Council and Councillors, that a small biopic could be written by each Councillor, which could then be included in the Parish Magazine. Cllr Frajbis raised a concern as to space available in each edition, but that it was a good idea in principle. Cllr Gear proposed, and Cllr Burgess seconded the idea – Cllr Frajbis and the Clerk to liaise. A general discussion took place regarding footpath maintenance, with the Clerk giving a definitive viewpoint on who had responsibility for maintenance and upkeep. Discussion also took place on the prevalence of e-
14. Min 51 22/23 – Next meeting – Wednesday 6th July. The meeting closed at 9.15pm