Westleigh Parish Council Meeting Minutes
Wednesday 6th November 2024, 7pm at Westleigh Village Hall
Attendees – Cllrs Dave Fairbrother, Chris Heard, Lyn Gear, Brian Moores, Chic Stewart, DCCllr Frank Biederman & the Parish Clerk
Min 42 24/25 – Apologies received – NDCllr Lucinda Renshaw
Min 43 24/25 – Declarations of Interest – none declared
Min 44 24/25 – Minutes – To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on the 24th July 2024 – agreed unanimously
Min 45 24/25 – Matters arising – none raised
Min 46 24/25 – Correspondence – (1) an email received from CDS (Connecting Devon & Somerset) Broadband programme, informing WPC that NF015, which is the cluster that WPC sits in, will not be going ahead to full completion, due to Airband hitting difficulties in fulfilling its contract. This is extremely disappointing, but the BDUK (Building Digital UK agency) is in talks with the Gov’t to discuss alternative options. Holding your breath for an answer is not recommended!! (2) The Gov’t is also in consultation with County, Local, & Parish Councils regarding authorising the use of remote & hybrid attendance and proxy voting at Council meetings. After some healthy discussion, all Cllrs committed to completing the survey, and were of the opinion that as a local ‘rule’, physical attendance of at least 3 of the 6 bi-
Min 47 24/25 – Public session, 15 minutes – no members of the public attended
Min 48 24/25 – County & Ward reports – NDCllr Renshaw sent her apologies due to Family illness. DCCllr Biederman expressed his disappointment with CDS and the cancellation of the Airband rollout. He also elaborated on the fact that the Children with Special Needs budget had been severely curtailed, and that if anyone knew of particular hardships being caused, that they contact him directly. Cllr Stewart raised an issue that had occurred with SW Water, and flooding along the Westliving Lane – CCllr Biederman agreed to look into it. The Clerk thanked him for his prompt action in getting the overflows at the junction of the Westleigh turn off cleared. The Chair asked if there was any further actions taking place regarding Litchardon, and was advised to contact Victoria at Fremington for answers.
Min 49 24/25 – Remembrance Day Service – The Clerk advised that he could not lay the wreath this year as he was leading the service. Cllr Moores volunteered to act in his place, for which he was thanked.
Min 50 24/25 – Finance – retrospective agreement was given for 4 payments already made (2 x 3 monthly salary, annual insurance premium, and reimbursement of defibrillator costs). Council also agreed to the payment of £175 to the Parish Magazine, and to reimburse the cost of a new wheelchair for Hall use (£69.99). The Clerk then went through the proposed budget for 2025/26, and the proposed increase (15%) of the precept, with rationale. A bank reconciliation was produced, which showed a balance of £4708.18 as of that days date. It is anticipated that the end of year balance will be in the order of £3500, hence the need for a slightly higher increase in precept request. It was also confirmed that the Clerk’s hourly rate had been increased to £14.88 following recommendations from NALC.
Min 51 24/25 – Planning – nothing to report
Min 38 24/25 – Next meeting – Wednesday 8th January
Bank Reconciliation – November 2024
Balance as at 31st March 2024 £3433.71
Precept (100%) £5388
Total £6127.71
Cheques paid out and presented £3868.54
Cheques outstanding £244.99
Total £4113.53
Balance allowing for outstanding cheq