Minutes of the Westleigh Parish Council Meeting held on the 2nd October at 7.30pm
In attendance – Cllrs Fairbrother, Gear, Heard, Burgess, and Frajbis. Parish Clerk (PC) Roger Levick
Agenda
1. Apologies received in respect of the meeting – Cllr Biedermann (DCC), Cllr Saxby (NDDC), Cllr Farrell-
2. Declarations of Interest – to receive Declarations of Interests from Councillors of any disclosable, pecuniary, or other Interests in items on the agenda – there were no declarations of interest
3. Minutes – to confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on the 4th September 2019 and any matters arising – agreed and signed as a true record
4. Correspondence and Communications – to include a summary of C&C received from the Chair and Clerk – (1) The PC reported that both he and the Chair had received an email from Cllr Griffin submitting his resignation from the Parish Council. It was felt that a letter should be sent expressing the Councils gratitude for all his work over the years (PC). The Chair also reported that he had received an expression of interest in becoming a Parish Councillor from Mr Geoff Tyler (Westleigh), and after discussion it was felt that he should be invited to the next Council meeting. A further expression of interest had been received from a previous Councillor, Brian Moores of Instow, but again after discussion, it was felt that Councillors should ideally come from the Parish itself. The matter would be reviewed again in the future should no volunteers be forthcoming (2) An email had been received from John Metcalfe asking the Council to discuss whether the water culvert opposite Oxmans Cottages was being misused as a dumping ground. DF agreed that he would contact the complainant and try to resolve (3)Lucy Barrow (Highway Services Manager) emailed to say that the planned conferences at various location in North Devon had been reduced in number (Uffculme cancelled) due to low attendance registrations. The remainder at Kennford (4th), Filleigh (7th), Rattery (10th), and Merton (15th) would still go ahead (4)Cllr Netti Pearson (NDDC lead on Environmental issues) emailed to say that a one day workshop regarding the Devon Climate Declaration would be held in Barnstaple on the 26th October. Cllrs Gear (LG) and Burgess (LB) expressed their interest in attending (5) A request for a donation from Citizens Advice had been received – after discussion it was felt that the request would be reviewed in a few months time, PC to respond accordingly (6) The Chair reported that Tapeley were keen to hold a Parish open day in 2020, and that he would be following this up with Andrew Woollacott (DF)
5. County and District Ward Members reports – in person or via email – Cllr Saxby reported via email regarding the possibility of a night landing site for the Air Ambulance. The cricket ground in Westleigh had been visited as the only suitable site in Westleigh. The Air Ambulance attendee (Toby) advised that it would be an ideal site as the whole village would then be accessible by foot. However, it was stressed that the matter had not been raised for discussion, and the visit was just to assess the viability if the Parish was interested in discussing. This will now form an agenda item for the next meeting on the 6th November
Public Session – at the discretion of the Chair, any members of the public may speak following item 5 and before item 6 – no members attended
6. Finance – to receive an update on the current position, to receive accounts to pay, to note any income received, and any other matters relating -
7. Planning matters – any issues that need raising – nothing at this time
8. Westleigh Footpath update – After much discussion, the Council decided that the resurfacing of the footpath with ‘road scrapings’, was not now a viable option due to lack of availability, and opinion that the scraping would sink over time creating a messier path. As the Council had received a grant for the path, of which some monies had not yet been spent, the possibility existed that the unspent monies would have to be repaid, unless different improvements could be made which needed monetary involvement. Concern was expressed about the use of barbed wire alongside the path which could be dangerous. However it was pointed out that the path was a concession from Tapeley, and not an adopted path, therefore the prohibition of barbed wire did not apply
9. Housing Needs Survey – The surveys were in the process of being delivered, however the supplier of the printed surveys had apologised for sending out a generic copy which instead of saying Westleigh, used the term ‘template’. The content was not an issue.
10. Eastleigh Defibrillator – Following a request for a specific quote from London Hearts, it was disappointing to discover that the final quote was much higher than had been originally indicated, by some £500. The Council felt that the PC should obtain other quotes from (preferably) local suppliers.
11. Highway issues – The locally created signs asking for drivers to slow down through Eastleigh were nearly ready for assembly and placement.
12. Environmental issues – There was real concern expressed by the Council at what appeared to be savage hedge cutting in and around the Parish. Cllr Gear (LG) agreed to discuss with Hector Christie when he returned to Tapeley following his absence on personal matters.
13. Bus shelter – The PC reported that there was a positive response from proposed sponsors for the proposed mural on the bus shelter. However, before committing, most wanted to see what the mural would look like. The PC now has a copy to take and show.
14. Summer Fete – An article had been written and published in the Parish Magazine regarding the fete proposed for the Summer of 2020. It was felt that a separate committee should be set up for the purpose of ‘driving’ the fete, and Cllrs agreed to try and drum up volunteers.
15. Agenda items for the next meeting (Wednesday 6th November) – consideration for the casual vacancy following Cllr Griffin’s resignation, and the possibility of a night landing site for the Air Ambulance
16. Any other business not covered – none raised
The meeting closed at 20.55hrs
Cllr David Fairbrother -