Minutes for Halwill Parish Council's February 2021 meeting

Minutes of Halwill Parish Council's February Meeting

The meeting started at 19:30

Present: Cllrs J Hardman (Chair), J Wilson (JW), V Osborne(VO), R Cristofoli(RC), C Langston(CL) Cllr R Groocock, R Livermore(RL), Ward Councillor P Hackett,

In Attendance: 3 members of the public & clerk

1) To receive apologies for absence -

Apologies were received from County Councillor B Parsons, Ward Councillor P Watson

2) Declarations of Interest - None

Standing Orders were suspended to allow the public to speak.

A parishioner introduced their plans for a "Nestled in Nature" retreat in a plot of land they have bought. Various therapies would be available for example, negative ion therapy. They may need help with gaining planning permission.

Standing orders were reinstated

3) Clerk's, Councillors' announcements

The Clerk pointed out that the union flag the Parish Council flies is looking rather frayed. The Parish Council agreed that a new flag should be bought funded from the maintenance budget.

Ward Councillor Hackett reported that Torridge District Council will need to make cuts to its budget for the coming year.

4) To confirmminutesforJanuary2021Meeting.

The minutes were signed as a correct record by Cllr J Hardman

5) Finance

• Bills for payment

The following payment was approved

Current Account Total For month inc VAT: £393.55

Current Account VAT Total for month: £0

Clerk's Total For month: £393.55

6) Action List

We are waiting for a quote from Highways for the parking signs.

The Clerk explained that the parish council has limited powers to honour individuals. He has checked with DALC as to what we can do from public funds. Holsworthy Town Council wishes to coordinate the parish council's responses. Individual councillors and parishioners can donate if they wish. M Duda (former chair) suggested that the school, preschool, football club and others should be asked if they wish to contribute.

It was suggested that a memorial bench or a plaque could be given. RL pointed out that benches and plaques are usually given for dead people.

Perhaps the shelter proposed to be built beyond the car park could be named after him. There is no reason why we couldn't do something with Holsworthy and something ourselves.

Clerk to investigate scroll.

7) Highways

• To consider whether the parish council should take responsibility for the shrubs near the shops

  The Parish Council already maintains the shrubberies but a parishioner has asked if they can be removed to improve visibility for wheelchair users crossing the road. It was agreed that the shrubs are tidy and it should be possible to cross the road where the shrubs do not obscure visibility. It was agreed that no action was required.

  8) Preparations for the return to face to face meetings. Should we return to face to face meetings at the earliest opportunity.

The regulations allowing virtual meetings expire in March and there is currently no plan to renew them so the Parish Council will have to go back to face-to-face meetings. There is likely to be a period when both face-to-face and virtual meetings will be permitted.

I was agreed to wait and see what the government announces.

9) Should we stream meetings live on YouTube for the entertainment of the public

Several parish councils and most larger authorities upload their meetings so they are available for the public to view. To can increase public engagement with the parish council but it can also encourage public ridicule.

It was agreed that meetings should not be made available on the internet.

10) Planning

Torridge District Council, the determining authority, has asked for comments on the following applications:

Reference: 1/0105/2021/FUL

Proposal: Forestry building (Affecting a public right of way)

Location: Land South of Winsford Lane, Halwill Junction, Beaworthy, Devon

The parish council doesn't like the idea but sees little point in commenting. No Comment

Reference: 1/0139/2021/FUL

Proposal: Proposed extension to form annexe

Location: Stowford Lodge Halwill Beaworthy Devon EX21 5UN

No objection

Reference: 1/0807/2020/FUL

Proposal: Creation of 3 additional holiday let properties and an ancillary communal games room (incorporating a cycle hire facility) and associated car parking. (Amended Red Edge).

Location: Springfield Meadows Halwill Junction Beaworthy Devon EX21 5UF

Reference: 1/0535/2020/FUL

Proposal: Outline application for one dwelling with all matters reserved except for access (Amended red edge).

Location: Springfield Meadows Halwill Junction Beaworthy Devon EX21 5UF

There was a general feeling of dissatisfaction with the consultation process and a feeling that there was little point in commenting.

11) Correspondence -Covered above

12) Matters to be raised for information only

None

13) To confirm the date of thenextmeeting

The next meeting will be on March 11th 2021 at 19:30