Minutes for Halwill Parish Council's March 2021 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, County Councillor B Parsons

In Attendance: 4 members of the public & clerk

1). To receive apologies for absence -

Apologies were received from Ward Councillor P Watson

2). Declarations of Interest - None

Standing Orders were suspended to allow the public to speak.

The Halwill Gala CIC raised £1,000 towards defibrillators for the parish. The parish council expressed its thanks to the representative of the Halwill Gala present at the meeting. It is not yet clear if there will be a Gala this year.

J Lawlor reported that the return to school has been going well but there is some congestion in the car park at drop off and pick up times. JW commented that Halwill Primary school was managing the return to school much better than many of the schools he has been surveying but the staggered class times was in part causing the congestion problem with one lot of parents arriving as another lot are leaving.

Standing orders were reinstated

3). Clerk's&Councillors' announcements

Councillor V Osborne announced that she would be standing down as councillor at the end of the meeting as she no longer has the time.

Ward Councillor Hackett reported that Torridge District Council has raised its precept to the maximum allowed. It has had to do this to avoid an ever widening shortfall in future.

The Clerk informed the meeting that Mike Stone is no loner interested in being the P3 (Parish Paths Project) coordinator. A new coordinator does not need to have a connection to the parish council.

4). To confirm minutes for February 2021 Meeting.

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: £752.51

Current Account Total for month ex VAT £701.78

Current Account VAT Total for month: £50.73

Clerk's Total For month: £400.01

6). Action List

There are no outstanding actions from February.

Dave Hockin will start groundworks at the end of the car park in April

JW reported that the parish council might be able to get road planings to finish off the pump track. The parish council agreed that if we can they get them they can be dumped on the area at the end of the car park.

RL told the meeting that he has 3 fruit trees which he wants to plant in the area at the end of the car park. This will have to be done after the landscaping and shelter is built.

7). Flag Flying and National Mourning protocol

There are 20 official flag days when the union flag should be flown from public buildings but it can be flown anytime or not at all. The councillors debated whether the flag should just be flown on special occasions or should always be flown. If flown all the time some felt it would loose its significance.

It was resolved to fly the union flag only on the Queen's Birthday, St George's Day and Remembrance week. (4 votes for; 2 against with the chair not voting).

John Lawlor explained that In the event of the death of the monarch or the Queen's consort the "London Bridge Protocol" will come into effect. A book of remembrance will be sited in the parish, probably in the Hall as the Church is outside the main population centre. The book must be of special paper and indelible ink used. The Union flag should be flown at half mast.

8). Traffic speed past Holywell Park: should we ask for the 30 mph zone to be extended

The Clerk reported that he had done some covert speed monitoring in the parish. He had not observed any vehicles exceeding the 40 mph limit past Lane End but most cars are exceeding the 30 mph limit as they enter the 30mph limit area.

The issue has become more pressing as there are now more dwellings and holiday lets in the area.

JW and others commented how effective the radar controlled speed sign at Highampton is. The Clerk reported that he has been in contact with Highampton PC to ask how they financed this and whether they had problems with Highways but has yet t receive a reply. The Clerk circulated quotes for radar controlled speed signs - typically £2,000 to £3,500. BP suggested Ward and County councillors might have money available for this. The Clerk will get more details from Highampton PC or St Giles on the Heath.

9). Shelter for the grass area to the South of the car park

RL suggested a twenty foot (6m) structure. The Clerk costed a traditional gazebo at 12 foot (3.6m) and has produced plans for a 14 foot version but was concerned about the height. RL suggested a pent roof design. BP suggested that we check insurance if we intend self build. A committee of interested parties will finalise a design so proper costings can be done.

10). Planning

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

Reference: 1/0194/2021/FUL

Proposal: Creation of commercial fish pond (Affecting a public right of way)

Location: Anglers Paradise Winsford Lane , Winsford Lane, Halwill, Beaworthy, Devon

The Clerk passed on a comment from a parishioner that the applicant does not have a good record in complying with conditions placed on planning consent.

HPC does not object but would like it to be made clear that TDC should make sure that any conditions relating to the access track are complied with. Work on the pond should not block the bridleway.

11). Correspondence -

Scallywags have asked for the Parish Council's comments on its proposed mural to go on the wall nearest the road. The Council supports the proposal which should brighten up a dull area.

There is a scheme to recognise "Heroes of the parish". It was agreed to wait until the pandemic is over before discussing this.

12). Matters to be raised for information only

None

13). To confirm the date of thenextmeeting

The next meeting will be on April 8th 2021 at 19:30