Minutes for Halwill Parish Council's January 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,

In Attendance: 3 members of the public & clerk

To receive apologies for absence -

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

Declarations of Interest - None

Standing Orders were suspended to allow the public to speak.

Jo Alleguin asked about the development at Westcott House.

Standing orders were reinstated

Clerk's, Councillors' announcements

Ward Councillor Hackett suggested members view the recent meeting of the Holsworthy Area Advisory Group (Joint Area Advisory Group Meeting - YouTube ) where Councillor Hart, lead of Devon County Council had given a report on the tough budget choices facing Devon. Devon County Council is having to run a deficit budget. It is felt that Devon is unlikely to become a unitary authority.

Councillor Hackett reported that the future of the public toilets was being actively looked at by Torridge but no decision has been made yet. RL thought it was a health and safety risk them not being open as people stop and use the back of the toilet block as an improptue toilet.

To confirmminutesforDecember2020Meeting.

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

Finance

Bills for payment

The following payment was approved

Current Account Total For month inc VAT: £558.55 with grant

Current Account Total for month ex VAT £558.55 with grant

Current Account VAT Total for month: £0

Clerk's Total For month: £413.55

There has been no change in the financial situation since the last meeting

• To agree a s137 LGA(1972) payment of £50 to the Citizens Advice

  It was resolved to make a grant payment of £50 to the Citizens Advice

• Budget for 2021/22

  It was resolved to accept the proposed budget

• Precept demand for 2021/22

  It was resolvedto keep the precept the same as this year's and make a precept demand of £13,899.

Action List

To agree a grant to the Citizen's Advice, this was agreed in Item 5.

Highways

• To consider whether the parish council wishes to join theSnowWarden scheme.

  "The Snow Warden is the community coordinator during periods of extreme weather and will receive training directly from DCC. They are then responsible for training and managing local Snow Warden Volunteers as well as local salt/grit supplies and storage.

  Snow Warden volunteers will be trained by, and carry out any necessary works under the direction of, the Snow Warden" Storage of the equipment and time demands on personnel would be hard for the parish council to manage.

  It was not felt that the Parish Council should join the Snow Warden scheme at this time..

• To consider whether the parish council should purchase grit bins.

  There has been an issue with freezing rain making roads and footways away from the gritted network treacherous during the recent freezing conditions. There has been a request for the Parish Council to fund a grit bin for Halwill Meadow. There are many other roads and paths which have been icy. Devon Highways will provide salt bags for any location if they are asked.

  It was not felt that the Parish Council should purchase salt bins at this time.

• To consider whether the parish council should purchase Car Park signs

  Pidsignz has declined to quote. Highways will allow it but the Parish Council will have to fund a sign to Highways specification.

  The Clerk was asked to get a price for a sign from Highways.

   

To consider whether the parish council would like to acknowledge the contribution to the parish of the outgoing County Councillor

Barry Parsons has been our Ward and County Councillor for many years. All agreed that B Parsons has done a lot for this parish. RL suggested all his electoral division parishes group together to arrange something.

The Clerk explained that there are limits to what money can be spent on regarding gifts for councillors.

The Clerk was asked to contact the surrounding councils so see what can be arranged.

Planning

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

Reference: 1/1157/2020/FUL

Proposal: Partial conversion of existing wooden barn to accommodate dog grooming parlour

Location: Dreybury Farm, Halwill Junction, Beaworthy, Devon Deadline for comment: 15th January 2021

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

Deadline for comment: 11th January 2021

Reference: 1/0535/2020/OUT

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

Location: Springfield Meadows, Halwill Junction, Beaworthy, Devon

Deadline for comment: 11th January 2021

Reference: 1/1184/2020/FUL

Proposal: Proposed agricultural storage shed

Location: Winsford Lane, Halwill Junction, Beaworthy, Devon

RL questioned whether there was any requirement for an agricultural building here and whether the size was justified.

No Comment

Correspondence -

Police report - import of prohibited weapon. The Clerk reported that PCSO James confirmed this is a knife rather than a firearm

Matters to be raised for information only

The Clerk informed the meeting that the Hall has agreed to fund the connection of the Defibrillator heating pad to an electrical supply and repairs to the car park lights.

RL is still waiting for a quote for the "band stand" at the end of the car park.

To confirm the date of thenextmeeting

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