Minutes of a meeting of Exbourne with Jacobstowe Parish Council held on Wednesday 29th October 2003 at 8.00pm in Exbourne Village Hall.

 

137. Those present:

Cllr. M Macklin in the Chair, Cllrs.S. Hordern,R. Milsom-Smith, 1.Laird, B. Cobb, 1. Brooker, F. Glanville and Bor Cllr D.- Weeks. Apologies: None - all present.

 

138. The Minutes of the previous meeting

Cllr Brooker requested that Minute 118 be amended to read: "Cllr Brooker felt there are lots of good reasons for joining the Parish Plan scheme".

 

Minute 117 to read: "The Chairman agreed to follow up with Mike Parnell in Okehampton on the transport plan for the village".

 

Cllr Hordern then proposed and Cllr Milsom-Smith seconded that these minutes be adopted and the Chairman signed them as a true record.

 

139. Matters Arising from the Minutes

 

 

Proposed Project at Winkleigh Airfield (Ref Min 116)

Bor Cllr Weeks reported that January/February 2004 will now be the time that planning applications have to be submitted.

 

Parish Plan (Ref Min 118)

The Clerk has contacted Cllr John Askew of Sampford Courtenay Parish Council who has agreed to come along to our meeting on November 26th at 7.30pm, together with his Chairman, to discuss the Parish Plan scheme. The Clerk is awaiting a reply from Tanya Millard of the CCD as to whether she, too, can attend.

 

Footpaths (Ref Min 132)

Cllr Brooker reported that the first stile has been placed in Green Lane and that two kissing gates are required on Footpath 4. He would like to use the Sticklepath & Okehampton Conservation Group for this work for a small donation of. say, £35/£40 - proposed by Cllr Hordern and seconded by Cllr Laird. The Parish Council will receive a grant next year for the P3 Scheme and therefore no money will need to be precepted.

 

The Chairman reported that he has spoken to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor who have no objections to the work being proposed in the survey: they suggested a ladder stile by the side of the gate.

 

Cllr Brooker is to meet with Tim Freeman in November.

 

With regard to the Silvanus Trust_ Project, the Chairman agreed that this seems an interesting project and asked the Clerk to acquire further details.

 

The Chairman has telephoned DCC Highways Department to remind them that they had informed us that works had been budgeted for: they are to hold a meeting to discuss. The Chairman had mentioned to them that Jacobstowe may want a bus shelter in the future. Clerk to write to Mr. George to request a salt box at Town Cross, Holebrook Lane.

 

Bus Shelter. Jacobstowe

Cllr Cobb stated that this would be a good idea, particularly for young schoolchildren waiting in the mornings. A suitable site was discussed and also whether First Stop would help with costs. Owner­ship of a site is- to be explored and a meeting with DCC arranged. This will have to be done by the end of November in order to be included in the 2004/05 precept. Cllr Cobb will look into this.

 

145. Matters arising from correspondence circulated

 

The Local Channel Community Website: Cllr Laird proposed, Cllr Cobb seconded pursuing this idea. Clerk to fill in form and return. Training: New Councillors Training day on 10th November in Exeter from 10am-4pm at a cost of £35.00; 'What you need to know about a housing needs survey' course at Buckfastleigh on 26th November; Rural Business Development course on 4th November from 10am-4.30 in Exeter. No-one to attend.

 

Planning

 

147. Dunsland Farm, Jacobstowe

     Application for erection of dwelling for agricultural worker: denied.

 

148. Meadows Edge, Exbourne

     Application for a single storey extension: no objections.

 

149. Rosemary Cottage, Exbourne

Outline application for detached dwelling - approved.

Clerk to write to WDBC stating that approval of a previous outline consent should not be automatic: circumstances have changed.

 

150. Brooklyns, Exbourne

In May 2003 we requested a copy of the proposed schedule of clearance but have heard nothing since. Clerk to write to the Planning Enforcement Officer.

 

Lodge at Broomford Manor, Jacobstowe

We have heard nothing from WDBC since 17th February: Clerk to write.

 

151. Correspondence

 

152. Clerk reported that all recipients of donations had replied with      their thanks.

 

153. WDBC - Parish Housing Survey, 'Exbourne

Letter stated that 'There are at present no firm plans for new housing and no particular area of Exbourne earmarked for development' The survey was carried out during March and April 2003.

 

154.Hatherleigh Area Project - Community Regeneration Plan

Charles Coffin has requested assistance in organising a special Parish meeting to discuss the regeneration plan: it will take place on 24th November in the Methodist Church, Hatherleigh. Cllr Hordern to attend.

 

155.

 

DCC - Road. Safety Officer has conducted a speed survey in Jacobstowe. A one-vehicle-actuated sign will be deployed at the earliest opportunity.

 

156.

 

A letter of resignation has been received from the Clerk, giving three months' notice. Advertisements for a new Clerk, to commence duties on 1st February 2004, are to be. inserted in the Okehampton Times, Parish Pump and displayed on the notice boards. Bor. Cllr.Weeks suggested the possibility of a Group Parish Clerk as Clerks at Iddesleigh and North Tawton have also recently resigned. He will mention this to his colleagues at North Tawton.

 

157.

 

Finance

 

A bank statement, from Lloyds TSB shows a balance of £3350.56 as at 30th September 2003.

 

Mr. Roger Brown, our Internal Auditor, commented on the audit of accounts for the year ended 31st March 2003. He spoke about the new guidelines in the Practitioners Guide for conducting an internal audit. There had been a need to up-date the Risk Assessment. recommended that a reconciliation be done on a quarterly basis. He also recommended that all Councillors read the Practitioners Guide.

 

The Chairman thanked Roger Brown for his very detailed and careful work and said that we wish him to continue. Clerk to arrange to take the accounts books to Roger Brown for internal audit.

 

All Councillors had received from the Clerk copies of the draft budget for 2004/05 (which was discussed), the Risk Assessment and Schedule of Assets. On the latter, the number of seats is to amended to 5. The Clerk will write to Exbourne School to ascertain whether the handbells are insured on their property.

 

Regarding the Risk Assessment, Cllr Brooker requested the insertion of an extra paragraph, to read: "We will conduct an annual inspection of our assets". Cllr Hordern proposed and Cllr Laird seconded

this amendment.                                                                                        ­

 

With regard to the draft budget, Cllr Glanville suggested £800 for new IT equipment for the Clerk.

 

An invoice has been received from Cyril Morris in the sum of £81.62 for cleaning the village seats. Cllr Laird proposed and Cllr Cobb seconded payment.

 

158. Matters at the Discretion of the Chairman

 

159. The Chairman reminded those present that it had been agreed that a Councillor would write a paragraph every three months for insertion in the Parish Pump, via Margaret Weeks. Cllr Laird offered to write the next one.

 

160. There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.15pm