Doddiscombsleigh Parish Council

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Tuesday 16 April 2024 at 7.30 pm at Woodah Farm

 

 

Present: Cllr W Hole (Chairman), Cllr J Sawyer, Cllr M Moorhouse, Cllr R Crocker and 5 members of the public (part of the time)

Clerk: A Miller

1         Welcome and Apologies for Absence

Cllr Salter sent her apologies.

 

Open Forum

The following points were raised:

• Objection to the planning application at item 5.2.
• Further information regarding the background of the planning application at item 5.2.
• Members of the public complained about the condition of the roads. The Parish Council informed the public about the email that was sent to Devon County Council in December regarding the dangerous condition of roads in the Parish and about the response received from Devon County Council. Clerk to write a reminder about reporting potholes and other problems on Devon County Council’s website, suggesting sending photos and measurements with the report.
• A member of the public asked for clarification regarding a planning issue reported to the Planning Enforcement. Cllr Moorhouse provided the clarification.

2         Declarations of Interest / Requests for Dispensations

None.

3         County and District Councillors’ Report

None.

4         Ratification of Minutes of Previous Meeting

Resolved The Minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting of 12 March 2024 was unanimously accepted as a true record. The Chairman signed the Minutes.

5         Planning Matters

5.1       To Note Planning Decisions

• 24/00232/HOU and 24/00228/LBC Batts Brook applications have been withdrawn
• 23/01563/FUL Land to West of Beehive – agricultural building – permission granted
• 24/00329/FUL The Lodge Little Park Farm – Retention of timber cabin for agricultural use – permission granted

The Council noted the decisions.

5.2       To Discuss a Planning Application

24/00361/FUL Mistleigh Copse Woodland Store

Retention of existing cabin to provide rest facilities in association with the agricultural use of the land

This agenda item was discussed after item 7.1.

Resolved The Parish Council unanimously agreed to ask the Planning Authority that if permission is granted, they apply a condition, which would not allow the change of use of the building into residential.

5.3       To Discuss Other Planning Related Issues

None.

6         Finance

6.1       To Receive a Finance Report and to Approve the Bank Reconciliation

The bank balance on 31 March 2024 was £13,422.89. After deducting the amount of earmarked funds and grants, the general reserve was £3,606.62.

Resolved The Parish Council approved the bank reconciliation.

6.2       To Approve the Asset Register and to Review the Risk Assessment

Resolved The Parish Council approved the Asset Register and the Risk Assessment.

6.3       To Approve the CIL Report for 2023/24

Resolved The Parish Council approved the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Report for 2023/24.

6.4       Approval of Expenditure

Venue hire 16 April 2024 £10.00

Card monthly fee March 2024 £3.00

Unity bank account fee 05/12/23-04/03/24 £18.00

Drain clearing £225.00

Tree stump grinding £360.00

Clerk’s salary and expenses £1,022.56

Payroll annual fee £83.16

DALC membership fee £126.58

Resolved The Council unanimously approved the expenditures.

7         To Receive Reports and Updates

7.1       To Receive a Highways Update

This agenda item was discussed after item 5.1.

A new contractor has done nine hours of drain clearing since the last meeting, because the previous lengthsman could not do the work in March. The work was partly funded by a grant from the Highway Maintenance Community Enhancement Fund and the Parish Council had to use up as much grant as it was possible by the end of the financial year.

A pothole on Rectory Lane had been reported and the pothole was filled, but the quality of the repair is questionable. Clerk to ask the Neighbourhood Highways officer about the repair.

Blocked drains at Woodah Farm have been also reported, waiting for repair.

7.2       To Review the Annual Maintenance Plan for Drain Clearing

The item was discussed after Part B, when the Parish Council decided about the new lengthsman contract.

It was agreed to keep the 40-hour annual plan and to discuss with the new lengthsman the frequency of the checks and drain clearing.

There are still three hours of drain clearing work left from the previous year’s annual maintenance plan and from the grant.

Resolved The Parish Council agreed to ask the new lengthsman to carry out three hours of drain clearing work until the beginning of May at the latest.

7.3       To Receive an Update about the Triangle

Tree planting was planned for the second part of March, but due to the wet weather it could not happen.

7.4       To Receive an Update about the Notice Board

None.

7.5       To Receive an Update about the Bus Shelter

The contractor, Robson Plant planned to carry out the work in April.

7.6       To Receive a Parish Path Partnership and Footpath Update

Cllr Crocker reported that footpath 6 was in a good condition. The UCR between Leigh Cross and Spanishlake Cross has a bad section.

The condition of the raised footpath between the Church and the pub was discussed. The path was damaged in a recent car incident.

Resolved The Council agreed to ask the lengthsman to repair the damaged section.

7.7       To Receive a Report about a One Teignbridge Meeting

The Chairman reported about the meeting that he attended. There is an intention from Teignbridge to address the several issues which impact the area. One of the questions was to improve communications and how the district can reach the parishes. The Chairman suggested that Teignbridge write into local magazines, which many of the residents read.

8         Clerk’s Correspondence

The Clerk reported that fifteen adults and a child attended the community litter pick on 23 March. The public gave positive feedback about the event.

9         Date of Next Meeting

14 May 2024 Annual Council Meeting and Annual Parish Meeting

10     Chairman’s Remarks

The Chairman thanked everybody for their participation.

11     PART B

This agenda item was discussed after item 6.4, without the public present.

Resolved The Parish Council agreed to ask Mr Barry Green to carry out lengthsman duties in the next three years for the Parish.

Clerk to ask the Neighbourhood Highways Officer about a possible training for the new lengthsman.

 

The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.39 pm.

 

 

 

 

Signed…………………………………………………………

Chair

 

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