Broadwoodkelly Parish Council
Minutes of the Broadwoodkelly Parish Council Meeting held remotely using Zoom on Tuesday March 23rd at 7.30 p.m
Present: Councillors R. Heggadon (Chairman), R. Gant, J. Clark, D. Reed and A. Penny.
Councillor Barry Ratcliffe, Borough Councillor for the Exbourne Ward, was also present.
There was also one member of the public present.
1. To receive apologies for absence and consider if the reason for the absence should be approved by the council.
Cllr Mrs B. Cook had sent her apologies as her Broadband connection is not good enough to participate in the remote meeting. The apology was accepted.
2. To receive any declarations of Interest from members:
Councillors are reminded to declare any personal or prejudicial interest they may have in any agenda item
2.1 The parish council has delegated the power of granting dispensations to the clerk
2.2 To receive written requests for dispensations for disclosable pecuniary interests (if any)
2.3 To grant any requests for dispensations as appropriate.
Councillor Penny stated he has a personal interest in item 7 b as he is treasurer for the PCC.
The Chairman stated he has an interest in the planning application (item 8 a) as he rents the
Grass.
3. To receive and approve the Minutes of the meeting held on January 26th 2021.
Cllr Penny proposed that the minutes be signed as a correct record. This was seconded by Cllr Heggadon. The clerk will arrange for the chairman to sign them at a later date.
4. Public Participation – Giles from Pattiland Farm introduced himself. He is trying to raise interest in getting fibre broadband to the village. He is currently working with BT Openreach to try and get grant funding to enable gigabit fibre in the village. His business depends on good broadband speeds and he has concerns that if something is not done now to secure good internet it will impact the village in the future. He hopes the parish council will lend their support.
Councillor Penny asked if the list of properties can be extended. Some properties, although in the parish of Broadwoodkelly, are in the Exbourne exchange. Giles stated there might be a better chance of getting improved broadband being in the Exbourne exchange. He hopes to raise more interest and eventually get a representative from BT Openreach to come to the village hall and talk to residents.
The chairman informed him he has the support of the parish council.
Councillor Penny’s internet connection was unstable and he left the meeting.
5. Report by Borough Councillor
Councillor Ratcliffe stated good news has been received about the railway and the intention to run from Okehampton to Exeter. North Tawton and Sampford Courtenay are getting together to do more (car parks etc.) and would welcome input from Broadwoodkelly.
At the moment Government Guidance states that parish council meetings will go back to being face to face meetings from May 7th. The Chief Executive of WDBC has written to the Government to seek clarity.
6. Past Subject Matters for further discussion:
a. [7.a] Parish Website – nothing to report.
b. [6.b.] Devon Air Ambulance Trust – Community Landing Site – nothing further to report.
c. [6.c.] Areas of Highway requiring work to utilise TAP fund money – no areas suggested.
7. Clerk’s report and correspondence received:
The following correspondence is contained within the Councillors folder:
a. An email from Citizens Advice has been received thanking the parish council for their donation.
b. Request by All Hallows church for grant towards the cost of grass cutting in the churchyard.
This was discussed by the remaining councillors (Councillor Penny still unable to rejoin the meeting). Councillor Gant proposed the council give £300. This was seconded by Councillor Clark and unanimously agreed.
c. Clerks and Councils Direct – the clerk will peruse.
8. Planning:
a. Application 0315/21/HHO Southdown Farm, Broadwoodkelly – Householder application for side extension and internal alterations. Discuss at meeting.
The chairman stepped back from this and took no part in the discussion. The remaining councillors considered the application and decided to support it.
(Councillor Penny was able to rejoin the meeting)
b. Application No. 3126/20/FUL Highcroft, Broadwoodkelly – Construction of five new dwellings with associated parking and infrastructure (Resubmission of 4033/19/FUL). This application has gone to appeal following refusal by the Borough Council.
Councillor Ratcliffe gave a bit of background. The case officer is Sarah Hardy. The applicant and planning authority write in and say why the application should be approved and why it should be refused. The inspector will look at it and make his decision. A site visit will take place and the decision date has not yet been set, but the appeal will take about 6-8 weeks.
9. Finance
a. Invoice from Edworthy Computing to repair the parish council laptop – £126 (payment agreed prior to meeting)
b. Invoice for website costs (Website Hosting £60 and Website Secure Certification £60) – £120
Councillor Reed proposed that this invoice be paid. This was seconded by Councillor Penny and agreed by all.
c. Invoice from clerk for wages/expenses (February/March) – £115.50
Councillor Reed proposed that this invoice be paid. This was seconded by Councillor Penny and agreed by all.
d. Interest on Business Reserve Account (January/February) – £0.10
e. Precept request has been submitted
f. Balance at Bank
The balance on the Current Account as at 1st February was £6783.06 and the balance on the Business Reserve Account as at 1 March was £6785.92
10. Matters for further reporting:
11. Confidential discussion:
16.1 Enforcement cases – remain the same.
12. Date of next meeting:
May 25th 2021. Current Government Guidance states this meeting can be held face to face
in the hall, but this guidance is subject to change.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.02 p.m.