Broadwoodkelly Parish Council
Minutes of the Broadwoodkelly Parish Council meeting held remotely using Zoom on Tuesday January 26th 2021 at 7.30pm.
Present: Cllrs R. Heggadon (Chairman), R. Gant, J. Clark, D. Reed and A. Penny
Councillor Barry Ratcliffe, Borough Councillor for the Exbourne Ward, was also present. Rev’d Helen Blaine was also in attendance.
There were no members 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. This 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
Councillor Reed declared an interest in planning item 8.a as he has previously owned the property.
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.
3. To receive and approve the Minutes of the meetings held on 24th November and 7th December 2020.
Cllr Reed proposed that these minutes be signed as a correct record. This was seconded by Cllr Gant. The clerk will arrange for the Chairman to sign the minutes at a later date.
4. Public Participation – there were no members of the public present.
5. Report by Borough Councillor
Councillor Ratcliffe stated he did not have a lot to report. The Covid grants are being sent out
to businesses. The refuse collection department has been affected by the Covid pandemic as
some of the staff have had to self-isolate so there have been some delays in collections.
At the moment it is not certain whether the Police and Crime Commissioner and Devon
County Councillor elections will take place in May.
6. Past Subject Matters for further discussion:
a. [7.a] Parish Website – Cllr Penny informed the council that Cllr Mrs Cook is considering a revamp of the website.
b. [6.b.] Devon Air Ambulance Trust – Community Landing Site – the chairman stated there was nothing to report.
c. [6.c.] Areas of Highway requiring work to utilise TAP fund money – some areas were discussed. The council will put together a list to make up a half day or full day and then the clerk can contact Ben Pell to carry out the work.
d. [7.a.] The future of All Hallows Church (Rev Helen Blaine hopes to attend)
The chairman welcomed Revd Blaine to the meeting. She explained that the church is in a perilous position. The Covid pandemic hasn’t helped. There are a core of 13/14 people who attend the church and running costs are currently £450 per month. There are a number of options a. Close the church b. Carry on as we are or c. Apply to be a Festival Church. The church will be absorbed into Winkleigh, but will remain open for baptisms, funerals and weddings. The church would then concentrate on Easter, Harvest, Christmas and one other service through the year. A Friends of All Hallows Church group would be set up and it would be hoped that people could come forward and help support in any way they can (i.e someone who is good at filling in grant forms etc.). To proceed the church requires the support of the community and the parish council.
The parish council would support the application to become a Festival Church. Councillor Reed suggested councillors should talk to parishioners they meet and spread the word and also put the information on the parish website. Revd Blaine stated she was happy for the paper she sent to be uploaded to the website.
The chairman thanked her for attending.
e. [7.b.] The possible closure of Winkleigh Post Office – it is not known what is happening with Winkleigh Post Office. Councillor Ratcliffe stated North Tawton Post Office has been though they are now open less hours.
f. [7.d.] Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Councillor Advocate Scheme – the chairman’s contact details have been sent and some useful information is being received in the emails.
7. Clerk’s report and correspondence received:
The following correspondence is contained within the Councillors folder:
a. Letter from Citizens Advice asking if the parish council would make a donation – this was discussed and it was agreed that the sum of £50 be donated to them.
b. Highway Maintenance Community Enhancement Fund – Councillor Gant had received this information and had felt it might be useful for Mr Western and the road at Middlecott.
c. Temporary Road Closure – a number of roads are to be closed between 1 March and 31 October 2021. The road in this parish is the one from Park Farm to Shoresgate Cross. All roads will be closed for between 1 and 3 days within road closure period to permit surface dressing and associated works. Warning signs will be placed on site at least seven days before which work commences.
d. Public space Protection Orders – Dog Control Articles. Dog walkers should be picking up their dog’s faeces. Councillors stated that owners bag it, but then leave the bag! Councillor Ratcliffe added that it is common on Dartmoor for the bags to be hung in a nearby tree. He also added that there is a proposal to stop dog walking in certain areas (such as playing fields). This will be more prevalent in towns such as Hatherleigh and North Tawton.
e. Clerks and Councils Direct – the clerk will peruse.
8. Planning:
a. Application No. 0114/21/HHO South Stone Barn, Upcott, Winkleigh – Householder application for the erection of a porch. Discuss at meeting.
The council considered the application and decided to support it. Cllr Reed had declared an interest and took no part in the discussion. The clerk will submit the comment.
b. Application No. 3126/20/FUL Highcroft, Broadwoodkelly – Construction of five new dwellings with associated parking and infrastructure (Resubmission of 4033/19/FUL). Refused.
9. Finance
a. Invoice from clerk for wages/expenses (December/January) – £115.50
It was proposed by Councillor Gant that this invoice be paid. This was seconded by Councillor Reed and agreed by all.
b. Interest on Business Reserve Account (November/December) – £0.12
c. Setting the precept for 2021/22
The precept for the 2020/21 financial year was £2864 (a reduction of 5% on the previous year’s precept). It was proposed by Councillor Penny that the precept be kept at this amount for the forthcoming year and when the council can meet face to face a detailed discussion can be held regarding the council’s finances. This was unanimously agreed by all. The clerk to submit this request to West Devon Borough Council
d. Balance at Bank
The balance on the current account as at 18 November was £6898.56. The balance on the Business Reserve Account is £6785.82
10. Matters for further reporting:
Councillor Clark reported the drains at the entrance to Pattilands need clearing. Councillor Gant stated there were blocked drains around Splatt, but see whether these clear.
The road from Corstone to Cadditon Cross has been done.
11. Confidential discussion:
16.1 Enforcement cases – remain the same.
12. Date of next meeting:
March 23rd 2021. Depending on Government guidance may be held in the village hall
or remotely via Zoom.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.34 pm.