Lifton Parish Council

Lifton Parish Council

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting at the Lifton Down Church room

Thursday 23rd May 2013

Present / Mr C Edmonds (acting chairman), Mr M Hall, Mr B Moore, Mr L Showell,
Mr T Sutton-Woodhouse, Mr R Vanstone, Mr R Walters, Mrs R Willing,
and Mr D Horn, borough councillor
Apologies
Dec of Interest
Minutes / Mr C Warne, Mrs G Elias
None
Of the two meetings on 25th April were approved and signed.
Speaker: Mr Murray Cowley, WDBC Dog Warden
Mr Murray patrols areas within dog warden scheme, not any other places. His job is to sort problems, but this must come within his 22 ½ hr/wk. limit. Dogs Fouling of Land Act 1966 permits a fixed penalty ticket of £75 and appplies within a 40 mph limit in a public place, not private or agric land. He must go through a cautionary procedure. Those proceeded against have leave to appeal. He tries to educate people within schools, etc. He uses yellow or red spray to highlight the problem. Lifton areas seem to be much cleaner.
Questions and comments
If CCTV were to be used at the Community Centre could this be used in court? There could be a problem – must have permission. Any form of polite notice? Yes, sample shown. Hot spots? Darkey Lane is the worst in Lifton. Leaflets given out – phone number etc. Press reports to mention procedure for reporting any dog fouling.
Election of Officers
Chairman: Cllr Edmonds, pro MH, sec RV. No other nominations.
Vice-chairman: Cllr Moore, pro CE sec MH. No other nominations.
Planning sub-committee: Cllrs Hall, Moore, Edmonds (current situation), Cllr Showell pro BM, sec MH. Reserve nomination for this committee: Cllr Willing.
Southern Links committee: Cllr Sutton-Woodhouse volunteered. Cllr Edmonds explained its working, but can any councillor go? – clerk to find out.
Recreation Field Committee: Cllrs Edmonds, Moore, Sutton-Woodhouse and Vanstone. pro RW that this committee should remain the same.
Community Centre representative: Cllr Hall (Trustee)

Public Participation

Cllr Edmonds acknowledged the work and efforts of the retiring chairman, Cllr Warne.
Cllr Horn said he was still waiting for news on both wind turbines. Possibly 11th June for Farm Shop. Recommendation, pro LS, sec RV, that Cllr Edmonds represents parish council.

General Items

Neighbourhood Planning Several councillors have had a preliminary discussion about this at the borough council offices. Lifton has a strong position adjacent to the A30, and currently has 27 businesses operating within the parish. It was suggested that Lifton starts with a Housing Needs Survey, to which would be attached a note to all parishioners giving details of a proposed Neighbourhood Plan, and asking for their comments. This would require £250 from the parish council, the borough contributing the other £350.
Important considerations: (1) If for any reason the planning group should fail before completion, there would be no financial implications for the council. (2) The council would have to ensure that the working group can be established with enough interest from those approached and that the length of commitment is understood. (3) It is critical that the Growth and Infrastructure Bill going through parliament does not render all efforts worthless.
It was proposed that Cllr Moore take charge of this project. All agreed.
23rd May 2013 page 2
Councillor Training Cllr Moore had been booked onto the Planning Seminar (24th May). A booking form had also been sent in for councillors to attend various Development and Training courses in June and through the autumn.
WDBC Grants The borough council was offering a number of grant schemes under the heading of ‘Cash for the Communities’. To be discussed further at the June meeting.
Skips New site still needed.
Weed spraying None in 2012. No DCC plans for this. Quote obtained by Cllr Edmonds: one spray £300. Recommendation twice/yr. Agreed to spend £300 for one spraying.
Lifton/Council website Proposal from DALC that the council considers using Vision ICT to develop and construct a maximum 7-page website. This would cost £175 for setting up and support in the first year, and £125 p.a. thereafter. Would need councillor/clerk/other parishioner to run this.
North Road One way system proposal received from Mr Reeve.
Gatherley seat Cllr Warne had arranged for the new seat to be installed at Gatherley by Mr M H Vinson, and for the old one to go to the Recreation Field. (Cost £40)
Lifton Fete 15th June Councillors’ involvement – as many as possible to attend.

Planning

Applications / None
Approval / Little Willas, conservatory (permission not required)
Refusal / Builder’s store, access etc, land at SX 3985, North Road
General

Reports

Rec Field Committee: Rospa report not yet received. Maintenance continuing.
Community Centre: Building outline marked on site. Imminent launch of £1/week scheme.

Finance

For payment / Mower petrol (paid by Cllr Sutton-Woodhouse)
DCC school room hire
White Rose Garden Service
Warning signs (paid by Cllr Edmonds)
M H Vinson (install Gatherley seat)
Pro MH, sec RV, that all the above should be paid / 7.28
36.50
252.70
63.72
40.00
Receipts
General / Annual audit – 10th June. The clerk has had the requisite internal audit carried out. The council approved the audit data for 2012-2013, signed by the chairman.

Correspondence

Road closure: Lifton end of North Road, 31 July – 8 August. Note change of dates.
Police: Note from Inspector Andy Oliver (covering West Devon)
Councillors’ reports and items for future agenda
Plan for year ahead? Community payback

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.20 p.m.

Signed ...... date ......

Next meeting / Thursday 27th June, at the Sports Pavilion, Leat Road.