NORTH BOVEY PARISH COUNCIL

Transcription

1 NORTH BOVEY PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held onwednesday 26th April 2017 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall, North Bovey Present Cllrs Pollard ( Chairman ), Button,Hart, Hurst, Johnson, Jones and Keesom County Councillor Gribble, Dist Cllr Jeffery, Andrew Watson DNPA, Clerk Karen Gilbert and 22 members of the Public Cllr Ed Pollard welcomed the guest speaker, Andrew Watson Head of Recreation, Access and Estates, Dartmoor National Park who kindly agreed to talk on his role and Dartmoor NPA s responsibilities Andrew explained that he had been in post for 9 years, was responsible for 456 miles of Rights of Way along with acres of Open Access land within the National Park. DNPA had a duty to ensure the Rights of Way remind open and unobstructed, to signpost such where they left the Highway and to ensure that there was sufficient way marking along the routes He advised that the Landowners had a duty not to obstruct a ROW, not to disturb the surface and to attend to side growth and overhanging trees It was noted he ROWs were inspected every two years with a random 10% surveyed at six monthly intervals and also that the Dartmoor Access Forum had been formed to provide useful input into the work of DNPA in this regard Andrew Watson commented on the increase in sponsored events, filming and charitable events in the Park and DNPA s stance regarding the use of 4 x 4s on Byways open to all Traffic. It was noted that cycling was on the increase and that events are carefully considered and monitored. It was also mentioned that as a result of cutbacks in the budget awarded to DNPA, the need for Volunteers had become more pressing and that also schemes had been introduced to increase donations to ROW works through crowdfunding / legacies and donations from organisations such as the Ramblers Andrew also commented on local problems such as dogs and livestock / paths through Farmyards / the state of Langdon Lane and proposals for an organised international 4x4 event due to pass through the Parish in November The Chairman thanked Andrew for attending and for the work undertaken by his department and the Ranger service - adding that the maintenance of the Rights of Way was a huge task - undertaken with a small budget - but much appreciated by all Mr Watson left the meeting after commenting that he and the Rangers are always happy to deal with any queries or problems - contact details on the DNPA website

2 1. Apologies for Absence - Rob Irving - Parish Hall Trust 2. Chairman s report Since the last Annual Parish meeting, Alex Austin our previous chair lady has retired from the Council. I have had the honour as Chairman this past year. Also, we have been very fortunate to have had a full house of Councillors - with the addition of Councillors Hart, Keesom, and Hurst Our Parish Council meetings are now the second Tuesday every other month at 7.30pm and anyone is welcome to attend. This year we have had 15 Planning applications of which we have Visited all sites. There are now four more waiting in the wings. We hosted a joint Question and answer meeting with Moretonhampstead P/C on planning matters with Steven Belli, the then Head of Planning from the Dartmoor National Park. The road warden scheme was initially rejected, but has re -emerged as a leaner and more usable scheme which is now been taken on by the North Bovey Conservation group. The defibrillator is now in position beside the phone box and all up and working.the cover can be opened with no code. Councillor Button has put a lot of effort into achieving this along with numerous other people - so once again a big thank you to all. Also a big thank you to Bovey Castle for their help in organising the two defibrillator training sessions. I would like to thank the Parishioners who turn up to our Parish Council meetings and contribute to the Parish affairs. Thanks to Karen, our Clerk for her help in running the Parish council admin. Also I would like to thank the Councillors for giving their time and efforts over the past year for which I think the parish is very much enhanced. 3.Report - Parish Hall and Meadow Trust - Read by Cllr Jones Chairman s Annual Report for 2016 Trustees The Trust had a full complement of Trustees throughout the year and elections took place again on Feb 24th The team included a representative from the Parochial Church Council and The Parish Council. Thanks to all the Clients who supported the work of the Hall during the year. Particular thanks also to the Trustees who gave in cash or in kind to the Trust this year. Maintenance and Operations The Hall has been maintained throughout the year with replacements to some electrical equipment, fire extinguisher upgrading and minor works as necessary.

3 Thanks go to Messrs Laurence Shorthouse John Clark for support in painting and maintaining the premises and also to Mel Wright who did an excellent job on the outside woodwork repairs.also to John Clark and John Williams who kindly provided materials and labour for the extensive ramp replacement in the Main Hall. We have received several compliments from villagers on the upkeep of the Hall and the Trust aims for the current standard to be maintained. Thatched Roof A small panel of repair to the thatch adjacent the front entrance was carried out as planned and following some further deterioration to the front face 3 thatching companies were invited to give current state assessments and projected full life predictions of the whole.outline costings were also provided and after discussion the Trust has recognised that it is likely the Trust will need to expend up to 50k (inc. vat) between now and The Trust will appeal to all sources for assistance to find this sum, and planning work is ongoing. The Hall has been widely used throughout the year on a low key basis. Lettings include use by the Parish Council, St. Johns Church,Conservation Group, Friends of St Johns, WI, and private use for dance classes and retirement and children s parties. The Moor than meets the Eye DNP project has also used the Hall several times during the year. We hosted the local elections and Referendum and had a booking from the British Deer Society. We also have a Pilates class which meets every Friday. The Hall is of course part of the centre stage North Bovey Fair day and thanks go to the Fair Committee for their support I would ask all present to continue to drum up business for the Hall with family and friends and organisations as our lettings income is low relative to our expenditure. Thank you all for your support throughout the year and the key officers Mandy Hart and Julie Pollard North Bovey Meadow Trust Chairman s Report for 2016 The fields were re let throughout 2016 and the top field (Fred s field) used for both the Fair and also a Jazz event in the Church. The tenant has maintained the fields in good condition. Rob Irving Chairman Conservation group John Clark gave a resume of the works undertaken by the Conservation Group NBCG projects review 2017 Annual tasks - Snow warden activity mainly filling DCC grey bags and distributing roadside bags to potential trouble spots around the Parish as far as Bughead Cross. Machine spreading not possible this winter due to lack of the correct grade of salt and a suitable 4x4 towing vehicle. - Churchyard tidy up - Clearing leaves off The Village Green -Xmas tree harvesting erection on the Green and decoration with lights plus day to day management of it s stability and the electrics. - Footpath between Blackaller and BC Golf Course clearance

4 - Himalayan balsam clearance along the Bovey from Blackaller and across BC estate to Clay Waste. Skunk cabbage at Heathercombe cutting and herbicide treatment aimed at eventual eradication. Both ongoing projects and part of DNPA invasive species eradication project. - Annual Marsh Fritillary flight and web surveys at 5 sites in the Parish - Other tasks undertaken - Parish Hall maintenance disabled ramp repairs, front door repairs and inside and outside paint touching up - Broadymead lane repairs with 10 tonnes of DNPA supplied crushed stone - Churchyard path repairs - Road Warden negotiations with DCC Highways - Buddle clearance on Morton Road above Pound Rock - Recovery of drain rods from and improved maintenance access to the drain at the bottom of Church Lane. - Fit Ces Hoult Memorial plaque to a granite boulder at Langaford Farm Trust - Sky quality measurements to obtain data for DNPA Dark-sky status application. - Attendance at MTMTE Community Strategy Group CSG quarterly meetings. - Support for MTMTE projects - managing grants etc. - Organisation of North Bovey heritage festival in 2016 and (Includes organisation of beating the Bounds.) - Grant for materials for construction of swift boxes to expand our small colony. Future projects - Clearance of the leat across the Village Meadow - Clearance at Great Wheal Eleanor to allow site vistors during North Bovey Heritage Week. - Erect scaffold tower in The Parish Hall to provide access to replace failed lamps - Swift boxes - Facts and figures Membership stands at 40, 15 of whom have been active in the past year. 474 person.hours contributed by group members April 2016 April 2017 of which 262 were part of the MTMTE project. This compares with 541 person.hours in the previous year. New members always welcome! 2017 NBCG AGM 1900hrs Thursday 27th April in the Parish Hall MTMTE funds for, Start-up, Equipment, + Activities week & Wool project. DNPA Volunteer grant covers the Insurance DNPA Just-do-it Community Fund - Swift boxes DCC Highways Management Community Enhancement fund Road Warden Scheme support North Bovey Village Fair donation Various private donations

5 North Bovey Fair Cllr Hurst advised that the Fair would be held on 22nd July 2017 and that there would be a preliminary meeting on 24th May to discuss arrangements and ideas and to welcome any new volunteers St Johns PCC The meeting was advised that there were currently 47 on the PCC electoral roll and that anyone can register - not just churchgoers. There were 16 regular attendants - boosted at Christmas and at Harvest Festival. It was noted that the Church forms a large presence in the Village - both in the religious sense and also as a Community building. The PCC is grateful for the high level of support that it is given by Parishioners and Churchgoers alike The Friends of St John have assisted greatly in providing the base from which further funding was gained - in connection with the recent replacement of the Roof to the Church The Friends will be organising a Military Wives concert on 10th June at 7.30pm with bar and BBQ and an annual safari supper over 3 venues as fund raising events 5. Parish Plan Cllr Jones confirmed the results of the Parish survey were currently undergoing analysis. It was planned that the findings would be published in a four page document in due course 6 Finance - The Clerk/Responsible Financial Officer The Parish Council s finances have, following a doubling of the Precept in 2014/2015 and subsequent rises, enabled the Parish Council to meet its modern day requirements and also ensured that a level of reserves has been established to cover future Election costs and aboricultural reports and associated recommended work to the trees on the Village Green - neither of which comes cheap. In percentage terms, the rises have seemed high but given the small precept up to it is hoped that the effect of the Parishioners has not been too onerous. Over the years, a reserve of 4500 has been built up general reserves together with 2770 earmarked reserves ( trees/ elections / maintenance ). The pollarding of a large lime in one of my other Parishes recently costing 1000 When setting the precept this year, the enormous costs of not only maintaining the Parish Hall, but rethatching were discussed. It soon became evident that, in order to achieve a large enough fund to meet rethatching expenses, it was considered prudent to provide a regular funding source. After checking that the Parish Council was lawfully able to raise the precept to provide such funding, it was agreed that the precept rise from 4816 to a 48% increase - again a high percentage but one which equates to 29p per week extra for a band D house The Parish Hall is a splendid, well maintained and well used asset for North Bovey and it is hoped that this secured funding will ensure it remains so for this and generations to come The Parish Council is always so grateful for grant funding it receives from Cllr Mike Jeffery ( Teignbridge District Councillor ) and from Cllr George Gribble ( Devon County ),

6 Dartmoor National Park and the TAP fund run by DCC and TDC and also donations from Chagford Show - which enables projects - such as the Defibrillator and also the Christmas lights to become a reality 7. Parishioners Forum Richard Edimann updated the meeting with regard to the progress in rebuilding the Ring of Bells. It was hoped that the roof would be in place by the summer and he would update the Community with regard to a opening date in due course. He thanked his neighbours for their tolerance and patience during these construction works A Parishioner reminded those present that the Blog is available for all and welcomes imaginative input and comment. The Facebook page is also well supported He also mentioned the use of Political notices around the Village and commented that. in his opinion, they should be placed away from Village signs - other thoughts were also expressed Iain Wylie reminded Parishioners that there will be a series of open air cinema events at Bovey Castle on 14th to 16th June 2017 incl - details and tickets via Dartington Trust A Parishioner thanked the District Cllr Mike Jeffery and the current Devon County Cllr George Gribble for the interest and support that they show to the Parish - both in their work and financial support A Vote of thanks was also made for Bovey Castle including Vicky for supplying two excellent training sessions on the use of the defibrillator Cllr Keeson commented that Airband was now available in the Village - details/ arrangements to be obtained via Airband s website There being no further business, the Chairman thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9.20pm