Parish Council Draft Minutes March 2026

Belstone Parish Council Logo -For Parish Council Meeting

Draft MINUTES

Parish Council meeting on 16th March 2026 at 7:30 p.m. (Belstone Village Hall)

Councillors present: M Ash (Chair), P Cooper (VC), T Weaver, D Hosegood, A Booth & J Stevens
Others present: None

At the Chairman’s request, the meeting commenced with a standing silence in memory of Stella Hudson

Apologies for absence 252686
Councillor Grubb

Disclosure of Interests 252687
None

Approval of last Minutes 12/1/26 Link here 252688
Approved by the Council and signed by the Chair as a correct record

Public Participation 252689
None

Borough & County Reports 252690 Cluster Minutes Jan 26 / WDBC Jan 26 / WDBC Mar 26 / DCC 3/26
All noted with thanks

Chairman’s announcements 252691
A request received to occasionally site a coffee and cake trailer in the village car park was discussed but rejected, primarily due to lack of available parking space
The Chair queried if the strip light in the defib telephone box needed replacement – to be taken forward

Clerk’s announcements & correspondence 252692
Councillors were advised of the next drop-in session for D&C Police being 15/4/26
Email received from a resident querying recent power outages due to fallen limbs / trees – noted with thanks acknowledging the need for regular inspections of potential trees in the village that could cause similar unwanted positions
Email received from Cornwall & Devon Long Distance Walkers Assoc advising of their event 27th June involving 3x 10 mile loops from Belstone. In view of likely parking difficulties and village congestion, a minibus shuttle service is to be provided from Simmons – with thanks

Planning Matters 252693
A. Applications – none
B. Decisions –
Town Living 0041/25 (submitted 14/1/25) Delayed again / awaited
Eastlake 0058/25 Withdrawn
Noted

Highways 252694 – general update to include erection of HGV signage / pothole Skaigh Lane / grit bins
HGV signage targeted to be erected Saturday 21st
Skaigh Lane pothole – since repaired
Grit bins – general observation that sufficient grit is now held. Clerk to query with Highways the whereabouts of our Priestacott bin

Parking 252695 – general update to include erection of resident’s signage
Residents signage now in situ (with thanks to Councillor Cooper) with same new post to now also be used for the agreed “please do not feed the ponies” sign from DNPA

Village partners (Commoners / Village Hall) – updates if any 252696
None

Finance 252697
A. Balances (as at 3/3/26) – current £107.24 / savings £8,333.35 (paying 0.5% gross)
B. Income – Interest £8.06
C. Paid – Belstone Community Website hosting fee £50 / Bank charges £8.50
D. To be paid – Belstone Village Hall hire charge £45
E. Request for donation to Church – update

Noted with agreement received to pay the Hall hire charge. Church donation update now likely in April.

Documentation review 252698
A. Contract of Employment – review, agree & sign
B. Review of Councillor’s interests – Link to Register here
C. Review Freedom of Information policy – Link to current Publication Scheme here
D. Review Website Accessibility statement – Updated with thanks by Simon Hill / moorSITES 3/26. Link here
Employment contract agreed and signed, Register of Interests changes were advised with both Freedom of Information and Website Accessibility policies reviewed and agreed

Assets 252699 – any update
The Woodward seat will be repaired directly once the weather improves

Any items and invitees for Annual Parish Meeting 27/4/26 2526100
Agreement that both The Belstone Commoners and The Church could additionally be invited to present their annual reports at the Annual Parish Meeting on 27th April

The meeting finished at 08:10 pm. The next meeting (APM) will be Monday 27th April at 07:30 pm.