Parish Council Draft Minutes March 2025
DRAFT MINUTES
Belstone Parish Council on 17th March 2025 at 7:30 p.m. (Belstone Village Hall)
Councillors present – M Ash (Chair), P Cooper, T Weaver, D Hosegood, C Grubb & J Pike (also acting as Clerk)
Also present – 3 members of the public representing the Eastlake Planning application
Apologies for absence 2425121
Cllr Booth
Disclosure of Interests 2425122
None
Approval of last Minutes 13/01/25 and 17/02/25 2425123
Both approved and signed by the Chair as a correct record
Public Participation 2425124
None
Borough & County Reports 2425125 WDDC report DCC report
Noted
Chairman’s Announcements 2425126
None
Clerk’s Announcements 2425127
Request received from the Village Hall to direct all meeting attendees to the rear meeting room by way of signage when the yoga club is using the main hall – this has been actioned
Road closure in the village centre 23/6 to 27/6 – a map of the stretch of road affected and diversion route is held and will be posted on the PC website nearer the time
Planning Matters 2425128
A. Applications –
1) Eastlake – change of use from barn to rural workers dwelling 0058/25
The applicant very kindly provided background to the application in person. Decision – supportive of the conversion to a rural workers dwelling
2) Stoneycott – listed building consent for replacement windows and doors 0078/25
Decision – no objection
B. Decisions awaited – Skaigh Garden Cottage 0034/25 Town Living 0041/25
Town Living application – the support of the West Devon Affordable Housing team was duly noted
Highways 2425129
A. Update re HGVs, Tor Down gate, snow bins / warden
HGV’s – new camp signage for the A30 exit has been ordered by Highways
Tor Down gate – has been renewed and now has a working latch
Grit bins – there is no Highways budget to provide further grit bins for the village (this was requested for Birchy Lake area) although the 5 existing grit bins in the village will continue to be filled. Decision – as a result, the Snow Warden scheme will not be taken forward at this time.
Road erosion by the Old Wheel Pit will be assessed by Highways to see if it meets intervention criteria
Lane narrowing due to the build-up of debris as well as the pot hole forming outside of Lees Barn / Brenamoor to be reported along with other road-edge erosion along Market Lane.
B. Other – recent village flooding
Highways have advised that their programme of annual cyclical works should mean that piped drainage systems in the village are cleared once a year. There is no budget available to increase such cleaning routines nor to clear ditches as part of this programme. Position will be monitored and chased when necessary.
Parking 2425130
It was reported that it is now increasingly difficult for near-by residents to park in the separate right-hand section of the village car park. Decision – Cllr Cooper to make enquiries with the Lord of the Manor to see if there would be any objection should the Council wish to consider designating this area as priority parking for residents
The full, if not overflowing car park in recent weekends was noted, not helped by a number of mini-bus users. Decision – with Easter holidays and Bank Holiday weekends shortly due, users to be monitored and our additional mobile parking signage placed in position by Cllr Weaver in anticipation of the busy weekends
Finance 2425131
A. Balances (as at 4/3) – current £535.92 / savings £5,137.19 (paying 1% gross)
B. Income – interest £4.50 (Feb)
C. Paid – none
D. To be paid – £50 & £45 to Village Hall (web hosting and Hall usage fees)
Noted. Decision – agreement to pay both sums due to the Village Hall
Clerk’s role – update 2425132
No applications received following the recent vacancy advertisement. Decision – Cllr Pike appointed to undertake the Clerk role on a permanent basis. As a result, he will need to resign as a Councillor with effect from 31/3/25 and the process started for a replacement. It is to be noted that under Local Council rules, no salary can be paid for the first 12m in role for a resigning Councillor. The salary already budgeted is to remain within the previously agreed precept but as a contingency sum.
Documentation review 2425133
A. Councilor’s interests review and update. WDBC Register
There are no changes or additions required
Assets (2425134)
A. Stocks repair – update
Cllr Cooper is sourcing suitable oak timber with agreement in principle provided for cost up to £115 plus Vat.
B. Seats condition – review
It was noted that with the exception of Seat No 8 (also known as Green seat No 2), all seats were in satisfactory condition. Cllrs Ash and Cooper to size up and make repairs directly.
West Devon Matters invite – attendee for meeting 23rd April 2425135
Cllr Grubb to attend on the Council’s behalf feeding back as necessary at the next meeting
Resident feedback following February Planning meeting 2425136
Feedback received that some residents would welcome the opportunity to learn more about the Council and to talk to Councillors on an informal basis. Decision – Cllr Weaver to take forward arrangements for regular Councillor presence at the weekly Community cafe
Bin for the car park – discussion 2425137
The increase of discarded dog waste bags left around the village was raised. WDBC pre-advised that should BPC be prepared to fund a waste bin in the car park, then routine collections were possible at £5 per week. Decision – with concerns around how this would work in practice, for now it was decided to comply with DNPA policy of no dog waste bins but Cllr Weaver is to take forward a reprint of previous signage and ensure these are again suitably positioned
Items / invites for next Agenda being the Annual Parish Meeting 2425138
Invites to be extended to the APM to include DCC, WDBC, Village Hall, DNPA and Highways.
The meeting closed at 20:50.
The next meeting will be the Annual Parish Meeting on Monday 28th April at 19:30
Signed, Michael Ash, Chair