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Minutes of the Council meeting held on 14th November 2022

Minutes Uploaded on November 21, 2022

Draft minutes of the Combe Martin Parish Council meeting held
on 14th November 2022 at 7pm at Combe Martin Community Centre.

Present: Cllrs. T Seldon (Chair), S. Coomber (Vice-Chair), C Galloway (part), L Lethaby (part), D Richards, M Richards, P Walker, R Watkins, D Woodbury and M Worth.
Also in attendance: County Cllr Davis, District Cllr Gubb, Andrew Wyer (Clerk)
and 3 members of the public.

248/22 Apologies – Apologies were received from Cllr Corner and late apologies from Cllr Galloway
249/22 Declarations of Interest – none.
250/22 Public Participation – A question was asked about parking behind the Village Hall. The issue had been discussed at the last meeting and the response given from then remains current. A second resident raised points relating to the draft Housing Policy, the Kiln Car Park toilets, and the siting of a defibrillator at the Community Centre. The Clerk apologised for the numbering issues on the Agenda.
251/22 Minutes – It was RESOLVED that the draft minutes from the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 10th October 2022 were correct and they were then signed.
252/22 Clerks Report – The report was NOTED.
253/22 County & District Cllr reports – Cllr Davis had submitted a report which had been circulated to Cllrs. She committed to informing the Council if she became aware of any budget cuts which would directly affect Combe Martin. Any bus timetable changes would be tied to attempts to co-ordinate services with the train timetable. Report
Cllr Gubb also reported that North Devon Council are facing similar budget issues. She also reported that Citizens Advice are currently dealing with 22% more people than last year. North Devon Council were concerned about the unplanned arrival of 147 refugees in Ilfracombe, which was already affecting services in the area.
Cllr Galloway arrived at 7:23pm
Cllr Lethaby arrived at 7:27pm
254/22 Police Report – There was no newsletter but the crime figures for the area had been supplied and were NOTED.
255/22 Planning (NDC Applications) – It was RESOLVED to support the following applications:
76126 – Application for an extension and alterations to existing dwelling
76138 – Application for extension to dwelling
256/22 Planning (Exmoor NP Applications) – There were no applications to consider.
257/22 Planning (NDC Decisions) – It was RESOLVED to note the following decisions:
76131 – No Observations
75879 – Approved
258/22 Planning (Exmoor NP Decisions) – It was RESOLVED to note the following decisions:
62/19/22/003 – Approved with conditions
259/22 Finance – It was RESOLVED to approve the list of payments to be made, totalling £10365.09 and an additional invoice for £666. It was further RESOLVED to note the list of payments made, receipts received and the October Dashboard report.
260/22 Reports from representatives
1. Cllr Worth gave a report on the activity of the Coastal Community Team, who have recently constructed alterations to the river wall on the beach. The works did not match the details on the permit that was granted so the CCT are currently waiting for reports from the MMO and Planning Departments.
2. Cllr M. Richards had shared a report from Leys Charity and the Charity had written to the Council asking them to appoint a second representative to the Charity. It was RESOLVED that Cllr Walker would act as a 2nd representative.
261/22 Kiln Car Park Toilets – It was reported by the Clerk that he, Cllr Seldon (CMPC Chairman) and District Cllr Gubb had all had a meeting with Ken Miles (the Chief Executive of North Devon Council). During the meeting it became clear that unless the Parish Council took on running the toilets, then they would be closed. The Council discussed the issue and the additional costs involved and were convinced of the need to protect this asset to the village. The Clerk will factor this into the budget proposals being prepared.
262/22 Five Year Plan – The Clerk reported that the current year was likely to create a significant surplus, so some projects could be included in the current year, or the timescale of works could be brought forward. Obviously, this would have an impact on what projects would need to be included in the budget for next year. It was decided that Cllrs should email the clerk with their priority projects so he could try to include the most important works into the current year plans.
263/22 Streetlight quotes – The Clerk reported that one of the quotes was high as scaffolding on the lane in question was restricting access. The issue was DEFERRED as replacing all of the streetlights was one of the projects being considered for the current year. (see previous item)
264/22 Relining the car parks – The quote was based upon the current lines, but it was noted that the actual lining would be slightly different (additional disabled bay, new spaces, etc) It was RESOLVED to approve this project.
265/22 Housing Policy – It was RESOLVED to defer this item. The Clerk was asked to add “Temporary Housing Sites” to the next Agenda. Cllr Woodbury offered to investigate the availability of one potential site.
266/22 Investment Policy – It was RESOLVED to approve and adopt the policy.
267/22 Parking Order Changes – It was RESOLVED to maintain the link between our Pay & Display prices and the Barnstaple Cattle Market Car Park prices. This is likely to mean the price for one hour increases from £1.10 to £1.30. This would apply to Kiln and Parade Car Parks only, with Cormelles remaining at the same rates. It was further RESOLVED to increase the price of a 6-month Permit to £100 (equivalent of 55p per day), the price of a 12-month Permit to £180 (equivalent of 49p per day) and the price of a 6-month Transferable Permit to £160 (equivalent of 88p per day).
To help with residents’ budget, it was RESOLVED to allow permits to be paid by monthly Standing Order bank payments.
The Bowling Green grass would be included within the Cormelles Car Park area, which would allow anyone parking on the grass to be issued with a fine.
268/22 Community Centre Defibrillator – The Clerk was asked to speak to the Conservation Officer to see if a defibrillator could be mounted on the Community Centre (a Listed Building). There was also a query about having a defibrillator sited at the new Co-Op store.
269/22 Grants – It was RESOLVED to approve a list of organisations exempt from the usual Grants procedure. It was further RESOLVED to increase the value of the Royal British Legion grant to £100 annually.
270/22 Correspondence – It was RESOLVED to note the correspondence from the Village Hall Committee confirming that they were happy for their Lease discussions to be held in public and to instruct the Clerk to identify works that could be done as part of the Community Payback scheme.
271/22 Date of next Council meeting – 12th December 2022
272/22 Exclusion of Press and Public – It was RESOLVED to exclude the press and public for the rest of the meeting, due to the likely disclosure of confidential information.
Cllrs Seldon and Worth left the room prior to the next item. Cllr Coomber assumed the Chairmanship of the meeting.
273/22 Village Hall Lease – The revised Lease had been prepared and it was RESOLVED that Cllrs D. Richards and Galloway should sign it on behalf of the Council.
274/22 Ebberleigh House flat – The Clerk updated Councillors on the situation and the rental value. Councillors were aware of a local couple facing eviction through no fault of their own and decided to offer the flat to them.
The meeting closed at 21:40