Marwood Parish Council

MARWOOD PARISH COUNCIL

Report of the COUNCIL MEETING

10 September 2020 Marwood Methodist Church Hall, Guineaford

Members Present: Cllrs. C Latham, S Button, A Bend, D Chugg, R Berry, C Wallis In the absence of Cllr Spear, Cllr Latham acted as Chairman.

The Clerk of the Council thanked Councillors for attending the meeting

Apologies: Cllrs. C Spear, A Harvey-Bryant, M Higdon. Cllr Mrs A Davis, Cllr F Tucker

ln Attendance: M J Measures (Clerk to the Council)

Disclosable lnterests: None Chairman's Discretion. None

Ratification of Minutes of August Bulletin: These were agreed and signed as a true record.

Police Report: A copy of the Police Report which includes the crime figures had been sent to Councillors. The crime figures for Marwood are still included in Braunton Rural and thus do not give a clear report for the Parish. No detailed address information is given, only the area.

Reports from County and District Councillors: No reports

Correspondence: Relevant correspondence has been sent to Councillors.

Finance: lnvoices agreed for payment: North Devon Council £457.30 (Sept); C F Wallis £120.00 (Sept); Jimdo £108.00 (annual website fee) The balance at 10 September 2020 is £3354.7

Planning Matters 72039 - Land at Bittadon. Approval for erection of agricultural storage building. Members commented that based on the size of the building it is vastly disproportionate to the size of the holding and its construction in stone and slate is not in keeping with any other building in the area. Recommend: Refusal

71980 - Sunray, Milltown. Outline application for erection of one local needs dwelling (some matters reserved). Following discussion Members commented that although the dwelling would be close to public facilities (the school and community hall) it is considered that two dwellings on a farm do not constitute a rural settlement and that its location, site and access within the overall boundaries wouldn't be within the guidelines for a local needs dwelling. (Voting: 1 x abstain) Recommend: Refusal

Future Council Meetings: Discussion on this subject was somewhat curtailed in light of the new government guidelines issued that day regarding the number of persons allowed to gather at one time Members had not met for several months and were kept informed in that time by the Clerk sending Monthly Bulletins. Members thanked the Clerk. However, following discussion it was agreed that the next Council Meeting should be held in November 2020, if possible. Legislation states that Parish Councils need only to meet a minimum of three times a year plus the Annual General Meeting in May each year. The use of virtual meeting was discussed and the Clerk was asked to investigate although this was not fully supported. Members asked the Clerk to continue sending the Monthly Bulletins.

Reports from Councillors

Parish Footpaths. Cllr Wallis reported that along with cutting and strimming in the Parish he has repaired gateposts at Westcott Barton and that other repair work has to be carried out on the bridge at Guineaford. lt was agreed that he continue to cut the grass verge in Kings Heanton.

Highways/Roads. The Clerk reported that he had just received a letter and photos regarding the damage being caused to property and the road in Whiddon Lane by heavy goods vehicles. lt was agreed to ask County Cllr Mrs Davis if a sign could be erected stating "no access to heavy-goods vehicles".

Chairman's Discretion. Councillors and Clerk send "best wishes" to Cllr Spear who is unwell.

Meeting closed at 21.15 

Cllr Mrs Sue Button

Easter Cottage

Patsford EX31 4EF

M J Measures (Clerk to the Council)

9 Kingfisher Drive

Barnstaple EX32 8QW

 01271 323386  marparco2@live.co.uk

County Cllr Mrs Andrea Davis

Southwinds  Cottage

Kentisbury EX31 4NH

 01271 883865  andrea.davis@devon.gov.uk