East Worlington Parish Council Meeting 1st December 2020

The December Parish Council meeting was held on Tuesday 1^st December by Zoom, chaired by Councillor Old and attended by Councillors Good, Mrs Rhodes, Risdon, Miss Smyth and County / District Councilor Yabsley.

Representations from the public had been made regarding the Long Stone, a scheduled ancient monument where it was suggested the householder contacted English Heritage.

Apologies were received from Councillors Miss Sturla and Webber.

There were no Declarations of Interest.

Minutes of the meeting held on 3 November were approved.

Reports were received from Councillor Yabsley on behalf of Devon County Council and North Devon Council.  Councillors also noted a report from East Worlington Parish Hall.

Finance.  Balances were tabled and budgetary figures had been circulated to Councillors ahead of the meeting.

Councillors agreed to give a further £28 to Worlington PCC for the upkeep of the churchyards to bring it in line with the amount agreed last year of £340.

Councillors also agreed to give a donation to the North Devon Record Office.

Payments were approved.

The 2021/22 Budget and Precept were agreed.  The Precept is to be increased from £3,700 to £4,105.

Items discussed were:

• Road surface from Drayford to The Thelbridge Arms where it had been advised that this was on the DCC Highway’s programme for patching in the next financial year
• Transfer of land between the Parish Hall and the highway which was being headed by Councillor Miss Smyth
• Removal of telephone box closer to the defibrillator.  The Clerk is in email correspondence with BT
• Annual Parish Magazine. This will be co-ordinated by Councillor Miss Smyth.
• Broadband connection in the Parish and the feasibility of a connection in the Parish Hall.  The Clerk to continue liaising with BT.
• Clerk’s Contract of Employment.  Councillor Miss Smyth is dealing with this.
• Website Accessibility Statement is to be re-circulated to Councillors
• Fixed Asset Register continues to be work on by the Clerk
• Plastic Free North Devon Campaign to remove from retail sale cheap polystyrene bodyboards in North Devon was supported. District Councillor Yabsley to be lobbied to also support this move.

Planning.  A Prior Approval for change of use of existing agricultural building to dwelling house at Barn at Rusdon Farm, East Worlington was considered and was not like a standard Planning Application.  North Devon Council had asked for answers to questions on the effects of transport and highways, noise, contamination, flooding risks, if the location was impractical and the design or external appearance of the building to which the answers to all was ‘no comment’ with the exception of the last question where the response was ‘no comment’.

Seven items were noted under ‘Items to Note’.

The next meeting would be on Thursday, 21 January at 7.30pm by Zoom.  One of the items on the Agenda would be Public Footpaths and Bridleways.