Present: Cllrs King, J.Turner, Bowers, Cowle, Leahy, de Louvois, Griffiths & Hodgson.

PC Sally Middleton

Apologies: Cllrs Stutt, Camilleri & N.Turner

In the absence of Cllr Stutt, the Vice Chairman Cllr King took the Chair.

The minutes of the meetings held on 25/1/6 were duly confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Guest Speaker: PC Sally Middleton: Devon & Cornwall Police

Cllrs were each issued a copy of the Police News-Bulletin and PC Middleton explained in greater detail the issues covered in this publication. Issues discussed included Youth activity in the Sports Centre car park, cars with no valid tax, travellers & the crime figures for Winkleigh.
PC Middleton advised that Devon & Cornwall Police are fighting proposals for amalgamating with other forces and that it would be appreciated if the Parish Council could offer their support. Cllrs were also advised that consideration was being given to appointing a permanent Rural Beat Officer based in the community.
PC Middleton informed Cllrs that the Police Surgery held in the Village is still being underused. She asked that the Parish Council give some feedback to the Police and
consider possible changes in times, venue to improve the service.

1.2.6. Reports

CCOWS: The Clerk advised that the CCOWS group is holding an Open Day in the Community centre on 1st March when they will be presenting to the community their ideas for the refurbishment and extension of the centre.

TDC: The Clerk gave Cllrs an update on a number of planning enforcement issues.

2.2.6. District Councillor Cowle: reports to and from TDC

Cllr Cowle advised the Parish Council that TDC intend to hold a meeting in Winkleigh to discuss the Biomass planning application. Cllr Cowle stated that he would stress very strongly that it is essential that this meeting is held in the village of Winkleigh.
Cllr Cowle also advised Cllrs that the Council Tax rates for the District Council will be agreed at a meeting on 27th February.

Public Period

3.2.6. PLANNING

A)Returned from TDC

a) 1/2411/2005/COU: Change of use Agricultural land to become part of domestic curtilage to approved residential plots 5,6,7 & 8 and childrens play area, Townsend Farm, Winkleigh: REFUSED
b) 1/1985/2005/FUL: Alterations & extension to dwelling to provide self contained annexe with garage, 1 Western Bungalows, Winkleigh: REFUSED
c) 1/1687/2005/FUL: Erection of conservatory & boiler house, Watermead, Hollocombe: APPROVED
d) 1/2304/2005/FUL: Demolition of existing 1 storey building, replacing with 2 storey extension plus separate double garage, Farthings, Hatherleigh Road, Winkleigh : APPROVED

B) New Applications

a) 1/0132/2006/FUL: Erection of dwelling - plot 4, Townsend Farm
Cllrs discussed at length and stated that while they were aware of discussions and planning for the improvement of the sewerage treatment works to date there was no material change in circumstances.
It was proposed by Cllr De Louvois that the application be REFUSED on the same grounds as the last applications for residential developments on this site - 2nd Cllr Hodgson: All in favour: REFUSED

b) 1/0084/2006/FUL: Agricultural building attached to existing to be used for cattle rearing, Herdwick Farm, Winkleigh : Cllr Hodgson declared an interest and left the meeting. It was proposed by Cllr De Louvoius and 2nd by Cllr Bowers that this application be APPROVED as the farm was well maintained and this development would have no significant impact on any other parties: All in favour: APPROVED

c) 1/0175/2006/FUL: Siting of prefabricated building for use as bottling plant and for storage, Winkleigh Cider Co, Western Barn, Hatherleigh Road, Winkleigh : It was proposed by Cllr J.Turner, 2nd Cllr Griffiths that this application be APPROVED: all in favour

4.2.6. CURRENT BUSINESS MATTERS

a) Biomass
Cllrs were given an update following TDC's recent meeting to agree a timetable of actions in connection with the WINBEG planning application. Cllrs were advised that TDC are planning to hold a meeting in Winkleigh but that there is still some concerns from TDC in connection with appropriate venue and the legalities of the situation. Cllr Leahy proposed that in addition to District Cllr Cowle advising TDC the necessity for the meeting to be held in Winkleigh, a letter should be sent by the Parish Council reinforcing this - 2nd Cllr Bowers: All in favour
Cllr J.Turner advised that representatives from TDC had been to the Village Hall and the Sports Centre to inspect them to see if they would be viable as venues.

b) Parish Plan
Cllr King advised that she had met with Mr Richard Geary of TDC along with Cllr Stutt and Mr Roger Smith. They had met to discuss the conditions for registering Winkleigh's Parish Plan as a Supplementary Planning Document. Cllrs were advised that the next step is to provide the second part of the Parish Plan and that hopefully this will be ready for ratification at the March PC meeting.

The Clerk also advised that she had been contacted by Mr Ian Hobbs from Devon County Council who has said that there are a number of issues/projects identified in the Parish Plan that DCC would be interested in getting involved with.

c) Clerks Salary & Conditions
Cllrs Stutt, Griffiths & Hodgson have been working on this item.
The Chairman advised that this matter would be dealt with under Part II.

d) Community Centre :
Cllr Hodgson referred to the report he had previously issued to all Cllrs.
Cllrs were advised that Cllrs Hodgson and Bowers had met with the CCOWS group and discussed a number of issues but that central to discussions had been the current pre-school site.
Following discussion Cllr Hodgson made the following proposals:

1. That Winkleigh Parish Council give their full support to the Community Centre of Winkleigh Support (CCOWS) Group in their efforts to acquire the building and improve the community based activities of Winkleigh by enhancing the facilities with major refurbishment.

2. That Winkleigh Parish Council give the full support to the CCOWS Group in their endeavours to acquire the pre-school site for car-parking and community space.

3. Separately we believe that Winkleigh Parish Council should pursue Devon County Council with the intention of acquiring the land ourselves as a public car park. Devon County Council are well aware of the traffic problems of Winkleigh and the congestion caused by on street parking. Developing this site as a public car park would help to alleviate the problem and as the local council, we should be pressuring Devon County Council to do something for their highways department. We suggest that Devon County Council should re-develop the pre-school site as a car park for public use and to donate the site to the village of Winkleigh.

2nd Cllr Bowers: All in favour: MOTION CARRIED

e) Planning issues : Redrow homes
The Clerk advised that TDC had informed her of a further request from Redrow Homes to change the approval conditions for WINK4. Cllrs discussed the new request and it was proposed by Cllr J.Turner that the request be refused on the same grounds as the previous request to change the approval conditions - 2nd Cllr Hodgson: All in favour: MOTION CARRIED.

5.2.6.. NEW BUSINESS

a) TDC's Scrutiny 2 Committee
Cllr Cowle advised that TDC's Scrutiny 2 Committee have raised concerns over planning Policy that is particularly adversely effecting rural communities. Cllr Hodgson raised a previous application for development in Hollocombe as an example stating that while he agreed that in this case policy was possibly too stringent it would be very hard to control should there be any relaxation of the rules.
Following discussions Cllr Hodgson proposed that a letter of response be sent to TDC's advising that the Parish Council appreciate the complexities and difficulties of the planning issues highlighted but that it doesn't feel in a position to comment without some safeguard against relaxing existing rules. Further stating that we all know individual cases where rules can be relaxed but stressing that there needs to be a safeguard to ensure that any change to Policy does not lead to the detriment of the Local Plan. - 2nd Cllr J.Turner: All in favour.

b) Disabled access Clifford's Way
The Clerk advised that there had been a request from a resident querying the disabled access at the top of Clifford's Way where it joins Exeter Road. The Clerk reminded Cllrs that this issue was raised during the disability audit carried out by DCC in 2003.
Following further investigation it has become apparent that this work has not be actioned by DCC as Clifford's Way belongs to TDC. The Clerk informed Cllrs that she has written to Mr Adams at TDC requesting an urgent response.

Cllr J.Turner stated that the disability audit in 2003 had identified a number of issues and requested that this matter be put on the next agenda

PUBLIC PERIOD

6.2.6 Late Items at the Chairman's discretion

Cllrs agreed to raise the matter of the Governments financing of DCC on the next agenda

Cllr Bowers requested that a letter of thanks be sent to the people responsible for the flower pots at the Winkleigh signs.

a) Receipts and payments

The following payments had been received:

W.Carne (Burial Fees) £ 63.52
F.J.Stevens (Headstone) £ 34.65

It was proposed by Cllr J.Turner that the following payments were made, 2nd Cllr Griffiths. All in favour

Viking Direct Ltd (Stationary) £ 69.49 Cheque 1121
N.Bullen (Clerks Salary + expenses) £328.28 1123

There were 2 magazines available for Cllrs

The Chairman moved the meeting into Part II to discuss the proposals for the Salary and contract of the Parish Clerk. At this time the Clerk and the public were asked to leave the meeting.

The Chairman re-opened the meeting advising that Cllrs had deliberated and were in a position to offer the Clerk a new salary as of 1st April and that this and the contract and terms/conditions of employment would be ratified at the March Parish Council meeting

There being no further matters to discuss the meeting was declared closed at 9.23pm