Present: Cllrs Stutt, King, J.Cowle, Bowers, J.Turner, Griffiths, Leahy, De Louvois,
Cllr Hodgson arrived late attendance indicated by **)

Apologies: Cllrs Camilleri & N.Turner

The minutes of the meeting held on 25th October were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

1.11.6. REPORTS

POLICE: WPC Middleton attended the meeting and gave an update of recent activities in the Parish. Cllrs were advised of the appointment of Sgt 191 Paul Tyzac. Cllrs were also advised that the Police drop-in would be moving to a Wednesday morning in the Community Centre and also that negotiations were still taking place with regard to the "mini-satellite station" in the Centre.
(** Cllr Hodgson arrived)
WPC Middleton strongly offered her full support to the Youth Club project to be discussed later in the meeting and further advised that she intends to complete a proactive traffic operation in the rural parishes from January.
Cllrs were further advised that 2 new PSCO's were expected to start in January 2007.

TAAG: Cllr Bowers gave a full report on the TAAG meeting held on 21.11.6. advising that TDC's Chief Executive had advised that currently PC's are not capped in their precepts but that this may change as of next year.

CEMETERY BUNGALOW: Cllr King advised that the re-inspection of the cemetery bungalow kitchen had now been completed and other than some slight damage there was no need for further action at this time. Cllrs were advised that the front door needs some attention and that this should be done at the time of the repairs to the back porch.

PPL: Cllrs were advised that PPL have made an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate against TDC's refusal of Planning application 1/2149/2004/FUL.

Clerks Reports

THE ORCHARDS: The Clerk reported that she had received a letter from Mr Butler the Manager of Kingsley Cabins advising that they have been in discussions with the landowner and have agreed works to relieve the wetness in the gateway and other works.

Cllr Cowle reported that Ms Angie Sinclaire has been appointed Head of Financial Services.

David Lausen addressed the Parish Council regarding WINBEG giving a full update of ongoing community action.

Sgt Tyzac arrived at the meeting and introduced himself to the Councillors.

A) Returned from TDC

a) 1/1738/2006/COU: Change of use from retail back to restaurant/takeaway, Seckington Cross, Winkleigh: APPROVED

B) New Applications

a) 1/25097/2006/FUL: First floor extension and enabling works, The Mount, High Street, Winkleigh: APPROVED

b) 1/2300/2006/FUL: Reconstruction of agricultural building and retrospective application for poultry sheds and polytunnel, Betham, Stable Green, Hollocombe:
APPROVED.

a) Receipts and Payments

The following payments were made by resolution of the Parish Council:

A.Ware ( 2 x ¼ Cemetery maintenance + repair to seat) £ 515.00 Cheq 1156
Winkleigh Community Centre ( Hire Oct & November) £ 10.00 1157
N.Bullen ( Clerks Salary x 2 + Expenses) £ 871.88 1158
EDF Energy ( Electricity to Winkleigh Square) £ 35.85 1159

b) Precept (4)

The Chairman opened discussions stating that he believed the PC should be considering supporting the Youth Club project and suggested £1,000 be allocated in the budget to be made available as appropriate.
Cllrs discussed the documents previously issued for consideration when determining the precept for 2007/8. Cllr Bowers again stated that in future the Parish Council could be "capped" and therefore this year the PC should look at how much they can set for the precept. Cllr Turner responded that the precept should be set following a budget and Cllrs should be very clear about what projects they were requesting funds for. Cllr Bowers responded that if the precept is not increased it prevents the PC from doing anything. Cllr Hodgson stated that he was in favour of increasing the precept if there was formal agreement as to the projects the funds would be allocated for. Cllr Leahy said that she felt that the actual amount individuals pay towards the precept is only a small percentage of the Council Tax and that a large increase would not affect individuals heavily but be spread throughout the 700 properties in the Parish.
Cllr Griffiths stated that the community of Winkleigh has aspirations and that the Parish Council need to look forward and raise the precept to address their needs. Cllr Hodgson said that while this may be the case the Council should have been discussing projects and have had a clear idea of funding required prior to setting the precept. The Chairman stated that this item had been on the agenda for some months and that Cllrs had been repeatedly asked to provide information on projects they wished to address next year and would therefore need precept funds.

Following a lengthy debate Cllr Hodgson proposed £14,000 precept for 2007/8 - 2nd Cllr De Louvois: voting 6 for, 1 against, 1 abstention: MOTION CARRIED

Cllrs agreed that the annual subs to the DAPC should be taken direct from the precept via TDC.
Cllr King reminded Cllrs that it had been suggested that a page be taken in Distinctly Winkleigh to explain any increase in precept and what the PC intend to use the precept funds for.

At the invitation of the Chairman Mr Holland addressed the Parish Council regarding the project put forward by the Youth Club for improvements in facilities at the Sports Centre. Cllrs had previously been issued with a copy of the documentation. Cllrs were given a more detailed background to the project and informed of existing funding offers from other agencies with the Youth Club requesting financial support from the Parish Council.
Mr Holland was joined by two of the 16+ members of the Youth Club who addressed questions from the Councillors.

a) Priorities list (5)
The Chairman advised Cllrs that are still a number of outstanding projects that need attention.
The Chairman advised that the Parish Plan Policy document agreed at the August meeting has now been re-issued and copies have been sent to all Cllrs. Cllr Bowers asked that the Parish Plan be placed on the agenda for discussion at the January meeting.

Cemetery Bungalow Chimney: It was proposed by Cllr King that as Central Heating had been installed at the Cemetery Bungalow and that the tenant had been advised not to use the fires/chimney at the property no work to the chimney was required. This would remove the item from the outstanding business list - 2nd Cllr Turner: All in favour: MOTION CARRIED.

b) Bus Shelter (5)
Cllr Turner advised that he and Cllr Hodgson are still in negotiations with Broadwoodkelley PC in connection with the sale of the old shelter.
Cllr Turner has made enquiries for a plaque for the shelter and is awaiting confirmation.
The Clerk advised that the litter bin and the bus stop sign are on order.

c) Winkleigh Youth Club (3)
Cllrs had heard representation from the Youth Club during Public Discussion and have provisionally allocated £1,000 in the precept towards this project.

d) Winkleigh cemetery Grounds (3)
The Clerk advised that she had received a quote from Mr A.Ware regarding work to the headstones identified as needing attention in Winkleigh Cemetery. Cllrs were advised that to correct all five identified headstones would cost £50.00.
It was proposed by Cllr Hodgson to accept the quotation from Mr Ware stating that it is the opinion of Winkleigh Parish Council that there are no immediate relatives in this instance and that the Parish Council will, without prejudice, on this occasion authorise payment for these works to be completed - 2nd Cllr King: All in favour: MOTION CARRIED.

e) Cemetery Grass cutting contract
The Clerk advised that as the Parish Council have changed their standing orders quotations should be sought with regard to the cemetery grass cutting contract. It was agreed that quotes would be requested for the January meeting.

a) Home Insulation Grants
Cllr Bowers informed Cllrs that Distinctly Winkleigh have agreed to advertise the promotion of home insulation grants as a community service therefore no Parish Council involvement required.

1. A copy of the letter sent to TDC in connection with the planning application for Tucker's House Winkleigh was read in full to the Parish Council

2. A letter was received from a parishioner in connection with the street sweeping service on The Meadows Winkleigh. The Clerk was instructed to respond that the street sweeping services are managed by Torridge District Council and not the Parish Council.

The meeting was closed at 9.39pm.