Council Meeting – 8th August 2022

Mrs A Weekes (Chair), Mr M Bendle, Mr J Blackmore, Mr R Brown, Mr R Drew (Vice Chair), Mr J Kidner, Mrs D Evans (Parish Clerk), District Councillor S Clist and a member of the public.

Apologies Mr N King and County Councillor R Radford

None declared.

PROPOSAL:  The council minutes of the meetings of 13^th June & 11^th July are approved.

PROPOSED:  Mr Brown

SECONDED:  Mr Kidner

DECISION: passed (all in favour)

Nothing to report.

5.1       Hidon Woods – it was agreed that Mr Brown would review/update the management agreement, after which the area will be promoted to the parish.

5.2       Bus Shelter – clerk will add the bus shelter to the asset register.

RB

Clerk

The following permission was noted:-

6.1       22/00824/HOUSE.  Erection of two-storey extension.  Culm View, Hemyock.

7.1  Income and expenditure

FINANCE

INCOME

 EXPENDITURE 

 BANK RECONCILIATION 

 PROPOSAL:  The expenditure is agreed and the above cheques/payments are paid/agreed.

PROPOSED:   Mr Blackmore

SECONDED:   Mr Bendle

DECISION: passed (all in favour)

8.1    Online Banking with Unity Trust Bank is now set up.

County Councillor Radford sent the following report:-

I include below a statement from the County Leadership Team.

Devon County Council is facing a very challenging financial situation. We have a forecasted overspend of about £30 million and rising costs and inflation could add a further £10 million. We are not alone in this – many other councils are facing a similar situation – but we need to act now to respond to this challenge.  Increasing needs and demand for services will continue into next year (2023/24) and beyond so we need to focus on both short-term opportunities to generate savings and longer-term transformation to ensure we create a sustainable future and deliver our strategic vision and priorities.

We are committed to working collectively across the whole council and with elected Members to respond to this challenge. As part of this response, we have developed a Financial Sustainability Programme and brought together a group of leaders (the Tactical Leadership Team) from across the organisation to drive forward this work.

Over the last three weeks about £26 million of one-off and on-going savings have been identified and the Tactical Leadership Team is continuing to look at other opportunities including identifying areas for creating efficiency, understanding and responding to demand differently, reducing our property estate and the cost of buildings, reducing expenditure on contracts, and increasing income generation.

Many opportunities are also being identified to change the way we do things and work together to ensure better value and outcomes for people in the longer-term.

The team has come together at short notice, embodying the spirit of our principles and behaviours, and committed time and resources to respond to this challenge. This has been, and continues to be hugely valuable, not just in terms of identifying additional savings but also developing relationships and understanding of the whole council’s business, which will stand us in excellent stead for identifying further transformation opportunities.

This is a very challenging time for us all as a council, thank you for your commitment and your suggestions for where we can reduce spend – some of which have led to significant savings. Please can you continue to think carefully about every decision you make and pound you spend.

District Councillor Clist reported:-

Mid Devon District Council has a £1.5m budget deficit.  It is continuing to look for ways to claw back this deficit.  The new bin system, 123, has been introduced with food recycling weekly, recycling fortnightly and rubbish 3-weekly.

Thanks to the lengthsman C Houghton for the strimming at top of Ford Street and around the village.  Clerk to report the other side of road to Somerset Council.

Clerk

Mr Bendle has received a call from a parishioner asking for information about maintenance of a footpath by the Merry Harriers.  Mr Brown will contact parishioner.

RB

It was reported that the Himalayan Balsam has flowered early this year and it is now too late to pull it.  Clerk was asked to establish what action, if any, one needs to take if Japanese Knotweed is seen.

Clerk

The group are waiting for the new MP to meet with them.

15.1  Following the resignation of Mrs Hay from Mary Parson’s Gift, Clayhidon Branch, a new trustee was appointed.

PROPOSAL:  Mr Drew is appointed as trustee.

PROPOSED:   Mr Blackmore

SECONDED:   Mr Bendle

DECISION: passed (all in favour)

16.1    Email from Parish Hall committee.  Although not on the agenda it was noted that an email had been received about the pc working more closely with the hall committee on future developments.  This will be added to the next agenda to discuss in more detail.

Clerk

17.1    Clerk’s salary.  It was suggested that the clerk should have a pay increase.  The clerk will review the job description and relevant grades, etc. and report back.

Clerk

Nothing to report.

Planning meeting (if required) Monday 12^th September or full council meeting Monday 10^th October at 7.30pm Parish Hall.