Minutes Council Meeting July 2024

Minutes of the Meeting of Stoodleigh Parish Council, held on July 30th 2024, at 7.00pm in the Village Hall

Members present -: Chairman Cllr W Knowles  Vice Chair Cllr J Widdowson  Cllr J Mansfield  Cllr G Parkman   Cllr C Payne Cllr D Wotton

District Cllr C Adcock

1. Apologies – these were received from Cllr S Davey and District Cllr R Gilmour
2. Declarations of Interest – none received
3. The Public – 4 members of the public in attendance. Louise Butcher expressed her
continuing concerns about the 24/00285/FULL planning application which is to be considered the following day. She listed a number of her major concerns and was hoping for the plans to be scaled back and if approved, that certain conditions were then imposed.
4. Minutes of the Meetings held May 21st and 18th June – these were approved and signed as a correct record
5. Planning Applications and Outcomes
24/00285/FULL Erection of 7 workshops (Use Class B) and café to serve development (Use Class E) following demolition of general industrial buildings, Shadow Pond – decision awaited
24/00511/FULL Change of use of agricultural land to mixed agriculture and tour/tasting sessions of vineyard, to include the erection of marquee for use between May-October, compost toilet and storage of wine in an agricultural shed, NGR 290615 119110 Quoit-at-Cross – permitted with conditions to discharge
24/00600/PNCOU prior notification for change of use of an agricultural building to 1 dwelling under Class Q – NGR 290615 119720, Alridge Mill, Oakford – approved
24/00818/FULL erection of dwelling and detached double garage/log store with home office
following the demolition of the existing dwelling, Oakdale – approved with conditions
6. Reports
A written report had been circulated earlier in the month from the District Council. The Corporate Plan has been revised. It is still proving difficult to recruit enforcement officers for the planning department. A situation in Morebath has highlighted a loop hole within the existing planning regulations giving permission for onsite temporary accommodation. It is also recommended that there should be an annual walkabout by the Neighbourhood Officer and the Parish Council.
7. Playground and the Boundary Wall
Cllr Widdowson was pleased to report that the swing hangings have been replaced. The very
generous contribution towards the cost of the wall repair was discussed. The Chairman had been getting quotes for the repair which varied considerably but £12,000 being an average figure. The work is estimated to take 3 weeks. It was decided to have a working party of volunteers to clear the site of vegetation and heap the existing stones for reuse. This should reduce the overall cost significantly. The area would be taped off during preparation for reconstruction. Clerk to report back to Chris Whitehead.
8. The Notice Board
The contribution of £800 from the DCC Locality Budget towards a replacement notice board has been forthcoming. Cllr Mansfield is to check with a potential supplier as to the best way to incorporate the existing plaque and whether the header board is included in the price quoted. Oak was thought to be the most suitable material rather than recycled plastic.
9. The Swap Box
Trevor Cope needs assistance to refurbish the kiosk and a request for volunteers to help has gone out. It was felt that the Victorian structure although having a market value well in excess of the purchase price, has a historical significance and worth keeping in the village.
10. The Defibrillator
The second machine has been purchased and grateful thanks go to Mike and Lizzie Issacs for both accommodating and installing this equipment at the Stoodleigh Inn and for the very generous donation which was made anonymously. Further refresher training on the use of the apparatus has been arranged for the 31st July in the Inn. Should this date be oversubscribed Cllr Widdowson will arrange another date.
11. The Parish Plan
There are 7 volunteers so far to help with this project, the existing plan being 20 years old. Cllr Davey is to be asked to initially coordinate the ideas.
12. EV Charging Points
The Chairman is in favour of providing a point with public access, which would incur no cost to Stoodleigh. The Parish Hall would seem to be the most suitable site and Cllr Parkman will approach the Parish Hall Committee for their views.
13. The Audit Report
Most of the items highlighted for improvement have already been addressed. The updating of the Standing Orders is still outstanding. The current bank balance is more than one and a half times greater than the annual precept and therefore there needs to be written justification of how the money is intended to be used.
14. Finance
HSBC current account as at 12/7/24 £12,587.16
Payments were approved to - Clerk £360 HMRC £90   J Widdowson £67.77(defibrillator)
Tax & Accounts £356.88  M Berry £446  J Larcombe £75
Bank Charges incurred £25
Credits received from the Locality Budget £800 and a Donation of £1000