Wembworthy Parish Council Meeting Minutes March 2025
Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 13th March 2025 at the village hall 7.30pm
1/ Members present and apologies
Chairman Graham Penter, Vice Chairman Susan Vile, Councillors Laurence Peters, James Limond and Gail Tucker
Mid Devon District Councillor Steve Keable
2/ Public Questions
Sherrie Marshall attended, to update the PC on the nuisance dogs see Matters arising. Lenice Bell also joined the meeting at 7.40pm
3/ Minutes of last meeting
Minutes agreed as correct
4/Matters arising from the minutes
Update from the meeting with Forestry England and other relevant agencies in January about nuisance dogs in Flashdown woods
Sherrie Marshall and Lenice Bell both present this evening. They were not invited to the meeting in January and feel that they have been sidelined. Both have expressed their desire to step back despite originally having the support of over 40 people at the public meeting held in the village last year. It was apparently contested that nothing happened on Forestry land but evidence is held in public statements taken, which were originally sent in by Sherrie together with police reports of sheep attacks.
MDDC councillor Steve Keable has been involved in this issue but the only thread being followed up is the installation of dog poo bins. He was unaware of this evidence so will go back and present this to another meeting which will now be called by himself.
Quote for grass verges – £400 confirmed by contractor
2nd defibrillator for the village at the bus shelter –
Response from Rob Perry.
The initial contact from Revd Tony Rockey, Team Rector, is that the idea is good in principle but some steps are required.
Firstly a faculty is likely required for permission to bolt something to the wall in the porch, which will cost around£400. Councillor Susan Vile will speak to Rob Perry about this to see if worthwhile use of funds as may not be approved.
Secondly a spur will need to be installed to feed the installation.
Thirdly if there is a limited timescale, the application will take several weeks and if a faculty is needed probably 3 months minimum.
Finally the PCC will need to agree to this.
The PC agreed that the electrical spur is a good idea anyway as the Christmas lights set up wasn’t exactly ideal, so would be better.
Councillor Vile to report back after liaising with Rob Perry.
The Defib offers are still being circulated periodically so we should be able to take advantage of a future one.
VE Day 80th celebration plans
The PC discussed the possibility of a celebration but the majority of councillors including the clerk are away on key dates running up to the 8th May so nothing is able to be organised. The village hall committee were consulted and they have no plans either.
5/An Emergency Plan for Wembworthy?
A training course has been offered for the 20th May by the Devon Community Resilience Forum in Kentisbeare. The clerk has offered to attend as long as travel costs are covered as a 72 mile round trip. This was approved by the PC and Councillor Susan Vile has offered to attend alongside the clerk.
6/Update on the councillor’s specialist areas
Graham Penter – Planning –none
Susan Vile – Church & Chapel – Mothers day service on 30th March
Chapel – no news and no contact
Laurence Peters – Flagpole – Jubilee Plaque still to be installed. The flag is once again frayed and needing replacing so clerk to order a new one.
Gail Tucker – Public relations and Social Media – nothing else to report
James Limond – Broadband improvements for the village – A possible build is in the pipeline for 2026. An email is to be circulated once the news is confirmed
Sarah Goody (clerk) Village Hall liaison – Easter quiz planned for 4th April. Fire doors awaiting availability by the installer.
7/Accounts
a) Update on bank balance
£9711.79 as at 28th February 2025 (last statement received)
£7665.23 PC funds *
£46.56 remainder of the Jubilee Grant for the plaque
*£2000 cheque to the Village Hall not yet cashed.
b) Cheques to sign
S Goody – clerk – half yearly wages £500 (no PAYE to pay)
Wembworthy Village Hall – annual hire charge for 7 meetings -£132.50
8/AOB for next meeting’s Agenda
Date of next meeting Thursday 8th May 2025
Meeting closed at 9.10pm