Minutes – July 9th 2024

Present: Cllrs Hulett (Chair), L Lenton, K Lenton, N Skeaping, J Gilpin, Cook. Cllr Mott (WDBC) 1 member of the parish.

  1. Public Session (15 minutes)
  • Apologies for absence

Cllr Moyse (Prior commitment)

  • Declarations of Interest

Cllr Gilpin (Item 7)

  • It was resolved to accept the minutes of the meeting 19th June 2024 as an accurate record.

Proposed Cllr Hulett, seconded Cllr L Lenton. All in favour.

  • Matters arising from the meeting 19th June 2024

The Clerk reported that the overgrown hedge outside Moorside, reported last month, has now been cut back and the matter can be considered closed.

  • Correspondence received

None has been received

  • Playground

Cllr Gilpin reported as Chair of the sports field committee. Trustees propose that they assume responsibility for the routine maintenance of the playground equipment. They will also carry out any future repairs at their own expense. They further propose that the council maintain responsibility for insuring the equipment and users and continue to carry out and pay for inspections. Councillors were happy to consider any formal proposal and requested that the trustees forward one at their convenience and ready for the September meeting.

It was requested that the Clerk draft a new maintenance agreement between trustees and the council, in anticipation of the proposal being received and accepted. (AP1)

Cllr Gilpin further reported that although the major repairs identified in the RoSPA inspection have been carried out, there are a small number of other more minor repairs to be carried out as yet and suggested the re-inspection of the equipment be put back until they have been completed.

Cllr Giplin reported that the new dog waste bin has been installed at the sports field, courtesy of the management of the Castle Inn.

Councillors discussed the future of the council noticeboard at the sports field; it needs repair and its present usefulness is unknown. Cllr L Lenton was asked to obtain prices for a replacement board. (AP2)

  • Defibrillator

Cllr K Lenton agreed to assume responsibility for routinely checking and reporting to The Circuit the readiness of the equipment. (AP3 – Clerk to arrange with ex Cllr Blackmore and Cllr Lenton for the handover).

The presence of a defibrillator in the primary school was discussed. It was questioned whether it is available for use by the general public given that it is presently held in a closed room within the school.  Cllr K Lenton agreed to discuss the matter with representatives of the school, specifically whether the device should be made available for public use, and if this was agreed, to register the device on The Circuit. (AP4)

Councillors were unhappy with the delay between the last set of pads being used and a new set being ordered. It was decided to purchase a second set of defibrillator pads to be held in reserve with Cllr Lenton. (AP5 – Clerk to purchase).

Cllr K Lenton reported that 6 people have asked for defibrillator training. Devon Air Ambulance service is happy to provide two sessions of training in Lydford. Cllrs agreed that Cllr Lenton should book the Air Ambulance training sessions (AP6). The Clerk to advertise the sessions through the parish newsletter and the website. (AP7)

  • Remembrance Sunday.

Cllrs agreed that the War Memorial should be cleaned prior to the Remembrance Day service this November. (AP8 Clerk to advertise and receive quotes).

  1. Full fibre broadband.

There is no such provision currently available in the village. Cllr Skeaping reported his recent discussions with telecom engineers repairing the copper system, revealing that the quality of signal, speeds and reliability of the copper connections to properties are likely to deteriorate. Cllr Mott reported that she is working to pressurize providers of rural broadband to bring full-fibre provision to other areas of West Devon and it was agreed that Lydford should join and support her campaign. (AP9 – Clerk to send letter to Cllr Mott on behalf of the council and parishioners describing the present poor quality of provision and strongly requesting fibre upgrades).

  1. Newly painted parking bay

The council has received a number of questions about the bay from parishioners which they need information from Devon Highways in order to respond. It was agreed that the Clerk should continue to press Highways for information on the origins of the bay (AP10).

  1. Finances
    1. It was resolved to approve the following payments –
  1. J. Bright                       £368.44           July salary
  2. HMRC                                £87.40           PAYE July
  3. Cartridge People                £37.78           Clerk’s office supplies

Proposed  by Cllr Gilpin, seconded by Cllr Hulett. All in favour.

  • Banking reconciliation for period 1.4.24 to 31.6.24

Noted by Councillors

Opening balance 1.4.24         £10,705.30                  Bank holdings at 31.06.24

Add receipts                              £5,478.07                  Deposit Account           £12,411.26

Less payments                          £3,725.41                  Current Account                  £46.70     

                                                £12,457.96                                                      £12,457.96

  • Actions taken under the Scheme of Delegation

Noted by Councillors

  • 18.6.24            Transfer from Savings Acc to Current Acc – £500.00
  • 20.6.24            Transfer from Savings Acc to Current Acc – £230.00
  • 01.7.24            Payments to S Hulett – emergency eq’t     – £226.62
  1. Planning
  2. Nil
  1. Business not listed on the agenda below, by permission of the Chair.

Cllr Gilpin requested access to the digital mapping software provided by Parish Online (AP11 – Clerk to arrange).

  1. Date of next meeting: Tuesday 10th September 2024

Meeting closed: 20:17.