Parish Council Meeting 19th April, 2000

The meeting opened, slightly late, due to a dearth of councillors. As both Clrs. Cox and Hirst were absent, there was some good-natured banter about who should be Acting Chairman; it was suggested the most senior councillor should chair, but none would admit to being most senior. In the event, Clr. Casey volunteered, and the meeting got under way. Apologies were received from Clrs. Cox and Hirst, and the previous minutes were accepted. Under matters arising, there was some discussion about the siting of the recycling trailer; this should have been put where the glass bins are now, but last month had been left in its usual location, where the bins used to be. The Clerk was asked to contact DDDC and request that the trailer be put in the correct place next month.

Mr Barton sent an update on Backdale Quarry: RMC have let the PPPB know they no further interest in the site, but won’t withdraw their planning application. As a result of RMC’s withdrawal, the owners of Backdale may be submitting their own application, and so the process will start all over again. Also on the topic of mineral extraction, the PC noted no objection to a planning application to continue fluorspar extraction at Middle Hay.

The PC is almost at the end of its financial year, with the 2000/2001 precept due to be received in the next few weeks. Hence the lower balances of £1000 in the current account, £2600.02 in the deposit account. Various minor payments were approved. The PCC has promised the PC £1000 towards the Feemouth Yard resurfacing work.

On the subject of the Village Hall, Clr. Askew reported that the replacement dedication stone is still waiting to be fitted, as is the pump in front of the Hall.

The councillors expressed concern about the lack of progress on the work on playground equipment. A commitment had been made to get the area under the big slide resurfaced by the end of April, but the work required on the slide itself had not yet been done. Further delay may result in the contract with the specialist resurfacing company having to be renegotiated and, likely, the cost increasing as a result.

As the proponents of the PC’s Millennium Celebration were all absent, no progress was made on this issue, but it was noted that the cricket club does not have a home fixture on the date proposed, the 8^th July.

The Clerk reported that all the previously unused allotment plots had now been let, but that two tenants had relinquished their plots, so there is once again four free plots. Please contact the Clerk to the PC, Mr Paul Dalton (640181) if you are interested in taking over a plot. The available plots have all been cultivated in the past six months or so, so there isn’t any heavy clearance work required.

On the subject of maintenance, it was noted that the new gate at the top of Sunny Bank was causing a problem to the mowing contractors, as it was narrower than its predecessor. It was resolved that the gate would have to be widened, and Clr. Bowering agreed to make the necessary ‘action plan’. The stone wall at the Sunny bank side of the recreation ground has collapsed, and although ownership of the wall isn’t clear, the PC felt they had to take action to rebuild the wall. Finally on the recreation ground, an unauthorised gate has been constructed, which is against the PC’s policy, and so the owner will be asked to stop it up.

There have been no comments received concerning the business park.

Correspondence has been received from DCC, asking for details of any event that will use the public highway. A list of known events was quickly compiled, and the Clerk will respond to DDC. A leaflet from the PDNPA, "Best Value Performance Plan", has been received. Related to this was the news that the PPPB intended to stop the attendance of local councillors at site meetings, but after discussions at the PPPB, they have decided to continue for a further six months, then review the situation. The PC resolved to write to the PPPB and express their opposition to this proposal.