Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 13 September 2006
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.30pm

Present:
Mike Leatham (Chairman), Roger Bickley, David Brown, Stella Burrows, Roger Keen, Stan Parker,
Peter Tucker.

In attendance:
Mr Craig Bulley – Chair, Torridge Police Liaison Meetings, David Venner – CPT Ltd,
11 Members of the public, Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

1. Apologies
   Apologies were received from Myc Riggulsford.

2. Mike Leatham thanked Mr Craig Bulley for attending the Neighbourhood Action Group meeting prior to the Parish Council meeting and invited him to address the Council and public.

   Mr Bulley said he was one of six independent members of the Police Authority which comprised 19 members in total, he also chaired the Torridge Police Liaison meetings. The Police Authority, which is a voluntary role, has wide and varied responsibilities – to set targets, budgets, deal with complaints against senior Police officers and appoint senior officers. The current budget is £246,000,000 for Devon and Cornwall policing, this charge forming part of the Council Tax. The Authority also deals with smaller schemes, such as custody inspections to ensure the welfare of those in custody.

   The Authority has been successful in ensuring that Devon and Cornwall remains a separate police force. A review of policing structure in under way. A second PCSO will be appointed for the area to take up duties from October 2006. The PCSO’s role is limited but is under ongoing review, the initial impact of their presence has been very encouraging. PCSOs will cover the villages in their area and will not be taken off to cover response duties.

   Transport arrangements for the PCSOs continues to be a concern. Councillors raised concerns that with the appointment of the PCSOs, who have limited powers, and the increase in the area covered by the Beat Managers, the actual police cover will be reduced for individual villages. Mr Bulley conceded that this was a concern being voiced in other areas.

   Mr Bulley stated that although the Government is funding the PCSOs for the first year, future funding has yet to be finalised. Councillors expressed serious concern that the cost will have to be met by local authorities which in turn will have an impact on Council Tax payers.

   Mr Bulley invited any members of the Council and public to contact him via the Parish Council if necessary.

   Mike Leatham thanked Mr Bulley for attending the meeting. Mr Bulley left the meeting.

3. Matters raised by the public
   Four young people attended the meeting and it was reported that the surface of the cycle track at Barton Meadow play area is not proving to be satisfactory and there are problems with the turning circles and posts at the end of the track. A discussion took place on the possibilities for improving the track. There has also been a request for a BMX/skate part and in view of this Mike Leatham proposed that a meeting be arranged between members of the Parish Council, representatives from the Barton Meadow Recreation Area Group and young people to take these matters forward. It was also suggested that a Barton Meadow sub-Committee be formed comprising of members from these groups to oversee the management of the play area and report to the Parish Council.
   
   David Brown felt there should be an agreement in place to clarify the responsibilities of the Parish Council and the BMRAG. This was agreed.
   
   Mike Leatham will discuss this with the Chairman on his return, and arrange for a meeting to be held in the near future, the recommendations to be brought to the Parish Council meeting in October.

4. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 12 July 2006 Subject to the following amendment, the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 12 July 2006 were agreed and adopted by Councillors.

   Minute 6 (page 533) – fourth paragraph, second sentence to read “The Devon Biodiversity Records Centre will be writing to the owners to request permission to survey the sites to confirm their wildlife status”.
   The Chairman signed the minutes.

5. Matters arising
   

   1. Unclassified Roads – David Brown has spoken to John Wilde at Devon Highways and he has agreed to look into the possibility of reclassifying these roads as footpaths whilst still retaining the right of access for those who require it.

   2. Litter bin at Wardens Close – TDC have not yet installed the litter bin. The Clerk will follow this up.

   3. Dog Fouling – The Clerk reported that the Dog Warden has agreed to make more frequent visits to the village in an effort to reduce the dog fouling problem. It was felt that this problem has reduced at the present time

6. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows reviewed the Neighbourhood Action Group meeting held prior to the Parish Council meeting which the new PCSO, Steve Henderson, had attended. One problem in High Bickington at the present time is damage to vehicles and this is being actively investigated by the Police. The question of the likely increase in the level of the Police charge on the Council Tax was raised as a matter of concern when the Government ceases to fund the PCSOs.

   Stella Burrows reminded everyone to ensure their properties are locked securely, there are many instances of people leaving their properties unattended and insecure.

   PCSO Henderson had reported problems in other village with mini motorbikes – Stella Burrows asked that these be reported immediately should they affect High Bickington.

   Speeding vehicles – PCSO Henderson has agreed to carry out speed checks in the village. It was noted that the perception of vehicle speeds can be unreliable. Stella Burrows asked that vehicle registration numbers be taken if there are any complaints about speeding.

   Letter from Chief Inspector Paul Davies – the Chairman read the letter dated 26 July 2006 informing the Parish Council of his promotion with immediate effect to the rank of Chief Inspector for Northern Devon Sector.

7. Parish Plans
   September update – David Venner presented the September update which was circulated to all Councillors and public present.

   David Venner reminded everyone that the second AGM of the Community Property Trust will take place on 14 September at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point – the meeting is open to all.

   An encouraging meeting was held at County Hall on 1 September when the County Council and District Council confirmed their continuing support for Project 2000. Revised plans will be exhibited in the village when they have been drawn up and costed.

   Community woodland – the CPT has submitted a planning application for access improvements to Quarry Wood.

8. Barton Meadow
   Matters concerning the Barton Meadow play area were dealt with earlier in the meeting and there was nothing further to report.

9. Matters Raised by the Chairman
   The Clerk reported that Chairmen of Parish Councils do have to sign a declaration of acceptance of office – previous information that this was no longer required was incorrect. The Clerk will ensure the Chairman signs this declaration at the meeting in October.

10. Maintenance
    

    1. Highways

       1. Repairs update – The Clerk reported that Highways have responded to the complaint about the verge at Lee. Due to the low category of road and the low volume of traffic lack of funds prevents any action being taken at this time. Cones will be kept in place to keep vehicles on the carriageway.

       2. Fountains Field – Zebra crossing. The Clerk reported that the engineer responsible for this is currently on leave – he will be in touch on his return to work. Councillors expressed their concern at the length of time this matter is taking and asked the Clerk to forward the information to Councillor John Rawlinson.

       3. Chantry Lane, Atherington. The Parish Council was asked to support a request from Atherington Parish Council to ban HGV lorries from using Chantry Lane. The Police are unable to support such an order as enforcement would be difficult and without Police support the County Council is unable to proceed with this request.

    2. Footpaths and byways:
       Roger Keen had nothing to report.

11. Finance

    1. Accounts as at 31 August 2006. The finance statement as at 31 August 2006 was agreed and accepted by those Councillors present. The following cheques were agreed for payment:
       Mr K Abraham – internal auditor £60.00
       D Carter – Clerk (2 months): £401.72

    2. Audit 2005/06 – The Clerk reported that the Audit Commission are working behind schedule and hope to have the final accounts for the year ended 31 March 2006 signed off by the end of September.

    3. Grants to local organisations – the Chairman reminded everyone that applications for grants for 2007/08 should be received by October 4th 2006, for a decision to be made at the Parish Council meeting on October 11th.

    4. Budget 2007/08 – The Clerk circulated draft copies of the budget for consideration. This will be discussed further at the meeting in October.

12. Planning
    

    1. Applications received before the meeting As the response date was before the September Council meeting, the following applications were considered by the Planning Sub-Committee and a decision made to refer them to the full Council meeting. As a result, the Clerk had negotiated an extension to the response date from TDC.
       David Brown proposed that the Planning Sub-Committee be discontinued and all applications considered by the full Council – a special meeting to be held if necessary. Seconded by Stella Burrows the proposal was carried unanimously by those present (7).

       1. 1/1259/2006/FUL
          Peter Tucker declared an interest in this application and did not take part in the discussion or decision.
          Proposed barn conversion to form 2 units of holiday accommodation
          Yelland Farm, High Bickington
          Mr A Woolacott
          DECISION: By a show of hands those eligible to vote (6) supported the application: 5 in favour, 1 against.

       2. 1/1727/2006/FUL
          Single Storey Extension
          Gratleigh, High Bickington
          Mr & Mrs D’Olley
          DECISION: Those Councillors present (7) voted to support the application.

    2. Decisions:

       1. 1/1819/2005/OUT
          Proposed agricultural workers dwelling
          Quickes, High Bickington
          DECISION: Refused
          PC Decision: Supported 11.1.06

       2. 1/1383/2006/FUL
          Erection of conservatory
          Woodrow Farm, High Bickington
          DECISION: Granted
          PC Decision: Supported July 2006

       3. 1/1266/2006/FUL
          Proposed construction of footway crossing
          1 Wardens Close, High Bickington
          DECISION: Granted
          PC Decision: Supported 12.7.06

       4. 1/1074/2006/FUL
          Renewal of planning consent for the erection of bungalow
          Plot 3 Libbaton Golf & Holiday, High Bickington
          DECISION: Granted
          PC Decision: Supported 12.7.06

       5. 1/1245/2006/FUL
          Replacement of holiday chalets with 22 modern energy efficient holiday lodges
          Forest Park Lodges, Kingford, High Bickington
          DECISION: Granted
          PC Decision: Refused 12.7.06

13. Correspondence
    

    1. TDC – letter re distribution of Torridge First Newsletter. As a temporary measure Torridge had requested contact names of businesses who would be prepared to take the Newsletter until regular delivery arrangements could be made. Penny Povey had agreed to take this on.

    2. Community Transpport – a letter had been received from the Health Centre asking for volunteers to transport patients to the surgery. The letter had been displayed on the noticeboards and in Ramblings.

    3. North Devon & Exmoor Regeneration Co – letter re Bridges Project and Parish/Town plans. In circulation pack for any Councillor to follow up.

14. Outstanding Matters
    Peter Tucker reported that he has now received “The Story of High Bickington” written by Mr R W Pitman together with a further book of poems. Mike Leatham has offered to scan the book to disk and this offer was gratefully accepted. It will then be available for the public to access. The original copy will be held by the Records Office.

15. Items for information
    Stella Burrows reported that the fence on the south corner of North Road/Wardens Close is in a bad state of repair. The Clerk was asked to ascertain ownership of the fence.

16. Date of next meeting
    The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 11 October 2006 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15pm.

HIGH BICKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL, Clerk: Mrs Di Carter, 20 Springfield, Four Seasons Village, Winkleigh, Devon EX19 8DP. Tel: 01837 680125 E-mail: cartergrth@aol.com

High Bickington CPT Ltd, The Meeting Point, North Road, High Bickington. Telephone 01769 560161, or email david.venner@highbickington.org