Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 11 October 2006
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.30pm

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

In attendance:
David Venner – CPT Ltd, 5 Members of the public, Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

1. Apologies
   Apologies were received from Stan Parker, County Councillor John Rawlinson and PCSO Steve Henderson.

2. Matters raised by the public
   The following road safety concerns were raised by members of the public:

   1. Junction of Barton Meadow Road and North Road. The long promised zebra crossing outside the Fountains Field development has still not been installed and the Clerk was asked to follow this up yet again with Highways and copy the e-mail to County Councillor John Rawlinson.

   2. Church Meadow/Mill Road – there have been a number of near-misses at this point and the Clerk was asked to raise the concerns with Highways to see if anything can be done to alleviate the problem.

   3. Road to Seckington – vehicle speeds are a concern. Stella Burrows reminded everyone that it will help if vehicle registration numbers and/or business names are recorded for forwarding to the Police. The Clerk was asked to let the Police know of the concerns.

   4. Junction of High Street and North Road – car parking on the corner. Chairman had received a complaint that the large number of cars parking on the corner recently obstructed visibility for drivers joining North Road. Police to be informed for routine checks.

3. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 13 September 2006
   The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 13 September 2006 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. The Chairman signed the minutes.

4. Matters arising
   

   1. Fence at North Road/Wardens Close. The Clerk reported that she has spoken to Torridge District Council about the need for repairs to the fence. They have agreed to follow this up on behalf of the Parish Council.

   2. Chairman’s Declaration of Acceptance of Office. The Chairman signed the Declaration.

5. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows reported a letter from Elaine Townsend, the Police Authority Liaison Officer and ACPO Officer in which she states that there will be a Neighbourhood Beat Manager and 2 PCSOs allocated to the Torrington rural beat area. The second PCSO was due to be appointed in October 2006 but it has come to the Parish Council’s attention that this is now unlikely to happen until Spring 2007. Councillors were concerned to hear about the likely delay in appointing a second PCSO and Stella Burrows agreed to follow this up and report back to the Council before any further action is taken.
   Stella Burrows reported the contents of the October Police newsletter which will be published on the noticeboards and in Ramblings.

6. Parish Plans
   

   1. October update – David Venner presented the October update which was circulated to all Councillors and public present.
      Community woodland – the CPT has submitted further information requested by Torridge District Council for the planning application for access improvements to Quarry Wood, installation of new gates, a bridleway, information board and seats (visitors car parking to be designated at the Playing Field)

   2. The Chairman reported that he had given a presentation to the National Association of Local Councils Annual Conference about the Little Bickington Farm project, and the involvement with the local community to get a parish plan under way to include a village hall, school, affordable housing and workshops. David Venner had submitted a bid for the annual awards and this had resulted in High Bickington Parish Council winning the South West Regional award in the affordable housing category with prize money of £250 and a framed certificate. The scheme was also awarded second place in the national prize, the prize money again being £250 with a framed certificate. The Chairman reported that the scheme was nationally recognised and the rejection of the scheme at the planning inquiry was seen as a matter for national concern for such projects.
      A press release was circulated to the meeting, this would be available for publication following this meeting, on 12 October.
      David Brown reported that meetings had been held with GOSW, the County Council and Torridge District Council, all parties appeared to have a positive approach to a revised plan. There is a lot of work to be done before the revised plans can be submitted but it is hoped that this will be done mid-2007. There will be a need for an updated housing needs survey.
      The Chairman thanked David Brown, Mike Leatham, David Venner and everyone involved for their tireless work on the project.
      Decision: Peter Tucker proposed that the £500 awarded to the Parish Council be given to the CPT to further the plans for affordable housing in the village. Seconded by Roger Keen Councillors eligible to vote unanimously agreed to this proposal (5). David Brown and Mike Leatham declared an interest and did not take part in the discussion or vote.
      The certificates will be displayed in The Meeting Point.

7. Barton Meadow
   The Chairman reported the meeting held at Barton Meadow on Monday 18 September 2006 when an encouraging number of local young people and parents attended.

   1. Cycle Track. It was agreed that the present surface is not satisfactory. Stan Parker had put a trial area of dusty scalpings down and this seems to be proving very satisfactory. Roger Bickley reported that an estimated cost for tarmac would be in the region of £1600-£1700. In view of the fact that the dusty scalping were proving to be successful it was felt this would be a suitable solution.
      Decision: The working group appointed at the meeting on 18 September would be chaired by Roger Bickley. Councillors agreed that the working group be asked to order the dusty scalpings and obtain two quotations for hiring a compactor – maximum expenditure to be £300 plus VAT.
      The Chairman thanked Roger Bickley, Stan Parker and all those involved for their work on this matter.
      The edges of the cycle track would be monitored to ensure there were no problems caused for the grass cutting.

   2. Cycle Ramps on village hall site. It was generally acknowledged that until such time as this land is required for development it would be a good use of the site to benefit the young people in the village. The Chairman has spoken to Mike Nicholls at Pearce Construction whose view was that the Parish council could not use the land for any purpose other than the provision of a village hall. Pearce would, however, be prepared to issue a licence, to be renewed annually at a nominal cost of £1, to allow the provision of the cycle ramps on the land.
      Councillors agreed that this would be an acceptable offer. The Chairman was concerned that Pearce Construction should not be given the idea that the Parish Council agreed they were not able to use their land in this way.
      Insurance was proving a problem and the Parish Council’s current insurers would not be prepared to cover the cycle ramps. The whole of the Parish Council’s insurance would need to be transferred to a major company such as Zurich in order to get the necessary cover. Another alternative was to keep the current insurance and cover the cycle ramps through the Playing Field Association if they would agree to take this on. A full discussion followed and Councillors agreed that it would be preferable to keep the responsibility for the site with the Parish Council and the clerk was asked to obtain a quotation for the necessary insurance. Site clearance would also need to be arranged.
      Roger Bickley reported that the Village Fund had indicated that they would be prepared to fund up to £250 towards the project. Councillors felt this was a generous offer and the Clerk was asked to write to the Secretary.
      Peter Tucker felt that the young people might be prepared to organise fund raising events to cover the cost of the cycle ramps and the young people present at the meeting agreed to take up the suggestion.
      Decision: Quotations for clearing the site of gorse and bushes would be obtained by the working group and they would be granted a maximum allowance of £60 to enable this work to be carried out.
      Roger Bickley presented the log book he is keeping for recording faults, repairs etc at the Barton Meadow play area.

   3. Provision of shelter – The Chairman reported that a group of girls had requested the provision of a shelter on the play area. It was unanimously agreed that an enclosed shelter would not be acceptable but quotes for various alternative shelters designed for the purpose would be obtained. The Clerk was asked to obtain a copy of the planning approval from Torridge District Council to see what type of shelter was approved.

8. Matters Raised by the Chairman
   There were no matters raised by the Chairman.

9. Maintenance

   1. Highways

      1. Repairs update – Repairs have been carried out to Dadland bridge.

      2. Fountains Field – Zebra crossing. The fact that this long-awaited zebra crossing has not been installed is causing serious road safety concerns. The Clerk was asked to follow this up urgently with Highways to ascertain the position.

      3. Lengthsman’s visit – notification of a visit by a one man gang in February 2007 has been received. The letter will be passed to Stan Parker and anyone wishing to request work to be done during this visit should let Stan Parker know.

   2. Footpaths and byways:
      Roger Keen is meeting Ros Davies on 16 October 2006. The question of the unclassified roads will be raised and her advice sought. The Chairman will join the meeting at Dadland and Roger Keen will report the outcome to the next Parish Council meeting.

10. Finance
    

    1. Accounts as at 30 September 2006. The finance statement as at 30 September 2006 was agreed and accepted by those Councillors present. The following cheques were agreed for payment:
       Mrs D Snell – Honorarium £75.00
       D Carter – Clerk: £210.78
       The Meeting Point – hall hire £30.00
       RGB Building Supplies £15.65

    2. Audit 2005/06 – The Clerk reported that the Audit Commission has accepted the accounts to the year end 31 March 2006 and the certificate has been received.

    3. Grants to local organisations 2007 – 8 applications for grant funding have been received:
       HB Playing Field Association, HB Youth Judo Club, Libbaton Junior Section, HB Parochial Church Council, The Meeting Point, HB Play Area Group, HB C of E Primary School, The William Dodds & Joshua Tucker Charities.
       The following Councillors declared an interest in certain organisations and did not take part in the decision to award a grant to those organisations:
       Peter Tucker – HB Playing Field Association, Libbaton Junior Golf, HB Play Area Group, HB C of E Primary School and the William Dodds & Joshua Tucker charities.
       David Brown – The Meeting Point
       Roger Keen – HB Parochial Church Council
       Stella Burrows – HB Parochial Church Council.
       Decision: Proposed by Mike Leatham and seconded by Stella Burrows, Councillors agreed to raise the grant funding to £800.00 for 2007, thus giving each of the 8 charities £100.00 each.
       A request for funding had been received from Torridge Community Transport Association. They have lost funding from Torridge District Council. Councillors felt their Ring and Ride service was a valuable one and should be supported with a special donation. A decision was deferred to the next meeting in November.

    4. Budget 2007/08 – A final decision on the budget will be made following receipt of revised insurance quotations. The precept request has to be submitted to Torridge District Council by 4 January 2007.

11. Planning

    1. Applications received before the meeting

       1. 1/2028/2006/FUL
          Retrospective consent for retention of upvc conservatory
          30 Barton Meadow Road, High Bickington
          Mr & Mrs N Campion
          Decision: The Parish Council supports the application

       2. 1/2004/2006/AGR – comments only on any visual amenity/landscape reasons
          Erect new building – storage area for implements and machinery, hay and straw
          North Heale Farm, High Bickington
          Mr D M Ginns
          Decision: The Parish Council had no comment to make.

       3. 1/1973/2006/COU
          Change of use to community woodland with Public Access and installation of bridle gates etc.
          Quarry Wood, High Bickington
          High Bickington CPT Ltd
          David Brown and Mike Leatham declared an interest and did not take part in the discussion or decision.
          Decision: Those Councillors present and eligible to vote (5) supported the application.

       The Chairman felt that planning applications coming before the Parish Council should be inspected by a member of the planning committee prior to the meeting in order to report their views to the meeting. This was agreed.

    2. Decisions:

       1. 1/1259/2006/FUL
          Proposed barn conversion to form 2 units of holiday accommodation
          Yelland Farm, High Bickington
          Mr A Woolacott
          TDC Decision 3.10.06 – REFUSED
          PC Decision 13.9.06 – SUPPORTED (5 in favour, 1 against)

12. Correspondence

    1. Invitation to The Bridges Project – to celebrate the successful completion of Parish Plans across Northern Devon – Thursday 19 October 2006 at South Molton Town Hall.

    2. DCC Highways – notification of road closure at Kingford Hill. Notices will be placed in Ramblings and on the noticeboards. Councillors felt this road closure will lead to an increased number of vehicles travelling through the village and will add to the safety issues at Fountains Field. The Clerk was asked to report the concerns to Highways.

    3. TDC – Questionnaire re workshops for Parish Councils in 2007. The Clerk was asked to complete this.

    4. TDC – Torrington Area Advisory Group Meeting – 21 November 2006 – noted.

    5. Letter from Geoffrey Cox with contact details – circulated to all Councillors.

    6. North Devon Journal – notification of new Community Co-ordinator.

    7. Devon and Cornwall Police Authority – a letter has been received inviting nominations for membership of the Police Authority.

13. Outstanding Matters
    There were no outstanding matters.

14. Items for information
    There were no items for information.

15. Date of next meeting
    The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 8 November 2006 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.46pm.

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