Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 14 February 2007
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.30pm

Present:
Myc Riggulsford (Chairman), Roger Bickley (until 8.15pm), David Brown, Stella Burrows, Roger Keen,
Peter Tucker.

In attendance:
4 Members of the public, Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

1. Apologies Apologies were received from Mike Leatham, Stan Parker and David Venner.

2. PCSO Sandra Brown had informed the Clerk she would be late due to a previous commitment.
   A request for the speed limit sign to be moved further from the village in Quarry Road was raised. It was suggested that the new entrances to the community woodland and the entrance to the playing field should be included in the limited area. Clerk to raise this with DCC Highways. A speeding motorist is regularly causing problems along Quarry Road. It was also noted that a motorist is racing around the playing field digging up the grass. These matters will be taken up with the Police.
   There were concerns raised about the state of Chulmleigh College and the publicity recently about classrooms not being fit for purpose. The Chair of Governors will be attending the Parish Council meeting in March when this matter can be taken up.

3. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows reported that Neighbourhood Watch signs are in place at Nethergrove and on the main road at Libbaton. Thanks were due to David Venner for putting these up. The Neighbourhood Watch AGM will be held on 21 February at Bideford. Stella Burrows said it is being suggested that new members be charged a nominal £1 joining fee - a notice to this effect will be put in Ramblings.

4. Minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2007.
   The minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2007 were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

5. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 January 2007
   

   1. Confirmation of cost of work at Braggs Hill. This will be referred to the meeting in March due to Stan Parker's absence.

   2. Vandalism at recycling pavilion. This has been reported to Police who are making additional visits to the site, but it was conceded that this is an isolated site and difficult to police.

   3. Emptying of dog bins. The Clerk reported that Torridge District Council had said the emptying of the dog bins is done on a regular programme. It was felt the problems may have arisen due to the Christmas and New Year holidays.

6. The Chairman welcomed PCSO Sandra Brown to the meeting. She was previously a PCSO in Holsworthy Town but is looking forward to her involvement with rural communities. The problems currently being caused by a car using the playing field and Quarry Road as a racing track were raised and PCSO Brown agreed to follow this up. Crime levels are low in High Bickington, there has been one theft from a motor vehicle and PCSO Brown stressed the importance of not leaving items of value in cars.

7. Parish Plans
   

   1. February update. In David Venner's absence David Brown outlined the contents of the update which were circulated. New plans are currently being drawn up in preparation for a meeting with Devon and Torridge Chief Executives and others in March. It is proposed to hold an exhibition in the village on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 27th, 28th and 29th April. Further details will be available shortly. A new housing survey prepared by the Community Council of Devon is being drawn up and will be circulated throughout the village. Young people will be involved more in this survey. Each Committee of the CPT will be represented at the exhibition. A renewable Energy Options analysis has been undertaken and the energy reduction possible is encouraging. Grants are available to assist with the cost of energy reduction plans.

8. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   

   1. Installation of Cycle ramps. The Chairman thanked Jim Hedges for clearing the area. Signs to comply with safety and insurance requirements have been delivered and will be installed shortly.

   2. Football nets - these have been delivered and will be installed shortly. It was agreed that Roger Bickley be allowed to purchase 5 pieces of 4 x 2 timber to act as a fence/safety barrier behind the nets. Insurance has been confirmed.

   3. Shelter - this has been erected. Roger Bickley will take some of the spare chippings to make a firm area in front of the shelter.

   4. Working party - Roger Bickley reported that he is meeting with representatives of the working party to discuss the cycle ramps. He asked for clarification as to who is responsible for checking the safety of the play area. As the land is owned and insured by the Parish Council it is their responsibility to ensure necessary safety checks are carried out, but the Chairman felt that as the installation of most of the equipment has been at the request of the local youth and parents, it is essential they be encouraged to take an active role in the day to day management of the area. It was felt that it should be made clear that any untoward damage or misuse of equipment will result in that facility being removed by the Parish Council. The Chairman thanked Roger Bickley for his hard work on the Barton Meadow Recreation area and hopes to attend a meeting of the working party to ensure the Parish Council's position is clearly laid out.

9. Matters Raised by the Chairman

   1. Elections 3 May 2007. The Chairman reported that he has studied an information pack on Parish Council elections. It is important that as many people as possible stand for election as Councillors so that a democratic election can be held. It was also important that the public register their votes. Application forms and posters will be available during the first week in March.

   2. Quality Parish Status. It is envisaged that this will shortly become a mandatory requirement for Parish Councils. The Clerk is attending a course on 3/4th March to finalise her submission.

   3. The Chairman reported that he had offered support to Atherington Parish Council over their concerns regarding an unlawful development on the road to Dobbs. The developer has stopped all work and will now apply for retrospective planning consent.

10. Maintenance

    1. Highways

       1. Repairs update - the hedges at Mill Road/Mill Lane are becoming more overgrown and Councillors agreed that work laying the hedge needs to be done to improve the situation. The Chairman will draft out the work required and two quotations will be obtained from Derek Jones and David Venner. The hedge at the car park will also need attention in due course.
          
          Decision: Proposed by David Brown and seconded by Roger Bickley it was agreed unanimously that the Finance Committee be allowed to make a decision on the favoured quotation with a limit of £400 being put on the work. The work has to be done before the end of February.

       2. Zebra Crossing - A resident at Fountains Field had been informed that work on the zebra crossing would commence during the second week in February. As at the date of the meeting no work has been done. Chairman will raise the matter again with Poltair.

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

11. Finance

    1. The finance statement at 31 January 2007 was agreed and cheques issued were accepted by Councillors present as follows:
       100135 - D Carter - Salary and expenses January - £213.44
       100136 - Head Projects - Second instalment of £3329.17. £2833.44 to be reimbursed from Parish Council 106 monies being held by the CPT Ltd.

12. Planning

    1. (a) Planning applications received before the meeting.

       1. (1/0018/2007/FUL
          Single garage extension
          1 Fairways Drive, Libbaton
          Peter A Symons
          Decision: The Parish Council supported the application.

    2. Planning decisions:

       1. No decisions were received before the meeting.

13. Correspondence

    1. Torridge District Council - Lucy McSherry, new Assistant Project Officer within the Community Planning Department would like to arrange a meeting to discuss the status of parish plans. David Brown will arrange a meeting.

    2. Audit Commission - letter confirming the appointment of a new External auditor following the retirement of Mr Hill.

    3. High Bickington CPT Ltd - invitation to join committees - in circulation pack.

    4. Torridge District Council - invitation to become a Parish waste champion - in circulation pack.

    5. Torridge District Council - Notice of seminar on Community Land Trusts - an option for affordable housing in Torridge - 7 March 2007 at Bideford Town Hall.

    6. Letter of thanks from High Bickington Play Area Group for the annual grant.

    7. Letter from Mr Roger Wakefield about condition of verges in Church Meadow. Torridge District Council had undertaken some remedial work, but not on the area highlighted. The Clerk was asked to take this matter up again.

14. Outstanding Matters

    1. Roger Keen reported a street light not working at Cross Park. The Clerk was asked to report this.

15. Items for information

    The Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Parish Council meeting have been rescheduled to take place on 17 May 2007 at 7.30pm. This change of date will be put on noticeboards and in Ramblings. The Sure Start Blue Coats centre in Torrington is running courses on play and learning for parents in High Bickington. The work of this Children's Centre is attracting more people in High Bickington than any other parish in the area.

16. Date of Next meeting

    Wednesday 14 March 2007 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.51pm.