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

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

In attendance:
Mrs Sue Briant-Evans, Governor, the Community College, Chulmleigh, County Councillor John Rawlinson,
District Councillor James Morrish, David Venner - CPT Ltd, 5 Members of the public, Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

The Chairman welcomed Sue Briant-Evans to the meeting. Mrs Briant-Evans said the College wished to co-operate more fully with the wider community and explore ways in which this could be achieved. A number of students from High Bickington attend the College which for the last 3 years has held a specialist status in Business and Enterprise. The College will be celebrating its 70th anniversary later this year. Sue Briant-Evans outlined the many facilities the College has to offer, including the public library, a new sports hall which includes a fitness suite and a wide variety of clubs. It is also hoped that courses to benefit the local community might be arranged, eg first aid.

Ways in which the community might be able to assist the College include offering work experience for students, volunteers, sponsorship, specialist experience and advice, becoming Governors when a vacancy arises. There is also the possibility that village might supply venues for facilities such as adult learning courses. The College newsletter could include news from the villages and co-operation on such issues as the closure of local post offices and rural transport would be beneficial.

Mrs Briant-Evans asked for any suggestions she might be able to take back to the College for consideration. Roger Keen suggested the formation of a Friends of Chulmleigh College Association for ex-students. Mike Leatham said items are included in Ramblings from Chulmleigh College and a copy of the newsletter is circulated to all Councillors.

Peter Tucker felt there was a need for the College to forge greater links with High Bickington C of E Primary School.

The condition of some classrooms at the College was raised by a member of the public particularly those that have asbestos roofs. Mrs Briant-Evans said that these classrooms are no longer in use. There is a serious lack of Government funding to provide new classrooms and a deputation from the College had visited Downing Street to protest about the current situation. The latest Ofsted report recorded that the state of the buildings was seriously hampering progress at the College.

Councillor John Rawlinson complemented the College for their initiative and enterprise in getting out to the community. He said there is a Government commitment that by the year 2020 every secondary school will be replaced. He urged the College to continue their efforts to obtain improved classrooms.

Stella Burrows raised the concern of a large number of residents who are concerned about the loss of Adult and Community Learning.

Councillor Rawlinson reported that the Adult and Community Learning programme has lost its Government subsidy. There is, however, some £4,000,000 of funding available through the Link-Age Plus scheme which recognises the importance of occupying and encouraging people over 50 to undertake learning and this may be a stream of funding which some Adult and Community Learning courses may be able to draw on.

Councillor Rawlinson reported a visit to the School with the County Councillor responsible for education and had outlined the problems with the current premises. He is keen to keep the need for a new school uppermost in the minds of Devon County Council.

The zebra crossing is now due to be started on 2 April and Councillor Rawlinson said he will ensure this date is adhered to.

There will be more funding available next year for local projects and hoped the Parish Council would apply again. The Chairman thanked Councillor Rawlinson for the very generous £600 funding towards the cost of the football nets and the shelter at Barton Meadow Recreation Ground.

Councillors raised the condition of the roads, particularly at Nethergrove, Seckington and Kingford Hill. Quarry Lane is suffering from general deterioration and there are continuing drainage problems at Dobbs. Councillor Rawlinson agreed to take these matters up with Highways and asked the Clerk to let him know when the problems at Nethergrove and Seckington were previously reported.

The problems encountered with the new call centre when trying to report highways and other matters was raised. There appears to be a lack of local knowledge - Councillor Rawlinson said he would look into this.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Rawlinson for attending the meeting.

District Councillor James Morrish reported that Torridge District Council have taken the decision to close the Outreach offices in Torrington and Holsworthy. The present office in Torrington will not close until alternative premises are found.

Councillor Morrish said that the reported 26 redundancies were in fact made up of only 4 full redundancies, 2 members of staff were asking for early retirement and the remaining 20 staff were people leaving and not being replaced. There was concern about the planning department staffing and Councillor Morrish expressed concern that Torridge planning staff are being trained at a high cost to the Council, only to find employment once trained at North Devon Council whose rates of pay are higher. This was felt not to be a very satisfactory situation and was being addressed. Councillor Morrish suggested that if the Parish Council had any issues to raise about planning they contact Ray Webster, Operations Head of Planning.

The Local elections will take place on 3 May and the interest being shown is encouraging.

Councillor Morrish reported that Somerfield had been granted permission to build a new superstore in Torrington but at the present time had not proceeded any further with the application. The supply of black bin bags will be discontinued after the May Delivery.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Morrish for attending the meeting and proceeded to the main formal meeting which commenced at 8.20pm.

1. Apologies
   There were no apologies

2. Matters raised by the Public
   Members of the public had been given the opportunity to raise any issues prior to the formal meeting.

3. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows reported the latest Newsletter from WPC Sally Middleton - copies are on the noticeboards and will also appear in Ramblings. There has been vandalism at the bus shelter and damage to a property being built at Libbaton. An AA sign has also been stolen from a private house. Stella Burrows reported problems she had encountered when trying to contact the Police call centre. PCSO Brown is currently on leave but increased patrols have been carried out at the playing field. Problems here appear to have abated.

4. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 14 February 2007
   The minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2007 were agreed and adopted by Councillors and signed by the Chairman.

5. Mattes arising from the minutes of the meeting held on 14 February 2007.
   

   1. Confirmation of the cost of work at Braggs Hill. Stan Parker confirmed that the estimated cost of £180 includes the work on the Dadland to Deptford roadway.

   2. Vandalism at Recycling Pavilion. There has not been any further vandalism but there is a quantity of household rubbish, apparently cupboards and shelving, piled up beside the hut. The Clerk was asked to report this fly tipping to Torridge Environment.

   3. Hedge laying work at Mill Road. David Venner has carried out this work and the Chairman thanked him on behalf of the Council.

   4. Lighting problems. Most of the problems appear to have been dealt with but the light opposite the bus shelter remains out of order which is causing the bus shelter to be in darkness. The Clerk was asked to follow this up urgently.

6. Parish Plans
   

   1. March update. David Venner apologised to the meeting that a written report was not available. He reported the current funds being held by the CPT. The date for the proposed exhibition of the revised plans has been postponed in order to allow more time for finance details to be finalised. It is hoped the exhibition will now be held at the end of May.

7. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   

   1. The Chairman reported that the £600 grant funding from John Rawlinson towards the cost of the football nets and the shelter has been received and this was very much appreciated.

   2. Football nets - the concrete bases have been installed and the nets will be put in position when the ground has dried out.

   3. Shelter - this has been erected. The Chairman thanked Roger Bickley for his work improving the drainage around the shelter. Councillors agreed that the girls be allowed to paint the inside only of the shelter.

   4. Working party - A meeting has not been arranged. It was agreed to invite some of the young people to attend the next Parish Council meeting to discuss progress to date and arrangements for the future.

   5. Annual safety inspection - this will take place during March. The Clerk was asked to follow up information on a new ROSPA computer package for recording playground equipment and safety inspections.

8. Matters Raised by the Chairman

   1. The Chairman thanked Mr Keith Snell for reporting the bus shelter vandalism so promptly. Peter Tucker reported problems finding suitable wood to repair the damage.

   2. The Chairman thanked Sue Williamson and the other volunteers for their splendid efforts litter picking in the village. It is hoped to hold further litter picking days on the first Saturday of the month, starting with a breakfast at The Old George.

   3. Elections 3 May 2007. The Chairman reported that nomination papers have been received. Further copies are available from the Returning Officer at Torridge District Council. He hoped there would be sufficient candidates for an election to be held. Election notices have been placed on noticeboards.

9. Maintenance

   1. Highways

      1. Repairs update - Stan Parker reported that some repair work has been carried out but there is a serious problem with blocked gullies. The Lengthsman had visited in February. The Chairman asked Stan Parker to continue to monitor the situation.

      2. The Chairman confirmed that the zebra crossing work is scheduled to commence on 2 April 2007. Plans have been promised for inspection.

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

10. Finance

    1. The finance statement at 28 February 2007 was agreed and cheques issued totalling £9321.51 were accepted by Councillors present as follows:
       100138 - D Carter - Salary and expenses February including CILCA Course - £392.58
       100139 - Roger Keen - footpaths administration expenses - £25.00
       100140 - Mrs D Snell - bus shelter cleaning - £75.00
       100141 - Meeting Point hall hire - £50.00
       100142 - Jim Hedges - clearing cycle track ground £70.50
       100143 - Country & Garden Services - hedge steeping £350.00
       100144 - Derek Jones - grasscutting £50.00
       100145 - Steelway Fensecure - replacement cheque for no 100133 (£940.00)
       100146 - Higher Ward TFB - shelter £890.00
       100147 - Ramblings subscription £5.00

    2. The Clerk circulated estimated end of year figures at 31 March 2007.

    3. It was agreed that the Clerk continues to monitor the hours she is working.

11. Planning

    1. Planning applications received before the meeting.

       1. 1/0270/2007/LBC
          Demolition of remnants of internal wall
          Bales Ash, High Bickington
          Mr Colin Tett
          DECISION:The Council does not feel able to comment.

       2. 1/2584/2006/FUL
          Proposed creation of reception building in association with fishery business
          Part Land at North Heale Langridgeford
          Mr L F Brown
          Decision: Following a discussion, proposed by Mike Leatham and seconded by Peter Tucker the following response was unanimously agreed: The Parish Council is concerned that the proposed increase in the size of the reception area is too large in the absence of any further evidence of the viability of the business.

       3. 1/0026/2007/LBC -Roger Keen declared an interest and did not take part in the discussion or decision.
          Replace Front Door
          The Cottage, High Bickington
          Miss Joan Toop
          Decision: The Council has no objection to this application.

       4. 1/0054/2007/FUL
          Proposed barn conversion to form 3 units of holiday accommodation
          Yelland Farm, High Bickington
          Mr A Woolacott
          Decision: The Council supports the application.

    2. Planning decisions:

       1. 1/0018/1007/FUL
          Single garage extension
          1 Fairways Drive, Libbaton
          Peter A Symons
          TDC Decision 20.2.07 GRANTED

       2. 1/2704/2006/FUL
          Barn conversion to form 1 unit of staff accommodation
          Land at Part Field OS7566 Weirmarsh Farm, High Bickington
          APPLICATION: WITHDRAWN

12. Correspondence

    1. DAPC - Royal Garden Party - 19 July 2007 - It was agreed to nominate the Chairman and his wife.

    2. CPRE - Best Kept Village Competition - letter urging villages to take part. The Council did not wish to take part.

    3. DCC - Parish Paths Partnership - P3 surveys - Roger Keen will confirm that these are in hand to ensure payment of the grant this year.

    4. Victim Support Devon - request for grant. The Clerk was asked to respond that grants are only awarded to organisations within the village.

    5. TAGS - flyer for project to promote installation of energy efficiency measures and small renewable energy systems in households - for information and circulation.

    6. Shelter - Devon Housing Aid Centre, Plymouth. Application for grant. The Clerk was asked to respond that grants are only awarded to organisations within the village.

13. Outstanding Matters
    There were no outstanding matters.

14. Items for information

    There no were no items for information.

15. Date of Next meeting

    Wednesday 11 April 2007 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.40pm.