Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 11 April 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:
Jane Williams, Torridge Community Transport Association, County Councillor John Rawlinson,
David Venner - CPT Ltd, 5 Members of the public, Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

The Chairman welcomed Jane Williams to the meeting. Ms Williams circulated a paper listing the current transport facilities in High Bickington. There are currently two main services operated by TCTA, the Ring & Ride bus services which comes to High Bickington every other Friday and the Voluntary Car Service which has over 300 drivers and is bookable in advance. Her brief is to address rural transport issues and to look at access to transport services within the Torridge area. The Ring and Ride service is not well used in High Bickington. It does give a personal service to people with mobility problems and it is a door to door service with drivers helping passengers with their shopping. The cost against the current free bus service for older residents was raised, but Jane Williams felt the additional personal service should be taken into consideration when comparisons are made.

There is a need for voluntary drivers in High Bickington to take people to health appointments etc. It is a form of taxi service and is charged at 40p per mile. This service gives people with mobility problems an enhanced quality of life.

Jane Williams reported on a new service - Devon Wheels 2 work - which is a Devon wide service and operates a moped loan service for anyone aged 16-65 who has no access to work or work based training. The North Devon Cancer Care Ambulance Car takes cancer patients receiving daily treatments to RD&E hospital. Patients must be referred by the hospital to ensure appointment times are compatible with the transport arrangements.

Mike Leatham suggested there may be a need for a transport service to take people to the train station at Umberleigh. Jane Williams said she is currently looking into the possibility of running a taxi voucher scheme which would cover such a service. This is in the early stages of development and its success will depend on there being a proven need for such a service.

It was generally felt that there was a need for a taxi service based in High Bickington, bringing transport in from other areas was not in line with good environmental practise. David Brown felt there might be a means of using the school bus to support the wider community following its school duties. Councillor John Rawlinson said he would look into this suggestion - it would address environmental issues and would seem to be a good solution for some transport issues. Jane Williams offered her help to facilitate such a scheme being operated in High Bickington.

Leaflets about the Torridge Community Transport Association schemes will be available in the Surgery, at the Meeting Point and details will also appear in Ramblings.

The Chairman thanked Jane Williams for attending the meeting and for bringing the need for more "joined up" transport facilities to the attention of the Parish Council.

The Chairman invited County Councillor John Rawlinson to address the meeting.

Councillor Rawlinson said he was pleased to see that work on the zebra crossing has finally been started and apologised for the length of time it has taken to achieve this.

Councillor Rawlinson reported on the likely establishment of a unitary status for Exeter and outlined some of the problems he foresees with this arrangement, particularly the increased costs involved. If the unitary status does go ahead it is likely that Devon County Council will work more closely with District Councils to provide some services.

Councillor Rawlinson asked to be updated on the position regarding potholes in the Parish. He reported that there is some finance available for repair work on minor roads. The roads particularly of concern are High Bickington to Seckington, Nethergrove and Yelland, Pound Lane, Dobbs Corner to Langridgeford. The major pothole at Kingford Hill has been repaired and the Chairman thanked Councillor Rawlinson for his efforts in achieving this. Councillor Rawlinson said he would take up the repair work required with Highways.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Rawlinson for attending the meeting.

Barton Meadow Recreation Area - James Brown, one of the young people who will be using the cycle track attended and updated the meeting on the current situation and further work required. He was asked to get some plans and/or drawing of the proposals and bring them back to the Council for approval before work is started on the track. It was felt to be essential that a small committee is formed so that regular updates and monitoring are available to the Council.

The Chairman thanked James Brown for attending the meeting.

A member of the public raised concerns about the behaviour of some young people, particularly around the area where the new shelter has been erected. This was erected at the girls' request and some concern was expressed that this situation has arisen so soon. Litter was also becoming a problem. This matter will be discussed more fully under the main agenda item.

1. Apologies
   There were no apologies

2. Declarations of Interest
   There were no declarations of interest either Prejudicial or Pecuniary.

3. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows reported on the Newsletter provided by PC Sally Middleton. The new PCSO, Melissa Baker is now in post. There has not been any result in the theft of the AA sign previously reported. Thanks to the increased Police surveillance at the Playing Field, the situation regarding vandalism there seems to have improved.
   
   Roger Bickley reported an accident to his car when he was driving back from the Midlands - a ladder had fallen off a passing lorry and caused serious damage to his car bonnet. He felt he was fortunate not to have suffered any personal injury. However, when attempting to report this on his return to the area he had found little support available from the local Police. He was particularly upset that despite several Officers being inside the Torrington Police Station during opening hours, no-one was willing to open the door until a call to Exeter resulted in an Officer coming to meet him. He felt the service he received was less than helpful and Stella Burrows suggested that if he wished to take this matter he further he should write to the Inspector at Barnstaple.

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

5. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2007
   

   1. Vandalism at Recycling Pavilion - the situation appears to have improved. The Clerk reported that a further phone call to Torridge District Council to report the fly tipping should have resulted in this rubbish being removed.

   2. Lighting - all problems reported earlier appear to have been dealt with. A light outside the Methodist Chapel is permanently on - the Clerk will report this.

   3. Maintenance of verges at Church Meadow - the Clerk will follow this up. Torridge District Council has agreed to meet with Councillors/residents to discuss this matter.

6. Parish Plans
   

   1. The Chairman invited David Venner to present his April update to the meeting. The meeting with Devon and Torridge Chief Executive is now expected to take place on May 25th. As a result, the public exhibition has been moved and the likely dates are now 28/29th July. The Housing Survey will be carried out on either side of the exhibition dates.
      
      A maintenance evening is due to take place at the Community Woodland on Thursday 12 April when further tree planting will take place together with installation of the new gate and steps.

7. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   

   1. Roger Bickley reported that the play area is proving to be a great success, but this success has brought problems. On occasions there has been some 50 young people enjoying the facilities, but there has been a certain amount of damage to the fence which Roger has repaired. Since repairs have been carried out there has been no further damage. Roger has also re-hung the gate. Litter has become a problem and Roger suggested the provision of litter bins be considered. He reported particular problems with the unfortunate attitude of a number of the older girls and felt there was a need for more parental influence together with parental involvement in the monitoring of the site.
      
      Stella Burrows suggested that PC Sally Middleton and the PCSOs be approached to ask them for their help informally on a community basis at this stage. The Chairman also agreed to speak to members of the Barton Meadow Recreation Area Committee to see whether they could arrange for more parental involvement and guidance.
      
      Following a discussion the following was agreed:
      
      

      1. Stella Burrows will speak informally to the Police.

      2. Peter Tucker will provide a littler bin

      3. The Chairman will speak informally to members of the BMRAG

      4. Councillors will arrange an evening visit to the site.

      The Chairman thanked Roger Bickley for his continuing work at the play area.

   2. Annual Inspection report. The Clerk had received the report today and passed it to Roger Bickley for his comments. He will consider the recommendations and report to the next meeting. The Clerk reported that the ROSPA computer programme available for recording safety checks is only available for those Councils employing ROSPA to carry out the annual inspection. This will be considered for forthcoming inspections.

8. Matters Raised by the Chairman

   1. Elections - 3rd May 2007. The Chairman reported that there will not be an election in High Bickington. He regretted that Stan Parker has decided not to stand for a further term of office and thanked him for all his hard work on behalf of High Bickington during his years in office. This was endorsed by all Councillors. Stan Maskell has applied to fill this vacancy.
      
      Councillor James Morrish has been returned unopposed as the District Councillor.

   2. (b) Devon County Council will be launching a climate change project on 3 May 2007 and a roadshow will be visiting various areas in the County.

9. Maintenance

   1. Highways

      1. Repairs update. Necessary repairs had been covered with Councillor John Rawlinson earlier in the meeting and there was nothing further to report. However, it was felt that the condition of Devon roads generally has deteriorated considerably over the last few years.

      2. Fountains Field - zebra crossing. As reported earlier, this work is finally under way.

      3. Footpaths and Byways - Roger Keen reported that Ros Davies had informed him that the Parish Council would be awarded a grant of £175.00 for the current year. The Clerk confirmed that this money has been received and banked. Roger Keen agreed to speak to Ros Davies on the acceptable uses for this funding, ie for provision of a bridleway on the community woodland site.

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

10. Finance

    1. (i) Accounts as at 31 March 2007. These figures were agreed, showing a bank balance and carry forward figure of £9706.51. Issue of the following cheques was authorised:
       100148 - Devon PFA Subscription £15.00 100149 - RBS Timber supplies £43.49 100150 - D Carter - Salary & Exp £209.54 100151 - Woodbills -Timber £33.84

    2. The Clerk circulated copies of the draft accounts for the year ended 31 March 2007. These will be agreed and adopted at the meeting on 17 May 2007.
       
       The Clerk reported that notice of audit papers have been received.

11. Planning

    1. Planning applications received before the meeting:

       1. 1/0316/2007/FUL
          Single storey extension to increase size of living room
          12 Wardens Close, High Bickington
          Mr & Mrs Mark Stabb
          DECISION:The Council supports this application.

    2. Planning decisions:

       1. 1/0054/2007/FUL
          Proposed barn conversion to form 3 units of holiday accommodation
          Yelland Farm, High Bickington
          Mr A Woolacott
          TDC Decision GRANTED

12. Correspondence

    1. Audit Commission:

       1. Papers for audit 31 March 2007

       2. Confirmation of appointment of Alun Williams, Auditor to High Bickington

    2. High Bickington CPT Ltd - notice of General Meeting Tuesday 8 May 2007 at 8pm in the Meeting Point. Open to all members.

    3. TDC - Review of Council policy on restriction of Hackney Carriage licences and questionnaire. In circulation pack for Councillors' comments.

    4. Devon Airsports (Eaglescott Airfield) Ltd. Invitation to attend press launch - Thursday 5 April - previously notified to all Councillors. Roger Bickley had attended this launch and felt the provision of a base at Eaglescott for the Devon Air Ambulance would be advantageous to those living in the area.

13. Items for information

    There were no items for information.

14. Date of Next meeting

    Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Parish Council Meeting - Thursday 17 May 2007 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.