Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 13 June 2007
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.30pm

Present:
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

The District and County Councillors were not present. PCSO Sandra Brown had sent her apologies and a Newsletter, there were no further reports from the Police. Matters raised by the public: It was reported that some limited weedkilling had been carried out to verges in the Parish; the Clerk was asked to find out who had carried out this work and whether any further work would be undertaken. Grass cutting at Cross Park had not been completed as previously and the Clerk was asked to report this and find out what the situation was.
Further tree planting is required at Barton Meadow Play Area to comply with the planning application. This is the Parish Council's responsibility and the Clerk was asked to follow this up.
There being no further matters raised by the public the formal meeting was convened at 7.48pm.

1. Apologies
   Apologies were received and accepted from Myc Riggulsford (business), Stan Maskell (holiday) and PCSO Sandra Brown (Police duties).

2. Declarations of Interest
   David Brown as Chairman of the CPT Ltd disclosed an interest in this item. There were no other prejudicial or pecuniary interests declared.

3. Casual Vacancy
   Following Roger Bickley's resignation from the Council, a casual vacancy had arisen. The Clerk reported that Torridge District Council had informed the Council that unless 10 requests for an election were received by 14 June 2007, the Council can co-opt to fill the vacancy. There had been one expression of interest to fill the vacancy. The Acting Chairman said the vacancy was open to anyone expressing an interest, all applications received by 30 June 2007 would be considered and the vacancy would be filled by co-option at the meeting on 11 July 2007 provided that confirmation was received from Torridge.

4. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows reported on the Police Newsletter which will be displayed on noticeboards and in Ramblings. There had been reports of farm animals being let out and farm gates being opened. The Police urged everyone to keep serial numbers of any equipment - this also relates to private residences/garages etc. There had also been reports of road workers offering to carry out repairs to domestic drives - please do not allow this but report it to the Police immediately. Reports of boy racers with modified cars in the village were being monitored, often they appeared to be speeding but this was not usually found to be the case.

5. 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.

6. Minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held on 17 May 2007.
   

   1. The Minutes of the Annual Parish council meeting held on 17 May 2007 were agreed and adopted by Councillors present. The Chairman signed the minutes.

7. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 17 May 2007
   

   1. Maintenance of verges at Church Meadow - the Clerk reported a conversation with Torridge District Council who confirmed that they have received authority from Devon County Council to carry out remedial work to the verges. They will inspect the area in the near future and decide how best to proceed. They felt it would be unlikely that grassing the area would be a possibility due to the high cost of maintenance. The Clerk was asked to write to the resident who had raised this issue to inform him of the progress.

8. Parish Plans
   

   The Chairman invited David Venner to present his May update to the meeting. These were circulated to all Councillors and covered the meeting on 25th May with Torridge and Devon Chief Executives. Geoffrey Cox MP, James Morrish and John Rawlinson were also in attendance. He felt the meeting had been generally positive. A joint statement from the partners will be available shortly. The housing survey forms will be delivered around 23 July with a return date of 6 August. Exhibition of the revised plans is due to take place on 28/29 July in the Meeting Point from 10am to 4pm on Saturday and from 12am to 4pm on Sunday. Geoffrey Cox MP will officially open the event at 1pm on 28 July. Residents will have the opportunity to comment on the revised plans by means of a short questionnaire. David Venner also reminded those present that a Guided Walk and Barbecue will take place at the Community Woodland on 14 June, starting in front of the school at 6pm. Thanks were due to the Village Millennium Fund for providing the new picnic table, bench and bridle gate and the volunteers who helped to install them.
   
   David Brown reported that the meeting on May 25th had been an excellent meeting and the County was very positive about the plans. It is hoped that the revised planning application will be ready by 1 November 2007. It is as yet not decided who will submit the application to Torridge District Council nor who will fund it. The expected cost of the application is approximately £150,000 as this will be a full application. A further meeting will take place toward the end of July 2007.

9. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   

   1. Repairs to See-Saw. The Clerk reported that an SNC engineer had visited the site to inspect the see-saw and had found nothing wrong. The inspection had been carried out following the annual safety inspection which reported problems with the ground clearance and suggesting that the bushes may be worn.

   2. Peter Tucker reported that young people had built a wooden ramp on the cycle track area. Nails were found to be sticking out of the wood and some also left on the ground which created a safety hazard. Any work carried out without the agreement of the Parish Council may cause problems with insurance for the site. After a discussion it was agreed that Peter Tucker would organise a meeting with the Chairman and young people to discuss the cycle track further. The Parish Council is keen to facilitate the cycle track but safety measures are paramount.

10. Matters Raised by the Chairman

    There were no matters raised by the Chairman.

11. Maintenance

    1. Highways

       1. Repairs update. The Clerk reported that the new Highways Superintendent has been made aware of the serious condition of potholes at Seckington and Taylors Lane and a visit is planned to ascertain what needs to be done there and at other sites in the village. The Clerk will be informed of works to be carried out.

       2. The 30mph sign in Pound Lane has rusted out and snapped off. The Clerk was asked to report this.

       3. Zebra Crossing at Fountains Field. This work is still not completed. The Clerk was asked to inform County Councillor John Rawlinson of the delays. A completion date for the work would be appreciated.

       4. The Clerk reported that the noticeboard at Barton Meadow is in need of repair and she was asked to arrange for repair work to be carried out.

       5. Village Pump - The Clerk reported that quotations are still awaited for repairs to the damage caused to the pump as reported in the previous minutes. A claim is unable to be submitted to the insurance company until these quotations are received. A question was raised about the insured value of the Parish Council's assets including the pump, bus shelter etc. It was suggested that a review of their insured values be undertaken.

       6. (vi) The Clerk reported serious delays when contacting the Devon County Council call centre and problems speaking directly to the relevant officer. David Brown suggested that a letter of complaint be sent to DCC.

    2. Footpaths and byways:
       Roger Keen reported that he has cut back weeds in the tree field behind Taylor's Lane. The footpath at Old Park is in a reasonable condition but the wooden seat in Mill Road is overgrown and in need of attention. The Clerk was asked to follow this up.

12. Finance

    1. Accounts as at 30 May 2007. These figures were agreed, showing a bank balance and carry forward figure of £10,721.30. Issue of the following cheques was authorised:
       100156 - Head Projects, final payment £1746.27
       100157 - Brown Plant Hire £211.50
       100159 - D Carter - Salary & Exp £224.64
       100158 - D Jones & Son £81.00
       The payment to D Jones related to grass cutting in April and May (3 cuts at £27.00, an increase of £2 per cut). The increase in this charge as from April 2007 was noted on the March invoice but due to an oversight this was not brought to the Council for agreement. Councillors present agreed that the grass cutting charge be increased to £27 per cut as from 1 April 2007 and authorised the payment of this invoice. They further agreed to authorise D Jones to carry out grass cutting work during June until the new contract which is currently out to tender is in place in July.

    2. Tenders for grass cutting and maintenance. As of to-days date no tender applications have been received.

    3. Clerk's Salary. The Clerk left the meeting while this item was discussed. Proposed by David Brown and seconded by Stella Burrows, Councillors present agreed that recording of the Clerk's hours had shown she was regularly working more than the current agreed 4 hours per week. They agreed that as from 1 April 2007 the hours should be increased to 5.5 per week with an agreement that should less hours be worked at any time, i.e. August, the Clerk will reflect this reduction in her claim.
       
       The Clerk returned to the meeting.

    4. Dog bins at Community Woodland. The Clerk reported two quotations as follows:
       J & J Bins £90.00 per bin supplied and installed plus £2 per bin per visit to empty.
       TDC £81.00 per bin supplied and installed, servicing free of charge.
       Councillors present agreed that the quotation from Torridge District Council be accepted and the Clerk was asked to arrange for 2 bins to be installed following a site visit by TDC.

    5. Dog bins at Community Woodland. The Clerk reported two quotations as follows:
       J & J Bins £90.00 per bin supplied and installed plus £2 per bin per visit to empty.
       TDC £81.00 per bin supplied and installed, servicing free of charge.
       Councillors present agreed that the quotation from Torridge District Council be accepted and the Clerk was asked to arrange for 2 bins to be installed following a site visit by TDC.

    6. Annual Audit - a date for this is awaited.

13. Planning

    1. Planning applications received before the meeting:

       1. 1/0518/2007/FUL
          Conversion of redundant telecom building to affordable dwelling.
          Redundant Telecom building, North Road, High Bickington
          Mr & Mrs Kingdom
          It was noted that this application has been amended to withdraw the affordable dwelling status.
          DECISION:Councillors present agreed unanimously that this application was welcomed and supported.

    2. Planning decisions:

       1. 1/0445/2007/FUL
          Conservatory
          39 Fountains Field, High Bickington
          TDC Decision GRANTED
          PC Decision: SUPPORTED

       2. 1/0316/2007/FUL
          Single storey extension to increase size of living room
          12 Wardens Close, High Bickington
          TDC Decision GRANTED
          PC Decision: SUPPORTED

14. Risk Assessment

    The Clerk presented a draft risk assessment. Councillors agreed to consider this and refer it to the next Council meeting with any additions/amendments.

15. Correspondence

16. Audit Commission:

    1. TDC - Letter re casual vacancy. Details of statutory requirements.

    2. Devon Air Ambulance Trust - letter in defence of their use of Eaglescott Airfield and future plans.

17. Items for information

    1. David Brown reminded those present of the Barbecue at the Community Woodland on Thursday 14 May.

    2. The induction of the new Vicar will be held on Monday 25 June 2007.

18. Date of Next meeting

    Wednesday 11 July 2007 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.30pm.