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

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

In attendance:
PCSO Sandra Brown - Devon & Cornwall Police, David Venner - CPT Ltd
1 Member of the public, Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

The Chairman welcomed PCSO Sandra Brown to the meeting. The latest Police Newsletter was circulated to Councillors. PCSO Brown reported a spate of tractor, vintage tractor and tractor parts thefts and asked for increased vigilance by farmers. There were no reported crimes in High Bickington in the last month.
PCSO Brown warned of the increased dangers with the onset of dark evenings and urged pedestrians to wear reflective clothing and carry a torch; bicycles should have front and rear lights fitted. She also warned motorists not to leave Christmas shopping in cars in full view of opportunist thieves. Any cars seen displaying such goods will have their details taken and a letter will be sent to the owner advising them of the dangers.
PCSO Brown reported that some young people had asked if part of the cycle track on the Barton Meadow play area could be concreted to allow skate boards to be used. Councillors agreed to consider this request. It is hoped the Youth Club will be re-started shortly and this news was welcomed.
There were reports of young people climbing trees opposite the entrance to Wardens Close; this was causing complaints from residents and PCSO Brown offered to follow this up. Some councillors felt that tree climbing is a normal activity for young people. PCSO Brown left the meeting.

There were no matters raised by the public.

The formal meeting was convened at 7.50pm.

1. Apologies
   Apologies were received from County Councillor John Rawlinson.

2. Declarations of Interest
   David Brown as Chairman of the CPT Ltd disclosed an interest in item 6 - Parish Plans.
   Mike Leatham in his capacity as the Parish Council's elected representative on the CPT Ltd also disclosed an interest in item 6.
   Both David Brown and Mike Leatham expressed concern that they were required, under the revised Code of Conduct, to declare interests in this item. Neither felt they had either a personal or prejudical interest. The Clerk was asked to obtain a written legal ruling from the TDC Solicitor.
   
   David Brown, Stella Burrows and Roger Keen, as members of High Bickington PCC, declared an interest in item 10(i) - Parish Council grant to the Church Hall.

3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 10 October 2007
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2007 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. The Chairman signed the Minutes.

4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2007

   1. Dog bins at Community Woodland. These bins have now been installed.

5. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows had nothing further to report.

6. Parish Plans
   

   Copies of the November update were circulated to Councillors. A very constructive meeting was held with Devon County Council Director of Finance and Resources and a report is being made to the Executive Committee on 27 November. It is hoped that the full planning application will be submitted to Torridge District Council in April or May 2008. The Housing survey is being finalised and an executive summary will be published in Ramblings as soon as it is available. The full report will be available for consultation.
   The CPT Ltd is in the process of acquiring a new hosting service for their website and David Brown asked if the Parish Council wished to continue to operate a joint website with the CPT, or whether it would prefer to have its own site and domain name. Following a discussion Councillors agreed that they would prefer to continue sharing the website at the present time, but this matter will be reconsidered as and when it becomes necessary.
   The Project Co-ordinator, David Venner, is now working two days a week, on Thursdays and Fridays.

7. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   

   1. Play area monitoring. Chris Brown had nothing to report.

   2. DPFA Grant application. The Clerk reported that the award of £500 has been received. Peter Tucker and Chris Brown felt it was necessary, for safety reasons, to install a gate at the entrance to the cycle track from Mill Road together with some post and rail fencing at certain points along the bank to prevent cyclists going over the bank on to the pavement.
      Decision: Proposed by David Brown, seconded by Myc Riggulsford, Councillors unanimously agreed that Peter Tucker and Chris Brown be allowed to obtain prices and arrange for the gate and fencing to be installed, up to a maximum cost of £500.

   3. Skate Boards - Following PCSO Brown's report that some young people had requested facilities for skate boarding and had expressed a willingness to attend a Parish Council meeting, Councillors agreed to ask Chris Brown to liaise with the young people on this matter.

8. Matters Raised by the Chairman

   1. Public Inquiry - Biomass development at Winkleigh Airfield. The Chairman reported that the applicants, Peninsular Power Ltd, have withdrawn their appeal and the Inquiry has been cancelled. David Brown reported that consultants will be employed to look at the future development of the full 36-acre airfield site.

   2. Eaglescott Airfield - The Chairman reported that the Chairman of Burrington Parish Council has been in touch regarding the development of the Airfield and copies of the correspondence between Burrington and the Airfield were circulated to all Councillors. The Chairman of Burrington will copy High Bickington Parish Council into all future correspondence.
      A copy of a letter of complaint to Eaglescott from a resident at Libbaton has been sent to the Parish Council. The Chairman asked that if any Councillor hears of complaints about the Airfield to request that these complaints be put in writing to the Airfield and copied to the Parish Council. He did not feel any further action would be appropriate at this time.
      David Brown queried the advisability of the Parish Council getting involved in this issue. Chairman said that just like complaints about dog mess, misuse of the Barton Meadow shelter or any other antisocial behaviour, disturbances to residents should be investigated.

   3. Ramblings - The Chairman reported that Mike Leatham will be relinquishing his editorship of Ramblings at the end of December and there was some concern about the future of the publication. He asked Councillors for their views on the importance of Ramblings and it was unanimously agreed that it was an important asset for the village and its loss would be regrettable. Mike Leatham circulated copies of the accounts for the year to date which showed that sufficient monies were available to fund two further issues. There has been some interest shown in the role of Treasurer but only one person has expressed some interest in the role of Editor. Following a discussion it was agreed that every effort should be made to ensure Ramblings continues and the Parish Council would be prepared to consider, if necessary, funding in some form to facilitate this. Mike Leatham agreed to follow up the possible interest shown in the Editorship. If this was not fruitful then alternative plans would be discussed. If Ramblings ceases the village may also lose the photocopying facility provided by Penimagic, as the photocopier will no longer be economically viable.
      The Chairman will be arranging an informal meeting of Councillors to discuss the ways in which the Parish Council communicates with the public after the December meeting and the future of Ramblings can be discussed at this time if necessary. The Chairman agreed to raise the uncertainty of the future of Ramblings with the Clerk of Atherington Parish Council.

9. Maintenance

   1. Highways - Stan Maskell felt that the condition of the roads in High Bickington has improved and there is no area currently causing concern.

   2. Speed limit through the village - the mobile digital speed sign resulted in vehicle speeds being lowered on the approach to the village. It was suggested that when the sign is next sited in the village it should be installed facing the opposite direction to draw drivers' attention to their speeds when leaving the village.

   3. Peter Tucker reported that the wall at Fountains Field just below the zebra crossing is dangerous, particularly if children climb on it. The method of construction was particularly worrying, and it has collapsed once already. The Clerk was asked to write to Poltair expressing concerns about the construction of the wall and its safety. Copies will be sent to County Councillor John Rawlinson, District Councillor James Morrish and Highways.

   4. Footpaths and Byways - Roger Keen had nothing to report.

10. Finance

    1. Minutes of the Finance Committee meeting held on 23 October 2007 - these were circulated to all Councillors with the recommendation of the Committee that the Parish Council award an immediate grant to the PCC towards the upkeep of the village hall of £600 subject to an asbestos survey being carried out. Peter Tucker reported that the School is arranging for an asbestos survey to be undertaken.
       Following surprise expressed at the cost of insurance for the Hall, the Chairman asked David Brown, as a point of information, to inform the meeting of comparable insurance costs for the Meeting Point. From this information it was seen that the Hall insurance was in line with that paid for the Meeting Point.
       Decision: Councillors eligible to vote (5) agreed to accept the recommendation of the Finance Committee and award an immediate grant to the PCC of £600 towards the upkeep of the Village Hall.
       The Chairman said that the Parish Council would be willing to discuss the future of the Village Hall and wider issues with the PCC at a further meeting should the PCC feel this would be helpful.

    2. Accounts as at 30 October 2007. These figures were agreed, showing a bank balance and carry forward figure of £11,900.45. The following cheques were authorised to be issued:-
       100178 D Jones Grasscutting £108.00
       100179 Audit Commission £158.63
       100180 Zurich Insurance Co (cycle track) £210.00
       100181 HB PCC - Grant for the Church Hall £600.00
       100182 D Carter £286.06 £1362.69

    3. Clerk's Pension. The Clerk reported that she has been advised that she is not eligible for a pension payment.

    4. Membership of Society of Local Council Clerks. The Clerk reported that the annual subscription is £55 with an initial joining fee of £6. The Clerk is awaiting the paperwork and will report to the next meeting, but Councillors agreed in principle that membership be taken up.

    5. Draft budget. This will be referred to the meeting in December for finalising.

11. Planning

    1. Planning applications received before the meeting.
       There were no new planning applications.

    2. Planning Decisions:

       1. 1/1010/2007/FUL
          Erection of dwelling, alterations to existing garage and garage/workshop, and access alterations
          Land at Devonia, Junket Street, High Bickington
          Mr & Mrs Pidler
          DECISION: TDC Refused 15.10.07
          PC SUPPORTED 12.9.07

       2. 1/1148/2007/FUL
          Two storey rear extension
          12 Barton Meadow Road, High Bickington
          P & S Broomfield
          DECISION: TDC GRANTED 1.11.07
          PC SUPPORTED 10.9.07

12. Policy on Wind Turbines.
    The Chairman reported that he would like the Parish Council to consider adopting a policy on small scale renewable energy developments including wind turbines. He asked Councillors to think about this matter and bring their thoughts to the meeting in December.

13. Correspondence

    1. Letter of thanks for grants from Barbara Winship, William Dodds & Joshua Tucker charities, and Mrs K Isaac, Junior Section Libbaton Golf Club

    2. Letter of thanks from Roger Keen for honorarium for footpaths work.

    3. Letter from TCTA requesting grant funding. The Clerk was asked to respond regretting that the Parish Council's grants have been awarded for 2007 but suggesting they re-apply in September 2008.

    4. Letter from Sue Briant-Evans, Chulmleigh Community College requesting to revisit the Parish Council to update on progress. The Clerk was asked to invite Ms Briant-Evans to the January meeting.

    5. TDC - notice of Parish Council training dates - noted.

    6. TDC - Waste Recycling Plan and Waste minimisation strategy - for comment. The Chairman agreed to consider and comment.

    7. TDC - Planning Obligations - consultation draft - in circulation pack.

14. Items for information

    1. Stella Burrows reported that there will be a Neighbourhood Watch meeting at Great Torrington School on 21 November and she hopes to attend.

    2. Roger Keen wished to congratulate High Bickington Primary School PFA on the highly successful Puddings and Promises evening they organised at Libbaton on 9 November. Approximately £2,600 was raised for the School. Peter Tucker said the PFA wished to thank everyone who made donations and supported the event.

15. Date of Next meeting

    Wednesday 12 December 2007 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.16pm.