Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 12 December 2007
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.35pm

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

In attendance:
County Councillor John Rawlinson, Mr David Venner - CPT Ltd, 2 Members of the public,
Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

The Chairman welcomed County Councillor John Rawlinson and District Councillor James Morrish to the meeting and invited John Rawlinson to address the meeting.

Councillor Rawlinson reported that Devon County Council has now agreed a finance formula to enable the Little Bickington Farm project to be taken forward and he was pleased that these plans are unanimously supported at County. David Brown confirmed the details of the agreement and both he and Mike Leatham thanked Councillor Rawlinson for his sustained support for the project and the hard work he has contributed to ensure it is taken forward.

Devon County Council has sold Exeter Airport for 60 million, which after costs will net the Council 48 million. Some of this money has been allocated for locality budgets and Councillor Rawlinson reported that he has 35,000 to invest in projects in Torrington Rural Division. Councillor Rawlinson gave the Clerk forms for completion to bid for these funds and Councillors agreed they would consider projects and submit their claim early in the new year. Any local clubs and groups can apply for the grants for equipment or facilities for young people, older people or other community organisations. If anyone has any suggestions they can contact a parish councillor.

Councillor Rawlinson reported that unitary authority for the whole of Devon, rather than for Exeter alone, is being considered by central Government. This could result in one unitary authority for Devon or it could be split into smaller units. Either way Councillor Rawlinson was concerned about the implications for Devon but he felt sure the proposals would be decided by a local consultation process.

Councillor Rawlinson expressed concern for Devon at the announcement of a reduction in funding for the Fire Service.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Rawlinson for attending the meeting and wished him the compliments of the season. The Chairman then invited District Councillor James Morrish to address the meeting.

James Morrish reported that Torridge District Council will have the overseeing restrictions lifted by Government in February 2008 as a result of improved performance in both political and managerial areas.

An approach has been made to Torridge by a leading supermarket chain to purchase a car park in Torrington and build a new superstore. This is potentially a contentious issue and the consultation process will be put in place before a decision is reached.

There are concerns from refuse collection staff about the increased amount of lifting involved as a result of the discontinued supply of black bin bags. Councillor Morrish is taking part in a trial collection to see for himself the issues involved. He confirmed that Torridge District Council will continue to use South Molton Recycling. Councillor Morrish invited the Parish Council to visit Riverbank House for a tour of the Council offices and to follow this by holding a Parish Council meeting there. He also suggested that Maria Bailey, Senior LDF Officer at Torridge might be invited to attend a Parish Council meeting to discuss the Issues and Options report.

The Chairman thanked James Morrish for attending the meeting.

There were no questions from members of the public.

The formal meeting was convened at 8.20pm.

1. Apologies
   Apologies were received from David Venner, CPT Ltd, and PCSO Sandra Brown.

2. Declarations of Interest
   David Brown and Mike Leatham declared a personal interest in item 6 Parish Plans.
   David Brown, Stella Burrows and Roger Keen declared a personal interest in item 4(b) Church Hall.
   David Brown declared an interest in planning application 11(a) Land at Ebberley (association with CPT Ltd).
   Chris Brown declared an interest in planning application 11(c) Lower Green Cottage, Mill Road. (neighbour).

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

4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 November 2007
   

   1. Revised Model Code of Conduct. The Chairman reported the earlier meeting with Mr Ken Miles, Monitoring Officer for Torridge District Council. Council had requested this meeting to discuss problems arising from declaration of interests under the revised Code of Conduct. There were strong feelings that it prohibits free speech on certain items by Councillors appointed to outside bodies as representatives of the Parish Council, such as the Community Property Trust.
      There had been a lengthy discussion and Councillors were unhappy with the ruling which says that Parish Councillors who are members of community committees such as the Playing Fields, Parochial Church Council or School Governors cannot discuss them during formal meetings and must leave the room as they are considered to have a personal interest. Whilst it is possible to obtain an exemption on a particular item, it is not possible to obtain a blanket exemption on a subject such as the Parish Plan, which because it takes in the whole village, affects the finances of the Church, School, Playing Fields, CPT and Parish Council.
      Each item on the Agenda at each meeting will have to be decided on its own merit by Mr Miles. It was felt that the declaration of a personal interest might lead members of the public to think that the Councillor declaring interest would stand to gain personally from any decision. Mr Miles said this was not the case, the personal interest declaration was simply meant to indicate that the Councillor involved was a member of the organisation, nothing more.
      It was unlikely that any Councillor would have a prejudicial interest in any item unless the Parish Council was offering funding in the form of a grant to the organisation concerned, or making decisions affecting its finances or planning permissions. The Parish Council can suspend the formal meeting and discuss matters or can use sub-committees. Chairman and Vice Chairman both said that this ruling is nonsense and prevents the Parish Council fully discussing the Parish Plan and prevents proper democracy. It was felt that the Parish Council has procedures currently in place to cover any other conflicts of interest. If any Councillors position is in doubt with an issue to be discussed the Clerk will be asked to contact Mr Miles to obtain a ruling from him.

   2. Church Hall Peter Tucker reported that Devon County Council is currently seeking a contractor to carry out the asbestos survey on the Church Hall. In the interim a duty to manage document will hopefully allow the School to return to using the Hall.

5. Police Matters

   Stella Burrows reported a note from PCSO Sandra Brown which stated there had been no crimes in High Bickington during the previous 30 days. Stella Burrows had attended the Neighbourhood Watch meeting in Torrington. It had been acknowledge that this area has a very good contact with the local Police Officers and PCSOs. Stella Burrows and all Councillors agreed that the introduction of the PCSOs has proved very helpful and beneficial and all officers were thanked for their work in the village.
   A list of useful contact numbers will be reproduced in Ramblings.

6. Parish Plans
   

   Copies of the December update were circulated to Councillors. David Brown reiterated the agreement reached with Devon County Council and the considerable implications this will have to enable the Little Bickington Farm project to be taken forward. The housing survey report will appear in Ramblings. Hard copies will be made available for consultation in the village.
   
   A decision will be needed on Parish Council funding towards the cost of the design work on the new planning application. The CPT will produce a report and Councillors agreed that the Finance Committee will consider the funding and report their recommendations to the full Parish Council.
   
   The CPT Ltd is once again offering a free Christmas tree chipping service at Little Bickington Farm on 5th and 12th January 2008. Anyone wishing to take up this offer should in the first instance contact David Venner on 560161 before these dates.

7. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   

   1. Play area monitoring. Chris Brown said there was nothing to report. He is obtaining quotations for the supply and erection of the gate and fencing.

   2. Skate Boards The suggestion from PCSO Brown at the previous meeting to consider hard surfacing for the cycle track so that it can be used by skateboarders was found to be impractical but the matter will be monitored and revisited if and when necessary.

8. Matters Raised by the Chairman

   1. Ramblings Mike Leatham reported that Alan Graveley has agreed to take over the editorship of Ramblings as from January 2008. Sharne Worrall will assist and cover those times when Alan Graveley is not available. Cliff Dean has been appointed as the new Treasurer. All Councillors were grateful to Mike Leatham for his efforts to ensure that Ramblings continues and also wished to thank him for the many years of hard work he has contributed to the success of the publication.

9. Maintenance

   1. Highways -

      1. Stan Maskell reported several areas of blocked drains which have resulted in flooding on the roads. The Clerk was given details of the areas concerned and asked to report to Highways. It was felt that the lack of road sweeping has resulted in a build up of leaves which causes the problem in most cases.

      2. Wall at Fountains Field the Chairman reported correspondence with Poltair about the further collapse of this wall. Poltair says it has the matter in hand and it will be kept under review by the Council. Councillors noted that the wall is not a traditionally constructed Devon Bank, and may collapse again.

   2. Footpaths and Byways - Roger Keen reported strimming work required. He will report proposed future projects to Devon County Council footpaths to ensure continued funding.

10. Finance

    1. Accounts as at 30 November 2007. These figures were agreed, showing a bank balance and carry forward figure of £12,060.43 following authorisation of the following cheques:
       
       100183 SLCC subscription 61.00
       100182 &D Carter 279.02
       

    2. Budget 2008/09. The Finance Committee recommended to Full Council that the precept for 2008/09 be set at 9,600 to take account of the increased number of households in the village and additional commitments being delegated to the Parish Council. In view of the additional households in the village the increase per household will be minimal.
       

    3. Decision: Councillors agreed unanimously to accept the recommendations of the Finance Committee and set the precept for 2008/09 at £9,600. The Clerk will forward the necessary paperwork to Torridge District Council.
       

11. Planning

    1. Planning applications received before the meeting.

       1. 1/1327/2007/FUL
          Erection of stable block
          Land at Ebberley, High Bickington Deux Tete Properties
          (Previous application for barn for equestrian use supported by PC 10.10.07)
          DECISION:
          Following a show of hands Councillors eligible to vote (7) agreed to support the application as follows:
          Those in favour - 4, those against - 1, abstentions - 2.

       2. 1/1335/2007/FUL
          Single storey extension and internal re-modelling
          The Rectory, North Road, High Bickington Mr Graham Davies
          DECISION:
          Councillors unanimously agreed to support the application.

       3. 1/1374/2007/FUL
          Single Storey Extension to the right elevation of the property Lower Green Cottage, Mill Road, High Bickington Mr & Mrs Worrall
          DECISION:
          Councillors eligible to vote (7) agreed unanimously to support the application.

    2. Decisions: No decisions have been received from Torridge District Council.

    3. Policy on Wind Turbines. The Chairman asked that this matter be referred to the February 2008 meeting. He hopes the Parish Council will adopt a policy to encourage small domestic regeneration projects.

12. Date of Meeting 2008:- These were agreed as follows:
    Wednesday 9 January
    Wednesday 13 February
    Wednesday 12 March
    Wednesday 9 April
    Wednesday 14 May ANNUAL PARISH and ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETINGS
    Wednesday 11 June
    Wednesday 9 July
    August no meeting
    Wednesday 10 September
    Wednesday 8 October
    Wednesday 12 November
    Wednesday 10 December
    Chairman apologised that previous commitments would prevent him from attending 3 of these meetings, but councillors agreed to go ahead with these dates as it helps the public.

13. Correspondence

    1. Letters of thanks for grants from The Meeting Point and HB Youth Judo Club.

    2. Letter of thanks from High Bickington PCC for 600 grant to the Church Hall.

    3. Letter from Sue Briant-Evans, Chulmleigh Community College accepting the invitation to attend the Parish Council meeting on 9 January 2008.

    4. Register of Electors 2008.

14. Items for information

    1. There were no items for information.

15. Date of Next meeting

    Wednesday 9 January 2008 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.
    The Chairman wished everyone a very Happy Christmas.

16. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.36pm.