Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 9 January 2008
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.30pm

Present:
Mike Leatham (Acting Chairman), Chris Brown, David Brown, Stella Burrows, Stan Maskell, Peter Tucker.

In attendance:
Mrs Sue Briant-Evans - Governor, Chulmleigh Community College, Mr David Venner - CPT Ltd,
7 Members of the public, Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

Six young people attended the meeting to ask the Parish Council to consider the provision of a skateboard facility in the village. Following a discussion with the young people, Councillors asked them to submit an outline plan of what they would like, together with any other details of equipment suppliers, costs, etc. It was pointed out that the Parish Council could not carry out development of any kind on the Pearce land earmarked for a new village hall. Possible sites for a skateboard park were discussed but identifying a suitable one could prove to be a problem. It was suggested that Councillors visit other skateboard parks in the area to get some idea of similar facilities. The Clerk was asked to contact the Council insurers to get some idea of insurance costs. Mike Leatham thanked the young people for attending the meeting and said the Council is keen to provide facilities for young people in the village and will keep this matter under review.

The Acting Chairman welcomed Mrs Sue Briant-Evans to the meeting and invited her to report to the meeting.

Mrs Briant-Evans said that the College has been successful in their bid to gain enterprise funding for the next three years and will retain their status for this period. It will enable the College to provide up to date ICT equipment for students. Questionnaires had been circulated widely asking the public what facilities they would like to see provided by the College and those returned showed adult learning courses high on the list. Under the title of Optime Learning 5-week courses on Salsa Dancing, Digital Photography, Internet & E-mail and Horticulture will be starting shortly at Burrington, Chulmleigh, Morchard Bishop and Winkleigh. The Chulmleigh Sports Centre Fitness Club is also offering various classes and is proving very successful. Mrs Briant-Evans circulated copies of the brochures on these facilities and they will be reproduced in Ramblings so that all residents are aware of what is available. It is hoped that further ventures will be undertaken by the College. Mrs Briant-Evans promised to keep the Council aware of facilities available.

Mrs Briant-Evans also reported that the College will be holding a Green Awareness Day on Sunday 15 June, to demonstrate how young people connect with the countryside. It is also hoped to hold a Farmers' market on the same day. Youth issues are very much to the fore with the College being aware of problems experienced in some villages. Plans to invite Councillors to a lunchtime event at the college where they can discuss youth issues with young people from their village is also being planned.

Councillors congratulated the College on their excellent GCSE results last year.
Mrs Briant-Evans said that news from Devon County Council is still awaited on the plans for the buildings at Chulmleigh College.

Mike Leatham thanked Mrs Briant-Evans for attending the meeting and said further updates would be welcome. Mrs Briant-Evans left the meeting.

There were no matters raised by the public.

The formal meeting was convened at 7.55pm.

1. Apologies
   Apologies were received from Myc Riggulsford, Roger Keen and PCSO Sandra Brown.

2. Declarations of Interest
   David Brown and Mike Leatham declared a personal interest in item 6 - Parish Plans.

3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 12 December 2007
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2007 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. The Acting Chairman signed the Minutes.

4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 December 2007
   

   1. Church Hall - Peter Tucker reported that Devon County Council has still to name the contractor who will be carrying out the asbestos survey on the Church Hall. Some local clubs are using the Hall again and the School will be returning shortly.

   2. LDF - Options and Issues.
      David Brown, as Chairman of the CPT Ltd, did not take part in the following discussion and decision. The CPT Ltd response was circulated to Councillors and following a full discussion all present agreed it was a very comprehensive response which covered all issues.
      Decision: Proposed by Peter Tucker and seconded by Stella Burrows Councillors present agreed that the Parish Council response to Torridge District Council should be that they endorse and fully support the CPT Ltd response. The Clerk was asked to respond to Torridge enclosing a copy of the CPT Ltd response.

5. Police Matters

   Stella Burrows said that PCSO Sandra Brown has reported some criminal damage to cars parked in North Road and has asked if any member of the community who has any information which may help to track down the culprits to please either contact Torrington Police Station, or report any information via Crimestoppers. Details of contact numbers can be found in Ramblings.
   
   Peter Tucker reported concern at an increase in the nuisance vandalism in the village, eg broken glass and door knocking. This is particularly intimidating for older residents and they are becoming worried about answering their doors or leaving their homes, particularly at night. The Clerk was asked to contact PCSO Brown and pass on these concerns. It was felt it would be helpful if she could arrange for a visit to the village and perhaps to attend a coffee morning at the Meeting Point to discuss these problems with residents. The matter has become sufficiently worrying to warrant a special request for the Police to take action.

6. Parish Plans
   

   Copies of the January update were circulated to Councillors. David Venner reported that it is hoped the detailed planning application will be submitted in April/May 2008. The final Housing Survey report is awaited; as soon as it is received the summary will be published and a full report made available for consultation.
   
   South West Forest recently undertook a review of community woodlands and Councillors present wished to congratulate David Venner and all those who have helped to establish the woodland on the excellent commendation which read "a model community woodland with excellent establishment and subsequent maintenance - good continuing community involvement and woodland being integrated into village plans - a model scheme worthy of entry into competitions/awards".
   
   David Brown invited all Councillors to attend the next meeting of the CPT Ltd Board on 31 January 2008 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, in order that Councillors can be made aware of the funding requirements for the revised plans. This will help the Parish Council to consider how they wish to proceed.

7. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   

   1. Play area monitoring. Chris Brown said there was nothing to report. The gate and fencing quotations are in hand.

8. Matters Raised by the Chairman

   1. Mike Leatham reported on the proposed removal of the recycling pavilion at the Playing Field. Concern was expressed at this proposal and it was felt that some provision should be available, possibly at Libbaton, as residents living there do not have the benefit of kerbside collections. Proposed by David Brown, seconded by Stella Burrows, Councillors present unanimously agreed that the Clerk be asked to write to Torridge District Council and District Councillor James Morrish expressing the Council's concerns and suggesting alternative facilities.

9. Maintenance

   1. Highways -

      1. Wall at Fountains Field - Concern is still being expressed about the safety of this wall and the matter will be kept under review.

      2. Drainage - the Clerk was asked to contact Highways to request that some cleaning out of ditches be undertaken as it was felt the condition of these plays a large part in the poor drainage on the highways.

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

10. Finance

    1. Accounts as at 31 December 2007. These figures were agreed, showing a bank balance and carry forward figure of £11,785.12 following authorisation of the following cheques:
       
       100185 D Carter £275.31

11. Planning

    1. Planning applications received before the meeting - no applications have been received.

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

12. Correspondence

    1. Parish Lengsthman Service - papers received detailing the visits were passed to Stan Maskell. Councillors suggested that he give DCC a list of the areas most seriously affected by drainage problems and ask that the Lengthsman attends to these. The next visit is scheduled for February 2008.

    2. CCD - Survey of Rural Retailers 2008 - The Clerk was asked to complete and return this survey.

    3. Proposal for spend of County Committee Locality Budget. County Councillor John Rawlinson has provided application forms for this funding. The Clerk was asked to send copies to all Councillors for their suggestions on projects which might benefit from this funding. A decision on the final application will be submitted following the February Council meeting.

13. Items for information

    1. There were no items for information.

14. Date of Next meeting

    Wednesday 13 February 2008 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington

15. There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.50pm.