Community Property Trust
On 20th January the Board of the CPT held a joint meeting with other partners in the project to review the Inquiry and prepare an agenda for the coming months. All agreed that the Inspector had run the Inquiry very efficiently and had given everyone a fair hearing. His report and recommendation should be available within the next few weeks and we all look forward to reading what he has to say. As many who attended the Inquiry will have been informed individually by letter, the Planning Inspectorate has said that the First Secretary of State will announce his decision on or before 11 th May.

Membership of the Community Property Trust currently stands at 181. Anyone wishing to join the Trust can obtain an application form from the Secretary.

Section 106 monies
The current balance is £303,678.69. No payments have been made as yet from the account.

Little Bickington Farm
Negotiations with Devon County Council on extending the temporary lease on Little Bickington farm house, buildings and land have been successfully concluded. The CPT are tenants for another 12 months or until such time as the development goes ahead.

The hedge restoration work, of which advance notice was given last month, will be started this month, with steeping and coppicing followed by casting up of the bank. A date has been fixed for the Devon Rural Skills Trust turf hedging course: Saturday 13 th May. Anyone wishing to take part should book through the Trust by telephoning 07786 441300 after 6.30pm. The cost will be £15 (£10 for members of DRST). Further information about the Trust and its courses can be found on the website: www.devonruralskillstrust.co.uk

Housing Committee
The Allocation Policy, drafted some time ago, is being worked up into an agreed version that can be published. This will make clear to everyone the basis upon which potential occupants of the CPT's affordable homes will be selected.

Community Woodland Committee
On Saturday 11 th February committee members will be meeting at 9.30am in Quarry Wood to replace the 30 or so trees that did not ‘take' after planting of the woodland last January. Other maintenance work will be carried out if time permits - all volunteers welcomed!

An information leaflet is being prepared which will also give details of walks in the parish. It will be circulated free of charge in High Bickington and surrounding parishes. This has been made possible by means of a grant from the Woodland Trust.

High Bickington CPT Ltd, The Meeting Point, North Road, High Bickington. Telephone 01769 560161, or email david.venner@highbickington.org