Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 13 February 2008
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.30pm

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

In attendance:

County Councillor John Rawlinson, WPC Sally Middleton, Mr David Venner – CPT Ltd, 7 Members of the public, Mrs Di Carter - Clerk     

The Chairman welcomed WPC Sally Middleton to the meeting.  WPC Middleton alerted everyone to the recent spate of diesel thefts in the area.  Members of the travelling community coming from outside the area are thought to be responsible; they are also on the lookout for steel and copper which can be worth £800-£1000 per ton.  The Police are particularly keen to trace a red Vauxhall pickup.  Arrests have been made for thefts of car, trailer and quad bike thefts.  WPC Middleton stressed the importance of reporting anything suspicious immediately as those responsible can be out of the area very quickly.    

WPC Middleton said that there has been little reported crime in High Bickington. PCSO Sandra Brown is working with the young people in the village regarding some anti-social behaviour.

It was with regret that Councillors heard that WPC Middleton is leaving the area to become a full-time student instructor in Barnstaple.  She said she had thoroughly enjoyed her time in the rural villages and was grateful for the support she has received.  She felt High Bickington was one of the more pro-active communities. She would most likely be handing over the reins to a male colleague, but this has yet to be confirmed.  The Chairman thanked WPC Middleton on behalf of the Parish Council and the community for her work in the village and the support both she and the PCSOs have given to the village.

Roger Keen raised the problem of young cyclists riding without lights.  A young member of the public also raised the dangers to motorists of skateboarders on the roads.  WPC Middleton said that PCSO Brown is dealing with these matters as urgent health and safety issues.

WPC Middleton left the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed County Councillor John Rawlinson to the meeting.  Councillor Rawlinson reported that Devon County Council’s budget for the coming year will show an increase of 3.9% which, in view of the financial pressures on the Council at the present time, is to be commended.  The grant from central Government is the highest ever received at £145,000,000. This increase has been achieved at the expense of the London Boroughs.  Councillor Rawlinson reported the following budgetary spending:

1. Half a million pounds is to be spent on gulley emptying.
2. Half a million pounds is being put into the youth service with particular interest in investigating anti-social behaviour.
3. Councillor Rawlinson was disappointed that only an additional quarter of a million pounds is to go into tourism and development.

Councillor Rawlinson reminded Councillors about the County Locality Budget grants and gave the Clerk an amended application form.

In response to questions Councillor Rawlinson said the budget for schools has increased, but at a lower level than hoped for, £34million will go into capital building projects which will include some schools.  The running of residential homes in the County is being taken over by the Shore Trust and Councillor Rawlinson is hopeful this will result in a much improved standard of home and service.  There will also be extra care units for those people who are able to live independently but with help on hand if needed.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Rawlinson for his report and Councillor Rawlinson 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 David Brown.
   
2. Declarations of Interest
   Mike Leatham declared a personal interest in item 6 – Parish Plans.
   
3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 9 January 2008
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2008 were agreed and adopted by Councillors.   The Chairman signed the Minutes.
   
4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2008
   
   1. Removal of recycling pavilion at the Playing Field.  No further information has been received; the Clerk has not had a response to her letter to Councillor Morrish and Torridge District Council.  The Clerk was asked to follow this matter up, again pointing out that Libbaton does not have kerbside collections.
   2. County Council Locality Budget – The Chairman asked Councillors to consider possible projects for this funding as a matter or urgency.
   3. Church Hall asbestos survey.  Peter Tucker reported that an asbestos management plan is in place.  The Judo club and the School are using the Hall once again.
      
      
5. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows said there is to be a Neighbourhood Watch AGM in Bideford on 27 February 2008.  Neither she nor Helen Carn is able to attend.  Stella Burrows reiterated the importance of informing the Police of anything suspicious immediately, particularly in view of the current spate of thefts.
   
6. Parish Plans
   
   1. Copies of the February update were circulated to Councillors.  David Venner reported  that a questionnaire survey of local businesses will take place in late February/early March to update the information regarding demand for the proposed workshops.
      
   2. Minutes of the joint meeting held on 31 January 2008 with CPT Board, Parish Council and the School.   The minutes of this meeting were circulated to all Councillors and Mike Leatham outlined the matters discussed at the meeting.  The allocation of fees payable for preparing the full planning application was proposed as follows:
   
   Parish Council:     £27,304 for the community building and sports field.
   School:         £24,480 for school design to outline planning stage
   CPT Ltd:     £112,716 for housing and workshops to detailed planning.
   
   Mike Leatham, having declared an interest, did not take part in the discussion or decision.
   
   A discussion took place and it was confirmed that no further fees would be payable by the Parish Council in respect of the planning application.  Councillors present felt this was a fair split.
   
   Decision:  Proposed by Myc Riggulsford, seconded by Stella Burrows, Councillors present and eligible to vote (6) agreed unanimously to pay the proposed share of the fees - £27,304.00, the first cheque to be drawn for £11,926.25 on receipt of the Architect’s invoice.
   
7. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   
   1. Play area monitoring.  Chris Brown said the gate and fencing will be installed very shortly at a total cost for materials and labour of £364.32.
   2. Play Area Safety Inspection – this is due in March.  Following a discussion Councillors present agreed that ROSPA be asked to carry out the inspection this year.  The Clerk was also asked to obtain details of their regular inspection checklists.
   3. Skateboard facility – the young people who attended the previous month’s meeting were asked to provide plans and suggestions for a skateboarding area, but to date nothing has been received.  When these are to hand further steps will be taken to look into the possibility of providing this facility.  Roger Keen felt the noise factor should be considered when sites were discussed.  The Clerk reported a verbal quotation of £300 from Zurich for insurance.
8. Matters raised by the Chairman
   Policy on wind turbines.  The Chairman felt that energy saving initiatives in the community should be encouraged eg solar panels, small scale domestic wind turbines etc.  He proposed that the Parish Council adopt a policy to express their general approval of such measures and inform Torridge District Council of this policy.  Individual cases will be considered on their merit with issues of noise and visual impact being taken into account.   All Councillors present agreed to this proposal and the Chairman will draft the policy.
   
9. Maintenance
   
   1. Highways –
      
      1. Drainage – The Chairman read an e-mail from Sherri Henry, the Highways Superintendent in which she states that a full survey is being done on the current drainage problems in the village.  Councillors reported continuing problems in various localities and the Clerk was asked to follow up this matter.
      2. Wall at Fountains Field – There was nothing further to report.
      3. The Lengthsman has visited the village and Stan Maskell had pointed out works required.
   2. Footpaths and Byways – Roger Keen reported that he has completed the inspection.  He has suggested that name signs on unclassified roads be considered.  All Councillors present felt this was an excellent idea and asked Roger Keen to follow this up.
      
10. Finance
    Accounts as at 31 January 2008.  These figures were agreed, showing a bank balance and carry forward figure of £9,730.46 following authorisation for payment of the two cheques below and a cheque received from the CPT Ltd for £10,150 from the Community Hall a/c:
    
    100186  Mrs D Carter                 £278.41
    100187  Architect’s fees               £11,926.25
    
11. Planning
    
    1. Applications received before the meeting:
       
       1/0125/2008/FUL
       Erection of dwelling, alterations to existing garage and garage/workshop, and access alterations.
       Land at Devonia, Junkett Street, High Bickington
       Mr & Mrs Pidler
       Decision:  The Parish Council supports the application.
       
    2. Decisions:  
       
       1/1374/2007/FUL
       Single Storey conservatory to the right elevation of the property
       Lower Green Cottage, Mill Road High Bickington
       Mr & Mrs Worrall
       TDC Decision 22.1.08        GRANTED
       PC Decision 12.12.07        SUPPORTED
       
       1/1335/2007/FUL
       Single storey extension and internal re-modelling
       The Rectory, North Road, High Bickington
       Mr Graham Davies
       TDC Decision 17.1.08        GRANTED
       PC Decision 12.12.07        SUPPORTED
       
       1/1327/2007/FUL
       Erection of stable block
       Land at Ebberley, High Bickington
       Deux Tete Properties
       TDC Decision 8.1.08        GRANTED
       PC Decision 12.12.07        SUPPORTED
12. Correspondence
    
    1. (a)CPRE – Letter asking Parish Council to reconsider membership – It was agreed not to renew membership.
    2. (b)Great Torrington Community School Sports College – Consultation letter re change of status to Foundation School – in circulation pack.
    3. (c)Audit Commission – appointment of external auditor – Alun Williams – noted.
    4. (d)TDC – North Devon and Torridge Strategy Issues and Options Report.  The Chairman will submit a response on behalf of the Parish Council in addition to the Council’s support of the CPT Ltd response.
    5. (e)TDC – Parish Council training – Determining a planning application – 3 March 2-5pm.  The Chairman and Stan Maskell will attend.
    6. (f)DCC – P3 Financial Summary Forms – Roger Keen has completed.
    
    
13. Items for information
    There were no items for information.
    
14. Date of next meeting:
    Wednesday 12 March 2008 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.04pm.