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

Present:
Myc Riggulsford (Chairman), Chris Brown (7:45pm), Stella Burrows, Roger Keen, Mike Leatham, Stan Maskell, Peter Tucker (7:55pm).

In attendance:
County Councillor John Rawlinson, Mr David Venner – CPT Ltd, Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

The Chairman invited County Councillor John Rawlinson to address the meeting. Councillor Rawlinson reported that Boundaries Commission preferred option for recommendation is for one unitary council for the whole of Devon, with Plymouth and Torbay keeping their current status. A consultation period will now follow until September when a recommendation will be made to central Government.

Councillor Rawlinson reported that he still has some funds remaining for local grants. Currently the Parish Council do not have any local projects to put forward for this funding, but a suggestion was made that the sports pavilion at the playing field might benefit from some renovation work. This will be followed up with the Trustees.>

David Venner asked if any progress had been made on determining the reason for the white line near the Doctors’ Surgery – the resultant parking outside the Surgery has led to an obstruction of his access way. Councillor Rawlinson agreed to look into this and the Clerk will also follow it up again.

Councillor Rawlinson left the meeting.

1. Apologies
   Apologies were received from David Brown. Chris Brown and Peter Tucker had sent apologies in advance for their late arrival.
   
2. Declarations of Interest
   Mike Leatham declared a personal interest in item 6 – Parish Plans.
   
3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 11 June 2008
   Item 5 – Police Matters – the words “Neighbourhood Watch” to be replaced by “Police Liaison”
   
   Item 9(c) – The Chairman reported that he had misunderstood the incident reported to him regarding the second dog incident and wished to apologise for any upset caused. It was agreed that the third sentence be struck from the Minutes.
   
   Subject to these amendments, the Minutes were agreed and adopted by Councillors and the Chairman signed the Minutes.
   
4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2008
   
   1. Award of Grant to Ramblings. The Editor has written to accept the Parish Council’s offer of a grant in the sum of £200.00.
   2. Entrance to Fountains Field – The Clerk reported a response from Poltair. Councillors agreed that the grass was now being cut regularly.
   3. Dog Fouling – The Clerk reported that the Dog Warden has agreed to make additional visits to the village in an effort to curb the increased nuisance caused by dog fouling.
   4. Waste Recycling at Libbaton – The Clerk reported that boxes have now been provided for the residents at Libbaton and the first collection has taken place. This news was welcomed.
      
5. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows reported the Police Newsletter for June. With the current increase in metal prices, residents are warned that there has been a dramatic increase in the theft of metals from various locations and vigilance is required. Also with the steady rise in oil costs, thefts of fuel are becoming more common.
   
   High Bickington has been crime free in the last 30 days, with only 2 reports of anti-social behaviour.
   
   Police Liaison meeting – 23 June 2008. Stella Burrows reported that she had attended this meeting and outlined the matters raised. There are currently 15 officers in the Torrington area and the aim is to get more officers on the streets. Anti-social behaviour is a prime target for officers and excellent improvements have been noted in some areas. Burglaries and vehicle crimes are low. Police are asking that members of the public who find certain internet items unacceptable report these to the Police. PC Nick Porter is the new roads officer at Barnstaple.
   
   The work of the PCSOs was commended and Stella Burrows added her endorsement of this. Leaflets on the work of the Police Authority were circulated in the information pack. The next Police Liaison meeting is scheduled for February 2009.
   
6. Parish Plans
   
   1. The Chairman reported that he had spoken to Ken Miles, Monitoring Officer at Torridge District Council regarding the legality of Councillors discussing the Little Bickington Farm project at meetings in view of the Parish Council’s involvement and that the planning application will be submitted in the Council’s name. Although according to the new Code of Conduct this should be discussed outside the formal meeting, Mr Miles acknowledged Parish Plans were a difficult area and he had concluded that it will be in order for Councillors to discuss the matter at Parish Council meetings. Any Councillors directly involved with the Community Property Trust will need to declare an interest.
   2. David Venner circulated his report for June. The Community Property Trust had presented the revised plans to Councillors and School Governors on June 23rd. The scheme was approved and it is hoped to submit the planning application at the end of July. An exhibition will be held during the planning consultation period to enable residents to view the plans. A donation of approximately £300 has been received from the Village Millennium Fund.
   3. Presentation of revised plans 23 June 2008. The Chairman reported on this and expressed disappointment that not all Councillors were present. It will not be possible for the Parish Council to comment on the plans once submitted as the application will be in their name, and he felt it was important that all Councillors are fully aware of the contents of the revised plans before making a decision to support them. Any individual Councillors who wish to comment can do so at the exhibition and can also send their own letters to the Planning Department at Torridge District Council. Peter Tucker had attended the presentation and was happy with the amendments to the plans for the School. In view of the present financial constraints particularly regarding the building industry a query was raised about the possible adverse affect this may have on the scheme. It was felt this should not be allowed to stop the project although it may delay the commencement of building. Mike Leatham and Peter Tucker, in his role as Chairman of School Governors, did not take part in the decision. Decision: Proposed by Myc Riggulsford, seconded by Chris Brown, Councillors present and permitted to vote (5) agreed unanimously that the revised plans be supported and submitted by the Parish Council. The Chairman said the Parish Council would be willing to attach a letter of support for the application if the Community Property Trust felt it would be helpful.
7. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   
   1. Chris Brown reported that he has carried out repair works on the play area as recommended in the ROSPA safety report. The cost of materials was £24.15. Councillors agreed to authorise Chris Brown to obtain quotations for preservative spraying the wooden equipment as a protection, again as recommended in the ROSPA report. Councillors thanked Chris Brown for his work at the play area.
   2. Official handover of play area to the Parish Council. The Clerk had drafted a letter for signature by the Chairman of the Barton Meadow Recreation Area Group officially handing over the management of the play area. Councillors agreed that this letter be sent.
   3. Roger Keen reported some late night disturbances at the play area and Councillors endorsed his recommendation to the complainants that they report such matters immediately to the Police on 08452 777 444 and do not intervene themselves. The clerk reported that ROSPA has been asked to carry out the inspection and a date is awaited.
8. Matters raised by the Chairman
   
   1. Torridge District Council Standards Committee – The Chairman confirmed that he has been asked to join this Committee.
   2. The Chairman reported a telephone conversation with the new Chairman of Burrington Parish Council regarding Eaglescott Airfield. A form of words has been agreed with North Devon District Council and the Devon Air Ambulance to restrict the use of the site to 999 medical emergency calls. Concerns have been raised that helicopter training flights are being advertised from the Airfield and this is being monitored. There has also been a large number of complaints about low flying aircraft and the Chairman asked anyone in High Bickington parish who has such a complaint to put it in writing, noting dates and times, and send it directly to North Devon District Council. Burrington Parish Council will keep High Bickington informed of any developments.
   3. Boundary Commission Report. The Chairman reported the preferred option put forward one unitary authority for Devon. A second option put forward was for Exeter and a number of surrounding Parishes with a total population of 164,000 to be a separate authority. The Parish Council awaits news of the consultation process.
   4. Roger Keen had put forward the suggestion of a Community Orchard. The Chairman will study the information and report back to the next meeting in September.
9. Maintenance
   
   1. Highways – Stan Maskell reported that drain clearance work has been carried out. The Lighting problems appear to have been rectified.
   2. Footpaths and Byways – Roger Keen had nothing to report. The Chairman reported that Derek Herniman has prepared the signposts. Councillors agreed to ask Mr Herniman to varnish the posts at a cost of £7 per post and also to concrete them in at a cost of £25 per post. This would give a total cost for the posts of £410.00 – funds were available for this in the Footpaths budget.
10. Finance
    
    1. Accounts as at 30 June 2008. These figures were agreed, showing a bank balance and carry forward figure of £8,392.17 following authorisation for payment of the cheques listed below:
       100203 D Jones – May grasscutting £30.00
       100204 K Abrahams – internal auditor £116.00
       100205 Grant to Ramblings £200.00
       100206 D Carter – salary and expenses £329.91
       100207 D Jones – June grasscutting £30.00
       100208 Woodbills – materials for play area £24.15
       100209 D Herniman – signposts £410.00
       
    2. Audit 2008 – this had been completed with no issues being raised. Councillors thanked the Clerk for her excellent work on this.
11. Planning
    
    1. Applications: No applications received before the meeting.
    2. Decisions: No decisions received before the meeting.
12. Correspondence
    
    1. TDC – Free composter. Torridge is offering a free home composter to Parish Councils. The Clerk was asked to accept this offer – the composter to be delivered to the School for use at the School and the churchyard. Cum page 636
    2. TDC – Communities in Action Database – an invitation to attend a meeting regarding the on-line database for Parish Plans and to nominate a representative who will be responsible for updating their section of the website. Councillors felt that the plans were available on the Community Property Trust website and these were updated regularly. Torridge District Council would be welcome to have a link with this. The Clerk was asked to follow this up.
    3. Letter from Maitland Walker regarding a company who is prepared to take over phone boxes designated for removal by BT. It was felt that as no-one had come forward to oppose the removal of the box at Ebberley Cross and it was rarely used, there was no need to follow this up.
       
13. Items for information
    Peter Tucker informed Councillors of a School Open afternoon on Monday 14 July from 1.15pm. It is a chance to visit the school and see it at work.
    
14. Date of next meeting:
    Wednesday 10 September 2008 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.
    

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.00pm.