Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 11 June 2008
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.30pm

Present:
Myc Riggulsford (Chairman), Chris Brown, David Brown, Roger Keen, Mike Leatham

In attendance:
4 members of the public, Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

Matters raised by the public:

1. The grounds at the entrance to Fountains Field are in need of attention. The Clerk was asked to write to Poltair to bring the complaint to their attention.
2. Dog fouling is again a concern and people walking their dogs late at night are thought to be responsible. The Clerk was asked to contact the Dog Warden and report the problem.
   

1. Apologies
   Apologies were received from Stella Burrows, Stan Maskell, Peter Tucker and David Venner.
   
   
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 14 May 2008
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2008 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. The Chairman signed the Minutes.
   
   
4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2008
   
   1. Additional cheque signatories – The Clerk reported that she has been advised by Barclays Bank that community accounts are restricted to three signatories. The alternative is to open a business account where there is no such restriction, but these accounts incur charges. It was agreed to continue with the current arrangement.
   2. Registration of Parish owned land. The Clerk reported that the Solicitor has asked for a village map with the Parish owned land marked. He recommended that the land is registered and on receipt of the plan he will then check each piece of land. The Land Registry is currently offering a free checking service. Any land not registered will incur a fee to register it. The Clerk was asked to obtain an official Parish plan from Torridge District Council and follow this matter up with the Solicitor.
      
      
5. Police Matters
   There was no Police Newsletter to report and in Stella Burrow’s absence David Brown reported on her behalf a recent break-in at sheds on a property at Langridgeford. Everyone was reminded to ensure all property and outbuildings are secure. Stella Burrows will attend the Neighbourhood Watch quarterly meeting in Bideford on 23 June. Everyone is welcome to attend.
   
   
   
6. Parish Plans
   David Venner sent his apologies that there was no monthly written update. David Brown reminded Councillors that the sign-off meeting for the new plans will be held in the Meeting Point on Monday 23 June at 8pm. If all parties are happy with the plans the planning application will be submitted to Torridge District Council shortly after this. The Community Property Trust will issue the cheque for the planning fee.
   
   The Chairman asked for clarification of the numbers of affordable and open market housing now proposed. David Brown confirmed that there will still be 16 affordable homes, open market housing may have to be increased slightly from the original number (17) due to the current fall in house prices, but this is currently being looked at. Devon County Council will receive £750,000 under the agreement and the Community Property Trust will in turn receive £250,000 which will be used to establish the future of the project. Devon County Council monies will go towards the cost of the new school.
   
   Mike Leatham pointed out that there is no reason why further affordable housing cannot be built on other land which may become available should there be a need for it. The future of the present school and grounds is under consideration and David Brown felt it was important that certain restrictions are put in place to ensure its future development is in the best interest of the local community.
   
   It was reported that Holsworthy has recently used 106 monies of £160,000 to enable 3 families to purchase a share of property.
   
   
7. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   
   1. Play Area Safety Inspection – The ROSPA report has been received and Chris
      Brown reported several minor repairs required. There were no major concerns. He and Peter Tucker will inspect the play area and recommend any necessary work.
   2. A suggestion had been made that Torridge District Council might be prepared to adopt the play area and carry out maintenance work, but concern was raised about the effect this would have on the ownership of the site. The Clerk was asked to write to the Barton Meadow Recreation Area Committee requesting a meeting to formally hand over the management of the site to the Parish Council. 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. Boundary Commission Review meeting – The Chairman and David Brown had attended the meeting in Torrington. A letter has been received from Phil Norrey setting out Devon County Council’s proposals. The consultation period is due to commence in July.
   2. Post Office closures – Devon County Council has deplored the scale of Post Office closures and is seeking a meeting with Ministers to see whether there is a way the County Council can intervene in rural areas to mitigate the affect the closures have on these communities.
   3. Torridge District Council Standards Committee – The Chairman reported that he has attended two interviews and will be invited to join the Committee. There will be a considerable amount of training involved.
      
      
9. Maintenance
   Highways
   
   1. Stella Burrows has reported that the gullies at Dobbs have been cleared out by the North Devon District Council Lengthsman. Works have been carried out at Nethergrove.
   Footpaths and Byways
   
   1. Roger Keen reported that Roy Brown has carried out the mud skimming work at Taylors Lane and it was generally agreed this has made a marked improvement.
   2. The Chairman reported that Derek Herniman will supply the wooden signposts as soon as possible.
   3. Roger Keen reported that a member of the public was badly bitten by a dog near Old Park. The Police had been informed and followed the matter up. The Chairman’s wife had reported a frightening experience in the same area when a dog on a lead had run out towards her and the owner seemed to have trouble bringing it under control. The Clerk was asked to contact the dog warden about this.
      
   4. Lighting problems – these still seem to be ongoing and the Clerk will follow this up again.
      
      
10. Finance
    
    1. Submission of planning application for Little Bickington Farm project. This was dealt with under Item 6.
    2. Award of grant to Ramblings. Following the May meeting the Chairman reported e-mail correspondence with the Editor of Ramblings regarding the inclusion of full Parish Council and other local community organisation minutes. The Editor had indicated that to reserve the average 4 pages every month would add £244.48 to production costs. It was noted that the Community Property Trust report was not included due to lack of space.
       A lengthy discussion followed and Councillors felt that it was important for the magazine to report fully matters relevant to the community and therefore they felt the full Minutes of local community meetings should be included. Whilst Councillors were keen to ensure the magazine prospered, they did not feel it good practice to pay for space in the same way as a commercial advertisement. The subscription rates for the magazine have remained the same for a number of years and maybe one solution would be to increase this charge. Councillors felt a grant to Ramblings might be an acceptable solution for the current year to give the editorial panel time to review the finances. A meeting with the Editor later in the year would be welcomed.
       
       Decision: Proposed by David Brown, seconded by Chris Brown, it was agreed to offer the award a one-off grant of £200 to Ramblings for the year to 31 December 2008 at which time the position will be reviewed. The Clerk was asked to write to the Editor.
    3. Accounts as at 31 May 2008. These figures were agreed, showing a bank balance and carry forward figure of £10,760.24 following authorisation for payment of the three cheques below:
       100197 ROSPA – Play area safety inspection £ 88.13
       100200 Mrs D Carter - Sal £278.87 – Exp £56.96 £335.83
       100201 Browns Plant Hire £176.25
       
    4. Audit 2008 – this has been arranged for Tuesday June 24th.
       
       
11. Planning
    
    1. Applications:
       1/0482/2008/FUL
       Proposed demolition of existing ground floor extension and erection of ground floor and first floor extension
       Broadpark House, High Bickington - Mr & Mrs Newton-Adair
       DECISION: The Parish Council supports the application
    2. Decisions:
       1/0334/2008/FUL
       Demolition of existing house, garage, shed - new build environmentally sustainable house
       Greenwood, Formerly Broadwood Bungalow, Pound Lane, High Bickington.
       Peter Godfrey & Tess Guilding
       DECISION: PC SUPPORTS – 9.4.08
       TDC GRANTED – 13.5.08
       
       
12. Correspondence
    
    1. Notification of conference – South West Life Long Learning Network – Tuesday 15 July 2008. Exeter Court Hotel, Kennford, Exeter – 10am to 4pm. The Clerk will attend.
    2. The Great Torrington & District MCTA Community Plan Review – in circulation pack.
    3. Boundary Commission Review – letter from Devon County Council reported earlier.
       
       
13. Items for information
    Roger Keen reported
    1. Concerns from residents at Libbaton at the removal of the waste recycling facility. District Councillor James Morrish had promised to follow up the possibility of facilities being provided for Libbaton residents and the Clerk was asked to follow this up with him.
    2. Asbestos Survey – David Brown reported that a satisfactory report on the Church Hall has now been received and is safe for public use. Councillors welcomed this report.
    3. Roger Keen reported that the Devon In Touch roadshow will not now be attending the Church Fete on 12 July 2008 – please note the date for your diaries.
    
    
14. Date of next meeting:
    Wednesday 9 July 2008 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.
    

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.45pm.