Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 12 March 2008
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.30pm

Present:
Myc Riggulsford (Chairman), Chris Brown, David Brown, Stella Burrows, Roger Keen, Stan Maskell

In attendance:
Mr James Morrish, Torridge District Councillor, Mr David Venner – CPT Ltd, 3 members of the public, Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

The Chairman welcomed Mr James Morrish to the meeting and invited him to address the Council.

James Morrish referred to the Torridge leaflet which was delivered with the Council Tax statements and recommended that everyone read the contents.

Councillor Morrish also informed the Council that his Deputy Leader, Mr Des Shadrick, is seriously ill in hospital. He paid tribute to Mr Shadrick’s work at Torridge and Parish Councillors joined James Morrish in sending their best wishes.

James Morrish reported that the Boundary Commission is engaged in discussions regarding possible ‘Unitary’ options for the future organisation of Local Government in Devon. This could result in one of three options being put forward for consideration by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government:

1. One overall council to run all the services in Devon, thus removing the District Councils.
2. One authority divided into three areas each with its own unitary authority.
3. The County divided into two, north and south.

James Morrish feels whichever option is decided upon, it will mean more responsibility for Parish Councils. He is confident nothing will be put in place until the end of the current 4-year term, it will be up to the Minister to make a recommendation in due course.

Torridge District Council is likely to be upgraded at the next assessment which is very encouraging. The sale of the New Street car park in Torrington has been put on hold until such time as a strategy for disposing of assets is adopted. James Morrish feels that everyone in the Torridge district should be entitled to be consulted on these matters.

In response to a question James Morrish says he has taken on board the fact that Essex County Council is taking over the post offices and this will be considered in Torridge, but the lack of current resources would make it impossible to contemplate at the present time. James Morrish said it may be possible to provide a mobile post office in conjunction with the Devon bus.

James Morrish said that all letters of complaint to Torridge District Council are now seen by him. Some concern was expressed at the loss of two senior Planning officers. James Morrish said recruitment to an overall planning post with an annual salary of £75,000 is under way. Maria Bailey will continue to oversee the LDF process.

The Chairman said the planning meeting he attended with Stan Maskell had been very worthwhile but he would welcome more opportunity for dialogue between officers and delegates. James Morrish said he was planning a follow up meeting to facilitate this.

The request from horse riders for more warning signs was reported to James Morrish.

The Chairman thanked him for his report and James Morrish left the meeting.

There were no matters raised by the public.


The formal meeting was convened at 8.02pm.

1. Apologies
   Apologies were received from Mike Leatham and Peter Tucker.
   
   
2. Declarations of Interest
   David Brown declared a personal interest in item 6 – Parish Plans.
   
   
3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 13 February 2008
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2008 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. The Chairman signed the Minutes.
   
   
4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 February 2008
   
   1. Removal of recycling pavilion at the Playing Field. The Clerk reported that she has been told that a letter will be sent shortly informing the Council that the recycling pavilion is due to be removed in early April. It does appear that this facility will be lost to the village.
   2. County Council Locality Budget – No suggestions for grant funding have been received but the Chairman urged Councillors to consider possible applications as a matter or urgency.
      
      
5. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows reported that there has been significant vandalism at the Community Woodland. The Police have been informed. The Chairman asked everyone to be vigilant and to report immediately anything suspicious. PC Rowlands is now in post as the Beat Officer for this area. The Home Office is asking for details of all Neighbourhood Watch members in each Parish.
   
   
6. Parish Plans
   
   1. Copies of the March update were circulated to Councillors and the Chairman invited David Venner to address the meeting. Good progress is being made on the planning application for Little Bickington Farm and it is hoped that the timescale will be met. David Venner reminded everyone to return their business survey forms if they wish to start up or expand a business and need work space. The Housing Needs Survey is published and is on the agenda for adoption by the Parish Council. David Brown reported that Devon County Council are not currently able to finance the new school, but it is hoped that everything will be in place to go ahead when the necessary finance becomes available. It is also hoped that a full planning application can be submitted for the school rather than an outline one previously intended.
      
   2. Housing Needs Survey Report. This is an independent report prepared by the Community Council of Devon and shows a need in the village for at least 16 affordable homes in the next few years. Councillors present were given the opportunity to read the summary of the report. The CPT recommended to the Parish Council that it adopts the report.
      
      Decision: Proposed by Myc Riggulsford, seconded by Chris Brown Councillors present and eligible to vote (5) voted unanimously to adopt the survey report.
      
      The Clerk was asked to write to the Community Council of Devon, sending a copy to Maria Bailey at Torridge, County Councillor John Rawlinson and District Councillor James Morrish confirming that the Parish Council has adopted the report. David Brown said that the CPT will now contact those who have registered an interest in the affordable housing and a formal application form will be drawn up. The Chairman reported that currently the average annual income in Torridge is £14,000 and the average house price £206,000, which is 15 times higher than the average income.
      
      
   3. Website. David Brown reported that the current hosting agency for the website has put its fees up to £180 per annum from March and it has been decided not to renew the contract. As an interim measure David Brown’s son will take over the hosting arrangements. It is hoped that it will be possible for the Clerk to access the website to update material.
      
      
7. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   
   1. Play area monitoring. Chris Brown reported that the gate and fencing has been installed.
   2. Play Area Safety Inspection – The clerk reported that ROSPA has been asked to carry out the inspection and a date is awaited.
   3. Skateboard facility – no further communication has been forthcoming and this matter will be put on hold for the time being.
   4. The Chairman reported that Derek Jones will continue to carry out grounds maintenance work for the Parish Council.
      
      
8. Matters raised by the Chairman
   
   1. Policy on wind turbines. The Chairman presented a policy statement for adoption by the Council. With one amendment to ensure clarity on approval for planning applications the policy was unanimously agreed by Councillors present. The Clerk was asked to forward this to Torridge District Council with a request that it be included in the Local Development Framework. (Appendix A)
      
      
   2. Ramblings. The Chairman reported communications with the new Editor of Ramblings about the inclusion of full Parish Council minutes in the magazine as has been the case previously. Introducing a charging policy for the inclusion of full minutes has been suggested. A lengthy discussion followed and Councillors agreed that the magazine is widely read and appreciated and they felt it was important that subscribers be given the opportunity to express their views on the future format and content. The Clerk was asked to invite the Editor, Treasurer and Sharne Worrall to the Annual Parish Meeting on 14 May.
      
      
   3. Annual Parish and Annual Parish Council meetings – the Chairman reminded everyone of the forthcoming meetings.
      
      
   4. The Chairman reported a further copy letter from Burrington Parish Council regarding Eaglescott Airfield. The Devon Air Ambulance is happy that helicopter flights are restricted to 999 calls and that no commercial helicopter facilities are introduced. Negotiations are under way with North Devon District Council on this matter.
      
      
9. Maintenance
   Highways
   
   1. Update on drainage work. The Clerk read an e-mail from Sherri Henry informing the Council that the Lengthsmen has been asked to revisit the village this coming Friday (14th). Other work was also outlined and the Clerk was asked to report serious potholes in the road from Whitebridge Kennels at Old Park. The matter will continue to be monitored.
   Footpaths and Byways
   
   1. Roger Keen reported that he has received agreement from Devon County Council for name signs to be erected on unclassified roads. He will arrange for this work to be carried out.
   2. The Clerk reported a cheque for £175.00 from the DCC Footpaths fund.
      
      
10. Finance
    Accounts as at 27 February 2008. These figures were agreed, showing a bank balance and carry forward figure of £9,311.30 following authorisation for payment of the three cheques below:
    100188 Mrs D Snell £ 75.00
    100189 Mrs D Carter £274.16
    100190 The Meeting Point £ 70.00
    
    
11. Planning
    
    1. Applications:
       1/0221/2008/FUL
       Extending existing rear porch for single storey utility room
       Shuteley House, High Bickington
       Mr & Mrs C MacKinnon
       Decision: The Parish Council supports the application.
       
    2. Decisions:
       No decisions had been received.
       
       
12. Correspondence
    
    1. Letter from Chief Constable, Mr Stephen Otter, re policing service in Devon – the letter was reported and put in circulation pack.
    2. E-mail re Horse and rider signs at Boreat Barton. It was felt that as the majority of the area in question did not fall within High Bickington Parish Council boundary this be referred to the Clerk at Atherington, with a copy to County Councillor Joe Tucker (Atherington) and County Councillor John Rawlinson (High Bickington). It was suggested that if any further safety problems are encountered by horse riders they try to take the registration numbers of the cars involved and report the matter to the police.
    3. South West Lifelong Learning Network, Plymouth – questionnaire. Copies were circulated to all Councillors with a request that they be completed and returned to the Clerk at the meeting in April.
       
       
13. Items for information
    Roger Keen reported an approach from a member of the public regarding the reported 10% increase in the Parish Council precept. The Chairman explained that the number of houses in the Parish has increased and therefore the total precept is spread more widely and may result in a lower tax per household. Anyone who has any queries on this or related matters is welcome to discuss it with any Councillor or attend a Parish Council meeting to raise it.
    
    
14. Date of next meeting:
    Wednesday 9 April 2008 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.
    

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20pm.