Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 8 October 2008
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.30pm

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

In attendance:
District Councillor James Morrish – Leader of Torridge District Council, David Venner – Community Property Trust, Mrs Di Carter – Clerk, 6 members of the public.

The Chairman invited Councillor James Morrish to address the meeting. Councillor Morrish apologised for not attending the previous meeting and reported that Yarnscombe Parish Council are now up and running again following the recent problems and should be back to full strength shortly.

Torridge District Council has now been rated as a good performing Council with good prospects – one of only three in the UK to have achieved this in the past year. Staffing levels have been reduced from 428 to 316, this mainly in the reduction of middle management posts and Councillor Morrish felt this should ensure that the public do not see any reduction in the level of services provided. A decision from the Boundary Commission on the unitary authority for Devon will be made in December and this decision should be known in February 2009. Whatever the outcome Torridge will continue for the current financial year and there will be no change in services delivered during that time. Torridge as a District Council are now placed third in the South West of England and Councillor Morrish said this could not have been achieved without the support of Parish Councils and community groups.

Councillor Morrish said he had received a number of concerns about enforcement and as a result two additional Enforcement Officers have been appointed and will take up their posts next week. This will mean the planning department is up to full strength once more. The Chief Executive had not been successful in his recent application to head the Cornwall unitary authority and will remain at Torridge. Councillor Morrish expressed his full support for the Chief Executive and was pleased he will remain at Torridge.

Stella Burrows asked Councillor Morrish whether Torridge District Council had any investments with the troubled Icelandic Banks. Councillor Morrish outlined Torridge’s investment profile – £11.5million is invested with banking establishments other than the Icelandic Banks and he is confident that the investments are in safe hands.

A member of the public expressed thanks to Torridge for maintaining the weekly rubbish collections and Councillor Morrish confirmed that this service will continue at least for the current financial year.

Councillor Morrish left the meeting.

Matters raised by members of the public:
White lines outside Doctors’ surgery. Following a meeting with the Highways Superintendent for High Bickington it has been established that Highways did not authorise these white lines and would not have sanctioned them in the present situation. Whilst the lines cause some householders problems with access to their properties, others have found them to be advantageous. However, following a discussion it was felt that the lane is part of a much wider traffic problem, particularly with regard to access to North Road. Affected residents were asked to draw up some suggested solutions and the matter would be discussed further with Highways to hopefully reach a solution satisfactory for all. It was felt that the Surgery Practice manager should be included in the discussions.

1. Apologies
   David Brown, PC Rowlands, PCSO Sandra Brown.
   


2. Declarations of Interest
   Mike Leatham declared an interest in item 7 – Parish Plans.
   Grants: Peter Tucker declared an interest in HB Playing Field Association, Libbaton Junior Golf and HB Play Area Group. Stella Burrows and Roger Keen declared an interest in HB Parochial Church Council.


3. Chulmleigh Capital Build Project
   Copies of Peter Tucker’s response were circulated. Peter Tucker reported that Chulmleigh are looking to match fund £450,000 received from Devon County Council as a result of the sale of Exeter Airport. This is to improve facilities for 13-18 year olds. It was felt that it is important that any facilities are easily accessible for all children in the Chulmleigh Learning Community and it is important to ascertain how this will be achieved. Councillors present agreed that Peter Tucker send a further letter outlining the importance of accessibility for the children of High Bickington.
   


4. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on held on 10 September 2008
   Subject to the following amendment, the minutes were agreed and adopted by Councillors: Agenda item 5 – first paragraph – addition of final sentence to read: “Stella Burrows said the Police are unable to be specific on these details.” The Chairman signed the minutes.
   


5. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2008
   
   1. White lines by Doctor’s Surgery: This matter was dealt with prior to the official meeting.
   2. Torridge District Council composter: this has been delivered to the School. Five letters have been received from children at the School requesting a replacement litter bin for the entrance. Councillors were appreciative of these well-written letters bringing this matter to their attention. The Clerk was asked to look into the supply of a new bin on the understanding that the School Caretaker continues to empty it. The Clerk was also asked to respond to the letters from the children.
   3. Repairs to Noticeboard: The Chairman has spoken with Derek Herniman who feels that there is no need to replace the door and key. The glass only needs to be replaced and the suggestion is that toughened glass is used. Councillors present agreed that the Chairman take this matter forward with Derek Herniman.
   4. Visit of Mr Adam Symons: the Chairman has spoken with Mr Symons and a visit will be arranged when a suitable issue needs to be discussed.
   
   
6. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows said the Police had sent apologies for not attending this meeting and for not submitting a newsletter. They had also apologised for being unable to attend the Fete. The only incident to report was the theft of diesel at Umberleigh.
   


7. Parish Plans
   David Venner’s report was circulated. The revised planning application has been submitted to Torridge and to date 10 letters of opposition have been received, including Atherington Parish Council and Tetlow King Planning. Two letters of support have been received to date. David Venner reported on the AGM of the Community Property Trust held on 11 September when David Brown was re-elected as Chairman. 10 New shareholders have applied to join the Community Property Trust within the last month which is encouraging.


8. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   Chris Brown reported that there are no problems at present.


9. Matters raised by the Chairman
   
   1. Boundary Committee review: The Chairman said there have been no further developments.
   
   
10. Maintenance
    
    1. Highways – Stan Maskell reported on a meeting with Nick Mitchell, Highways Superintendent covering High Bickington on Tuesday 7 October. Stella Burrows and the Clerk also attended. In addition to the white lines outside the Doctors’ surgery, various issues were raised and Mr Mitchell agreed to follow these up and report back to the Clerk – these included the wall at Fountains Field, the drainage problems on the road at Deptford and drainage problems at the entrance to the village by the bus stop. Mr Mitchell confirmed that orders agreeing the adoption of the roads at Fountains Field have been signed. Areas due to be patched include Taylors Lane, Bales Ash and Vauterhill. Surface dressing will be carried out in the next financial year on the road from Dobbs to Atherington. It has also been agreed that scalpings will be delivered to repair the bridleway at the top of Taylors Lane. Mike Leatham has kindly offered to arrange for these to be laid.
    2. Footpaths and Byways – Deepy Lane. The Clerk was asked to contact Jonathan Rowlands to ensure this receives attention. The footpath from Old Park towards Nethergrove Lane – Roger Keen has spoken to the owner who has agreed to cut the hedge and replace the fence.
    3. Bus Shelter – Peter Tucker reported that further damage has been done to seating in the bus shelter. A quotation had already been received to carry out repairs previously necessary but this further damage will require additional remedial work. The Clerk reported notification of grant funding for this type of work from O2 which had been forwarded to Parish Councils from DAPC. The Clerk was asked to follow this up and Chris Brown will obtain a further quotation from Mr Copp for the additional work required.


11. Finance
    
    1. Accounts as at 29 September 2008. These were agreed and accepted by Councillors present and showed a bank carry forward figure of £10,631.68 following authorisation for payment of the cheques listed below:
       100214 D Snell – bus shelter £75.00
       100215 HBPFA & Play Area Group £200.00
       100216 HB Youth Judo Group £100.00
       100217 Libbaton Junior Golf £100.00
       100218 HB PCC £100.00
       100219 The Meeting Point £100.00
       100220 HB Primary School £100.00
       100221 CPT Quarry Wood Committee £100.00
       100222 D Carter - Salary & Expenses Sept £282.25
       
    2. Grants 2009/10 – The grant notice had not appeared in Ramblings due to computer failure but the Clerk reported applications for grants from 9 local organisations. It was agreed therefore to consider these applications. Declarations of interest were recorded at the start of the meeting and following a discussion it was agreed that £100 from the additional grant budget be transferred to allow £900 to be available for distribution. Councillors present and eligible to vote (4) agreed that £100 be awarded to each of the following organisations for payment in October/November 2009: HB Playing Field Association, HB Youth Judo Club, Libbaton Junior Golf, HB Parochial Church Council, The Meeting Point, HB Play Area Group, HB Primary School PFA, Community Property Trust Quarry Wood Committee and the HB Toddler Group
    3. Audit 2008 – the final sign off is awaited.
    
    
12. Planning
    
    1. Applications received:
    1. 1/1024/2008/CPE Certificate of lawfulness – use of land as garden ancillary to a dwellinghouse Seckington Barn, High Bickington. This is not a planning application – request for confirmation of accuracy of statements made.PC Decision: Councillors present agreed that to the best of their knowledge the statements made were accurate.
    2. Decisions:
    1. 1/0522/2008/FUL Alterations comprising lst floor extension over garage and conservatory. Fewings, Mill Road, High Bickington Mr & Mrs C Gooding PC decision 10.9.08: Supports the application, TDC decision 23.9.08: Granted
    3. Correspondence
       
       1. TDC – Housing and Council Tax Benefit – request to work in partnership with Parish Councils to advertise the availability of benefits. A notice will be put on the noticeboards at the Meeting Point and the School entrance. The Clerk was asked to request that a copy of the notice be sent to Ramblings.
       2. DPFA – notification of workshops to support volunteers to improve access to sport and play facilities. No Councillors were able to attend.
       3. North Devon Council – response to Boundary Commission proposals – in circulation pack.
       4. Great Torrington Community School – requesting views on whether to transfer to Foundation Status – Response to be considered.
       5. Zurich Insurance – information re changes to the Zurich Financial Services Group – noted.
       
       
       6. Items for information
          There were no items for information.
          
       7. Date of next meeting:
          Wednesday 12 November 2008 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.
          

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