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

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

In attendance:
County Councillor John Rawlinson, Mrs Di Carter – Clerk. No members of the public were present.

The Chairman welcomed County Councillor Rawlinson and invited him to address the meeting.

Councillor Rawlinson presented the Parish Council with a cheque for £1,000 from his Community fund, made out to High Bickington Playing Field Association for refurbishment of the pavilion. Councillors expressed their gratitude to Councillor Rawlinson for this funding and asked the Clerk to forward the cheque to Peter Worrall.

Councillor Rawlinson reported that December 17th is the date by which the Boundary Commission will report to Ministers on their recommendations. The Minister responsible for making the final decision is Hazel Blears and her decision is likely to be made known in February 2009. The final outcome remains uncertain.

The Chairman asked Councillor Rawlinson to relay the Council’s thanks to the Highways team for their help in dealing with recent highways matters. It is felt that the working relationship has improved and is much appreciated. A survey of the surface of “C” roads is under way to test their stability. As far as “D” roads are concerned, Councillor Rawlinson advised that any specific complaints will be dealt with, but repairs are restricted to serious potholes.

David Brown updated Councillor Rawlinson on the Little Bickington Farm Project planning application – it is due to go to Torridge District Council Planning Committee on 4 December with a recommendation for approval. It will then be sent to Government Office South West before it goes before the Full Council in January. Councillor Rawlinson confirmed his continued support for the project.

Councillor Rawlinson left the meeting.

1. Apologies
   David Venner - CPT, Herbert Spencer – re item 11(a)(ii)
   


2. Declarations of Interest
   David Brown and Mike Leatham declared an interest in item 6 – Parish Plans.
   


3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on held on 8 October 2008
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2008 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. The Chairman signed the minutes.
   


4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2008
   
   1. White lines by Doctor’s Surgery: The Chairman reported on a site meeting requested by the Parish Council in an effort to try to resolve the access and parking problems in the road outside the Doctors’ Surgery. Nick Mitchell, Highways Superintendent, Bill Banting, Senior Traffic Technician for Devon County Council, the Chairman, David Venner, Tim Webb and the Clerk were in attendance. At the invitation of the Parish Council the Surgery Practice Manager also attended. Following various suggestions to resolve the problems in the road it was suggested, subject to the approval of the Surgery personnel, to recommend the following to full Council:
      1. The current white line to remain
      2. An allocated parking bay to be installed outside The Green with “Doctor” painted on the road. This is to allow Doctors on call to be able to respond quickly to emergencies.
      3. A further allocated parking bay to be installed outside the Surgery as a drop off point for patients attending the Surgery. Bill Banting advised that they would not be able to sign this bay on the road. He suggested a notice on the wall of the surgery.
      4. Two signs – one on the wall of the surgery indicating “drop off” parking for patients only, and one on the wall of the Meeting Point “no parking, residents only”. The white lines are advisory only and Councillors felt the Surgery should be asked to police the new parking arrangements.

      Following a discussion Councillors regretted that the original white line had been painted without proper consultation with the Parish Council and Highways as this could lead to a precedent being set for other householders. Unauthorised work should not be seen to be approved by the Council. However, it was agreed that in this instance the Council would approve the suggestions as a trial in an effort to solve the parking problems. The Council would further fund the purchase of two signs as suggested. Pending a decision from the Surgery, the Clerk was asked to authorise Highways to carry out the work.

      Decision: The Parish Council will authorise the suggested work if agreed by the Surgery. Councillors further agreed to fund two signs.

      NB – Following the meeting the Practice Manager has agreed to the proposals.

   2. Chulmleigh Capital Build Project: There was nothing further to report.
   3. School Litter Bin: The Clerk reported that Torridge District Council have offered a 240L wheelie bin free of charge and the School has accepted this offer. However, a replacement litter bin is still required and a choice of 3 bins was presented, all of a similar value (Max £170). Councillors agreed that the final choice should be left to the children who had requested the bin and the Clerk was asked to order the bin once a decision was made.

   4. Grants 2009: David Brown asked the Council to consider granting the newly formed Toddler Group an immediate grant to help with the setting up costs. The group was fulfilling a much needed facility for local families.

      David Brown did not take part in the following discussion or decision.

      Decision: Following a discussion, Councillors eligible to vote (7) agreed unanimously that in addition to the grant for 2009, the Toddler Group be awarded an immediate grant of £100.



5. Police Matters
   There had been no contact with the Police. Stella Burrows reminded everyone to be extra vigilant in the present financial climate, particularly in the period to Christmas and not to leave valuable items on view. She further warned to secure oil, diesel, machinery etc. There have been reports of farm stock being taken – a Farm Watch is in operation throughout Torridge and any concerns should be reported immediately to them and to the Police.
   


6. Parish Plans
   

   David Venner’s report was circulated. David Brown confirmed that the revised application will go to Torridge Plans Committee on 4th December with a recommendation for approval. This will be put to the full Council at their meeting in January. Councillors agreed to ask David Brown to speak on behalf of both the Community Property Trust and the Parish Council in support of the application. David Brown will approach the Headteacher to invite him to speak on behalf of the School.

   The Chairman reported that the Clerk to Atherington Parish Council has asked it to be made clear to High Bickington Parish Council that their objection was purely on the grounds of increased traffic through their village and they did not in any way object to the plans for a new school, community centre and affordable housing.

   David Brown said that the concerns raised about increased traffic had been dismissed by Planners when the first application was submitted and he had been advised that the same ruling would apply to this application.



7. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   Chris Brown said there was nothing to report


8. Matters raised by the Chairman
   The Chairman did not wish to raise any matters.


9. Maintenance
   

   1. Highways – Stan Maskell reported on the launch of The Country Mile Project. The A377 is one of a few areas in the country highlighted by the Government for funding for safety investigation. The A377 has an unacceptably high number of accidents and local drivers are responsible for the majority of these. In contrast the accidents on the A361 are mainly caused by drivers from outside the area. Updates on the progress of the scheme will be circulated. Councillors thanked Stan Maskell for attending the Launch on their behalf.

      The wild raspberry bushes in Barton Meadow Road have been cut back.

   2. Footpaths and Byways – Deepy Lane. This matter was raised with Nick Mitchell and he agreed to arrange for repairs to be carried out to the serious potholes.

   3. Bus Shelter – Following the Clerk’s successful application for funding from the O2 “Working with your Community” award, the Council has been awarded £600 towards refurbishment of the bus shelter. Chris Brown felt that the seating should be replaced with a block base rendered in keeping with the rest of the shelter. It was suggested that timber slats be used for the top. The Clerk was asked to put a notice in the shelter informing people of the proposals and asking anyone with any suggestions to please contact any Councillor before the next meeting on 10 December when a final decision will be made.

10. Finance
    
    1. Accounts as at 30 October 2008: These were agreed and accepted by Councillors present and showed a bank carry forward figure of £9,655.34 following authorisation for payment of the cheques listed below:
       100223 Derek Jones – Grasscutting September £60.00
       100224 Derek Herniman – repairs to noticeboard £48.38
       100225 D Carter – salary and expenses October £282.29
       100226 Derek Jones - October £90.00
       100227 Ramblings subscription £5.00
       100228 High Bickington Toddler Group (agreed item 4(e) £100.00
       
    2. Budget 2009/10: The draft budget was discussed. A contingency amount has been included to cover possible additional expenses as a result of the Boundary Commission review decision. Councillors were keen to ensure that in view of the present financial climate households were not faced with further increases in their Council Tax payments and for this reason the Clerk was asked to look further into the possible affect of the Commission decision and to ascertain the affect of any increase on individual households. There is a slight increase in the number of households in the village and all these points will be taken into consideration, but the Parish Council is hopeful that it can fix the Precept to ensure that any increase will be kept to a minimum.
    3. VAT Claim: VAT office London has raised a query with regard to payments made in respect of the Little Bickington Farm Project expenses incurred in drawing up the revised planning application. A letter has been sent outlining the position of the Parish Council and a reply is awaited.
    4. Audit 2008: The final sign off is awaited.


11. Planning
    
    1. Applications:
    1. 1/1106/2008/FUL Proposed extension to dwelling: Little Lufton, North Road, High Bickington. for Mr Tucker.
       Decision: The Council supports the application
    2. 1/1152/2008/FUL Installation of domestic detached wind turbine Seckington Barn, High Bickington for Mr Herbert Spencer.
       Decision: This application is in line with the Parish Council’s policy on domestic renewable energy and therefore the Council supports it.
    2. Decisions:
    1. 1/1024/2004/CPE Certificate of lawfulness – use of land as garden ancillary to a dwellinghouse, Seckington Barn, High Bickington.
       TDC Decision 24.10.08: GRANTED - PC Decision 8.10.08: Confirmed information correct as stated
    
    
    3. Correspondence
       
       1. Letters of thanks for grants – received from Libbaton Junior Golf, Youth Judo Group, The Meeting Point and High Bickington PCC.
       2. Torridge Community Transport Association – request for grant funding. The Clerk was asked to write to say the Council regrets all grants for this year have been awarded, however, if the Association would like their request to be considered next year to please let us know. The Clerk was also asked to ascertain what use is made of the service by residents of High Bickington.
       3. TDC – List of dates for wheeled bin collections. This list was put in the circulation pack and copies will be placed on noticeboards.
       4. DCC Boundary Commission Review – notice of Parish and Town Council events
          
    
    
    4. Items for information
       There were no items for information.
       
    
    
    5. Date of next meeting:
       Wednesday 10 December 2008 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.
       

    There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.52pm.