Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 10 December 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; Peter Kemp, Legal Assistant, Torridge District Council; David Venner, Community Property Trust; 2 members of the public; Mrs Di Carter, Clerk

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

PCSO Sandra Brown was in attendance at the start of the meeting and copies of the Police Newsletter were put in circulation pack and will appear in Ramblings. PCSO Brown said that the level of reported crime was very low in high Bickington. She drew the Council’s attention to advice in the newsletter about the correct course of action when seeing emergency vehicles travelling to an emergency call. There were no questions for PCSO Brown. The Chairman wished PCSO Brown and her colleagues a very happy Christmas and thanked her for their help and assistance during the year.

The Chairman invited Peter Kemp from Torridge District Council to address the meeting and explain the reasons for the Little Bickington Farm application being withdrawn from the Plans Committee meeting on 4th December. Mr Kemp advised that he is a legal assistant at Torridge working specifically with the planning aspects of the District Council.

A decision was made to withdraw the application from the December meeting because of procedural issues and it was felt that the report submitted by the Officers might be open to challenge. The issues involved are:

Torridge District Council acknowledges their mistakes and is doing everything possible to rectify the matter. Peter Kemp is confident the paperwork will be in place for the application to go to the next Plans Committee in January 2009. James Morrish endorsed this statement.

The Chairman wished it to be put on record his commiseration to David Brown and his team that this situation has arisen after all their hard work with the project.

The Chairman thanked Peter Kemp for attending the meeting and for his clear explanation of the situation. Mr Kemp left the meeting.

The Chairman invited District Councillor James Morrish to address the meeting. Councillor Morrish expressed his regret to the Parish Council for the withdrawn planning application.

Councillor Morrish said that as a result of Torridge District Council being upgraded from a “poor” to a “good” Council he is visiting other Councils who find themselves in a similar situation and is offering advice on improving their status.

An Enforcement Officer has been appointed as a result of correspondence from residents and the local MP who have expressed concerns that Torridge District Council were not able to deal effectively with matters of enforcement. Planning Officers were having to deal with enforcement matters in conjunction with their main role and this was proving difficult.

Jill Machin has been appointed as Head of Development Control with Maria Bailey having overall responsibility for the Planning department. The new staffing structure will not have any effect on earlier identified savings in costs.

Budgeting for 2009/10 is under way and meetings are being held with Citizens’ Panels to ascertain the public’s priorities for the Council. The budget will be finalised in mid-February when the Council Tax will be set. It is hoped that for the first time Torridge District Council will be able to achieve a reduction in the Torridge element of the Council Tax of 1-1.5%. This reduction will not result in a reduction in services nor any loss of staff. Savings have been identified to cover this reduction. The Boundary Commission has now confirmed that the date for the report to the Secretary of State will be 13 February 2009, not 31 December 2008 as originally timetabled. This delay will cause problems for budgeting as the result of the review will not now be known before the start of the next financial year.

The Chairman asked James Morrish if he would make enquiries to clarify the number of residential properties in High Bickington used to calculate the Council Tax as there appeared to be some anomalies. The Clerk was asked to send James Morrish the figures supplied to the Parish Council.

As a result of a change in the local Traffic Enforcement Act, Torridge District Council now has responsibility for traffic wardens. A team of 17 wardens is now in place and they are paid out of Torridge funds, these staffing costs being reclaimed from Devon County Council.

Councillor Morrish reported a grant fund available for Parish Councils to help local organisations. The Parish Council will consider a possible application on behalf of a nominated organisation.

The Chairman congratulated James Morrish on the achievements of Torridge District Council and thanked him for his help and support during the year.Councillor Morrish left the meeting.

Matters raised by the public: The Chairman reported an email from the Clerk to Atherington Parish Council, on behalf of their Council, regarding the draft minutes of the November meeting of High Bickington Parish Council, in which he asked for some clarification and a possible amendment to the Minutes. The Chairman had invited the Clerk to attend this meeting to put Atherington’s concerns to the Council but he was unable to do so.

The formal meeting was convened at 8.20pm.

1. Apologies
   Apologies were received from David Brown.
   


2. Declarations of Interest
   Mike Leatham declared an interest in item 6 – Parish Plans. Peter Tucker and Mike Leatham further declared an interest in the planning application item no 12(b)(i).
   


3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on held on 12 November 2008
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2008 were agreed and adopted by Councillors subject to the following amendment: Item 4(b) - to read: “this matter was raised with Nick Mitchell and he agreed to arrange for repairs to be carried out to the serious erosion by the stream”. The Chairman signed the minutes. The Chairman returned to the request from Atherington Parish Council for clarification of the term “Planners” in our November Minutes – item 6 Parish Plans and their request for a correction to a perceived incorrect statement. Atherington Parish Council continue to be concerned at the effect on traffic levels from the proposed Little Bickington Farm project and the Chairman had written to the Clerk to Atherington Parish Council in March 2006 when their concerns were first raised. Traffic considerations have been thoroughly considered throughout the planning process and traffic density in this part of Devon is not deemed to be a reason for refusing the application. A full discussion took place on the implications of the communication from Atherington Parish Council, one Councillor expressing concern at the contents as it appeared to be an attack on an individual. In order to fully understand the concerns of Atherington Parish Council the Clerk was asked to write to the Chairman formally requesting copies of the Minutes of their last three meetings. Mike Leatham said he would also like to look through the minutes covering the last three years’ meetings in order to further establish the ongoing concerns.
   Decision: Councillors unanimously agreed that the November minutes of High Bickington Parish Council reflected a true record of the meeting and saw no reason to amend them further (Item 3, para1).
   


4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 12 November 2008
   
   1. White lines by Doctor’s Surgery: Copies of the proposed lining were circulated to all Councillors. Following a discussion it was agreed to request the following:
      1. The current white line to remain
      2. An allocated parking bay of 5 metres 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.
      4. A white line to be painted from the patients’ bay to the far side of Mrs Mitchell’s entrance to allow easy access to David Venner’s property.

      The Clerk was asked to write to Highways confirming these details. The Parish Council will arrange for required notices to be installed.

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

   2. School Litter Bin: This has been delivered..


5. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows warned residents about the likely increase in thefts in the run up to the Christmas period and urged everyone to ensure their property is secure. Anything suspicious should be reported immediately to the Police and where possible vehicle numbers taken.Stella Burrows hopes to attend the Neighbourhood Watch Forum AGM on February 4th at the Springfield Centre in Bideford. The Chairman thanked Stella Burrows and Helen Carn for their continued Neighbourhood Watch work.
   


6. Parish Plans
   

   David Venner’s report was circulated which included notification of the withdrawal of the Little Bickington Farm Project planning application. There was nothing further to report.



7. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   Chris Brown had nothing to report


8. Freedom of Information Act – Adoption of Model Publication Scheme
   Draft copies of the proposed statement were circulated and following a discussion a final version was agreed. The Clerk will draw up the agreed statement for signature by the Chairman before 1 January 2009. This will be displayed on noticeboards. No further action is required at this time.
   Decision: The Parish Council resolved to adopt the agreed Model Publication Scheme.


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


10. Maintenance
    

    1. Highways – Stan Maskell reported that repairs have been carried out at Seckington and on the road to Atherington. The Lengthsman has also attended to blocked drains.

       The Clerk received a complaint from a resident in Taylors Lane about the serious potholes still unattended to which had resulted in damage to her car. This matter has been reported to Highways who are dealing with the claim. The Clerk was asked to follow up this matter with Highways again as assurance had been given that remedial work would be carried out urgently.

       Devon Bank at Fountain Fields – an e-mail from Highways indicated that they are shortly having a meeting with the developers when this matter will be discussed and a report sent to the Parish Council following the meeting.

    2. (b)Footpaths and Byways – Roger Keen said a further mound of soil has been deposited at Braggs Hill. The Chairman will take this matter up.

       The Chairman reported continuing problems with flooding at Deptford and has taken the matter up with Highways.

    3. Bus Shelter – Following the notice placed in the bus shelter, there had been no comments from members of the public about the proposed work to the bus shelter. Chris Brown will now arrange a quotation for the work as discussed at the previous meeting.

11. Finance
    
    1. Accounts as at 30 November 2008. These were agreed and accepted by Councillors present and showed a bank carry forward figure of £12,833.68 following authorisation for payment of the cheques listed below:
       100229 D Carter – re Barriers Direct – school litter bin £193.44
       100230 Derek Herniman – replacement for stopped cheque £48.38
       100231 D Carter – salary and expenses November £292.94
       
    2. Budget 2009/10: Following a discussion it was agreed that no increase would be made to the precept this year, ie it would remain at £9,600 and would result either in no increase in the Parish Council element of the Council Tax levy or may result in a small reduction. Councillors felt that in view of the current financial situation any increase would put a further burden on households.
       Decision: The Parish Council precept for 2009/10 to be set at £9,600.
    3. VAT Claim: This has now been settled in full and a cheque paid into the Bank.
    4. Audit 2008: The final sign off has been received


12. Planning
    
    1. Applications:
    1. 1/1201/2008/REM Application for approval of reserved matters (external appearance & landscaping) pursuant To outline planning permission 1/1995/2005/OUT for 3 detached houses with on-site parking Milford Cottage Site, Back Lane, Plot 801, High Bickington, for Mr Gooding
       Decision: The Parish Council wishes to make it clear that this site adjoins land included in the application for Little Bickington Farm and our adopted Parish Plan, and we consider that there should be restricted vehicular access on the track to the farm. The Parish Council's pending application envisages that in the longer term this track will be a pedestrian and cycling track providing a safe walkway for schoolchildren to reach the re-located school site. The Parish Council has no comment to make on Mr Gooding's application in view of the pending Parish Council application. Mr Tucker and Dr Leatham both declared a further interest and did not take part in the discussion or decision.
    2. Decisions:
    1. 1/1106/2008/FUL Proposed extension to dwelling Little Lufton, North Road, High Bickington for Mr Tucker
       PC Decision 12.11.08: Supports the application - TDC Decision 4.12.08: Granted
    
    
    3. Correspondence
       
       1. TDC – Register of Electors 2009
       2. TDC – Refuse Collections to March 2009 – for information and noticeboards
       3. DAPC – Notice of new date for report to Secretary of State on the Devon review – 13 February 2009.
       4. DAPC – Notice of offer of long-term loan for upright piano – for circulation.
          
    
    
    4. Items for information
       There were no items for information.
       The Chairman wished everyone a very Happy Christmas.
       
    
    
    5. Date of next meeting:
       Wednesday 14 January 2009 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.
       

    There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.37pm.