Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 14 January 2009
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.30pm

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

In attendance:
District Councillor James Morrish (8.30 – 8.45pm); 3 members of the public; Mrs Di Carter, Clerk

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

PCSO Sandra Brown sent her apologies.

Questions from members of the public: It was reported that the Devon bank at the Barton Meadow play area opposite the noticeboard has broken down. The Clerk was asked to report this to the relevant agency.

The formal meeting was convened at 7.40pm.

1. Apologies
   Apologies were received from Peter Tucker and David Venner.
   

   The Chairman and Councillors were saddened to learn of the death of Mr Stan Tucker, a much respected past District Councillor who had worked tirelessly for the community. The Clerk was asked to send condolences to Mrs Tucker and her family.



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


3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on held on 10th December 2008
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2008 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. The Chairman signed the minutes.
   


4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2008
   
   1. White lines by Doctor’s Surgery: This work has not yet been carried out. The Clerk was asked to follow up with Highways.
   2. Atherington Parish Council: The letter from the Clerk to Atherington Parish Council was noted and it was felt no further action was required.
   3. District Councillor James Morrish - grant funding: The Clerk had received copies of the funding pack and a discussion took place on local facilities which might benefit from additional funding. Suggestions were: Children’s play area at the Playing Field, the Church Hall which is in need of upgrading, and the Toddler Group. David Brown will discuss with Peter Tucker.
   4. Freedom of Information Act – Adoption of Model Publication Scheme. The Clerk reported that copies of the statement have been placed on noticeboards to comply with new regulations.
   
   
   5. Police Matters
      Stella Burrows regretted that she will be unable to attend two Neighbourhood Watch meetings in February, but reports of the meetings will be obtained. PCSO Sandra Brown had sent the January 2009 newsletter which showed that from 12 December 2008 to 11 January 2009 High Bickington had been crime free. The newsletter contained advice on farm security, this is particularly important due to the steady increase in the number of rural thefts in Devon. The full report will be published in Ramblings. Stella Burrows also raised the matter of speeding vehicles on village roads, this is being dealt with under item 9.
      
   
   
   6. Parish Plans
      David Brown reported that the revised Little Bickington Farm planning application is due to go before Torridge District Council Plans Committee tomorrow, Thursday 15th January. The report has been re-written to cover those issues which it was felt might be open to challenge. The question of ownership of the land in dispute is still under investigation. The Chairman reported an approach from a landowner regarding the Milford Cottages application; he had recommended they write directly to Torridge District Council expressing their concerns.
   
   
   7. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
      Chris Brown had nothing to report. He is carrying out regular safety checks
   
   
   8. Matters raised by the Chairman
      The Chairman raised the matter of letters he has written as Chairman of the Parish Council as a supporting document for planning applications prior to their submission to Torridge District Council. Two such letters were written in 2008 and both stated that the views expressed should not prejudice the decision of the Parish Council when the application was submitted. These letters were reported but not minuted. The Chairman felt the problem had arisen as a result of the pre-planning system whereby either Planners or Architects are requesting applicants to obtain a letter from the relevant Parish Council in advance of submission. The Clerk had received advice from the Devon Association of Parish Councils that this practice should not continue unless the letters were agreed by the full Council before sending. The Chairman felt that in order to avoid misunderstandings and a possible conflict of interest, a procedure for this matter should be adopted. Following a discussion it was agreed to adopt the following resolution:
      Resolution:
      1. Where an applicant requests a letter of support from the Parish Council prior to submitting the planning application, this request should be brought to a full Council meeting for approval and a suitable letter agreed if it is deemed appropriate to send one. Any such letter should be minuted.
      2. In the event that there is a time constraint, the request and a draft letter can be notified to all Councillors by e-mail, telephone or post for approval and reported to the first Parish Council meeting following for inclusion in the Minutes. Councillors are keen to support residents wherever possible, but feel that it is important that such support is seen to be transparent, available to all and is fully reported in the Minutes.
   
   
   9. Maintenance
      
      1. Highways – Stan Maskell reported that some further repairs have been carried out. He felt that the provision of a salt box on Fountains Field for use in icy conditions would be beneficial. The Clerk was asked to follow this up with Highways.
         1. Vehicle speeds on country lanes. This matter of concern has been raised by a resident with a suggestion that 20mph limits be installed. The Clerk had followed this up with Highways and had been told that such a speed limit was unlikely to be agreed. The main offenders were felt to be delivery vans and the advice was that where possible the names and registration numbers be obtained and reported to the Clerk. A letter would then be written to the company reporting the offending vehicle. Highways felt this approach would normally act as a deterrent.
         2. Taylors Lane - This work has yet to be completed on the lane from Whitebridge Kennels to Old Park.
         3. Devon Bank at Fountain Fields – The Clerk was asked to contact Highways to ascertain progress in this matter.
      2. Footpaths and Byways – Roger Keen has completed his annual survey and will submit the report form. Roger Keen suggested the installation of two kissing gates, one at the top of Taylors Lane and the other at Windy Castle. Councillors agreed that quotes be obtained for discussion at the next meeting. The fencing alongside the bridle path from Old Park to the top of Nethergrove is in need of remedial work. Councillors felt this was the responsibility of the landowner and Roger Keen will follow this up.
      3. Bus Shelter – Despite requesting three quotations only one has been received from Nik Copp as follows:
         To remove seats and replace with timber slats over blockwork, patch internal walls and build solid wall around inside of shelter: £918.88
         To Clean walls, spray walls and paint new and existing walls, Stain seats £225.00
         Total: £1,143.88
         Decision: In the absence of other quotations, Councillors present agreed to accept the quotation from Mr Copp for the work as listed for a total sum of £1,143.88.

   The formal meeting was adjourned at 8.30pm to allow District Councillor James Morrish to address the meeting.

   Councillor Morrish outlined the requirements for his grant funding and asked that any applications be submitted to him within 3 weeks.

   Councillor Morrish wished to add his condolences to the family of Stan Tucker with whom he had had a close association.

   Councillor Morrish reported on current budget meetings at Torridge District Council following meetings with the Citizens’ Panel which had proved to be useful in establishing priorities for the electorate. It is hoped that there will be a 0% increase in the Torridge element of the Council Tax and maybe a small reduction which will be a noteworthy achievement without making cuts to essential services. The Boundary Commission decision is due to be announced in March.

   Councillor Morrish reported with sadness the death of his colleague Bill Tanton.

   Councillor Morrish offered his continued support for the Little Bickington Farm project and is hopeful that the outcome of the revised planning application will be a positive one.

   Councillor Morrish will ask one of his Officers to contact the Clerk to explain the figures for housing used to calculate the Parish Council element of the Council Tax.

   Councillor Morrish left the meeting and the formal was re-convened at 8.45pm.

   10. Finance
       
       1. Accounts as at 30 December 2008. These were agreed and accepted by Councillors present and showed a bank carry forward figure of £12,759.84 following authorisation for payment of the cheques listed below:
          100232 SLCC Subscription £72.00
          100233 D Carter – Salary and expenses £293.86
          
   
   
   11. Planning
       
       1. Applications:
       1. 1/1121/2008/LBCDavid Brown had declared an interest in this application and did not comment on the plans.
          Alternative proposal and design for the conversion of former barn to dwelling & associated works, Snape Farm, High Bickington, Mr & Mrs J Hedges. This application was circulated to all Councillors eligible to comment who agreed the following response.
          RESPONSE sent: The Parish Council supports the application which is a very good use and restoration of a redundant and derelict farm building which would be unsuitable as a holiday cottage.
       2. 1/1128/2008/FUL6Kw wind turbine to produce electricity for Millbrook Farm Holiday cottages, Millbrook, High Bickington for Mr Robert Boothby
          Decision: The Parish Council supports this application in line with its adopted policy on domestic renewable energy.
       2. Decisions:
       1. 1/1152/2008/FULInstallation of domestic detached wind turbine at Seckington Barn, High Bickington for Mr Herbert Spencer
          PC Decision 12.11.08: Supports the application - TDC Decision 16.12.08: Granted
       
       
       3. Correspondence
          
          1. Letter of thanks from Peter Worrall for grant funding received from County Councillor John Rawlinson towards refurbishment of the pavilion at the Playing Field.
          2. TDC – Town/Parish Councillors Allowances – in information pack – decision referred to the meeting in February.
          3. DCC – Parish Biodiversity Audit for High Bickington – The Chairman will complete.
          4. DCC – Area North Highway Management – Bus Stop data update – The Clerk will complete.
             
       
       
       4. Items for information
          Roger Keen asked Councillors to consider the installation of a noticeboard at Fountains Field by the play area. The Clerk was asked to obtain a quotation and Roger Keen and Stan Maskell were asked to canvas opinions as to whether a noticeboard would have the support of residents.
       
       
       5. Date of next meeting:
          Wednesday 11 February 2009 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.
          

       There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.05pm.