Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 11 February 2009
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.30pm

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

In attendance:
County Councillor John Rawlinson; District Councillor Geoff Lee; David Venner – Community Property Trust; 4 members of the public; Mrs Di Carter, Clerk

PC Richard Rowlands and PCSO Sandra Brown sent their apologies.

The Chairman welcomed John Rawlinson and Geoff Lee to the meeting. County Councillor Rawlinson reported that he will be standing down in June and introduced his prospective successor, Geoff Lee.

County Councillor Rawlinson reported that the date for a Government decision on the Boundary Commission report has been put back to 15 July 2009. A decision was due to be made on 13 February. This delay will mean that no change can be put into place until at least April 2011 which will coincide with the end of the current Council term. Regarding the budget for next year Councillor Rawlinson reported that Devon County Council has agreed the lowest increase since 1998, at 2.89%. This will result in an increased revenue for the County of over £8million. £5.75million has been earmarked for economic regeneration, £1.25million for flood protection. There will be an 11.48% increase in the amount spent on roads and an amount of £255.8million will be invested in services to enable the elderly and infirm to stay in their own homes. In view of recent child protection cases an increased amount of £2.4million will be set aside for children’s social care. Devon County Council continues to lobby Government for an increase in the amount of funding for education. There will be a reduction of 3% in administration and support services. The Fire Service element of the Council Tax will be increased by 3.5%-3.9% which will equate to an increase for a Band D property of 5p per week.

In response to a question Councillor Rawlinson confirmed that Devon County Council pays suppliers within 30 days.

Councillor Rawlinson reported that he has some funding available for local organisations and asked the Parish Council to consider possible projects which might benefit from this.

Councillor Rawlinson and Councillor Lee left the meeting.

Mr Gerry Stevens raised a Community Property Trust report in Ramblings which mentioned “partner builders” and said he had received telephone calls from concerned residents who felt this suggested that developers had already been appointed. The Chairman and David Venner confirmed that this was not the case, no contract has been nor will be awarded until tenders have been sought. The “partner builder” is a builder working with the Community Property Trust purely to enable likely costings to be established. The Chairman expressed his surprise that Mr Stevens was receiving telephone calls on this subject and felt strongly that it would have been more appropriate for members of the public to contact any Parish Councillor, David Brown as Chairman of the Community Property Trust or David Venner in his office at the Meeting Point (tel. 560161 on Thursdays or Fridays) who is managing the project on behalf of the village. It would also be beneficial if any residents have strong feelings on any subject that they attend the Parish Council meeting and raise their concerns directly with the Council

1. Apologies
   Apologies were received from David Brown.
   


2. Declarations of Interest
   Mike Leatham declared an interest in item 6 – Parish Plans.
   Peter Tucker declared an interest in the planning application – item 11(a) (tenant of field).
   


3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on held on 14th January 2009
   Subject to the following two amendments, the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2009 were agreed and adopted by Councillors:
   Item 5 – Police matters: “this is being dealt with under item 9” to be deleted and replaced with; “and brought to Council’s attention that Police would be using unmarked vehicles”.
   Item 10(b) – second sentence to read: “one at the field above Taylors Cottage”.
   The Chairman signed the minutes.
   


4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 14th January 2009
   
   1. White lines by Doctor’s Surgery: This work has not yet been carried out.
   2. Devon Bank at Barton Meadow: This has been reported but to date the repairs have not taken place. The Clerk has been informed that much Highways work has been delayed due to the recent weather conditions.
   3. District Councillor James Morrish - grant funding: Peter Tucker reported that the High Bickington Playing Fields Association is applying for a grant to upgrade and enhance the play area at the Playing Field. Torridge District Council has requested a letter of support from the Parish Council for this application and Councillors present unanimously agreed to support it. The Clerk was asked to write the letter on behalf of the Council.
   4. Noticeboard at Fountains Field: Stan Maskell and Chris Brown said there was little evidence of support for this.
   5. Town/Parish Councillors’ expenses: Details of possible payment of Councillors’ expenses had been circulated and following a discussion it was agreed not to make a firm ruling for the Council to adopt or not adopt the payment of expenses. It was felt that if any Councillor required reimbursement of expenses for any reason, they speak to the Chairman confidentially and a decision will be made on an individual basis. It was agreed that any new Councillors should be informed that the facility to pay expenses is available.
   
   
5. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows reported the February Police newsletter which gave safety advice to drivers during bad weather. There was little crime to report, a car wing mirror had been broken and there were reported incidents of minor damage and nuisance. The Police have increased patrols in the village.
   It was reported that a number of car wing mirrors had been damaged in North Road but the Police had not been informed. Stella Burrows stressed the importance of reporting such incidents to the Police immediately, without this information they are obviously unable to take any action.
   Stella Burrows reported that the Neighbourhood Watch meeting had been cancelled due to the bad weather and will now take place on February 25th. She is not able to attend but will receive the minutes.
   


6. Parish Plans
   David Venner circulated copies of the February report. Torridge District Council has approved the revised planning application and a decision is now awaited from Government Office South West as to whether they will endorse the Torridge decision or whether they will call it in for a further public inquiry. It is hoped a decision will be made by the end of February..


7. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   Noticeboard – A quotation from Derek Herniman for repairs to the noticeboard has been received for £163. Councillors present agreed that this quotation should be accepted and the Clerk was asked to ascertain whether an insurance claim for the repairs could be submitted.
   Decision: Councillors present unanimously agreed to accept the quotation from Derek Herniman for £163 for repairs to the noticeboard. Advice on an insurance claim will be obtained.


8. Matters raised by the Chairman
   The Chairman reported that he and David Venner have filled in the form about the Parish Biodiversity Audit and returned it.
   A large amount of electronic material is being received from Torridge District Council including consultation papers which can be quite substantial documents. The Clerk has asked for guidance from Councillors about printing all documents received as some were felt not to be applicable to High Bickington. Following a discussion it was agreed that Councillors will rely on the Clerk’s discretion to print what she feels is relevant for High Bickington Parish Council to consider. She will keep a list of all other documents received but not printed and refer these for Council’s information thus ensuring any Councillor(s) can follow up any document(s) of interest to them.


9. Maintenance
   
   1. Highways – Stan Maskell reported that he felt Highways had satisfactorily salted and gritted the roads in the area during the recent bad weather. However, there are now a number of serious potholes which are in need of urgent attention and the Clerk was asked to report the following:
      Road from Welcombe to Langridgeford - a deep gulley is causing problems, 2 large potholes in Mill Road, and Pound Lane.
      Mike Leatham reported continuing problems with the repair work in Taylors Lane. A number of complaints that potholes have deteriorated further due to unsatisfactory initial repair work have been received.
   2. Footpaths and Byways – Roger Keen will write to the landowners concerned informing them of the proposal to install kissing gates on land alongside their property. Roger Keen reported that he has not been able to come to an agreement with the landowner to carry out remedial work on the bridlepath fencing at Old Park. He will refer this matter to the Footpaths Officer at Devon County Council for advice.
   3. Bus Shelter – The clerk reported that Nik Copp will carry out the work to the bus shelter week commencing February 16th.
10. Finance
    
    1. Accounts as at 30 January 2009. These were agreed and accepted by Councillors present and showed a bank carry forward figure of £12,147.52 following authorisation for payment of the cheques listed below:
       100234 Audit Commission £327.75
       100235 D Carter – Salary and expenses £292.17
       


11. Planning
    
    1. Applications:
    1. 1/1201/2008/FULErection of 3 no. two-storey houses (2 no. detached and 1 no. end of terrace) and associated parking facilities at Milford Cottage site, Back Lane Plot 801, High Bickington for Mr Graham Gooding.
       Advice had been sought from Torridge District Council’s Legal department who have confirmed that as the Little Bickington Farm planning application has been approved by Torridge the Parish Council is now able to comment on this application. A letter of objection to the Milford Cottage site application has been received from Mr & Mrs Noon. Following a discussion those Councillors present and eligible to vote (6) agreed that the following response be submitted:
       
       RESPONSE: The Parish Council makes the following comments in the full knowledge that aspects of this application are also applicable to the Little Bickington Farm Project. The Parish Council noted the concerns raised by Mr & Mrs Noon and feel their concerns are genuine and require thorough consideration by the appropriate planning officer at Torridge District Council. As they are of a technical nature the Parish Council does not feel qualified to comment. There was a minority concern expressed that this is overdevelopment of the site with possible resultant parking problems, and two houses might be more suitable
    2. Decisions:
    1. (i)1/1121/2008/LBC & 1/1122/2008/FULAlternative proposal & design for the conversion of former barn to dwelling and associated works at Snape Farm, High Bickington for Mr & Mrs J Hedges
       PC Decision 14.1.09: Supports the application - TDC Decision 30.1.09: Granted
    
    
    3. Correspondence
       
       1. TDC – Joint (Exmoor, North Devon and West Somerset) consultation on draft methodology and request for nominations to sit on Stakeholder Panel to prepare a Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) to identify and assess land that might have the potential to deliver future housing development – in circulation pack.
       2. Letter from Mr M P Purchase re Little Bickington Farm Project – this letter was circulated to all Councillors and the contents noted.
       3. ROSPA – notice of play area inspection March 2009.
       4. DAPC – nominations to attend Royal Garden Party on 7 July 2009 – There were no nominations.
       5. TDC – Empty Houses Strategy – consultation draft and feedback form – passed to Mike Leatham.
       6. DAPC – Invitation to Councillors to fill two vacancies on County Committee – in circulation pack.
          
    
    
    4. Items for information
       There were no items for information.
    
    
    5. Date of next meeting:
       Wednesday 11 March 2009 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.
       

    There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.57pm.