Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 11 March 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, Peter Tucker.

In attendance:
Jerry Kent – Architect for North West Farmers; Darren Howes – Site Manager, North West Farmers; David Venner – Community Property Trust; 6 members of the public; Mrs Di Carter, Clerk

At the Parish Council’s invitation, Jerry Kent, Architect, and Darren Howes, Site Manager, for North West Farmers attended the meeting to present the proposed planning application for the new blending shed at Wixland. This application is likely to be submitted in the next two weeks. Mr Kent gave a slide presentation of the proposals and invited questions from Councillors. The main topics raised were:
Increased noise – the new building would ensure operations were kept within store and should not incur increased noise.
Dust – this is monitored by an alarm system and audited by the Environment Agency.
Job creation – it is not envisaged that the proposed building will results in any additional jobs.
Light pollution – There will be new low energy fluorescent lighting internally and the light spillage will be minimal. It is necessary to light the buildings at night for night shift workers in order to ensure a safe working environment. Councillors asked if consideration could be given to the same lighting being applied to existing buildings to cut current light levels. Darren Howes agreed to look into this.
It is envisaged that the level of heavy goods vehicles through High Bickington will be reduced. Stella Burrows asked that drivers be made aware of the dangers at Dobbs Corner and Darren Howes agreed to pass this concern on to both North West Farmers drivers’ and to contractors servicing the site. The preferred route for vehicles will be through High Bickington and Winkleigh. The new blending shed will result in the Exeter depot eventually closing. There were no further questions from Councillors or members of the public.

The Chairman thanked Mr Kent and Mr Howes for attending the meeting. The Parish Council will request that High Bickington Parish Council be a statutory consultee when the application is submitted to North Devon District Council.

Mr Kent and Mr Howes left the meeting.

Neither the County Councillor nor the District Councillor was in attendance and there was no representation from the Police. There were no matters raised by the public.

The formal meeting was convened at 7.58pm.

1. Apologies
   There were no apologies for absence.
   


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 11th February 2009
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2009 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. The Chairman signed the Minutes.
   


4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2009
   
   1. White lines by Doctor’s Surgery. – This work has been completed and appears to be working well
   2. Devon Bank at Barton Meadow – remedial work has not yet been carried out.
   3. Application for grant for Play Area at the Playing Field – this application has been submitted to District Councillor James Morrish and a decision is awaited.
   
   
5. Police Matters
   No Police representatives were in attendance and no Newsletter had been received. Stella Burrows reported warnings from the Police about scam telephone calls, particularly regarding pyramid selling. These should be reported immediately to the Trading Standards Office. There have also been reports of large garden ornaments being stolen. Stella Burrows again urged members of the public to report anything suspicious to the Police immediately – there are reports of suspicious activities which are not notified to the Police and in these circumstances the Police are obviously unable to take any action.
   


6. Parish Plans
   David Venner had circulated copies of the March report. The Architect’s drawings of the various elements of the scheme were on view. It is hoped that work will commence on the first phase in October, which will include the building of 16 affordable homes. The private sector homes will follow when funding is available and the current financial situation more stable.
   David Brown is currently discussing with senior officers and members of Devon County Council regarding the County Council’s proposals for the building of the new school. It is hoped that this will be considered favourably in view of the fact that the site is specified and the planning permission approved. The report also contained a clarification of the position regarding the Community Property Trust’s relationship with Pearce Construction.


7. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   Noticeboard – Derek Herniman has the repairs in hand. When the work is completed and an invoice received the Clerk will claim on the Council’s insurance policy. The total charge for repairs is £163 and with an excess of £100 under the policy, the claim will be for £63.


8. Matters raised by the Chairman
   The Chairman reported an invitation from Mr Spencer at Seckington Barn for any Councillor to visit his property to view the recently installed wind turbine. The Chairman asked any interested Councillors to contact him in the first instance to arrange a convenient time.


9. Maintenance
   
   1. Highways – (a)Stan Maskell reported that some remedial work has been done on the main roads but there are a considerable number of potholes on minor roads which need attention. The Clerk has reported areas of concern but to date no response has been received from Highways. The recent snow has caused a large amount of damage to the roads and verges and it is likely to take some time to rectify all problem areas. Areas of concern noted at this meeting are:
      Drainage at the junction of Nethergrove and North Road – Highways have indicated that this will be dealt with in the current financial year.
      Quarries Lane – flooding continues to be a problem
      the Clerk will follow up these concerns with Highways.
   2. Footpaths and Byways – (a)Roger Keen has contacted one of the landowners concerned and informed them of the proposal to install kissing gates on land alongside their property. They have indicated their agreement to the proposal. A response from the other landowner is awaited. Bridleway at Old Park – Devon County Council’s Footpaths officer has contacted the landowner and the hedge has been cut back. Agreement has been reached for the fence to be improved by the landowner.
      Roger Keen has completed and sent off the return for 2008/09.
   3. Bus Shelter – The Clerk reported that the work to the bus shelter has been completed and Councillors felt it was a great improvement. The Clerk reported that O2, who provided grant funding for this work, has asked that some local publicity be given to their support. The Clerk will arrange this. Chairman and Councillors recorded their gratitude for the help from O2 which has enabled the bus shelter to be refurbished to a high standard.
10. Finance
    
    1. Accounts as at 27 February 2009. These were agreed, accepted by Councillors present and showed a bank carry forward figure of £10,018.79 following authorisation for payment of the cheques listed below:
       David Brown declared an interest in the payment to Biddulph Architects, Roger Keen in the payment for his footpath admin duties and neither voted to approve the following payments:
       100236 Biddulph Architects - £2304.60
       (less cheque received from CPT Ltd for £2004.00)
       100237 N Copp – bush shelter £978.88
       100238 G Mitchell £165.00
       ` 100239 The Meeting Point – hire of hall £60.00
       100240 Mrs D Snell – cleaning bus shelter £75.00
       100241 Mr R Keen – footpaths admin £25.00
       100242 D Carter – salary and expenses Feb £293.25
       100243 Zurich Insurance – cycle trace £231.00
       Those Councillors eligible to vote (6) agreed unanimously that the cheques be paid.
    2. High Bickington Directory – The Clerk reported that an application has been submitted to County Councillor John Rawlinson for funding to update the directory. A response is awaited. The Directory was last published three years ago and requires updating. A decision on funding was referred to the next meeting in April pending the outcome of the grant funding application.


11. Planning
    
    1. Applications:
    No applications were received for decision at this meeting:
    2. Decisions:
    1. (i)1/1128/2008/FUL
       6Kw wind turbine to produce electricity for Millbrook Farm Holiday cottages, Millbrook, High Bickington for Mr Robert Boothby
       PC Decision 14/1/09 Supports the application in line with renewable energy policy - TDC Decision 3/3/09 Granted
    
    
    3. Correspondence
       
       1. Letter of thanks for grant to Toddler Group from Mrs S Anoyrkatis – noted.
       2. TDC – Strategic Housing Land availability assessment – call for potential housing sites – in circulation pack for Councillor comment.
       3. TDC – North Devon Council and Torridge District Council – settlement assessment – for completion – in circulation pack for Councillor comments.
       4. TDC – Dog Control orders – consultation. Notices to be put on noticeboards.
       5. TDC – Empty Houses Strategy – consultation draft and feedback form – passed to Mike Leatham.
       6. TDC – Parish Survey – Open space, sport and recreation facilities – for completion by Chris Brown.
          
       7. Zurich Insurance –renewal of insurance for cycle track – in hand.
       8. Norwich Union – new Local council insurance – The Clerk was asked to obtain a quotation.
       9. ROSPA – notification of inspection of play area – noted.
       10. DCC – All party Parliamentary Business and Enterprise Select Committee - notice of public meeting at County Hall on March 17th to discuss post offices and community shops being assisted by Devon County Council – noted and put in circulation pack.
       11. Devon Wide Sustainable Communities Act Public Meeting – 26 March 2009 at 6.30pm – noted and put in circulation pack.
       12. Rural housing for Devon – Evaluation of Rural Housing Enabler Programme – questionnaire. Passed to David Venner for completion.
       13. (a)Barnstaple and District Civic Society – conservation awards 2009 – to be passed to the School.
    
    
    4. Items for information
       David Brown reported that James Morrish will be visiting High Bickington briefly as part of a wider agenda with representatives from the Rural Communities Board on Thursday 12 March 2009
    
    
    5. Date of next meeting:
       Wednesday 8 April 2009 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.
       

    There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.53pm.