Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 13 May 2009
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.53pm

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

In attendance:
David Venner – Community Property Trust; 10 members of the public; District Councillor Geoff Lee – 8pm; Mrs Di Carter, Clerk

1. Election of Chairman
   Proposed by Peter Tucker and seconded by Chris Brown, Myc Riggulsford was unanimously elected to continue as Chairman of the Parish Council. There were no other nominations.


2. Apologies
   Apologies were received from David Brown.
   


3. Declarations of Interest
   Mike Leatham declared an interest as the Parish Council representative to the Community Property Trust in agenda item 15 – Parish Plans. Peter Tucker declared an interest as a customer in agenda item 20(a) – Wixland planning application.
   


4. Election of Vice-Chairman
   Proposed by Stella Burrows and seconded by Peter Tucker, Mike Leatham was unanimously elected to continue as Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council.


5. Election of Finance Committee
   The Finance Committee comprises 3 Councillors to consider any financial issues and make recommendations to the full Parish Council and, if required, to make decisions on any urgent financial matters and report that decision to the full Parish Council. Proposed by Chris Brown and seconded by Roger Keen it was unanimously agreed that the Finance Committee be comprised of the present Chairman, Vice Chairman and immediate past Chairman, Peter Tucker. Parish Councillors are welcome to attend and contribute to any Finance Committee meetings.



The Chairman formally suspended the meeting to welcome District Councillor Geoff Lee and invited him to address the meeting. Mr Lee welcomed the granting of the Little Bickington Farm application which will enable the building of a new community hall, workshops, housing and affordable housing, and a new school. A discussion on the project followed. Councillor Lee left the meeting and the formal meeting was re-convened.

6. Appointment of Tree and Footpath Warden
   Councillors unanimously agreed that Roger Keen be asked to continue as Tree and Footpath Warden. Roger Keen accepted this appointment.


7. Appointment of Highways representative
   Councillors unanimously agreed that Stan Maskell be asked to continue as Highways representative. Stan Maskell accepted this appointment.


8. Council Representative to High Bickington Community Property Trust
   Proposed by Roger Keen, seconded by Peter Tucker, Councillors unanimously agreed that Mike Leatham be asked to continue as the Parish Council’s representative on the High Bickington Community Property Trust. Mike Leatham accepted this appointment.


9. Council Representative to Torrington MCTA
   The Chairman reported that he has not been able to attend meetings of the Torrington MCTA as he was not receiving notification of meetings. David Brown has expressed his willingness to accept this role once again. Proposed by Stella Burrows and seconded by Peter Tucker, Councillors unanimously agreed that David Brown be asked to take on this role.


10. Confirmation of Clerk’s Salary
    Proposed by the Chairman, seconded by Mike Leatham, it was agreed, despite a nationally recommended freeze on pay, that the Clerk be awarded a pay increase of 2.75% for the year 2009/2010 as follows: 5.5 hrs per week x 52 weeks + 16 hrs holiday = 302 hrs per year x £9.49 pr.hr = £2,866 pa/£238.87 per month.


11. Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on 14 May 2008
    The Minutes of this meeting were approved and adopted at the Parish Council meeting held on 11 June 2008. There were no matters arising from these minutes.


12. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on held on 8 April 2009
    The Minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2009 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. The Chairman signed the minutes.
    


13. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 April 2009
    
    1. Torridge District Council Settlement Assessment – this has been completed and returned to Torridge. A copy was put in the circulation pack.
    2. Atherington Parish Council Minutes – the Clerk reported that she has requested copies of the minutes and a response is awaited
    
    
14. Police Matters
    Stella Burrows reported that she has recently attended a Police Liaison meeting. The new Beat Manager is PS Paul Searle who has indicated that he and his team are very aware of recent incidents in High Bickington and are monitoring the situation on a regular basis. The incidents reported are of criminal damage with young people being reported on the school roof and a resulting broken window, and some anti social behaviour. Stella Burrows emphasised that anyone witnessing crime should contact the Police immediately on 08452 777444 and not contact her or Helen Carn initially as this wastes vital time. The sooner the Police have the information the more likely they are to be able to attend and deal with a situation.
    Stella Burrows asked everyone to consider signing up to the Let’s Talk initiative.
    The Torrington Police station is manned until 3pm each day, Bideford is manned for 24-hours a day. Websites are available for each station.
    Traffic checks have recently been carried out at Winkleigh and High Bickington and only two drivers were found to be over the speed limit.
    There are indications that household burglaries are increasing, but the current detection rate is 100% with all property being recovered.
    Police are currently visiting schools to encourage good exercise and diet regimes in an effort to curb drug problems.
    Stella Burrows reported that she hopes to attend two forthcoming Neighbourhood Watch meeting for co-ordinators.
    She feels that our local Police force are providing a good service and are working well with the community. Councillors unanimously supported this comment.
    


15. Parish Plans - May Update
    David Venner circulated copies of his May report. He reported that contracts have been exchanged with Devon County Council for the transfer of land at Little Bickington Farm. Areas for housing and workshop development will be owned by the Community Property Trust whilst the site for the proposed playing field and community hall, reserved Health Centre and allotment sites plus Quarry Wood will be held on 125 year leases by the CPT Ltd. The County Council has retained ownership of the new school site and part of the proposed Playing Field to the south.
    The Chairman queried the responsibility for the administration of the proposed allotment site. David Venner agreed to obtain clarification of this.
    New notices are to be placed in Ramblings regarding dog fouling problems in the Community Woodland area, with a fixed penalty fine of £50 being imposed under the new rules laid down by Torridge District Council. The Chairman said that the Parish Council can adopt increased powers in this type of matter. David Venner also reported acts of vandalism on the Community Woodland site, namely to tables, a seat and a gate and asked for help to identify the culprits. The Chairman expressed his regret that these acts of vandalism appear to be increasing and will only serve to remove facilities from the local community.
    The Chairman asked Roger Keen, Footpaths Warden, to ascertain whether the DCC Parish Council footpaths grant would cover a replacement gate for the site.
    Mike Leatham explained to the meeting that the handing over of land from Devon County Council to the CPT provides parish ownership of land that can be used to benefit current and future generations of parishioners. The building of affordable homes for local people is an example of this. Along with other buildings planned at Little Bickington Farm, it reflects a growing national movement to give greater responsibility and ownership, in perpetuity, to local communities. The CPT is not a private organisation – the members and directors are local people with a desire to serve and benefit the community. There is currently a vacancy on the CPT Board for a Director, a vacancy which is open to anyone who would be interested in applying.
    


16. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
    Chris Brown had no specific matters to report.
    1. ROSPA Play area inspection.
       The Inspector had unfortunately again inspected the Playing Field play area in error but it is hoped an inspection will be carried out shortly on the Barton Meadow play area.
       
    
    
    2. Devon Bank repairs.
       To date no work has been carried out. The Clerk will follow this up again.
       
    
    
    3. Litter bin.
       Chris Brown reported that the current bin appears to have been repaired. The clerk reported that Torridge District Council has advised that the cost of a replacement bin would be £200 including fitting. A suggestion was made that a second bin might be advantageous at the end of the footpath where it meets Mill Road. This matter will be monitored.
       
    
    
    4. Helen Carn reported that the Thomas family has donated a sum of £500 to the Barton Meadow Recreational Area Group for a memorial to be installed on the play area in memory of Graham Saunders. The BMRAG were suggesting a seat; Councillors expressed their gratitude to the Thomas family for the generous donation and agreed that they would be happy for a seat to be installed on the play area. The BMRAG will liaise with Chris Brown regarding siting.
       
    
    


17. Matters raised by the Chairman
    The Chairman reported that he is awaiting notification of a proposed meeting with Burrington Parish Council and North Devon District Council regarding concerns over increased activity at Eaglescott Airfield.


18. Maintenance
    
    1. Highways – Update: Stan Maskell reported that some repair work has been carried out and appears to be satisfactory, but a considerable amount of work is still outstanding. The Clerk read a letter from the Leader of Devon County Council regarding the increased funding put into highways repairs as a result of the exceptional winter weather conditions. It has been impossible to achieve any contact with highways engineers in recent months to establish work schedules, but the Clerk was asked to continue her efforts in this respect. It was noted that the roadside edges are particularly eroded with deep gullies in places which could cause serious safety problems.
       
    2. Footpaths and Byways – Roger Keen had no further information to report regarding the kissing gates and bridlepath fencing.
19. Finance
    
    1. Accounts as at 29 April 2009. These were agreed, accepted by Councillors present and showed a bank carry forward figure of £13,940.35 which included the first instalment of the precept payment and following authorisation for payment of the cheques listed below:
       100248 Derek Jones grasscutting £60.00
       100249 D Carter – salary and expenses £297.10
       
    2. Statement of Income and Expenditure.
       Proposed by Peter Tucker, seconded by Chris Brown, Councillors unanimously agreed to adopt the accounts as presented (attached cum pages 673/674/675). The Chairman and Clerk signed the accounts. Copies will be displayed on the noticeboards
    3. Council insurance – The Clerk reported a second quotation from Came and Company, a subsidiary of Norwich Union Insurance for £877.00 to include cover for the cycle track. This would represent a considerable saving on the current premium quoted by Community First for renewal on 1 June 2009. However, the excess would be increased from £100 to £250 and the Clerk asked if further consideration could be given to the quotations so that a decision can be made to ensure the best option for the Parish Council.
       Proposed by Stella Burrows and seconded by Chris Brown Councillors agreed that the Finance Committee be asked to consider the quotations further, to award the insurance cover to the preferred company and authorise payment of the premium by 1 June 2009. This decision to be reported to the June Council meeting.


20. Planning
    
    1. Applications:
    N.Devon District Council – Ref 48299
    New Industrial building for agriculture feed blending and storage complete with access yards, banking, landscaping, drainage and industrial door to existing building - Wixland, Atherington, Umberleigh
    Councillors expressed concerns about the apparent likely increase in heavy goods vehicles through High Bickington, based on the application as presented. The Chairman also suggested that the new low level lighting as discussed with the site Manager be noted in the response.
    Following a discussion a letter was agreed for e-mailing to N Devon District Council.
    
    2. Decisions:
    No decisions had been received.
    3. Application 47378– change of use to allow siting of temporary agricultural workers mobile home at Quiet Waters, High Moor, Atherington.
       The Clerk reported a response to her enquiry about this application and a copy was put in the circulation pack.


21. Correspondence
    
    1. Great Torrington Town Council – copy letter re closure of minor injuries unit in Great Torrington. The Clerk was asked to draft a letter recording the Parish Council’s concerns about the closure of this unit, citing travelling distances to alternative centres, cost, impact on elderly residents and inevitable delays in treating injuries.
    2. TDC – Power of Community. The Parish Council did not wish to respond.
    3. Equality & Human rights – information re public sector duties – in information pack.
    4. E-mail – Parish Engagement events – in information pack.


22. Items for information
    There were no items for information


23. Date of next meeting:
    Annual Parish and Annual Parish Council Meetings - Wednesday 10 June 2009 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.
    

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15pm.