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

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

In attendance:
David Venner – Community Property Trust; 3 members of the public; Mrs Di Carter, Clerk

As this meeting was being held on Remembrance Day the Chairman asked those present to observe a minute’s silence as a token of respect to those members of the local community currently serving in the Armed Forces overseas and as a token of remembrance to those who had lost their lives in the service of their country. He also wished to remember other members of the community who had passed away during the year.

There were no representatives present from the County, District Councils or the Police.

A member of the public raised concerns about the proposed provision for the disposal of foul water from the Little Bickington Farm site development. He quoted notes from the Torridge District Council planning report and felt that the proposals contained therein could result in flooding problems to his property.
Chairman and other Councillors advised that these arrangements would have been recommended by South West Water and any concerns should be registered with them in writing.
Developers would be required to follow the recommendations from South West Water and neither the Parish Council nor the Community Property Trust has any control over this or responsibility for it. Chairman said if difficulties were encountered following this up with South West Water the Parish Council may be able to help.
Following a further question regarding the provision of a new school, David Brown advised that funding is not yet in place from Devon County Council and he felt building was unlikely to commence before 2011.
The Chairman reported an e-mail from Sharne Worrall expressing disappointment that the Parish Council appeared to have agreed to the sale of the Hall Site to Pearce Construction despite public concerns expressed at the July meeting. The Chairman has responded explaining that the Parish Council has agreed to explore further the sale of the land but, taking into account public concerns, has agreed not to sell the copse or hedge and to retain this in their ownership. Pearce Construction will only agree to purchase the land if planning permission is obtained. There is an expectation that the Parish Council will provide funds of £100,000 towards the building of a new village hall and the sale of this land would raise these funds. The Hall Site land was handed to the Parish Council with a covenant that they themselves could only use it for the provision of a village hall and it has been accepted that the site is not large enough to provide a suitable hall and car parking.
Taking into account their wish to provide improved facilities for the community, Councillors felt that the concerns raised by members of the public had been addressed and the best possible outcome sought.

The formal meeting was convened at 7.52pm.

1. Apologies
   Apologies were received from County Councillor Andy Boyd and PCSO Sandra Brown.
   


2. Declarations of Interest
   Mike Leatham declared a personal interest in agenda items 6 and 7 as the Parish Council’s representative to the Community Property Trust.
   David Brown declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 6 and a personal interest in agenda item 7 as Chairman of the Community Property Trust.
   


3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on held on 14 October 2009
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2009 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. The Chairman signed the minutes.
   


4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 October 2009
   
   1. Highways – contact problems. The Clerk read an e-mail received from County Councillor Andy Boyd in response to her complaint about the problems recently encountered with regard to reporting highways faults/damage. Councillor Boyd acknowledged that there have been a number of similar complaints across the area and meetings are being held with Highways Executives and Engineers in an effort to facilitate a more productive and cost effective operation. This matter will be monitored.
   
   
5. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows reported a newsletter provided by PCSO Sandra Brown. It was reported that PCSO Brown had been in attendance at the Coffee Shop in the village earlier in the day and her presence there was felt to be worthwhile and productive. There were no reported crimes in High Bickington during the previous 30 days.
   Warnings were given about cold callers and for residents to check whether they have the required peddlers’ licence. There are also a number of e-mail scams currently being reported, one concerns possible reimbursement of Council Tax and it appears that those sending these e-mails have some Bank details of those people contacted. It cannot be stressed strongly enough that no-one should give any Bank or personal details over the telephone or by e-mail. Bona fide companies will never request information in this way. It was further recommended that any papers containing Bank or personal details be shredded before discarding.
   There were further tips to avoid thefts from vehicles, eg not to leave any valuables on display in vehicles and, with the Christmas period coming up, warnings were given about taking extra care to avoid presents etc. being on view in house windows.
   


6. Sale of the Barton Meadow Hall site
   
   1. Mrs Harpum’s land: Mike Leatham reported that the Transfer Deed to return Mrs Harpum’s land to her ownership has been signed by Maurice Ridd and himself and this will now be sent to the Solicitor for completion.
      
   2. Hall Site – Details are awaited from Pearce Construction in response to the Parish Council’s request for site measurements etc


7. Parish Plans
   November update – David Venner had circulated copies of the November report, showing current Bank balances and confirming that the Section 106 Agreement has finally been signed. The Business Plan has been completed and sent to potential funders. Progress is being made in raising required grants and loans.
   David Venner reported an offer from a parishioner of 60 tree shelters and 30 stakes which will reduce the requirement to purchase these. Roger Keen has also been able to provide help with these.
   There will be a bank planting on Saturday 5 December at Barton Meadow at 11am – volunteers with spade are welcome!.


8. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   Devon Bank Repairs – Peter Tucker reported that, following an inspection, he feels there is no need for any remedial work at present..
   


9. Matters raised by the Chairman
   
   1. The Chairman reported that he had been asked to speak at a Rural Empowerment Summit in Taunton earlier in the week and had reported progress with the Little Bickington Farm project.
      The Clerk reported a telephone call from a Channel 4 researcher regarding a proposed programme on promoting rural community living. This had come about as a result of a recommendation from the Rural Development Agency to contact High Bickington. Further information is awaited.
   
   
   2. Maintenance
      
      1. (a)Highways – Stan Maskell reported a visit by the Lengthsman. As a result of this visit the fir tree in North Road has been cut back. The Lengthsman was aware of problems in Deepy Lane and Pound Lane and he was proposing to attend to these. Councillors thanked Stan Maskell for following up Highways issues on their behalf.
         
      2. (a)Footpaths and Byways – Roger Keen reported that he has been advised the bridle gate is likely to be delivered this week. He further reported a Workshop in Yarnscombe on Saturday 23 November. Roger Keen reported that the hedge at Old Park has been cut back but the fence is very unstable and needs attention. He will follow this up.
   3. Finance
      
      1. Accounts as at 30 October. These were agreed, accepted by Councillors present and showed a bank carry forward figure of £17,709.58 following authorisation for payment of the cheques listed below:
         100271 Mrs D Snell, bus shelter cleaning - £75.00
         100272 Meeting Point, Hall Hire - £72.00
         100273 D Carter, salary (£238.87) + (Expenses £51.84) - (Total: £290.71)
         
      
      
      2. Budget and Precept 2010/2011: The Clerk presented a draft budget and following a discussion it was agreed that in view of the healthy carry forward figure projected, and in order to prevent further financial burdens on residents during the continuing recession, the Precept should remain at £9,600.
         Decision: Proposed by Myc Riggulsford, seconded by David Brown, Councillors unanimously agreed that the Precept be £9,600 for the year 2010/2011.
      
      
      3. High Bickington Directory – A funding application has been requested from the District Councillor’s budget to bring the total funding to £600. It is hoped to acquire the services of a local resident to update the details. A discussion took place on what criteria will be used for inclusion in the directory. It will be made clear that inclusion is not a recommendation of services provided.
      
      
   
   
   4. Planning
      
      1. Applications:
      There were no planning applications.
      2. Decisions:
      1/0945/2008/FUL
      Mixed use development comprising 23 open market dwellings, 16 affordable dwellings, 6 employment units, community hall, 120 pupil primary school, playing field, community woodland, site for future health centre as well as access, parking, servicing and landscaping. Land at Little Bickington Farm, High Bickington - High Bickington Parish Council
      TDC Decision 9.10.09 - GRANTED
      48299
      N Devon CC - Proposed blending shed, NWF Agriculture, Wixland, Atherington: a decision is still awaited.
   
   
   5. Correspondence
      
      1. Letters of thanks for grants received from The Meeting Point, HB Judo Club, Libbaton Junior Golf and High Bickington Parochial Church Council.
      2. DAPC Newsletter – re serving notice of meetings via e-mail. Concerns appeared in the newsletter about the legality of this. The Clerk was asked to draft an amendment to the Parish Council’s Standing Orders to allow for e-mail communication to be adopted as a method of contact as and when required.
      3. Communities Survey for the state of rural services report – questionnaire. Clerk to complete.
      4. Devon Home Choice – re letting Council and Housing Association homes in Devon - noted.
      5. South West Lifelong Learning Network – letter of thanks to those who completed the questionnaire. Results to be available online.
      6. Empowering Communities in Devon – notice of conference Wednesday 25 November 2009, Exeter. Details passed to Stella Burrows.
      7. DCC – Notice of Parish Paths workshops, Newsletter and annual return form. Roger Keen dealing.
      8. TDC – Invitation to access help with litter picking and other village cleaning initiatives – details passed to David Venner.
   
   
   6. Items for information
      
      1. The Chairman reported a meeting of the Torridge Standards Board Committee. A concern had been raised regarding a recent report of a Councillor incurring a substantial legal bill as a result of a complaint, subsequently dismissed. This had raised concerns as to whether Parish Councillors were covered for similar situations and the Clerk was asked to check this with the insurers and to ascertain whether the Fidelity insurance in place would cover such a claim.
      2. David Brown reported that Learning Direct has decided to discontinue the Outreach Computer classes in the village due to lack of funds. Councillors agreed that this decision was disappointing as it had been a very successful facility for the village.
   
   
   7. Date of next meeting:
      Wednesday 9 December 2009 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.
      

   There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.52pm.