Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting
Wednesday 12 May 2010 at 7.30pm
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington

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

In attendance:
PCSO Sandra Brown; Mr David Venner – High Bickington CPT; 3 members of the public; Mrs Di Carter – Clerk

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

1. Apologies for absence
   Apologies were received from David Brown.

2. Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 13 May 2009
   The Minutes of the meeting were agreed, adopted and signed by the Chairman. There were no matters arising.

3. To receive any reports from County and District Councillors and the Police.
   Neither the County nor District Councillors were in attendance. The Chairman invited PCSO Sandra Brown to report to the meeting. PCSO Brown presented the past two years' crime figures for High Bickington which showed in 2008/09 there were 8 reported crimes - 5 thefts, 2 burglaries, and one criminal damage to a motor vehicle. In 2009/10 there were 6 crimes - 3 thefts, 1 burglary, 1 drink driving offence and 1 arson. On the whole High Bickington has a low incidence of crime. There were no questions from Councillors nor from members of the public but PCSO Brown was informed of one incident where two women had entered a house being renovated and falsely claimed to be from the Parish Council. Details were passed to PCSO Brown.
   PCSO Brown left the meeting.

4. Chairman's Review of the Year
   

   The Chairman said that following the General Election, for the first time the majority of voters in Torridge are now represented in Government. The most important event of the year had been that finally work has started on the Little Bickington Farm site. He thanked David Brown for his tireless work on the project and Mike Leatham who is the Parish Council representative on the Community Property Trust. He also thanked all active members who have supported and sustained the project. At the 2009 meeting the Chairman had asked those present to consider what plans they would like to see taken forward for the existing school, playground and Church Hall. There has now been an approach from the Parochial Church Council for funding to refurbish the hall which is estimated to involve a total cost of £12,000. The Chairman said he will open the discussion on this up to ascertain the views of Councillors and the public during the public question time. The future of the unitary council for Exeter is uncertain following the general election. Vandalism had plagued the village last year and had resulted in money being spent on repairs which could otherwise have been spent on improving facilities for young people. Following the sale of the area used for BMX bikes the Chairman said he would welcome suggestions as to how we might replace the lost facility. The copse opposite the churchyard has been retained and the hedgerow protected in response to popular demand

   The main complaint from residents this year has been dog fouling and action has been taken in an effort to eradicate this problem. The Chairman thanked Sue Williamson and her helpers for their litter picking efforts and also all those who help with the running of the local clubs and organisations. He thanked Councillors for their work on the Parish Council and in other voluntary capacities working for the Neighbourhood Watch, Church Council, Community Property Trust, clubs and playing fields. He also thanked the Clerk for her work during the year. He urged people to support local businesses in every way during this time of recession. There are many challenges ahead and much to do.

   The Chairman urged people to come to Parish Council meetings to hear what is going on and to express their views on matters discussed. He said it had been a privilege to serve as Chairman for another year and thanked the Vice-Chairman for standing in during his work absences.

   (The Chairman’s full report can be accessed via the High Bickington website – www.high-bickington.org.uk).

5. Finance
   The accounts as at the end of year 31 March 2010 were presented. The Chairman outlined the income and expenditure incurred during the year. The accounts will be adopted in the Annual Parish Council meeting following and copies placed on the noticeboards. Audit will take place in June. There were no questions from Councillors or the public.

6. Matters Raised by the Public
   Following the recent flyers delivered to households in High Bickington as a result of the large number of dog fouling complaints, a resident who was in attendance at the meeting had also written to the Parish Council querying the amount of attention given to this problem and suggesting that there might be more important local issues to deal with. He felt that the behaviour of young people on the play area and the litter problems incurred there should be dealt with as a priority. He reported that saplings planted on the Church Hall site had been vandalised and David Venner confirmed this. The Chairman thanked the resident for his letter and for coming to the meeting to discuss the contents. Councillors and members of the public confirmed that there had been a serious problem with dog fouling and the Parish Council had received a number of complaints. However, following action by the Animal Welfare Officer, PCSO Brown and the Council, there has been a reduction in the incidence of dog fouling. As far as problems with young people were concerned, PCSO Sandra Brown has done a considerable amount of work with them and on the whole the young people in the village were well behaved, decent youngsters and problems are caused by a very small minority. Residents were urged to report any problems immediately to the Police so that action can be taken. The resident raising the issue suggested the installation of CCTV cameras on the play area but Councillors felt this was not a route they would want to take in a rural area and preferred that the current methods of control continue. Stella Burrows said there was a strong liaison in place with the local primary school which helped to raise awareness of anti-social behaviour and its consequences.

   Mike Leatham said he hoped that when the new community hall was built there would be more facilities available for young people. The Clerk reported a new grant from O2 "Think Big" which centres on young people aged 13 to 25 to tackle the issues that affect them. The Chairman asked those present to suggest ways in which we might improve facilities for young people with the help of this grant. Some young people had said they would like facilities to play football and it was agreed that enquiries be made about organising football coaching in the village. Peter Tucker agreed to follow this up.

   As mentioned in the Chairman's report the Parochial Church Council has asked the Parish Council to consider making funds available towards the refurbishment of the Church Hall. They have estimated a total requirement of £12,000 to carry out refurbishment work - new windows, kitchen and toilet upgrade, general redecoration. The Chairman asked members of the public and Councillors for their views on whether the Parish Council should support this improvement work to what is a long established village facility. On the whole it was felt this could not be looked at as a long term project and the award of Parish Council funds should be carefully considered. This matter will be discussed at the Annual Parish Council meeting following.

7. Date of next meeting
   Wednesday 11 May 2011 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point.

   There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.20pm.