Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 14 April 2010
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.30pm

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

In attendance:
County Councillor Andy Boyd; PCSO Sandra Brown; David Venner – Community Property Trust; 5 members of the public; Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

Mike Leatham welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited County Councillor Andy Boyd to address the meeting.

Councillor Boyd reported on the progress of pothole repairs and said over 47,000 had been filled in the last two months and the programme is ongoing. An additional £4 million has been put in the forthcoming budget for highway repairs.

The Clerk reported three serious potholes following the March meeting and received an acknowledgement and reference number for the work but to date nothing has been done. Councillor Boyd agreed to follow this up.

Councillor Boyd said he had grant funds available for local organisations and invited the Parish Council to submit a request if a suitable project was identified.

Councillor Boyd said another Highways surgery is being held in Torrington on Tuesday 4 May at 10am, all Councillors are welcome to attend.

Mike Leatham thanked Councillor Boyd for attending the meeting.

PCSO Sandra Brown presented copies of the April Police Newsletter for High Bickington which showed in the preceding 30 days High Bickington had been crime free. PCSO Brown also mentioned rising credit card fraud and reported tips to ensure credit cards are handled safely. She also reminded everyone about ensuring vehicles are left secure and without any valuables on show. There had been three reports in recent months of property being stolen from unlocked vehicles in the area, however the majority of the property had been found and returned to the owners.

Mike Leatham thanked PCSO Brown for attending the meeting.

There were no matters raised by members of the public.

The formal meeting was convened at 7.50pm.

1. Apologies for absence
   Apologies were received from the Chairman, Myc Riggulsford (business).
   


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 items 7 and 11(b) as Chairman of the Community Property Trust
   Stella Burrows and Roger Keen declared a personal interest in agenda item 11(b) as members of the Parochial Church Council
   


3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on held on 10 March 2010
   The The Minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2010 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. Mike Leatham signed the minutes.
   


4. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 March 2010
   Dog Fouling. The Clerk reported that she had met the Animal Welfare Officer from Torridge District Council and following a walk round the village had found the incidence of dog fouling was minimal apart from North Road close to the junction with Barton Meadow. A number of complaints have been received and the Animal Welfare Officer is making regular visits to High Bickington. PCSO Sandra Brown has also helped to raise awareness of the problem. A new sign is being made for the play area in Barton Meadow and the Parish Council is purchasing a new dog bin for the playing field. This will be installed shortly. With the help of the Animal Welfare Officer the Clerk has produced a notice warning of the dangers of dog fouling and the possible fines which can be imposed for owners who allow their dogs to foul public places. David Brown suggested that this notice be circulated to all homes in High Bickington; he agreed to arrange for the distribution.
   Decision: Councillors present agreed that the dog fouling notice be reproduced in A5 size, to cover all areas in High Bickington including the Playing Field. This notice to be distributed to all homes in the village.
   
   
5. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows reported that she had not been able to attend the Police and Neighbourhood Watch crime prevention and recruiting seminar on Monday 15th March at RHS Rosemoor Garden Centre.
   Mike Leatham felt the Police Messaging service was working well and encouraged people to use it.
   


6. Sale of the Barton Meadow Hall site
   David Brown left the meeting.
   
   1. Update on Pearce planning application. Mike Leatham reported that Torridge District Council granted approval of this application on 6 April 2010.
   
   
   2. Brewer Harding & Rowe - Solicitors. Mike Leatham reported that the Parish Council is in receipt of the contract with Pearce Construction and if all Councillors were in agreement he was happy to sign on behalf of the Council. He reported a paragraph in the covering letter from Ian Budge, the Council's solicitor, in which he raised concerns that the contract contained no mention of the number of houses which could be built on the land in question. Mike Leatham felt this should not be a problem as the planning approval is for 3 dwellings and any change would need a further full planning application. The Parish Council would not approve any increase in the number of homes and it was unlikely that Torridge District Council would approve any changes.
      Decision: Councillors present agreed that Mike Leatham sign the contract with Pearce Construction on behalf of the Council. The Clerk witnessed the signature.
      
   
   David Brown returned to the meeting.
   


7. Parish Plans
   April update - David Venner circulated copies of the report showing current Bank balances. He also reported that provisional offers of grant funding totalling £1.3 million against a target of £1 million have been received. David Brown felt this was a remarkable achievement and has given a major boost to the project. It is hoped the construction phase will be started in late May and, in view of the grants totalling £1.49 million from the Communitybuilders Fund it may be possible to bring forward the building of the new community hall. There have been a number of applications for rented accommodation. A parish-wide information initiative on the affordable housing will be launched in the summer so that interested families can register that interest. Charitable organisations are not permitted to trade for profit and as a result of professional advice it may now be necessary for a 'wholly owned' (by HBCPT) subsidiary company to be set up to handle the sale of the private properties to ensure the scheme is not subject to a tax burden.
   
   Mike Leatham paid tribute to David Brown for the hard work he has done in raising the very substantial funding and his tireless work overall on the project. All Councillors present endorsed his comments.
   
   


8. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   Chris Brown had nothing to report. Stan Maskell said the roundabout appeared to be too high off the ground and causing a danger to children using it. The ROSPA inspection has taken place and the report is awaited. Any problems with play equipment will be contained in the report.
   


9. Matters raised by the Chairman
   
   1. Defibrillator - A Councillor from Chittlehampton Parish Council had contacted Myc Riggulsford to inform him that their Council had successfully raised funds to purchase a defibrillator for their village and had trained local people to use it. They hoped neighbouring parishes might follow their example. The cost of a machine is in the region of £1,000 - £2,000. During a discussion it was noted that Libbaton Golf Club has a defibrillator and the availability to the wider community was questioned. It was felt that the Devon Air Ambulance provided a good and speedy service to the area and the logistical details of siting a defibrillator where it would be permanently available, alongside people trained and available to use it, might prove a problem. The Clerk was asked to write to the local Doctors' surgery to obtain their views and advice on this
   
   
   2. Eaglescott Airfield - Myc Riggulsford had received copies of correspondence from Burrington Parish Council to North Devon District Council recording their concerns about the Eaglescott Airfield website which is advertising the suitability of the airfield as a helicopter training base. This activity had been refused previously by North Devon. The correspondence and a comments sheet was circulated to all Councillors. The majority of Councillors felt this was a matter for Burrington Parish Council to address and did not wish to comment. Devon Air Ambulance is based on the airfield and this is a major benefit to the area. Mike Leatham felt it would be helpful to know what the residents of Burrington feel about the airfield and the activities there.
   
   


10. Maintenance
    
    1. Highways: Stan Maskell reported that the village had still not had any roadsweeping services. The Clerk had reported this to Torridge and will follow it up.
       Roger Keen reported a serious pothole outside the Post Office. The Clerk was asked to report this.
       Peter Tucker reported garden waste spilling on to the highway in Back Lane opposite the Parsonage. The Clerk was asked to follow this up.
       
       
    
    
    2. Footpaths and Byways: Roger Keen reported that he has not heard further from Ros Davies regarding the fence at Old Park. The Clerk reported that Devon County Council Footpaths will not be paying the annual grant to High Bickington for 2010/11 due to the high level of funds in hand.
    
    


11. Finance
    
    1. Accounts as at 30 March 2010. These were agreed, accepted by Councillors present, and showed a bank carry forward figure of £13,515.64 following authorisation for payment of the cheques below:
       
       100289 Devon Playing Fields Association Sub. £35.00
       
       This represents an increase of £20. The subscription rate has not been increased for 10 years and the Association has been operating at a loss. Decision: Councillors present agreed to accept the increase and continue the subscription. 100290 D Carter, salary (£238.67) + (Expenses £60.42) - (Total: £299.29)
       
    
    
    2. Parish Council Insurance
       
       The Clerk reported the renewal quotation from Came & Company due 1 June 2010. For a 1-year renewal the premium would be £904.63, however the insurers are offering a 3-year legally binding agreement, subject to there being no claims, of a 5% discount annually. This would mean this year's premium would be £859.40. Following a discussion Councillors present agreed to renew on an annual basis. Councillors agreed with Peter Tucker that as there would be elections in 2011 it would not be advisable for present Councillors to tie the Council into any long term agreements.
       Decision: The Parish Council's insurance will be renewed on an annual basis with Came & Company, the premium due on 1 June 2010 being £904.63.
    
    
    3. End of Year accounts
       
       the draft figures were circulated to all Councillors. These are to be adopted at the Annual Parish Council meeting on 9 May and any queries should be directed to the Clerk before this meeting.
    
    David Brown, Stella Burrows and Roger Keen left the meeting.
    
    
12. Request for financial assistance towards improvement work to the Church Hall
    
    The Parochial Church Council has written to the Parish Council informing them that they are responding to a letter signed by 125 residents requesting improvement work be carried out on the Church Hall. Estimates obtained indicate that the total cost of the work would be in the region of £12,000. They are asking the Parish Council to consider some financial assistance with this work. Following a discussion Councillors present felt that this matter required more information regarding the future of the Church Hall, the sustainability of any improvement work, and possible other sources of finance. No-one in attendance at the meeting was aware of the letter mentioned nor its contents. The Clerk was asked to write to the Treasurer of the Parochial Church Council suggesting a meeting to discuss the matter further. The matter will be deferred to the Parish Council meeting in May.
    

David Brown, Stella Burrows and Roger Keen returned to the meeting.


13. Planning
    
    1. Applications:
       
       1. 1/0107/2010/LBC
          
          Replacement of 4no.ground floor windows
          
          Northwood Cottage, High Bickington
          
          Mr Paul Jones
          
          Decision: Support.
          
       
       
    
    
    2. Decisions:
       1. 1/0046/2010/FUL
          
          New dwelling and detached double garage
          
          Rectory Cottage, High Bickington
          
          Mrs S Abbott
          
          PC Decision 10.2.10: Supported subject to clearly defined garage and parking facilities.
          TDC Decision 19.3.10: Refused
       
       
       
       2. 1/0108/2010/FUL
          Demolition of existing garage and store to build new garage and store
          
          Smallmarsh Farm, High Bickington
          
          Mr C Wills & Mrs I Allan
          
          PC Decision 10.2.10: Support.
          TDC Decision 30.3.10: Granted
       
       
       
       3. 1/1202/2009/FUL
          Erection of 3 new dwellings
          
          Church Meadow, High Bickington
          
          Pearce Construction
          
          TDC Decision 6.4.10: Granted
       
       
       
       
    3. Erection of one 500KW wind turbine at Bedport Farm, Burrington
       circulated but no response submitted.
    
    
    
    4. Planning applications
       The Clerk had received advice from Torridge District Council that copies of planning applications do not have to be kept for any stipulated period of time. Copies of applications are now available on the Torridge website. The Clerk suggested that she keep applications for a period of 1 year. Any significant applications will be kept indefinitely. Torridge advised that disposal of applications should either be by shredding or burning.
       Decision: Councillors present agreed that the Clerk keep planning applications for a 1 year period. She was authorised to dispose of applications beyond this period.
    
    
    
    5. Maria Bailey - e-mail sent on behalf of the Council. The Clerk reported an e-mail sent on behalf of the Parish Council in support of Maria Bailey in her role as Head of the Planning department. No further information has so far been received.
       
    
    


14. Correspondence
    
    1. Microgeneration Manifesto - In circulation pack for Councillors' agreement to endorse.
    2. Great Torrington Town Council - copy of the Council's response to Torridge District Council Core Strategy Development Plan Document - in circulation pack.
    3. TDC - Draft Gypsy and Travellers Allocations Policy - in circulation pack for Councillors' comments.


15. Items for information
    There were no items for information.


16. Date of next meeting:
    ANNUAL PARISH MEETING - Wednesday 12 May 2010 at 7.30pm in The Meeting Point, High Bickington, followed by the Annual Parish Council Meeting.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.07pm.