Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 10 March 2010
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.30pm

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

In attendance:
David Venner – Community Property Trust; 1 Member of the public; Mrs Di Carter – Clerk.

There were no County Council, District Council nor Police representatives present.

A member of the public reported that he had been asked by a resident who owned land abutting the Little Bickington Farm land, to raise her concerns about trees on the boundary which are in her ownership and which had been cut down without her knowledge or permission. She was concerned this could be paving the way for an access. David Brown said he was aware of the matter and had spoken to the resident concerned and explained the situation. Western Power were carrying out work on the Little Bickington Farm land, they found the trees concerned were touching overhead lines and on further inspection found they were badly diseased and liable to fall in high winds. In the interests of safety they had decided they should be cut down. Councillors regretted that Western Power had not contacted the resident prior to carrying out the work. Peter Tucker will speak to the resident on behalf of the Parish Council.

The formal meeting was convened at 7.40pm.

1. Apologies for absence
   Apologies were received from District Councillor James Morrish.
   


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.
   David Brown declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 11(a) - issue of cheques to the Community Property Trust and the Meeting Point and 11(b) - Meeting Point hall hire charges.
   


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


4. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 10 February 2010
   Snow clearance in the village. The Clerk reported that she has been informed that High Bickington will be included in the service to supply grit/salt bags to the village for use during icy weather conditions. They have asked for suitable sites to be nominated for this service. Peter Tucker agreed to be the contact person for Highways.
   
   
5. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows reported that she had spoken to PCSO Sandra Brown who was following up the reports of dog fouling problems around the Barton Meadow play area. Markers have been put in place around the dog bins asking dog owners to clear up after their dogs.
   Stella Burrows reported a Police and Neighbourhood Watch crime prevention and recruiting seminar on Monday 15th March at RHS Rosemoor Garden Centre near Torrington, 11am to 1pm. All members of the public are welcome to attend.
   


6. Sale of the Barton Meadow Hall site
   
   1. Meeting held at Torridge District Council offices on 18 February 2010. Mike Leatham said he had attended this meeting along with David Brown to represent the Parish Council. Mike Nicholls attended representing Pearce Construction along with their architect John Woodward and Maria Bailey (Planning) and Ken Miles (Solicitor) represented Torridge District Council. The architect for Pearce Construction had argued that there was an extant permission on the site for housing development and following further exchanges since the meeting it would appear that Maria Bailey and Ken Miles have accepted this argument and the planning application can proceed through the normal planning procedures. James Morrish has promised an immediate confirmatory e-mail to this effect.
   
   
   2. Brewer Harding & Rowe - Solicitors. The Chairman reported that Ian Budge of Brewer Harding & Rowe had sent an invoice for land registry fees of £50 to Mrs Harpum for the transfer of the land back into her ownership. It was never the Parish Council's intention that Mrs Harpum should be charged for any work and the Chairman had agreed a Parish Council cheque be issued on his authority to pay this charge. He had also spoken to Mrs Harpum.
      
      Pearce Construction had requested a contract be drawn up to allow them access to the copse area to lay drainage and other services required. The Chairman reported that he has advised Ian Budge he felt a formal legal agreement was not necessary in this instance as the Parish Council is working closely with Pearce on the Little Bickington Farm development and he was concerned that such an agreement might be transferable to any future owners of the Hall site should Pearce decide not to develop it themselves. Pearce Construction will be asked to make good any work carried out and also inform the Parish Council of the siting of any drains etc.
   
   


7. Parish Plans
   March update - David Venner circulated copies of the report showing current Bank balances
   He reported on the progress of the mobilisation work on the site. Several applications for affordable housing and requests to join the CPT Ltd have been received following the commencement of the work. Funding offers have been received and a formal acceptance of the loans will follow shortly. An offer of £30,000 towards the Renewable Energy installation has been received from Renewable Energy for Devon.
   The draft directory has been proof read and amendments are being made. The Chairman's foreword will need to be re-written and carefully worded to acknowledge funding sources.
   
   


8. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   Chris Brown had nothing to report.
   


9. Matters raised by the Chairman
   The Chairman reported that Sue Williamson and 5 others organised a litter pick in the village in February. They had collected 17 dustbin bags of rubbish. Councillors were very grateful to Sue Williamson and her team and they had funded a breakfast for them at The Old George. The litter pick had been extended to include the layby at Libbaton where there was a considerable amount of litter. One major concern was the amount of dog fouling at the playing field in Quarries Lane. Bags were being dumped in the hedgerow and members of the football and cricket clubs were having to clear this up.
   
   It was suggested that a dog bin be provided at the entrance to the field. Following a discussion Councillors agreed that the Parish Council would fund a dog bin if the Playing Field Association were in agreement. Peter Tucker will liaise with the High Bickington PFA and let the Clerk know the outcome. If they are happy with the suggestion the Clerk will arrange for the purchase and installation of a bin at the entrance.
   
   Decision: Proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Roger Keen, Councillors agreed unanimously that the Parish Council fund the purchase of a dog bin for installation at the Playing Field.
   
   Following the litter pick the other major area for concern was the Barton Meadow play area where, along with dog fouling on the play area, four nappies had been found. This is totally unacceptable. Dog fouling is a serious health hazard, particularly for children, and Councillors felt this was a matter which needs urgent attention. It was suggested that additional dog bins be installed on Mill Road and Paws Road. The Clerk reported that the Dog Warden has agreed to check on the Barton Meadow area on a regular basis and has suggested improved signage regarding the banning of dogs on the play area. Torridge District Council can impose heavy fines (max. £3,000) for anyone found guilty of allowing their dogs to foul public areas. The Clerk was asked to contact the Dog Warden to ask for his recommendations regarding the wording of any signage and also the installation of additional dog bins and their siting.
   
   It was reported that the recycling collection vehicles are leaving a number of bottles etc on the highway and the Clerk was asked to write a formal letter of complaint to Torridge District Council.
   
   The Chairman reported that there are a number of legal challenges being undertaken following the Government decision to create a single unitary authority for Exeter.
   


10. Maintenance
    
    1. Highways:
       1. Repairs - A number of serious potholes remain on the minor roads, particularly mentioned was the passing point between Dobbs corner and Welcombe. The School coach and lorries use this and the resulting problems are becoming a serious hazard.
          The other serious pothole is at Quarries Lane, by the playing field entrance.
          The Clerk was asked to contact Highways to report these two problem areas.
          The Clerk was also asked to report and complain about a lack of road sweeping services in recent months, particularly on the minor roads.
       
       
       2. Taylors Lane - Mike Leatham reported Highways will be resurfacing the lane.
       
       
    
    
    2. Footpaths and Byways: Roger Keen reported that he had met with Ros Davies and they had inspected the fence at Old Park. Ros Davies agreed to contact the owner and will report back to Roger Keen.
    
    


11. Finance
    
    1. Accounts as at 28 February 2010. These were agreed, accepted by Councillors present and eligible to vote (7), and showed a bank carry forward figure of £13,849.93 following authorisation for payment of the cheques below:
       
       100282 Brewer Harding & Rowe - paid on Chairman's authority for Land Registry fee in respect of Mrs Harpum's land £50.00
       100283 CPT Ltd - £13,640.58 less payment from CPT Ltd of £11,609.00 - for professional services in relation to development of a new Community Hall at Little Bickington Farm
       To be paid by Parish Council £2031.58
       100284 The Meeting Point - Hall Hire 5 @ £12 £60.00
       100285 Mrs D Snell - bus shelter honorarium £75.00
       100286 Mr R Keen - admin expenses for footpaths £25.00 100287 D Carter, salary (£238.87) + (Expenses £53.37) - (Total: £292.24)
       
       100288 The Old George - Litter pick breakfasts £25.00 £2,558.82
       
    
    
    2. Meeting Point Hall Hire charges
       David Brown had declared an interest in this item and did not take part in the discussion or decision.
       A request was received from The Meeting Point asking that the hall hire fees be increased as from 1 April 2010 from £12 to £13 per hire.
       Decision: Councillors present and eligible to vote (7) agreed unanimously that the hall hire charges be increased to £13 as from 1 April 2010.
       
    
    
    3. Cleaning of bus shelter - honorarium to Mrs D Snell.
       Decision: Councillors present agreed unanimously that the annual honorarium paid to Mrs D Snell be increased as from 1 April 2010 to £200 per annum.
       


12. Planning
    
    1. Applications:
       
       1. 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
          
          Stan Maskell declared a prejudicial interest and did not take part in the vote.
          
          Decision: Councillors present agreed unanimously to support the application with the comment made that whilst the existing entrance is hazardous onto a busy road, the proposed development does not pose any greater risk than the existing garage and access.
          
       
       
    
    
    2. Decisions:
       No decisions had been received.
    
    
    
    


13. Correspondence
    
    1. Letter of thanks from Tim Halpin for the cheque for his work on the Directory.
    2. Follow up report from Listening Events with Councillor Hart - from David Brown - circulation pack.
    3. Notice of road closure from Weirmarsh Farm to Southwood Cross - 25-27th May inclusive.
    4. Waste management in Devon - offer to talk to Parish Council about how food waste and composting is dealt with in Devon. Chairman will respond.


14. Items for information
    It appears likely that the General Election will be held on Thursday 6 May 2010.


15. Date of next meeting:
    Wednesday 14 April 2010 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.44pm.