Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 10 February 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:
Torridge District Councillor James Morrish; David Venner – Community Property Trust; 3 Members of the public; Mrs Di Carter – Clerk.

Mike Leatham welcomed James Morrish to the meeting.

James Morrish reported the decision announced earlier in the day that following the Boundary Commission Review the present Secretary of State has ruled in favour of a unitary Council for Exeter, reversing the earlier recommendation. This was an unexpected decision and one which Devon County Council is likely to appeal against. James Morrish felt this decision could have an adverse affect on rural areas in Devon, with financial problems arising in future years. With an election pending in May this year, the decision will be a major topic for discussion.

As this part of the meeting was open to the public David Brown, in his role as Chairman of the Community Property Trust and with the approval of Councillors, took part in the following discussion and answered questions put to him.

James Morrish raised the planning application submitted by Pearce Construction for 3 dwellings on the Hall Site in Barton Meadow and the resulting recommendation by Officers to refuse the application following legal advice.

James Morrish said both he and Maria Bailey are supportive of the Little Bickington Farm project and want to ensure this is able to be taken forward as soon as possible. He has called in the Barton Meadow application for decision by Committee but he is hopeful that it may be possible to avoid taking this path. He said he would be happy to arrange a meeting in Bideford with himself, Maria Bailey, Torridge District Council planning officers and Solicitor, High Bickington Parish Councillors and representatives from Pearce Construction. Councillors felt such a meeting would be helpful and reported their concerns to James Morrish about the way the application has been handled.
The Clerk read an e-mail from Maria Bailey which Mike Leatham felt did not fully address the matters raised in the Parish Council’s letter of 21 January 2010. The major problem is that the new Community Hall at the Little Bickington Farm site cannot be built without funds from the sale of the Hall Site at Barton Meadow. He felt the perceived legal obstructions being raised could prolong what should be a fairly straightforward decision. James Morrish agreed to arrange a meeting and inform the Clerk of details.

James Morrish was pleased to report that Torridge District Council now has a 4-star rating as Investors in People and had been acknowledged in the Daily Telegraph as the best local authority employers in Devon. Torridge now have healthy reserves of £890,000, two years ago the reserves were below the legal limit.

There were no County Council nor Police representatives present and there were no questions from the public.

James Morrish left the meeting and the formal meeting was convened at 7.45pm.

1. Apologies for absence
   Apologies were received from Myc Riggulsford (business) 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 13 January 2010
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2010 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. Mike Leatham signed the minutes.
   


4. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 13 January 2010
   Snow clearance in the village. There had been problems with icy conditions in the centre of the village following recent snow falls. Stan Maskell reported that he had attended a surgery held by Devon County Council Highways earlier in the day when this matter had been raised, and it had been suggested that deliveries of salt/grit bags could be delivered to pre-determined areas in villages if Parish Councils asked to be included in this service. Mike Leatham felt that it was important to ensure suitable help was given to elderly residents who were unable to undertake snow clearance themselves, and the Clerk was asked to write to Highways indicating the Parish Council’s wish to be included in any such scheme.
   
   
5. Police Matters
   Following an enquiry about a possible anomaly in the January Police newsletter, Stella Burrows reported the response from PCSO Sandra Brown. The assault reported was of a domestic nature and as such was not recorded as a criminal offence.
   Stella Burrows reported the February Police newsletter where there was 1 crime of arson to a farm barn; the Police and CID are actively following this up. There was a warning about a council tax scam currently being carried out whereby callers are informing residents that they have a credit on their Council Tax account and asking for bank details etc to enable this credit to be reimbursed to them. This is potential fraud and any incidents should be reported to the Police. A strong warning was given to the public never to give out personal details of any kind without confirmation that the caller is genuine. If an offer seems too good to be true, it probably is.
   


6. Sale of the Barton Meadow Hall site
   David Brown, having declared a prejudicial interest at the start of the meeting, left the room while this item was discussed in the formal meeting
   
   Peter Tucker asked for clarification of Pearce’s position on the problems resulting from their application to build 3 dwellings on the hall site, as it appeared they may be responsible for some of the barriers being put in the way of a successful outcome.
   Mike Leatham felt that Maria Bailey’s response did not adequately address the points raised in the Parish Council’s letter.
   Following a discussion Councillors present agreed that a meeting with representative from Torridge District Council, as suggested earlier by James Morrish, would be helpful and it was further agreed that Pearce Construction be invited to attend that meeting. Councillors agreed that Mike Leatham and David Brown be asked to attend the meeting; Mike Lealtham said all Councillors were welcome to attend if they so wished. Details of the meeting will be circulated when available.
   
   David Brown returned to the meeting.
   


7. Parish Plans
   February update – David Venner circulated copies of the February report showing current Bank balances.
   He reported that mobilisation works on the site had commenced prior to the formal transfer of land, as reported in the January minutes. Offers of funding are likely to be decided upon at the Board meeting on 11 February 2010.
   Tim Halpin has completed work on the revision of the Directory. David Venner asked for volunteers to check the draft for errors and omissions and Peter Tucker agreed to do this.
   David Venner reported instances of vandalism to the Barton Meadow hedge plants. He will report this to PCSO Sandra Brown. He asked whether maintenance of the hedge could be incorporated into the general maintenance of the play area. Following a discussion Councillors agreed that this would be appropriate and Peter Tucker agreed to speak to Derek Jones.
   
   


8. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   The Clerk reported that ROSPA have confirmed they will be carrying out the annual Play Area Inspection in March.
   


9. Matters raised by the Chairman
   The Clerk reported that the Parish Council elections will not be held in 2010 as reported in the January meeting, but will take place in May 2011 in line with District Council elections
   


10. Maintenance
    
    1. Highways: Stan Maskell reported that Highways, at the meeting he attended in Merton earlier, have said they are prioritising potholes on “A” roads and it is going to be some time before the country lanes receive attention. They urged all motorists to display caution. They are proposing to temporarily repair potholes in future with a tar compound first to make them waterproof and less likely to be damaged by adverse weather conditions.
       Stan Maskell reported that Highways are saying that maintenance of ditches is the responsibility of farmers whose fields abut the highway. Stella Burrows felt this could cause serious problems with boundary issues and would need to be legally clarified.
       
    
    
    2. Footpaths and Byways: Roger Keen has returned the annual report and applied for a grant. Ros Davies, County Council footpaths officer, is meeting with Roger Keen to inspect the Old Park fence on 1 March.
    
    


11. Finance
    Accounts as at 29 January 2010. These were agreed, accepted by Councillors present and showed a bank carry forward figure of £16,408.75 following authorisation for payment of the cheque below:
    
    100277 HB Toddler Group/Meeting Point £100.00*
    100278 Society of Local Council Clerks – Sub £72.00
    100279 Jim Hedges – cycle track work £70.50
    100280 Tim Halpin – Directory £200.00
    100281 D Carter, salary (£238.87) + (Expenses £72.80 inc. boxes) - (Total: £311.67)
    
    *David Brown explained that a replacement cheque has been issued in favour of the Meeting Point/Toddler Group as the Toddler Group is both provided and insured under the auspices of the Meeting Point Trustees and does not have its own bank account.
    


12. Planning
    
    1. Applications:
       
       1. 1/0046/2010/FUL
          
          New dwelling and detached garage.
          
          Rectory Cottage, High Bickington.
          
          Mrs S Abbott
          
          Stan Maskell declared a prejudicial interest and did not take part in the vote.
          
          Decision: Councillors present and able to vote (6) agreed to support the application with reservations noted about clearly defined garage and parking facilities being required for the present dwelling.
          
       
       
    
    
    2. Decisions:
       1. 1/1147/2009/FUL & 1147/LBC
          
          Proposed conversion to dwelling
          
          Old Skittle Alley, High Bickington
          
          PC Decision 09.12.09: Supported.
          TDC Decision 13.1.10: Granted.
       
       
       
       2. 1/1129/2009/FUL
          Proposed extension to provide additional living accommodation and internal alterations
          
          Old Park, High Bickington
          
          PC Decision 09.12.09: Support.
          TDC Decision 12.01.10: Granted.
       
       
       
       3. 1/1143/2009/FUL & 1143/LBC
          Construction of wood store/boiler room
          
          Snape Farm, High Bickington
          
          PC Decision 09.12.09: Support.
          TDC Decision 12.01.10: Granted.
       
       
       
       
    3. 48299 - N Devon CC - Proposed blending shed, NWF Agriculture, Wixland, Atherington
       North Devon District Council has written to the Parish Council informing them that permission has been granted with a conditions letter attached. This was put in circulation pack for Councillors.
    
    
    
    
    


13. Correspondence
    
    1. TDC - Vacancy for Parish Representative on Standards Committee - as the Chairman currently sits on this Committee it was felt this was not appropriate for the Parish Council to consider.
    2. NALC - Invitation to Buckingham Palace Garden Party - 22 June 2010. The Clerk was asked to put forward the Chairman's name.
    3. DCC - questionnaire re Mobile Library Service - Peter Tucker agreed to respond.
    4. TDC - Winkleigh Airfield Site Development Brief - draft for consultation. In Circulation pack.


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


15. Date of next meeting:
    Wednesday 10 March 2010 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.32pm.