Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 14 July 2010
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.50pm

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

In attendance:
David Venner – Community Property Trust; 6 members of the public; Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

There were no County Council, District Council nor Police representatives in attendance.

Matters raised by the public:

Following the public meeting at 7.00pm where Rob Horton, Community Defibrillator Officer, and Ian Knight, Community Engagement Manager for the South Western Ambulance Service Trust gave a presentation on the benefits of public access defibrillators, Councillors asked members of the public present for their views and whether they would support such a purchase. The general feeling was that it would be a good use of funds and a worthwhile investment for providing what could be a life-saving service for the village. Six people put their names forward to become trained in critical first aid and how to use the machine. This matter will be discussed further in the full Council meeting.

The formal meeting was convened at 7.58pm.

1. Apologies for absence
   Apologies were received from David Brown (holiday), Mike Leatham and PCSO Sandra Brown.
   
   



2. Declarations of Interest
   
   Peter Tucker, High Bickington Playing Fields Association re insurance costs raised by Chairman
   



3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on held on 9 June 2010
   
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2010 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. The Chairman signed the minutes.
   



4. Matters arising from the Minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2010
   
   
   
   1. Defibrillator - Councillors discussed the presentation by Rob Horton and Ian Knight from the South Western Ambulance Service Trust and felt it had been very helpful and clearly explained. The cost of a machine purchased through the SWAST would be £1,275 plus a box to house it which would be an additional £200-£1,000 depending on whether an internal or external box is required. It was felt the investment would be a good insurance policy for local residents. However, Councillors were disappointed that so few members of the public had attended and they felt it was important, before making a final decision, to gauge public support for the purchase and also to ascertain how many people would be interested in taking up the 4-hour emergency aid training to learn to use it properly. The machine can be used by an untrained person but chances of survival are improved by having some trained people available. The Clerk was asked to investigate possible sites for the machine and to see if local funding may be available to help with the cost. Local organisations would be asked to raise the matter with their members in an effort to gauge support and a note would be put in the weekly school newsletter. The village fete was also felt to be a good opportunity to raise the matter. A decision will be made at the September meeting when the results of these investigations are available.
      
   
   
   
   2. O2 grant - football coaching. Peter Tucker is following up the possibility of obtaining the services of a coach.
      
   
   
   
5. Police Matters
   
   Stella Burrows reported that the new Beat Manager is PC Perry Hodgson who replaces PC Dick Rowland. High Bickington has again been crime free in the last 30 days. There were 3 anti-social behaviour incidents which are being dealt with. Stella Burrows said that any member of the public who reports an incident via the central switchboard does not have to give their name.
   
   Stan Maskell read a letter from PCSO Sandra Brown which had been sent to all residents of Fountains Field stating that “The Council” were adopting a policy of no dogs and no ball games on the play area. The Chairman said he would like to know what prompted this letter and it was felt it should be made clear that it was not the Parish Council who had adopted the stated policy. The Clerk was asked to follow this up with PCSO Brown.
   
   



6. Parish Plans
   
   
   1. July update: David Venner circulated copies of the July report showing current bank balances. Some outstanding decisions on grant funding are still awaited. The Directory will be circulated shortly.
      
   
   
   2. The Chairman raised the matter of the cheque paid to the architect for revised plans for the community building. A request had been made by the Community Property Trust for Parish Council agreement to urgently release £1,050 plus VAT from funds held by the CPT on behalf of the Parish Council. Agreement was given following authorisation by the Finance Committee. The Chairman queried the need for the urgent payment and asked that in future, in the interests of transparency, any such payments from this fund should be agreed at a full Parish Council meeting unless there was a very strong reason for payment to be made between meetings.
      



7. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area
   
   Football nets – the Clerk has ordered these plus clips and pegs at a total cost of £58.00
   



8. Matters raised by the Chairman
   
   
   1. High Bickington Playing Fields Association. Peter Tucker declared an interest in this item and did not take part in the discussion. The Chairman reported that the Clerk had given the name of the Parish Council’s new insurers to the Treasurer of the PFA in an effort to reduce their insurance costs. The company concerned had approached the Parish Council to explain that if the PFA were to be added to the Parish Council’s insurance as a joint policy holder, as well as resulting in a reduction in premium of approximately £200 it would also give the PFA enhanced public liability cover and other benefits. Councillors able to make a decision (5) unanimously agreed that the High Bickington Playing Fields Association may be added to the Parish Council insurance policy if they so wish. The Clerk was asked to inform the Insurance company accordingly.
   
   
   
   2. The Chairman had received a message from Andy Fenge regarding the dog bin at the Playing Field as it appeared that the order had not been processed. The Clerk has been in touch with Andy Fenge and forwarded all relevant e-mails.
   
   
   



9. Maintenance
   
   
   
   1. Highways: Stan Maskell reported that a number of potholes have been and are still being repaired in the village and also noted new kerbstones were being installed near to the Woodrow Farm entrance
      
   
   
   
   2. Footpaths and Byways: David Venner agreed to look into the repairs/replacement required for the damaged gate at Taylors Lane.
      
      The Clerk reported that she has been in touch with Ros Davies, Footpaths Officer at Devon County Council regarding the complaints received about the security of the fence on the Old Park footpath. Ros Davies was unaware of the landowners’ name but asked if the Parish Council would be prepared, in the first instance, to write to them reporting the complaints and asking if they would look into ways in which they could strengthen and improve the fencing to ensure the horses could not access the footpath. Following this she will take the matter up on behalf of the Parish Council. The Clerk was asked to send a letter to the landowners.
      
   
   


10. Finance
    
    
    
    1. Accounts as at 29 June 2010. These were agreed, accepted by Councillors present, and showed a bank carry forward figure of £15,733.27 following authorisation for payment of the cheques below:
       
       
       100300 Derek Jones grasscutting £60.00
       100301 Directory printing £310.00
       100302 Soccer Store – football nets £58.00
       100303D Carter, salary (£241.37) + (Expenses £52.88) - (Total: £294.25)
       
    
    
    
    2. Internal audit: This was carried out on 15 June and there were no issues. The external report is awaited.
       
       
    3. Refurbishment of Church Hall: The confirmation that the electrical works have been carried out is awaited. Councillors agreed that the funds be released on receipt of this confirmation.
       
    
    
    
11. Planning
    
    
    
    1. Applications:
       
       
       1. 1/0510/2010/FUL
          
          Single storey lodge,
          
          48 Forest Park Lodges, Kingford Hill, High Bickington
          
          Mr Rodney Smith
          
          Decision: The Parish Council supports the application.
          
          
    2. Decisions:
       
       No decisions received.
       
       
    3. Quiet Waters, Atherington
       The Chairman reported notification from the Vice-Chairman of Atherington Parish Council that an appeal meeting was due to take place to-day. No-one from High Bickington Parish Council was able to attend. North Devon District Council had previously agreed to keep us informed of developments on the site and the Clerk was asked to follow this up.
       
    
    


12. Correspondence
    
    
    
    1. TDC – Allocation process for rural exception sites – for comment by 30th August. Mike Leatham had submitted relevant comments on affordable housing on this paper which Councillors endorsed. The Clerk was asked to contact Mike Leatham as Parish Council representative and chairman of the Affordable Housing Committee to ascertain whether he is happy for his comments to be used as the Parish Council response.
    
    
    2. Gill Makin & Maria Bailey – introductory letter re their new planning consultancy – GM Planning Services – to keep on file.
    
    
    3. North Devon Council – notice of workshop to inform the landscape character assessment of Torridge district – 21 July 2010 at Caddsdown Business Support Centre, 2pm – in circulation pack.
    
    
    4. TDC – Regen SW launch “Communities for Renewables”. Invitation to explore opportunities for renewable technologies in the Parish – The Chairman will respond.
    
    
    5. Chulmleigh Community College – Notice of “Communities in Partnership” evening at the College, Tuesday 5th October at 7pm. – in circulation pack.
    
    
13. Items for information
    
    
    1. The Clerk reported that the volleyball nets are available for collection from Torridge District Council. She will obtain full details and Peter Tucker will arrange to collect for installing on the Playing Field.
    
    
    2. Stella Burrows warned of a firm of burglar alarm suppliers from Birmingham who are telephoning residents to arrange demonstrations. There have been a number of complaints and Police advice is not to deal with the company.
    
    
14. Date of next meeting:
    
    Wednesday 8 September 2010 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.22pm.