Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 11 January 2012
at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point, High Bickington

Present:
Peter Tucker (Chairman), Steve Alford (Vice-Chairman)), Chris Brown, David Brown,  Stella Burrows, Roger Keen, John Phillips, Peter Worrall.

In attendance:
6 Members of the public, Mrs Di Carter – Clerk

The Chairman wished everyone a very happy new year.

District Councillor Harold Martin was unable to attend this meeting but had sent an e-mail wishing everyone a happy new year. He reported that interviews are being carried out next week for a new Planning Manager. He also asked to be kept informed of problems with dog fouling in the village

Matters raised by the public: A member of the public living close to the Little Bickington Farm development raised concerns about boiler noise and emissions, particularly at night, and queried why the boiler had been placed so close to the properties on the main road. The Chairman said he was confident that the problems will be sorted out, work is being done with the contractors in an effort to minimise problems. He did ask, however, that any problems be reported now to the Community Property Trust office rather than wait until the contractors are off-site. This matter will be discussed further under the main agenda.

Chulmleigh Community College – grant funding for transport to enable students from High Bickington and other villages to attend study support after school hours. A member of the public said he understood that as Chulmleigh now has Academy status funding for this type of activity should be available directly from Government. The Chairman said the Parish Council had agreed at the previous meeting to award an initial grant of £100 to Chulmleigh but would be monitoring the situation before any further grant funding was considered.

The formal meeting was convened at 7.40pm.

 
1. Apologies for absence
    
   Apologies were received from District Councillor Harold Martin, PCSO Sandra Brown  and Kay Harding – Secretary/Bookkeeper, Community Property Trust.
   

 
2. Declarations of Interest
    
   David Brown declared a personal interest in agenda item 6 as Chairman of the High  Bickington Community Property Trust.
    
   Stella Burrows declared a personal interest in agenda item 6 as the Parish Council’s  representative to the Community Property Trust.
   

 
3. Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on held on 14 December  2011
    
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 14 December 2011 were approved and adopted by Councillors present. The Chairman signed the minutes.

 
4. Matters Arising
    
   There were no matters arising.
   

 
5. Police Matters
    
   Stella Burrows reported the Neighbourhood Watch AGM to be held in Bideford on 8th February. PCSO Sandra Brown had reported two crimes in the past 30 days, one of criminal damage to a dwelling and the theft of a cattle feeder. There were four phone calls over the same period – 3 suspicious activities, suspect vehicles and one road traffic accident. New speedwatch dates will be confirmed shortly. The Clerk was asked to follow up requests for permanent speedwatch signs.
    
   Stella Burrows urged the public to obtain the numbers of any suspicious vehicles in the area and report them immediately to the Police. Delays make it impossible for the Police to follow up.
    
   The Clerk will put notices about new contact details on noticeboards and in Ramblings – the new number for non-emergency calls is 101.
    
   The Chairman thanked Helen Carn for her work on behalf of the Neighbourhood Watch.


6. Parish Plans
    
   January update from Community Property Trust – Kay Harding had circulated copies of the report. David Brown said that due to the holiday period and poor weather there was little to report this month. It is hoped that the first residents will be able to move into the affordable housing at the end of January. Work on the new community building continues to be on schedule.
    
   Community Woodland – a meeting has been arranged for Thursday 9 February at 7pm in the Meeting Point to discuss ongoing works and make plans for the spring/summer working parties. New volunteers are always Welcome.
    
   Noise and emissions from the District Heating System – the boiler system is due to be fully commissioned between 18th and 20th January. At present it is just the gas boiler being used and it does produce steam. It is currently being run possibly more than will be necessary in future in order to dry out the new properties. Permanent doors have been installed and it was thought this had cut out the noise however local residents did not agree. John Phillips confirmed there is still a noise problem and was convinced the noise was coming from the gas boiler – it was suggested that a diary be kept of the times when this problem occurs. Steve Alford suggested that the contractors be asked to turn the gas boiler off at night. David Brown confirmed the matter is still in the hands of the contractors and he will take the comments back to them. It is important to get the problems sorted out before the boiler is fully commissioned and handed over to the CPT.
    
   The Chairman asked about the remaining rental properties – David Brown said there were people showing interest but as yet these were not confirmed. If there are no suitable applicants from High Bickington it may be necessary to approach people living in neighbouring villages. The Community Property Trust will shortly be putting a leaflet through every door in the village. Anyone who is interested in one of the rental properties should contact the CPT office in the Meeting Point.
   

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


8. Matters raised by the Chairman
   
    
   1. Dog fouling – the Chairman reported continuing problems with dog fouling around  the village. The Clerk has contacted the Animal Welfare Officer and is arranging to  meet him next week and he will walk around the village and recommend any action he  feels might be necessary. There is dog fouling on the lanes around the village but  unfortunately any roads which do not have a speed restriction of 40mph or less do  not come within the enforcement criteria. However, the Animal Welfare Officer will  include these in his inspection. He is keen that his contact details are widely  publicised and anyone can report any suspicions of culprits anonymously to him as  follows: Carl Caswell, Torridge District Council. Tel: 01897 428855, e-mail:  carl.caswell@torridge.gov.uk
   
   
   2. The Localism Bill – The Chairman felt the Localism Bill is something which the  Parish Council should be aware of.  A copy of the main points of the Bill will be  put in the circulation pack, and Councillors are asked to make any comments and  return them for further discussion.
   
   
   3. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – The Chairman felt it was important for the village  to celebrate this occasion and suggested that a public meeting be held early in  February to invite suggestions on ways this might be done. The Chairman felt it was  important for the younger members of the community to take part. Further details  will be publicised shortly.

 
9. Maintenance
    
   
   1. Highways – Chris Brown reported that the drain at the top of Kingford Hill is still causing problems and needs attention.
       
      The Clerk was also asked to report the following problems:
       
      Blocked drain at the junction of Nethergrove and main road.
      Blocked drain at Nethergrove close to Wards Cottage.
      Blocked drain at corner of Mill Road/Church Meadow.
      Potholes at Wardens Close, one serious one at the entrance and others less serious further into the Close.
      Road breaking up at the entrance to Barton Meadow Road.
       
      Stella Burrows said the car park is still not being used in Mill Road. The Chairman said he will look into the problems of puddling and the overgrown hedge as it is important that the car park should be in a usable condition. He will report on any work required.
      
   
   
   2. Footpaths and byways – Roger Keen had carried out his annual inspection. Some  signs need replacing and he will contact the Devon Footpath Officer about replacements. He has also spoken to Jon Hedges about work required on the gate latch on the bridle path.
   
   

 
10. General Finance
     
    The Chairman reported a letter of thanks from the Headteacher at Chulmleigh  Community College for the offer of a grant of £100 towards the cost of transport for  students to attend out of hours study. The cheque will be issued at this  meeting.
     
    Barclays current a/c statement at 30 December 2011 - £19,165.40 
    Cheques not presented:
     
    100368   Libbaton Junior Golf      -  £ 100.00
    100369   Ramblings Sub              -  £     6.00
     
                                                     Total  -  £ 106.00
      
    Authority required for cheques::
     
    100382   Chulmleigh Community College Grant            -  £ 100.00
    100376   D Carter Salary £241.35 & Expenses £35.33  -  £ 276.68
     
                                                                                            Total  -  £ 376.68
     
    Bank position 11 January 2012 - £18,682.72
     
    The statement of account as at 30 December 2011 was agreed together with the issue of the cheques listed.
 
 
11. Planning
     
    
    1. Applications circulated before the meeting:
       
       
       
       1. 1/1163/2011/FUL
          Conversion & extension of disused barn to form one unit of holiday accommodation,  including small photovoltaic solar panel array on nearby land.
          Weirmarsh Farm, High Bickington
          Mr Max May
          PC Response: The Parish Council supports the re-use of a redundant  building but does have serious concerns for the safety of pedestrians accessing the  property.  The plans indicate that parking facilities will necessitate pedestrians  crossing the A377 on a busy section of the road to access the property. The Parish  Council requests that Highways be asked to consider the safety aspects of this  application and any extra measures they feel may be necessary, ie wider splays for  visibility, warning signs and lighting.
           
          
    2. New Applications:
       
       
       
       1. 1/1217/2011/FUL
          Lean-to extension at rear of existing garage for use as a tool shed.
          Greenwood, High Bickington
          Mr P Godfrey
          PC Decision: The Parish Council supports this application.
           
          
    3. Decisions:
       
        
       1. 1/1047/2011/FUL
          Conversion of redundant farm buildings to 2 no. permanent residential dwellings and  1 no. holiday unit
          Christmas Farm, High Bickington
          Mr N Anderson
          Application withdrawn
          
    
    
12. Parish Plan Appraisal
     
    Pete Worrall reported that the first draft of questions to be asked in the updated  appraisal has been drawn up and the working party will be meeting next week to  finalise these before presenting them to the Parish Council at the February meeting.  The Chairman asked whether it would be possible to circulate this draft to  Councillors before the next meeting to give them a chance to read them before the  meeting. The Chairman suggested it might be worth getting more people involved in  the appraisal, eg school, groups, etc to see whether there are any specific  questions they would like included.


13. Correspondence
     
    
    1. DCC – Notice of road closure for patching works – Langridgeford to High Bickington – 23rd – 31st January 2012.  Notices to go on noticeboards.
    2. North Devon Healthcare – Foundation Trust application consultation – in circulation pack for comments.
    3. HM Revenue & Customs – notice re use of red diesel for snow clearance during extreme weather conditions – in circulation pack.

 
14. Items for information
     
    David Brown reported that the next meeting of the Local Community Partnership will  be held in Torrington on Thursday 26 January.  An appointment to be made for someone  to work with Parishes on the Localism Bill.

 
15. Date of next meeting:
     
    Wednesday 8 February 2012 in the Meeting Point at 7.30pm.  
    

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.35 pm.