Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 12 May 2004 at 7.40pm
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington

Present:

Peter Tucker (Chairman), David Brown, Stella Burrows, Jean Checksfield, Roger Keen, Stan Parker, Myc Riggulsford (from 7.45pm)

In attendance:

9 Members of the public
Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

1. Apologies for absence

   County Councillor John Rawlinson and Mike Leatham sent their apologies.

2. Election of Chairman

   Proposed by David Brown and seconded by Stella Burrows, Peter Tucker was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Parish Council by those present (2 absentees). There were no other nominations.

   Myc Riggulsford joined the meeting.

3. Election of Vice-Chairman

   Proposed by David Brown and seconded by Stan Parker, Mike Leatham was unanimously elected as Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council by those present (1 absentee).

4. Election of Finance Committee

   Proposed by David Brown and seconded by Jean Checksfield Councillors present agreed that the Finance Committee continue as in the previous year. Present members of the Committee, Peter Tucker, Mike Leatham and Myc Riggulsford were unanimously re-elected.

5. Election of Planning Sub-Committee

   Councillors present agreed that the Planning Sub-committee - Stella Burrows, David Brown and Peter Tucker - should continue to meet as and when necessary.

6. Appointment of Torridge Area Advisory Group Representative

   Everyone is welcome to attend the meetings and therefore it is not necessary to appoint a representative.

7. Appointment of Tree and Footpath Warden

   Proposed by Myc Riggulsford and second by Jean Checksfield, Roger Keen was unanimously elected to continue as Tree and Footpath Warden.

8. Confirmation of Clerk's Salary

   This was confirmed as 224 hours p.a. (4 hours per week + 16 weeks holiday) at £7.205 per hour = £1613..92 p.a. = £134.49 per month. The annual increase notified by Devon Association of Parish Councils is not expected to be agreed until later in the year.

   Proposed by Roger Keen and seconded by Myc Riggulsford it was unanimously agreed that the Clerk's salary be confirmed and any increase when notified should be applied and backdated to 1 April 2004.
   (Cum page 415)

9. Minutes of the meeting held on 14 April 2004

   The minutes of the meeting were agreed, accepted and adopted by the Council. The Chairman signed the minutes.

10. Matters arising from the meeting held on 14 April 2004

    1. Village shop - A planning application for change of use from a retail outlet to an estate agency has been received by Torridge District Council. The Parish Council has written to Torridge expressing local concerns and they will discuss their response when the application is received.

    2. Speeding device - Stella Burrows reported that she has spoken to PC Hagan who is awaiting responses from other Parishes. Maintenance of the device is a priority and he is looking into how this will be arranged. Members of the public had questioned the dates and times of the speed survey in the village and PC Hagan will confirm these as soon as possible.
       Signs for the community message box will be put on the noticeboards shortly.

    3. Dog bins - Jean Checksfield reported that she had a meeting with Richard Haste of Torridge District Council and sites for the bins were agreed. They will be fitted very shortly. Emptying will be done once a week unless it is felt this is not enough. The Chairman thanked Jean Checksfield for dealing with this.

    4. Refuse - notices had been placed in Ramblings and on noticeboards asking residents not to put out refuse sacks before the day of collection, but little improvement had been noted.
       Further sacks of what seems to be household rubbish have continued to appear on the Playing Field. The Clerk was asked to speak to Torridge to arrange for it to be removed again and to discuss with them any possible means of stopping the dumping of refuse on the site. Jean Checksfield suggested that the signs on the recycling area be repainted.

11. Parish Plans - May update

    David Venner presented the May update which was circulated to all Councillors. The contents were noted. There will be a further exhibition in July. Further members of the advisory groups now formed will be welcomed and anyone interested should contact David Venner. Following publication of the plans by Torridge, The Government of the South West will make their decision.

12. Matters raised by the Chairman

    The Chairman reported that he had attended the Torridge Area Advisory Group meeting on 27 April. There is to be a review of the Concurrent Function Grants to Town and Parish Councils. It was stated that Parishes will have to raise the money required to continue facilitating services in the community themselves. To continue with the present Concurrent Functions Grant would add £1 to the Council Tax for band D properties. A discussion took place on what actions the Parish Council may be able to take. The next meeting of the Advisory Group is in July.

    The Chairman further reported that the matching grants scheme seems likely to be discontinued with Parishes again being expected to find the funding themselves. The Clerk was asked to find out what the position is.

13. Maintenance

    Jean Checksfield had not received reports of any maintenance required in the village. She asked Councillors to let her know by the July meeting of any works they feel the one-man gang Lengthsman might carry out when he visits the village in August.

    The Clerk reported that Highways will shortly carry out a survey in the village to earmark potholes requiring repair. Following the serious potholes recently reported at Vauterhill temporary repairs had been made. Cum page 416

14. Finance

    1. Year end accounts at 31 March 2004.

       Proposed by Myc Riggulsford and seconded by David Brown Councillors present unanimously agreed to adopt the accounts as presented (attached cum pages 418/419) The Finance statement at 12 May 2004 was agreed and accepted by the Council.

    2. Insurance quotations - Councillors unanimously agreed to continue the insurance with Cornhill Insurance at £361.80 p.a. A verbal quotation from Zurich for £410.00 had been received.

15. Planning

    1. Planning applications received before the meeting:

       1. Application 1/0766/2004/FUL

          Dwelling & Garage
          11 Fairway Drive, Libbaton, High Bickington
          Mr B Eeles

          Decision: The Council supports this application which is entirely consistent with the original design of the site, and they do not consider this to be open countryside.

       2. Application 1/0793./2004/FUL

          Extra window in living room and relocating toilet to make room for a bath, new car access Witherhill Farm House, High Bickington
          Mr & Mrs D Dean

          Decision: The Council has no objection to the changes to the cottage, but does have concerns regarding the safety of the proposed new access.

       3. Application 1/0775/2004/COU

          Change of use of redundant barns to holiday accommodation.
          Yelland Farm, High Bickington
          Mr A N Woollacott
          Decision: No objection

    2. Planning decisions:

       1. Application 1/0247/2004/FUL

          Erection of conservatory to be used as a sun lounge High Down Cottage, Ebberly - GRANTED

       2. Application 1/0414/2004/COU

          Barn conversion and extension to form horse livery Bales Ash, High Bickington - GRANTED

       3. Application 1/0518/2004/FUL

          Porch & Conservatory
          Clay Down Pounds Lane, High Bickington - GRANTED

       4. Application 1/0370/2004/COU

          Subdivision of farmhouse into farmhouse and self contained holiday letting unit (retrospective)
          Yelland Farm, High Bickington - GRANTED

16. Correspondence

    1. BT - Review of the provision of public payphones - consultation. BT is proposing to remove the payphone at Ebberly Arms Cross, Roborough, but retain the one in the High Street, High Bickington. Some discussion took place as to whether Ebberly Arms Cross was in High Bickington Parish and David Brown will confirm this. A period of consultation will take place locally and the Clerk was asked to send copies of the BT letter and attachments to the Chairmen of Roborough and St Giles parishes. The Clerk will also check with BT the date for the conclusion of the consultation period. A decision will be taken at the next full Council meeting.
       (Cum page 417)

    2. Parish Paths Partnership Grants 2004 - confirmation that a grant of £275.00 has been awarded.

    3. Devon Playing Fields Association - invitation to take part in a survey of play equipment and outdoor sport facilities. Details passed to the Chairman.

17. Outstanding Matters

    There were no outstanding matters.

18. Items for Information

    There were no items for information.

19. Date of next meeting

    Wednesday 9 June 2004 in the Meeting Point, High Bickington, at 7.30pm.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.39pm.