Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Wednesday 21 July 2004 at the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.30pm

Present:

Peter Tucker (Chairman), Mike Leatham (Vice-Chairman), David Brown, Stella Burrows, Jean Checksfield, Roger Keen, Stan Parker, Myc Riggulsford.

In attendance:

Mr D Venner - Project 2000, PC Hagan (8 pm)
5 members of the public
Di Carter - Clerk

1. Apologies for absence

   There were no apologies.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2004

   The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 June 2004 were accepted and adopted by the Council. The Chairman signed the Minutes.

3. Matters arising from the meeting held on 9 June 2004

   1. Speed device. Stella Burrows reported that PC Hagan is making enquiries into maintenance and insurance of speed devices.

   2. Dog bins - these have been installed. Jean Checksfield reported that the bins should be emptied weekly during the summer and fortnightly in winter. Initially there was a problem with the bins not being emptied as agreed and Jean Checksfield will monitor the situation closely.

   3. Refuse -
      The recycling hut area is currently clear.
      Councillors asked that their thanks be conveyed to Sue Williamson and family for their hard work in organising a litter pick in the village.
      A parked car in the area of the telephone box has prevented the refuse lorry from collecting refuse from nearby houses. PC Hagan is aware of the problem and is proposing to instigate a 7-day notice on the car as it is causing an obstruction. If the owner does not move the vehicle within this period the District Council can remove it. Torridge District Council cannot send an extra smaller lorry to collect this refuse again as the operation is too costly. Jean Checksfield will check with residents affected to see if they are prepared to take their refuse to the main road until the problem is solved. The Clerk was asked to speak to Torridge District Council about this problem.

   4. BT - The Chairman read a letter from BT stating that a considerable volume of responses to the consultation letters have been received and there will be a delay in responding. Recovery of this payphone will not proceed until the Parish Council's concerns have been resolved.

4. Matters raised by the public

   1. Helen Carn reported that following clearance of the drains an unacceptable amount of debris was left. The mechanical road sweeping lorry had not solved the problem. The Clerk will speak to Torridge District Council.
      (Cum page 422)

   2. The Chairman responded to an enquiry about the Little Bickington Farm planning application. This application is with GOSW who have 28 days to comment. Those involved are aware of possible delays and the position is being closely monitored.

   3. One of the legs on the bus shelter has been ripped off. The Chairman will replace it.

   4. The caretaker at High Bickington Primary School has resigned due to the unacceptable level of vandalism and anti-social behaviour. PC Hagan has been informed of the problems and is arranging for additional patrols.

5. Police Matters

   PC Hagan was hoping to attend the meeting. In his absence Stella Burrows reported that there is a proposal to appoint an additional Constable in Torrington and felt this proposal should be backed by the Parish Council. Councillors unanimously agreed and the Clerk was asked to write to the Police Authority supporting the proposal and also expressing the Council's continuing support for the present officers.

6. Matters raised by the Chairman

   1. TDC - Planning Training Session for Parish Councils - 28 June 2004. The Chairman reported that this had been an interesting meeting with a very good speaker. The Parish Council appears to be complying with Torridge District Council's requirements regarding planning applications.

   2. TDC -Proposed closure of Torrington office. The Chairman felt there would be further information shortly on this proposal when the District Council budget is set. He suggested the matter be considered further at this time.

   3. Umberleigh Station. Wessex trains are running more trains on the Exeter - Barnstaple route but there appears to be less trains stopping at Umberleigh station. Mike Leatham feared this could lead to Wessex Trains claiming the station is not being used and closing it. It was agreed that trains are not stopping at several stations along the route as advertised, notices and timetables are misleading to members of the public. The Clerk was asked to write to Wessex Trains expressing the Parish Council's concerns. The situation will be monitored.

      PC Hagan joined the meeting at 8pm. He reported that he had been advised that Torridge District Council cannot recover the car causing an obstruction due to the fact that the tax disc is valid until the end of October 2004. The Police are also unable to remove it. PC Hagan is continuing to try and trace the registered owner of the vehicle.

      PC Hagan reported the appointment of a new Sergeant. He was grateful for the Parish Council's letter of support for the proposal to appoint a new Constable in Torrington. The workload of present officers is increasing and they are spending more time on response duties and are not able to spend sufficient time in the villages.

      PC Hagan reported that he has been unable to obtain a definitive answer to the queries regarding maintenance and insurance of speed devices. Some are also proving to be unreliable and PC Hagan felt that in view of these uncertainties he could not recommend the Parish Council taking the matter further at this time. He will visit the village with the speed gun in the near future.

      Community message box. PC Hagan continues to make enquiries into the disappearance of the box. He would not recommend a replacement at this time. In the meantime anyone wishing to report problems to the Police anonymously can do so by contacting PC Hagan and by ringing Crimestoppers.

      Regarding vandalism PC Hagan has been in touch with the school and action is being taken to ensure extra patrols visit schools and other public areas.
      (Cum page 423)

      Gas bottles at the Playing Field. The Chairman will speak to the Football Club and ask them to arrange for their removal.

      The Chairman thanked PC Hagan for attending the meeting and for the information he provided.

7. Parish Plan - July update

   1. Barton Meadow Recreational Play Area and Fountain Fields. Helen Carn reported that efforts are continuing to obtain funding for Barton Meadow Play area.
      Poltaire will have more information on Fountain Fields shortly. The Clerk was asked to write to Torridge District Council to ask again that the Parish Council be allowed to see and comment on any traffic calming proposals.

   2. David Venner's report for July was circulated. David Brown reported that the Community Property Trust is now a legal entity, registered on 9 July 2004. David Venner said invitations to the Project 2000 Exhibition on 24/25 July have been sent to all Councillors and asked that as many people as possible are encouraged to attend.

8. Maintenance
   Damage to the bus shelter was reported earlier.
   Jean Checksfield reminded Councillors to let her know of any work they would like the Lengthsman to carry out on his forthcoming visits. Removal of weeds in Barton Meadow and outside the school were requested.

   Potholes in Nethergrove have yet to be repaired and the Clerk was asked to contact Highways again on this matter and to ask for the proposed time schedule for carrying out other already marked areas requiring repair.

9. Finance

   1. The financial statement at 21 July 2004 and payments required were approved and accepted by the Council.

   2. The Chairman reported that the budget will be set shortly and a meeting of the Finance Committee will be arranged to consider the budget and the implication of the likely removal of the Concurrent Functions Grant and how best the Parish Council can carry out its duties of maintenance in the best interests of village residents. The Chairman had expressed concern at a meeting at Torridge District Council about the level of funding cuts to smaller Parish Councils who have no facilities funded by Torridge. This will put a financial burden onto the smaller Parish Councils who can only continue to fund services through the Precept. This view was supported by many other Councils present.

      Torridge District Council are no longer match funding grants to local organisations. A notice will be placed in Ramblings with a form to be completed and returned to the Clerk. As agreed last year only applications received in writing by the due date will be considered and the reason for requesting the grant must be given. Notices will also be placed on noticeboards.

      The Chairman urged everyone to complete the questionnaire contained in the Torridge First publication.

10. Planning

    1. Planning applications received before the meeting.

       1. Application 1/1221/2004/FUL
          Variation of condition 2 of planning application 1/1518.2002. Land at North Heale, Langridgeford.
          DECISION: The Parish Council supported the application.
          (Cum page 424)

       2. 1/1335/2004/COU
          Change of use of redundant barns to holiday accommodation. Yelland Farm, High Bickington.
          DECISION: The Parish Council continues to support this application.

       3. 1/1341/2004/FUL
          Alterations and extension to form additional bedroom and bathroom. 2 Higher Meadows, High Bickington
          DECISION: The Parish Council supports this application which allows a local, young and growing family to remain in the village.

    2. Planning decisions:

       1. 1/0775/2004/COU - REFUSED
          Change of use of redundant barns to holiday accommodation.
          Yelland Farm, High Bickington.

       2. 1/0793/2004/FUL - REFUSED
          Extra window in living room and relocating toilet to make room for a bath, new car access.
          Witherhill Farm House, Witherhill, High Bickington

       3. 1/0919/2004/FUL - GRANTED
          Garage
          12 Fairway Drive, Libbaton.

    3. The Chairman reported that the Little Bickington Farm plans are with GOSW who have 28 days to consider them. Their progress will be monitored closely to ensure no delays occur.

11. Correspondence

    1. DAPC - Clerks' Training Event. This had been cancelled due to lack of support.

    2. Torridge Voluntary Services - AGM Wednesday 11 August 2004 - for circulation.

    3. Induction Loop Systems - Disability Discrimination Act. Requirements to be noted - for circulation.

    4. Devon Playing Fields Association - AGM Thursday 29 July 2004 - for circulation.

    5. TDC - 100% District coverage of weekly kerbside recycling service - noted.

12. Outstanding Matters
    There were no outstanding matters.

13. Items for information
    There is currently no local North Devon Journal reporter for High Bickington and it was felt that local issues are not being publicised. Is anyone interested in taking on this task?

14. Date of next meeting
    Wednesday 8 September 2004 in the Meeting Point at 7.30pm.