Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 13 October 2004 at 7.30pm
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington

Clerk: Mrs Di Carter, 20 Springfield, Four Seasons Village, Winkleigh, Devon EX19 8DP Tel: 01837 680125
E-mail: cartergrth@aol.com

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

In attendance: Mr John Rawlinson - County Councillor, 11 members of the public and Di Carter - Clerk to the Parish Council

1. Apologies for absence
   Apologies were received from Stella Burrows.
   
   

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 8 September 2004
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 8 September 2004 were accepted and adopted by the Council. The Chairman signed the Minutes.
   
   

3. Matters Arising

   1. Refuse - Playing field - Jean Checksfield said there had been no further reports of rubbish being dumped around the recycling area.

   2. Parked Car - the car has not been removed. The tax expires at the end of October, following this it is hoped that it will be possible to have it removed. A letter to the registered owner of the vehicle had produced no response.

   3. BT Payphone - no further communication has been received from BT.

   4. Wessex Trains - A letter from Wessex Trains had been received suggesting that the Parish Council joins one of the user groups, in doing so they will be informed of any proposed changes to the Tarka Line. Further problems had been encountered with the service to Umberleigh station and Councillor Rawlinson said he would follow up these complaints.

   
   

4. Matters Raised by the Public
   Following a question about the options regarding the Barton Meadow play area, the Chairman reported that the official transfer deeds have now been received from Brewer Harding & Rowe, Solicitors. The document will be studied and it may be necessary to take advice on this matter.

   The Chairman thanked Councillor Rawlinson for attending the meeting and invited him to address the meeting.

   Councillor Rawlinson spoke about affordable housing and demonstrated a sample of a new type of building brick which is being used widely in Holland. It has been used in this country and a house has been built at Sutcombe using the new bricks. The building time is reduced, they are cheaper than standard bricks and save on energy. He encouraged Councillors and any members of the public to view this house. The question of whether lenders would be prepared to offer a mortgage on such new building techniques was raised.

   There is a seminar at The Plough in Torrington on 28 October when a speaker from South Shropshire will be talking about how in that area they have managed to keep affordable housing affordable. Again he encouraged people to attend.

   Councillor Rawlinson said he had been told by Devon County Council that as soon as the Little Bickington site is ready, money for the new school will be made available. Councillors felt this was encouraging news.

   The Chairman asked Councillor Rawlinson for an update on the position at Torridge District Council. The problems have still to be resolved and there is a particular problem within the Planning department. Councillor Rawlinson suggested that the Parish Council invite the Chief Executive, Roger Heath, to a Council meeting and the Clerk was asked to write giving a choice of dates.
   
   

5. Police Matters
   In Stella Burrows' absence the Chairman reported that she has been in touch with PC Hagan on various matters. No report had been received from PC Hagan.
   
   

6. Matters Raised by the Chairman

   1. The Chairman reported on the meeting with Poltair which had been well attended by Councillors and members of the public. It was encouraging to note that some of the sustainable issues have been taken on board with regard to drainage. Poltair have said that there will be problems once building commences with large machinery on site, there will be a designated route for heavy lorries. The Chairman asked that any problems which arise be reported in the first instance to a member of the Parish Council as they will have avenues to pursue with Poltair to raise any issues. Poltair are hoping to start work before Christmas. The Chairman circulated leaflets about the development.

   2. Dates for Parish Council meeting in 2005 were circulated and agreed.

      • Wednesday 12 January

      • Wednesday 9 February

      • Wednesday 9 March

      • Wednesday 13 April

      • Wednesday 11 May - Annual Parish Meeting

      • Wednesday 8 June

      • Wednesday 13 July

      • August - no meeting

      • Wednesday 14 September

      • Wednesday 12 October

      • Wednesday 9 November

      • Wednesday 14 December

   
   
   

7. Parish Plan - Update October 2004

   1. David Venner circulated copies of his October report.
      The Chairman said the working groups are still open to membership from members of the public. David Brown reported that there were now about 40 people involved. Mike Leatham said those people who had registered an interest in the affordable housing were being followed up.

      The hold up in the decision from GOSW regarding the planning application is very frustrating. The Chairman reported that the local MP, John Burnett, has taken the matter up with GOSW and had received a reply stating that they had no direct evidence of local support for the project. This was felt to be unacceptable as the views of the local community have been well documented and these have been forwarded to John Burnett. The Chairman felt if there was a genuine problem it would be helpful to all concerned to know what it was. Councillor Rawlinson offered to take this matter up on behalf of the Parish Council. There is some uncertainty about the position regarding the loan from Torridge. The Chairman emphasised that work is still ongoing but the hold-up is restricting.

   2. Relationship between the Parish Council, High Bickington CPT and Barton Meadow Recreational Area Committee.
      The Chairman circulated a paper stating the issues which need to be resolved. He said the Parish Council needs to be clear on how the money is going to be passed over and how it is spent. He felt the best way forward would be to arrange some informal meetings with the CPT and the BMRAG. Following enquiries it appeared that if the monies are paid to the Parish Council by Torridge the Council will be liable to audit fees amounting to £852 for each year the money is in the Council bank account. This represents an increase of approximately £650.

      Mike Leatham and Myc Riggulsford felt that it would be in the best interests of the local electorate to make every effort to avoid these increased audit fees and suggested that Torridge District Council be asked to pay the monies direct to the organisations concerned which would benefit both them and the Parish Council. It was pointed out that Torridge have stated that the 106 agreement is a legal document and the terms cannot easily be changed.

      The Chairman asked members of the public to raise any issues they would like considered regarding the payment of these monies.

      Following a discussion the following proposals were made:

      1. Proposed by Myc Riggulsford, seconded by Jean Checkfield it was unanimously agreed that any interest earned by depositing the monies in the Parish Council bank account be used to pay any additional audit fees.

      2. Proposed by Mike Leatham, seconded by Myc Riggulsford it was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council do everything possible to ensure the additional audit fees do not arise. The Clerk was asked to write to the Head of Planning, with a copy to the Treasurer and the Solicitor at Torridge District Council asking them to pay the monies directly to the CPT and the BMRAG.

      BBC Radio 4's "Changing Places" programme interviewed a number of people in High Bickington about project 2000 and this programme will be broadcast on Friday 22 October at 3pm.

   
   

8. Highways and Maintenance
   Jean Checksfield felt that some work may have been done recently by the Parish Lengsthman. The next visit is scheduled for the 2-man gang to visit the village on 27/28th October and Jean Checksfield asked Councillors to report any work requested following the meeting.

   The Clerk was asked to contact Highways again to try to establish when highways maintenance work might be carried out and to report problems in the roadway outside the surgery and by the bus shelter.
   
   

9. Finance

   1. The financial statement as at 30 September 2004 was approved and accepted by the Council. Two additional cheques to those listed on the statement were approved, namely the half-yearly honorarium of £75 to Mr Keith Snell and the annual subscription of £5 for Ramblings.

   2. Payment of 106 monies - this matter had been discussed under agenda item 7 above. The Clerk left the room while item (c) below was discussed.

   3. Clerk's Salary. The Clerk is entitled to an annual increment rise on the anniversary of their start date in addition to any annual pay increase.
      Proposed by Jean Checksfield and seconded by David Brown it was agreed unanimously that the Clerk be moved up one scale point to SCP 16, backdated to 1 May 2004. It was further agreed that as from 1 May 2005 the clerk be moved to SCP 17.

   4. Grants 2005/06

      1. To local organisations:
         Eight applications for grants have been received:
         HB Methodist Youth Club, HB Playing Field Association, HB Youth Judo Club, HB Parochial Church Council, Barton Meadow Recreational Area, The Meeting Point, HB Pre School Group, HB Play Area Group.

         The following Councillors declared an interest and did not take part in the decision:
         Peter Tucker and Stan Parker - HB Playing Field Association.
         Roger Keen - HB Parochial Church Council
         David Brown - The Meeting Point

         An amount of £720 had been allocated in the budget for grant payments and it was noted that Torridge District Council are no longer match funding these grants. Proposed by Myc Riggulsford, seconded by Jean Checksfield and agreed by those eligible to vote, it was decided to allocate the money equally between the eight applicants, ie £90 per organisation.

      2. Concurrent Functions Grant: The Chairman read a letter from Torridge District Council confirming that it was unlikely that this grant would be continued and advised that Parish Councils ignore this grant in their precept calculations.

      
      

   5. Precept 2005/06.
      This will be considered at the meeting on 10 November 2004 following a few minor amendments to the budget.

   
   

10. Planning

    1. Applications received before the meeting
       1/1801/2004/FUL
       Extension to form en-suite bathroom and conservatory Little Silver House, High Bickington
       Mr & Mrs Dormer
       Decision: The Parish Council supports the application.

    2. Planning Decisions:

       1. 1/1337/2004/FUL - GRANTED
          Garden shed/workshop, High Downs, Ebberley St Giles, Torrington
          Mr & Mrs Beer

       2. 1/1341/2004/FUL-GRANTED
          Alterations and extension to form additional bedroom and bathroom
          2 Higher Meadow, High Bickington
          Mr & Mrs E Buckpitt

       3. 1/0766/2004/FUL - GRANTED Dwelling & Garage, 11 Fairway Drive, Libbaton
          Mr B Eeles

       
       

    3. Planning Appeal
       1/1335/2004/COU
       Change of use of redundant barns to holiday accommodation, Yelland Farm, High Bickington
       Mr A N Woollacott
       The Parish Council supported this application and did not wish to make any further comment.

    
    

11. Correspondence

    1. Torridge District Council - Draft statement of licensing policy consultation. Noted that the revised date for comments is now 31 October 2004. For circulation pack.

    2. Torridge District Council - Supplementary planning documents - for circulation pack.

    3. Devon Chestnut Appeal - invitation to take part in BBC quiz - for circulation pack.

    
    

12. Outstanding Matters
    There were no outstanding matters.
    
    

13. Items for information

    1. There will be a Christmas Fair meeting at the Golden Lion Pub on the evening of 14 October 2004.

    2. The Chairman reported that the planning application for the proposed Biomass power station on Winkleigh airfield is due to be submitted on Friday 15 October 2004.

    
    

14. Date of next meeting
    Wednesday 10 November 2004 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point.