Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 12 January 2005 at 7.30pm
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington

Present: Peter Tucker (Chairman), Stella Burrows, Jean Checksfield, Roger Keen, Stan Parker, Myc Riggulsford

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

1. Apologies for absence
   Apologies were received from Mike Leatham and David Brown.
   

2. Matters Raised by the Public
   There were no matters raised by the public.
   

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

4. Matters Arising
   All matters arising were covered by agenda items.

   The Chairman invited Councillor John Rawlinson to address the meeting.

   Councillor Rawlinson reported an approach he made to Edward Chorlton, County Environment Officer regarding the public inquiry into the Little Bickington Farm project. He had not found this particularly helpful and had followed it up by contacting the County leaders of the three political parties who had all given very solid support for the project and had promised to do all they could to help. There will have to be a public inquiry but the main effort now has to be given to trying to ensure it is held sooner rather than later. Councillor Rawlinson particularly mentioned the adverse effect delays would have on the much-needed new school, the community centre, the affordable housing and workshops. It has been widely acknowledged to be a superb example of a rural development and the public inquiry has dealt it a bitter blow.

   Councillor Rawlinson has now received a letter from Edward Chorlton which is more helpful. Planning issues remain with Torridge and they have been supportive of the project.

   Councillor Rawlinson gave an explanation of the planning process which had resulted in the public inquiry. All procedures had been correctly followed through with advice from statutory authorities.

   Councillor Rawlinson wished to congratulate everyone involved in the woodland planting the previous weekend and he was most impressed with the achievements.

   Myc Riggulsford queried the outcome if GOSW rejected the plans. In this worse case scenario the land could be sold to a developer. Jean Checksfield queried how and whether this would affect the Fountain Fields development and the 106 agreement. Fountain Fields has been granted planning permission and this cannot be changed. It was unknown how the 106 agreement would be dealt with.

   The public inquiry could take up to a year to convene and the whole process could mean a delay of up to 18 months. The delay for the new school was particularly regrettable.

   The Chairman said the inquiry will give everyone the chance to put forward their views on the project, either for it or against it and he urged as many people as possible to attend. It should not be a divisive issue. It was hoped that the inquiry will be held in High Bickington.

   The Chairman thanked Councillor Rawlinson for attending the meeting and said the Parish Council was grateful for his continued help and support. He would also like to thank him for his hard work with the tree planting.
   

5. Police Matters
   The Chairman read a written report from PC Hagan who was unable to attend the meeting due to work commitments. PC Hagan particularly wished to ask householders to take note of the warnings about the general security of outbuildings and garages. They contain a considerable amount of valuable equipment.

   The Chairman reported a complaint from a resident about vans being parked in Barton Meadow Road near to the junction with the B3217. This is causing vision to be impaired when turning into Barton Meadow Road from the Atherington direction. Stella Burrows will take this matter up with PC Hagan.
   

6. Matters Raised by the Chairman

   1. Appointment of Community Governor - High Bickington C of E Primary School - the Chairman reported that as yet there have been no names put forward by either High Bickington or Atherington Parish Council. This matter will be taken forward to the next Council meeting in February.

   
   

7. Parish Plan - Update January 2005

   1. David Venner circulated copies of his January report. He reminded everyone that all access to the community woodland is via the gate off Quarries Lane and there is no access through Little Bickington farmyard to the woodland.

   2. Letters from GOSW and meeting with John Burnett,MP. The Chairman reported the letter from GOSW informing the Parish Council of the public inquiry. Mr John Burnett had come to the village to speak to members of Project 2000 and outlined what help he would be able to give. He confirmed he will be lobbying on behalf of the project.
      David Venner and other members of HBCPT had a meeting on 12 January at County Hall with Bill Holman, DCC Property, and Graham Bell of the Bell Cornwell Partnership.
      Torridge District Council are being pressed to hold the inquiry in High Bickington. A public meeting to keep everyone in the village informed of developments will be arranged for February. David Venner urged as many people as possible to join the CPT as this will endorse public support for the project.

   3. Poltair - 106 contributions. There was nothing further to report since the last meeting.

   4. Barton Meadow Recreational Area Committee. Helen Carn reported that public liability and equipment insurance cover has been obtained for the period to the end of March 2005. Equipment has been delivered to the site and a start made on installation. The Chairman recognised the hard work which has been done by the BMRAC and was pleased to see the results of the hard work coming to fruition. The Finance Committee will consider the insurance implications and report to the next Council meeting in February.

   Councillor Rawlinson left the meeting.
   

8. Highways and Maintenance

   1. Car Park. The Chairman reported that the Clerk had been advised by Torridge Planners that they require a plan giving details of the proposed work before making a decision on whether a planning application would need to be submitted. The Chairman will arrange for this to be done.

   2. Notice of temporary road closure - B3217 Week Park Cross to Cross Parks - commencing 19 January for 26 days. Copies of the notice were circulated to Councillors and put on noticeboards.

   3. The Clerk was asked to report to Highways:

      1. A collapsed pothole between Deptford Farm and Dadland Bridge. This could be particularly dangerous to horses

      2. Continuing problems by Howards Cottage which are dangerous to pedestrians

      3. Potholes at Wards Cottage
         The Clerk was asked to request that when the Highways engineer visits the village to inspect the work required he contacts Jean Checksfield to ensure he is fully aware of the sites where work is required.

   4. Bus Shelter. The Chairman reported that he is arranging for Maurice Ridd to carry out repairs to the bus shelter seat.

   
   

9. Finance
   The financial statement as at 31 December 2004 was approved and accepted by the Council.
   

10. Planning

    1. Applications received before the meeting
       1/2400/2004/FUL
       Proposed ménage and stables
       Pt OS 7870 High Bickington
       Mr & Mrs Higgs
       

       Following a discussion Councillors present agreed that a separate letter be sent to Torridge District Council expressing concern at the number of similar applications coming forward, so many of them retrospective.

       As far as this application was concerned it was agreed that the development could be condensed to a much smaller area and moved closer to the hedge. The area of land used to provide a sand school and stables was felt to be too great.

       Stella Burrows proposed that the application be refused. There were no seconders to this proposal.

       Myc Riggulsford proposed that the application as submitted be rejected, but if amendments to the plan as suggested above were made then the Council would look more favourably at the application. This was seconded by Stan Parker.

       By a show of hands Councillors present voted as follows: 5 in favour, 1 against.

       DECISION: The Council rejects the plan as submitted but would reconsider if amendments are made. 1/1725/2004/FUL
       Extra window in living room and relocating toilet to make room for a bath.
       Witherhill Farm House
       Witherhill, High Bickington
       Mr & Mrs D Dean

       DECISION: The Council supports this application.

    2. Planning decisions - there were no planning decisions.

    3. Biomass Power Station - Winkleigh Airfield.
       The Clerk updated the Council on the present position. The application is due to be heard by Torridge District Council at the end of January. Concern has been expressed by Highways at Devon County Council regarding the impact of increased heavy vehicles through High Bickington. The Chairman said this application will be monitored and the Parish Council will take any action they feel is appropriate.

    
    

11. Correspondence
    

    1. DCC - notice of temporary road closure - B3217 Week Park Cross to Cross Parks - dealt with under Highways and Maintenance.

    2. The Land Between the Moors - questionnaire. Myc Riggulsford agreed to deal with this.

    3. Transportation Planning (Internation) Ltd - Torridge District Council Taxi study - put in circulation pack.

    
    

12. Outstanding Matters
    

    1. Roger Keen reported that he has completed the footpath survey. The Chairman asked Roger Keen to report to him any problems with trees needing to be cut back in the wood

    2. Jean Checksfield had not received any particular requests for work to be carried out by the one-man lengthsman during his February visit to the village. If none were received she would request a general tidying in the village centre.

    3. Recycling shed at the Playing Field. It was agreed that signs be erected requesting that no rubbish be deposited outside. The Clerk was asked to arrange for this to be done.

    4. Myc Riggulsford said that while he felt an excellent job had been done with the new tree plantings, he regretted that no beech trees had been included on the site.

    
    

13. Items for information
    There were no items for information.
    

14. Date of next meeting
    Wednesday 9 February 2005 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point.