Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Wednesday 9 February 2005
at 7.30pm, Church Hall, High Bickington

Present:
Peter Tucker (Chairman), David Brown, Stella Burrows, Jean Checksfield, Roger Keen, Mike Leatham, Stan Parker In attendance:
20 members of the public & Di Carter - Clerk to the Parish Council

1. Apologies for absence
   Apologies were received from Myc Riggulsford
   

2. Matters Raised by the Public - Little Bickington Farm Project
   Separate notes are attached.
   

3. Minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2005
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 January 2005 were accepted and adopted by the Council. The Chairman signed the Minutes.
   

4. Matters Arising

   1. Appointment of Community Governor - High Bickington C of E Primary School.
      The Chairman reported that no nominations had been received from either Atherington or High Bickington Parish Councils. Jane Gibson, a resident of High Bickington, will be co-opted to the Governing body at the next Governors meeting. When reconstitution is agreed she will serve as a community governor.
      

5. Police Matters
   There was no report from PC Hagan, who was unable to attend the meeting. Stella Burrows has reported the vans parked in Barton Meadow Road. She reported a letter from Neighbourhood Watch Support Office informing residents of measures they can take to make them less likely to become victims of crime. Copies of the letter will be put on the village noticeboards and in Ramblings.
   

6. Matters Raised by the Chairman
   The Chairman reported that the Clerk had received an anonymous letter with a request that it be read out at the meeting. He stated that unsigned letters will not be read out.
   

7. Parish Plan - Update February 2005

   1. David Venner circulated copies of his February report.

   2. Poltair 106 contributions. The Chairman reported a letter from Poltair stating that they have forwarded copies of the correspondence to their solicitors and are awaiting a reply. Some residents have received a letter informing them that work on the development will commence on 14 February. The Chairman asked for a copy of this letter to be passed to the Parish Council. Stella Burrows raised the issue of parking of construction vehicles. The Chairman asked that any problems be reported to him and he will take this up with Poltair.

   3. Barton Meadow Recreational Area Committee - The Chairman reported that the equipment has been installed. Additional costs had been incurred due to the wet weather. The Parish Council had expressed a wish to help BMRAC with their costs and following discussions the Finance Committee has recommended to the Council that £500 from the remaining Pearce monies be paid to BMRAC plus £160 to cover insurance of the play equipment to the end of March 2005.

      Decision: Proposed by David Brown and seconded by Stella Burrows Councillors present agreed unanimously to accept this recommendation.

      The Chairman thanked all members of the BMRAC for their hard work on this project.

   4. David Brown reported that the CPT now has a membership of 148.
      

8. Highways and Maintenance

   1. Car Park. The Chairman reported correspondence from Mr & Mrs Boler who live in Church Meadow adjacent to the car park, regarding plans for the car park. The Chairman suggested that he, Jean Checksfield and Stan Parker meet at the car park to decide on the best way forward and bring their recommendations to the next Council meeting. This was agreed.

   2. The Chairman reported that he had spoken to Mr Hodgson at Highways who has promised to repair the collapsed bridge at Dadland, to make repairs at Wards Cottage and to consider what could be done at Howards Cottage.

   3. It was reported that following the road closure to undertake drainage works, gullies had been created on the opposite side of the road and these were a potential hazard especially to cyclists. The Clerk was asked to report this.

   4. Jean Checksfield reported that during the road closure the bus service had been suspended which had resulted in a number of people being caused considerable inconvenience. The Clerk was asked to take this matter up with the Bus company and Highways in view of the fact that a further road closure is imminent.

   5. Footpaths - Roger Keen reported that he had not received the estimates for the gate repairs.

   6. Jean Checksfield reported that the lengthsman had visited the village earlier than planned and had carried out some of the listed works. He is due to visit again in March.

   7. The Chairman reported that Maurice Ridd has repaired the bus shelter seat and replaced the broken tiles on the roof. Councillors agreed that upon receipt of the invoice for this work, the cheque may be drawn.
      

9. Finance
   The financial statement as at 31 January 2005 was approved and accepted by the Council.
   

10. Planning

    1. Applications received before the meeting

       1. 1/2568/2004/FUL
          Proposed amendment to house types (Plot nos. 1,17,18,19, & 23) previously approved under application 0893/2003.
          Land off B3217, High Bickington
          Poltair Properties Ltd
          DECISION: Proposed by Stella Burrows and seconded by Roger Keen, the Council agreed unanimously to oppose the amendments which increased the size of plots 16,18,19 from 3 to 4 bedroomed houses, plot 17 from a 3 bedroom bungalow to a 4 bedroomed house and plot 23 shows an increase in floor area. It is felt that this proposal makes the homes less affordable and there is concern that more such amendments could follow on other plots.
          

       2. 1/2400/2004/FUL
          Proposed ménage and stables
          Pt OS 7870 High Bickington
          Mr & Mrs Higgs
          Following Council opposition of the original application, the Chairman reported a discussion with the applicants who had now submitted revised plans to the Parish Council which showed the sand school moved nearer to the hedge. Torridge District Council now have to decide on the revised plan in Committee as the Parish Council had objected to the original application.
          DECISION: Mike Leatham proposed and Stan Parker seconded that the revised plan be supported with a recommendation that screening trees be planted on the northern edge of the stable block to reduce the visual impact of the development. By a show of hands councillors present voted to support the application - 6 in favour, 1 against. The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Williams at Torridge District Council and Mr & Mrs Higgs informing them of the decision.
          

    2. Planning decisions -

       1. 1/1597/2991
          Erection of 2-bedroomed holiday lodges - nos. 17,18,19,20.
          Forest Park Lodges, High Bickington
          DECISION: Approved.

       2. 1/2066/2004/OUT
          Proposed dwelling
          Land adjacent 1 Cross Park, High Bickington
          DECISION: Refused
          

    3. Biomass Power Station, Winkleigh Airfield.
       The Chairman said that the report of the County Environment Director at Devon County Council was being circulated to Councillors - it recommended refusal of the application as submitted - and he recommended Councillors to read it. It was disappointing to note the lack of any proposals to mitigate the effect this development would have on High Bickington due to the increase in heavy lorry traffic through the village. He had drafted, with the Clerk, a letter to Mr Andy Seaman expressing this continuing concern. Councillors present agreed unanimously that the letter be sent as drafted. A copy would be sent to Mr John Wilde at Highways.
       

11. Correspondence

    1. DCC - Temporary Traffic Order - B3217 Andrews Park to Barton Meadow Road. Road closed from 16 February for approximately 12 days for drainage works. This matter was discussed under agenda item 8.

    2. Torridge District Council - Town/Parish Vacancy on Standards Committee. An invitation for a Councillor to serve on the Standards Committee - in circulation pack.

    3. DAPC - Royal Garden Party 21 July 2005. An invitation to nominate a Parish representative to attend. Councillors present unanimously agreed that Mr & Mrs Peter Tucker be nominated.

    4. DCC - 2003 P3 survey forms and finance questionnaire - passed to Roger Keen.
       

12. Outstanding Matters
    There were no outstanding matters.
    

13. Items for information

    1. It was reported that there had been dog fouling on the footpath alongside Barton Meadow and also on the play area. There was also an increased incidence of dog fouling in the village. This was very disappointing and the Chairman asked Jean Checksfield to request that the dog warden visit the village. Anyone who sees or is aware of who the dog owners may be are asked to report their names to either Jean Checksfield or the dog warden. The name of the person reporting the offence will not be required. Jean Checksfield also reported incidents of horse manure on footpaths which is unacceptable. The Clerk will report this to Torridge District Council.

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