Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 9 March 2005 at 7.30pm
In the Church Hall, High Bickington

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

In attendance: Councillor John Rawlinson - County Councillor, David Venner - HBCPT, 9 Members of the public & Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

1. Apologies for absence.
   There were no apologies for absence.

   The Chairman invited Councillor Rawlinson to address the meeting. Councillor Rawlinson reported major resurfacing works on the A3124 between Torrington and Beaford commencing on 29th March. The road is scheduled to be closed for 47 days and the proposed diversion route is through High Bickington. All those present felt this would create significant problems for the village and alternative routes were suggested eg via Cranford Cross and Week Cross. Councillor Rawlinson acknowledged the problems and said he would take this up with Highways. Concern was expressed about possible damage to the already poor road surface through the village. The Chairman said resurfacing of this road was unlikely to take place until all outstanding work was completed.

   Councillor Rawlinson appreciated the work currently being carried out by South West Water and the new development were causing disruption in the village; he said there were 7 utility companies who can carry out works involving highways and they are required only to inform Highways of their intentions.

   Most of the outstanding repair work reported to Highways has been carried out.

   Councillor Rawlinson said Torridge District Council have yet to set a Committee date for the Biomass planning application at Winkleigh Airfield and are currently taking legal advice on the matter.

   The Chairman reported that there are still serious problems contacting Planning Officers at Torridge District Council. The Clerk had been unable to get a response on a query for over a week and an answerphone was the only response from the duty planning desk. Councillor Rawlinson said he would take this matter up and endeavour to get a response to the query.

   Councillor Rawlinson left the meeting.

2. Minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2005
   The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2005 were accepted and adopted by the Council. The Chairman signed the Minutes. Separate notes of the public meeting had been circulated.

3. Matters arising

   • Little Bickington Farm Project - public meeting. The Chairman felt this meeting had been useful. There is ongoing work being done to provide a more detailed explanation of the affordable housing. Mike Leatham is awaiting information from Torridge District Council and when this is received a leaflet will be circulated to all households, hopefully within 2-3 weeks. The Chairman thanked Mike Leatham for organising this.

   • Appointment of Community Governor - High Bickington C of E Primary School. There have been no nominations from either Atherington or High Bickington Parish Councils. The Chairman said vacancies still exist on the Governing body and applications would be welcome.

   • Dog fouling. Jean Checksfield has contacted the dog warden about the continuing problems with dog fouling in the village. The warden has said he will visit the village at unsociable hours in an effort to solve the problem. He suggested a further notice in Ramblings giving his name and telephone number and stressing that the anonymity of anyone reporting dog fouling is guaranteed. Jean Checksfield expressed her disappointment that the dog bins are not being used.

4. Matters Raised by the Public

   • There have been a number of complaints from residents living in Barton Meadow about the mud and debris being deposited from contractor's lorries working at the Fountain Fields development. They are transporting excess soil to a site which necessitates driving through Barton Meadow. Jean Checksfield queried whether sheeting the lorries would be possible. The Chairman reported that he has spoken to the Foreman on the site about the complaints and some efforts have been made to clean up. This work will cease for a while shortly. The Chairman has also spoken to Mr Hodgson at Highways who has visited the site; he found the amount of mud on the roads was not sufficient to warrant taking action. It has been noted that the road is breaking up at Yelland. There were concerns that the weight of the lorries when loaded may cause damage to the roads in Barton Meadow. The Chairman assured everyone that the situation is being closely monitored.

   • Barton Meadow Recreation Area Committee have received a quotation for insurance of £550 p.a. - £132 for public liability and £418 for equipment. The equipment is in situ and being well used.

5. Police Matters PC Hagan had not contacted Stella Burrows or the Clerk with any matters he wished to report. It was noted that an additional Police officer has still not been allocated to Torrington.

6. Matters Raised by the Chairman

   • The Chairman reported that he has checked with the Devon Association of Parish Councils about the need to hold old planning applications and has been advised that this is not necessary. Copies are held at Torridge District Council and therefore the Chairman intends to dispose of any plans no longer required. Anyone wishing to see any applications are welcome to contact the Chairman.

   • The Chairman expressed concern about the inability of the Fire Brigade to find an address they had been called to. In this instance the problem was a chimney fire but in a more serious incident this would be most unsatisfactory. Enquiries would be made to see what action can be taken to avoid further problems.

7. Parish Plan - Update March 2005
   David Venner circulated his report for March.

   • Poltair 106 contributions. The Chairman reported that work has commenced on the Fountain Fields site and payment of the 106 monies will become due shortly when work starts on the dwellings. The Clerk had spoken to Mr Derek Coyle, Land Manager at Poltair, and he said that before monies for the dwellings and the 106 Agreement could be drawn from the agreed Bank loan, Poltair were required to complete work on the site infrastructure. He anticipated that the building work on the dwellings would commence mid-April.

     The Parish Council has requested that the 106 monies be paid direct to the CPT to avoid high audit fees and Poltair have agreed to this request in principle. They have requested further information on the status of the CPT which has been supplied and they have forwarded this to their legal advisers. A letter from Torridge District Council confirming their agreement to this request is awaited. Their Acting Solicitor has passed the request back to the Planning Officers as he considers no legal issues are raised by the request.

     The Chairman reported that the Parish Council has to use the District Audit as their external auditor following their appointment by the Audit Commission.

   • Traffic Calming proposals. The Chairman reported that these plans have been circulated to all Councillors. These plans were received from Highways with a request that a response be given almost immediately. The Parish Council have been requesting details of these proposals for some time and the Chairman spoke with Mr Warrell at Highways expressing his concern at some of the proposals. He had followed this up with a letter making the suggestion that a traffic island be included for the safety of pedestrians crossing the road. A new set of plans has been drawn up incorporating the island and Mr Warrell has to obtain the developers' agreement to these. The Chairman said it was important for any comments to be made at this time when changes may be possible.

     A discussion followed and several improvements suggested. The Chairman would write to Mr Warrell following the meeting: confirming Councillors' view of the importance of the traffic island, calling for traffic calming measures to be taken further into the village, asking for the 30mph sign to be moved as far as possible down the road and asking to be kept informed of the situation.

     The Chairman said any member of the public can write to Mr Warrell on this matter.

   • Naming of road - Fountain Fields. The Chairman read a letter from Poltair asking the Council to consider the two suggestions for a road name for the development. A decision is required to enable them to secure postal numbers and approval of the name. The two suggestions put forward were "Yeo Drive" and "Fountain Fields".
     Decision: By a show of hands (7 in favour, 1 abstention) Councillors agreed that the preferred road name was "Fountain Fields". The Clerk was asked to inform Poltair of this decision.

   • David Brown reported that the latest date set for the Inquiry is 17th January 2006. All three Rule 6 statements have been received - HBCPT has 3 weeks in which to make any written comments. Torridge District Council have yet to decide a venue for the Inquiry. It is doubtful whether a suitable venue with disabled access will be available in the village. David Brown said it was important for those people who support the project to write to the Inspector.

8. Highways and Maintenance

   • The Chairman reported that Mr Hodgson is looking at the problems in Mill Road. Please report any other problems to the Clerk who will take it up with Highways. The Chairman felt the road closures have been kept to a minimum time and work has been done outside normal hours to achieve this. There has been good co-operation from the contractors and the Chairman expressed the Council's thanks for this.

   • Car park. Jean Checksfield has spoken to Mr Boler. The Chairman asked Jean Checksfield to progress this matter with Stan Parker and Mr Boler.

9. Finance

   • Accounts as at 28 February 2005. The financial statement as at 28 February 2005 was approved and agreed by the Council.
     The following cheques were due to be paid in the current financial year:
     Maurice Ridd £70 for bus shelter repairs
     PCC Hire of Hall - 2 meetings (invoice awaited).
     (Roger Keen and Stella Burrows declared an interest and were not eligible to take part in this decision)
     Grant to HBPFA £130 recommended by the Finance Committee
     (Peter Tucker and Stan Parker declared an interest and were not eligible to take part in this decision)
     Decision: It was agreed by those Councillors eligible to vote on each of the above that these three cheques be drawn.

   • PC Website. David Brown reported that a quotation of £79.00 p.a. plus VAT has been received for the maintenance and updating of the website which the Parish Council shares with the HBCPT.
     Decision: Proposed by Stella Burrows and seconded by Jean Checksfield it was unanimously agreed that the Parish Council accepts this quotation, the cost to be shared equally with the HBCPT.

10. Planning

    • Planning applications received before the meeting:
      Myc Riggulsford declared an interest in the following application and left the meeting.

      1/1261.2004/LBC
      Replace existing windows with similar and double glazing to improve thermal insulation to match.
      Dadland, High Bickington - Mr & Mrs Riggulsford.
      Decision: The Parish Council is happy to support this application and welcomes the employment of local craftsmen and the use of sympathetic materials.

      1/0095/2005/LBC
      Insertion of new window and replacement window sills.
      Lower Broadwood, High Bickington - D A and D B Lunn.
      Decision: The Parish Council is happy to support this application.

    • Planning decisions - there were no planning decisions.

    • Biomass Power Station - Winkleigh Airfield. Councillor Rawlinson had updated on the progress of this application and there was nothing further to report.

11. Correspondence

    • Barton Meadow Recreational Area - a letter of thanks for the grant had been received.

    • Letters from Devon & Cornwall Constabulary regarding village hall security, PCSO & Community Wardens and a community message service were noted. For circulation.

    • Torrington Mobile Library - a schedule of visit times was noted and would be circulated and placed on noticeboards and in Ramblings.

    • An e-mail had been received from the Devon Association of Parish Councils informing Councils that as from 1 April 2005 S.137 payments will be £5.30 per elector.

12. Outstanding matters Roger Keen reported that he has as yet not received any responses to his request for a quotation for re-hanging the gate. The middle gate on the bridleway needs re-hanging as it is currently unsuitable for horse riders. Roger Keen agreed to obtain advice and a quotation for this work from a contractor who has mow been recommended to him.

13. Items for information
    The Chairman said it had been decided to hold this meeting in the Church Hall following the large number of residents who attended the previous meeting. He said future meetings would be held in the Meeting Point unless advised otherwise.

14. Date of next meeting
    Wednesday 13 April 2005 in the Meeting Point at 7.30pm.