Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting
Wednesday 11 May 2005 at 7.30pm
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington

Present: Peter Tucker (Chairman), David Brown, Stella Burrows, Jean Checksfield, Roger Keen, Mike Leatham, Stan Parker, Myc Riggulsford (from 7.40pm)

In attendance: 15 Members of the public, Mr John Rawlinson - County Councillor, Mr David Venner - High Bickington CPT & Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

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

   The Chairman welcomed Councillor Rawlinson to the meeting and congratulated him on his re-election as a County Councillor.

   Mr Rawlinson said he understood that Peter Tucker was standing down as Chairman of the Parish Council and wished to thank him for all his efforts on behalf of High Bickington and the Parish Council, which he had chaired in a very efficient and effective manner. It was also encouraging to visit Parish Council meetings where members of the public were in attendance.

   Mr Rawlinson reported on the election which had resulted in five re-counts before he was declared the winner by 61 votes. The Liberal Democrats now control Devon County Council and this result means that they are now in a strong position to help High Bickington particularly with regard to the building of a new school which he strongly supported.

   There were no questions from Councillors or members of the public for Mr Rawlinson.

   Councillor Rawlinson left the meeting.

2. Election of Chairman
   Peter Tucker declined to accept the nomination to continue as Chairman. No other Councillor was prepared to accept the nomination and following a discussion Peter Tucker agreed to be re-elected as an interim Chairman for one month until the Chairmanship could be determined.

3. Election of Vice-Chairman
   Proposed by David Brown and seconded by Myc Riggulsford, Mike Leatham was unanimously elected as Vice-Chairman of the Parish Council.

4. Election of Finance Committee
   It was unanimously agreed that the present members of the Committee, Peter Tucker, Mike Leatham and Myc Riggulsford continue to serve on the Finance Committee.

5. Election of Planning Sub-Committee
   Councillors present agreed that the Planning Sub-committee - Stella Burrows, David Brown and Peter Tucker - should continue to meet as and when necessary.

6. Appointment of Tree and Footpath Warden
   Councillors unanimously agreed that Roger Keen be asked to continue as Tree and Footpath Warden.

7. Council Representative to High Bickington CPT
   Councillors unanimously agreed that Mike Leatham be asked to continue as the Parish Council's representative on the High Bickington CPT.
   
   

   Confirmation of Clerk's Salary
   As from 1 May 2005 it had been agreed that the Clerk be paid for 224 hours p.a. (4 hours per week + 16 hours holiday) on spinal point 17 = £7.990 per hour = £1789.76 p.a. = £149.15 per month.

   Proposed by Roger Keen and seconded by David Brown it was unanimously agreed that the Clerk's salary be confirmed.

8. 1. Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on 12 May 2004 The Minutes of this meeting were approved and adopted at the Parish Council meeting held on 9 June 2004

   2. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 13 April 2005 Subject to the following amendment the minutes of the meeting were agreed, accepted and adopted by the Council: Item 10 (iv) - Decision to read: Following a show of hands (7 in favour, 1 abstention) Councillors agreed to support the application in principle but would like to see the development taking into account a proper access and parking arrangements for Wardens Hill.
      The Chairman signed the minutes.

9. Matters arising from the meeting held on 13 April 2005

   1. Fire Brigade. The Chairman has not yet been able to follow up this matter with Burrington Parish Council. Stella Burrows has contacted the Police at Torrington and they confirmed that their system is determined by postcodes. The Clerk was asked to write a formal letter to the Chief Fire Officer asking for guidelines on the best way for residents to register their properties to enable them to be easily identified in an emergency.

   2. Fountain Fields. The Chairman reported that road cleaning has been carried out. He had again spoken to the site manager and further visits are planned on a regular basis.

   3. Devon in Touch Roadshow. This has been booked to visit the village on 30 August 2005. David Brown agreed that they could use the Meeting Point as their base.

10. Parish Plans - May update David Venner presented the May update which was circulated to all Councillors. The contents were noted. There were no questions regarding the report.

    1. Poltair 106 Contributions. The Chairman reported that the Parish Council were in receipt of the £20,000 for Barton Meadow Play Area and discussions are taking place with the Committee to ensure the best way to utilise these funds. Torridge District Council have received the £100,000 for the community hall and £200,000 for the Little Bickington Project and have agreed to transfer these funds to High Bickington CPT. These monies are awaited into the CPT bank account.

    2. Traffic calming. The Chairman presented revised plans for traffic calming which include the provision of a zebra crossing. Councillors unanimously agreed to the zebra crossing plans but felt it would be more beneficial for safety reasons if the 30mph sign was moved further away from the entrance to Fountain Fields to the boundary of the site on the Atherington side of the development. It was also felt that a sign to warn of the double bend between Dobbs and Andrews Park should be requested. With the considerable number of heavy vehicles using this road this bend is particularly dangerous and should be drawn to motorists' attention.
       The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Warrell at Highways.

    3. Naming of road. No response has as yet been received from the developers.

11. Matters raised by the Chairman
    The Chairman reported that he had written to the Royal Mail manager at Torrington requesting that the stolen mail box at Week Cross be replaced as it is well used. A reply is awaited.

12. Maintenance
    Jean Checksfield had not received reports of any maintenance required in the village.
    The refuse bin at the bus shelter has rotted. The Clerk was asked to arrange for it to be replaced.
    Barton Meadow Play area. Extra hours are now required by Derek Jones for grass cutting at Barton Meadow. Proposed by Myc Riggulsford, seconded by Jean Checksfield Councillors agreed unanimously to schedule an extra two cuts per year to cover the extra work involved.
    Yelland Road. The Chairman reported that he is in touch with Mr Hodgson at Highways and various solutions to the problem are being considered.
    Jean Checksfield reported a dangerous pothole on the sharp bend at Atherington. The Chairman asked Jean Checksfield to contact the Atherington Parish Clerk to report this. It is particularly dangerous for motor cyclists.

13. Finance

    1. Year end accounts at 31 March 2005.
       Proposed by Roger Keen and seconded by Myc Riggulsford, Councillors unanimously agreed to adopt the accounts as presented (attached cum pages 468/469). The chairman signed the accounts.
       The Finance statement at 30 April 2005 was agreed and accepted by the Council.

    2. Insurance quotations - A premium quotation from Community First, Zurich Municipal for £267.79p.a. had been received. The specification was identical to the Allianz Cornhill quotation for 2005/06 of £420.75. Proposed by Myc Riggulsford and seconded by Stan Parker Councillors agreed to accept the quotation from Community First of £267.79.

14. Planning
    

    1. Planning applications received before the meeting:

       1. Application 1/0798/2005/LBC
          To add one window and move toilet to add bath space.
          Decision: The Council continues to support this application.

       2. Application 1/0631/2005/FUL
          Proposed garage for dwelling.
          10 Highfield Close, High Bickington.
          Mr & Mrs J P Benn
          Decision: The Council has no objection to this application.

       Planning decisions:
       There were no planning decisions.

       The Chairman reported that Torridge District Council are seriously under pressure with the number of applications requiring determination. He suggested that the Clerk be asked to write a letter to the Torridge District Council expressing concern at the delays being experienced with planning matters. Amongst other things this is causing difficulty for applicants to secure the services of local craftsmen. The concern is no reflection on the staff employed, but their current workload is too great for the planning service to be delivered in a satisfactory manner.

    2. Menage and stables, Pt OS 7870 High Bickington. Following concerns raised, we are seeking clarification on the terms of the planning permission with TDC.

15. Correspondence
    

    1. CPRE. The subscription has been increased from £5 to £10 p.a. Proposed by David Brown and seconded by Stella Burrows it was unanimously agreed to discontinue membership of the CPRE.

16. Outstanding Matters
    

    1. The car park is still under discussion.

    2. The Chairman will make enquiries to finalise work to re-hang the gate.

    3. Police matters. Stella Burrows reported that she has had no contact with PC Hagan. She has completed the questionnaire on ASBO's - a copy was put in the circulation pack.

17. Items for Information
    

    1. The mobile youth club has visited the village.

    2. South West Trains. Mike Leatham reported that the Rail Users Group have had success in getting agreement for all trains to stop at Umberleigh station during the week. Weekend services have still to be decided. The Chairman thanked Mike Leatham for his efforts on this.

    3. The Chairman reported that Jean Checksfield will be leaving the village - there is no definite date at present. The Chairman thanked Jean and her husband for their work on behalf of the village and the Parish Council and said they will both be sorely missed.

18. Date of next meeting
    Wednesday 8 June 2005 in the Meeting Point, High Bickington, at 7.30pm.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.58pm.