Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 13 July 2005 at 7.30pm
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington

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

In attendance:
Sgt Mark Harper, 9 Members of the public & Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

1. Apologies for absence.
   Apologies were received from Peter Tucker and David Venner.

2. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows reported the Parish Council's concerns about the lack of Police cover in the village and speeding through the village. The Chairman welcomed Sgt Harper to the meeting and thanked him for attending.

   Sgt Harper is the local Sergeant for the Torrington area and has been in the area for 12 months. He advised that it is national policy and Devon and Cornwall Police policy that each area should have a dedicated Neighbourhood Beat Officer with other Officers responsible for routine response work.
   At present the local Neighbourhood Beat Officer is also responsible for responding to routine calls which limits the amount of time he can spend in the villages. This situation is not acceptable and Sgt Harper said it is hoped that new staffing arrangements will be announced in August and that the current situation will be rectified.

   Jean Checksfield raised the problems caused to elderly residents by vehicles parking in the village, particularly in North Road. The limited pavement areas resulting from this parking are making it dangerous for pedestrians, and room must be left for wheelchair users.

   Stella Burrows read a letter from a resident about the speed of traffic through the village. It was suggested that cables to record the speed of vehicles entering and leaving the village be installed.

   Jean Checksfield said that vandalism around the area of the bus shelter was a problem. Sgt Harper agreed to investigate this matter.

   Sgt Harper said that whilst bicycles are not allowed to be ridden on pavements, each case is decided on its particular circumstances, in some cases it is deemed safer for cyclists to ride on pavements. He was not aware of any legislation banning skateboards from pavements.

   David Brown reported that traffic engineers are looking into the arrangements to be recommended for the entrance to Little Bickington Farm, one suggestion is a speed limit of 20mph through the village.

   Sgt Harper read a crime report from PC Hagan covering the previous three months.

   Stella Burrows wished to record that PC Hagan has given good service to the village and his knowledge of the area is invaluable. Sgt Harper reiterated the importance of local knowledge. He said PC Hagan will be in the village on foot patrol this coming weekend and will also check the speed of vehicles through the village.

   The Chairman thanked Sgt Harper for his report and said he hoped the Police will be able to attend more Parish Council meetings in the future, this communication is invaluable.

3. Minutes of the meeting held on 8 June 2005
   Subject to the following amendment the Minutes of the meeting held on 8 June 2005 were accepted and adopted by the Council: Page 472 - Item 8(a) - first sentence to read: Stella Burrows reported that there are now no signs on the right hand side approaching the Fountain Fields site.
   The Chairman signed the Minutes.

4. Matters arising from the meeting held on 8 June 2005

   1. Mail Box at Week Cross. The Chairman reported that this has now been replaced.

   2. Road Closure - High Bickington to Atherington. The Clerk reported that Highways had not been able to ascertain the reason for these closures.

   3. Barton Meadow Recreational Area Committee. Ken Burford presented the details and costings of the equipment suggested to enhance the play area:
      Motorcycle Spring Mobile and Elephant Spring Mobile to be supplied by Wicksteed Leisure Ltd at a cost of £1714.91 including VAT. Installation will be carried out by SNC Exeter.
      Further equipment to be supplied and installed by SNC (Exeter) as per the quotation at a cost of £14,025.79 including VAT. All equipment to have Safagrass matting installed.
      Decision: Proposed by Jean Checksfield and seconded by Roger Keen Councillors present unanimously agreed that the 106 Agreement monies be released to purchase this equipment and an immediate cheque for £1714.91 be paid to Wicksteed Leisure.
      Payment of the other equipment and installation would be made when required.
      The Barton Meadow Recreational Area Committee would discuss with Highways the installation of signing for the area.
      The Chairman thanked the Barton Meadow Recreational Area Committee for the hard work they have done in enhancing the play area.

5. Matters Raised by the Public
   The road at Yelland is now in serious need of repairs. Peter Tucker has arranged for Mr Hodgson from Highways to visit and his report is awaited.
   The removal of hedges at the Fountain Fields site was raised. The Parish Council has objected strongly to the removal of the hedges in the past but their objections have not been upheld.

6. Parish Plans
   David Brown presented the Chairman's Report to the AGM of the High Bickington CPT Ltd, together with the Financial statements 9 July 2004 to 31 March 2005 which were circulated to all Councillors. There were no questions from Councillors.

   1. Poltair 106 monies. David Brown reported that a high interest account has yet to be opened. Investigations are ongoing to find the best possible investment.

   2. Affordable housing leaflet. This had been launched at the AGM and distributed to the 30 applicants who had expressed an interest in the housing. A meeting will be held with these applicants in August.

   3. High Bickington community directory. David Brown reported that two quotations had been received, the more favourable being from the company in Ilfracombe who had printed the original directory. An estimate of the cost of printing and updating the information would be in the region of £320 to £350 for 500 copies. The Chairman said that the Parish Council held £117.50 of Vital Villages money in their budget.
      Decision: Proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Roger Keen Councillors present unanimously agreed to fund the updating and printing of the directory.

   4. Traffic calming. Peter Tucker has been unable to contact Mr Worrall of Highways about the proposed traffic calming. The surface of North Road will be reinstated once the building work has been completed.

7. Matters raised by the Chairman
   The Chairman attended the fun evening held as a memorial for Jon Tapscott which had raised over £5,000 for charity; he congratulated everyone involved in this very successful event.
   The Old George Old Codgers and village team charity cricket match organised by Joe Umpleby also raised £200 towards Atherington church bell fund and High Bickington Play Group. The Chairman said these types of community event were important for the village. High Bickington CPT had held its first AGM which had been very successful. The Chairman thanked David Brown, Mike Leatham, David Venner and everyone else at the CPT for their hard work on behalf of the village, and congratulated Ken Burford on his election to the board.

8. Maintenance

   1. Highways
      Some repairs have been carried out but it is felt these are temporary measures and not permanent repairs. The problems at Nethergrove are due to problems caused by a spring and it will not be possible to carry out permanent repairs until the spring has been diverted.
      The area around the bench at Mill Lane needs to be strimmed. Roger Keen will speak to Alan Clemens about this. Graffiti in the bus shelter was discussed with Sgt Harper earlier in the meeting.
      The Chairman reported a letter from DEFRA which stated that Parish Councils will be given powers to issue fixed penalty notices for offences such as dog fouling. Further investigation is required to ascertain the basis on which this will be administered.

   2. Footpaths and byways.
      The footpath across the ménage and stables land is very overgrown. A discussion took place on the best way to improve the situation. Roger Keen will ask Derek Jones for his opinion and an estimate of the cost of carrying out the work, and Stan Parker will also to talk to agricultural contractors. Two quotations to be obtained.
      Decision: Proposed by David Brown and seconded by Stella Burrows Councillors present unanimously agreed to delegate to the Finance Committee the decision on this matter.

9. Finance

   1. The accounts as at 30 June 2005 were accepted and approved by Councillors present together with the payment of 2 additional cheques as follows:
      G Down - re-hanging gate - £60
      Wicksteed Leisure - play equipment (as agreed in item 3(c)) - £1714.91

   2. The Clerk reported that the Internal Auditor will be carrying out the audit on Wednesday 20 July 2005.

10. Planning

    1. Planning applications received before the meeting:

       1. 1/11365/2005/FUL
          Retain and continue to use the free standing storage shed/summer house and assemble greenhouse to help with the use, maintenance and propagation of the gardens.
          Bales Ash, High Bickington
          Mr Colin C Tett
          DECISION: Councillors present unanimously agreed to support the application.

       2. 1/1260/2005/LBC
          Demolition of poorly constructed outbuilding and replace with same size footprint.

       3. 1/1262/2005/FUL
          As above

       4. 1/1265/2005/LBC
          Alteration - Conversion of redundant barns to form holiday lets.
          Applications (ii), (iii) and (iv) are submitted for Christmas Farm, High Bickington
          Mrs A Clarkson and Mrs W Jacobs.
          DECISION: Councillors present agreed to consider these applications together and following a discussion unanimously agreed to support the applications.
          It was further agreed that when the full application for application (iv) is received the same comment would be returned.

    2. Planning decisions:

       1. 1/0631/2005/FUL
          Proposed garage for dwelling
          10 Highfield Close, High Bickington
          DECISION: Granted.

    3. Letter to Torridge District Council re Planning delays
       The Clerk reported a verbal response to the matters raised in the Parish Council letter dated 13 June. The Planning Department will be up to full strength as from Monday 18 July and all the backlog of applications should be dealt with shortly.

    4. Poltair site - rainwater harvesting facilities. The Chairman read a letter from Poltair in response to his query about this which was not felt to be very satisfactory. The Council is very concerned that they were not consulted on the change to planning conditions. The Chairman will respond to the letter. A response is still awaited from Torridge on this matter.

    5. Proposed ménage and stables - Pt OS 7870 High Bickington. The Clerk reported the response from Torridge that a sale was going through for this property and they felt that to issue an enforcement order at this stage would not be advisable. The Clerk was asked to write again to Torridge expressing the Council's concerns and asking for their assurance that this situation would not be allowed to pass on to any new owner or any similar property. It was felt that this could lead to a serious precedent being set.

    6. Biomass Power Station - Winkleigh Airfield. There was nothing further to report.

11. Correspondence

    1. TDC - Parish Council Open days. An invitation for Councillors to attend open days at Riverbank House on 19 July, 15 September and 12 October. In circulation pack.

    2. TDC - Policy for charging Parish/Town Councils for elections. David Brown will draft a response to this proposal setting out the Council's concerns.

    3. Devon Playing Fields Association - AGM Thursday 28 July. In circulation pack for information.

12. Outstanding Matters
    Jean Checksfield raised the suggestion that an additional sign be installed at the car park stating "no lorries". It was agreed that this matter would be considered together with the plans for the car park.
    

13. Items for information
    Jean Checksfield reported that her move from the village may be imminent. Councillors unanimously endorsed the Chairman's thanks to Jean and her husband for all their work and contribution to village life. They will be sorely missed.

    24 September - Renewable Energy day for small farmers at the Land Heritage Trust, Hittisleigh

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

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.37pm.