Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 11 January 2006 at 7.30pm
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington

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

In attendance:
10 Members of the public
Mrs Di Carter – Clerk
The Chairman opened the meeting and wished everyone a Happy New Year.

1. Apologies for absence.
   Apologies were received from David Venner.

2. Matters Raised by the Public
   A query was raised as to whether the Parish Council would consider using the Village Hall site at Barton Meadow to build much needed affordable housing. As landowners, if the Parish Council decided to build affordable homes on the site they would have to finance this and the cost would be prohibitive. The 106 agreement stated that the Parish Council had an option to buy out the restrictive covenant within a stipulated time period. This option was not taken up due to lack of funds and therefore Pearce's condition that only they can develop the land remains. The land, therefore, does not have an open market value.

   The Parish Council has agreed that Pearce can enter into discussions with Torridge to determine what, if any, planning application for the construction of houses on the Barton meadow site would be acceptable to Torridge. Once this is done and assuming Torridge approve such construction, Pearce will then detail their plans and make an offer to the Parish Council based on their valuation of the land. The Parish Council will then decide whether or not to accept the offer.

   Mike Leatham was asked to keep the Parish Council informed of the progress of Pearce's application and of the construction being proposed.

3. Minutes of the Parish Council meetings held on 14 December 2005.
   Item 6(b) – second paragraph, second sentence to read: “Any proposals Pearce submit to be approved by the Parish Council before taking the matter further, subject to planning approval by Torridge District Council”.
   
   Subject to this amendment the minutes were accepted and adopted by the Council. The Chairman signed the minutes.

4. Matters Arising from the Minutes of the meetings held on 14 December 2005.

   1. Low flying aircraft. The Chairman reported that he has drafted a letter to Eaglescott Airfield regarding the nuisance caused by microlight planes.

5. Police Matters

   1. Police Surgery – Stella Burrows reported a visit from PC Hagan regarding the establishing of a NAG (Neighbourhood Action Group) in High Bickington. PC Hagan is on a 5-week shift pattern and it would not be possible for him to attend a monthly group. Stella Burrows said there is the possibility of neighbourhood wardens being considered. Councillors felt strongly that they would prefer to support an improvement in police cover. PC Hagan has submitted a January newsletter which will be displayed on the noticeboards and in

      Ramblings. He reports that people are still leaving valuables in cars and stressed the need to ensure sheds and outbuildings are kept locked and secure.

      The Clerk has since spoken to PC Hagan and a provisional date for the first NAG is Wednesday 8 March at 6.30pm in the Meeting Point. PC Hagan and Sgt Harper will be in attendance. Further details will be available shortly.

6. Parish Plans

   1. January update. In David Venner's absence David Brown presented the report. He reminded everyone that the Inquiry into the Little Bickington Farm development opens at 10am on Tuesday 17 January in the Church Hall. Anyone wishing to speak should attend at 10am to register this with the Inspector.

7. Barton Meadow

   1. Village Hall site – this matter was discussed earlier in the agenda. Peter Tucker reported that he had spoken to Mrs Harpum and explained to her that the strip of land she had sold to the Parish Council was excluded from any agreement with Pearce. Peter Tucker confirmed that he had found no evidence on file regarding the purchase of Mrs Harpum's strip of land. The Clerk was asked to approach the Solicitors who dealt with the matter and obtain a copy of the conveyance for the Parish Council files.

   2. Barton Meadow tree planting – Ken Burford had kindly drawn up a scale drawing of the proposed tree planting. He had taken the plan into Torridge District Council and spoken to the Planning Officer dealing with it and obtained her provisional approval.

      Roger Bickley did not take part in the following decision.

      Decision : Councillors eligible to vote (7) agreed that when official approval is received from Torridge Roger Bickley be allowed to liaise with Derek Jones regarding planting and with the agreement of the Chairman of the Parish Council the Barton Meadow Recreational Area Committee be allowed to order the plants.

      The Chairman thanked Ken Burford for the large amount of work he had done on this, the Council was very appreciative of his efforts.

      Roger Bickley raised the question of maintenance/safety checks on the equipment. The Clerk was asked to obtain quotations for these checks which are required for insurance purposes.

      Roger Bickley is awaiting a quotation from a second contractor to lay scalpings on the cycle path. There had been a query about whether spoils could be deposited on the site and it was agreed these could be added to the Devon bank. It was not felt advisable to allow the contractor to extend the scalpings to join up with the pathway to reduce problems with mud – this had previously been rejected by the Parish Council on safety issues.

      Peter Tucker suggested that when the contractor carried out the work on the cycle path it may save costs to obtain extra scalpings to re-surface the car park at the same time.

      Decision: Councillors agreed that Roger Bickley be allowed to approach both contractors to obtain an estimate for the supply of additional scalpings to re-surface the car park. It was further agreed that the Finance Committee be allowed to make a decision on the preferred contractor.

      Cum page 505

   3. Play area safety requirements – The Clerk reported that the insurance company did not require any specific safety notices to be installed.

8. Matters Raised by the Chairman

   There were no matters raised by the Chairman.

9. Maintenance

   1. Highways .

      1. Pavements – The Chairman has spoken to Mr Hodgson at Highways and he has confirmed that they would not be prepared to replace the bollard. Mr Hodgson agreed residents could place large flower tubs on the kerbside to prevent cars mounting the pavement. He had expressed the view that the parking of vehicles on the pavements caused much of the damage. The Chairman asked people to show consideration and not park on the cobbled pavement outside the Post Office, this is private property and vehicles are damaging the cobbles.

      2. Repairs update – Stella Burrows reported that the bottom of Leigh Hill requires urgent attention.

         Stella Burrows said that fencing has been installed at the gully by Dobbs which was dangerous. She understood that Mr Hodgson had arranged with the developers of Fountain Fields to do this work and extended her thanks to him for his efforts to resolve this problem. He hopes to install a more permanent solution in due course.

         An accident just before Christmas resulted in a car ending up on the driveway to Dobbs and although no-one was injured, the car was a write-off. Stella Burrows said this area of the road is extremely dangerous and requires some form of speed control.

         The Chairman reported an incident just before Christmas when mud on the road at Barton Meadow/Church Meadow was again causing a problem. He had approached the developers at Fountain Fields but their lorries were out of the area at this time. He asked residents to report any lorries depositing mud on the highway and if possible to get the name of the company and/or a vehicle registration number.

   2. Footpaths and byways

      Roger Keen reported that he has done his annual inspection and everything is in good order. The owner of the bank at Beechwood has expressed a wish that a new gate is not installed there. Roger Keen was asked to check with Devon County Council footpaths officers what the legal situation is when such a gate is positioned on a public footpath. Roger Keen said the current gate is now easier to open.

10. Finance

    1. Accounts as at 31 December 2005. The Chairman presented the accounts as at 31 December 2005. These were accepted by Councillors and the cheque payable to the Clerk for £201.65 was agreed.

       Parish Precept – Mike Leatham reported that he has received enquiries about how the precept is apportioned against property bandings. He has obtained information on this and will report to the Parish Council. The number of households liable to pay Council Tax in High Bickington from 1 April 2006 is 331.

11. Planning

    1. Planning applications received before the meeting:

       1/1819/2005/OUT

       Proposed agricultural workers dwelling

       Quickes, High Bickington

       Mr S H & Mrs G M Parker

       Mr S H Parker is a High Bickington Parish Councillor and left the room while this application was discussed.

       Advice obtained from Torridge District Council was that Parish Councillors may comment on the application if they wished but should register non-prejudicial interests and declare the reasons for their decision.

       The following Councillors registered non-prejudicial interests:

       Peter Tucker – as a lifelong neighbour of Mr Parker and a fellow farmer.

       Myc Riggulsford – a neighbour whose land abuts the property in question.

       David Brown - as Chairman of the CPT, of which Mr Parker is a tenant.

       Following a discussion it was agreed that the Council wished to comment on the application.

       Decision: Proposed by Roger Keen and seconded by Roger Bickley Councillors eligible to vote (7) agreed to support the application on the grounds that the farm is a long established working business and the provision of a dwelling would retain that business in the Parish. The provision of a farm worker's dwelling alongside farm buildings already in place is well located and will create minimal impact on the local countryside. The owner is also an active member of the community who has been involved in many areas of the local community all of his life and this will enable him to continue as such. The Parish Council strongly feels that this application should be supported.

       Mr Parker returned to the meeting.

    2. Decisions: No decisions had been received prior to the meeting.

    3. Proposed Biomass Power Station, Winkleigh Airfield – there was nothing to report.

12. Correspondence

    1. TDC – Statement of Community Involvement – Submission to Secretary of State. Papers passed to Peter Tucker.

    2. Torrington Area Advisory Group meeting – Saturday 4 February – Invitation. In circulation pack.

    3. High Bickington CPT Ltd – letter re Inquiry 17-19 January 2006 – Details and invitation to attend. In circulation pack.

    4. High Bickington Methodist Youth Club – This club has been disbanded and the Parish Council's grant cheque for £90.00 has been returned.

    5. Citizens Advice Bureau – Training programme – in circulation pack.

    6. Passage School of Falconry – letter re falconry displays for fetes etc. Passed to Roger Bickley.

13. Outstanding Matters

    Mike Leatham reported that the telephone number for Maurice Ridd as an emergency volunteer for High Bickington is not taking incoming calls. The number has been removed from Ramblings and advice will be given that anyone wishing to report an emergency should contact any Parish Councillor.

14. Items for Information

    There were no items for information.

15. Date of next meeting

    Wednesday 8 February 2006 in the Meeting Point at 7.30pm

    There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.18pm