Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 12 April 2006
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington at 7.30pm

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

In attendance:
9 Members of the public
David Venner – CPT Ltd
Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

1. Apologies
   There were no apologies.

2. Matters raised by the public
   A request for a sign to be erected on the main road indicating the location of the Post Office in the village was received. Councillors agreed this would be a good idea and the Clerk was asked to follow this up.
   The recent strike by local Government workers had resulted in the rubbish not being collected in the village. Torridge District Council had informed those members of the public who telephoned that there would be no collection until the following week. This despite publicity informing that collections would be carried out the day following the normal collection day. The Clerk was asked to write to Torridge to request that if a similar situation occurs, Parish Councils are kept informed of alternative plans so that notices can be posted on the boards for public information.

3. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 8 March 2006
   The minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2006 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. The Chairman signed the minutes.

4. Matters arising
   

   1. Pavements in High Bickington. Devon County Council have responded to the correspondence forwarded to them regarding the ownership of the unenclosed pavements in High Street. They have advised that there appears to be no registered keeper for this piece of land, therefore it is likely it can be deemed as ‘public highway not maintainable at public expense'. The general public has right of way over it but no one is responsible for its upkeep (commonly known as no mans land). This means that householders and their insurers are not liable for any injuries to pedestrians using the pavements, but neither is Devon County Council. Pedestrians use the pavements at their own risk . The Chairman felt this matter had been taken as far as the Parish Council was able to do.

5. Police Matters
   Stella Burrows pointed out that an incorrect telephone number was printed in Ramblings for Neighbourhood Watch. Her contact number is 01769 560309. There had been no contact with PC Hagan since the previous meeting. The new PCSO (Police Community Support Officers) will be introduced to the Parish Council in June and it is hoped that another NAG will be arranged following this. Mike Leatham expressed some concern that so few people attended the first NAG on 8 March but hoped this was because the public are satisfied with the present service.

6. Parish Plans
   

   1. April update – David Venner presented the April update from the CPT. The circular showed the current state of the funds from the Fountain's Fields Section 106 monies including interest received. It is hoped that the result of the public Inquiry will be received by 11 May. David Brown reported that the Little Bickington Farm Section 106 agreement should be finalised shortly with Torridge District Council and the solicitors. When it is received the Chairman of the Parish Council will sign on behalf of the Council. The Chairman thanked David Brown for his work on this.

7. Barton Meadow
   

   1. Tree planting – Roger Bickley reported that this has now been completed. The Clerk was asked to request a credit note from Albion Plants for the difference in the actual price of the plants and the cheque issued.

   2. Safety Inspection – the first safety inspection has been received for the play area and there were some matters for concern. Roger Bickley asked Mr Ken Burford to report to the Council following his conversation with the inspector. The inspector had incorrectly reported on 3 matters of concern and the Clerk was asked to write to the inspector confirming these points which it was felt might have been observed at the inspection. The report states:

      1. No mesh evident beneath grass mats – mesh is in place.

      2. Grass mats are not of the required thickness. These are installed as per the installers' specification.

      3. Road warning signs at approach to play area to be considered. Highways put two warning signs up some time ago.

      The inspector had pointed out that the underside of the platform ground clearance is incorrect on the roundabout. The Clerk was asked to write to the installers asking them to correct this as a matter of urgency.
      The BMRAG will undertake other work recommended in the report, ie fitting of a self-closing latch on the gate; Derek Jones and Roger Bickley to cut the bushes back at the approach to ramped pedestrian access; the uneven tiles to be levelled.
      Councillors agreed that a cheque be sent in settlement of the Inspector's invoice.

   3. Roger Bickley reported that Roy Brown will carry out the work on the cycle track during the week commencing 24 April.

   4. Insurance to 1 June 2006. A premium of £36.08 is required to cover the play equipment from 1 April to 31 May 2006. Councillors agreed to this payment.

8. Matters raised by the Chairman
   

   1. The Chairman reminded everyone that the next meeting on 10 May is the Annual Parish and Annual Parish Council meeting.

   2. Quality Parish Status – The Clerk reported on progress with this. A mentoring day is being held at the beginning of June to check on paperwork completed. The new edition of the Arnold-Baker Councils' Handbook is awaited. Updated Standing Orders will be brought to the Annual Parish Council meeting for approval along with any other legal requirements.

9. Maintenance
   

   1. Highways – Stella Burrows reported that repairs have been carried out at Dobbs by North Devon Borough Council. Stan Parker reported that work has been done on the Vauterhill to Seckington road but these were not felt to be adequate. The Lengthsman has carried out some work at Little Silver. The Clerk was asked to obtain a schedule for future visits by the Lengthsman.

   2. Zebra crossing at Fountain Fields. The Clerk reported that Devon County Council is in negotiation with Torridge District Council over the ownership of the verge following information received that the owners of 1 Wardens Close wished to purchase a piece of the verge for the purpose of installing an entrance way to their property.
      The Clerk was asked to write to Highways requesting that some form of safety and traffic calming measures be completed as soon as possible to ensure the safety of pedestrians, particularly children walking to the school from Fountain Fields. Councillors would also like to see a copy of the plans for the zebra crossing.

10. Finance
    

    1. Accounts as at 31 March 2006. The financial statement at 31 March 2006 was agreed and accepted by Councillors
       The following Councillors expressed an interest as below and did not vote on the relevant payments:
       Peter Tucker and Stan Parker – High Bickington Playing Field Association
       Roger Keen – honorarium
       Those Councillors eligible to vote agreed to the payment of the cheques listed totalling £550.99.

    2. Year end Accounts at 31 March 2006. These were circulated and will be adopted at the Annual Parish Council meeting on 10 May 2006.

    3. D Jones – A letter has been received informing the Council that the charge for grass cutting and strimming from 1 April 2006 will be £25.00 per cut. Councillors agreed to accept this charge. The Clerk was asked to check the date when this work needs to be re-tendered.

11. Planning

    1. Applications received before the meeting:

       1. (i) 1/0457/2006/FUL
          Conservatory to rear, room above garage.
          22 Higher Meadows, High Bickington
          Mr G Ford
          DECISION: The Council supports the application.

       2. 1/0575/2006/FUL and 1/0607/2006/LBC
          David Brown declared an interest and did not vote on the application.
          Conversion of garage outbuildings into 2 no loose boxes (stable)
          The Old Rectory, High Bickington
          R W Head
          DECISION: Following a show of hands Councillors eligible to vote agreed to support the application – 6 in favour, 1 abstention.

    2. Planning decisions – no decisions have been received.

    3. Biomass Power Station – Winkleigh Airfield. The Chairman reported on the public meeting and Torridge District Council planning meeting held in Winkleigh on 4 April. He felt this public presentation was an admirable gesture by Torridge and was to be commended. The Chairman spoke on behalf of High Bickington Parish Council and surrounding parishes. He felt special thanks should go to the Winkleigh residents led by David Lausen for pursuing this matter so relentlessly and to Peter Stutt, Garth Carter and others for giving excellent speeches. Thanks should also go to High Bickington's David Brinicombe for the large amount of evidence he accumulated to refute claims made by Peninsula Power. The Environment Agency and SWRDA were in attendance at the planning meeting. It is likely this matter will go to a public inquiry. The Chairman expressed disappointment at the way coverage of the event was presented on BBC TV which wrongly portrayed our opposition as nimby's against green power. We are in favour of renewable energy, not an industrial scale rubbish incinerator.

12. Correspondence
    

    1. North Devon Journal – information re change in Community News Editor. The Clerk reminded everyone to let her have details of any events they would like published in the Community News section of the Journal.

    2. Devon and Cornwall Rail Partnership – letter and questionnaire re Exeter to Barnstaple rail link. Passed to Mike Leatham for attention.

    3. Mr David Lunn – copy of letter to TDC re listed building application for double glazing in a new window to match their existing double glazed windows.

    4. E-mail from The Local Channel re free website link. Councillors did not feel they wished to take up this offer.

13. Outstanding matters
    There were no outstanding matters.

14. Items for information
    Defra are informing the Council about new developments following the Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 which will allow parish councils to issue fixed penalty notices for littering, graffiti and flyposting offences from 6 April 2006.
    The Clerk was asked to obtain a copy of the free Guide.

15. Date of next meeting
    Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Parish Council meeting – Wednesday 10 May 2006 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point.