Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting
Wednesday 10 May 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:
Councillor John Rawlinson, Mr David Venner – High Bickington CPT, 12 members of the public,
Mrs Di Carter – Clerk

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

2. Matters raised by members of the public
   There were no matters raised by members of the public.

3. Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on 11 May 2005
   The Minutes, having been circulated and published on the noticeboards, were approved, adopted and signed by the Chairman.

4. Chairman's Review of the Year
   The Chairman opened his review of the year by confirming the result of the public Inquiry into the Little Bickington Farm project had been received earlier in the day and the Secretary of State has turned down the application. This was obviously a severe blow for everyone concerned with the project and the decision also impacts on the provision of a new school, the community centre and affordable housing. Having only received the report to-day the Chairman felt it was too early to make any further comment. Special thanks are due to David Brown and all Committee members of the Community Property Trust for the considerable amount of work they have put into the plans for the project. Thanks are also due to Mike Leatham who has been the Parish Council representative on the Community Property Trust, and to Peter Tucker as Chair of Governors of High Bickington C of E Primary School. The community woodland is now being enjoyed by many people and is proving to be an asset to the village, many thanks are due to David Venner and local residents.

   The Chairman continued by thanking the Clerk and all Councillors for their help during his first year as Chairman.

   One of the most significant events during the year has been the culmination of years of hard work and fundraising by the Barton Meadow Recreational Area Committee. With support from the Parish Council they have been able to install new play equipment and safety surfacing as well as landscaping and improving the Council owned land at Barton Meadow. Thanks are particularly due to Ken Burford, Derek Jones, Helen Carn and all committee members for their very hard work over the years.

   Crime has unfortunately risen during the last year in the local area. The Chairman thanked Stella Burrows for her continued hard work with the local Neighbourhood Watch and for keeping in touch with the Police on behalf of the Council.

   The Fountains Field development is now under way and several families have moved into the houses. The Chairman said he hoped they will be made to feel very welcome in the village.

   Next year, 2007, is an election year and the Chairman said he hoped there will be enough people declaring an interest in joining the Parish Council and there will be an election to fill the eight Councillor posts.

   The Chairman welcomed Councillor Rawlinson to the meeting and invited him to address those present.

   Councillor Rawlinson said how horrified and appalled he was when he received his copy of the report into the Little Bickington Farm Inquiry. He has been in touch with the County Council's Solicitor. The Solicitor's department had not received their copy of the report but had indicated they would study it carefully and contact the Parish Council if they felt there were any grounds for a judicial review. There are several possible options and consideration will be given to determine the best way forward. Councillor Rawlinson will be putting down a notice of motion deploring the decision and will suggest to Geoffrey Cox MP that he asks a question in the House.

   Councillor Rawlinson said he was disgusted by the potholes at Barton Meadow, they were particularly bad and would be a serious hazard to cyclists. He will contact Highways to report his concerns.

   His particular responsibility for Devon County Council is looking after adult and community services. This is proving to be a very difficult job due to the increase in demand on services – people are living longer and demanding more while funding from Government is reduced and does not start to meet the requirements.

   Councillor Rawlinson said the school desperately needs to be replaced and he will continue to push for this.

   The Chairman thanked Councillor Rawlinson for his support and continued work on behalf of the village.

5. Finance
   The accounts as at 31 March 2006 were presented and the Clerk explained the position with regard to income and expenditure during the year. The accounts will be put on the noticeboards following the Annual Parish Council meeting.

6. Date of next meeting
   A date was provisionally fixed for Wednesday 9 May 2007. This date will be confirmed when the date for the local elections is known.

HIGH BICKINGTON PARISH COUNCIL, Clerk: Mrs Di Carter, 20 Springfield, Four Seasons Village, Winkleigh, Devon EX19 8DP. Tel: 01837 680125 E-mail: cartergrth@aol.com

High Bickington CPT Ltd, The Meeting Point, North Road, High Bickington. Telephone 01769 560161, or email david.venner@highbickington.org