Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting
Held on 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: 12 Members of the public, Mr D Venner – High Bickington CPT, Mrs Di Carter – Clerk

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

2. Election of Chairman
   Proposed by David Brown and seconded by Roger Keen, Myc Riggulsford was unanimously elected to continue as Chairman of the Parish Council.

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

4. Election of Finance Committee
   Proposed by David Brown and seconded by Stella Burrows, 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
   Proposed by Myc Riggulsford and seconded by Roger Keen, Councillors unanimously agreed that the Planning Sub-committee for the coming year be Stella Burrows, David Brown and Stan Parker.

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

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. Mike Leatham accepted this appointment.

8. Confirmation of Clerk's Salary
   Proposed by Peter Tucker and seconded by Stella Burrows, it was unanimously agreed that as from 1 May 2006 the Clerk be paid for 224 hours p.a. (4 hours per week + 16 hours holiday) on spinal point 18 = £8.371 per hour = £1875.10 p.a. = £156.26 per month.

9. 1. Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on 11 May 2005
      The Minutes of this meeting were approved and adopted at the Parish Council meeting held on 8 June 2005.

   2. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 12 April 2006
      The Minutes of the meeting held on 12 April 2006 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. The Chairman signed the minutes.

10. Matters arising from the meeting held on 12 April 2006
    

    1. Post Office signage. The Chairman reported that information has been received on the action required to enable the erection of a sign indicating the location of the post office. The Chairman will pass to the owner of the Post Office the contact details for this.

    2. Refuse collections – the Clerk has written to Torridge District Council setting out the concerns following the recent strike by Government workers. A reply is awaited.

11. Police Matters
    Stella Burrows reported that there had been no contact with PC Hagan since the previous Parish Council meeting. Sgt Harper has promised to introduce the new PCSO (Police Community Support Officer) to the Council at their June meeting and this will be followed up with Sgt Harper.
    Stella Burrows reported recent concerns that bogus care workers were operating in the area, particularly in Umberleigh and vulnerable people should be warned not to let anyone into their homes. Checks on callers should always be made through recognised channels and if possible car numbers taken.

12. Parish Plans – May update

    David Venner presented the May update which was circulated to all Councillors. The contents had been superseded by the refusal decision received today on the planning Inquiry into the Little Bickington Farm project. The one area of work which will be carried on is the community woodland.

    David Brown said that the Inquiry report is 60 pages and until the contents can be properly assessed and discussed it was not possible to make any comment on it. Meetings will be taking place to consider the options available. There are financial obligations on the CPT already incurred and the interest from the £200,000 will be used to meet these obligations.

    Peter Tucker asked that a vote of thanks be conveyed to everyone who has taken part in the project over the last 5 years. A lot has been achieved and the decision should not be perceived as a failure, there are still many ways forward. Local people needing houses will be the losers as a result of this decision.

    David Brown read a paragraph from the Secretary of State's letter, there are far more positives than negatives and this is a tribute to all those involved.

    The Section 106 agreement was finally signed on 5th May.

13. Barton Meadow

    1. Safety Inspection. Alterations to the roundabout have been made to comply with the recommendations contained in the safety inspection. Roger Bickley reported that the shrubs have been cut back and the gate dealt with.
       Roy Brown has not yet completed the work on the cycle track.
       Roger Bickley agreed to carry out a monthly safety inspection of the play equipment and record his findings.
       Mike Leatham reported complaints about the safety of the children's play area on the playing field. A safety inspection on this is awaited.

14. Standing Orders and Financial Regulations

    1. Standing Orders – Proposed by Peter Tucker and seconded by Stella Burrows the updated Standing Orders were unanimously adopted by Councillors as presented.

    2. Financial Regulations – Proposed by David Brown and seconded by Peter Tucker the Financial Regulations were unanimously adopted by Councillors as presented.
       The Chairman thanked the Clerk for producing these. Any parishioner who would like to see the updated Standing Orders and/or Financial Regulations is welcome to request a copy from the Clerk.

15. Matters raised by the Chairman
    The Chairman had nothing specific to report but asked for Councillors' permission to respond on their behalf to any media enquiries on the Little Bickington Farm Inquiry report. Councillors agreed.

16. Maintenance

    1. Highways updated

       1. Maintenance work has been carried out in the village and it was agreed the work has been of a good standard. There are increasing numbers of potholes in Taylors Lane from the main road to Old Park . Councillor Rawlinson will report the potholes at Barton Meadow.

       2. Zebra crossing – the Clerk reported that a letter was sent to Highways following the previous meeting but a conversation the previous day with Highways had confirmed that there has been no progress on this. The Clerk was asked to write again, copying the letter to Councillor Rawlinson, expressing the Council's serious concerns about public safety resulting from the failure to install the zebra crossing.

    2. Footways and Byways – Roger Keen reported concerns about dog fouling on the footpath which joins Taylors Lane opposite Old Park. The owners had requested that a sign be installed and Councillors felt that there would be no objection to them putting a sign on their own property.

17. Finance

    1. Year end accounts at 31 March 2006.
       Proposed by David Brown and seconded by Roger Keen, Councillors unanimously agreed to adopt the accounts as presented (attached cum pages 526/527). The chairman signed the accounts.

    2. The Finance statement at 30 April 2006 was agreed and accepted by the Council.

    3. Insurance quotations – A premium quotation from Community First, Zurich Municipal for £715 61p.a. had been received. The specification included the addition of the Barton Meadow play equipment and safety surfacing. The Clerk reported that she has requested a comparison quotation from Cornhill and this is awaited. Councillors unanimously agreed that the Chairman and Vice-Chairman be allowed to approve the issue of a cheque to the company offering the most competitive quotation. The renewal is due on 1 June 2006.

    4. Council Tax – paper presented by Mike Leatham. Mike Leatham presented his report and outlined the findings. Copies were made available to the public.

18. Planning

    1. Planning applications received before the meeting:

       1. Peter Tucker declared an interest in the following application and did not vote.
          1/0795/2006/CPO
          Renewal of previous permission to allow one Oakmoor temporary classroom to remain on site for a further 5 years.
          High Bickington C of E Primary School, High Bickington
          Devon County Council
          DECISION: Councillors eligible to vote reluctantly supported the application in view of the need to have continuity of education for our children but we had hoped that the planning application for Little Bickington Farm would have been approved and that this would have enabled the new school to be built in order to provide excellent educational facilities for our children.

       2. 1/0523/2006/FUL
          4 no. dwellings with associated parking
          Land adjacent Mill road and Church Meadow, High Bickington
          Pearce Construction (Barnstaple) Ltd
          DECISION: As owners of the land, the Council is unable to comment on this application.

    2. Planning decisions:

       1. 1/1995/2005/OUT
          3 no dwellings
          Milford Cottage, High Bickington
          Mr G Gooding
          DECISION: Granted

       2. 1/0457/2006/FUL
          Conservatory to rear, room above garage
          22 High Meadow, High Bickington
          Mr G Ford
          DECISION: Granted

19. Correspondence

    1. Community Open air events – cinema for fetes, etc. – passed to Roger Bickley.

    2. DCC – Risk Assessment – emergency planning – passed to Mike Leatham.

    3. South West Water – notice of road closure, North Road on 7 June for 1 day.

    4. CPRE – subscription reminder. Councillors agreed not to subscribe to the CPRE.

    5. TDC – Core strategy Regulation 25 consultation – questionnaire. Passed to Peter Tucker for attention.

    6. TDC – Rural Community facilities survey – verification of data. Passed to Myc Riggulsford.

    7. South West Forest – Land between the Moors workshop – passed to Myc Riggulsford.

    8. Devon Biodiversity records Centre – permission to carry out Torridge County Wildlife Sites Survey 2006 – passed to Roger Keen.

    9. Letter from Mr Roger Wakefield. The Chairman read a letter from Mr Wakefield regarding parts of the verge near his property. He understands the upkeep is the responsibility of Torridge District Council but has been unable to obtain a satisfactory response from them. He is asking the Parish Council if they can offer any assistance. The Clerk was asked to write to Torridge District Council to request that something be done to improve the state of the verge in question.

20. Outstanding Matters
    There were no matters outstanding.

21. Items for Information
    Roger Keen reported that a request has been made for a litter bin to be installed at the corner of Wardens Close. The Clerk was asked to approach Torridge District Council about this.
    David Brown reminded Councillors that the next Great Torrington and District MCTi Community Planning Partnership meeting will be held on 24 May 2006 at Winkleigh Community Centre at 7.30pm. All are welcome to attend.

22. Date of next meeting
    Wednesday 14 June 2006 in the Meeting Point, High Bickington, at 7.30pm.
    There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.12pm.

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