Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
Held on Wednesday 14 June 2006 at 7.40pm
In the Meeting Point, High Bickington

Present: Mike Leatham (Chairman), Roger Bickley, David Brown, Stella Burrows, Roger Keen, Stan Parker.

In attendance: WPC Sally Middleton – Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, David Venner – CPT Ltd,
9 Members of the public, Mrs Di Carter - Clerk

1. Apologies
   Apologies were received from Myc Riggulsford and Peter Tucker.

2. Matters raised by the public
   Roger Bickley read two letters from members of the public regarding problems with dog fouling and litter, particularly in the area of Mill Lane and Barton Meadow. WPC Middleton will pass these letters to the new PCSO, Steve Henderson. He will have powers to issue tickets and fine culprits. The Clerk was also asked to write to the dog warden reporting the problem.

3. Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting held on 10 May 2006
   The minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting held on 10 May 2006 were agreed and adopted by Councillors. The Chairman signed the minutes.

4. Matters arising
   

   1. Refuse collections. The Clerk reported that no response has been received from TDC to the letter sent following the last meeting. Letters sent to TDC are receiving neither a response nor an acknowledgement and follow up telephone calls to query the outcome are not being returned. The Clerk was asked to write to the Chief Executive of TDC expressing the Council’s concerns regarding the communication difficulties being experienced.

   2. Litter bin at Wardens Close – TDC have verbally agreed to a request for a litter bin to be placed at the corner of Wardens Close. This matter will be monitored.

5. Police Matters
   Mike Leatham reported on the NAG held prior to this meeting and the new policing arrangements for High Bickington. WPC Middleton is the Rural Beat Officer responsible for 23 parishes in the Torrington area, including High Bickington, covering 250 square miles. She will initially be working with one PCSO (Police Community Support Officer), Steve Henderson, who is currently on training. It is hoped one further PCSO will be appointed for the area towards the end of the year. Councillors raised concerns at the wide area to be covered by two officers and the apparent lack of transport provision. Stella Burrows agreed to take this matter to the Police Liaison meeting on 27 June 2006.
   The previous Rural Beat Manager, PC Tony Hagan, has been moved to Response duties and Councillors agreed that a formal letter of thanks be sent to him for his help and support.
   Stella Burrows reported that Polish door sellers have been visiting properties in both High Bickington and neighbouring villages selling paintings and urged everyone not to be persuaded to buy from them.
   An unattended vehicle was broken into at Atherington. WPC Middleton said unattended vehicles must be secured and no items of interest to thieves should be left in those cars.

6. Parish Plans
   

   1. June update – David Venner presented the June update which was circulated to all Councillors. The planning decision regarding the Little Bickington Farm project has been placed on the website, all shareholders and those on the housing list have been notified by letter.
      Section 106 monies – these have been split into two separate bank accounts in order to identify the interest relevant to each. Mike Leatham explained that the £100,000 paid to the Parish Council for the provision of community facilities was now held by the CPT separately in order to ensure transparency in its use. This money has not, and will not be, spent until a clear decision on its use has been made. Mike Leatham stressed that everyone involved is acting honourably and the accounts are being properly audited.
      The County Council is looking at ways of providing continuing support to see what can be achieved. Lord Burnett and local Member of Parliament, Geoffrey Cox QC have also indicated their support. David Brown has requested a meeting with Ruth Kelly in order to take up some points raised in the Inspector’s report and to try and agree a way forward that would avoid a further ‘call in’ on any submission of a revised planning application. It was noted with some concern that the Inquiry Inspector lived locally and it was felt it would be more appropriate to appoint Inspectors who had no local knowledge.

7. Barton Meadow
   Roger Bickley reported that Roy Brown will shortly complete the work on the cycle track and the car park.

8. Matters Raised by the Chairman
   There were no matters raised by the Chairman.

9. Maintenance
   

   1. Highways

      1. Repairs update. The potholes at Barton Meadow have been repaired but no further repairs appear to have been carried out at other sites.
         The Clerk was asked to report potholes at Taylors Lane and to ascertain what plans there are for highway maintenance generally.

      2. Fountains Field – Zebra crossing. No further information has been received on progress with the installation of the zebra crossing. The Clerk was asked to write to Poltair to ask what the position is.

      3. The Clerk reported that the unacceptable state of the verges at Church Meadows was reported to TDC with a request for them to be improved. The Clerk has been told that Devon County Council own the verges but have passed the responsibility of maintenance to TDC. TDC have been requested to inform Devon County Council that this matter needs to be addressed. The Clerk will also write to Devon County Council.

   2. Footpaths and byways. Roger Keen reported a letter from Devon County Council informing the Parish Council that the Parish paths grant will not be paid in future while a substantial balance of funds is held by the Council unless a specific project is identified. Roger Keen was asked to prepare a list of possible projects. He will also invite Ros Davies from DCC to visit and discuss the matter.
      There are two unclassified road in the parish which are in need of attention – from Highfield to just below Vauterhill Stud Farm and from Seckington to Mill Road. The Clerk was asked to establish from Highways their responsibility for these roads and also whether it would be possible for the Parish Council to undertake work to establish them as parish paths.

10. Finance

    1. Accounts as at 31 May 2006. Subject to the payment of the following two additional cheques making a total payment of £392.55, the financial statement at 31 May 2006 was agreed and accepted by Councillors:

       1. The Meeting Point - £30.00

       2. D Jones – grasscutting - £100.00

11. Planning

    1. Applications received before the meeting:

       1. Stella Burrows declared an interest in the following application and did not take part in the discussion or decision. 1/1032/2006/FUL
          Demolition of existing flat roof extension and provision of new extension with pitched roof to match existing bungalow roof.
          Higher Broadwood, High Bickington Mrs Wood
          DECISION: Proposed by David Brown and seconded by Stan Parker, those councillors present and eligible to vote (5) unanimously agreed to support the application.

    2. Planning decisions –

       1. 1/0575/1006/FUL
          1/0607/2006/LBC
          Conversion of garage/barn to stable 2 no. loose boxes
          The Old Rectory, High Bickington
          DECISION: GRANTED

       2. 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
          DECISION: GRANTED

12. Correspondence

    1. DAPC – Newsletter error – the Chairman will need to sign a declaration of acceptance of office at the next meeting. Information had previously been received that this was not now necessary.

    2. Mr R Wakefield and Mrs A Partridge – letters re development of the Barton Meadow site and the planning application submitted by Pearce construction. Mike Leatham stressed that there are no immediate plans to develop this site at the present time. The Parish Council owns the land and no development can take place unless the Council sells the land. Mike Leatham said there are ongoing discussions taking place about the suitability of the site for a village hall and residents’ concerns regarding development have been noted.
       DCC – Local Government White Paper – request for response to questions on the operation of the current three tier Council structure in Devon. Mike Leatham asked that it be included in the circulation pack so that councillors could add any comments which could be included in a response.

    3. TDC – Electoral Registration – request for assistance from the Clerks of Parish Councils to collect annual register of electors forms not returned to TDC. Councillors were strongly opposed to this suggestion and the Clerk was asked to respond accordingly.

    4. TDC – Request for information re distribution of Torridge First newsletter – in information pack for Councillors’ comments.

    5. DCC – Letter re Devon’s Adult and Community Services Directorate – in information pack.

    6. RDC – notice of highway parish forums on 19th and 20th June. RCS is tendering for highway maintenance in Devon. In information pack.

    7. Community Council of Devon – Calor village of the year 2006. In information pack.

    8. Devon & Cornwall Constabulary – letter re new powers to deal with anti social behaviour – in information pack.

    9. Charter 88 – Community decline and campaign for a modern democracy – empowering citizens and local councils. In information pack for comments.

13. Outstanding matters
    There were no outstanding matters.

14. Items for information

    1. Roger Keen raised the problems experienced when the road at Barton Meadow was closed by a utilities company, apparently without adequate prior notice. Bus services were affected and the Clerk was asked to convey the Council’s concerns about the lack of notice.

    2. Bus services are now being undertaken by Turners at Chulmleigh with an increased number of buses, particularly at times convenient for those working in Barnstaple. Councillors felt this was to be welcomed and the Clerk was asked to obtain a timetable.

    3. Emergency community plan – Mike Leatham is dealing with this.

15. Date of next meeting
    The next meeting will be held on Wednesday 12 July 2006 at 7.30pm in the Meeting Point.

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