Minutes Bridford Parish Council Meeting 3rd April 2017

Minutes of a meeting of Bridford Parish Council held at Bridford Village Hall on Monday 3rd April 2017 at 7.00pm
Present: Cllrs F Miles (Chairperson), G Hearnden, A Lord, R Dowding, E Price, T Evans, J Padgham, Mrs J P Banks (Clerk). No members of the public were present.
1	Apologies – Cnty Cllr Brook, Dst Cllr Ford
2	Declarations of Interest – Cllr Evans declared a personal interest in item 25
3	Public Discussion – no items for discussion
MATTERS ARISING
4	Minutes – the Parish Council resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 6th March 2017 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
5	Allotments – the agreement and rent have been received in respect of plot 3. Three half plots remain vacant.
6	Play Area – RoSPA inspection report. Cllr Price has examined the report and made recommendations. Consideration must be given to replacing the A Frame and the Fort / slide over the next two years. Enquiries will be made with regard to replacements and grant funding available. Cllr Price and the Clerk will discuss other minor work to be done.
7	Bridford Hill Condition of road surface – Simon Pearson of DCC Highways is aware of this road and has made bids for funding to carry out some resurfacing. Recommendation for everyone to individually report potholes and damage to road surfaces direct to the website link: httpl://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-a-problem Future gritting plans – it is time to send another letter to Devon County Council highlighting the problems with regard to Bridford Hill being removed from the primary gritting route. A draft specification was agreed which will be published in Unity and on the notice board and sent out with invitations to tender to local contractors. This is likely to be on the basis of a retainer fee and individual call out charges. The Parish Council’s towable gritter has been left outside and is now in a very sorry state and the controls have seized up again. If we were to revert to the Snow Warden volunteer scheme, thought would have to be given as to whether it would be better to buy the basic model and replace it every three years or to purchase a much more expensive model with a stainless steel chassis. However, the suppliers have made it clear that all machines must be looked after and washed down after each use. The owners of Seven Acre Farm are to be approached to see if they would be willing to assist as it is in their interest to keep the road open for the milk tanker and their own farming vehicles. Cllr Miles will give a presentation about the gritting of the roads and conduct a discussion with the public at the Annual Parish Meeting in May.
8	Telephone Box Maintenance – BT has repaired the light and the broken glass in the telephone box but requires photographic evidence that it needs painting. The Clerk will take photos and submit them to BT.
9	Defibrillator – Cllr Dowding reported that EDF has still to install a new three phase meter at the Village Hall and until this is done, the electrician cannot complete the electrical works including the installation of the defibrillator outside in the porch. The Clerk circulated a breakdown of costs showing how the defibrillator had been paid for.
10	Village Garden – now belongs to the Parish Council with the transfer formalities at HM Land Registry having been completed. The insurance company has been asked to ensure that public liability cover is extended to cover the Village Garden.
11	Parish Plan – Cllr Lord making enquiries with regard to setting up local monitoring of healthcare, has found a Parishioner who is interested in assisting. Cllr Lord to draw up a list of residents who may require help.
12	Further training courses re first aid and defibrillator – this will be advertised again when the defibrillator is in place.
13	Parish Council Website – the Clerk will take over the updating of the Parish Council section of the website to ensure that everything we are legally required to publish in connection with the Transparency Code, is kept up to date.
ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING
14	Meetings attended by Parish Councillors – Cllrs Miles, Dowding and Padgham attended a planning training course at South Molton. Content more about process rather than policy and not appropriate to DNPA. Cllr Dowding looking into Bridford Parish guidance when making planning decisions. Clerk to write to DNPA requesting training with regard to the National Park Planning Policy. Ask Christow PC to include ‘Governance of DNPA’ and ‘Valley Neighbourhood Plan’ on the agenda for the 2017 Three Parishes meeting. Cllr Dowding attended a recent TALC meeting which included a talk by the Police about cyber crime. Cllrs Miles and Dowding attended a meeting of Bridford Trust which outlined uses of the land, and uses of the reserves. Events will be held in the Woodland Park to include the community with an open afternoon on 14th May. Councillor Price to ask Bridford Trust to report any maintenance required when checking local footpaths.
15	District Councillors Report – Cllr Ford not present but sent a report. Airband advise that the Christow mast is going live and expects to get people connected from mid April. Cllr Ford has contacted local MP to ask him to again contact all the mobile phone providers to speed up the process as to when they will connect to the existing mobile phone infrastructure that is now present in the Valley. A number of ‘incidences’ reported around the reservoirs. A call for local foster carers and accommodation for Syrian Refugees. Cllr Ford has given just under £1,000 from her Community Fund to aid and provide a night landing site for the DAA in Christow. There are new guidelines for recycling food waste. County Council Elections are being held on 4th May 2017.
16	County Councillors Report – no report, Cllr Brook not present.
PLANNING
For Discussion
17 18 19	The following applications were dealt with between meetings due to the short timescales for submission of comments. Details circulated to Parish Councillors. The Hide, Bridford – application for Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed use as additional living accommodation (DNPA ref. 0124/17) The Parish Council has no objections to the application Cedar House, Bridford – re proposed external works to existing outbuilding (DNPA ref 0123/17). The Parish Council has no objections to the application Western End, Bridford (garden of The Spinney) re tree preservation order – application to fell beech tree (DNPA ref 17/0019). Applicant already advised Parish Council of reasons for application. The Parish Council accepts the need for this tree to be felled
20	Middle Heltor Farm, Bridford – re proposed installation of mobile telecommunications and ancillary equipment involving the erection of 12m high telegraph pole with eight consumer antennae and four backhaul radio antennae and associated radio housing and trenching (DNPA ref 0145/17). The Parish Council supports this application, communications being essential in the Teign Valley.
21	Any planning items for discussion since publication of the agenda – none
For Information
22	Seven Views, Pound Lane, Bridford – Grant of Conditional Planning Permission re improvements to access including replacement shed and oil tank enclosure / bin store (DNPA ref 0023/17)
23	Stonemill House, Stone Lane, Bridford – Grant of Conditional Planning Permission re change of use from agricultural to equestrian; construction of equestrian exercise area and relocation of two existing mobile field shelters (DNPA ref 0024/17)
24	Any planning items for information received since publication of the agenda – none
25	Application to divert footpaths / bridleways re Burnicombe Farm – DNPA confirmed that it had not received anything further from the landowner. If a formal application is made and consultations are carried out, the Parish Council will be included in that process. The landowner has confirmed that he will be putting in a new application.
FINANCE & ACCOUNTS
26	Account balances as at 6th March 2017 Current account Investment account	£3.257.76 £3,743.94 £7.001.70
	(Balances include earmarked funds: £90 refundable allotment deposits / £565 Play Area / £67.50 Village Garden / £44.76 textile bank)
27	INCOME Bank interest February Donation from Skittles teams – Village Garden – Play Area	£ 0.16 £ 24.50 £ 40.00 £ 64.66
28	EXPENDITURE Mrs J P Banks re March salary Mrs J P Banks reimburse admin expenditure 1 January – 31 March 2017 HMRC re PAYE quarter ended 5 April 2017 Payment to Village Hall – re percentage proceeds from textile bank Kitsons £500 + £100 VAT + £20 disbursements re transfer title Village Garden DALC re attendance at planning training course re Cllrs, Miles, Dowding and Padgham £75 + £15 VAT Playsafety Ltd re RoSPA annual inspection of Play Area £94.50 + £18.90 VAT DALC re annual membership subscription £103.69 + £15.61 VAT – this amount will be deducted by Teignbridge from the first half of the precept payment Mrs J P Banks reimburse cost of Office (Word) programme £36.14 and McAfee anti-virus programme £16.98	£192.56 £149.70 £144.60 £ 33.20 £620.00 £ 90.00 £113.40 £119.30 £ 53.12 £1,515.88
29	Account balances as at 3rd April 2017 Current account Investment account	£1,806.38 £3,744.10 £5,550.48
	The Clerk circulated details of the breakdown of how proceeds of the Clothing Bank have been distributed since the project commenced. The Parish Council resolved to accept the accounts and authorise the expenditure. Cllr Dowding, being delegated by the Chairperson, checked the invoices to the cheque book and the reconciliation to the bank statement.
30	Clerk’s salary / annual increment – the Parish Council resolved to authorise annual increase w.e.f. 1st April 2017 from SCP 23 to SCP24 (£11.415 per hour)
31	Clerk’s entitlement to holiday pay – the Parish Council resolved to agree to the Clerk’s request to be paid holiday pay on a pro rata basis equating to 32 hours per annum.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
32	Annual Parish Meeting – there will not be a public speaker. The Chairperson will speak about the way forward regarding the gritting of Pound Lane and also about the Parish Plan. Public discussion will be invited. Invitations to be sent out to all local groups inviting them to present a report if they wish to do so. Catering to be provided by the Clerk and Cllrs Miles & Price. Posters with agenda to be prepared. The Annual Parish Meeting will be followed by the Annual Parish Council Meeting which will include only the legally required Annual Parish business, carrying anything else forward to the June meeting.
33	Visit Dartmoor – invitation to advertise the Parish. Cllr Miles will write an item for publication to promote Bridford. Contact organisers of Bridford Fete to see if they would like to include their event.
34	Any items for discussion received since publication of the agenda
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
35	Bridford Annual Rural Skip Day – will take place on 15th July 2017 in the lay-by at the top of Pound Lane from 10am – 4pm. Notification from Teignbridge re change of contractor
36	Food Waste Recycling – update received from Teignbridge re food waste container liners.
37	Devon and Cornwall Police Alert – details of sheep worrying in Bovey Tracy and a stolen pony near Bude
38	Teign Tennis Trust – has advised that the club is applying for a loan from the LTA to support its court refurbishment this summer. There is no liability to Trustees. Work has commenced on upgrading the clubhouse and installing a disabled toilet.
39	Any items for information received since publication of the agenda Notice of Road Closure outside MIll View, Bridford to complete SWW Utility works 10 – 12 July 2017.
40	Public Discussion – A Parish Councillor asked what the current situation is regarding what appears to be a used car lot in the Old Quarry on Pound Lane. Letter to be sent to DNPA. Item not on the agenda – Grass Cutting Contract. Invitations to Tender have been sent out and advertised for renewal of the three year contract to include additional work to keep vacant allotments cut back.
41	Date of next meeting will be 8th May which will be the Annual Parish Meeting commencing at 7.00pm followed by the Annual Parish Council meeting.

	………………………………………………………..Chairperson 8th May 2017
	CIRCULATION Newsletters, Reports & Circulars TALC draft minutes January 2017 Dunsford PC minutes February 2017 Christow PC minutes January 2017 Christow PC minutes February 2017 Christow PC draft minutes March 2017 Correspondence sent Various

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