Minutes of a meeting of Bridford Parish Council held at the Village Hall Monday 2nd February 2015 at 7.00pm.
Present: Cllrs S Purser (Chairman), G Hearnden, E Price, A Lord, T Evans (joined the meeting at 7.15pm), J Bingham, F Miles (left the meeting at 8.23pm), Mrs J P Banks (Clerk), Peter Harper (Chairman DNPA). Cnty Cllr J Brook attended for part of the meeting. No other members of the public present.
- Apologies – none
- Declarations of Interest – none
- Public Discussion – the Chairman drew attention to the transport consultation. The last bus to Exeter from Bridford will not run. Hennock will be cut out completely on the weekly Newton Abbot service. No action to be taken by the Parish Council but individuals may make representations.
A Parishioner has suggested yellow lines to stop vehicles parking in the area where the school bus stops. The vehicles are connected with current building work. Cllr Miles will talk with the builders to ensure that their vehicles are parked to maintain clear visibility around the bus stop.
Communication received from Seven Acre Farm regarding a complaint received by them from a local resident regarding mud on the road between Plaistow Green and the road to Westcott. No action by the Parish Council.
Litter in the village – now the hedges are thin, a lot more rubbish has been revealed. Item to be put in Unity asking residents to be responsible for keeping the area in front of their home tidy and free from litter.
- Presentation by Peter Harper – Chairman DNPA. Deferred until later in the meeting as Mr Harper had not arrived at this time.
MATTER ARISING
- Minutes – the Parish Council resolved to approve minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on January 5th 2015 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
6 Allotments – nothing to report.
7 Play Area – the annual RoSPA inspection will take place in March.
8 Village Hall – the Parish Council representative was not advised of the last meeting and therefore was unable to attend. Cllr Evans reported that all is on course for plans for the future.
9 Snow Warden – Adrian has now undertaken the training briefing and is therefore now covered under Devon County Council’s insurance.
10 Fly Tipping – Teignbridge has now removed the television sets by the electricity sub station.
ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING
10a Overgrown hedge at Pound Lane – the owner has confirmed that arrangements have been made for the hedge to be cut back.
10b Blackingstone Rock – Cllr Evans reported that an appeal had been upheld in respect of enforcement action to remove a caravan used for storage purposes.
11 Meetings Attended by any members of the Parish Council – the Clerk attended a “Preparing for Elections” briefing at Ivybridge.
Peter Harper joined the meeting at 7.27pm and the Chairman invited him to speak.
Mr Harper answered a variety of questions and concerns from members of the Parish Council and a lively debate followed between a Parish Councillor and Mr Harper regarding business planning and tourism within the park.
Cnty Cllr Brook joined the meeting at 7.50pm and the Chairman invited him to speak
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No particularly good news to report. DCC is currently in budget mode and session. Anywhere where savings can be made will be examined. Patronage of the bus services has been looked
- The delivery of service provision is what is changing. Over the next three years, library services will take on virtually a charitable status as will youth provision. In for a massive change, the most obvious to affect the Valley being transport. The road network is crucial to the operation of the county. Plans in hand to have road wardens. There are people in the communities who can do this job but they have to undertake expensive training to be covered by DCC insurance.
The Chairman thanked Cnty Cllr Brook who left the meeting at 8.20pm
PLANNING
For Discussion
The following application was dealt with between meetings due to the short timescale for submitting the observation sheet
12 Amerys, Bridford – re proposed single storey extension (DNPA ref. 0001/15). The Parish visited the property and made the following comments: “The Parish Council fully supports this application for a modest extension. The Parish Council debated whether the extension should have a pitched roof, but was divided on the subject.”
13 Any items for discussion received since the publication of the agenda – none
Cllr F Miles left the meeting at 8.23pm
For Information
14 Lower Lowton Farm, Bridford – Grant of Conditional Planning re agricultural livestock building (314sqm) (DNPA ref. 0656/14)
15 Lower Neadon Cottage, Bridford – Grant of Conditional Planning Application re demolition of existing utility and garage to rear of existing house and erection of a single storey extension. (DNPA ref. 0652/14)
- Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda – none
FINANCE & ACCOUNT
17 Date of Internal Audit – 27th May 2015
18 Account balances as at 28th January 2015 – current account £ 4,688.66 and deposit account £3,174.48. Balances include £623 earmarked for Play Area, £120 balance of refundable deposits for allotments, £400 re replacement computer & £278 re proceeds of contents of textile bank)
Balances allow for all expenditure and income detailed below.
19 Income – none
The following income was received after publication of the agenda
Nathan Waste re “Rag Bag” recycling bank £ 49.20
20 Expenditure
Mrs J P Banks re Clerk’s salary for January 2015 £180.54
Mr G Dicker re 8 months grass cutting & extra hedge cut at allotments £430.00
Mrs J P Banks travelling expenses re Preparing for Elections Briefing £ 26.20
DALC Preparing for Elections Briefing 21 January £20 + £5 V.A.T. £ 25.00
The Parish Council resolved to approve the accounts and authorise the expenditure. The Chairman checked the invoices to the cheque book and the bank reconciliation to the statement.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
21 Revisal of Standing Orders relating to Bridford Parish Council – the Parish Council resolved
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to adopt an amendment to it’s Standing Orders following an amendment to the Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 (“the 1960 Act”). This amendment is in respect of the right to record film and broadcast meetings of Local Councils and relates to section 3, item K.
22 Bridford Parish Council Asset Register – details revised, approved and signed off by the Chairman and Clerk.
23 Teignbridge District Council Budget – consultation open until 13th February.
24 Public Transport Review – consultation, dealt with under Public Discussion item 3
25 Local Food Bank – request for grant. The Parish Council has a policy of only considering support to local organisation and therefore declined this request.
26 Any items received for discussion since the publication of the agenda
Replacement computer – the Parish Council approved the proposed purchase of a new laptop computer but decided against taking out the additional three year warranty cover.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
27 Government statement on affordable housing/use of Section 106 Agreements – details can be viewed on the DNPA website
28 Mid Devon Cycling Club Race – 29th March 2015 will see the race covering the B3193 Teign Valley Road until it nears Dunsford. Motor cycle escort will be provided by Devon and Cornwall Police.
29 Emailing of agendas – plans are in place to make a law to legalise the sending of Parish Council agendas by email.
30 Esmee Fairbairn Small Grant Fund – monies available
31 The Sir Francis Chichester Trust Burseries for 2015 – fully funded places available on an Outward Bound Skills for Life Award Course. Details from www.chichestertrust.org.uk
32 Parish/Town Council Workshop – 11th Mach 2015, two places allocated for the Chairman and Clerk.
33 Devon SLCC Free Workshop – 27th March 2015 “Social Media, Delivering Differently and SLLC Proposed Structure.
34 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda
Woodland Trust – first of a series of talks 5th February at Fingle Bridge Inn.
Session for First Time Election Candidates – Forde House 7th February 10.30am and 24th February 7.00pm
35 District Councillors Report current topics are elections and budgets. The Haldon permanent travellers site is now full and the old site which was vacated by the deadline date is now being cleared.
36 Public Discussion – A Parish Councillor mentioned illuminated ropes at night on a house on the Valley Road. As this is on private land, it was not considered a concern.
DNPA Chairman mentioned that the Local Dartmoor Enterprise Partnership is about to be launched. £2.5m to be available for community projects.
The Chairman thanked Peter Harper for attending the Parish Council meeting.
37 Date of next meeting – Monday 2nd March 2015 7.00pm in the upstairs room at the
Village Hall
Original copy signed by the Chairman 2nd March 2015
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CORRESPONDENCE FOR CIRCULATION (Appendix A)
Newsletters and Circulars
Rural Housing Spotlight January 2015
Everyone’s Tomorrow Winter 2014/15
Healthwatch Voices Winter 2015
Clerks and Councils Direct January 2015
Reports and Agendas
Christow PC October and November minutes
Dunsford PC December minutes
Letters sent
Various
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