Minutes of a meeting of Bridford Parish Council held at Bridford Village Hall Monday October 6th 2014 at 7.00pm.
- Apologies – Cllrs E Price, F Miles and J Bingham
- Declarations of Interest – none
- Public Discussion
Whipple Tree Farm – at the invitation of the Parish Council, following receipt of an anonymous letter, the owners of Whipple Tree Farm came along to the meeting to explain what they have been doing to date and their future plans for the farm. DNPA has visited them and misunderstandings regarding the 28 day rule in respect of tents and caravans have now been sorted out. Planning applications for any future change of use will be submitted to DNPA.
Overgrown hedge at Week Bottom adjacent to the B3193 – Highways will be contacted to ask if they will cut it back.
Broken road sign at Green Bridge – will be reported to Highways.
Bridge at Leigh Cross – following the recent demolition of the wall yet again, another accident has resulted in the barriers being knocked into the river. Nearby residents have set up a camera to try and catch the culprits.
MATTER ARISING
- Minutes – the Parish Council resolved to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on September 8th 2014 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
5 Allotments – the annual invoices have been sent out. A thank you card from one of the allotment holders was read out. Plot 3 is still vacant and will continue to be advertised but as two half plots.
6 Play Area – tarmac repairs have been carried out on the BMX track and the net behind the goal post has been mended and put back up. A Parishioner who is a qualified tennis coach, is wishing to give free introductory tennis lessons to young children on the basket ball court.
The insurance company has confirmed that the Parish Council’s policy does not cover such activities. Enquiries will be made to ascertain if cover could be provided and at what cost.
- Village Hall – the secretary has resigned. Two recent fundraising events were very successful. The next hall committee meeting is in November.
- Snow Warden – although nobody has come forward to take on this role, there are now two parishioners who would be willing to accept daily emails and messages and pass them on to the team who operate the gritter. The Clerk will find out from Dave Goodwin-Hughes who the current members of the team are and their contact details. Dave has offered to speak with the two people who have offered to take messages and go through what is involved.
ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING
- Meetings Attended – a recent TALC meeting included discussion on housing.
The Community Council of Devon Conference at Exeter Race course was attended by the
Chairman – a representative from the Plunkett Foundation spoke about helping villages to buy and maintain existing facilities. Other topics included the NHS, followed by a panel debate.
The Chairman also attended the Devon Highways Conference at Stokeinteignhead – much discussion about potholes. Highways is trying to encourage road wardens. Any parish signing up to the scheme would receive a porta-cabin and tools. Volunteers would be given training and would subsequently be insured to supervise other volunteers.
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Details of a Community Pay Back scheme were put forward, whereby for £160 + VAT, a supervisor can be provided plus up to nine people doing community service.
PLANNING
Items for Discussion
10 Venn Bridge Farm, Bridford – re proposed extension to agricultural building (DNPA ref.
0537/14) “The Parish Council has no objections”
11 Any items received for discussion since publication of the agenda – none
Items for Information
- Pound Cottage, Bridford – refusal of planning permission re extension and alterations to dwelling (DNPA ref. 0399/14). The Parish Council was unhappy about remarks allegedly made by a member of DNPA Planning in connection with this application and published in the local newspaper. A letter will be sent to the Chairman of DNPA.
13 Poole Farm, Bridford – refusal of planning permission re agricultural workers dwelling (DNPA ref. 0293/14)
14 Seven Acre Farm, Bridford – planning permission granted re agricultural workers dwelling
(DNPA ref. 0165/14) subject to a number of conditions.
- Venn Bridge Yard, Bridford- letter from DNPA (ref 0412/14). Change of use is not considered to be permitted development under Part 3, Class M of the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) 1995. Planning permission will therefore be required to pursue change of use.
16 Seven Acre Farm – additional detail added to proposed site plan. For info only
17 Any items for information received since publication of the agenda – none
FINANCE & ACCOUNT
18 Account balances as at 1st October 2014 – current account £5,855.66 and deposit account
£3,236.68 (balances include £784 earmarked for Play Area, £120 balance of refundable deposits for allotments, £400 for replacement computer & £228 re proceeds of contents of textile bank)
Balances allow for all expenditure and income detailed below.
At the September meeting it was agreed to fund the Rural Renaissance Conference fee of £40
for the Chairman to attend. As the Parish Council is not a member of CCD this amount was
subsequently charged at £60 and agreed by the Parish Council by way of email circulation.
19 Income
Bank interest August 2014 £ 0.27
TDC 2nd half of precept £3,250.00
Mr F Leversedge allotment rent £ 15.00
Mr R Clark allotment rent £ 15.00
Mr A Bornemisza allotment rent £ 30.00
Dr B Curtis allotment rent £ 15.00
20 Expenditure
Community Council of Devon re Rural Renaissance Conference Cllr Purser £ 60.00
Mrs J P Banks re Clerk’s salary for September 2014 £ 176.68
Mrs J P Banks Admin expenditure 1/7 – 30/9/14 £91.66
Mrs J P Banks use of home as office 1/7 – 30/9/14 £54.00 £ 145.66
HMRC re PAYE quarter ended 5/10/14 £ 132.60
Mr C Banks re work undertaken at Play Park £ 161.90
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Bridford Village Hall re hire of meeting room £96.00
Bridford Village Hall re contributions to PO hire of room £49.00 £ 145.00
Mr J Poynton reimbursement of annual website fees £ 60.34
The Parish Council resolved to accept the accounts and authorise the expenditure.
The Chairman checked the invoices to the cheque book and the reconciliation to the bank
statement.
FOR DISCUSSION
21 Training – the Parish Council resolved to cover the costs for the Clerk to attend a Preparing
for Elections briefing in January.
22 Any items for discussion received since the publication of the agenda – none
FOR INFORMATION
23 Elector Fund Grants – Teignbridge is able to offer Elector Fund Grants based on £1.84 per
elector in each Parish in it’s area. Bridford, Christow and Dunsford supported Teign Valley
Community Hall last year. It is thought that Dunsford may need support this year for it’s
Play Area. Funds available until March 2015.
24 Property Change of Name – Stone Mill Farm, Bridford will now be known as Stonemill House.
25 Funding for public parks and gardens is available. Details available from Teignbridge CVS.
26 Warnings
Three recent reports of the theft of livestock form the North Cornwall, Caradon and North Devon areas. Farmers are advised to undertake daily checks and counts on livestock.
A spate of burglaries involving the use of the home owners ladder, access being obtained through insecure windows.
Two rough terrain vehicles and a boat trailer stolen from the East Way area of Lee Mill. Access gained to the yard by cutting padlock.
27 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda
Road Closure – future temporary road closures in the Teign Valley affecting Bridford,
Dunsford and Hennock areas. Details of dates to follow.
Devon Association of Local Councils Conference – 11th October at Westpoint, Exeter.
Resume of report from Cnty Cllr Jerry Brook sent in advance of the meeting – The Leader of DCC to make a “Tough Choices” tour of Devon. Anyone interested is encouraged to attend one of the presentations. A new consultation is announced into proposed savings in the
Highways Department. On the subject of winter operations, there is a need to ensure that road surfaces are treated to enable communities to travel safely. However, there is a big economic question with this issue. The structure of the children’s services department continues to improve and remains under close scrutiny. A further Ofstead inspection is expected before the end of the year. The Tour of Britain generated considerable income in the area.
Regrettably, there will be no stage here next year. Invest Devon fund has not yet been utilised. if it is not utilised by the end of the financial year, it will be lost so any community capital projects that would qualify are encouraged to apply.
28 District Councillors Report
The Community Infra Structure Levy comes into force 15th October in connection with new builds. ‘Strata’ is close to being set up to share IT computer services between three Councils, Teignbridge, East Devon and Exeter. Two TDC members of the Conservative party have joined the Independents, resulting in 22 Conservative, 13 Independents, 10 Liberal Democrats
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and 1 UKip. Dst Cllr Purser now has the role of Shadow Executive Portfolio Holder for Economy, Press & Media and Strategic Direction.
29 Public Discussion – no further items
30 Date of next meeting – Monday 10th November at 7.00pm in the Village Hall,. Please notechange of date.
Original minutes signed by the Chairman 10th November 2014
CORRESPONDENCE FOR CIRCULATION (Appendix A)
Reports and Agendas
Christow July 2014 minutes
Dunsford August 2014 minutes
Newsletters and Updates
TDC Update July / August 2014
Miscellaneous
DNPA pre application planning advice charges
CAB Annual Report 2013/14
Letters sent
Various
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