Minutes of a meeting of Bridford Parish Council held at Bridford Village Hall Monday 3 August 2015 at 7.00pm.
Present: Cllrs F Miles (Chairperson) G Hearnden, E Price, R Dowding, A Lord, J Atkinson, Mrs J P Banks (Clerk), Dst Cllr A Ford and four members of the public.
- Apologies – Cllr T Evans and Cnty Cllr Brook
- Declarations of Interest – none
- Public Discussion – A Parish Councillor reported that there are overhanging branches and a large stone has come out of the hedge at Woodlands Lane. The landowner will be contacted and asked to cut back the hedge and replace the stone.
A Parishioner advised that the by-way which runs from Windhill Gate to Plaistow Green gets flooded. Some years ago this was reported to the DNPA Ranger as it was the only flat area for walking and a good job was done on the pond. The landowner has subsequently raised the land about a metre by depositing debris in the field and this has resulted in the water not being able to run away. The Ranger will be contacted to ask if he considers that the change of level in the nearby field has caused the flooding.
Cllr Evans confirmed that he and Cllr Dowding have now been appointed as trustees of the Village Hall.
A Parish Councillor reported ragwort being currently a problem in the area. This is not a Parish Council issue but down to the individual landowners.
MATTER ARISING
4 Minutes – the Parish Council resolved to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on July 6th 2015 as a true and accurate record of the meeting
12 District Councillors Report brought forward
Dst Cllr Ford spoke about plans to extend the communications mast at Woodlands Farm which should improve mobile phone reception in the immediate area. There has not been any comment from DNPA regarding this yet. Cllr Ford urged people to complete the survey relating to TDC’s Ten Year Strategy Plan. There will be stands at Hennock and Christow shows where more details can be obtained. A representative from BT will attend the next Overview and Scrutiny to talk about Broadband. Grass cutting – volunteers who cut the verges adjacent to their properties should not have to pay to dispose of it. A copy of a proposed statement about grass cutting will be emailed to the Parish Council. The Chairperson asked what Bridford’s current grass cutting arrangements are. The Clerk confirmed that the contractor is paid to keep the grass verge tidy on Pound Lane down as far as the second gate and to keep the allotment paths tidy.
Recycling – there is a ‘Roadshow’ at TVCH on 6 October which will be advertised. Cllr Ford will arrange for an official to come along to the September Parish Council meeting to give a presentation to the Parish Council and member of the public about the forthcoming new recycling arrangements which will come into force in October.
Funding available to set up a Parish Plan. Bridford PC already has a plan but will discuss at next review to see if a new survey needs to be circulated to residents.
Dst Cllr Ford left the meeting at 7.30pm
5 Allotments – various ideas were discussed as to how the weeds can be kept down on plot 2a which is currently untenanted. The grass cutting contractor will be asked to strim plot 2a until a tenant can be found. The Parish Council agreed that the refundable deposit in respect of this plot should be retained and put towards the cost of cutting back the weeds. Plot 5a is badly overgrown. The tenant was present at the Parish Council meeting and was asked to make
29
arrangements to tidy their allotment.
6 Play Area – regularly inspected by Cllr Price. No problems to report.
7 Potholes – DCC Highways Department has agreed to repair the particularly bad area of potholes from the junction of Neadon Lane to Scattor View. The large crater at the junction of Pound Lane and the B3193 has been repaired. The Chairperson thanked the Clerk for arranging to get this repair undertaken so quickly. Everyone is encouraged to report potholes to DCC online via the Report a Problem webpage.
8 Angler’s Cottage – TDC attended the property with the owner and carried out an internal inspection. The owner is currently looking at all options in respect of the property and is aware that enforcement action will be taken if TDC is not satisfied that sufficient progress is being made to bring about reoccupation. The PC is pleased to see that some progress hasbeen made and that things are going forward.
9 Leigh Cross Bridge – initial investigations by Cnty Cllr Brook show the bridge to be grade two listed and therefore any alterations to the structural design will require the agreement of Natural England. The Bridges Team were in total agreement that alterations need to be made and will look into the matter. The Parish Council queries whether the listing applies to this small bridge over the leat or the main bridge over the River Teign further along the road. Cnty Cllr Brook will be advised and further enquiries made.
ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING
10 Concerns noted regarding roads, fields and footpaths – already discussed during Public Discussion (item 3)
farm machinery on Pound Lane – increased amount of farm machinery going through the the village due to the farmers having to harvest while the weather is good and during this time working all hours of the day.
11 Meetings Attended – Cllr Price attended the recent Annual Social Policy Event chaired by Ann-Marie Morris.
12 District Councillors Report dealt with earlier in the meeting
PLANNING
For Discussion
13 Poole Farm, Bridford – re proposed erection of rural workers dwelling (DNPA ref. 0356/15) Following a site visit, the Parish Council fully supported this application. “The business has been in operation for eight years and is thriving despite the episode of serious illness which one of the partners has suffered. The Parish Council considers that the planned building is interesting and appropriate and will tidy things up.”
14 Seven Acre Lane – Hedgerow Removal Notice. At a site visit, the Parish Council was not quorate, so this was discussed at the Council meeting. “The Parish Council has no objections to the removal of the hedgerow.”
15 Any items for discussion received since the publication of the agenda – none
For Information – none
16 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda – none
FINANCE & ACCOUNT
17 Account balances as at 28th July 2015 – current account £3,581.83 and deposit account
£3,247.92 (Balances include £623 earmarked for Play Area, £165 balance of refundable
deposits for allotments & £213.40 re proceeds of contents of textile bank)
Balances allow for all expenditure and income detailed below.
30
18 Income
Mrs S Lawrence re refundable allotment deposit £ 15.00
19 Expenditure
Mrs J P Banks re Clerk’s salary for July 2015 £185.39
Mrs J P Banks – reimbursement of work on laptop (Graham Read) £ 25.00
Mr G Dicker re 3 months verge grass cutting £152.49
Mr C Banks re work on plot 2a at the allotments £ 73.99
The Parish Council resolved to approve the accounts and authorise the expenditure.
The Chairperson has delegated the checking of the accounts and expenditure to Cllr Dowding.
Cllr Dowding checked the invoices to the cheque book and the reconciliation to the bank statement.
20 Audit for the year ended 31 March 2015 – completed and signed off return now received from Grant Thornton with no issues to address. The Notice of Completion of Audit has been published and will be put on the Parish website, together with a copy of the return.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
21 Emails received concerning a traffic accident – deferred until the end of the meeting when the members of the public were asked to leave.
22 Council Meeting Dates – the Village Hall committee has suggested that it would help them if the Parish Council could change its meetings to a Tuesday. This would free up all Monday evenings for a regular weekly booking. The Clerk will discuss with the hall booking clerk and a decision will be made at the next Parish Council meeting.
23 Teign Valley Community Hall is looking for additional representative to join its committee.
24 Have we a volunteer to attend the TALC meetings – Cllr Dowding volunteered to be the representative for Bridford Parish Council. The Chairperson thanked him for taking on this role. Arrangements will be made for TALC minutes, agendas and meeting dates to be sent to him direct.
25 Putting Bridford Hill back on the Primary Gritting Route – in the absence of Cnty Cllr Brook and Cllr Evans, this was deferred once again to the next meeting.
26 Any items received for discussion since the publication of the agenda
Parish Plan – a date needs to be arranged for a review of the plan. A list of dates will be circulated.
Three Parishes Meeting – will take place in October. Suggested dates to be circulated to Dunsford and Christow.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
27 Transparency Code – new legal duties came into force on 1st July 2015. All smaller town and Parish Councils are required to publish detailed information on a website which is publicly accessible free of charge.
28 Teignbridge 2016 -2025 Council Strategy – the survey runs from 7 July – 18 August and be completed online at www.teignbridge.gov.uk/consultation or call 01626 361101
29 Devon & Cornwall Police Warnings – heating oil stolen from tank outside a property in the Manaton area. Everyone asked to be aware and support anything suspicious.
30 Connecting Devon and Somerset – response from Cllr Leadbetter to be circulated to Parish Councillors.
31 Parish and Town Council Conference 2015 – the conferences will be held on October 14 & 21, venues still to be announced.
32 The Mobile Infrastructure Project – discussed with Dst Cllr Ford in item 12. Details
31
circulated to Parish Councillors.
33 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda
The Elector Fund: Applications for 2015/16 now open. Details available online from
http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/electorfund
34 Public Discussion – Public local Police notices are out of date. The PCSO will be asked for a revised notice with up to date phone numbers.
A Parish Councillor reported that the centenary plaque marking one hundred years of the Parish Council has become detached from the granite stone. The Clerk to make arrangements to put it back in place.
A Parishioner has contacted the Parish Council with concerns over changes in the 360 service bus timetable. The change was noted in the February minutes. The last bus to Exeter will be discontinued but it was not considered that this was a concern.
35 Date of next meeting – Monday 7 September 2015 7.00pm in the upstairs room at the Village Hall
Members of the public were requested to leave the meeting in to enable the Parish Council to discuss item 21
21 The Parish Council shared emails that have been received following a traffic accident in the Teign Valley. Parish Councillors were asked to reflect on their mutual responsibilities to maintain the good reputation of the Parish Council
Original copy of minutes signed by the Chairperson 7th September 2015
CORRESPONDENCE FOR CIRCULATION (Appendix A)
Newsletters and Circulars
Healthwatch Voices Summer 2015
Connecting Devon and Somerset
Miscellaneous
Dunsford PC June minutes
Christow PC June minutes
Copy of TDC “Your Services Survey 2015 completed by Cllr Lord
TDC Community Infrastructure Levy Policies
Letters sent
Various
32
Minutes of a meeting of Bridford Parish Council held at Bridford Village Hall Monday 3 August 2015 at 7.00pm.
Present: Cllrs F Miles (Chairperson) G Hearnden, E Price, R Dowding, A Lord, J Atkinson, Mrs J P Banks (Clerk), Dst Cllr A Ford and four members of the public.
- Apologies – Cllr T Evans and Cnty Cllr Brook
- Declarations of Interest – none
- Public Discussion – A Parish Councillor reported that there are overhanging branches and a
large stone has come out of the hedge at Woodlands Lane. The landowner will be contacted
and asked to cut back the hedge and replace the stone.
A Parishioner advised that the by-way which runs from Windhill Gate to Plaistow Green gets
flooded. Some years ago this was reported to the DNPA Ranger as it was the only flat area
for walking and a good job was done on the pond. The landowner has subsequently raised the
land about a metre by depositing debris in the field and this has resulted in the water not being
able to run away. The Ranger will be contacted to ask if he considers that the change of level
in the nearby field has caused the flooding.
Cllr Evans confirmed that he and Cllr Dowding have now been appointed as trustees of the
Village Hall.
A Parish Councillor reported ragwort being currently a problem in the area. This is not a
Parish Council issue but down to the individual landowners.
MATTER ARISING
4 Minutes – the Parish Council resolved to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting
held on July 6th 2015 as a true and accurate record of the meeting
12 District Councillors Report brought forward
Dst Cllr Ford spoke about plans to extend the communications mast at Woodlands Farm which
should improve mobile phone reception in the immediate area. There has not been any
comment from DNPA regarding this yet. Cllr Ford urged people to complete the survey
relating to TDC’s Ten Year Strategy Plan. There will be stands at Hennock and Christow
shows where more details can be obtained. A representative from BT will attend the next
Overview and Scrutiny to talk about Broadband. Grass cutting – volunteers who cut
the verges adjacent to their properties should not have to pay to dispose of it. A copy of a
proposed statement about grass cutting will be emailed to the Parish Council. The Chairperson
asked what Bridford’s current grass cutting arrangements are. The Clerk confirmed that the
contractor is paid to keep the grass verge tidy on Pound Lane down as far as the second gate
and to keep the allotment paths tidy.
Recycling – there is a ‘Roadshow’ at TVCH on 6 October which will be advertised. Cllr Ford
will arrange for an official to come along to the September Parish Council meeting to give a
presentation to the Parish Council and member of the public about the forthcoming new
recycling arrangments which will come into force in October.
Funding available to set up a Parish Plan. Bridford PC already has a plan but will discuss at
next review to see if a new survey needs to be circulated to residents.
Dst Cllr Ford left the meeting at 7.30pm
5 Allotments – various ideas were discussed as to how the weeds can be kept down on plot 2a
which is currently untenanted. The grass cutting contractor will be asked to strim plot 2a until
a tenant can be found. The Parish Council agreed that the refundable deposit in respect of this
plot should be retained and put towards the cost of cutting back the weeds. Plot 5a is badly
overgrown. The tenant was present at the Parish Council meeting and was asked to make
29
arrangements to tidy their allotment.
6 Play Area – regularly inspected by Cllr Price. No problems to report.
7 Potholes – DCC Highways Department has agreed to repair the particularly bad area of
potholes from the junction of Neadon Lane to Scattor View. The large crater at the junction
of Pound Lane and the B3193 has been repaired. The Chairperson thanked the Clerk for
arranging to get this repair undertaken so quickly. Everyone is encouraged to report potholes
to DCC online via the Report a Problem webpage.
8 Angler’s Cottage – TDC attended the property with the owner and carried out an internal
inspection. The owner is currently looking at all options in respect of the property and is
aware that enforcement action will be taken if TDC is not satisfied that sufficient progress
is being made to bring about reoccupation. The PC is pleased to see that some progress has
been made and that things are going forward.
9 Leigh Cross Bridge – initial investigations by Cnty Cllr Brook show the bridge to be grade two
listed and therefore any alterations to the structural design will require the agreement of
Natural England. The Bridges Team were in total agreement that alterations need to be made
and will look into the matter. The Parish Council queries whether the listing applies to this
small bridge over the leat or the main bridge over the River Teign further along the road. Cnty
Cllr Brook will be advised and further enquiries made.
ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING
10 Concerns noted regarding
roads, fields and footpaths – already discussed during Public Discussion (item 3)
farm machinery on Pound Lane – increased amount of farm machinery going through the
the village due to the farmers having to harvest while the weather is good and during this time
working all hours of the day.
11 Meetings Attended – Cllr Price attended the recent Annual Social Policy Event chaired by
Ann-Marie Morris.
12 District Councillors Report dealt with earlier in the meeting
PLANNING
For Discussion
13 Poole Farm, Bridford – re proposed erection of rural workers dwelling (DNPA ref. 0356/15)
Following a site visit, the Parish Council fully supported this application. “The business has
been in operation for eight years and is thriving despite the episode of serious illness which
one of the partners has suffered. The Parish Council considers that the planned building is
interesting and appropriate and will tidy things up.”
14 Seven Acre Lane – Hedgerow Removal Notice. At a site visit, the Parish Council was not
quorate, so this was discussed at the Council meeting. “The Parish Council has no objections
to the removal of the hedgerow.”
15 Any items for discussion received since the publication of the agenda – none
For Information – none
16 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda – none
FINANCE & ACCOUNT
17 Account balances as at 28th July 2015 – current account £3,581.83 and deposit account
£3,247.92 (Balances include £623 earmarked for Play Area, £165 balance of refundable
deposits for allotments & £213.40 re proceeds of contents of textile bank)
Balances allow for all expenditure and income detailed below.
30
18 Income
Mrs S Lawrence re refundable allotment deposit £ 15.00
19 Expenditure
Mrs J P Banks re Clerk’s salary for July 2015 £185.39
Mrs J P Banks – reimbursement of work on laptop (Graham Read) £ 25.00
Mr G Dicker re 3 months verge grass cutting £152.49
Mr C Banks re work on plot 2a at the allotments £ 73.99
The Parish Council resolved to approve the accounts and authorise the expenditure.
The Chairperson has delegated the checking of the accounts and expenditure to Cllr Dowding.
Cllr Dowding checked the invoices to the cheque book and the reconciliation to the bank
statement.
20 Audit for the year ended 31 March 2015 – completed and signed off return now received
from Grant Thornton with no issues to address. The Notice of Completion of Audit has been
published and will be put on the Parish website, together with a copy of the return.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
21 Emails received concerning a traffic accident – deferred until the end of the meeting when the
members of the public were asked to leave.
22 Council Meeting Dates – the Village Hall committee has suggested that it would help them if
the Parish Council could change its meetings to a Tuesday. This would free up all Monday
evenings for a regular weekly booking. The Clerk will discuss with the hall booking clerk
and a decision will be made at the next Parish Council meeting.
23 Teign Valley Community Hall is looking for additional representative to join its committee.
24 Have we a volunteer to attend the TALC meetings – Cllr Dowding volunteered to be the
representative for Bridford Parish Council. The Chairperson thanked him for taking on this
role. Arrangements will be made for TALC minutes, agendas and meeting dates to be sent
to him direct.
25 Putting Bridford Hill back on the Primary Gritting Route – in the absence of Cnty Cllr Brook
and Cllr Evans, this was deferred once again to the next meeting.
26 Any items received for discussion since the publication of the agenda
Parish Plan – a date needs to be arranged for a review of the plan. A list of dates will be
circulated.
Three Parishes Meeting – will take place in October. Suggested dates to be circulated to
Dunsford and Christow.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
27 Transparency Code – new legal duties came into force on 1st July 2015. All smaller town and
Parish Councils are required to publish detailed information on a website which is publicly
accessible free of charge.
28 Teignbridge 2016 -2025 Council Strategy – the survey runs from 7 July – 18 August and be
completed online at www.teignbridge.gov.uk/consultation or call 01626 361101
29 Devon & Cornwall Police Warnings – heating oil stolen from tank outside a property in the
Manaton area. Everyone asked to be aware and support anything suspicious.
30 Connecting Devon and Somerset – response from Cllr Leadbetter to be circulated to
Parish Councillors.
31 Parish and Town Council Conference 2015 – the conferences will be held on October
14 & 21, venues still to be announced.
32 The Mobile Infrastructure Project – discussed with Dst Cllr Ford in item 12. Details
31
circulated to Parish Councillors.
33 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda
The Elector Fund: Applications for 2015/16 now open. Details available online from
http://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/electorfund
34 Public Discussion – Public local Police notices are out of date. The PCSO will be asked for
a revised notice with up to date phone numbers.
A Parish Councillor reported that the centenary plaque marking one hundred years of the
Parish Council has become detached from the granite stone. The Clerk to make arrangements
to put it back in place.
A Parishioner has contacted the Parish Council with concerns over changes in the 360 service
bus timetable. The change was noted in the February minutes. The last bus to Exeter will be
discontinued but it was not considered that this was a concern.
35 Date of next meeting – Monday 7 September 2015 7.00pm in the upstairs room at the
Village Hall
Members of the public were requested to leave the meeting in to enable the Parish Council to
discuss item 21
21 The Parish Council shared emails that have been received following a traffic accident in the
Teign Valley. Parish Councillors were asked to reflect on their mutual responsibilities to
maintain the good reputation of the Parish Council
Original copy of minutes signed by the Chairperson 7th September 2015
CORRESPONDENCE FOR CIRCULATION (Appendix A)
Newsletters and Circulars
Healthwatch Voices Summer 2015
Connecting Devon and Somerset
Miscellaneous
Dunsford PC June minutes
Christow PC June minutes
Copy of TDC “Your Services Survey 2015 completed by Cllr Lord
TDC Community Infrastructure Levy Policies
Letters sent
Various
32