Minutes of a meeting of Bridford Parish Council held at Bridford Village Hall Monday 1st June 2015 at 7.00pm.
Present:: Cllrs F Miles (Chairperson), G Hearnden, A Lord, T Evans, R Dowding, J Atkinson, Mrs J P Banks (Clerk), Dst Cllr Ford. Cnty Cllr Brook attended for part of the meeting. There were no members of the public present.
- Apologies: Cllr E Price
- Declarations of Interest – none
2a Statement of Intent – the new Chairperson welcomed everyone and took the opportunity to
announce her intention to:
- make good decisions over matters relating to the Parish Council and to pass on to the appropriate bodies other matters which are reported to the Parish Council over which it has no remit.
- keep abreast of what needs to be done and the action that should be taken.
- Public Discussion – a huge ‘crater’ at the junction of Pound Lane and the B3193 was reported as a major hazard. This will be photographed by the Clerk and reported to DCC Highways.
Cllr Atkinson reported that the vehicular access gate at the Play Area has dropped and requires attention. There are stones in the grass at the Play Area which need removing. To be advised to Cllr Price. The road markings relating to parking outside Old Harriers are becoming faint.
MATTER ARISING
4 Minutes – the Parish Council resolved to approve the minutes of the Annual Parish Council meeting and the Annual Parish meeting held on May 20th 2015 as a true and accurate record of the proceedings
5 Allotments – one half plot vacant, advertised on the notice board and in Unity.
6 Play Area – the overhanging branches have been cut back. Thanks to Cllr Price and Cllr
Atkinson for their help.
7 Village Hall – confirmation received from the Hall Secretary that subject to Clause 9 in which the former trustees stated that there would be at least six trustees, the Bridford Village Hall is now being managed in compliance with the Trust Deed adopted on 10 September 2013. It is hoped to be able to answer any questions and be in a position to more fully expand at the July Parish Council meeting and a decision will be made as to whether the Hall Trustees are amenable to there being a Parish Council representative.
8 Anglers Cottage – the Parish Council has followed up this with Teignbridge District Council, but has yet to receive a further update. The Parish Council gratefully accepted Dst Cllr Ford’s offer to take up the matter on its behalf.
9 Hedges at Neadon Lane – no action can be taken regarding any overgrown hedges until the nesting season is over. This will be reviewed at that time.
10 Bridford Trust PC Representative – at the Annual Parish Council meeting, it was queried whether a Parish Council representative was required. Cross representation on committees is useful for communication and information exchange. The Chairperson confirmed that she is the current Bridford Trust Parish Council representative and is happy to continue.
11 Potholes – everyone is reminded that Devon County Council Highways has a “Report a Problem” webpage where any issues can be reported. Details will be included in the village’s “welcome information booklet” and in Unity magazine.
12 New Councillor Training – the Parish Council resolved to authorise the attendance of Cllrs
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Dowding and Atkinson at a New Parish Councillors course and Cllr Miles at a new Chairmanship course. The Parish Council will pay the course fees.
13 Register of Interests and Elections Expenses forms – all Parish Councillors were reminded to submit their completed forms to TDC by 4th June 2015.
ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING
14 Meetings Attended by any members of the Parish Council – none
15 District Councillors Report – currently very little to report. Dst Cllr Ford is in talks with satellite providers and is trying to gather information from each Parish in the Valley regarding Broadband and mobile phone signals.
Cnty Cllr J Brook joined the meeting 7.35pm – the Chairperson welcomed and invited him to speak. With everything having gone quiet over the election period, there was not a great deal to report. Cnty Cllr Brook spoke about Devon’s Mineral’s Plan. Cllr Lord asked about Blackingstone Quarry which is still live. Most quarry licenses extend to 2042. The owner of a quarry has a responsibility to reinstate to a habitable area. Cnty Cllr Brook has been appointed to the governing board for young people in care. There is a statutory duty on all local authorities to do the absolute best for children in care. Duty of responsibility is extended greatly beyond the normal age of care leavers. Cllr Evans asked what can be done to get Bridford Hill back on the primary gritting route. This has been fought before to no avail. There are several other routes likely to be removed from the ‘A’ route. DCC has come to the decision that communities with less than five hundred residents are not on the list. Cnty Cllr Brook will help to fight this but it will be a serious uphill struggle to reverse the decision. To begin again. a letter needs to be sent to Stuart Hughes the portfolio holder for Highways. This will be on Bridford PC’s July agenda for further discussion.
PLANNING
For Discussion
16 Whipple Tree Farm, Bridford – Hedgerow Removal Notice (DNPA ref. BB/PB/27/15/1(51) – comments following site visit were as follows: “The Parish Council supports this application. The proposed gate replaces a gateway which was removed by the previous owner. There is no significant hedgerow. The Parish Council hopes that the gateway and surrounds will be constructed and maintained in a way in keeping with the nature of a public bridleway, using stone where appropriate.”
17 Beacon Farm, Bridford – Hedgerow Removal Notice (DNPA ref. BB/PB/27/15/1(50) comments following site visit were as follows: “The Parish Council supports this application, strongly wishing to encourage a young tenant farmer. The hedgerow does not look particularly ancient (the line marked on the application is inaccurate). The Parish Council hopes that the gateway and surrounds will be constructed and maintained in a way in keeping with the nature of a public bridleway using stone where appropriate.”
There was discussion of the possibility of wooden gates, but the width of the gate required cannot be achieved in wood, only metal.
18 Any items for discussion received since the publication of the agenda – none
For Information – none
19 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda – none
FINANCE & ACCOUNT
20 Internal Audit – has been completed by Ken Abraham of South and West Audit Services. A clean bill of health with no issues to report.
21 Review of Bank Account Signatories – the Parish Council resolved to add Cllr Miles as a
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signatory to the bank account, replacing Stephen Purser. The Clerk will complete the change of signature forms and circulate for signature by all current and new signatories. These are Cllrs Miles, Evans, Hearnden and Price.
22 Account balances as at 28 May 2015 – current account £4,422.01 and deposit account £3,247.39 (Balances include £623 earmarked for Play Area, £150 balance of refundable deposits for allotments & £128.60 re proceeds of contents of textile bank)
Balances allow for all expenditure and income detailed below.
23 Income
Nathan Waste re textile bank £ 71.60
24 Expenditure
Mrs J P Banks re Clerk’s salary for May 2015 including 10 additional
hours worked in connection with the elections £269.46
Mrs J P Banks reimbursement of refreshment expenses
re Annual Parish Meeting £ 14.30
Wood Insurance Services £758.32
South and West Internal Audit £ 90.00
The Parish Council resolved to accept the accounts and authorise the expenditure.
The Chairperson checked the invoices to the cheque book and the reconciliation to the bank statement.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
- Parish Footpaths – the Parish Council is keen to assist the DNPA Ranger Simon Lee in keeping the footpaths and bridleways clear. Any problems found should be reported to Simon who would welcome any volunteers who would like to lend him a hand. A notice to be published in Unity asking for volunteers to walk the footpaths and to contact Simon if they wish to assist in maintaining them.
26 Election of Parish Members of DNPA – the Parish Council discussed the candidates and completed the ballot form.
27 Any items received for discussion since the publication of the agenda – none
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
28 Electoral Review of Devon County Council: Draft Recommendations
Public consultation open until 6 July 2015. Information at www.consultation.lgbce.org.uk
29 National Survey on Rural Policing – everyone is encouraged to respond. Survey can be
accessed at www.devon-cornwall.police.uk
30 Teign Valley Community Hall – letter containing statement of operation of the Community Hall received from the secretary.
31 Devon & Cornwall Police Warnings – none
32 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda – none
33 Public Discussion – Cllr Atkinson suggested that other types of recycling banks should be available in the village. Item to be on July agenda for discussion. Cllr Atkinson to do some research prior to the meeting.
34 Date of next meeting – Monday 6 July 2015 7.00pm in the upstairs room at the Village Hall
Original copy of minutes signed by the Chairperson 6th July 2015
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CORRESPONDENCE FOR CIRCULATION (Appendix A)
Newsletters and Circulars
DCC Emergency Management Heatwave Plan for England 2015
Miscellaneous
letter from John Bingham
RagBag Certificate
Letters sent
Various
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