Minutes of a meeting of Bridford Parish Council held at Bridford Village Hall Monday 1st February 2016 at 7.00pm.
Present: Cllrs F Miles (Chairperson), G Hearnden, A Lord, R Dowding, E Price, J Atkinson, T Evans, Mrs J P Banks
(Clerk). Dst Cllr A Ford and Cnty Cllr J Brook attended for part of the meeting. No members of public were in attendance.
- Apologies – none
- Declarations of Interest – Cllr Evans declared an interest in item 13
Public Discussion – nothing for discussion
MATTER ARISING
4 Minutes – the Parish Council resolved to approve minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 7th
December 2015 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
5 Allotments – there are now two half plots vacant which could be let as a whole plot. They will continue to
be advertised both in Unity, on the notice board and on the Parish website.
6 Play Area – nothing to report
7 Bridford Hill / Gritting arrangements – a Parish Councillor has suggested that consideration should be given to
changing the location of some of the grit bins. The Parish Council will ask Highways if an additional bin can
be installed on Bridford Hill on the corner by Southwood. Item to be put in Unity advising road users to
exercise extreme care on Bridford Hill even when the surface has been treated. The bin at the bottom of
Bridford Hill is still the wrong way round and therefore inaccessible. Highways to be asked again to correct
this. It has also been pointed out that the grit/salt in most of the bins has solidified and would be very hard if
not impossible, to utilise if required. Highways to be advised.
Although, at previous meeting it was decided not to pursue the matter any further, the Parish Council has now
decided that it will try again to get DCC to reverse its decision to remove Bridford from the primary gritting
route on the basis of its geographical location, the village being cut off in severe weather by a very steep hill.
Dst Cllr Ford has agreed to give her support and she will be copied in on any correspondence. Cllr Atkinson
offered his services as part of the Snow Warden’s team of volunteers.
8 Alternative Textile Bank arrangements – another company has now been found. Cllr Price is in contact to try
and get the recycling scheme back in operation again. The Parish Council will ask Rag Bag if we can keep
the textile bank and the Village Hall committee will be asked if there is any space available at the hall for
storage of full bags of textiles as collection will not be so frequent.
9 Defibrillator – the Parish Council has made the decision that it would like to obtain a defibrillator for the
village and would hope to achieve this by June. Dst Cllr Ford will supply details of grants for purchasing and
the appropriate training. There are also funds available from the proceeds of the textile bank. A suggested
location for a defibrillator pack is the telephone box. The Clerk will contact Belstone Parish Council which
already has one in its phone box to find out if permission is required from British Telecom. However,
CPR is still the first course of action and a decision was made to find out how much it would cost to run a
basic first aid course for local residents, possible to be held in the Spring. Would residents be prepared to
make a contribution towards this training?
10 Anglers Cottage – a building control officer carried out an external inspection of the property on 15 December
and made the observation that although render has fallen off around a couple of the ground floor windows,
making it unsightly, the property would not be considered dangerous at this time. He will continue to monitor
the situation to ensure that its does not become a danger to the public. Teignbridge are in contact with the
owner regarding getting the work done to bring the property back into occupation. It is understood that there
is somebody local who would be interested in renting the property once the work has been done. The Parish
Council will contact Teignbridge again for an update at the end of February.
ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING
11 Meetings Attended by any members of the Parish Council – none
Cnty Cllr Brook joined the meeting at 7.40pm – the Chairperson welcomed him and invited him to speak.
The proposed budget is not looking good. Contracts have been going out for Care in the Community with a
provision that all staff delivering the care will be paid for their time to include the ‘living wage’. The whole
budget is staff reliant and these staff must be looked after. DCC is looking to make savings of £34m. This
will only happen with a lot of staff changes. Taking cuts are Corporate service £4.5m, Place £9m & People
£19.5m. Health and Wealth budget previously looked after by the NHS has not yet been decided. The
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number of teenage pregnancies has reduced to the lowest level for Devon. The Health and Wealth budget is
aimed towards prevention and a lot of budget goes to rehabilitation. Road network is more or less unaffected,
with works concentrating on tar and chipping rather than mending. The County Council will continue to
deliver services. Looking to transfer school crossing patrols to the schools. DCC has some very good flexible
staff prepared to meet new ideas to ensure that DCC works.
12 District Councillors Report
Dst Cllr Ford attended a ‘Connecting Devon & Somerset’ Broadband meeting and a Clinical & Community
Group meeting regarding closing and cost cutting in connection with local hospitals. Proposals being put
together to find the best way to finance what the hospitals already have. Teignbridge is to host the Radio One
Road Show in 2016 at Powderham Castle, will involve spending of £100k but will bring in a lot of revenue
to the District. Rural Aid applications open at the beginning of March. Cllr Ford to clarify if Parishes within
DNPA are still eligible to apply. A prospective on Devolution is available to view.
Cnty Cllr Brook and Dst Cllr Ford left the meeting at 8.05pm
PLANNING
Item 21 was brought forward prior to any planning discussions
21 Parish Council Policy concerning reasons for support / object / no objection when considering applications.
The Parish Council represents the constituents and sits below the DNPA. The Parish Council provides away
for the Park to say that they have consulted public opinion. Site visits keep the Parish Council involved in the
community. A site visit enables a case to be discussed on its own merits. Does the Parish Council wish to
change its general approach to making planning observations? Cllr Evans to draw up a suggested summary of
what the Parish Council’s planning policy should be. Previously arranged planning training by DNPA was
cancelled. Bridford Parish Councillors would be interested if another such course is to be organised.
Enquiries to be made.
For Discussion
13 Seven Acre Lane, Bridford – re proposed creation of three new field access gateways for Wastenage Farms Ltd
(DNPA ref. 0011/16) Site visit arranged for 30th January. Following a site visit the Parish Council commented
as follows: “The Parish Council strongly supports this application because of the support for a local business
which is important to the Parish and also of National importance. Farmers Weekly has recently awarded the
Wastenages the accolade of Farmer of the Year.”
The following applications have been dealt with between meetings either due to the cancellation of the January
Parish Council meeting or the short timescales for the submission of responses to DNPA
14 West Birch Farm, Bridford – re proposed removal of static home and construction of garage buildings (DNPA
ref. 0633/15). Following a site visit, the Parish Council had no objections to this application
15 Venn Bridge Farm, Bridford – re proposed erection of agricultural storage building (DNPA ref. 0636/15)
The Parish Council had no objections to the application.
16 Longacre, Neadon Lane. Bridford – re proposed erection of a shed/wood store (DNPA ref. 0665/15). The
Parish Council had no objections to the application
17 Birchdown Farm, Bridford – re proposed two-bay car port and lean-to log store (DNPA ref. 0664/15)
Following a site visit, the Parish Council had no objections to the application.
18 West Park Cottage, Bridford full planning permission and listed building consent – re proposed extension and
alterations to dwelling (DNPA ref. 0640/15). Following a site visit, the Parish Council commented that it
admires the determination with which the ground-works have been undertaken to make this property habitable
and strongly supports the application.
19 Rose Cottage, Bridford full planning permission and listed building consent – re proposed internal alterations
(DNPA ref. 0642/15). Following a site visit, the Parish Council strongly supported the application and
commented that it was good to see a small but historic property brought back to life.
20 Cedar House, Bridford – re proposed erection of building (81sqm) for use as stables (DNPA ref. 0019/16)
Following a site visit, the Parish Council had no objections to the application.
21 Parish Council Policy regarding planning – already dealt with earlier in the meeting.
22 Any items for discussion received since the publication of the agenda – none
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For Information
23 Higher Westcott Farm, Bridford – reply from DNPA re withdrawal of application (DNPA ref. 0521/15)
The Parish Council queried how a retrospective application for planning could be withdrawn. DNPA has
advised that the application was withdrawn following advice from officers that it was going to be refused.
A revised application is expected. In the meantime the development remains an open enforcement case.
24 West Park Cottage, Bridford – application has been withdrawn (DNPA re. 0641/15)
25 Swanaford House, Bridford – Grant of Conditional Planning Permission re demolition of existing barn and
construction of barn for wine/tasting room for new business, Swanaford Estate Wine (DNPA re. 0559/15)
26 West Birch Farm, Bridford – Grant of Conditional Planning Permission re removal of static home and
construction of garage buildings (DNPA ref. 0633/15)
27 Notification of DNPA Appointed Parish Link Member – Bridford’s Parish Link member is Peter Harper.
28 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda
Rose Cottage, Bridford – Grant of Conditional Planning Permission re internal alterations to dwelling
(DNPA ref. 0642/15)
FINANCE & ACCOUNT
29 Account balances as at 2nd November 2015
current account £4.796.60 + investment account £3.340.42 = £8,137.02
(includes earmarked funds: £165 refundable allotment deposits, £623 Play Area
and £414.20 textile bank)
30 Income
Bank interest November £ 0.28
Banks interest December £ 0.27
31 Expenditure
Mrs J P Banks re December salary £185.19
HMLR Quarter ended 5 January 2016 £139.00
Mrs J P Banks re admin expenses 1 Oct – 31 Dec 2015 £143.57
Bridford Village Hall hire of meeting room Oct/Nov/Dec £48.00
Bridford Village Hall contribution to Post Office rent 1 Sept – 31 Dec £56.00 £104.00
Mrs J P Banks re January salary £185.19
32 Balance as at 1st February 2016
current account £4,039.65 + investment account £3,340.97 £7,380.62
The Parish Council resolved to approve the accounts and authorise the expenditure. Cllr Dowding, delegated
by the Chairperson, checked invoices to the cheque book and the reconciliation to the bank statement.
33 Annual Internal Audit 2016 – date has been arranged for 26th May
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
34 Teign Valley Tennis Trust AGM 23 March 7.30pm at the Royal Oak, Dunsford. Bridford Chairperson is a
trustee and is invited to attend or to send a representative from the Parish Council.
35 Any items received for discussion since the publication of the agenda
Devon Air Ambulance – landing site. Air Ambulance looking to increase its flying hours to include night
flights and is starting to work with communities across Devon to develop a network of Community Helipads
across the county. Bridford’s landing site is the play area. To enable landings after dark would require
ground lights activated remotely by DAA. The Parish Council to establish what DAA want and what if any
Parish Council involvement would be.
HM Queen Elisabeth’s 90th Birthday Celebrations – does Bridford wish to organise a local event? Cllr Lord
suggested that the Parish Council should send Her Majesty a birthday card. Subject to be an item on the
March agenda.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
36 Devon & Cornwall Police Warnings – residents are warned to be on their guard against receiving bogus phone
calls from a man claiming to be able to prevent cold and silent phone calls and asking for bank details to take
the fee for providing this service.
37 Cosy Devon – funds available to assist with costs of installing solid wall insulation. Further information
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from http://www.cosydevon.com
38 Devon Communities Together Advice and Information Surgeries – 8th February at Ashburton Town Hall
Drop in 2pm – 8pm.
39 Devon Countryside Access Forum – currently appointing members. Details to be published in Unity.
40 Devon Emergency Community Flood Resilience Fund – funds available. Details to be circulated to
Councillors.
41 Mental Health Awareness Course – 16 February. Details circulated
42 Parish Council Websites must comply with the Transparency Code. Bridford’s website is up to date
and includes all the current information that is legally required
43 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda – none
44 Public Discussion
A Parish Councillor brought to the attention of the Parish Council, concerns received about large lorries
using Neadon Lane on route to Many Waters to deliver building materials. Residents are worried about
hedges and banks bordering their properties on Neadon Lane collapsing. It is also believed that a hedge
has been removed at Many Waters to give access to the delivery lorries. The Parish Council will write to
the owner of Many Waters to ask if smaller delivery lorries could be used to prevent further damage and to
advise that planning permission is required to remove a section of hedgerow.
Cllr Dowding in his capacity as Village Hall Chairman, is submitting an application for funds from the
Electors’ Fund. As applications must be made via the Parish Council, it was agreed, in view of short
timescales, that Cllr Dowding be authorised to complete the form and submit online.
Clerk to diarise October to contact Dunsford and Christow to see if they are intending to utilise their Elector
funds for their own projects or if they would consider donating it to Bridford Parish Council for use by the
Village Hall.
45 Date of next meeting – Monday March 7th 2016 7.00pm in the upstairs room at the
Village Hall
Original copy of minutes signed by the Chairperson 7th March 2016
CORRESPONDENCE FOR CIRCULATION (Appendix A)
Newsletters, Reports and Circulars
Healthwatch Voices Winter 2015/16
Councils and Clerks Direct January 2016
Dunsford Parish Council December 2015 minutes
Christow Parish Council December 2015 minutes
TALC draft minutes November meeting
TALC agenda for 28 January
Letters sent
Various
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