Minutes of a meeting of Bridford Parish Council held at Bridford Village Hall Monday 6th July 2015 at 7.00pm.
Present: Cllrs F Miles (Chair Person), G Hearnden, E Price, T Evans, R Dowding, A Lord, Mrs J P Banks (Clerk), Dst Cllr A Ford and one member of the public. Cnty Cllr J Brook attended for part of the meeting.
- Apologies – none. Cllr J Atkinson was prohibited from sitting on Council or voting due to non receipt of his Election Candidate expenses form
- Declarations of Interest – none
- Public Discussion – a Parishioner brought to the attention of the Parish Council, seventy-eight sizeable potholes just in the area from the junction of Neadon Lane to Hazeldene. He has written to DCC Highways and has been promised a response to his letter within fifteen days. A copy of his letter has been supplied to the Parish Council
Leigh Cross – the bridge has been hit again and the road is now falling into the river. This is not the only place that this happens where the width of the road makes it very difficult for large vehicles negotiating the corner. There seems to be an element of subsidence.
Laployd Barton – correspondence received from a Bridford landowner who has land bordering Laployd Barton, regarding current work being undertaken and its effect on water supplies. The Parish Council agreed to invite the owner of Laployd Barton to the next PC meeting to explain the work and plans for the future.
Cnty Cllr J Brook joined the meeting at 7.10pm – the Chairman welcomed him and asked for his comments regarding the bridge at Leigh Cross. Cnty Cllr Brook promised to speak with Kevin Dentith at DCC and ask the question about realigning the splay of the bridge.
Cllr Brook then spoke about issues in the press regarding Rural Broadband and the lack of going forward. It was however, pointed out the Bridford now has a much improved service.
Grass cutting – volunteers have been cutting verges not cut by the County Council but are being charged for dumping the grass cuttings. DCC is asking people to be responsible for their own areas, yet they are insisting on training. This needs to be made as simple as possible or it will not happen.
Cnty Cllr Brook left the meeting at 7.20pm
MATTER ARISING
4 Minutes – the Parish Council resolved to approve minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on June 1st 2015 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
5 Allotments – plot number 2a has been cut back, volunteer allotment tenants will organise a controlled bonfire to dispose of the weeds and cuttings. This plot continues to be advertisedfor a new tenant. The Parish Council agreed that the Clerk should find a judge to decide the2015 winner of the 2015 Best Kept Allotment and arrange for judging to take place. Award tobe made to the winner at the Christow Show.
6 Play Area – Cllr Price confirmed that the vehicle entrance gate appears to have dropped and requires attention. She could find no evidence of the reported stones in the grass. It was brought to the attention of the Parish Council that unauthorised work involving the use of a chain saw and chipper has been carried out at the Play Park. The Parish Council will write to the person concerned to ensure that nobody other than authorised contractors or volunteers will be allowed to undertake any further maintenance.
7 Village Hall – a letter has been received from the Village Hall Committee together with a copy of its Annual Report and Financial Statements. A lengthy discussion took place during which it was established that:
- It is the Parish Council’s understanding that it is invited to send a representative to attend
26
the Trustee meetings as an observer only.
- The Village Hall is held in trust by the Trustees of the Village Hall and all rights and responsibilities have been transferred to them.
- The Parish Council acknowledges that the Village Hall is being run as per the most recent constitution which is the Trust Deed adopted by special resolution passed by the previous Trustees on 10 September 2013 in accordance with the Charity Commission.
Item 13 brought forward to enable Dst Cllr Ford to leave
District Councillors Report – not currently a lot to report. There are new policies for affordable housing for Teignbridge. There is currently help and funding available to assist in preparing a Parish Plan and to establish currently affordable housing needs.
Dst Cllr Ford left the meeting at 7.30pm
8 Hedges / overhanging branches at Neadon Lane – overhanging branches on the bends have been cut back so no longer a need to be an agenda item.
9 Potholes – the very large crater at the junction of Pound Lane and the B3193 has been repaired. Other potholes discussed in item 3 (Public Discussion)
10 Parish Footpaths – no response to item in Unity asking for volunteers to walk the footpaths. Notice published asking for any problems to be reported to either the Clerk or to the DNPA Ranger.
11 Angler’s Cottage – Dst Cllr Ford had kindly followed this up on behalf of the Parish Council and as a result was able to supply a copy of the response from TDC. A meeting had been arranged between the owner and TDC to establish the way forward. TDC to be asked for an update.
ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING
12 Meetings Attended by any members of the Parish Council. Cllr Dowding attended a New Councillors training briefing at Tiverton which he found both interesting and beneficial.
PLANNING
For Discussion
14 Heltor View, Bridford re proposed erection of timber framed building for stabling of horses (DNPA ref. 0305/15). Following a site visit, “the Parish Council has no objections” to the application
15 Any items for discussion received since the publication of the agenda – none
For Information
16 Beacon Farm, Bridford – re notification to remove a section of hedgerow. The National Park Authority has not issued a Hedgerow Retention Notice
17 Whipple Tree Farm – re notification to remove a section of hedgerow. The National Park Authority has not issued a Hedgerow Retention Notice.
18 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda – none
FINANCE & ACCOUNT
19 Review of Bank Account Signatories – the new mandate was signed by the Chair Person as a new signatory and also by the existing signatories in agreement to the changes.
20 Account balances as at 29 June 2015 – current account £4,003.70 and deposit account £3,247.65 (Balances include £623 earmarked for Play Area, £150 balance of refundable deposits for allotments & £213.40 re proceeds of contents of textile bank)
Balances allow for all expenditure and income detailed below.
21 Income
Nathan Waste re textile bank £ 84.80
27
22 Expenditure
Mrs J P Banks re Clerk’s salary for June 2015 £185.19
Mrs J P Banks re admin expenses 1 April – 30 June 2015 £63.92
Mrs J P Banks re use of home as office 1 April – 30 June 2015 £54.00 £117.92
HMRC re Clerk’s PAYE quarter ended 5 July 2015 £160.00
Mrs A Cronin printing of 10 welcome leaflets £ 10.00
DALC re New Councillor Training for Roger Dowding £25 + £5 V.A.T. £ 30.00
The Parish Council resolved to approve the accounts and authorise the expenditure.
The Chair Person had previously checked the invoices to the cheque book and the reconciliation to the bank statement at an earlier agenda meeting.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
23 Recycling Banks – Bridford has its textile bank, it’s newspaper collection and the doorstep recycling boxes provided by Teignbridge. It was not considered necessary at this stage to think about providing further facilities.
24 Removal of Pound Lane from the primary gritting route by DCC – this item has been deferred and will be on the agenda for discussion at the August Parish Council meeting.
25 Three Parishes Meeting 2015 – Bridford will host this. Dates to be circulated to decide the best date to hold the meeting.
26 Photo of Parish Councillors – as many Parishioners do not appear to know who their Councillors are, the Chair Person suggested that individual photos should be taken to be posted on the notice boards and on the Bridford website. All Councillors present were in agreement with this.
27 Any items received for discussion since the publication of the agenda – none
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
28 Rural Skip Day 2015 – will take place in the lay-by at the top of Pound Lane on Saturday 25th July from 10.00am – 4.00pm
29 Devon & Cornwall Police Warnings – various notices to be published in Unity
30 Planning Training by DNPA – there is sufficient interest. Date and location to be advised.
31 Results of Ballot for Parish Members of DNPA – Mrs Catherine Pannell and Mr Maurice Retallick were elected.
32 Teignbridge Council’s New Recycling Service – to be introduced to the majority of households in Bridford during phase two (week commencing 26 October 2015)
Details be published in Unity.
33 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda
Fourth Annual Social Policy Event – 17 July 12 noon – 3pm at Newton Abbot Racecourse.
34 Public Discussion – no further items for discussion
35 Date of next meeting – Monday 3 August 2015 7.00pm in the upstairs room at the Village Hall
Original copy signed by the Chair Person 3rd August 2015
CORRESPONDENCE FOR CIRCULATION (Appendix A)
Newsletters and Circulars
Highways – Roadside hedge & tree management
– A guide to the Parish Paths Partnership
– Drainage from Roads
Miscellaneous
RagBag Certificate
Letters sent
Various 28