Minutes of a meeting of Bridford Parish Council held at Bridford Village Hall Monday 7th December 2015 at 7.00pm
Present: Cllrs F Miles (Chairperson), G Hearnden, E Price, T Evans, R Dowding, A Lord, J Atkinson, Mrs J P Banks (Clerk). Cnty Cllr J Brook attended for part of the meeting.
- Apologies: Dst Cllr A Ford
- Declarations of Interest – Cllr Hearnden declared an interest in item 17
- Public Discussion – nothing for discussion
MATTER ARISING
4 Minutes – the Parish Council resolved to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 2nd November 2015 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
5 Allotments – nothing new to report. Half plot 2a still vacant and being advertised.
6 Play Area – nothing to report
7 Alternative Textile Bank arrangements – Cllr Price has been unable to find a source for the collection of textiles that would generate an income for the Parish Council. Enquiries will be made to various charities, as it is understood that some of them provide textile banks to raise funds for their organisations. An item to be put in Unity requesting ideas. The Clerk to find out what Christow Parish Council intends to do.
8 Make a Difference Day – a team of Christow School children tidied up the Churchyard and the Village Garden. A Christmas card to be sent to the staff and children thanking them for their efforts.
9 Re-painting of Telephone Kiosk – BT has advised that the Bridford kiosk has been added to the list of repaints to be undertaken by contractors next season.
10 Neighbourhood Watch – no response to the appeal in Unity for volunteers to organise and operate a Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Bridford, therefore the idea will be put on hold for the time being.
11 Parish Plan – following the meeting to review the Plan, it has been retyped in a different format and circulated as a draft and as a result a few more minor amendments have been made. It was agreed to defer the publication of the final copy for two weeks to allow Cllr Atkinson further time to look at the Plan and to make any comments.
Future Parish Plans – the Parish Council will discuss over the next few months to decide if a new Plan is required which would involve a Parish questionnaire being sent out. Is the Parish Council already covering what Parishioners want in its Council meetings? The Clerk will seek guidance from DALC and also ask for the view of Parishioners via Unity magazine.
Cnty Cllr J Brook joined the meeting at 7.40pm – the Chairperson welcomed him and invited him to speak Cnty Cllr Brook was asked about Parish Plans. He offered to speak with Tedburn St Mary Parish Council which has recently reviewed its Plan. DCC is in the process of putting together a work programme for 2017 in advance of the budget. The Council has to advertise road all traffic orders and is now trying to include all work plans to be advertised together in advance in an effort to save costs.
A response has been received re the damage to the bridge at Leigh Cross. The area Bridge Inspector with officials from Highways are looking at various solutions to the problem. It is not acceptable to keep repairing without trying to address the problem. Video evidence has shown that 50% of the damage has been caused by light vehicles.
DCC has sold in excess of one hundred properties which have become surplus and that process continues.
Library services are going into a voluntary mutual association. Youth work is also being slowly handed over to an employer mutual society.
A Parish Councillor asked if salt supplies will be replenished. All salt bins have now been filled.
Cnty Cllr J Brook left the meeting at 7.55pm
12 Defibrillator – only of any use if somebody has had a life threatening heart attack. It is still something that should be considered. The Parish Council will continue to find out more and obtain further views on the subject. What is more important is the ability to carry out CPR. First aid and defibrillator to be on the agenda for future meetings.
ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING
13 Meetings Attended by any members of the Parish Council – none
40
14 District Councillors Report – in the absence of Dst Cllr Ford, no report was available.
PLANNING
For Discussion
15 Venn Bridge Farm, Bridford – re proposed erection of agricultural building (31.5m x 12m). (DNPA ref. 0566/15) Details circulated to Parish Councillors and dealt with between meetings due to the short timescales involved for submitting comments. Parish Council has visited previously so a further site visit not considered necessary. “The Parish Council has no objections to the application”
16 Swanaford House, Bridford – re proposed demolition of existing barn and construct barn for winery/tasting room for new business Swanaford Estate Wine (DNPA ref. 0599/15). Application dealt with between meetings due to short timescales for submitting comments. The Parish Council undertook a site visit, following which its comments were as follows: “The Parish Council supports this application and is pleased to encourage local diversification and use of land for new business in the Park”
17 Carrapitt Plants, Carrapitt Farm, Bridford – notice of application for Prior Notification re proposed erection of timber agricultural building (18m x 9m) (DNPA ref. 0617/15). Discussed by the Parish Councillors who agreed that they had “no objections” to the application.
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
Higher Westcott Farm, Moretonhampstead – notification that the application has been withdrawn. The Parish Council has concerns regarding this notice in connection with a retrospective application andwishes to know what the current situation is. To be included on the January agenda.
FINANCE & ACCOUNT
20 Christmas Lights – Parish Council authorised the purchase of new lights for the Christmas tree in the Village Garden.
21 Account balances as at 2nd November 2015
current account £5,839.94 + investment account £3,340.15 = £9,180.09
(includes earmarked funds: £165 refundable allotment deposits, £623 Play Area
and £414.20 textile bank)
22 Income
Bank interest October £ 0.27
Allotment rents F Leversedge £ 15.00
R Clark £ 15.00
A Bornemisza £ 30.00
K Jones £ 15.00
S Lawrence £ 15.00
B Curtis £ 15.00 £105.27
23 Expenditure
Mrs J P Banks re November salary £185.39
Mrs J P Banks re reimbursement of costs of refreshments for Three Parishes Meeting £ 10.00
Mr R Clark re reimbursement of cost of new lights for Christmas tree
(Payment authorised under Section137 payments) £ 20.07
Teignbridge District Council re cost of Parish Election 2015 £627.90
Mr G Dicker re verge / allotment maintenance July- December 2015 £304.98
£1,148.34
24 Balance as at 7th December 2015
current account £5,101.58 + investment account £3,340.42 £8,137.02
The Parish Council resolved to approve the accounts and authorise the expenditure. Cllr Dowding, delegated by the Chairperson, checked the invoices to the cheque book and the reconciliation to the bank statement.
25 2016/17 Budget – the Parish Council discussed the draft budget prepared by the Clerk to decide the precept
41
required for 2016/17. It was suggested that a saving could be made by utilising free antivirus software. The Clerk will refer to Graham Read for his views. A vote by way of a show of hands agreed that there was no requirement to increase the precept required to operate the Parish Council and the amount to be requested from TDC for 2016/17 will remain the same at £6,500.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION – none
26 Any items received for discussion since the publication of the agenda – none
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
27 Dartmoor Access Forum – looking for new members to act in a voluntary capacity. Details to be published in Unity magazine.
28 Devon & Cornwall Police Warnings – details of various notices read out which will be published in Unity magazine.
29 Training – Cllr Miles will attend a Chairmanship course on 28th January at Kingsteignton.
30 Mindline South Devon and Torbay will be manning the phone lines over the Christmas and New Year period
on 0300 3305464 for those wishing to speak with somebody in confidence.
31 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda
List of waste and recycling Christmas collection dates.
32 Public Discussion
A Parish Councillor asked for any news on Anglers Cottage. TDC will be contacted for an update.
33 Date of next meeting – Monday 4 January 2016 7.00pm in the upstairs room at the
Village Hall
Original copy of minutes signed by the Chairperson 1st February 2016
CORRESPONDENCE FOR CIRCULATION (Appendix A)
Newsletters, Reports and Circulars
Dunsford Parish Council October 2015 minutes
Parish & Town Council Conferences
TALC minutes for September
Miscellaneous
Teignbridge CSV Funding News
Letters sent
Various
42
Minutes of a meeting of Bridford Parish Council held at Bridford Village Hall Monday 7th December 2015 at 7.00pm
Present: Cllrs F Miles (Chairperson), G Hearnden, E Price, T Evans, R Dowding, A Lord, J Atkinson, Mrs J P Banks
(Clerk). Cnty Cllr J Brook attended for part of the meeting.
- Apologies: Dst Cllr A Ford
- Declarations of Interest – Cllr Hearnden declared an interest in item 17
- Public Discussion – nothing for discussion
MATTER ARISING
4 Minutes – the Parish Council resolved to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 2nd
November 2015 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
5 Allotments – nothing new to report. Half plot 2a still vacant and being advertised.
6 Play Area – nothing to report
7 Alternative Textile Bank arrangements – Cllr Price has been unable to find a source for the collection
of textiles that would generate an income for the Parish Council. Enquiries will be made to various charities,
as it is understood that some of them provide textile banks to raise funds for their organisations. An item to be
put in Unity requesting ideas. The Clerk to find out what Christow Parish Council intends to do.
8 Make a Difference Day – a team of Christow School children tidied up the Churchyard and the Village
Garden. A Christmas card to be sent to the staff and children thanking them for their efforts.
9 Re-painting of Telephone Kiosk – BT has advised that the Bridford kiosk has been added to the list of repaints
to be undertaken by contractors next season.
10 Neighbourhood Watch – no response to the appeal in Unity for volunteers to organise and operate a
Neighbourhood Watch scheme in Bridford, therefore the idea will be put on hold for the time being.
11 Parish Plan – following the meeting to review the Plan, it has been retyped in a different format and circulated
as a draft and as a result a few more minor amendments have been made. It was agreed to defer the
publication of the final copy for two weeks to allow Cllr Atkinson further time to look at the Plan and to make
any comments.
Future Parish Plans – the Parish Council will discuss over the next few months to decide if a new Plan is
required which would involve a Parish questionnaire being sent out. Is the Parish Council already covering
what Parishioners want in its Council meetings? The Clerk will seek guidance from DALC and also ask for
the view of Parishioners via Unity magazine.
Cnty Cllr J Brook joined the meeting at 7.40pm – the Chairperson welcomed him and invited him to speak
Cnty Cllr Brook was asked about Parish Plans. He offered to speak with Tedburn St Mary Parish Council
which has recently reviewed its Plan.
DCC is in the process of putting together a work programme for 2017 in advance of the budget. The Council
has to advertise road all traffic orders and is now trying to include all work plans to be advertised together in
advance in an effort to save costs.
A response has been received re the damage to the bridge at Leigh Cross. The area Bridge Inspector with
officials from Highways are looking at various solutions to the problem. It is not acceptable to keep repairing
without trying to address the problem. Video evidence has shown that 50% of the damage has been caused by
light vehicles.
DCC has sold in excess of one hundred properties which have become surplus and that process continues.
Library services are going into a voluntary mutual association. Youth work is also being slowly handed over
to an employer mutual society.
A Parish Councillor asked if salt supplies will be replenished. All salt bins have now been filled.
Cnty Cllr J Brook left the meeting at 7.55pm
12 Defibrillator – only of any use if somebody has had a life threatening heart attack. It is still something that
should be considered. The Parish Council will continue to find out more and obtain further views on the
subject. What is more important is the ability to carry out CPR. First aid and defibrillator to be on the agenda
for future meetings.
ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING
13 Meetings Attended by any members of the Parish Council – none
40
14 District Councillors Report – in the absence of Dst Cllr Ford, no report was available.
PLANNING
For Discussion
15 Venn Bridge Farm, Bridford – re proposed erection of agricultural building (31.5m x 12m). (DNPA ref.
0566/15) Details circulated to Parish Councillors and dealt with between meetings due to the short timescales
involved for submitting comments. Parish Council has visited previously so a further site visit not considered
necessary. “The Parish Council has no objections to the application”
16 Swanaford House, Bridford – re proposed demolition of existing barn and construct barn for winery/tasting
room for new business Swanaford Estate Wine (DNPA ref. 0599/15). Application dealt with between meetings
due to short timescales for submitting comments. The Parish Council undertook a site visit, following which
its comments were as follows: “The Parish Council supports this application and is pleased to encourage local
diversification and use of land for new business in the Park”
17 Carrapitt Plants, Carrapitt Farm, Bridford – notice of application for Prior Notification re proposed erection of
timber agricultural building (18m x 9m) (DNPA ref. 0617/15). Discussed by the Parish Councillors who
agreed that they had “no objections” to the application.
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
Higher Westcott Farm, Moretonhampstead – notification that the application has been withdrawn.
The Parish Council has concerns regarding this notice in connection with a retrospective application and
wishes to know what the current situation is. To be included on the January agenda.
FINANCE & ACCOUNT
20 Christmas Lights – Parish Council authorised the purchase of new lights for the Christmas tree in the
Village Garden.
21 Account balances as at 2nd November 2015
current account £5,839.94 + investment account £3,340.15 = £9,180.09
(includes earmarked funds: £165 refundable allotment deposits, £623 Play Area
and £414.20 textile bank)
22 Income
Bank interest October £ 0.27
Allotment rents F Leversedge £ 15.00
R Clark £ 15.00
A Bornemisza £ 30.00
K Jones £ 15.00
S Lawrence £ 15.00
B Curtis £ 15.00 £105.27
23 Expenditure
Mrs J P Banks re November salary £185.39
Mrs J P Banks re reimbursement of costs of refreshments for Three Parishes Meeting £ 10.00
Mr R Clark re reimbursement of cost of new lights for Christmas tree
(Payment authorised under Section137 payments) £ 20.07
Teignbridge District Council re cost of Parish Election 2015 £627.90
Mr G Dicker re verge / allotment maintenance July- December 2015 £304.98
£1,148.34
24 Balance as at 7th December 2015
current account £5,101.58 + investment account £3,340.42 £8,137.02
The Parish Council resolved to approve the accounts and authorise the expenditure. Cllr Dowding,
delegated by the Chairperson, checked the invoices to the cheque book and the reconciliation to the bank
statement.
25 2016/17 Budget – the Parish Council discussed the draft budget prepared by the Clerk to decide the precept
41
required for 2016/17. It was suggested that a saving could be made by utilising free antivirus software. The
Clerk will refer to Graham Read for his views. A vote by way of a show of hands agreed that there was no
requirement to increase the precept required to operate the Parish Council and the amount to be requested
from TDC for 2016/17 will remain the same at £6,500.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION – none
26 Any items received for discussion since the publication of the agenda – none
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
27 Dartmoor Access Forum – looking for new members to act in a voluntary capacity. Details to be published
in Unity magazine.
28 Devon & Cornwall Police Warnings – details of various notices read out which will be published in Unity
magazine.
29 Training – Cllr Miles will attend a Chairmanship course on 28th January at Kingsteignton.
30 Mindline South Devon and Torbay will be manning the phone lines over the Christmas and New Year period
on 0300 3305464 for those wishing to speak with somebody in confidence.
31 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda
List of waste and recycling Christmas collection dates.
32 Public Discussion
A Parish Councillor asked for any news on Anglers Cottage. TDC will be contacted for an update.
33 Date of next meeting – Monday 4 January 2016 7.00pm in the upstairs room at the
Village Hall
Original copy of minutes signed by the Chairperson 1st February 2016
CORRESPONDENCE FOR CIRCULATION (Appendix A)
Newsletters, Reports and Circulars
Dunsford Parish Council October 2015 minutes
Parish & Town Council Conferences
TALC minutes for September
Miscellaneous
Teignbridge CSV Funding News
Letters sent
Various
42