Minutes of a meeting of Bridford Parish Council held at Bridford Village Hall Monday 2nd November 2015 at 7.00pm.
Present: Cllrs F Miles (Chairperson), G Hearnden, E Price, A Lord, R Dowding, T Evans, Mrs J P Banks (Clerk). Cllr J Atkinson joined the meeting at 7.15pm. Cnty Cllr Brook and Dst Cllr Ford attended for part of the meeting. No members of the public were in attendance.
- Apologies – none
- Declarations of Interest – none
- Public Discussion – the Chairperson has been contacted by a disabled resident who is experiencing problems with collection of her refuse. Suggested they contact Tracey Fey at TDC to resolve the situation.
The Clerk has been advised that the area between Windhill Gate and Plaistow Green is becoming worse, being described by some as a ‘pond’. The DNPA Ranger has already been contacted about this recently and has confirmed that the problem is on his list of jobs to do. It was therefore decided not to harass him further at this time.
MATTER ARISING
4 Minutes – the Parish Council resolved to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 5th October 2015 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
5 Allotments – most of the annual rents have been paid. Half plot number 2a still vacant and being advertised.
6 Play Area – Cllr Price had nothing to report
7 Grit Bins – Parish Councillors have been to look at all the grit bins within the Parish. All but one are in situ where they should be, most are full, one, already reported to Highways, is the wrong way around and therefore inaccessible, one has disappeared and in at least 50% of them, the salt has solidified and would be difficult to remove. Highways will be contacted to ensure that all are full and easily accessible before winter sets in.
ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING
8 Meetings Attended by any members of the Parish Council – 11 Parish Councillors representing Bridford, Dundsford and Christow attended the annual Three Parishes meeting hosted by Bridford Parish Council.
Topics discussed included new and affordable housing and defibrillators. Dunsford thanked Bridford and Christow Parish Councils for donating their Electors Funds towards it’s play area. Although formal minutes are not taken at these informal meetings, it was suggested that somebody should be nominated to take briefnotes to enable a report of the meeting to be given at the next Parish Council meeting.
Cllr Atkinson joined the meeting at 7.15pm
9 District Councillors Report – deferred as Cllr Ford was not present.
PLANNING
For Discussion
10 Higher Westcott Farm, Moretonhampstead – re proposed construction of shed to install a biomass system(retrospective) (DNPA ref. 0521/15) . Although the Parish Council originally had no objection to this retrospective application, these comments were withdrawn following a request to meet with the neighbour at The Corn House. The Parish Council was unable to arrange a mutually convenient appointment to make a site visit to Higher Westcott Farm to discuss with application with the applicant. A lengthy discussion took place and the Parish Council’s revised comments to DNPA were as follows: “The Parish Council considers that the plans are inaccurate, as is the supporting submission. The new boiler house is not in the original position but is directly outside the half glazed door of The Corn House kitchen. The chimney impinges upon the eye line and the fumes from the chimney are drawn by the prevailing wind into the courtyard of The Corn House. The Parish Council questions whether the chimney is high enough to meet with building regulations. From an exterior observation, it appears that the construction of the shed could be a fire risk. The Parish Council supports the neighbour’s objection to the development in its present form”
Dst Cllr Ford joined the meeting at 7.30pm and was welcomed by the Chairperson and invited to speak.
Dst Ford is continuing in her efforts to improve Broadband services within the Teign Valley and noted postcodes from those present who are experiencing problems. It was noted that a number of Bridford residents obtain their signal from Moretonhampstead, with those nearer to Bridford benefitting from a better signal.
Teignbridge District Council’s auditors report is now available to view on the District Council website.
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The item regarding the problems experienced by a disabled resident discussed earlier in the meeting was referred to Dst Cllr Ford who will liaise with the Chairperson to try and resolve the matter.
Cnty Cllr Brook joined the meeting at 7.40pm – the Chairperson welcomed him and invited him to speak.
Cnty Cllr Brook has made further enquiries regarding the damage to the bridge over the leat at Leigh Cross and the possibility of widening the splay of the bridge in the long term to give wider vehicles more room. DCC
Bridges Department will look into it but because it is within DNPA, this will also involve the Environment Agency. Cnty Cllr Brook asked if the local road network has seen any improvements. The Parish Council confirmed that a lot of potholes have been filled and a serious concerted effort has been put in by Highways with many stretches of road having been repaired.
County budget – Devon County Council is struggling with certain elements. Certain aspects such as Care in the Community are demand led. There are serious cases which must be dealt with and these come at a price.
There is concern about the small business rate as a lot of local businesses in the area currently benefit from small business rate relief.
Cnty Cllr Brook and Dst Cllr Ford left the meeting at 8.00pm
11 Any planning items for discussion received since the publication of the agenda – none
For Information
12 The Grange, Bridford – Notice of Grant of Conditional Planning Permission re erection of mixed use building for storage of domestic, business and agricultural equipment and creation of access track from existing
driveway (DNPA ref. 0418/15)
13 Woodlands Farm, Dunsford – Notice of Grant of Conditional Planning Permission re installation of a 5.2 metre extension to lattice tower with 5 antennas and 2 dishes (DNPA ref. 0446/15)
14 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda
Poole Farm, Bridford – Notice of Refusal of Planning Permission re erection of rural workers’ dwelling (DNPA ref. 0356/15)
FINANCE & ACCOUNT
15 Account balances as at 5th October 2015
current account £6,130.23 + investment account £3,324.87 = £9,455.10
(includes earmarked funds: £165 refundable allotment deposits, £623 Play Area
and £414.20 textile bank)
16 Income
Nathan Waste (proceeds of contents of textile bank) £ 64.40
Bank interest September £ 0.28
Mrs A Griffiths re annual allotment rent £ 15.00 £ 79.68
17 Expenditure
Mrs J P Banks re October salary £ 185.19
Bridford Village Hall re hire of room for PC meetings £96.00
re contribution to PO room hire £73.50 £ 169.50
£ 354.69
18 Balance as at 2 November 2015 £9,180.09
The Parish Council resolved to accept the accounts and approve the expenditure.
Cllr Dowding being nominated by the Chairperson, checked the invoices to the cheque book and the
reconciliation to the bank statement.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
19 Format of future Annual Parish Meetings – as the Annual Parish Meeting and the Annual Parish CouncilMeeting have to be separate meetings and cannot be combined, it was agreed that both meetings would continue to be held on the same evening, but the Annual Parish Meeting would be held first.
20 2016 Parish Council meeting dates – the Clerk asked the Parish Council to consider a summer recess in line with other Parishes in the Valley, which would mean no Parish Council meeting in August. The Parish Council resolved to agree to this as a trial for 2016. Any planning applications or items that require a
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decision during this time will be circulated in the usual way. A Parish Councillor suggested that meetings could commence at 7.30pm. A vote by way of a show of hands decided that the meetings will continue to commence at 7.00pm and will be held on the first Monday of the month, unless this falls on a Public Holiday with the exception of the Annual Meetings in May which will be on Wednesday 9th.
21 Alternative textile bank arrangements – Rag Bag has advised of its decision not to continue its collection in this area and the actual textile bank will be collected in due course, with the Parish Council being paid for anything in it at the time of collection. Cllr Price is currently investigating other possible sources of textile collection and hopes to have further information at the next Parish Council meeting.
22 Discuss possibilities of purchasing a defibrillator – the Parish Council would like to pursue this further. Cllrs Price and Hearnden volunteered to investigate the medical and legal position.
23 Hedge cutting on Bridford Hill – at the last meeting, it was suggested that it would be sensible if landowners could get together and use the same contractors, ensuring that all the hedges were cut at the same time.
After discussion, it was decided that this was not viable and would not work.
24 Recycling Devon Thank You Awards – the Clerk put forward that the Cllr Price should be nominated for an award in recognition of her volunteer duties involved with emptying and bagging up the contents of the textile bank, which has raised funds for local organisations.
25 Parish Plan / Neighbourhood Planning Grants and Support – the Parish Council has reviewed its existing Parish Plan recently. It was discussed whether the Parish Council should send out a new questionnaire and start a new Plan say next year. The cost of undertaking this would have to be looked into. Funding is available. It was suggested that enquiries could be made as to whether or not other Parishes in the area have their own Parish Plans, how they are set up and what is included.
26 Any items received for discussion since the publication of the agenda
Make a Difference Day – letter received from Christow School wishing to undertake tasks for the community on 5 November. Ideas included tidying the Village Garden and the Churchyard. The Clerk will contact the school to put them in touch with the relative contacts.
The Chairperson has received correspondence from a Parishioner concerned about a flash flood resulting in a waterfall down the church steps. It was agreed that this was a flash flood and not something to be concerned about as a regular occurrence.
Devon Council Highways has changed the way it deals with applications to erect banners or decorations over the highway, making it easier for communities to be enhanced without having to go through the costly and time consuming procedures in order to obtain a licence. There will no longer be a fee for a licence to put up banners or decorations.
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
27 Connecting Devon and Somerset – meeting at Whiddon Down Village Hall December 1st 2015. The Chairperson expressed an interest in attending.
28 Devon & Cornwall Police Warnings – none
29 Notice of Road Closure – B3212 Farrants Hill, Dunsford from Monday 9 November to Friday 11 December.
Diversion will be signposted.
30 Discontinuation of Rag Bag textile bank – dealt with under item 21
31 Dartmoor National Park Authority Forum – 27 November 2015. Items for the agenda to be submitted
to DNPA by 13 November.
32 Devon Remembers Heritage Project – contributions required to build a central archive relating to World War One.
33 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda – none
34 Public Discussion – Cllr Atkinson not being present for item 7 reported that he had checked his allocated grit bins and considered that some were not in the best location and that the Parish could benefit from additional grit bins in certain locations. The Chairperson asked Cllr Atkinson to identify the locations by grid reference and bring the information to the next meeting.
35 Date of next meeting – Monday 7 December 2015 7.00pm in the upstairs room at the Village Hall
Original copy of minutes signed by the Chairperson 7th December 2015
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CORRESPONDENCE FOR CIRCULATION (Appendix A)
Newsletters, Reports and Circulars
Dunsford PC September 2015 minutes
Devon Countryside Access Forum Annual Report 2014/15
Clerks and Councils Direct November 2015
Miscellaneous
Teignbridge CSV Funding News
Letters sent
Various
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