Minutes of a meeting of Bridford Parish Council held at Bridford Village Hall Monday 5th October 2015 at 7.00pm.
Present: Cllrs F Miles (Chairperson), T Evans, R Dowding, A Lord, J Atkinson, Mrs J P Banks (Clerk), Dst Cllr A Ford, Phil Wise Chairman of Teignbridge Neighbourhood Watch accompanied by a colleague and one member of the public. Cllr G Hearnden joined the meeting at 7.30pm, Cnty Cllr Brook attended for part of the meeting.
1 Apologies – Cllr E Price
2 Declarations of Interest – none
3 Public Discussion – the Chairperson introduced Phil Wise and his colleague Geoff from Teignbridge Neighbourhood Watch who explained how the scheme works and brought along booklets about DNA property marking kits which are available at a discounted price direct from Neighbourhood Watch. It was agreed that details should be published in Unity and on the notice board and that this should be put on the agenda for the next Parish Council meeting to discuss if Bridford wishes to be part of a local scheme. Bridford’s NHW representative is currently a position in ‘name only’. He will be contacted to see if he would like to be involved further and put in touch with the Teignbridge association. Email contact details: [email protected] or telephone 01626 326604.
Cnty Brook joined the meeting at 7.35pm. He was welcomed by the Chairperson and invited to speak
Cnty Cllr Brook spoke about the problems of Japanese knotweed in the area. He spoke about local business rates, the current small business rates and rate relief being very advantageous to local businesses. Things are improving regarding young people’s services. DCC has to ensure that requirements are being met in respect of children in care and that they receive every advantage available to them.
7 Item 7 re: Damage to the bridge at Leigh Cross brought forward to include Cnty Cllr Brook.
The Clerk confirmed that the damaged bridge is the culvert over the leat and not the main bridge and is therefore not listed. Cnty Cllr Brook said that this will make it easier to get work done and will follow up with the appropriate department at Devon County Council.
23 Item 23 (deferred from previous meeting) brought forward to include Cnty Cllr Brook in the discussion and to ask for his support. Cnty Cllr Brook stated that he would support whatever the Parish Council decided to do. Cllr Evans proposed that the Parish Council should contact DCC again in an attempt to reinstate Bridford Hill onto the primary gritting route. This was seconded by Cllr Hearden. A lengthy discussion took place followed by a vote by a show of hands as to whether the Parish Council should proceed with the proposal to ask DCC to reinstate Bridford onto the primary gritting route or to continue with the current arrangements whereby gritting is undertaken by a volunteer Snow Warden. The Parish Council voted to continue with current arrangements for the time being, three in favour, one against and two abstentions. The Snow Warden will be contacted to ensure that we have sufficient supplies of salt.
Cnty Cllr Brook left the meeting a6 8.20pm
Continuation of Public Discussion – a Parishioner wished to raise three different subjects: the old post box in the wall at The Old Post Office has been repainted and is looking smart, but the telephone box is in dire need of a coat of paint. BT will be contacted to see if they will smarten it up.
Under the new recycling arrangements, the bags supplied for waste paper are too flimsy and will blow away when empty.
Visibility on Bridford Hill as a result of overgrown hedges – the Parishioner suggested that all landowners could get together and use the same contractor so that all of the hedges were cut at the same time. Comments noted. A reply from Simon Pearson (DCC Highways) was read out confirming their responsibilities and those of landowners regarding the cutting of roadside hedges. To be put on the November agenda for discussion.
A Parish Councillor mentioned that although the grass verges on Pound Lane (Bridford Hill) were kept tidy, the grass growing around the grit bin needed to be strimmed. This would not be cost effective and as the work could only be undertaken by the contractor for insurance reasons, no action will be taken.
13 District Councillor’s Report brought forward to enable her to leave. Dst Cllr reported that the main Council meeting took place on 28th September when the end of year accounts were agreed. An investment of £232,000 has been agreed in respect of the new fish quay at Teignmouth. Cllr Ford has been following up requests to get a 20 mph speed limit put into place in the Teign Valley Villages. DCC Highways has come back with the reply that there is no requirement to make any changes to any speed limits in the Teign Valley.
Defibrillators – packages per village would cost approximately £2,000 to include training. Cllr Ford would
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be willing to put some of her District Councillors available funding to support this. Item to be included on November agenda for discussion. Mobile phones and Broadband – Cllr Ford is continuing in her discussions and negotiations about possible funding to improve fibre connections.
Dst Cllr Ford left the meeting at 8.40pm
MATTER ARISING
4 Minutes – the Parish Council resolved to approve the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 7th September 2015 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
5 Allotments – a half plot still vacant and being advertised. The contractor asked to keep this plot strimmed when tidying the paths. Invoices have been sent out in respect of the annual rentals due 1st October 2015.
6 Play Area – in the absence of Cllr Price there was nothing to report.
7 Damage to bridge at Leigh Cross – item dealt with earlier, see Cnty Cllr Brook’s report.
8 Parish Plan Update meeting will take place at the Bridford Inn 28th October at 7.00pm
9 Three Parishes Meeting will take place as an informal discussion at Bridford Village Hall on 13th October at 7.00pm. Minutes are not taken.
10 Visibility on Bridford Hill – already dealt with under Public Discussion
11 Say No to Junk Mail – the Parish Council now has a supply of forms to enable residents to register. These are available from the Village Hall. Alternatively telephone 0845 703 4599 or visit: mpsonline.org.uk
ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING
12 Meetings Attended by any members of the Parish Council – Cllr Dowding attended his first TALC meeting as the nominated Parish Council representative. Cllrs Dowding and Lord attended the recent Village Hall meeting. Cllr Atkinson attended a New Councillors training course at Exeter.
13 District Councillors Report – brought forward to earlier in the meeting
PLANNING
For Discussion
14 The Old Quarry, (Teign Valley Salvage) Pound Lane, Bridford – proposed enforcement (DNPA ref. ENF/0132/14) The Parish Council commented that “DNPA should apply the appropriate planning rules and regulations when making a decision regarding this case”
15 Woodlands Farm, Dunsford – re proposed installation of a 5.2m extension to lattice tower with 5 antennas and 2 dishes (DNPA ref. 0446/15) – item deferred from last meeting pending a site visit. Comments now submitted due to timescales for responding. “The Parish Council has no objections to the application”
16 Land at Bridford – Notice of Prior Notification re proposed installation of forestry tracks within woodland reference SX 789 877 & SX 790 879. (DNPA ref. 0500/15). “The Parish Council has no objections to the application”
17 Any items for discussion received since the publication of the agenda – none
For Information – none
18 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda – none
FINANCE & ACCOUNT
19 Account balances as at 7th September 2015
current account £3,466.64 + investment account £3,248.19 = £6,714.83
(includes earmarked funds: £165 refundable allotment deposits, £623 Play Area
and £349.80 textile bank)
20 Income
TDC second half year precept £3.250.00
Nathan Waste (proceeds of contents of textile bank) £ 76.40
Bank interest August £ 0.28 £ 3,326.68
21 Expenditure
Mrs J P Banks re September salary £ 185.39
Mrs J P Banks re admin expenditure 1 July – 30 September £106.70
re use of home as office 1 July -30 September £ 54.00 £ 160.70
HMRC re Clerk’s PAYE quarter ended 5 October 2015 £ 138.80
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Mr J Poynton re annual costs relating to Bridford Village Website £ 71.52
DALC re New Councillor Training for Cllr Atkinson £25 + £5 V.A.T. £ 30.00
£ 586.41
22 Balance as at 5th October 2015 £9,455.10
The Parish Council resolved to accept the accounts and approve the expenditure. Cllr Dowding (nominated by the Chairperson) checked the invoices to the cheque book and the reconciliation to the bank statement.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
23 Putting Bridford Hill back on the Primary Gritting Route – dealt with earlier in the meeting during Cnty Cllr Brook’s report
24 Change of Parish Council Meeting dates – Cllr Dowding in his capacity of Village Hall representative, confirmed that the request from the Village Hall committee was for the Parish Council to be ‘flexible’ over its meeting dates as opposed to changing the regular meeting dates on a regular basis. The Parish Council is happy to be flexible and this will be addressed as and when required.
25 Any items received for discussion since the publication of the agenda – none
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
26 Devon Highways Parish & Town Council Conference – 14 October. Details passed to the Chairperson who expressed an interest in attending.
27 Devon & Cornwall Police Warnings – details of recent notifications were read out.
28 New Funding available for Dartmoor Communties – DNPA has launched it’s Communities fund for 2015/16. Deadline for first round of applications is 31st October 2015. Possible source of funds for a defibrillator.
29 Any items for information received since the publication of the agenda
Electoral Review of Devon – change of date of publication of final recommendations to 19th January 2016 due to further consultations in the North Devon area.
Notice of Road Closure – B3193 will closed at Hennock over night on Monday 19 October between the hours of 19.00 and 07.00. The alternative route will be signposted.
30 Public Discussion – a Parish Councillor reported that a lot of rubbish, particularly fast food containers, is being thrown out of car windows on Bridford Hill. There is not much can be done unless the culprits can be identified. Suggested that Councillors pick up any litter as and when they see it.
A Parish Councillor commented that the grit bin at the bottom of Pound Lane (Bridford Hill) is not accessible due to it being pushed into the hedge. To be reported to Highways. Suggestion raised that all the grit bins in the Parish should be inspected for accessibility and to see if they require filling. Clerk to identify location of individual bins and each Councillor to be allocated specific bins in their areas to check and report back if any attention required.
31 Date of next meeting – Monday 2nd November 2015 7.00pm in the upstairs room at the
Village Hall
……………………………………………………….Chairperson 2nd November 2015
CORRESPONDENCE FOR CIRCULATION (Appendix A)
Newsletters, Reports and Circulars
DALC Update
Draft minutes of July TALC meeting
Community News Roundup – September 2015
NHS Pulse – September 2015
Local Lowdown Teignbridge CVS – August & September 2015
DALC Annual Report 2014 -2015
Miscellaneous
Amendments to the Electoral Register
Letters sent
Various 35