Minutes of Bridford Parish Council Meeting 4th Deccember 2017

Minutes of a meeting of Bridford Parish Council held at Bridford Village Hall on Monday 4th December 2017 at 7.00pm
Present: Cllrs G Hearnden (Chairman), A Lord, R Dowding, J Padgham, E Price, Mrs J P Banks (Clerk). Cnty Cllr Brook attended for part of the meeting
Being the last meeting before Christmas, the Clerk had been baking and so the meeting commenced with mince pies and cream which were enjoyed by all!
Apologies: Cllr F Miles, T Evans, Dst Cllr A Ford
Declarations of Interest – none
Public Discussion – No items for discussion
MATTERS ARISING
Minutes -the Parish Council resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 6th November 2017 as a true and accurate record of the meeting.
Allotments – it has been confirmed that there is a legal right of way in place across the land at the top of School Lane to allow vehicular access to the allotments, both for contractors and for allotment holders to unload. Cllr Lord asked if the Parish Council would prefer the original gate to be re-hung or a frame with netting. As the gate is in situ and in good condition, Cllr Lord was asked to confirm to Mr Wills that he should go ahead and install replacement posts and re-hang the gate. There are still two annual rentals outstanding and reminders will be sent out.
Play Area – the Clerk has met up with a representative from Glendinnings at the Play Park and now has a quote for the purchase, delivery and installation of an all weather concrete table tennis table. Local contractors will be contacted to invite tenders to excavate, level out and asphalt or concrete the base required, prior to installation. It is hoped that grant monies available should cover the majority of the costs of the purchase and preparation of the site.
Bridford Hill and Snow Warden – DCC has confirmed that the Parish Council’s devolved scheme (i.e. a Snow Warden in a communications role only) is acceptable and volunteers will be covered by DCC’s third party public liability insurance. Cllr Miles will complete the form informing DCC of its contact details for weather warnings. There are now sufficient volunteers for two teams to operate the gritter and a volunteer to clean and maintain it. Further volunteers would be helpful.
Grit Bins – the bins have been checked by Bridford Parish Councillors and a request sent to DCC to attend to the bin at Windhill Gate which has been knocked over. The bins will be checked regularly by Councillors during the winter.
Village Garden – Cllr Dowding has spoken with Mr Roger Clark who co-ordinates the garden volunteers and confirmed that he would welcome advice and assistance with replanting. Now it is not so busy, it is hoped that Richard Hearnden will be available to offer some provisional help and advice with regards to replanting the garden.
Parish Footpaths – Parish Councillors will be walking the footpaths over the next few months and reporting back with any problems identified. A detailed map is available to assist with the exact routes the footpaths take.
Membership of CPRE – the Parish Council agreed that it would not be beneficial to subscribe to membership of CPRE
ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING
Meetings Attended by Parish Councillors – Cllr Dowding attended a recent TALC meeting which included a talk by John Hart from Devon County Council about the need for even more spending cuts. Also discussed at the meeting was the need for affordable housing.
District Councillors Report – Cllr Ford telephoned the Clerk, apologies noted. Nothing to report. Cllr Ford wished everyone a very Happy Christmas
Cllr Jerry Brook arrived at 7.42pm – he was welcomed by the Chairman and invited to speak
County Councillors Report DCC is interested in the Heart of the South West local enterprise scheme where local authorities would create a committee, working together to draw down funds from Central Government. All the districts need to become members to demonstrate total support in the South West. Once formed, through the devolution process, funds could be drawn that would allow investment of capital project, as the Government is keen to support technical education, maths and computer skills. DCC officers have questions about the scheme, planned over the next eighteen years – which companies will deliver these skills and has Devon got the infrastructure to support the plans? The apprenticeship project within DCC has been very successful and the quota set by the Government has been met. 0.5% of the workforce is now on apprenticeships Financially, DCC is in the black. Children and Young Peoples Services are a drain on the system. Highways are pretty near the baseline. Currently 20,000 tons of salt in store and it is hoped that it will not be necessary to have to purchase any more. Considerable savings have to be made in the budget for 2018/19 and the following year. The County Council has been selling off redundant buildings, the sale of retirement homes has generated about £5.3m in capital. The transfer of assets to town and parish councils will also result in substantial savings in maintenance costs. The Chancellor has made available £45m for the repair of potholes. If the same formula is used as in the past, this will result in £1.75m for Devon. Composting waste has been put out to new management making huge savings.
Cnty Cllr Brook left the meeting at 8.30pm
PLANNING
For Discussion
Cedar House – re proposed standalone double garage (DNPA ref 0575/17). Discussed together with agenda item 17. Cllr Miles in her absence had advised the Clerk that she had spoken with Chris Hart, Head of Planning, DNPA who confirmed that he has been made aware of the PC concerns regarding Cedar House and is in receipt of the details of the recent meeting between representatives of Bridford Parish Council and Claire Boobier who no longer works for DNPA. Cllr Miles has spoken with Mr Hart over the issue of the track which the Parish Council advised, would like the lack of planning attended to. Mr Hart is also aware that the latest garage application needs very careful consideration. The Parish Council discussed this application in great detail with Cllr Dowding agreeing to draft a response and circulate to the other Parish Councillors for approval prior to submission to DNPA
Lower Westcott Farm, Bridford – re proposed rebuild of dilapidated barn to form ancillary accommodation (DNPA ref 0507/17). Revised plans submitted. Parish Council had already agreed that no further comments were necessary, referring to its original observation sheet.
Cedar House – recent meeting with DNPA. See item 15
Any planning items for discussion since publication of the agenda Robertsacre Farm – application for Prior Notification re proposed erection of agricultural building (20m x 10m) (DNPA ref 0579/17). The Parish Council discussed this application at length and queried the requirement of an agricultural building. Cllr Dowding to draft a suggested response and circulate to Parish Councillors for approval prior to submission to DNPA
For Information
Thorn Farm, Bridford – Grant of Conditional Planning Permission re proposed construction of ménage (DNPA ref 0497/17)
Any planning items for information received since publication of the agenda Lower Westcott Farm – Grant of Conditional Planning Permission re proposed re-build of dilapidated barn to form ancillary accommodation (DNPA ref 0507/17) The Old Quarry, Pound Lane – Cllr Miles has spoken with Chris Hart, Head of Planning at DNPA and voiced concerns about the number of caravans on site and queried the use of the land.
FINANCE & ACCOUNTS
Account balances as at 6th November 2017 Current account Investment account	£5,478.99 £3,745.02 £9,224.01
INCOME Chilcorn Ltd re proceeds clothing bank contents F Leversedge allotment rent plot 1a R Clark allotment rent plot 1b A Bornemisza allotment rent plot 6a/7a K Jones allotment rent plot 4a Bank interest September 2017 Bank interest October 2017	£ 48.00 £ 15.00 £ 15.00 £ 30.00 £ 15.00 £ 0.16 £ 0.16 £ 123.32
EXPENDITURE Mrs J P Banks re October salary Mr R Clark re purchase of new Christmas tree lights	£ 200.93 £ 27.20 £ 228.13
Account balances as at 4th December 2017 Current account Investment account	£5,373.86 £3,745.34 £9,119.20
(Balances include earmarked funds: £120 refundable allotment deposits / £463 Play Area / £67.50 Village Garden / £136.76 textile bank)
The Parish Council resolved to approve the accounts and authorise the expenditure Cllr Dowding, delegated by the Chairperson, checked the cheques to the invoices and the reconciliation to the bank statement
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION
Consider Parish Council Budget to decide precept for 2018/19 – the Parish Council discussed the draft budget presented by the Clerk. Bridford Parish will apply to the District Council for £7,750 being the precept figure required for 2018/19
Any items for discussion received since publication of the agenda – none
ITEMS FOR INFORMATION
Notice of Road Closures B3193 Teign Valley Road – works will continue with lane closures controlled by traffic lights. Any future road closures required will be published on the Village Website.
Devon Countryside Access Forum – appointing new members. Applications from www.devon.gov.uk/dcaf
Campaign to reduce litter – a pack is available free of charge and has been ordered by the Clerk containing posters and information
Any items for information received since publication of the agenda – none
Public Discussion – nothing further for discussion
Date of next meeting – The next meeting will be held on Monday 8th January 2018 at 7.00pm in the upstairs room of the Village Hall

Original minutes signed by the Chairperson 8th January 2018

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