Minutes of the meeting of Bridford Parish Council held at Bridford Village Hall on Monday 12th November 2012 at 7.00pm.
Present: Cllrs S Purser (Chairman), G Hearnden, E Price, D Goodwin-Hughes, T Evans, A Lord, Mrs J P Banks (Clerk) and two members of the public.
Apologies – none
Declarations of Interest – none
Co-option re Parish Council casual vacancy
John Bingham was co-opted onto the Parish Council. Cllr Bingham will attend the New Councillor training course on 23rd January in Exeter.
Public Discussion – a Parish Councillor commented that vehicles were parking on the grass verge at the end of the lane to Pook’s Cottage and churning up the ground.
Cllr Goodwin-Hughes confirmed that work had been done on the access to the houses and vehicles were temporarily unable to drive down the lane. This has now been resolved.
MATTER ARISING
Minutes – the Parish Council resolved to approve and accept the minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 1st October 2012 as a true and accurate record of the meeting
Allotments – The tenant of plot 2b does not wish to continue with his allotment and and there are therefore now two half plots vacant which will continue to be advertised on the notice board and in Unity.
Play Area – nothing additional to report. The resident who kindly offered to carry out the maintenance work highlighted in the RoSPA report is currently indisposed, but will get the jobs done when he recuperates.
Village Hall – a structural engineer’s report has highlighted that one of the A beams in the roof has moved and if the proposed removal of the wall took place at the moment, the building would fall down. Enquiries are being made to see if grant
monies for the wall can be used to support all the trusses. There are problems with the electrics. It will cost £1650 to bring in a three phase electrical system.
Overgrown branches at top of Bridford Hill – this work has been undertaken by Graham Dicker, but only the side of the hedge. The Clerk will ask him to cut back the top of the hedge.
Slurry Water entering the stream – the problem seems to have been solved for the time being, although it will probably re-occur when there is a prolonged period of very heavy rain. The owners of the dairy farm are always happy to talk with us and solve any problems which arise.
ANY OTHER MATTERS ARISING
Christmas tree – the Parish Council resolved to make a donation of £25 towards this year’s village Christmas tree. The Clerk will ask Roger Clark if he needs funds this year to purchase any new accessories.
Snow Warden Scheme – Cllr Goodwin-Hughes reported that the recent meeting was not well attended, although a number of volunteers had originally put their names forward. The next Snow Warden meeting will be on Monday 3rd December at 8.30pm after the Parish Council meeting and will take place at the Bridford Inn.
11 Meetings Attended by members of the Parish Council
Cllrs Hearnden and Goodwin-Hughes attended the recent meeting of the Bridford Trust. An action plan was discussed re the spending of grant monies. Most futureprojects have been put on hold for the winter. It is planned to plant willows around the park and a maze. There is talk of involving local school children.
PLANNING
Items for Discussion
The following item was dealt with between meetings due to the short timescale for
responses:
Middle Westcott Farm Doccombe – Prior Notification re proposed erection of open fronted barn (DNPA ref 0547/12). “The Parish Council has no objections”.
Any Items for discussions received since publication of the agenda
Bridford Village Hall – proposed alterations to the pedestrian entrance, access stairs, ramp and porch (revised design from approval ref 0161/12). The Parish Council looked at the plans and discussed them in detail and queried if there is a reason for a wall the other side of the proposed new staircase entrance which could block out light from the lower meeting room. The Parish Council would not wish to jeopardise the plans but will ask the question of the Village Hall Committee prior to submitting its comments to DNPA.
Items for Information
1 Didworthy Cottages, Moretonhampstead – Grant of Conditional Planning Permission re demolition of existing lean-to and erection of two storey extension to dwelling (DNPA ref 0505/12)
Coombehead Farm, Bridford Appeal – the Informal Hearing will take place 21st November 10.00am at Parke, Bovey Tracey. (DNPA 576/11)
Woodcote Cottage, Bridford – an appeal has been lodged against the refusal of full planning permission re proposed raising of the roof to create additional living accommodation. (DNPA ref. 0337/12)
Any items for information received since publication of the agenda
Middle Westcott Farm – letter of approval from DNPA for work re proposed erection of open fronted barn (DNPA ref 0547/12)
FINANCE & ACCOUNTS
Account balances as at 6th November 2012 – current account £4,134.83 and
deposit account £2,832.89 (balances include £1,557.20 earmarked for Play Area)
Balances allow for expenditure and income detailed below.
19 Income:
C Baxter re allotment rent £ 30.00
A Dentith re allotment rent £ 15.00
J Lockwood re allotment rent £ 15.00
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V Harrison re allotment rent £ 30.00
Sale of Jubilee Mugs £ 28.00
20 Expenditure
Mrs J P Banks re Clerk’s salary for October 2012 £ 162.96
The Parish Council resolved to accept the accounts and authorise the expenditure.
The Chairman checked the invoices to the cheque book and the bank reconciliation
to the bank statement.
20a Training – the Parish Council resolved to authorise New Councillor training for
Cllr Bingham in January.
FOR DISCUSSION
21 Parking of Motor home at junction of Neadon Lane and Moreton Road – two letters received from Parishioners asking if anything can be done to remove the vehicle which is a hazard to other road users, both drivers and pedestrians. This matter has been addressed many times previously, but the Police do not appear to consider it to be an enforceable matter. The Parish Council would encourage all concerned residents to write individually not only to the Community Policeman, but also to Devon and Cornwall Police HQ at Middlemoor. The Parish Council will continueto pursue the matter.
22 Dates for 2013 Parish Council Meetings have been agreed and will be displayed on the notice boards and published in Unity and the Bridford webpage.
23 Delivering of Parish Council agendas – NALC suggested that, as emailing of agendas is a grey area but very widely used, Parish Councillors should sign up to this practice. All Parish Councillors with internet facilities signed a list, givingtheir authority for items to be emailed to them.
24 Teignbridge Local Plan 2013 -2033 – this has been circulated to all Parish Councillors and will be discussed at the December Parish Council meeting to enable a response to be formulated.
24a (Item not on agenda) Dartmoor National Park Forum – the next meeting will be held on 30th November and Cllr Purser will represent Bridford Parish Council.
FOR INFORMATION
Warnings from Devon and Cornwall Police – there are reports of heating oil being stolen from properties in the Chudleigh / Ashburton area. Anything suspicious should be reported to the Police using the 101 number.
Devon Oil Collective – power of bulk buying Notice from Community Council of Devon, but of no interest as there is already a local scheme set up in Christow.
Parish Information Drop in Surgery – 21st November at Feniton Village Hall.
District Councillors Report from Dst Cllr Stephen Purser who referred to the Teignbridge Plan which was discussed earlier in the meeting. Nothing much else to report relating to the Teign Valley. Extra money has been allocated for care homes in the Newton Abbot area. Work has commenced on the new Kingskerswell bypass road.
Public Discussion – a Parishioner reported that the grit bin at the bottom of Poole Hill has been hit resulting in it being twisted and tipped over. Highways will be asked to reinstate it as soon as possible.
30 Date of next meeting – 7.00pm Monday 3rd December 2012 at the Village Hall.
Original copy signed by the Chairman 3rd December 2012
CORRESPONDENCE FOR CIRCULATION (Appendix A)
Reports and Agendas
Christow PC September minutes Dunsford PC September minutes
Chudleigh and Teign Valley Police Report September 2012
TALC draft minutes September 2012 Teign Housing Annual Report 2012
Newsletters and Magazines
DALC Newsletter Nov/Dec 2012
Clerks and Councils Direct November 2012
Everyone’s Tomorrow October 2012 The Flyer October 2012
Miscellaneous
Electoral Road
DNP Forum Constitution
Letters sent Various
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