November 2011 Parish Council Minutes

C Dixon

J Grunwell

P Harrison

J Loveday

J Monroe

R Noble

D Parker

J Pile

County Councillor Mrs A Davis

District Councillors Mrs Y Gubb, Mrs J

   Clark and J Tucker (arrived later)

PCSO G Cleverdon

1 member of the public

Apologies

Declarations of Interest

Public Participation

Approval of the Minutes of 6/10/11

Matters Arising

Reports

Planning & Planning Correspondence

Correspondence

Play Area Project

Finance

Matters raised by Councillors including Highway issues

121.1  Registration of land.  This was being progressed with the Land Registry.

121.2  Location of Drains.  There was no information.

121.3 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  Councillor Monroe had contacted the Chairman of Loxhore Parish Council, as no response had been received. It was confirmed that they had their own Committee to make plans.

121.4 Fly Tipping. A notice was in the Post Office. No photographic evidence had been received.

121.5 Length of Agendas and Minutes. This had been addressed by the Clerk.

121.6 Countisbury & Brendon. Enquiries as to merging Kentisbury & Trentishoe.

Councillor Monroe advised Countisbury and Brendon had the same problem as Kentisbury and Trentishoe and are progressing a merger.

The Clerk to liaise with Brendon Clerk to ascertain how the plans are going.

To be on

January

Agenda

Clerk

122.1  Police. There had been 1 crime in the last month involving theft of a quad bike and fuel.  Properties at Parracombe had suffered theft of 2 quads and a trailer which had lost its side. A Transit type van had been seen at the same time in the area. People were encouraged to report anything suspicious on the 101 number.

122.2  County Councillor Mrs A Davis.  A Report was circulated. This focused on Winter gritting; Devon backs bus funding campaign and extensive road works on A399.  A new grit bin located at Patchole had been paid for from her Locality Grant.

122.3  District Councillors Mrs Y Gubb, Mrs J Clark and J Tucker.  Brian Greenslade’s letter was referred to advising of plans to phase out the Parish Grant over 3 years, commencing 2012.  Parishes are encouraged to make representations.

District Councillor Tucker advised 6,000 electoral registration forms had not been returned. It was possible for people to register online or by ‘phone.

He also spoke about the bulky items free collection, enforcement issues, staff changes at North Devon Council and deer poaching. Suspicious activities in this connection to be reported by dialing the 101 Police number.

122.4  Chairman.  5 tonne grit salt had been delivered to his Farm on the day of the Meeting, some of this will be stored at Barton Farm.  Councillor Pile to include this information in the Magazine inviting people to contact him if they wish to have salt.   A further 5 tonne could be purchased for £20.

122.5  Village Hall. No report.

JP

123.1  52929 – Erection of building to provide storage, garaging & staff accommodation for Inn at Old Station House, Blackmoor Gate.

Councillor Pile declared a Personal Interest. It was resolved to recommend approval.

123.2  62/62/11/002 – Proposed two storey extension to rear – Middle Dean Farm, Dean, Trentishoe.   It was resolved to recommend approval.

123.3  North Devon Council Approval Decision Notice received for Application 52539 – Friars Farm, Kentisbury Ford.

Clerk

124.1  Remembrance Day Sunday.  The Church had invited a Councillor to lay a wreath.   Councillor Pile would do this.

Trees.  Councillor Pile gave details of the suggested number of trees for the grant available to include tubes and stakes.  There would be a Meeting on 22/11/11 at 7pm to further discuss fencing.

Councillor Parker to ask Bridgemans and liaise regarding quotations.

Councillor Harrison and other volunteers would erect the fence.

Plans for the Play Area and the Planning Application were ready to be submitted.

24 votes had been cast for the NatWest Community Force Award, insufficient to be awarded funding.

DP

125.1  Balances.  Current Account:     £1,673.67 at 22/9/11;  £4,413.60 at 10/10/11.

Business Instant Access Account:    £4,413.41 at 15/9/11; £3,718.17 at 26/10/11.

125.1  The following payments were agreed:

Mrs S Squire             November Salary     £95.91

Photocopying           £ 6.60

Broadband               £ 3.00

Contribution towards petrol (6 months) £20.00               £125.51

Mr T Squire               Cutting Village Green                        £  25.00

125.2  Village Green Sign. Acceptance of quotation from Sign O Graphics. £35 VAT

125.3 Audit Commission.  The 2011 Annual Return had been signed off as satisfactory with no issues raised.

125.4 Proposed by Councillor Monroe to increase the Precept by 5%.  Seconded by Councillor Parker.

Proposed by Councillor Pile to increase the Precept by 2.5%. Seconded by Councillor Dixon.

Vote:  4 in favour of 5%.  4 in favour of 2.5%. The Chairman used his casting vote.  Carried.

Councillor Mrs Davis would give £2,000 from her Local Grant for the Parish Field fence.

Proposed by Councillor Parker, seconded by Councillor Harrison and agreed to adopt the Budget.  The Clerk to use the figures from the Budget to complete the Parish Grant Application Form.

Representations to be made to Councillor Greenslade regarding phasing out the Parish Grant. 

125.5  Grass Keep.  The second instalment of £575.00 had been received.

125.6  Mary Jones Trust. Councillor Parker advised the Church was no longer giving money for help and for the time being, there would be no payments to the reserve funds.   

Clerk

126.1  Councillor Parker spoke about refuse disposal. Wheelie bins cannot be emptied automatically and black bags have to be used.

He also advised that Furze Park Lane was sinking against Preston Gate.

126.2  Councillor Grunwell.  Complaint about Ley Lane.  This had been inspected and would be done.

126.3  County Councillor Mrs Davis was dealing with the signs at Blackmoor Gate. She advised there was a Gateway to Exmoor National Park Competition.

126.4  The contractors sign near Blackmoor Gate to be reported to Enforcement.

126.5  Hedge at Ruxfield required trimming. Councillor Parker will ask A & B Contractors to cut.

Councillor Pile declared a Personal Interest.

Clerk

DP

The Meeting ended at 10.01pm.

• Minutes of 6/10/11
• Planning
• 2012/13 Budget & Precept

(Chair of Parish Council)