Minutes for October 2019

Newton St Cyres Parish Council

Minutes of Newton St Cyres Parish Council Meeting held in the

Parish Hall Club Room on Thursday 3 October 2019

The meeting commenced at 7.00pm

Members present

Cllr J Enright (Chair)                      Cllr S Parker

Cllr R Cashmore                            Cllr G Quicke

Cllr C Southcott                             Cllr P Taylor

Cllr L Ouldridge                            

In attendance:  Cllr G Barnell, MDDC, (left 7.25pm), 4 members of public (1 left 7.10pm, 1 arrived 7.30pm), J Hole, Parish Clerk

Business to be Transacted

Public Participation

The manhole on the road bridge in Station Road was sinking further and the road was cracking up. Cllr C Southcott reported that he had contacted SWW again, following the expiry of the previously advised three-month lead time.  SWW reported they had no record of the issue and it will be another three-month lead time before any action. Clerk to notify Highways and DCC bridge department and express concern for the integrity of the bridge.

A parishioner from Half Moon enquired if there was any update on the footpath from Hanlons to the bus stop as walking along the makeshift footpath at this time of year was very difficult, hazardous, dangerous and unpleasant. He explained that residents do try and park considerately.  Cllr J Enright reported that the footpath would only be put in when Hanlons commenced their building programme and this had been delayed. 

Formal Business

01/10/19     Apologies

Cllr G Scopes (away), Cllr D Hodge (unwell), Cllr M Squires, DCC (personal)

02/10/19     Declaration of Interest

None noted

03/10/19     Minutes of the last meeting held on Thursday 5 September 2019  

Agreed and signed as a true record

04/10/19     Mid Devon District Council

4.1              Planning Applications:

19/01389/FUL and 19/01390/LBC - Conversion of a barn to dwelling and erection of extension (Revised Scheme) at Hayne Farm, Newton St Cyres – no comment

4.2              Planning Decisions:

19/01282/PNCOU - Prior Notification for the change of use of 2 agricultural buildings to 4 dwellings under Class Q at Bidwell Barton Farm – acceptance of change of use

19/01379/CAT - Notification of intention to fell 1 Conifer tree within the Conservation Area at 5 Court Orchard, Newton St Cyres – permission granted

4.3              To note grant application has been submitted to MDDC for £2,705.00 of unallocated S106 money to use towards playground equipment at Rec Ground

The Clerk reported that MDDC had approved the grant in principal but fund transfer would be delayed due to internal issues with sign off.

4.4              To nominate projects for future CIL contributions – currently no projects are registered with MDDC

A list of suggested projects included - average speed cameras, pedestrian crossing in the village centre, pavement at Half Moon, crossing at Tytheing Close and to reinstate the path from Tytheing Close down to new houses which has been lost due to the new development.  Cllr G Barnell offered to find out if these projects would be eligible for CIL contributions and the Clerk would email a list to him

4.5              To note an application to register the old school site las an asset of community interest has been submitted to MDDC

Noted.  Cllr J Enright thanked Cllr G Barnell for his support of this nomination.  A decision was expected within eight weeks.

4.6              District Councillor, Cllr G Barnell, to report on MDDC business relevant to the Parish

A copy of Cllr G Barnell’ report had been circulated

Cllr G Barnell reported that the Boundary Commission were looking at the size of wards and that changes were required to Newbrooke ward as it was currently too small in terms of electorate numbers. The Parish Council could comment on the proposals if it wished. It was suggested that the Clerk put this on the Raddon Hills agenda. 

A road safety meeting was scheduled for next week.  The pedestrian crossing in the village centre had been identified as the first priority and Cllr G Barnell requested that the Parish Council give some thought to a list of priorities.  The proposals for “20 is plenty” signs along West Town Road were well supported and Cllr G Barnell would be arranging a meeting with supporters shortly to take the issue forward and agree locations and identify costs etc.

There was no decision yet on the Certificate of Lawfulness application by Wiscott Barton.

A flood group meeting was scheduled for next week and following this it should be possible to make a grant application for equipment.

05/10/19     Finance

5.1              Parish Council Receipts Current Account: None

5.2              Parish Council Payment Current Account:

These were approved as:

Item	Payee	Purpose	Amount £
5.2.1	Simon Saunders	Grass cutting parish	240.00
5.2.2	Simon Saunders	Grass cutting churchyard	120.00
5.2.3	Cardiac Science	Defibrillator	2,148.00
5.3.4	NSC Parish Hall	Room rent July - September	65.00
5.3.5	NSC Parish Hall	Electricity for light	30.00
5.3.6	NSC Parish Hall	New bulb for light looked after by PC	33.00
5.3.7	Ron Nethercott	Grass cutting new churchyard	200.00
5.3.8	GeoXphere Ltd	Parish Online subscription	90.00
5.2.9	J Hole	New projector	337.98
5.2.10	J Hole	Salary and expenses	289.76
5.2.11	HMRC	PAYE	33.60

Following further delays with adding new signatories, the Clerk reported that she had made a complaint to the bank about how long it was taking to get the changes agreed.  In addition, a bank statement had not been received since June.

5.3              To approve signatures for this month’s cheques

Cllr G Quicke and Cllr S Parker

5.4              Balances (after above transactions):      

5.4.1           Parish Council Current Account balance: £11,188.15

5.4.2           Footpath Account: £388.02 

5.4.3           Car Park resurfacing fund balance: £4,505.50

5.5              Financial Statement and Budget Monitor

Noted

06/10/19     Matters raised by the Chair

None

07/10/19     Councillor’s Reports    

7.1              Areas of Responsibility reports.

Churchyard – Cllr R Cashmore would be undertaking an annual walk around with members of the PCC

The Community survey re a possible village shop was in the process of being distributed and was also available to complete on line. 

Recreation Ground – Cllr C Southcott passed on thanks for applying for the MDDC S106 grant.  It was agreed that if the Rec re-applied for the £500.00 grant for play equipment that had been agreed a few years back, but returned by the Rec due to delays in the project, then the grant would be re-issued.

Bus stop – the buddleia by the Village Green bus stop had been removed

Boniface Trail – Cllr P Taylor reported that a meeting had taken place on 16 September with DCC’s Sustainable Transport Officer who was keen to support the project.  Another meeting was scheduled with DCC shortly and an offer of assistance from a design specialist had been made.  The first land owner agreement was waiting for final sign off but had been further delayed by another change of solicitor dealing with the issue.

Footpaths - Cllr S Parker reported that P3 footpaths should be cut by DCC once a year but in practice this was not happening.  He would inspect the issues forwarded by the Clerk from various councillors and see if he could undertake the cutting.  There was money in the footpath account which could pay for cutting, if a contractor could be engaged.

Community Speed Watch – Cllr S Parker had received an email from the police indicating that a meeting would be held shortly to take the scheme forward.

7.1.1           Arboretum risk assessment and safety inspection

The risk assessment and safety inspection had been circulated separately and was noted

To consider request from Arboretum Committee for waste bin in Church Lane or near the junction of West Town Road and Woodlands. 

The Clerk had circulated details of MDDC policy regarding litter bins.  Currently there was a bin in the arboretum and this was emptied weekly by a volunteer and the contents (dog mess) taken to a MDDC bin.  After discussion it was resolved that the Clerk contact MDDC and request a litter bin in Church Lane near the Church.     

7.1.2           Notes from Car Park meeting

These had been circulated and were noted

7.1.3           Issues raised at PC surgery  

Three issues had been raised but these had either been dealt with or were on the agenda

7.2              Update on CRG issues

As noted earlier in 4.6              

08/10/19     Clerk’s Report

8.1              To agree to apply for the Quality status from the Local Council Award Scheme - £130.00

It was resolved that the Clerk should apply for quality status                

09/10/19     Parish Council

9.1              Update on progress with Post Office and Community Shop. To consider if Parish Council can pay for room hire charges for on-going meeting

As noted earlier the community survey was being distributed and was available on line.  It was resolved that the Parish Council would pay for the first couple of meetings for the shop steering committee until the group became established.

Cllr G Quicke reported that BT would be installing the secure line in the Club Room

The Clerk reported that the new post box would now be sited on the pavement outside Belluno and this should happen very shortly.

9.2              To note public meeting to discuss Community Land Trust (CLT) arranged for 17 October – publicity leaflet circulated separately

It was hoped as many Councillors as possible would attend.  The CLT could also be a vehicle for setting up a community shop.

9.3              To note correspondence from Half Moon parishioners following Clerk’s letter re cars parking on pavement – circulated separately.   To consider request for a tidy up round the bus shelter and a temporary fix to footpath to larger layby by cutting hedge and putting gravel surface down.

The verge from the Half Moon bus stop down to the layby was owned by DCC and it was resolved that the Clerk contact Highways to request they make improvements to the surface.  In addition, the Clerk would write to the landowner and request they cut the hedge.  Cllr R Cashmore would raise the issue at his road safety meeting next week. 

9.4              To consider request from parishioner for a bench, bus shelter and lighting at the Newbridge Cross Bus stop – email circulated

This was on the Exeter to Crediton side of the road.   It was resolved that Cllr R Cashmore would raise this issue at his meeting next week and in addition the Clerk would contact Stagecoach.

9.5              To consider a request from the church to put a new bench outside the Church (top of Church Lane) or to move existing bench from School Hill

After discussion it was resolved that Cllr R Cashmore should discuss this at his meeting with the PCC to see if an existing church bench could be relocated.  It was agreed not to move the bench from School Hill as this was still used.

10/10/19     Devon County Council

10.1            Outstanding Highways issues

-Curb at new school – waiting for 278 legal agreement sign off - Cllr C Southcott reported that the contractors had returned twice to carry out curb work but had not dropped the curb by the new school. Cllr J Enright would email Ian Sorensen

-Speed restrictions in Station Road – SCARF re test requested. There was no update.

-Manhole cover on bridge in Station Road – as discussed in the public session.

-Request for a School sign in Station Road and possible zig-zag lines outside the school – declined - requested this is re-considered – no update

-Uncollected road signs – road signs by Langford junction had been reinstated following a grass cut even though they were not current signs.

-Raised drain cover on A377 Crediton to Exeter near The Lodge – actually a lowered drain cover

-Missing hatched markings at A377 junction with Station Road – these had been replaced and could be removed from the list

-Tar on School Hill footpath – no update

-Request for a Road Safety audit on A377 in centre of village - ongoing

-Request for bollards on pavement by old school to be removed due to safety issue – no update

-Request for consideration of a crossing at Tytheing Close - ongoing

-Request for a new drain at Sand Down Lane – the existing drain had been jetted recently by DCC which indicated they were taking responsibility for its maintenance and it was resolved to remove this from the list.

10.2            New DCC issues - overgrown hedge opposite Parish Hall obstructing yellow lines

The hedge had been cut so no further action was required

10.3            County Councillor, Cllr M Squires, to report on DCC business relevant to the parish

A copy of Cllr M Squires report had been circulated and was noted.

11/10/19     Miscellaneous Correspondence

Email from parishioner about traffic speed in Station Road - referred to Cllr M Squires

Dates for Devon Community Resilience Forum

Request to contact British Telecom to tidy up site in Tytheing Close – Cllr R Cashmore to provide contact detail for BT

Car and trailer parked in Tytheing Close – this was detailed in Cllr G Barnell’s report so no further action required              

12/10/19     Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda

None

13/10/19     Date of next meeting: Thursday 7 November 2019 in the Clubroom, Parish Hall, 7.00pm.  

End of Formal Business

Public Participation

A parishioner reported that the bus shelter at Half Moon could not be used as if you were in the bus shelter you could not see when the bus was coming.   Clerk to ask stagecoach to request drivers slow down when approaching the stop.

When was the last traffic survey carried out?  Cllr J Enright reported that a safety audit was part of the ongoing discussion with DCC.

The broadband speeds in Sweetham were still low – what could be done?  Cllr R Cashmore advised residents to get together and obtain £500.00 vouchers and then look for a service provider approved by Connecting Devon and Somerset.

The meeting closed at 8.25pm