Minutes from July 2019

Newton St Cyres Parish Council

Minutes of Newton St Cyres Parish Council Meeting held in the

Parish Hall Club Room on Thursday 4 July 2019

The meeting commenced at 7.30pm

Members present

Cllr J Enright (Chair)                      Cllr S Parker

Cllr R Cashmore                            Cllr G Quicke

Cllr D Hodge                                  Cllr C Southcott

Cllr L Ouldridge                             Cllr P Taylor

In attendance:  Cllr G Barnell, MDDC, (left 8.30pm) 7 members of public (3 stayed to the end), J Hole, Parish Clerk

Business to be Transacted

Public Participation

Complaint about parked cars on Station Road near the junction with A377 resulting in vehicles having to pull out to overtake and then being on the wrong side of the road and meeting traffic turning off from the A377.  Clerk to report to DCC 

What are the road initiatives going forward?  Cllr J Enright advised that current road issues are listed on the Parish Council’s website and if there was a specific issue to raise then to let the Clerk know.

When would speedwatch be running again?  Cllr J Enright explained that Speedwatch had been stopped by the Police and we were waiting for the go ahead to start again.

01/07/19     Apologies

Cllr G Scopes (holiday), Cllr M Squires, DCC (another meeting)

02/07/19     Declaration of Interest

None noted

03/07/19     Minutes of the last meeting held on Thursday 6 June 2019

Agreed and signed as a true record

04/07/19     Mid Devon District Council

4.1              Planning Applications:

Since the agenda had been sent out an application had been received.  It was resolved to consider it at this meeting.

19/01056/FULL - Change of use from post office to additional residential accommodation at Newton St Cyres Post Office & Stores, 6 The Village, Newton St Cyres – no comment

4.2              Planning Decisions:

None

4.3              To note verbal report by Cllr J Enright from Langford residents meeting held 3 July to discuss concerns re traffic going to Winscott Barton – to agree any action

Cllr J Enright reported that approximately 20 residents attended the meeting last night at which MDDC’s Head of Planning and Regeneration, Jenny Clifford and Cllr G Barnell were present as well as Ian Sorenson from DCC Highways.  Residents report that on some days 80 trucks pass along Langford Road some starting as early as 5.30am.  MDDC are continuing investigations to try to establish if there is a planning infringement and will be meeting with the owner of the trucks and the owner of Winscott Barton to verify and confirm information

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

Cllr G Barnell outlined his determination to find a solution to the serious issues outlined in 4.3 above being mindful of both the need to support the business concerned and to consider the needs of Langford residents.

Cllr G Barnell updated the meeting on the recent decision by MDDC cabinet to declare a climate emergency, following DCC’s lead.  DCC proposals for across Devon are carbon neutrality by 2050 but MDDS has committed to an earlier target of 2030.  This will impact on all council services especially housing, planning and leisure.  There are a range of issues to look at locally and Parish Councils would be encouraged to set an example and possibly consider a local action group.  There was no extra money available to bring about the required changes. 

Cllr G Barnell had e-mailed Cllr P Taylor regarding the Boniface Trail and would welcome the opportunity to meet with the Trustees to see what help he may be able to provide in driving the project forward.  Cycle paths would form a major part of the green agenda

The regeneration of the Creedy Valley was critical to Cllr G Barnells agenda as too often in the past he felt this area had been overlooked in favor of other more urban areas such as Cullompton and Tiverton.

Cllr G Barnell informed the meeting MDDC had suspended their pre-application planning service due to staffing shortages and budget restrictions and at the present time only statutory services would be maintained.

Cllr R Cashmore asked how MDDC would assess the current carbon footprint in order to be able to measure the reduction?  Cllr G Barnell agreed this was not straight forward but DCC were developing frameworks and policies. MDDC would be seeking a reduction in those areas which they can influence and control and this would include suppliers and contractors.

05/07/19     Finance

5.1              Parish Council Receipts Current Account:

None

5.2              Parish Council Payment Current Account

These were agreed as:

Item	Payee	Purpose	Amount £
5.2.1	NSC Parish Hall	Hire of club room – April to June 2019	40.00
5.2.2	NSC Parish Hall	Surgery	4.00
5.2.3	Parish Magazine Printing	Printing of Annual Report	131.14
5.2.4	Koncepta	Hosting Service to July 2020 and domain name registration to July 2019	269.40
5.2.5	Cardiac Science	New defibrillator pads (Rec)	55.14
5.2.6	Simon Saunders	Grass cutting churchyard	200.00
5.2.7	Simon Saunders	Grass cutting parish	160.00
5.2.8	J Hole	Salary and expenses	323.49
			£1,183.17

The Clerk had not received the invoice for the Parish grass cutting and requested that the payment for £160.00 was not paid until the invoice had been received.

Since the agenda had been sent out an invoice from DALC for Councillor training for £132.00 had been received and it was resolved to make payment.

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: £16,598.35 (with adjustments noted above)

5.4.2   Footpath Account: £388.02 

5.4.3   Car Park resurfacing fund balance: £4,502.04

5.5      Financial Statement and Budget Monitor

Noted

06/07/19     Matters raised by the Chair

6.1              Update on NSC Parish Council 125-year anniversary – to agree any actions

Cllr J Enright noted that many Parish Councils were celebrating 125 years this year.  It was agreed to ask the history group if they would like to undertake some research on the Parish Council for a possible Newton Wonder article.

6.2              To consider if Parish Council meetings should commence earlier than 7.30pm

A range of start times was considered.  6.30 was considered too early and would not allow people who worked much time if they wished to attend a meeting. It was resolved that meetings would start at 7pm from the next meeting.

07/07/19     Councillor’s Reports    

7.1              Areas of Responsibility reports.

Press - The Annual Report had been distributed

Rec Club – the AGM had taken place.  The offer to buy the grounds had been declined by the Church Commissioners who had increased the rent.  In addition, as a rent review had not taken place for several years, back rent was due.  Cllr P Taylor offered to speak to the Treasurer if no legal advice had been received.  The play equipment restoration project had re-started and it was likely that a grant request would be made in due course.

Benches – Cllr D Hodge reported that the bench on School Hill required maintenance.   Clerk to arrange.  The bank along School Hill was overgrown. Clerk to ask the handyman to cut back.  If he is not able to, report to DCC. 

Boniface Trail – Cllr P Taylor confirmed that Cllr G Barnell would be invited to a future meeting.

7.1.1           Allotment – to note income and expenditure for allotments

Since 2013/14 there was a surplice of income over expenditure of £536.00.  However, no expenses had been deducted for this year and they may be some expenditure to remove an old shed.   It was resolved to wait until costs for this year are known before taking any action

7.1.2           Issues raised at PC surgery - there were none

7.1.3           Environment Agency Consultation on draft strategy for flood

Cllr R Cashmore had considered this and had no comment to make

7.1.4           To note report from Devon Community Resilience Forum and to consider Hi-Viz jackets and additional copies of the CRP for the Resilience sheds.

Standing orders were suspended to allow Jock Campbell to report on the forum meeting. The Fire and Rescue service had offered to look at our CRP to check it meets their needs and it was agreed to forward the plan to them. It was resolved to have hard copies of the CRP in the Resilience sheds and the Clerk would produce 6 copies once the list of flood wardens had been updated.   Jock explained that it was useful for emergency services to be able to identify key figures and Hi-Viz jackets with job titles on was a quick and easy way to do so.  Cllr G Barnell, in his role as Chair of the flood network, agreed to call a meeting to include Cllr R Cashmore to consider how many high viz jackets were required and what they should say and also to consider if flood warden training was required. Cllr J Enright thanked Jock for his report and for attending the forum and standing orders were reinstated

7.1.5           Footpath support

Cllr S Parker had divided the footpaths as follows:

Footpath 1 – Cllr G Quicke

Footpath 2 and 8 – Cllr P Taylor

Footpath 2 and 2A – Cllr S Parker

Footpath 3 – Cllr G Scopes

Footpath 4 (by river) and 12 – Cllr L Ouldridge

Footpath 4, 10 and 11 – Cllr R Cashmore

Footpath 5,6 and 7 – Cllr C Southcott    

Footpath 7 – Cllr D Hodge

Councillors were required to walk their allocated path at least twice a year and report any issues to Cllr S Parker.   Cllr D Hodge reported a lot of dog mess on the footpaths and Cllr S Parker confirmed this was an issue especially when strimming.

08/07/19     Clerk’s Report  

None

09/07/19     Parish Council

9.1              Closure of Post office and shop - to agree any actions following public meeting held earlier

10 people had put their name down as being interested in a follow up meeting regarding the shop.  The Clerk would find a couple of dates when the hall was free and invite those interested to a meeting which Cllr J Enright agreed to chair.

9.2              Defibrillator in the Village centre. Battery life is approx. 5 years (without use) and current battery is dated January 2014.  A service contract is available for £119.00 per year

After discussion it was resolved that a new defibrillator should be purchased and the Clerk would obtain three quotes for the next meeting. If possible, a maintenance contract should be included together with consumables.

9.3              Update on Brampford Speke, Upton Pyne & Cowley Community Land Trust – Cllr R Cashmore to report

Cllrs R Cashmore and J Enright had met with representatives from the Community Land Trust. The Community Land Trust looks to own assets on behalf of a community and has facilitated affordable housing projects in Brampford Speke and Upton Pyne.  Cllrs were asked to consider if the Parish Council should consider joining the Trust with a view to considering affordable housing on the old school site.  It was resolved to explore the possibility further with the first step being to be talk to DCC and to invite Trust representatives to speak at the next council meeting.   It was agreed not to list the old school site as a community asset at this stage.  Cllr R Cashmore would also liaise with Cllr G Barnell as Cabinet member for Planning and Regeneration

10/07/19     Devon County Council

10.1            Outstanding Highways issues

-Curb at new school – waiting for 278 legal agreement sign off

-Speed restrictions in Station Road – SCARF re test requested

-Manhole cover on bridge in Station Road. Cllr C Southcott had contacted the utility company who did not know about the problem.  This had now been logged but as a road closure was required it would be at least six months until actioned

-Moving school flashing signs further down A377. The lights had been moved but were not working and Cllr J Enright had contacted the Head of Highways Secretary to request immediate action

-Request for a School sign in Station Road and possible zig-zag lines outside the school – declined - requested this is re-considered

-Uncollected road signs – no reply from Highways

-Raised drain cover on A377 Crediton to Exeter near The Lodge – no reply from Highways

-Missing hatched markings at A377 junction with Station Road – no reply from Highways

-Tar on School Hill footpath – no reply from Highways

-Request for a Road Safety audit on A377 in centre of village – no reply from Highway

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

-Request for consideration of a crossing at Tytheing Close – no reply from Highways

10.2            New DCC issues                 

Drain between Five Elms and Smallbrook

Overhanging trees between Station and Wykes Cross.

Request for a new drain (rather than soak away) at Sand Down Lane

Following the recent heavy rain, DCC had been called to unblock the drain at the end of Sand Down Lane and the workmen had suggested that a proper drain was required rather than a soak away.  However, there is a proper drain already in place.  Clerk to request jetting by Highway.

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

There was no report

11/07/19     Miscellaneous Correspondence

Consultation by Devon Fire and Rescue – likely that one engine at Crediton may be moved

Stagecoach South West Annual conference – Cllr R Cashmore would attend

Letter from Exe Valley Federation re federating with Silverton school – Clerk to send note to school

Complaint about the vehicle parked outside Belluno, planted with flowers – Clerk to let Belluno know that the vehicle was on highway land and suggest it is moved onto private land                 

12/07/19     Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda

None

13/07/19     Date of next meeting: Thursday 1 August 2019 if required.  Otherwise Thursday 5 September 2019 in the Clubroom, Parish Hall, 7.30pm.    It was resolved that urgent cheques would be signed outside of the meeting.

End of Formal Business

Public Participation

Was there an update on a new post box?  It was confirmed that a new one would be installed on the pavement by the bus stop shortly.

The meeting closed at 9.30pm