Minutes from June 2020 meeting
Newton St Cyres Parish Council
Minutes of Newton St Cyres Parish Council Meeting held remotely via Zoom on Thursday 4 June 2020
The meeting commenced at 7.00pm
Members present via Zoom
Cllr J Enright (Chair) Cllr G Quicke
Cllr R Cashmore Cllr G Scopes
Cllr D Hodge Cllr C Southcott (zoom connection unreliable during meeting)
Cllr L Ouldridge Cllr P Taylor
Cllr S Parker
In attendance: Cllr G Barnell, MDDC (joined 7.20pm, left 7.40pm), J Hole, Parish Clerk
Councillors reflected on the death of a motorcyclist who was killed on the A377 near Hookway, on the evening of the last Parish Council meeting.
Public Participation
There were no public present.
Cllr J Enright raised the question of a community orchard which had been mentioned in the March Parish Council meeting but not followed up. Cllr C Southcott reported that prior to lockdown he was due to meet with a MDDC representative to discuss the issue. Clerk to put on next agenda.
Cllr J Enright informed the meeting that DCC had reported that ministerial approval had been granted to allow the sale of the old school site. DCC had selected a preferred buyer and discussions were progressing to allow the purchase of the site to go through as soon as possible.
Formal Business
01/06/20 Apologies
Cllr M Squires, DCC (another meeting), Cllr G Barnell, MDDC would join late
02/06/20 Declaration of Interest
Item 4.3 – Cllr P Taylor - PI
03/06/20 Minutes of the last meeting held on Thursday 7 May 2020
Agreed and signed as a true record
04/06/20 Mid Devon District Council
4.1 Planning Applications:
None
4.2 Planning Decisions:
None
4.3 Local Plan – to consider if the Parish Council wish its response submitted to the 2015 consultation regarding the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to still stand
The response submitted in 2015 asked that CIL contributions from developments north of the Parish be allocated to improving road infrastructure south of Credition. Also a request to add the Boniface Trail to the Local Plan and for CIL contributions to be allocated. All Councillors were in agreement that these comments should still stand. Cllr P Taylor agreed to provide an update on CIL contributions
4.4 To note MDDC consultations on: i) Public Space Protection Order re Dogs and ii) Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document
https://www.middevon.gov.uk/your-council/consultation-involvement/current-consultations/
Noted. The Public Space Protection Order did not affect any areas in the parish
Minuted here but taken after item 7
4.5 District Councillor, Cllr G Barnell, to report on MDDC business relevant to the Parish
The Clerk had circulated a copy of Cllr G Barnell’s report earlier in the day.
Cllr G Barnell noted the importance of the Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document, detailed in item 4.3 above, which would form an important source document for future planning issues.
Cllr G Barnell gave a brief update on the coronavirus measures: the discretionary grant scheme was now live and aimed at businesses that were not eligible for formal business grants such as charities and B & B’s. Even so not all businesses were covered and those not covered were being signposted to various loans that were available. The shielding hub continued to provide assistance to the vulnerable. Tiverton Pannier market would be re-opening on 15 June. Cllr G Barnell would be meeting with Crediton Town Council to discuss the way forward for Crediton Farmers market. Non-essential shops were due to open on 15 June and assistance was being provided from the Reopening High Streets Safely fund. Cllr G Barnell left the meeting
05/06/20 Finance
5.1 Parish Council Receipts Current Account:
|
Item |
Payer |
Purpose |
Amount £ |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5.1.1 |
Various |
Allotment rents |
240.00 |
|
5.1.2 |
Thorverton PC Feniton PC |
Clerk’s fee for carrying out internal audit |
200.00 |
|
5.1.3 |
NSC Parish Hall |
Contribution towards resurfacing |
750.00 |
5.2 Parish Council Payment Current Account
These were agreed as:
|
Item |
Payee |
Purpose |
Amount £ |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5.2.1 |
J Hole |
Salary and expenses (incl £200.00 Thorverton and Feniton PC) |
433.65 |
|
5.2.2 |
HMRC |
PAYE |
96.80 |
5.3 To approve signatures for this month’s cheques
Cllr G Quicke and Cllr P Taylor
No confirmation of the new signatories had been received and the Clerk to chase with the bank
5.4 Balances (after above transactions):
5.4.1 Parish Council Current Account balance: £15,356.89
5.4.2 Footpath Account: £268.02
5.4.3 Car Park resurfacing fund balance: £6,012.18
5.5 Financial Statement and Budget Monitor
Noted
5.6 Quarterly bank reconciliation – to be checked and signed by signatories
Clerk to provide reconciliation to bank signatories
06/06/20 Matters raised by the Chair
None
07/06/20 Councillor’s Reports
7.1 Update on Coronavirus and NSC PC response
Cllr D Hodge reported that there were very few requests for help at present. He had attended a Covid-19 Focus Group run by Devon Communities and concerns were expressed that although the level of Covid-19 infections in Devon is low, summer visitors may prompt an increase in cases. Attention was drawn to scam track and trace callers who ask for a fee to provide a Covid-19 test.
7.2 Areas of Responsibility reports
Boniface Trail – a zoom Trustees meeting had taken place and a meeting with MDDC and DCC representatives should take place shortly.
Bus shelters – curb stones by the bus shelters had weeds growing. Clerk to report to DCC
Footpaths – a parishioner had reported possible Giant Hogweed on FP 4 along by the river. However, it was Common Hogweed and Cllr S Parker would strim the path together with FP3. The Clerk noted how quickly the DCC Footpath Warden responds to queries
Station – there would be no station competition this year
Litter – litter, especially on the back roads, was noted including a number of discarded disposable gloves.
Neighbourhood Watch – concern had been raised about a family camping in a back garden in New Estate. Cllr L Ouldridge explained this was a temporary situation and as soon as camp sites opened up, the family would move on. It was noted that some anti-social behaviour had been directed towards the family who were camping.
08/06/20 Clerk’s Report
None
09/06/20 Parish Council
9.1 Update on progress with Community Shop
There was nothing to report and Cllr R Cashmore and Cllr D Hodge would discuss the way forward over the next few days
9.2 Average Speed Cameras – to consider writing to Peninsula Road Safety Partnership and DCC to enquiry about their strategy for the deployment of ASC
Cllr J Enright noted that previously DCC had suggested that ASC could be used on the A377, but now appeared to have withdrawn that offer. It was agreed that the Clerk should contact Peninsula Road Safety and DCC and request further information.
9.3 To consider cost of speed activated warning signs – details circulated separately
Cllr D Hodge had obtained a quote for two signs which totalled £10,000.00. It was noted that a warning sign on the footbridge across the A377 by Station Road was no longer working and had not worked for some time. Clerk to report to DCC. It was noted that the speed of traffic through the parish had increased during the lockdown and remained high during the easing of restrictions.
9.4 DCC Road Warden Scheme – to note DCC will fund materials (excl delivery charge)
Noted.
10/06/20 Devon County Council
10.1 Outstanding Highways issues
There were no updates on any outstanding items
10.2 New DCC issues
Condition of paths, bus stop, kerbs at Tytheing Close and School Hill - Clerk to request DCC to tidy up round bus stops and kerbs and also find out when School Hill would be cleared
10.3 Reallocation of road space for active travel – see DCC link at: https://www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/safe-travel/reallocation-of-roadspace-for-active-travel/
Most of the measures suggested were for Exeter and other towns and not for rural areas. Cllr P Taylor suggested that if Crediton could benefit from reallocation of road space this may help with the eventual link up to the Boniface Trail
10.4 County Councillor, Cllr M Squires, to report on DCC business relevant to the parish
A copy of Cllr M Squires report had been circulated earlier in the day and was noted.
11/06/20 Miscellaneous Correspondence
Thank you from Recreation Ground and Parish Hall for grant
12/06/20 Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda
Community orchard
Use of Parish On-line mapping software – Cllr R Cashmore asked for ideas on items that could be mapped and suggested this is opened up to parishioners to contribute.
The Clerk asked to be excused from the next meeting and Cllr L Ouldridge agreed to take the minutes.
13/06/20 Date of next meeting: Thursday 2 July 2020, via zoom at 7.00pm.
End of Formal Business
Public Participation
There was none
The meeting finished at 8.00pm