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