Minutes from April 2022 meeting
Newton St Cyres Parish Council
Minutes of Newton St Cyres Parish Council Meeting held in the Parish Hall Club Room on Thursday 7 April 2022
The meeting commenced at 7.00pm
Members present
Cllr J Enright (Chair) Cllr S Parker
Cllr R Cashmore Cllr G Quicke
Cllr D Hodge Cllr G Scopes
Cllr L Ouldridge Cllr C Southcott
Cllr P Taylor
In attendance: Cllr M Squires, DCC (left 7.40pm); 4 members of public (2 left after public participation), J Hole, Parish Clerk
Public Participation
Minuted under item 9
Formal Business
01/04/22 Apologies
Cllr G Barnell, MDDC (away)
02/04/22 Declaration of Interest
Item 4.1 – Cllr G Quicke - PI
03/04/22 Minutes of the last meeting held on Thursday 3 March 2022
Agreed and signed as a true record
04/04/22 Mid Devon District Council
4.1 Planning Applications:
22/00523/FULL - Variation of condition 2 of planning permission 20/00131/FULL to allow for substitution of plans in respect to alterations of the Lower Barn, position of the solar PV array and sewerage treatment plant and repositioning of the swimming pool air source heat pump at Bakers Farm, Newton St Cyres – no comment
4.2 Planning Decisions
21/01491/HOUSE/21/01495/LBC - Demolition and replacement of existing extensions and alterations to internal layout at Bidwell Barton Farm – applications withdrawn.
21/02333/FULL- Erection of replacement ball stop netting on north side of football pitch at Newton St Cyres Recreation Ground – grant permission. Cllr C Southcott noted that the grant funding for this project was delayed due to a query with the Rec’s lease.
21/02565/HOUSE - Erection of garage, workshop and agricultural vehicle/equipment store at Hill Farm, Newton St Cyres – grant permission
4.3 Update on large vehicles using Langford Road
Cllr R Cashmore noted that discussions were taking place at East Devon District Council regarding the digestate traffic using Langford Road
4.4 District Councillor, Cllr G Barnell, to report on MDDC business relevant to the parish
There was no report
05/04/22 Finance
5.1 Update on logins to Unity Bank
There were no updates and Cllrs were asked to try and login to the account
5.2 Parish Council Receipts Current Account: Allotment Rent: £220.00 allotment rent (this was omitted from the agenda)
5.3 Parish Council Payments Current Account
These were agreed as:
|
Item |
Payee |
Purpose |
Amount £ |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5.3.1 |
NSC Parish Hall |
Hire of hall for Community Forum |
79.00 |
|
5.3.2 |
Simon Saunders |
Grass cutting – parish |
160.00 |
|
5.3.3 |
Simon Saunders |
Grass cutting - churchyard |
120.00 |
|
5.3.4 |
Nick Gillon |
Reimbursement for padlock for trailer |
32.00 |
|
5.3.5 |
Ian Salter |
Bus shelter cleaning |
32.00 |
|
5.3.6 |
J Hole |
Reimbursement for annual zoom subscription |
138.78 |
|
5.3.7 |
J Hole |
Reimbursement for defib pads |
37.20 |
|
5.3.8 |
J Hole |
Salary and expenses |
432.30 |
|
5.3.9 |
HMRC |
PAYE (cheque payment) |
63.60 |
5.4 To approve signatures for this month’s payments – online and one cheque
Cllr G Quicke and Cllr S Parker – cheque; Cllr D Hodge and Cllr J Enright online
5.5 Balances (after above transactions)
5.5.1 Parish Council Current Account balance: £10,602.13
5.5.2 Footpath Account: £268.02
5.5.3 Car Park resurfacing fund balance: £7,514.90
5.6 Financial Statement and Budget Monitor
Noted
06/04/22 Matters raised by the Chair
6.1 Review of Annual Parish Meeting held 6 April 2022
The meeting was well attended by parishioners. The accounts were presented and Cllr J Enright gave a presentation on Neighbourhood Planning. The Community Volunteer award was presented to Jock Campbell.
6.2 Neighbourhood Plan – next steps
Following the Annual Parish Meeting, 12 volunteers had signed up to join the Steering Group. An initial meeting would be arranged as soon as possible. The Group would be called Newton St Cyres Parish Council Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group. Cllr J Enright was applying for a £10,000.00 grant. It was noted that if the PC Income exceeded £25,000.00 in the financial year it would be necessary to pay £200.00 for an external audit.
6.3 To note Results of Housing Survey carried out by Devon Community Housing Hub
The final report had been circulated and showed that there was a need for 5 affordable houses. Clerk to put the report on the Parish Council website and on the next agenda for further discussion.
07/04/22 Councillor’s Reports
7.1 Areas of Responsibility reports
7.1.1 Allotments - The Clerk reported that two allotment holders had yet to pay their rent. Six plots had been given up, although two had been paid for and would be taken on by the adjacent allotment plot holder. One new allotment holder had taken on a plot. Once all the rent had been received, the Clerk would forward the updated plan to Cllr L Ouldridge who would arrange a meeting with all tenants to discuss how to spend the rental income. It might be possible to spend some of the money on grass cutting. There were currently four vacant plots and it was agreed to note this in the Newton Wonder and ask if anyone was interested in using these as a community plot.
7.1.2 Footpaths – the work to the bridle path at the end of Tinpit Hill into Newton Woods had been completed and Cllr S Parker had a new footpath sign to go up
7.1.3 Surgery - Report from March surgery
Complaints about the burnt out car at Sand Down Lane – the Clerk had reported this online to MDDC and tried unsuccessfully to follow up via a phone call. It was agreed to ask Cllr G Barnell to follow this up.
Reports that there was no Road Sign for The Village – however there was sign near the footway to Court Orchard.
Recycling at the Rec – the Rec did not recycle as they could not justify the cost now that they could no longer use the bins at the Parish Hall. It was agreed to ask Cllr G Barnell to discuss the cost with MDDC.
7.1.4 To note Community Resilience Forum – Monday 23 May at Filleigh Village Hall 9.30am to 3.30pm
This would be attended by the parishioner looking after the CRG Plan
7.1.5 Press – to agree date for publication of Annual Newsletter
This would be published in June and the Clerk would request the reports from village organisation.
7.1.6 Report from A377 Action Group
The notes from the last meeting had been circulated and were noted
7.1.7 Church – it was noted that the communication mast should be installed by the end of the month
7.1.8 Station – it was reported that more trains were stopping at Newton St Cyres station and the number should continue to increase.
08/04/22 Clerk’s Report - none
09/04/22 Parish Council
Item 9.1, 9.1.2 and 9.1.3 minuted here but taken in the public session
9.1 Climate – update from Climate Officer
The Climate Officer reported on the successful Community Resilience Forum which had been attended by approx. 50 parishioners. The top three suggestions from the three categories would be subject to further discussion and the full list of suggestions would be circulated to Cllrs for information. Further information was requested on the air pollution monitoring on the A377 and the Clerk would follow this up
DCC were seeking feedback on their Carbon Plan
9.1.2 To note Water Quality Score Card for Lower Creedy
Details have been circulated and the poor quality of the water was noted. Clerk to put on the next agenda for further discussion.
9.1.3 To consider wildflowers for some parts of the village green. Standing Order were reinstated
Details had been circulated. A volunteer had offered to plant the wildflowers and to maintain as necessary. After discussion it was resolved unanimously to go ahead with the plan. Clerk to ensure the grass cutting contractor is aware of the project
9.2 Road Warden Scheme – update on DCC support and to note cost of tubs for pot hole filling
It was agreed to purchase pot hole filling material from Broadclyst Parish Council, the cost of which would be covered by the grant already received from DCC. It was noted that the material had a short shelf life so it was better to purchase in small quantities as required.
Clerk to write and thank the parishioner who had agreed to store the road warden trailer and equipment.
9.3 Cloud Storage - update
This was ongoing and would be progressed by the Clerk and Cllr R Cashmore
9.4 Plans for Queens Platinum Jubilee
9.4.1 Update on event planned for 5 June at Rec Ground
Plans were progressing well and another meeting was scheduled for next week.
9.4.2 Arrangements for presentation of seeds to NSC Primary School
Cllr R Cashmore would visit the school to make the presentation
9.5 To note DCC Locality funding has been requested for a salt bin for Kingfisher Close
Noted
9.6 To consider joint sealing and relining for the Parish Hall Car Park to be funded from the Car Park Resurfacing Fund.
It was proposed to seal the car park which should help prolong the surface and to reline the spaces, to include a disabled bay. Quotes had been circulated. Cllr C Southcott would discuss the work to be carried out with the Parish Hall committee to ensure the quotes were comparable. Clerk to put on next agenda for further consideration.
Minuted here but taken after the public session
10/04/22 Devon County Council
10.1 Outstanding Highways issues
There were no updates on the outstanding issues. It was noted that no response had been received from our Neighbourhood Highways Officer (NHO) with regard to risk assessments and support from DCC for our Road Warden Scheme. It was agreed that the Clerk would email DCC Chief Executive, Cllr Hughes and the Head of Highways to complain
10.2 New Highway issues
Brambles on Station Road – add to road warden list;
Illegal 30mph signs in Half Moon. Our NHO had noted that there were several illegal 30mph signs in Half Moon. A note would be posted on Facebook and in the Newton, Wonder asking for the signs to be removed.
10.3 To consider requesting 20mph speed zone along West Town/other areas of the parish
A request for a 20mph speed limit along Station Road had been applied for and Cllr M Squires would request that this also included a school sign
10.4 County Councillor, Cllr M Squires, to report on DCC business relevant to the parish
Cllr M Squires had attended the State of the District Debate which had concentrated on Climate issues. Cllr L Ouldridge noted that the poster she had designed and sent to MDDC Climate Officer for agreement was still outstanding. This would be forwarded to Cllr M Squires to follow up.
11/04/22 Miscellaneous Correspondence
Various newsletters/correspondence circulated
12/04/22 Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda
As noted above
13/04/22 Date of next PC meeting: Thursday 5 May 2022, 7pm in the Club Room, Parish Hall
End of Formal Business
Public Participation
It was noted that there was a confirmed case of Avian Bird Flu in the Parish
The meeting closed at 8.45pm