Minutes from February 2022 meeting
Newton St Cyres Parish Council
Minutes of Newton St Cyres Parish Council Meeting held in the Parish Hall Club Room on Thursday 3 February 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 P Taylor Cllr C Southcott
In attendance: Cllr M Squires, DCC (left 7.40pm); Cllr G Barnell, MDDC, (Left 8.10pm), 9 members of public, J Hole, Parish Clerk
Public Participation
The Climate Officer gave a report which is minuted under item 9.1
Formal Business
01/02/22 Apologies
Cllr L Ouldridge (personal); Cllr P Taylor (unwell)
02/02/22 Declaration of Interest
None noted
03/02/22 Minutes of the last meeting held on Thursday 2 December 2021
Agreed and signed as a true record
04/02/22 Mid Devon District Council
4.1 Planning Applications:
21/02333/FULL- Erection of replacement ball stop netting on north side of football pitch at Newton St Cyres Recreation Ground – no comment already submitted
21/02565/HOUSE - Erection of garage, workshop and agricultural vehicle/equipment store at Hill Farm, Newton St Cyres – no comment
21/02297/HOUSE- Conversion of garage to additional living accommodation with extension over and replacement of rear dormer with dormer to front of property at Weirholme, EX5 5AB – no comment
Consultation as a neighbouring parish - 22/00063/MARM - Reserved matter for the erection of 257 dwellings and up to 5 Gypsy and Traveller pitches; associated works in connection with 8.6ha of land to facilitate future Crediton Rugby Club and up to 1.1ha of land for future primary school; details of landscaping, public open space and other associated infrastructure and engineering operations and access and highway work following outline approval 17/00348/MOUT at Creedy Bridge, Crediton
It was agreed that the Clerk would draft a response and copy to Cllr G Barnell for comment before posting to MDDC. Comments to include concerns about increased traffic on the A377, questions about infrastructure including cycling provision, improved park and ride facilities and plans for public transport with a request that the wider planning implications and impact on the surrounding areas be considered
Cllr G Barnell suggested that a Parish Councillor should attend and speak at the Planning Committee when the application is discussed
4.2 Planning Decisions:
21/01983/HOUSE - Installation of 14 photovoltaic panels to stable roof Location: East Holme Farm Newton St Cyres Exeter EX5 5BS – grant permission
21/01942/HOUSE - Erection of extensions to form porch and office, installation of roof mounted solar panels and formation of store over garage at 14 Kingfisher Close, Newton St Cyres, EX5 5DH – grant permission
4.3 To note MDDC Parish Review
Details had been circulated. Councillors could comment individually if they wished.
4.4 To note consultation on MDDC Local Plan
Details had been circulated. There was a zoom consultation event for Parish Councils on 8 February and four public consultation events.
Cllr G Barnell noted that Crediton were developing a Masterplan originally just for Crediton but hopefully now covering surrounding areas which should allow planning to be more co-ordinated. Cllr G Barnell had requested a meeting with the new Head of Planning and Cllr J Enright and Cllr R Cashmore would also attend. It was agreed to put this topic back on the March agenda after the consultation events and to see what parish consultation may be needed.
4.5 District Councillor, Cllr G Barnell, to report on MDDC business relevant to the parish
Cllr G Barnell reported that MDDC’s council tax share would increase by the maximum allowed. Central Government were awarding a £150 non-repayable rebate in Council Tax bills for all households in Bands A-D plus making a £146 million fund available to MDDC to help with the cost of energy bills for those households on lower incomes of which part of this fund could be awarded on a discretionary basis.
Development at the old school site was on hold until the results of the arbitration were received so it was not known yet if any S106 monies would be payable. However, following the site meeting in December with DCC Highways, it had been confirmed that a crossing at Tytheing Close would not be part of the development as no scheme existed. Cllr J Enright would follow up with DCC and request that a scheme is put in place so that future monies from other developments can be considered for allocation. Crossing points would also be picked up at the next A377 Action Group meeting in March. It was noted that the hedge in SandDown Lane had yet to be replaced and the entrance made smaller.
Airband – Cllr G Barnell could arrange a meeting with Airband if required.
05/02/22 Finance
5.1 Update on Change to Unity Bank – to note banking fees need to be added to budget
The bank charges were noted. Only Cllr J Enright and Cllr D Hodge had access to the Unity Trust current account on line and other Councillors were requested to try and logon so that more than two Cllrs could authorise payments.
5.2 Parish Council Receipts Current Account: DCC Community Enhancement Fund - £1,000.00
5.3 Parish Council Payments Current Account
Since the agenda had been sent out, further invoices had been received from Greenhams for Road Warden equipment and the total payable was £236.39. The Clerk noted that the £9.99 itemised on the agenda for the Code of Practice manual was included in the salary and expenses figure.
Payments were agreed as:
|
Item |
Payee |
Purpose |
Amount £ |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5.2.1 |
Greenhams |
RWS equipment (already paid) |
555.60 |
|
5.2.2 |
Greenhams |
RWS equipment |
236.39 |
|
5.2.3 |
Unity Bank |
Bank charges (already deducted) |
18.00 |
|
5.2.4 |
Simon Saunders |
Grass cutting parish |
120.00 |
|
5.2.5 |
Simon Saunders |
Grass cutting churchyard |
80.00 |
|
5.2.6 |
NSC Parish Hall |
Room expenses and electricity (£40) |
79.00 |
|
5.3.8 |
J Hole |
Salary and expenses (Jan and Feb) |
805.65 |
|
5.3.9 |
HMRC |
PAYE (cheque payment) |
4.80 |
5.4 To approve signatures for this month’s payments – online and one cheque
Online – Cllr J Enright and Cllr D Hodge; Cheque – Cllr G Quicke and Cllr S Parker
5.5 Balances (after above transactions)
5.5.1 Parish Council Current Account balance: £13,871.44
5.5.2 Footpath Account: £268.02
5.5.3 Car Park resurfacing fund balance: £7,514.78
5.6 Financial Statement and Budget Monitor
Noted
5.7 To consider request from Citizens advice for donation
A grant request letter had been circulated and it was resolved to grant £100.00
06/02/22 Matters raised by the Chair
6.1 Update on Housing Needs Survey
The Housing Needs Survey had been sent to houses in the parishes with a closing date of 20 February. It was reported that houses in Kingfisher Close had not received a copy and the Clerk would follow this up with Devon Communities Together.
6.2 Update on Neighbourhood Plan
A meeting would be held to try and form a Steering Group. It was agreed to combine this meeting with the Annual Parish Meeting and the Clerk would check available dates for the third week in March with the date to be published as soon as possible. A speaker on Neighbourhood Plans would be considered.
07/02/22 Councillor’s Reports
7.1 Areas of Responsibility reports
Footpaths – Cllr S Parker had new signs to erect at Newton Wood
Boniface Trail – Cllr S Parker reported that DCC’s consultants had been in contact with the Group to arrange a meeting to discuss the trail ahead of their feasibility study. A press update had been drafted for the local paper and the Newton Wonder. A letter would be sent to land owners in Half Moon to update them and check they were still willing to work with the Group
7.1.1 Allotments – to discuss Allotment Association benefits
One allotment tenant had requested further information on forming an Allotment Association and details from the Allotment Association had been circulated. It was agreed to discuss at the March meeting when Cllr L Ouldridge was present
7.1.2 Surgery - Report from January surgery and to allocate Cllrs for 2022
There had been a report of overgrown brambles in Station Road but it had been agreed that no action was required at the present time.
Surgeries for the next three months would be attended as follows:
12 February – Cllr S Parker
12 March – Cllr G Scopes
9 April – Cllr G Quicke
7.1.3 CRG – Notes from Co-ordinators meeting for information
Notes from the meeting held in December had been circulated.
7.1.4 Report from Raddon Hills Meeting
Notes from the January meeting had been circulated and were noted
7.1.5 Report from A377 Action Group
Notes from the January meeting had been circulated and were noted
08/02/22 Clerk’s Report - none
09/02/22 Parish Council
9.1 Climate – update from Climate Officer and to consider request for £100.00 support towards Community Climate conversation. Minuted here but taken in the public session
The Climate Officer reported that N.E.W Group were planning a Community Forum event on Saturday 2 April to discuss Energy, Food Security and the Health impact of climate issues. Community Groups including the school were being invited to take part and speakers from the University of Exeter and Devon Communities Together would make short introductory talks before participants would vote for the actions they most wanted to see. To introduce the topic there would be a presentation in the Parish Hall on 23 March, “What is all the Fuss about”.
The Parish Map would be on display at the Coffee morning on the 12 February
It was noted that climate issues were given priority in MDDC local Plan
The results of sampling from the River Creedy and Shuttern Brook would be available in a report shortly and were expected to show pollution.
A vote was taken in favour of granting up to £100.00 towards the Community Forum event. Where possible payments would be made direct to the relevant organisation and on production of receipts.
9.2 Road Warden Scheme – to note temporary shed storage has been found until April. To agree purchase of trailer for approximately £2,000.00 and to consider storage options for trailer.
It was agreed to purchase the trailer. Clerk to write to the Rec Committee with details of size and a picture and formally ask if it could be stored at the Rec. Cllr R Cashmore would be meeting with the volunteers shortly to plan work to be undertaken.
9.3 To consider options for Cloud Storage
Cllr R Cashmore would meet with the Clerk to progress this item
9.4 To note correspondence from Airband
Airband had appointed a Community Liaison Executive for the Parish who would be able to answer questions and supply further information if required.
9.5 To agree change of date for June Parish Council meeting as Thursday 2 June is a Bank Holiday
It was agreed to move the meeting to Thursday 9 June
9.6 To consider any plans for Queens Platinum Jubilee
Cllr J Enright had contacted various parish organisations to suggest a day of celebration on Sunday 5 June to include a mini revels event. Clerk to find out prices for commemorative mug for school children.
9.7 To consider taking out a zoom subscription at £119.90 yearly or £11.99 monthly
It was resolved to taken out an annual subscription
9.8 To consider a defibrillator for NSC School
The Clerk would find out if any funding was available.
10/02/22 Devon County Council – minuted here but taken after item 2
10.1 Outstanding Highways issues
Cllr M Squires had no updates on any of the outstanding issues
Blocked drains at Rewe Cross had previously been reported but had not been cleared.
10.2 New Highway issues
Standing water on Rixenford Lane – Clerk to report and pass reference number to Cllr M Squires to follow up.
10.3 County Councillor, Cllr M Squires, to report on DCC business relevant to the parish
A report had been circulated and was noted. Cllr M Squires reported that she had driven down Station Road with our Neighbourhood Highways Officer who had expressed concern regarding the campervan parked by Kingfisher Close and vehicles parked on the brow of the hill near the junction with the A377 as these restricted the view when pulling out. However, as there are no parking restrictions, no action could be taken.
11/02/22 Miscellaneous Correspondence
Various newsletters/correspondence circulated
12/02/22 Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda
None noted
13/02/22 Date of next PC meeting: Thursday 3 March 2022, 7pm in the Club Room, Parish Hall
End of Formal Business
Public Participation
What could be done when roads were left muddy by farm vehicles? If the mud is very bad then it can be reported to DCC and the farmer asked to clean it up
The depth markers were not in the correct place at Langford. Clerk to ask Road Warden volunteers to take a look
The meeting closed at 9pm