Minutes from February 2018 Meeting

Shobrooke Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council meeting held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 13 February 2018 

The meeting commenced at 7.30pm 

Members Present: 

Cllr R Ayre (Chairman)                       Cllr J Ingham

Cllr C Boult                                         Cllr A Jones

Cllr B Curle                                         Cllr J Lee

Cllr C Furse                                         Cllr A Ripper              

                

In attendance:

Cllr M Squires DCC (left 7.55pm), J Hole, Parish Clerk                  

Business to be Transacted

Public Participation

There was none

Formal Business 

01/02/18     Apologies

Cllr L Pitts (personal), Cllr P Hare-Scott, MDDC (personal)       

02/02/18     Declaration of Interest

None 

03/02/18     Minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 11 January 2018 

Agreed and signed as a true record 

04/02/18     Mid Devon District Council

4.1              Planning Applications:

18/00074/FULL - Variation of condition 3 of planning permission 15/00001/FULL to allow the ancillary accommodation to be used as short-term holiday let at The Old Bakery, Shute

A letter objecting to the variation had been received from the next-door neighbour to the Old Bakery and circulated to Councillors.  Cllr J Lee declared a personal interest (knows next door neighbour’s son). It was noted that there were very few parking spaces for visitors in Shute, although it was thought that three cars could fit on the property of The Old Bakery.  It was thought that the short-term holiday let would only take place occasionally during the year (6 or 7 times).  After discussion it was agreed to comment to planning concerns regarding the lack of parking spaces for visitors in Shute.

4.2              Planning Decisions:

17/01774/HOUSE – Erection of conservatory on front elevation at 2 Queens Park – grant permission

17/01613/FULL - Conversion of mill buildings to form one dwelling, two holiday flats, office, and associated parking at Shobrooke Mill – grant permission         

4.3              To note the Town and Parish Charter recently adopted by MDDC https://www.middevon.gov.uk/your-council/town-parish-councils/information-for-town-and-parish-councils/

Noted

4.4              To note consultation from Committee on Standards in Public Life: Consultation on Ethical Standards

Noted - no comments

4.5              Report from Cllr P Hare-Scott

No report 

05/02/18     Road and Footpaths

5.1              Outstanding Road and Footpath issues

Pot hole between Exeter Hill Cross and Stumpy Cross – this had been filled but had already lifted out.  Clerk to re-report

Drains at Exeter Hill Cross and Church Lane – reported. In addition, the drain near the bus shelter was blocked – Clerk to report

FP12 – letter received from agent – situation will be corrected as soon as weather permits

Dog fouling signs – to be ordered

5.2              New issues identified

Pot hole by Shute Cross and drain blocked by tarmac – Clerk to report

Drain blocked by tarmac

The Clerk reported that the P3 forms had been submitted to DCC together with a request for a grant for next year.

It was noted that a pot hole was developing by the entrance to the Village Hall.  However, it was not known who was responsible for this road.  Clerk to report to DCC 

06/02/18     Finance

6.1              To approve signatures for this month’s cheques

Cllr C Furse and Cllr J Lee

6.2              Parish Council receipts Current Account:           

                 

Item	Payer	Purpose	Amount £
6.2.1	DCC (community enhancement grant)	Road signs	135.00

                                                                                                                                                       

6.3              Parish Council payments current account:                    

                   

Item	Payer	Purpose	Amount £
6.3.1	Tiverton & District Community Transport Association	Ring and Ride	100.00
6.3.2	J Hole	Salary and expenses	186.65

                                                                                                                                                     

6.4              Balances:

6.4a            Parish Council Current Account balance: £1,942.35

6.4b           Parish Council Footpath balance (in above current account figure): -£52.12

6.4c            Parish Council Reserve Account balance: £5,789.08

6.5              Financial Statement and Budget Monitor

Noted.  £714.14 VAT had been reclaimed, £253.86 of which was footpaths. 

07/02/18     Councillor’s Reports                                    

7.1              To consider any Councillor reports for areas of responsibility   

It was reported that the “no parking” sign had now been put in the correct location in School Close

7.1a            Update on grant application for a towable gritter – application sent to DCC

The Clerk had met with Stephen Tucker, DCC Neighbourhood Highways Manager, and Cllr M Squires who had both agreed to support the grant application for a towable gritter.  The Clerk had submitted the application and expected to hear in March. 

08/02/18     Clerk’s Report

8.1              None        

09/02/18     Parish Council

9.1              Playing Field

9.1a            To consider latest Inspection Report

This had not been received

9.1b            To agree risk assessment for grass cutting at play park – draft circulated separately

A draft risk assessment had been circulated and this was agreed.  Clerk to send to volunteer grass cutter for comment.  Cllr A Jones had offered to help the volunteer when he was cutting the grass.

9.2              Update on security marking for new bench by the war memorial - Smart Water costs £25.00

It was resolved to purchase SmartWater as this could also be used on the defibrillator and the gritter if the grant was successful

9.3              Update on installation of defibrillator

The defibrillator had been purchased and was now with Cllr A Jones who would fix the cabinet into the BT kiosk.  Cllr J Lee advised that once the defibrillator was in place, he would arrange for an electrician to install and certify the installation.

9.4              Maintenance of BT Kiosk

The new parts for the kiosk had been received and were with Cllr A Jones who would oversee the repairs including painting.

9.5              Broadband – possible collective approach – item for Raddon Hills?It was agreed to put Broadband on the Raddon Hills agenda.  Coverage was poor everywhere in the parish except the central part of the village.   Clerk to complete DALC survey 

Minited here but take after item 4

10/02/18     Devon County Council

10.1            Report from Cllr M Squires

Cllr M Squires reported that DCC’s roads contractor, Skanska were new to the role and should be better prepared for the work required next year.  DCC would be increasing their portion on the council tax by 5.99% and MDDC would also be increasing to their permitted limit.  Most of DCC’s spending was on social care and children’s services.  A significant sum grant from central government for rural roads had been agreed.  It was likely that this additional money be split three ways – looking at improving drainage, pot hole repairs, including ones that did not meet the strict criteria and spending on rural roads that would not otherwise be improved 

11/02/18     Miscellaneous Correspondence

MDDC training – Planning and S106 – Clerk to book places for Cllr J Ingham, Cllr B Curle and Cllr R Ayre         

                  

12/02/18     Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda

Training course for inspection of playground equipment 

13/02/18     Date of next meeting: Tuesday 13 March 2018 in the Village Hall at 7.30 pm.  

End of formal business 

The meeting closed at 8.20pm