Minutes from March 2018 Meeting

Shobrooke Parish Council

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

The meeting commenced at 7.30pm 

Members Present: 

Cllr R Ayre (Chairman)                       Cllr A Jones

Cllr C Boult                                         Cllr J Lee

Cllr B Curle                                         Cllr L Pitts

Cllr C Furse                                         Cllr A Ripper              

Cllr J Ingham   

In attendance:

Cllr P Hare-Scott, MDDC (left 8pm), Fred Harper (left 7.45pm), J Hole, Parish Clerk                  

Business to be Transacted

Public Participation

There was none

Formal Business

01/03/18     Apologies

Cllr M Squires, DCC (another meeting)

 

02/03/18     Declaration of Interest

None 

03/03/18     Minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 13 February 2018

Agreed and signed as a true record 

04/03/18     Mid Devon District Council

4.1              Planning Applications:

18/00345/PNAG - Prior notification for the erection of an agricultural storage building and changing facility at lane to Creedy Barton, Shobrooke.  Cllr J Lee declared an interest as a neighbour.  No comment

17/01623/FULL - Erection of an extension to existing livestock building to provide storage for manure; an extension to cover a cattle handling area and an extension to cover a cattle loafing area at Uppincott Farm, Shobrooke – no comment

4.2              Planning Decisions:

None                   

4.3              Report from Cllr P Hare-Scott

The budget had been approved by full council. MDCC portion of Council tax would increase by 3% due to reducing government grants and DCC’s portion would also increase by 3% due to increasing care costs. The local plan was moving forward and a sustainability consultation had started.  Without an approved local plan, it was harder for MDDC to control development and Cllr P Hare-Scott hoped the plan would be finally approved by the inspectorate later this year. 

05/03/18     Road and Footpaths

5.1              Outstanding Road and Footpath issues

Pot hole between Exeter Hill Cross and Stumpy Cross – reported

Drains at Exeter Hill Cross and Church. The Clerk confirmed that the blocked drain by the bus stop had been reported.  DCC website stated that the entire village had been added to the list for jetting but dates were not available

Dog fouling signs – to be ordered

The Clerk reported that the pot hole by the village hall was on a private road and not the responsibility of DCC.

Cllr J Ingham asked if the Parish Council could do some of the minor pothole repairs?  The Clerk stated that we could join the Road Warden scheme and a volunteer would need to complete the Chapter 8 training course.  Funding was available for the course and DCC would supply a small amount of materials for work to be carried out.

5.2              New issues identified

Pot hole 50m east of Camps Bridge – Clerk to report

Fred Harper, Footpath Warden gave a brief verbal report.  The paths in Shobrooke continued to be well used and an article in the February edition of the Devon Life Magazine featured a walk in the parish.  There were three minor repairs required:  FP3 (repair to step), FP8 (new handrail) and FP12 (replacement board).  An estimate for the work to FP3 and FP8 was £60.00 plus VAT and adding FP12 would probably take the cost to £80.00 Councillors agreed this work could go ahead.  Fred reported that one of the contractors previously used for footpath work had left the country and we would need to use DCC approved contractor James Ayre more often.   Cllr R Ayre declared an personal interest.  Councillors agreed unanimously as long as the work did not exceed the limit for requiring more than one quote.  Fred reported that the footpath grant for next year would be £340.00.  Fred asked if councillors were happy with the level and quantity of his reporting and Councillors confirmed they were very happy and also very pleased with the work Fred carried out as Footpath Warden.  Fred left the meeting. 

06/03/18     Finance

6.1              To approve signatures for this month’s cheques

The bank had confirmed that the two new signatories had been added to the current account

Cllr C Furse and Cllr R Ayre agreed to sign this month

6.2              Parish Council receipts Current Account:          

                  

Item	Payer	Purpose	Amount £
6.2.1	HMRC	VAT Refund	714.41

                                                                                                                                               

 

6.3              Parish Council payments current account:

The invoice from J Ayre had not been received so payment would be deferred until the invoice had been received.  Item 6.3.2 was agreed

                  

Item	Payer	Payee	Amount £
6.3.1	J Ayre	Repair to bridge on FP17	168.00
6.3.2	J Hole	Salary and expenses	165.48

                                                                                                                                                     6.4              Balances:

6.4a             Parish Council Current Account balance: £2,323.28

6.4b             Parish Council Footpath balance (in above current account figure): £33.74

6.4c              Parish Council Reserve Account balance: £5,789.31

6.5               Financial Statement and Budget Monitor

Noted 

07/03/18     Councillor’s Reports                                    

7.1              To consider any Councillor reports for areas of responsibility

Snow Warden report – Cllr C Boult updated the meeting on the work he carried out during the recent snowy weather.  Three salt bins were empty.  Clerk to notify DCC.  Councillors thanked Cllr C Boult for his work during this period and it was resolved to send a note of thanks to Moor Farm who had helped to clear the road.

7.1a            Report from Raddon Hills Meeting – including Broadband update

Cllr R Ayre gave a brief report of the meeting which had taken place on 27 February in Shobrooke.  The police reported that there was no news on the future of Crediton police station.  Alarmed locks were available to buy for £7.00.  Extra money from central government for pot hole repairs had been allocated and it was hoped that pot holes that didn’t meet the criteria but were near to pot holes that did meet the criteria could be filled at the same time.  There was a discussion on the ownership of grass verges – DCC had said that the landowner was responsible down to the road side.  A representative from DCC Highways had been invited to the next meeting to discuss issues.  Cllr M Squires had advised that Matt Barrow at DCC should be able to advise on broad band issues and it was resolved that the Clerk should contact him and invite him to speak at the Annual Parish Meeting in May.  Thorverton had a chapter 8 trained handyman that parishes could hire.  A consultation from the Greater Exeter Strategy group should be out in the summer and it was important for all parishes to consider this.  The Boniface trail had submitted a planning application for the central three-mile section of the route through Newton St Cyres. 

08/03/18     Clerk’s Report

8.1              None       

09/03/18     Parish Council

9.1              Playing Field

9.1a            To consider latest Inspection Report

No new issues were identified.  The Clerk had booked the annual inspection and this should be carried out in March

9.1b            ROSPA can provide a training course for the person carrying out weekly inspections at a cost of £235.00.  Annual inspections would still be required

It was agreed that a training course was not required as Cllr C Boult had previously given training to the Friends of the playpark.  It was noted that vehicles were still parking in front of the playing field gate.  As the Council owned the grass verge it was resolved that the Clerk should obtain a quote for installing 4 removable poles.

9.2              To consider cost of Smart Water – two packages required to cover Defibrillator and Bench at a total cost of £43.00.  Two metal signs will be provided for the bench

It was resolved to purchase two packages

9.3              Update on installation of defibrillator

Cllr A Jones had set up the defibrillator and it was ready for use.  Children’s pad were  included.  The battery would need changing in 2022.

9.4              Maintenance of BT Kiosk

Although previously agreed to take out the panels out for painting, Cllr A Jones now thought it would be better to paint the panels in situ as a special tool was required to remove them.   Cllr A Jones would paint the ceiling and then arrange for the defibrillator cabinet to be fixed.  Volunteers to help paint the kiosk would be required and Councillors would help out when possible.

9.5              Feedback from MDDC Training on planning and S106 held on 7 March 2018

Three Councillors and the Clerk had attended the training which had proved useful.  Clerk to send a note of thanks to MDDC.  Parish councils were being asked to nominate projects for S106 contributions.   Shobrooke had already nominated a fence for the play park and new play equipment  

10/03/18     Devon County Council

10.1            Report from Cllr M Squires

There was no report 

11/03/18     Miscellaneous Correspondence

None 

12/03/18     Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda

It was noted that the trees opposite the pub had been trimmed by the electricity company. 

13/03/18     Date of next meeting: Tuesday 10 April 2018 in the Village Hall at 7.30 pm. 

 

End of formal business 

The meeting closed at 8.30pm