Minutes from October 2018 Meeting
Shobrooke Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council meeting held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 9 October 2018
The meeting commenced at 7.30pm
Members Present:
Cllr R Ayre (Chairman) Cllr C Furse
Cllr C Boult Cllr J Ingham
Cllr B Curle Cllr A Jones
In attendance:
Cllr P Heal, Chairman MDDC, Cllr P Hare-Scott, MDDC (left 8.05pm), Cllr M Squires, DCC (left 8.15pm), J Hole, Parish Clerk
Business to be Transacted
Public Participation
Cllr R Ayre welcomed Cllr P Heal, Chairman MDDC to the meeting. Cllr P Heal gave a brief report. The local plan was with the inspectorate and the land at J27 had been inspected. It was hoped that a date for other inspections would be notified shortly. Once the plan was adopted it would help MDDC in determining planning applications that were on unadopted sites. Budgets were being worked on with the knowledge that Government funding for local councils would be zero by 2020. Government funding for local authorities to build new council homes had been announced and MDDC were waiting for more details from the Government. A new national planning policy framework had been issued by the Government with the notes and guidance to follow. MDDC development company, “Three Rivers Developments” would be looking at building affordable homes. Some homes would be sold at market value and would help to subsidise the affordable homes. Cllr P Heal explained that his role as Chairman included lots of civic duties and he is aiming to visit all the Parish Councils in mid Devon by the end of his tenure in May 2019. He reported that generally he received a good reception at PC meetings and tries to help with issues where he can. Cllr J Ingham asked how does the right to buy scheme affect building new council houses? Cllr P Heal replied that new council homes and affordable homes could be protected from right to buy legislation. When homes are sold under the right to buy scheme, not all the money comes to the district council. Right to buy applications need to meet certain criteria which was strictly enforced so not all applications are approved. Cllr R Ayre thanked Cllr P Heal for attending
Formal Business
01/10/18 Apologies
Cllr J Lee (away), Cllr A Ripper (away)
02/10/18 Declaration of Interest
None noted
03/10/18 Minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 11 September 2018
Agreed and signed as a true record
04/10/18 Mid Devon District Council
4.1 Planning Applications
18/01292/FULL - Conversion of mill buildings to form one dwelling, two holiday flats, office and associated parking (Revised Scheme) at Shobrooke Mill, Shobrooke – no comment
18/01294/LBC - Listed Building Consent for the conversion of mill buildings to form one dwelling, two holiday flats, office and associated parking (Revised Scheme) at Shobrooke Mill, Shobrooke – no comment
18/01402/HOUSE - Erection of a replacement garden store/workshop at Oak Cottage, Shobrooke – no comment
18/01498/FULL - Erection of an agricultural livestock building at Hill Farm, East Village, Crediton – no comment
4.2 Planning Decisions:
None
4.3 Report from Cllr P Hare-Scott
Cllr P Hare-Scott gave a brief report noting that MDDC was on budget for this year. Next years budget would be under pressure and this was increased due to uncertainty surrounding the future of the new homes bonus and business rates.
05/10/18 Road and Footpaths
5.1 Outstanding Road and Footpath issues
i) Drains opposite the village hall/bus stop – on list to be jetted
ii) Poor road surface by Creedy Court – no update
iii) Damaged bridge by Lower Coombe Cottages – no update
iv) Junction at Church lane where the road surface needs to be finished properly – DCC attended site on 18/9/18 there are no trip hazards and evidence of recent repairs onsite which is likely to have removed issue. Clerk to e-mail advisory e-mail received from Hgihways to Cllr M Squires and ask if the white lines will be repainted.
The footpath Warden had informed the Clerk that DCC’s P3 workshop would be held in Shobrooke at the Red Lion on 12 November and would include a parish paths walk. It was hoped that the two outstanding footpaths jobs would be completed shortly.
5.2 New issues identified
None
5.3 To note meeting with land owner re works to the allotment path – to source contractor to carry out works
Cllr B Curle had met with the land owner who was in agreement with the works to be carried out. The surface of the path had yet to be determined and Cllr B Curle would discuss with the land owner. Clerk to obtain quotes for the work and Cllr B Curle would meet contractors on site to explain requirements.
06/10/18 Finance
6.1 To approve signatures for this month’s cheques
Cllr C Furse and Cllr R Ayre
6.2 Parish Council receipts Current Account: None
6.3 Parish Council payments current account:
These were agreed as:
|
Item |
Payer |
Purpose |
Amount £ |
|---|---|---|---|
|
6.3.1 |
Jewson Ltd |
Materials for playpark |
77.29 |
|
6.3.2 |
J Hole |
Salary and expenses |
147.74 |
|
6.3.3 |
HMRC |
PAYE |
1.20 |
6.4 Balances:
6.4a Parish Council Current Account balance: £3,955.45
6.4b Parish Council Footpath balance (in above current account figure): £361.74
6.4c Parish Council Reserve Account balance: £5,791.00
6.5 Financial Statement and Budget Monitor
Noted
07/10/18 Councillor’s Reports
7.1 To consider any Councillor reports for areas of responsibility
Cllr C Boult reported that the towable gritter had been delivered. However, he had been told by MDDC Housing Officer that he was in breach of his housing tenancy by keeping it on his drive and he had one month to move it. It was not allowed to be parked on School Close. Cllr P Hare-Scott agreed to speak to the Housing Officer and the Clerk would send an e-mail explaining that this equipment had been supplied by DCC and was part of the parishes winter emergency planning. It would only be on the drive during the winter months to ensure it was ready to use if required. During other months it will be stored elsewhere under cover. It was understood that DCC would also be contacting MDDC.
08/10/18 Clerk’s Report
None
09/10/18 Parish Council
9.1 To sign Standing orders and Financial Regulations as agreed last month.
Carried forward to next month
9.2 Playing Field
9.2.1 To note latest inspection report
Inspection reports from past months and up to 23 September had been received and were circulated. A few issues were noted which had mostly been addressed
9.2.2 Report from maintenance weekend
Cllr C Boult reported a successfully maintenance weekend, with work carried out on the roundabout (Cllr A Jones now had a key for this), swings, basket swing and basketball goal. It was noted that the condition of the slide is detorating and Cllr C Boult suggested consideration be given to making this part of the park a nature area with signs to identify animals and plants. Clerk to investigate possible grants. Volunteers from Creedy Court and the village had helped and the Clerk would send a thank you note. Parking in front of the pedestrian gate was still an issue and it was resolved that the litter bin would be re-positioned and this would aid MDDC with waste collection. Visitors to the park had recently held a BBQ and stated that permission had been obtained from MDDC. The Clerk noted that an e-mail from MDDC had been received stating they were aware that the park was not a MDDC park. It was resolved that a “no BBQ” sign be erected under the playground rules and the Clerk would obtain a price.
9.2.3 Update on playground fencing
MDDC had confirmed that the S106 grant application had been successful, following the agreement of Newton St Cyres Parish Council who shared the S106 grant pot. A gate had been donated to the Parish Council and the Clerk had sent a note of thanks to the gate owner. Clerk to inform fencing contractor that we have a gate which could be inspected by prior arrangement with Cllr R Ayre who was storing it. It was noted that MDDC had still not finished repairs to the play park wall and this would impact on the installation of the new fencing. Cllr P Heal offered to visit the park tomorrow and inspect.
9.3 Update on Maintenance of BT Kiosk
The kiosk was waterproof with only the small bars yet to be painted. Two new lights had been donated and Cllr A Jones would fit one shortly.
9.4 Defibrillator Accreditation conformity and update on defibrillator awareness session
Cllr A Jones had accessed the website for making reports following the difficulties reported last month. He read out a letter for the ambulance service which detailed the weekly and monthly checks now required. It was resolved to put a book in the kiosk to record the checks being made. Cllr A Jones confirmed he would continue to make the checks as required. At least 20 people had expressed an interest in a defibrillator awareness session and Cllr C Boult would get some dates for when this could take place and Cllr C Furse would check availability at the Village Hall.
9.5 To note e-mail from parishioner re parking on road discussed last month – DCC are willing to consider enforcement action (such as lines/parking notice) if backed by Parish Council
Councillors did not wish to see lines and official parking notices put up. Once installed here, it may lead to further requests and it was felt that lines and notices were not appropriate for a village setting. Clerk to advise parishioner and suggest informal approach as previously advised should continue. Cllr J Ingham noted that parked vehicles at the junction by the road to Pennicott were causing an obstruction and agreed to speak to the owner.
Minuted here but take after Item 7
10/10/18 Devon County Council
10.1 Report from Cllr M Squires
Cllr M Squires reported that DCC were broadly on budget except for children’s services. DCC had a 53% recycling rate which was 4th across the country. Waste checks showed that not everyone was recycling properly and more work was required to improve recycling rates.
11/10/18 Miscellaneous Correspondence
Request for a letter of support for Crediton Repair Café - details had been circulated and it was resolved that the Clerk should send a letter of support and pass details to the Brooke
MDDC had informed the Clerk that a resident had requested that they did not mow the verges along the road junction with Silverway. However, MDDC would continue to do so unless instructed that the areas should be naturalised. It was noted that the bush behind the bus stop was overgrown and required cutting. Clerk to inform MDDC.
12/10/18 Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda
Noticeboard in the bus shelter
Dogs barking. Cllr P Heal offered to make enquiries as to possible actions
13/10/18 Date of next meeting: Tuesday 13 November in the Village Hall at 7.30 pm.
The meeting closed at 8.50pm