Minutes from December 2019 meeting

Shobrooke Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council meeting held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 10 December 2019

The meeting commenced at 7.30pm 

Members Present: 

Cllr C Furse (Chair)                Cllr A Jones

Cllr B Curle                             Cllr L Pitts

Cllr J Ingham                       

In attendance:

Cllr G Barnell, MDDC (left 8.10pm), J Hole, Parish Clerk 

Business to be Transacted

Public Participation

There was no public present 

Formal Business

01/12/19     Apologies  

Cllr C Boult (unwell), Cllr M Squires, DCC, Cllr A Ripper (work commitments, apology received after the meeting) 

02/12/19     Declaration of Interest

None noted 

03/12/19     Minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 12 November 2019

Agreed and signed as a true record, subject to a minor amendment 

04/12/19     To consider any applicants for co-option – two posts are available

There were no applicants 

05/12/19     Mid Devon District Council

5.1              Planning Applications

None                                 

5.2              Planning Decisions:          

19/01375/HOUSE and 19/01380/LBC – Erection of two storey rear extension and side porch and new window openings at 1 Blackmoor Cottages, Shobrooke – grant permission

5.3              To note MDDC have updated their Code of Conduct

Details had been circulated and it was resolved to adopt the updated MDDC code with immediate effect.  Clerk to print copies of the hospitality form for completion at next meeting.

5.4              Report from MDDC Councillor, Cllr G Barnell on MDDC business relevant to the parish

A report had been circulated and Cllr G Barnell gave a brief verbal report regarding the Greater Exeter Strategic plan (GESP).  The GESP plan will be a detailed plan setting out development areas in the four authorities involved (Mid Devon, Exeter, East Devon and Teignbridge). The plan will set out development areas in a structured way aiming to avoid ad hoc developments.  Infulstructure, especially roads and rail were an issue particularly in Mid Devon.  Following the revisions required by the Inspectorate, the local plan had been passed by MDDC’s cabinet and would be out for consultation shortly and should be adopted in April 2020.  However, the GESP would sit above the Local Plan.  Cllr G Barnell reported that he was committed to safeguarding the rural nature of Newton St Cyres and Shobrooke as much as possible and he would encourage the parish to take part in the consultation process and to discuss with neighbouring parishes.  There would also be a Crediton masterplan which it was hoped would extend out to the parishes.  

Councillors enquired about the development at Peddlers Pool and Cllr G Barnell reported that the details were being negotiated including the S106 agreement and the number of houses.  He would be attending a meeting tomorrow about the development and would update the PC after this meeting.   He agreed to find out about the Parish Council’s request for an impact assessment on traffic going through Shobrooke

Cllr B Curle asked how many council houses MDDC would be building and Cllr G Barnell said this was not known at the present time and would be budget dependent.  He was keen to ensure council houses were built, as well as social housing.  It was acknowledged that the right to buy was a major issue but it was hoped that the government would modify the legislation by the time MDDC had built additional houses.

Cllr G Barnell left the meeting 

06/12/19     Road and Footpaths

6.1              Outstanding Road and Footpath issues

It was noted that the drain by Church Lane appeared to be working.

6.2              New issues identified

Pot holes on the road from Exeter Hill Cross to A3072 had been notified to the Clerk and would be reported to DCC

6.3              To agree location for 20 is plenty signs

Cllr A Jones would ask the Hall committee if a sign could be put on the wooden post by the entrance to the Village Hall.  The other location was agreed as the front of the BT kiosk 

07/12/19     Finance

7.1              Parish Council receipts Current Account: £250.00 from Allotment Association (to agree to ringfence for play equipment).  It was resolved to ringfence £250.00 for play equipment.  Clerk to send a note of thanks to the Treasurer of the Allotment Association

7.2              Parish Council payments current account:

These were agreed as:                                  

Item	Payee	Purpose	Amount £
7.2.1	J Hole (reimbursement)	2 x salt bins	341.74
7.2.2	Archer Safety Signs	2 x 20 is plenty signs	148.86
7.2.3	J Hole	Salary and expenses	225.55
7.2.4	HMRC	PAYE	12.00

                                                                                                                                        

7.3              To resign a cheque to J Hill following the banks refusal to cash the cheque as according to their files, Cllr L Pitts is not a signatory.   To note a complaint has been sent to the bank.

Noted

7.4              To complete the forms to add Cllr L Pitts as a signatory

The form was duly completed and given to Cllr L Pitts to take to the bank for ID verification.

7.5              To approve signatures for this month’s cheques

Cllr C Furse and Cllr B Curle

7.6              Balances:

7.6.1           Parish Council Current Account balance: £1,389.79

7.6.2           Parish Council Footpath balance (in above current account figure): £311.74

7.6.3           Parish Council Reserve Account balance: £7,793.69 (£3,250.00 ringfenced for play equipment)

7.7              Financial Statement and Budget Monitor

Noted

7.8              Quarterly Bank Reconciliation

Duly signed

7.9              To consider grant request from Mid Devon Mobility

Details had been circulated.  16 people in the parish used the facility.  After discussion  it was resolved to grant £100.00

7.10            To agree budget and precept for 2020/21

A detailed draft budget had been circulated and after discussion it was resolved to increase the precept by 3% from £5,358.00 to £5,518.00 

08/12/19     Councillor’s Reports                                    

8.1              To consider any Councillor reports for areas of responsibility

Cllr C Boult had installed the two new salt bins.  The bin by the Church had not been filled and DCC would be chased again

8.2              Playing Fields report

No report had been received, but it was confirmed that inspections were being carried out.   Clerk to find out about online reports 

09/12/19     Clerk’s Report

9.1              None 

10/12/19     Parish Council

10.1             To consider any training needs for new co-opted councillors

Deferred

10.2            To agree shortlisted companies for play equipment and arrangements for quotes

Following a shortlisting meeting it was resolved to apply for S106 funding for a Swingalong Metal monkey bars, a 4-seater springy turtle and a two-seater springy duck. Clerk to arrange for quotes.  Cllr C Furse would meet sales reps at the play park if required.                       

10.3            Update on mobile phone signal

The Church had made enquiries with the Diocesan and would be willing to consider a mast.  The Clerk would contact O2 and EE and obtain some photos of masts to pass on to the church                  

11/12/19     Devon County Council

11.1            Report from DCC Councillor, Cllr M Squires on DCC business relevant to the parish 

A report had been circulated and was noted 

12/12/19     Miscellaneous Correspondence

Ash Die back – circulated separately.  Clerk to find out what trees are available for free including from the Woodland Trust

Devon Carbon Plan Activity– circulated separately 

13/12/19     Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda

Cllr L Pitts had received a complaint about a dog and would forward details to the Clerk who would advise parishioner on who to contact at MDDC

Christmas Cards – it was agreed to send e-mail cards this year 

14/12/19     Date of next meeting: Tuesday 14 January 2020 at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall 

End of formal business

The meeting closed at 9.10pm