Minutes from July 2019 meeting

Shobrooke Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council meeting held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 9 July 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 8.20pm), J Hole, Parish Clerk 

Business to be Transacted 

Public Participation

There was no public present

Formal Business

01/07/19     Apologies  

Cllr C Boult (unwell), Cllr A Ripper (working), Cllr M Squires, DCC (another meeting) 

02/07/19     Declaration of Interest

None noted 

03/07/19     Minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 11 June 2019

Agreed and signed as a true record 

04/07/19     To consider any applicants for co-option – two posts are available

There were no candidates.    Cllr C Furse requested that all Councillors continue to try and find parishioners willing to be co-opted 

05/07/19     Mid Devon District Council

5.1              Planning Applications:

19/00878/FULL - Conversion of barns to 5 dwellings at Furze Farm, Shute

It was noted that this was a re-application as the previous application in 2014 had lapsed.  After discussion, it was resolved to object on the following grounds:  Five dwellings are likely to mean at last 10 extra vehicles. This will lead to an increase in traffic on small rural roads.  The road leading to Furze Farm is narrow with no passing places.  There is poor visibility at either end of the road for pulling out. The road itself is badly maintained and there are numerous pot holes. 

5.2              Planning Decisions

19/00140/OUT - to note appeal against refusal of outline application for the replacement of an existing lawful mobile home on the site with a permanent dwelling at The Mobile Home, Mill Ash Farm, Shobrooke - noted

5.3              Report from MDDC Councillor, Cllr Graeme Barnell on MDDC business relevant to the parish (to include report on MDDC Climate Change Target – information circulated separately) 

Cllr G Barnell explained that MDDC planning department had suspended their pre-planning advice service due to high demand and staffing shortages.  Only mandatory services would be maintained at present.  Cllr G Barnell informed councillors that he would be happy to find out more information on any planning applications prior to a Parish Council meeting if Councillors contacted him.

Cllr G Barnell explained that DCC had declared a climate emergency and were aiming to be carbon neutral by 2050.  MDDC had also declared a climate emergency and were aiming to be carbon neutral by 2030.  All council services and contracts would be reviewed including housing, building, planning and waste disposal.  There were no additional funds available to assist with this change.  Mid Devon’s Chief Executive was leading the project and consultation documents and policies would follow.  With regard to planning applications, current applications would not be judged against a carbon neutral agenda as new rules, policies and procedures were not in place yet.  Parish Councils may wish to consider how they can help the carbon neutral agenda as although they do not control many services, they could be influential in the Parish.  

06/07/19     Road and Footpaths

6.1        Outstanding Road and Footpath issues

Various pot hole between Exeter Hill Cross and Stumpy Cross

Drains at Exeter Hill Cross – This gully has been added to the annual inspection and a request sent to contractor to repair and clean.

6.2              To confirm Footpath Warden arrangements from August

Cllr C Furse had spoken to Carole Meher who had confirmed that she was willing to act as Footpath Warden from August.  Cllr A Ripper had offered to walk the footpaths in Shute and report any problems and this was agreed as a good idea.  The Clerk would ask DCC if there was a job description for a Footpath Warden.  A reporting system for noting any footpath work required would be drawn up so that work is reported to the Parish Council meeting and costed for agreement before the work takes place.

6.3              New issues identified

It was noted that some pot holes had been filled around the parish 

07/07/19     Finance

7.1              Parish Council receipts Current Account: None

7.2              Parish Council payments current account

                   These were agreed as:               

                  

Item	Payee	Purpose	Amount £
7.2.1	J Hole	Salary and expenses	226.25
7.2.2	HMRC	PAYE	15.00

 

The Clerk noted that an incorrect amount of PAYE was stated on the agenda and the amounts shown above are the correct figures.  The Clerk had sent off the bank amendment form and was waiting for confirmation that new signatories had been added and old signatories removed.

7.3              To approve signatures for this month’s cheques

Cllr C Furse and Cllr L Pitts

7.4              Balances:

 7.4.1          Parish Council Current Account balance: £3,968.92

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

7.4.3           Parish Council Reserve Account balance: £7,793.42 (£3,000.00 ringfenced for play equipment) 

7.5              Financial Statement and Budget Monitor

Noted 

08/07/19     Councillor’s Reports                                    

8.1              To consider any Councillor reports for areas of responsibility

None

8.2              Playing Fields report

Copies of the latest inspection report had been e-mailed to the Clerk and were passed around at the meeting. A few minor issues had been noted and Cllr C Furse reported that some work was taking place at the park to hopefully address some of these issues.  A volunteer had offered to assist with heavy lifting at the park as and when required, for example when the new poles are put in for the basket swing.  The report noted the present of dog mess. 

09/07/19     Clerk’s Report

None 

10/07/19     Parish Council

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

Deferred

10.2            To note any feedback from Planning training course attended by three councillors

Councillors reported that overall the training course was useful.  It was noted that site visits could be undertaken by the Parish Council and that objections to planning applications could be based on the National Planning Policy Framework and did not have to be solely related to local issues 

11/07/19     Devon County Council

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

There was no report 

12/07/19     Miscellaneous Correspondence

Stagecoach South West Annual Conference – Cllr A Jones would attend

Consultation by Devon Fire and Rescue – Clerk to put on September agenda

MDDC planning delays in responding to customers – discussed under 5.3                   

13/07/19     Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda

Some dogs were not being kept on leads when being walked along the permissive path at the allotment.  Clerk to check current sign.  It may be necessary to amend sign to say “This is a permissive path and not a right of way”.  Any change to be confirmed with land owner and a note requesting dog owners to keep dogs on leads to go in the next edition of the Brooke.

Clerk to send details of green energy fund to Village Hall 

14/07/19     Date of next meeting:  Tuesday 10 September 2019 at the Village hall at 7.30 pm, unless required in August 

End of formal business 

The meeting closed at 9.00pm