Minutes from June 2019 meeting

Shobrooke Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council meeting held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 11 June 2019 

The meeting commenced at 7.30pm 

Members Present: 

Cllr C Furse (Chair)                Cllr A Jones

Cllr B Curle                             Cllr A Ripper

Cllr J Ingham                                                            

In attendance:

Cllr M Squires, DCC (left 8pm), Cllr G Barnell, MDDC (left 8.30pm), J Hole, Parish Clerk 

Business to be Transacted

Public Participation

There was no public present 

01/06/19     Apologies

Cllr C Boult (unwell), Cllr L Pitts (family reasons)

 

02/06/19     Declaration of Interest

Cllr J Ingham – DPI item 5 planning 

03/06/19     Minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 14 May 2019

Agreed and signed as a true record 

04/06/19     To consider any applicants for co-option – two posts are available

There were no candidates present.  Cllr C Furse asked Councillors to keep canvassing for potential candidates. 

05/06/19     Mid Devon District Council

5.1              Planning Applications:

19/00852/HOUSE – conversion of outbuilding to an Artist Studio at Pennicott Farm

Cllr J Ingham left the room.  Councillors had no comment on this application and Cllr J Ingham returned to the room

5.2              Planning Decisions

19/00628/HOUSE – Erection of porch at Rose Cottage, Shute – grant permission     

19/00568/FULL and 19/00571/LBC – Demolition of cloakroom and porch, internal alterations, erection of a porch and extension to North elevation and extension to existing conservatory to South elevation with alteration to window over, replacement of tile roof with natural slate and erection of a garage block at Lower Living, Shobrooke – grant permission

5.3              Report from MDDC Councillor, Cllr Graeme Barnell on MDDC business relevant to the parish

Cllr G Barnell gave a brief verbal report.  A new Housing Officer for Shobrooke was starting employment in July and Cllr G Barnell had arranged to inspect School Close on 23 July at 2pm with her together with Darren Beer (MDDC grounds maintenance).  Any Councillors were welcome to attend.  Cllr G Barnell explained he had been appointed to MDDC’s cabinet and was responsible for Planning and Regeneration. A lot of new houses were planned in order to meet the Governments housing targets, but most of the planned developments were at Cullompton and Tiverton with only a small amount in Crediton.  It was noted that the site at Peddler’s Pool had been granted outline planning permission but no further actions had taken place. 

Cllr A Jones reported he had received a query on the use of the old sewage works near the play park which were untidy and after discussion it was agreed that the Clerk should write to the land owner for more information on the land’s use. 

06/07/19     Road and Footpaths

6.1              Outstanding Road and Footpath issues (discussed as part of item 11.1)

Various pot hole between Exeter Hill Cross and Stumpy Cross. Cllr A Ripper reported that these had mostly been filled.  Cllr M Squires would check on her next inspection with Highways

Drains at Exeter Hill Cross – update from DCC – This gully has been added to the annual inspection. When last inspected by our gully team 07/03/19 they have reported that the cover was stuck and this has now been forwarded to our contractor to repair and then clean.  There was no update

6.2              To confirm reporting arrangements for P3 issues after August

It was agreed to formally ask Carol Maher to take on responsibility for the P3 scheme and to be the Footpath Warden.  Cllr C Furse agreed to discuss this with her.  If she was willing then this would be confirmed in writing.  The parishioner who had volunteered to walk the paths could then report any issues direct to the warden

6.3              New issues identified

A few footpath issues had been reported to the Clerk who had passed these on to the Footpath Warden.  Strimming would be undertaken by DCC as soon as possible but it was a busy time of year. 

07/06/19     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	Shobrooke Parish Council Reserve Account	Transfer of funds	2,000.00
7.2.2	Shobrooke PCC	Grant maintenance of churchyard	400.00
7.2.3	Shobrooke PCC	Maintenance of war memorial	100.00
7.2.4	J Hole	Salary and expenses	200.26
7.2.5	HMRC	PAYE	8.40

                                                                                                                                     

7.3              To approve signatures for this month’s cheques

                   Cllr C Furse and Cllr B Curle

7.4              Balances:

7.4.1           Parish Council Current Account balance: £4,210.17

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

7.4.3           Parish Council Reserve Account balance: £7,793.17(£3,000.00 ringfenced for play equipment)

7.5              Financial Statement and Budget Monitor

Noted

7.6              Quarterly bank reconciliation - available at the meeting for checking and signing

Duly signed 

08/06/19     Councillor’s Reports                                    

8.1              To consider any Councillor reports for areas of responsibility

There was none

8.2              Playing Fields report

Cllr C Boult had advised the Clerk that there was a problem with dog mess in the play park and he requested that Councillors keep a check were possible on any dogs entering the park.  There had been some damage to the multi-play equipment which had now been repaired.  A volunteer was being trained in how to complete the weekly inspection reports.

The Clerk had not received any response from the request in The Brooke for volunteers to help with the future running of the play park and it was agreed to post a notice on the noticeboard.  

09/06/19     Clerk’s Report

9.1              To note three councillors are booked on the Planning training course

Noted 

10/06/19     Parish Council

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

Deferred

10.2            To sign risk assessments

The risk assessments for working from home, grass cutting, overall risk and using a towable gritter were duly signed by the Chair.  Risk Assessments are available on the website.

10.3            To note cost of new pads for defibrillator of £60.00 adult and £80.00 child.  Shelf life is 2 years and they can be shipped in 1-2 working days. Current adult pads expire March 2020 and child pads expire October 2019

It was resolved to purchase new child pads in October 2019. 

Minuted here but taken after item 5

11/06/19     Devon County Council

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

Cllr M Squires reported that she was a member of the Children’s Scrutiny Committee and a Members Champion for NEET and had also been elected as Vice Chairman of DCC.  Councillors passed on their congratulations.

 Cllr A Jones enquired if there was any update on the requirement for contractors to guarantee their work for five years instead of the three years as currently?  Cllr M Squires was not aware of any update.

12/06/19     Miscellaneous Correspondence

Election to DALC County Committee

Devon Communities Action for Wildlife Conference

Self Build Seminar

Connecting Devon and Somerset – it was noted that internet speeds in Shute and Efford continued to be extremely slow.  Clerk to contact Matt Barrow for update                 

13/06/19     Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda

Cllr A Jones advised that the Village Hall would not be available for the August meeting.  It was agreed to decide at the next meeting if an August meeting was required and it was noted that the Clerk would be on holiday in August 

14/06/19     Date of next meeting: Tuesday 9 July 2019 in the Village Hall at 7.30 pm  

Part II

Members of the press and public will be excluded from Part II in order that sensitive information can be considered confidentially 

15/06/19     Grass cutting at playpark – to note costs for hire of equipment

Details of costs had been circulated.  It was resolved to retain the existing arrangements to January 2021 and the Clerk would confirm these with the volunteer. 

16/06/19     To consider request by Clerk for a review of hours of work and salary point.

The Clerk left the room whilst discussion took place.   It was resolved to increase the Clerks hours to 20 hours per month and increase the salary point to point 21 with effect from 1 July 2019.  This would be reviewed in 6 months and the Clerk job description and allowance would also be reviewed. 

End of formal business

 

The meeting closed at 8.45pm