Minutes from February 2020 meeting

Shobrooke Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council meeting held in the Village Hall on Tuesday 10 February 2020

The meeting commenced at 7.30pm

Members Present: 

Cllr C Furse (Chair)                Cllr J Ingham

Cllr C Boult                            Cllr A Jones

Cllr B Curle                            

In attendance:

Cllr M Squires, DCC (arrived 8.30pm), J Hole, Parish Clerk 

Business to be Transacted

Public Participation

There was no public present 

01/02/20     Apologies  

Cllr G Barnell (MDDC) personal, Cllr A Ripper – work commitments (apology received after the meeting), Cllr L Pitts (apology received after the meeting)                   

02/02/20     Declaration of Interest

None noted 

03/02/20     Minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 14 January 2020

Agreed and signed as a true record 

04/02/20     To consider any applicants for co-option – two posts are available

There were no candidates 

05/02/20     Mid Devon District Council

5.1              Planning Applications

None                                           

5.2              Planning Decisions:

None

5.3              To consider Local Government Boundary Commission public consultation proposals for Mid Devon which reduce MDDC wards by 3 and change ward boundaries. 

An email had been circulated with details of the proposals which included moving Shobrooke to a larger ward with Sandford parish and splitting it from Newton St Cyres.  It was agreed to put this item on the next agenda to allow discussion with Cllr G Barnell who was opposed to the proposals.  It was felt that a better map and more information was required in order to make comments 

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

Cllr G Barnell had emailed a report stating that he hoped to meet with DCC soon to discuss the request for a 20mph speed.  Item carried forward to next agenda 

06/02/20     Road and Footpaths

6.1              Outstanding Road and Footpath issues

Various pot holes

The damaged drain opposite the old Post Office had been repaired 

6.2              New issues identified

An email had been received from a parishioner complaining about the standing water on the bend by Shobrooke Park. Clerk to report to DCC

Bus stop trip hazard – Clerk to report to DCC

Pot holes on the road to Uppincott and by Shobrooke House – Clerk to report to DCC

Blocked drains by Moor Farm on right of entrance – Clerk to report to DCC 

6.3              Update on location of 20 is plenty signs

It was agreed to put one sign on the lamppost by the old BT Kiosk and the other one near the steps opposite the Village Hall.  Cllr A Jones would supply the materials and carry out the work 

07/02/20     Finance

7.1              Parish Council receipts Current Account:

                  

Item	Payee	Purpose	Amount £
7.1.1	HMRC	VAT refund	548.05

                                                                                                                                      

7.2              Parish Council payments current account

                   These were agreed as:              

                  

Item	Payee	Purpose	Amount £
7.2.1	Shobrooke Parish Hall	Hire of room	126.00
7.2.2	J Hole	Salary and expenses	233.40
7.2.3	HMRC	PAYE	12.00

                                                                                                                                   

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: £1,439.35

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

7.4.3           Parish Council Reserve Account balance: £7,795.67 (£3,250.00 ringfenced for play equipment)

7.5              Financial Statement and Budget Monitor

Noted 

08/02/20     Councillor’s Reports                                    

8.1              To consider any Councillor reports for areas of responsibility

The next Raddon Hills meeting is on 24 February

Snow warden report – Cllr C Boult reported that he had used 10 bags of salt to date and technically it was meant for use in snowy conditions and not icy conditions.  Councillors confirmed they were in agreement that it should be used in icy weather and as required.  Clerk to put note in Brooke to let parishioners know they can use the salt in the grit bins to spread on pavements and roads if required.  Also, to inform parishioners that in icy weather, the road from Shobrooke Cross to Nomansland would be gritted first

The salt bins had not been refilled and the Clerk would chase DCC again and also inform DCC of the location of the new grit bins and ask them to allocate numbers

It was agreed to order two metal road signs stating icy conditions which Cllr C Boult would store and use when needed. 

8.2              Playing Fields report

A report was circulated at the meeting and showed no major issues, except for the Zip wire which Cllr C Boult reported would be closed down temporarily to allow for a full inspection.  One of the swing seats was showing signs of wear and may need replacing shortly

The park was very wet and it was not possible to cut the grass or do much work at the present time.  Cllr C Furse would liaise with the allotment association regarding spending their donation. Perhaps plaques detailing donations received could be put up in the park.  The playing field report sheet would be amended to include a check box for “Nature area – hedging”.  Clerk to investigate possible grants for developing a nature area. 

09/02/20     Clerk’s Report

9.1              None 

10/02/20     Parish Council

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

Deferred

10.2            Update on grant applications for play equipment

The MDDC Officer dealing with the grant application was currently off sick so the grant had yet to be approved. Cllr M Squires advised that the parish could apply for a Locality grant towards new play equipment. 

10.3             Woodland Trust – application has been made.  DCC Landmark Tree – One applied for.  To agree planting and care etc

The Clerk reported that the application to the Woodland Trust had been accepted and 420 saplings for hedging would be available in November.  After discussion it was resolved not to accept the DCC Landmark Tree but to apply again next year once the new play equipment was in place. 

11/02/20     Devon County Council

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

Cllr M Squires noted the consultation on the boundary changes which would mean an increased ward and thought that Shobrooke parish had similarities with Sandford Parish.

DCC were producing some business cards with details of who to contact at Highways and it was hoped these would be available at the next meeting.  Cllr M Squires confirmed she was aware of the standing water on the bend and would try to progress this together with the request for more salt supplies 

12/02/20     Miscellaneous Correspondence

Free defibrillator training in Crediton                  

13/02/20     Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda   

None 

14/02/20     Date of next meeting: Tuesday 10 March 2020 at 7.30 pm in the Village Hall 

End of formal business 

The meeting closed at 8.50pm