Minutes from November 2020 meeting
Shobrooke Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council meeting held via Zoom on
Tuesday 10 November 2020
The meeting commenced at 7.30pm
Members Present
Cllr C Furse (Chair) Cllr J Ingham
Cllr C Boult Cllr A Ripper
Cllr B Curle Cllr L Pitts
Cllr A Jones
In attendance:
Cllr M Squires, DCC (left 8pm), Cllr G Barnell, MDDC (left 8.05pm), J Hole, Parish Clerk
Public Participation
There was none
Formal Business
01/11/20 Apologies
Cllr M Boult (working)
02/11/20 Declaration of Interest
None noted
03/11/20 Minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 12 October 2020
Add Cllr A Jones as present at start of meeting. Agreed and signed as a true record
04/11/20 Mid Devon District Council
4.1 Planning Applications:
East Devon District Council 20/1517/FUL - Construction of digestate storage lagoon, with associated hardstanding and 2.4-metre-high security fencing at Land South of Rixenford Lane, Upton Pyne – Shobrooke PC are not consultees. However, the issues are with regard to accuracy of planning applications and how traffic implications can affect parishes outside the consultation area
Cllr G Barnell explained the background to this East Devon planning application and how it would affect Shobrooke parish. The transport assessment provided as part of the application identified very few vehicle movements, however the likely actual figure was estimated to be much higher with 70/80 vehicle movements per day. The quickest route from the A377 would be along Langford Road and turn right at Shute Cross. Although EDDC had notified MDDC of this application, MDDC had not passed this notification on to MDDC parishes who would be affected and Cllr G Barnell would be taking this up with MDDC. Cllr M Squires reported that big machines and lorries associated with the digestion plant in Nomansland had caused considerable road damage. After discussion, Cllrs resolved to object to the application on the basis of traffic and transport issues and to request an independent traffic analysis.
4.2 Planning Decisions
None
4.3 Report from MDDC Councillor, Cllr G Barnell on MDDC business relevant to the parish
Information had been circulated from Cllr G Barnell regarding guidance for vulnerable residents during the pandemic and notification of business grants and help and support available to local groups and charities.
The petition to MDDC and DCC discussed last month would now be circulated to the relevant County and District Councillors to request their support.
There was a MDDC estate walk about on the 18 November but due to COVID-19 restrictions it was not possible for Councillors to take part this time. Any issues should be notified to Cllr G Barnell.
05/11/20 Finance
5.1 Parish Council receipts Current Account: None
5.2 Parish Council payments current account
These were agreed as:
|
Item |
Payee |
Purpose |
Amount £ |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5.2.1 |
J Hill |
Hire of mower and petrol |
700.00 |
|
5.2.2 |
J Hole |
Salary and expenses |
228.10 |
|
5.2.3 |
HMRC |
PAYE |
13.20 |
5.3 To approve signatures for this month’s cheques
Clerk to post cheques to Cllr C Furse for signature
5.4 Balances:
5.4.1 Parish Council Current Account balance: £2,761.55
5.4.2 Parish Council Footpath balance (in above current account figure): £311.74
5.4.3 Parish Council Reserve Account balance: £7,7967.94 (£3,250.00 ringfenced for play equipment)
5.5 Financial Statement and Budget Monitor
Noted
5.6 To consider purchase of zoom subscription at £11.99 per month
It was resolved to purchase a zoom subscription
06/11/20 Road and Footpaths
6.1 Outstanding Road and Footpath issues
Bus stop trip hazard – DCC had advised that the hazard does not meet their criteria for action. It was agreed to take no further action.
New Salt bins – Clerk to chase DCC again.
The sign post at the Mill had been reinstated to its original position
6.2 New issues identified
The steps opposite the Church required some attention and Cllr C Furse reported this was being dealt with.
The zoom connection was lost and it was necessary to redial in. The meeting restarted with the following present: Cllr J Ingham (Chair), Cllr C Boult, Cllr B Curle, Cllr A Jones, Cllr L Pitts
07/11/20 Parish Council
7.1 Maintenance of war memorial
There was no update and it was resolved to defer to a future meeting
7.2 Maintenance of churchyards
There was no update and it was resolved to leave this issue as any changes would require appropriate notification
7.3 To agree to hold meetings on the third Wednesday in the month with effect from January 2021
This was proposed by Cllr B Curle and seconded by Cllr L Pitts and agreed unanimously. Clerk to put a note in The Brooke and in the bus shelter
7.4 Update on request to move post box to the other side of the road where there is a pavement and safer access – request accepted and waiting for approval
Noted
08/11/20 Councillor’s Reports
8.1 To consider any Councillor reports for areas of responsibility
Cllr C Boult requested that the Parish Council applied for a grant from MDDC’s coronavirus fund to purchase PPE equipment for volunteers. Clerk to make application and if approval was not received by the next meeting to put consideration of a grant to WDEG on the next agenda
8.2 Playing Fields
8.2.1 To review re-opening of park
New guidance from the insurance company had been circulated which stated that a Risk Assessment and appropriate signage was required before the park could be reopened. Clerk to liaise with Cllr L Pitts on appropriate signs and circulate prior to the next meeting. Cllr C Boult reported that all equipment was safe to use and the working party held last month had repaired the slide and disabled the zip wire and swings until new poles were available.
The zoom connection was lost and it was necessary to redial in. The meeting restarted with the following present:
Cllr J Ingham, Cllr C Boult, Cllr B Curle, Cllr A Jones, Cllr L Pitts
8.2.2 Telegraph poles – Western Power are not able to supply FOC. Quote received £180.00 - £250.00 each (excl VAT) for 9 to 12m poles
At least 4 poles were required. Perhaps a locality grant could help with the cost? The high cost of poles suggested a rethink was required on the equipment and it was resolved not to purchase poles at the present time. The Clerk reported that the S106 grant application should be approved shortly.
8.2.3 To note delivery of saplings in November and to agree planting
Cllr A Jones reported that 418 saplings had been delivered together with sticks and protectors. Ideally, the saplings should be planted now but this was not possible with the current lockdown restrictions. They could be stored until the spring but would need to be unpacked and temporarily put in soil. Cllr A Jones and Cllr J Ingham agreed to look after 100 each and the rest would be offered to other interested parties. It was not clear where abouts the saplings were intended to be planted in the play park.
09/11/20 Clerk’s Report
9.1 To note Quality Council award has expired. To consider renewing – cost £150.00
It was proposed by Cllr B Curle and seconded by Cllr A Jones and unanimously agreed to renew this award
Minuted here but taken after 6.2
10/11/20 Devon County Council
10.1 Report from DCC Councillor, Cllr M Squires on DCC business relevant to the parish
Cllr M Squires reported that Matt Barrow from Connecting Devon and Somerset would be able to come to a meeting to review broadband provision in the parish and to advise on providers and Cllrs requested this be set up. Cllr A Ripper reported that Shute residents were working together to try and improve the broadband situation.
Cllr M Squires had some locality money left and asked that suitable projects be identified.
11/11/20 Miscellaneous Correspondence
Various correspondence had been circulated
12/11/20 Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda
Cllr A Jones noted that there was now a shop in the village
13/11/20 Date of next meeting: Tuesday 8 December 2020, at 7.30 pm, via zoom
End of formal business
The meeting closed at 9.25pm