Minutes from September 2020 meeting

Shobrooke Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council meeting held in the Red Lion on

Tuesday 8 September 2020 

The meeting commenced at 7.30pm 

Members Present

Cllr C Furse (Chair)       Cllr A Jones (arrived 8.05pm)

Cllr C Boult                  Cllr L Pitts

Cllr B Curle                  Cllr A Ripper

Cllr J Ingham                                                 

 

In attendance:

1 member of public (left after public participation), J Hole, Parish Clerk 

Formal Business

Public Participation

A church representative updated the meeting on church finances and explained how the annual grant from the Parish Council was used for churchyard maintenance (servicing mowers etc) and not just paying towards the cutting of the grass which was currently being cut for free until May 2021.  Going forward, the war memorial would not be maintained by the church.  The church hoped that more volunteers would help with grass maintenance once the existing agreement ended next year.   

Formal Business

01/09/20     Apologies  

Cllr M Boult (working); Cllr M Squires, DCC (other meetings), Cllr G Barnell, MDDC (only attending zoom meetings) 

02/09/20     Declaration of Interest

 None noted 

03/09/20     Minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 14 July 2020 

Agreed and signed as a true record

 

04/09/20     Mid Devon District Council

4.1              Planning Applications: None                  

4.2              Planning Decisions: None

4.3              To note MDDC have adopted their Local Plan 2013-2033

Noted

4.4              Update on Greater Exeter Strategic Plan

The Clerk reported that East Devon District Council had voted to withdraw from the Plan.  This meant that the plan in its current form could no longer go ahead so there would be no consultation period.   MDDC were considering if a new plan could be put together with the remaining two authorities.

4.5              To consider upgrade of litter bins to dual use to encourage recycling

MDDC were asking parish councils if they wished to pay to upgrade their litter bins to dual use bins which could accept recycling.  After discussion it was agreed not to upgrade as it was felt that most people did not dispose of recyclable waste whilst out and about in the parish.

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

There was no report 

05/09/20     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 Hole	Salary and expenses (July and August)	445.85
5.2.2	HMRC	PAYE (July and August)	24.00

 

5.3              To approve signatures for this month’s cheques

Cllr C Furse and Cllr A Jones

5.4              Balances:

5.4.1            Parish Council Current Account balance: £4,052.40

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

5.4.3            Parish Council Reserve Account balance: £7,7967.88 (£3,250.00 ringfenced for play equipment)

5.5              Financial Statement and Budget Monitor

Noted 

06/09/20     Road and Footpaths

6.1              Outstanding Road and Footpath issues

Bus stop trip hazard/salt bins     

Clerk to send a photo of the bus stop trip hazard to DCC.  The new salt bins had not been filled so Clerk to chase with DCC.  DCC had not replied to say that the parish should not cut the grass round the salt bins so this could go ahead.  However, Cllr C Boult reported that the grass had been cut

6.2              New issues identified                  

A parishioner had complained about speeding vehicles in Shute/Efford.  Discussion took place about the possibility of providing “20 is Plenty” signs but it was not clear how much difference these made.  After consideration it was agreed to ask DCC to carry out a speed assessment on this stretch of road and to report the concerns to our PCSO.

Since the last meeting the broken step opposite the village hall had been repaired.

Dog fouling signs had been erected.  Cllr A Jones reported a complaint of dog fouling in School Close

The footpath sign by the mill appeared to have been moved.  Cllr C Furse would discuss with the Footpath Warden 

07/09/20     Parish Council

7.1               Maintenance of war memorial – to note any update

It was proposed by Cllr J Ingham and seconded by Cllr L Pitts and agreed to pay the grant to the PCC for £500.00.  Cllr C Boult confirmed that West Devon Emergency Group would be cutting the churchyard grass and the war memorial until May 2021 on a voluntary basis and in memory of Jack.  The Clerk would draw up an agreement to confirm this was on a voluntary basis.  Cllr C Boult confirmed that he had the necessary insurance, licences and risk assessments in place and would email these to the Clerk.

7.2               To note the Road Verge Guidance – to consider if the Parish Council should enter discussions with MDDC regarding the cutting of the bank in the centre of the parish.

The Road Verge Guidance document had been circulated and was noted.  Emails had been received from two parishioners asking that greater consideration be given to encouraging biodiversity and that the bank in the village centre was not cut until later in the season.  These requests were noted.  However, the decision on cutting was MDDC.  Cllr G Barnell had circulated an email earlier in the evening noting that the Home Policy Development Group were holding a meeting next week and upkeep of MDDC owned grass verges was on the agenda.  If a working group were formed to look at the issue, then Cllr G Barnell would request inclusion.  Cllr G Barnell’s view on grass verges was as follows “where grass verges are part of a wider village or community domain and not contained within an MDDC Estate they should be maintained in accordance with policies on biodiversity similar to those of DCC.  This will increase biodiversity, be more beautiful and will save money. In addition I believe that Council tenants should also be able to vote on different approaches to the maintenance of communal grass areas that are an integral part of an MDDC estate. They may choose to favour wild flowers and later mowing”

Cllr C Boult would notify the Clerk when the MDDC estate walk around was taking place as this would be the best time for the Parish Council to discuss the issue with the housing department.  

08/09/20     Councillor’s Reports                                    

8.1              To consider any Councillor reports for areas of responsibility

8.2              Playing Fields  

8.2.1           To review re-opening of park

A discussion took place on whether the play park should re open and the steps that would be necessary to allow it to re-open.  Two emails had been received during the summer asking if the park could be reopened.  A vote on opening the park was taken with two councillors in favour of reopening, three against reopening and 1 abstention.  The play park would remain closed

The Clerk had spoken to the S106 Officer at MDDC and it was hoped that the S106 grant would be paid soon.

8.2.2           To agree purchase of telegraph poles for zip wire and basket swing (as the equipment is not under warranty)

Cllr C Boult estimated the cost of new telegraph poles was £120.00 each and three were required.  Clerk to contact Western Power and BT to find out if they were able to supply any.  A working party would take place on Tuesday 15 September from 10am to carry out  maintenance work at play park

8.2.3           To consider a survey of parishioners to find out how the space at the play park should be used.

A parishioner had emailed the Clerk to suggest that a survey should be carried out to find out how parishioners would like to use the space at the park.  Cllr C Furse noted that there were approximately 10 primary aged children in the parish plus visiting grandchildren.  It was resolved that Councillors would give some thoughts to a survey and the questions to be asked, also how a survey might be conducted, as an online survey only would not allow participation by all.   Clerk to find out about grants available for wild life areas. 

09/09/20     Clerk’s Report

9.1              To agree Clerks attendance at SLCC virtual training conference (£25.00 to be split with NSC)

Agreed

9.2              To note NALC pay increase backdated to April 2020 (plus 30p per hour)

Noted and agreed                   

10/09/20     Devon County Council

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

There was no report 

11/09/20     Miscellaneous Correspondence

DCC Climate emergency newsletter – circulated

MDDC presentation to parishes on Covid – circulated

MDDC Climate conversation 2 - circulated                  

12/09/20     Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda

Change of day for Parish Council Meetings.  Clerk to find out if Wednesday or Thursday would be best for Cllr M Squires and Cllr G Barnell.

Parish Council responsibilities towards churchyards 

13/09/20     Date of next meeting: Tuesday 13 October 2020, at 7.30 pm, in the Village Hall 

End of formal business 

The meeting closed at 9.10pm