Minutes from January 2021 meeting
Shobrooke Parish Council
Minutes of Parish Council meeting held via Zoom on
Wednesday 20 January 2021
The meeting commenced at 7.30pm
Members Present
Cllr C Furse (Chair) Cllr J Ingham
Cllr C Boult Cllr A Jones
Cllr M Boult Cllr A Ripper
Cllr B Curle Cllr L Pitts
In attendance:
Cllr G Barnell, MDDC (left 8.00pm), Cllr M Squires, DCC, J Hole, Parish Clerk
Public Participation
There was none
Formal Business
01/01/21 Apologies
None
02/01/21 Declaration of Interest
None noted
03/01/21 Minutes of the last meeting held on Tuesday 8 December 2020
Correct spelling of Shobrooke in 4.3. Agreed as a true record to be signed by the Chair at a later date
04/01/21 Mid Devon District Council
4.1 Planning Applications:
20/01594/FULL - Erection of 2 sheds (Revised Scheme), formation of access track and erection of carport following removal of double garage at Westacott, Shobrooke – no comment
4.2 Planning Decisions:
None
4.3 To note the publication of the Boundary Commission final report re MDDC wards - https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/node/18162
Cllr G Barnell updated the meeting on the final decision from the Boundary Commission: From 2023, Shobrooke and Newton St Cyres would be in different wards. Shobrooke would be in Sandford and Creedy Ward and Newton St Cyres would be in Yeo Ward. The Sandford and Creedy Ward would be represented by two MDDC councillors. Councillors were disappointed with this outcome; however, it was noted that this was the final decision and there was no appeal process.
4.4 Report from MDDC Councillor, Cllr Graeme Barnell on MDDC business relevant to the parish.
A report from Cllr G Barnell had been circulated which outlined the areas of work he intended to concentrate on this year and Councillors were invited to let him know if there were any additional areas that should be added. With regard to the traffic impact assessment, Cllr G Barnell had a meeting scheduled for early February with the Head of Planning to discuss a transport plan for Crediton to Exeter. Cllr G Barnell had also spoken to EDDC councillors, who represented Upton Pyne and Cowley and it was hoped that a joint transport plan could be agreed across the Creedy Valley. The petition had yet to be submitted and Cllr G Barnell hoped that agreement for a plan could be reached without the need to submit the petition.
The inspection of the 4 sycamore trees, identified at the estate walk about, had yet to take place.
05/01/21 Finance
5.1 Parish Council receipts Current Account:
MDDC S106 grant - £4,147.00 and DCC Locality grant - £350.00
5.2 Parish Council payments current account
These were agreed as:
|
Item |
Payee |
Purpose |
Amount £ |
|---|---|---|---|
|
5.2.1 |
Wicksteed |
Purchase of swingalong bars for playpark |
2,688.84 |
|
5.2.2 |
Creative Play |
Purchase of Springy for playpark |
739.20 |
|
5.2.3 |
Hags |
Purchase of 4 x seater Springy for playpark |
754.49 |
|
5.2.4 |
J Hole |
Salary and expenses |
238.62 |
|
5.2.5 |
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: £2,569.41
5.4.2 Parish Council Footpath balance (in above current account figure): £311.74
5.4.3 Parish Council Reserve Account balance: £7,798.13 (£3,250.00 ringfenced for play equipment)
5.5 Financial Statement and Budget Monitor
Noted
5.6 To consider donation request to Mid Devon Mobility
It was resolved to grant £100.00
06/01/21 Road and Footpaths
6.1 Outstanding Road and Footpath issues
The new salt bins had not been filled with salt – Clerk to chase DCC again
6.2 New issues identified
The steps opposite the Village Hall were very slippery and the wooden ones would benefit from some tarmac chippings. Clerk to make enquiries.
The Footpath Warden had completed the annual footpath inspection and the Clerk had a copy of the survey.
07/01/21 Parish Council
7.1 To note publication of S106 reports on MDDC website https://www.middevon.gov.uk/residents/planning/section-106/s106-parish-reports/
This shows that there is a balance of £1,000.00 in the general fund which is shared with Newton St Cyres
Consideration could be given to applying for the grant money to purchase more play equipment. However, there would be installation costs for the equipment already agreed and noted in 5.2 above and it was agreed that the Clerk should obtain three estimates for the installation costs as it may be possible to use the S106 for this.
7.2 To note locality grant to purchase a cordless mower – to agree specification and delivery
Cllr B Curle would put together a suggested specification which would be circulated for agreement. Cllr A Jones would find out if the mower could be stored and charged at the Village Hall, with the Parish Council paying for the electricity.
08/01/21 Councillor’s Reports
8.1 To consider any Councillor reports for areas of responsibility
8.2 Coronavirus – any issues to consider? To note COVID-19 3rd wave grant funding from DCC, focused on food provision.
Cllr C Boult informed the meeting that WDEG was able to transport parishioners to vaccination centres if required. The NHS were looking for volunteers for four hour shifts at Westpoint and the details would be circulated. WDEG were working with an Exeter based organisation to assist with deliveries of food parcels.
The Clerk had received an email from a parishioner enquiring about the grant for WDEG and stating that they were not aware of the COVID-19 support available in the parish. Details of the support were available on MDDC website, the Parish Council website, Nextdoor and Facebook and in the Brooke. In addition, there had been a sign outside Cllr C Boult house during the first lockdown. If any parishioner requires COVID-19 assistance, they should contact Cllr C Boult on 01363 777975 or 07475931516 or 08713063213 or www.wdeg4x4team.co.uk
8.3 Playing Fields
8.3.1 To note any updates regarding re-opening of play park and any volunteers for carrying out inspections.
Cllr L Pitts had carried out the risk assessment required before re-opening and this had been circulated. The park had re-opened with signs posted detailing Covid-19 security measurers. Volunteers were still required to carry out the weekly inspections and it was agreed to post a note asking for assistance on the park gate and in the bus stop shelter. Until a volunteer was found, Cllr C Furse would carry out the inspections and the Clerk would post the inspections sheets. An email from a parishioner noted that the noticeboard needed cleaning and Cllr A Jones would attend to this once lockdown had ended. Clerk to contact insurance company for any covid-19 updates
Equipment that was unsafe, such as the zip wire, was not in use and do not climb signs had been posted.
Cllr C Boult noted that various maintenance tasks were becoming due. Also, the baby swing needed to be moved to the children’s swing frame. Due to lockdown, it was not possible to organise a working party to carry out these jobs.
8.3.2 To note ROSPA annual inspection is due in March – to agree if a councillor will accompany inspector at an additional cost of £42.00. A routine checklist template tailored to our playground is available at an additional cost of £30.00
It was agreed that the inspection would be unaccompanied this year. It was resolved to purchase a routine checklist template
09/01/21 Clerk’s Report
None
10/01/21 Devon County Council
10.1 To consider a response to consultation on the Devon Carbon Plan
Clerk to re-circulate
10.2 Report from DCC Councillor, Cllr M Squires on DCC business relevant to the parish
Cllr M Squires noted this time of year generated a lot of pot holes and encouraged that these should be reported
11/01/21 Miscellaneous Correspondence
Various DALC newsletters; temporary road closures
12/01/21 Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda
None noted
13/01/21 Date of next meeting: Wednesday 17 February 2021, at 7.30 pm, via zoom
End of formal business
The meeting ended at 9pm