Minutes from September 2021 meeting

Shobrooke Parish Council

Minutes of Parish Council meeting held in the Village Hall on

Wednesday 15 September 2021 

The meeting commenced at 7.30pm

Members Present

Cllr C Furse (Chair)                                           Cllr G Barnell (left 8.30pm)

Cllr L Balkwill                                                    Cllr A Jones 

In attendance:

J Hole, Parish Clerk

Public Participation

There was none

Formal Business

01/09/21       Apologies  

Cllr M Squires (another meeting)                    

 

02/09/21       Declaration of Interest

None noted

 

03/09/21       Minutes of the last meeting held on Wednesday Tuesday 21 July 2021

Agreed and signed as a true record

 

04/09/21       To consider any applicants for co-option

 Standing orders to be suspended to allow discussion with candidates.  If co-opted to consider training requirements

Lilian Pilgrim had sent apologies that she was unable to attend this meeting but had completed the Co-option Eligibility Form and was duly co-opted to Council.  The Clerk would arrange for her to sign necessary paperwork.

 

05/09/21       Mid Devon District Council

5.1                   Planning Applications

21/01334/HOUSE- Erection of single storey extension at Nomansland Cottage, Shobrooke Crediton – no comment already posted after email consultation with councillors

21/01430/FULL- Erection of an agricultural workers dwelling at NGR 289026 99967 (West of Shute Cross) – no comment already posted after email consultation with councillors

21/01650/HOUSE - Erection of single storey side and rear extension to form additional living space and annexe following demolition of existing conservatory at 9 The Village, Shobrooke – no comment

5.2                   Planning Decisions:

21/01336/FULL - Removal of agricultural occupation Condition (f) of Planning Permission 87/01805/FULL - Erection of detached agricultural bungalow with garage at Oaklea Shobrooke – grant permission

5.3                   Update on Affordable Housing – and to note consultation on draft Housing Strategy for Mid Devon 2021-25

A response from MDDC’s Forward Planning Officer had been circulated which suggested that as Shobrooke did not have a settlement boundary, the Council rural exemption for affordable housing was not applicable and therefore the local plan seeks to restrict new housing outside settlements in isolated locations in the countryside.  However, Cllr G Barnell believed that MDDC LP Rural Exceptions Policy DM6 applied and this states “that some parishes do not contain a defined settlement but may have an affordable housing need, in which case a broader interpretation of “settlement” will be appropriate as long as there would be reasonable access to services and infrastructure”.   

Confirmation was required from MDDC and if DM6 did apply to Shobrooke then further discussions would take place including how to demonstrate a need for affordable housing.

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

Cllr G Barnell reported that a key themes paper relating to the Local Plan would be out for consultation in November and it was important that the Parish Council got involved at an early stage of the consultation process. 

06/09/21       Finance

6.1                   Parish Council receipts Current Account: £500.00 Locality grant towards purchase of defibrillator

6.2                   Parish Council payments current account.

                         These were agreed as:         

Item	Payee	Purpose	Amount £
6.2.1	Allan Jones	Materials for play park	39.24
6.2.2	SJ Surfacing Solutions	Installation of new play equipment	1,502.00
6.2.3	J Hole	Salary and expenses (July and August	450.36
6.2.4	J Hole	Home office allowance paid to test internet banking	26.00
6.2.4	HMRC	PAYE	26.40

6.3                   To approve signatures for this month’s cheques

Cllr C Furse and Cllr A Jones

6.4                   Balances:

6.4.1                Parish Council Current Account balance: £5,129.05

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

6.4.3                Parish Council Reserve Account balance: £7,798.58 (£3,250.00 ringfenced for play equipment)

6.5                   Financial Statement and Budget Monitor

                         Noted

6.7                   Update on internet banking

Internet banking had been successfully set up and initial problems with access and authorisation sorted out.   However, it was agreed to pay this month’s invoices by cheque in order to give signatories more time to confirm they are able to access the relevant screens.  The clerk would set up a test payment of £1.00 to herself so this could be checked.  It was agreed to add Cllr L Balkwill to the list of signatories

6.8                   To agree purchase of defibrillator

The Clerk confirmed that there was a volunteer at Efford who would look after the defibrillator and carry out the weekly checks and online reports.  Details of three quotes had been circulated and it was agreed to purchase the most competitively priced one.  Clerk to find out if any training is offered by the supplier.  Once the defibrillator was installed it was agreed that nearby residents in Shute should be informed and possible signs could be considered.

 

07/09/21       Road and Footpaths

7.1                   Outstanding Road and Footpath issues - Salt for new Salt bins – DCC have advised that we need to fill the salt bins using our supply of salt

Clerk to ask the parishioner who was kindly storing the Parish Council’s salt if he could arrange to fill up the salt bins from the council’s supply.

7.2                   New issues identified        

The gate at the end of the allotment path had been repaired by a parishioner.

There were reports of footpath gates being tied open – thought to be to minimise the necessity to touch surfaces due to coronavirus.  However, this was causing a safety issue with regard to dogs running out of fields so should be discouraged.

 

08/09/21       Parish Council

8.1                   To note request for Hedgehog warning signs – request sent to DCC to provide signs

A parishioner had requested hedgehog warning signs to try to prevent hedgehogs being run over.  Signs were available from the Department of Transport but had to be requested by DCC.  DCC were willing to request the signs if the necessary information and paperwork was sent to them.  Clerk to ask parishioner to assist with the paperwork required

8.2                   To agree training for new Councillors – DALC course

Clerk to circulated details of training for new councillors which was not online

8.3                   Update on Community plan – clerk is attending MDDC workshop on 27 September

Noted

 

09/09/21       Councillor’s Reports                                                        

9.1                   To consider any Councillor reports for areas of responsibility

Update on Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator – no update

Update on appointment of Snow Warden and storage of towable gritter – Clerk to contact parishioner who may be willing to act as Snow Warden.  Clerk to arrange for the towable gritter to be returned to the Village Hall whilst a more permanent home is arranged. 

9.2                   Playing Fields  

9.2.1                To note weekly inspections reports

The weekly inspection sheets had been updated and supplied to the volunteer.  A copy of the latest report was supplied to the Clerk and was noted.   No new issues were identified.

Cllr A Jones had greased the carousel and filled the gaps in the safety surface.  The oak tree by the wild area had outgrown its frame and this would need to be cut to allow branches to be trimmed as necessary

9.2.2                To arrange meeting with MDDC to carry out risk assessment

Clerk to arrange with MDDC to include Councillors and volunteer

9.2.3                To agree the specification for the toddler multi-play to allow grant applications to be made

It was agreed to hold a separate informal meeting on Wednesday 29 September, 7.30pm at the Red Lion in consider suppliers.

9.2.4                To note email requesting a hard surface for playing basket ball

An email from a parishioner had been circulated.  It was agreed to put the request on the wish list but also to note that the replacement of the toddler multi-play was the next item and this would take a lot of funds. 

11/09/21       Devon County Council

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

There was no report 

12/09/21       Miscellaneous Correspondence

Various newsletters circulated

Clerk had received a complaint about tractors working late into the night and causing a disturbance.                        

13/09/21       Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda

It was noted that the clock in the bus shelter had been smashed. 

14/07/21       Date of next meeting: Wednesday 20 October 2021, at 7.30 pm, at the Village Hall

End of formal business

The meeting closed at 8.45pm