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Minutes Council Meeting January 30 2023

Minutes of the Meeting of Stoodleigh Parish Council held on Monday, 30th January at 7.00pm in the Village Hall

Members present -: Chairman Cllr W Knowles  Vice Chair Cllr J Widdowson  Cllr C Payne  Cllr G Parkman  Cllr G Talbot

County Cllr R Chesterton              District Cllr R Stanley      

  1. Apologies – received from Cllr S Davey
  2. Declarations of Interest – none declared
  3. The Public – 4 members of the public in attendance
  4. Minutes of the Meeting held November 28th 2022 – these were approved and signed as a correct record.
  5. Planning Reports and Outcomes

74775 North Devon. Hybrid Planning application to provide an Agricultural-Hub comprising: Area 1: Full planning permission for the erection of workshop & storage and distribution uses with ancillary offices, shop & showroom, (sui generis), creation of access and associated works (Phase 1); Area 2: Outline application for the erection of buildings 1, 2 & 3 for agri-business uses falling under Use Class E (a) retail, Class E (e) medical services, Class E (g) Business, B2 workshop & B8 storage and distribution with appearance and scale to be reserved matters (Phases 2 & 3) at Land at Stonelands Cross, Rackenford, Devon. Cllr Payne had attended the meeting as well as representatives from Rackenford. The application was refused by 6 votes to 4 as deemed to be contravening both historical and current planning rules.

22/02052/HOUSE Erection of a single storey side extension, Highfield – refused. The owners are likely to appeal against this decision or make a secondary submission.

22/01547/FULL Siting of 1 permanent holiday lodge for equestrian holiday accommodation use NGG288289 119265, Lower Ford Equestrian Livery Stables – permitted with conditions to discharge

22/02293/FULL Formation of a turning area for operational solar farm NGR 289825 116905 – awaiting decision

23/00105/HOUSE Erection of a replacement side extension to incorporate undercover seating area and replacement of existing windows, 2 Hillcrest.  Councillors had visited the site on 28th January. Cllr Talbot proposed that the application be supported and this was seconded by Cllr Payne. MDDC website to be updated accordingly.

  1. Reports

County Council -Tiverton High School is to be rebuilt. A proposal to have a mandatory 20mph speed limit around schools is out for public consultation. Gritting lorries were in service during the worst of the recent winter weather but unfortunately this impacts on the available staff for pothole repairs. The advice was to keep reporting the places where urgent repairs are needed, for example the stretch between Ash X and Spurway Mill. Warning signs are to be erected advising heavy lorries to avoid Hangman’s Hill. A new Highways Neighbourhood Officer has been appointed and if there are issues reporting empty salt bins on line this may be a useful contact. There is no official snow warden but there is a reserve stock of salt held at Ford Barton which can be accessed by a community minded individual.

District Council – no major financial cut backs are anticipated for 2023. 2 cars have been noticed regularly parking in Stoodleigh Drive near a recently erected wooden shed: the planning officer has been informed. Cllr Stanley then announced that both Andrew Moore and himself had decided not to stand for election in May. The council thanked him for all his assistance and help over the years.

  1. Definitive Map Review – the Clerk will reply to Tania Weeks, DCC that there is no additional information to submit.

Pond House –arrangements were agreed for Mr & Mrs Duckett to have sight of the minutes 2008-2010 as these have not been uploaded to the website for public viewing. Cllr Talbot would liaise with Mrs Duckett. The Clerk had taken advice concerning other correspondence and this would be forthcoming once a Freedom of Information request was received.

  1. Footpaths and Highways – Despite being advised that Footpath 10 is only a permissive bridleway the local stag and foxhound packs have still hunted through there and consequently upset the owners. Cllr Knowles had come to an agreement with the Lower Champles Wood Organisation that he would assist with the matter to help prevent reoccurrence. Since this verbal request has been ignored, the Clerk is to formally write to the respective Masters and also including the Exe Valley Buckhounds.

Overhanging branches – Clerk to contact Mrs Leaper, Stoodleigh Court to ask if the council take responsibility to clear the overhanging branches on her behalf whether the wood chip could be blown back onto her property.

Salt bin return – some of the bins need refilling. A list had been forwarded to DCC and Cllr Talbot had also reported some of the sites on line, but this system does not always function well.

  1. Playground – Matt Berry seems to be the most suitable candidate to take on the grass cutting. His quote was 12 cuts a year + the hedge once for £700. He asked for invoices to be settled twice a year. The church path is not included and additional arrangements may have to be made. The council unanimously agreed to accept this quote.
  2. Fly the Flag – payment has been settled, total cost £1746, slightly less than anticipated. Hanging of the flag has been slightly delayed owing to the weather.
  3. Airband – Faye Cross will be invited to attend a special meeting probably a Tuesday towards the end of February. There is thought that many residents are interested to learn more about the planned upgrade and similarly people in adjacent parishes should be included once a firm date is set.
  4. Parish UK network – the invitation to join was declined. Most of the information intended to capture is already available on line.
  5. Defibrillator – replacement pads were handed over to Cllr Widdowson. The postal strike had delayed arrival of the cheque and subsequent distribution of the pads. Eventually the Clerk paid by personal card, plus delivery costs and the first cheque was destroyed once it finally arrived.
  6. Coronation – the suggestion to establish any interest would be ascertained via community email. If there is sufficient support a small committee will be set up.
  7. Finance

HSBC current account as at 12/1/2023   £8694.44

Payments to be approved – Defib shop November cheque £86.40 now cancelled, reissue £91.14             

Clerk 2 month’s salary £240         HMRC £60