March 2024

UPLOWMAN PARISH COUNCIL: MINUTES OF MEETING

Held on Thursday 21^st March 2024 in Uplowman Village Hall, starting at 7.50pm.

Cllr C Slade (DCC), plus two members of the public present. Minutes by Mr R Hodgson, Clerk.

Action points in bold. Approved on 16 May.

 

1. MEMBERS PRESENT and PROCEDURAL MATTERS

1.1 Present: Cllrs M Moore (Chair), D Westerman, K Baugh, J Mayne and R Adcock.

 

2. APOLOGIES AND REPORTS FROM MDDC & DCC

2.1 Apologies for absence had been received from Cllrs D Thomas, absent due to work commitments, and A McCombe (family matters). Cllr Thomas had now been absent from meetings for 6 months. Cllr Moore proposed that as Cllr Thomas had a challenging job with uncertain shifts and he had been active on PC business in other ways, he should be permitted to continue in his councillor role. Following a vote, this proposal was accepted.

2.2 Cllr Slade had sent a report on DCC matters. He confirmed that no date had yet been set for hearing the Greenway planning application because further information was being sought from the applicant. DCC were predicting a balanced budget for the coming year. A £7m grant had been obtained for electric vehicle charge points that would be distributed via DCs. DCC had ambitions plans for developing walking and cycling leisure routes around Mid Devon. Locality budgets would be increased to £8,000 in the coming year.

2.3 Cllr Westcott had sent a report. MDDC’s planning enforcement policy was being reviewed and two new posts were being advertised. The recent State of the District debate had covered many concerns, including: better briefing about material considerations in planning, prompt enforcement, help with Parish Plans and Neighbourhood Plans, more EV charging points, and Emergency Planning,

 

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (18^th January 2024)

3.1 Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 18^th January 2024 had been circulated. There were no changes requested and they were signed by the Chair as a true record of that meeting.

 

4. FINANCES and PROCEDURES

4.1   Current Balance: £3216.56

        Income since last meeting – donation:£30.40

4.2 The following payments were approved and cheques signed to effect the disbursements:

        UHRA, Hire of Hall (£48.00)

        R Hodgson, Salary & Expenses (£755.50)

        PlaySafe (RoSPA), inspection of the Trimtrail, (£93.60)

4.3 The Clerk had circulated provisional year-end accounts. There were no queries. Mr Clark had signified his willingness to act as Internal Auditor again, which offer was accepted with thanks.

4.4 It had been agreed that the Chair of UPC would rotate annually and offers to serve for 2024-5 were invited. None was made. Cllr Moore expressed disappointment and stated that she was prepared to serve as Chair for one more year only, that is until May 2025, by when either a current councillor should be in a position to take the chair or a willing cooptee appointed.

4.5 The Clerk noted that an Annual Parish meeting should be held to promote local activities. Cllr Adcock would check Friday evening dates in June and July with the UHRA and investigate refreshment options. All councillors to sound out local organisations to contribute displays, inc. UHRA, WI, Church, School. The map could form the centrepiece for a focus on local history.

4.6 MDDC had circulated a Charter to govern its interactions with the Towns and Parishes, which was approved.

 

5. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

5.1 23/00354/FULL: Willow Barn, erect holiday cottage. UPC objected, MDDC had refused permission

5.2 DCC/4358/2023: Greenway landfill. Revised proposals received – UPC had objected to routing of HGVs through Uplowman. DCC decision not expected until after April.

5.3 23/01916/Full: Redwoods Inn, conversion to 3 residences. MDDC had refused permission.

5.4 24/00032/House: Twin Oaks single storey extension. UPC had not objected, MDDC had approved.

5.5 22/02102/Full: Bycott Farm anaerobic digester. Revised plans showed minimal traffic. UPC had no comments.

6. VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

6.1 Village signs:These had been erected and thanks were expressed to Cllrs Westerman and Adcock.

6.2 A survey of the parish to determine its wishes in regard to the Redwoods was underway and the findings would guide the next steps. Cllr Moore would ask the group whether registration as a community asset was essential.

6.3 Cllr Adcock said that mounting the historic map would cost approximately £1000, roughly double the money available at present. It was agreed to fund the additional cost from reserves.

6.4 MDDC had planted fruit trees outside the Crossways houses earlier in the week. A resident would keep them watered until established and the fruit would be available for all.

6.5 UPC had been offered a framed portrait of HM the King for public display without charge. It was agreed to accept this. The Clerk would respond.

 

7. SUSTAINABILITY AND HEALTHY LIVING

7.1 Cllr Moore had been attending a weekly forum on environmental matters hosted by NALC and would report on anything relevant to the hall or the village.

 

8. CORRESPONDENCE

A list of correspondence received and sent had been circulated. Attention was drawn to the following items of interest that were not covered elsewhere:

8.1A request to contribute funds to the Residents against Greenway Landfill was discussed. There was debate about whether this was an appropriate use of public money, being arguably in the interests of the community. The Clerk was asked to seek an opinion from DALC.

 

9. HALL AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION

9.1 Grants were being sought to cover the £5,000 cost of the proposed PA/sound system. Plans were also being made for a range of repairs and upgrades to the hall fabric.

 

10. EMERGENCY PLANNING AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

10.1 Cllr Moore would redraft the household emergency plan to match the revised UPC plan. This would then be produced by Mrs C Marlow and circulated to each household in the village by councillors.

 

11. STATE OF ROADS IN PARISH

11.1 The road into Whitnage had been resurfaced and the DCC Highways officer had been warmly thanked..

11.2 Whitnage signage: The Clerk had contacted the Halberton Clerk who had undertaken a similar challenge and was awaiting a response.

11.3 Speeding at Crossways: Cllr Adcock had ascertained that a donor would give £500 for warning signs. He would ask Ken White Signs for cost estimates. Cllr Thomas had liaised with the school who were keen to design appropriate signs. Cllr Westerman would find out what regulations apply to establishing 30mph zones in village like Uplowman.

 

12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was confirmed for Thursday 16^th May 2024, to be in the Hall at 7.30pm, starting with a report on the year.

The meeting closed at 9.25pm

 

Public discussion:

The matter of the Greenway Landfill was raised by a parishioner who had attended a recent public meeting. It was noted that the gross weight of the trucks when fully laden could be up to 35T. If these were paid on a piecemeal rate then there would be a tendency to speed, increasing the hazard toother road users.

Mr Jeffrey Curd told the meeting that plans for the Tiverton Harriers’ 10k road race would be similar to the 2023 event. It would again be held on the late Spring Bank Holiday, May 27^th. They would aim to have additional marshals to avoid any conflicts with other road users during the race, which had worked well last year.

MINUTES OF 21 March 2024