March 2004

UPLOWMAN PARISH COUNCIL: MINUTES OF MEETING

Held on 19^th March 2004 at the Village Hall, Uplowman, starting at 8.30pm

 

Minutes taken by Mr R Hodgson, Clerk to Uplowman Parish Council

Action points in bold. Many members of the Public were present during question time.

 

1. MEMBERS PRESENT

1. Mr J White (Chair), Mrs S Brown, Mr D Aggett , Mr R Adcock, Mr R Burman, Mr R Branton & Mrs L Veen.

 

2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

2.1 None, all were present.

 

3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (16^th January 2004)

3.1 Minutes of the meeting had been previously circulated. They were approved without amendment and signed as a true record by the Chair.

 

4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

4.1 There were no matters arising from the minutes that would not be covered by the Agenda items.

 

5. FINANCES

5.1 Current Balance: £273.81

Income since last meeting £247.46 (Millennium Fund closed.)

5.2 The following payments were approved and cheques signed to effect the disbursement:

Clerk’s expenses (£14.20)

UHRA for hire of the Hall, Jan-March 2004 (£47.00)

5.3 It was Resolved

(a) to renew the Parish subscription to the Devon Association of Parish Councils and that payment (£43) would be made through the MDDC Precept, and

(b) The UPC would not subscribe to the Devon Playing Fields Association, as the Playing field was the responsibility of the UHRA.

 

6. PLANNING/LICENSING APPLICATIONS

6.1 Crosswinds: erection of double garage: UPC had raised no objection

6.2 Mobile homes at Putson Cross: UPC had objected on grounds of precedence and inadequate access.

6.3 Renewal of Hall Entertainments licence: There was no objection to this renewal. An application to change the licensee of the Redwoods had been received. There was no objection to the new landlord and the Clerk would write accordingly

6.4 Coleshill Cottage: Erection of conservatory to rear: There was no objection. The Clerk would write.

 

7. CORRESPONDENCE

A list of correspondence received and sent had been circulated. The Clerk drew attention to the following items of interest that were not covered elsewhere:

7.1 MDDC had established a ‘Kitbag’ scheme to loan play equipment to community groups

7.2 Uffculme School had written to advise of their intention to seek Specialist Status and associated appeal.

7.3 MDDC had requested info on summer play schemes. None was planned in Uplowman.

 

8. HALL AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION

8.1 Bookings were still going well.

 

9. EMERGENCY PLANNING AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

9.1 This activity was on hold while work on the First Time Sewerage Scheme proceeded.

 

10. JUBILEE PROJECTS

10.1 Mr Burman reported that he had now consulted with riparian owners; they had not expressed any particular interest in or disapproval of the proposed tidying of the leat banks. After some discussion it was agreed to explore extending the tarmac to a kerb by the leat.

10.2 There was discussion of reinstatement of a damaged section of fencing by Uplowman Court cottage. Mr White had raised the matter with DCC Local Services who were considering options.

 

11. SEWERAGE

11.1 There had been considerable public discussion before the Council meeting (summarised below). Prior to this, there had been two public meetings (on 6^th and 12^th March) and a clinic with SWW on 11^th March, all organised by UPC. UPC had met with representatives of the school to discuss transport to/from school during the work.

11.2 The location oft he river crossing was still to be decided. The current estimate was that work would start on 4^th May with road closures starting soon afterwards. The recent meetings had been helpful in creating awareness of the options. The Clerk would inform the clerks of neighbouring parishes.

11.3 Mr Aggett offered a list of DCC-approved contractors who could undertake the sewer connections for anyone who might wish to have one.

 

12. CONDITION OF ROAD/TRANSPORT IN THE PARISH

12.1 The Parish Lengthsman was expected to visit in about 3 weeks time. He had requested a list of necessary works for his attention.

 

13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting would be on Thursday 6^th May 2004 in the Hall, starting with questions from the Public at 7.30pm. This would be the Annual Meeting. Future dates were booked as follows: 8^th July, 2^nd September and 4^th November 2004, 6^th January, 3^rd March and 5^th May 2005 (all Thursdays).

 

The meeting closed at 9.30pm

 

Public Questions:

 

About 20 members of the public attended between 7.30 and 8.30pm, mainly seeking details of the expected road closures during the First Time Sewerage works.

Mr White said that closures were expected from 10^th May and that the route through the village from north to south would be closed for about 10 weeks. He would be consulting with the parents of school children likely to be affected by these arrangements and would ask the contractors if the time could be reduced, although he thought this unlikely. The PC would soon be talking to DCC Local Services about diversions and it would be helpful to know what people’s travel needs would be during this time.

A one-way system around the Chevithorne-Stag Mill-Chieflowman triangle was proposed; this could only work by general acceptance as it could not be made compulsory. UPC would keep everyone informed of any changes that might occur as soon as possible. If people wanted to contact DCC directly then Mr Bell at the Tiverton Local Services office could help.

 

Mr White appreciated that there would be considerable disruption but thought that the end result would be a benefit for everyone.