September 2019
UPLOWMAN PARISH COUNCIL: MINUTES OF MEETING
Held on Thursday 19th September 2019 at the Village Hall, Uplowman starting at 7.35pm.
Cllrs C Slade (DCC) plus 3 members of the public present. Minutes by Mr R Hodgson, Clerk. Action points in bold. Approved on 21 November 2019
1. MEMBERS PRESENT
1.1 Present: Cllrs R Adcock, A McCombe, R Norman, N Branton and S Floyd.
2. APOLOGIES, PROCEDURAL MATTERS AND REPORTS FROM MDDC & DCC
2.1 Cllrs K Baugh and T Milner had tendered apologies for absence due to family commitments.
2.2 In the absence of Cllr Milner, Cllr McCombe proposed that Cllr Adcock be apointed Chair for the evening. This proposal was seconded by Cllr Norman and agreed by all present. Cllr Adcock duly took the Chair.
2.3 Cllr Slade (DCC) presented the following notes on DCC matters. A consultation on the Fire Service was underway and Cllr Slade urged members to respond. ‘Connecting Devon & Somerset’ would be making new arrangements for broadband in remote areas. DCC welcomed proposals for a national ban on pavement parking. DCC is developing plans for decarbonising by 2030.
2.4 Owing to the absence of Cllr Radford there was no report from MDDC.
3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING (18th July 2019)
3.1 Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 18th July 2019 had been circulated. There were no changes requested and they were signed by Cllr Adcock (Acting Chair) as a true record of that meeting.
4. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
4.1 There were no matters arising that would not be covered elsewhere on the Agenda.
5. FINANCES
5.1 Current Balance: £6831.63
Income since last meeting(VAT reclaim) £ Nil
5.2 The following payments were approved and cheques signed to effect the disbursements:
R Hodgson, Clerk's salary + expenses (£565.00 + £6.70
W J Veen, grass cutting (£128.25)
UHRA, Hire of Hall (£60.00)
A Kidley, for clearing bus shelter (£100.00)
5.3 Cllr Adcock said he would fix a date for the Clerk’s Appraisal.
5.4 The Clerk had obtained papers for the addition of Cllr Norman as a signatory to the bank account and for removal of Cllr R Branton (retired). Cllr Norman had completed the forms and the Clerk would take them to the bank after obtaining Cllr Milner’s signature.
6. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
6.1 19/00192/OUT: 8 dwellings in Crosses Farm field. UPC had discussed this matter at the July meeting and had opposed the application received on 31 July for the reasons discussed in July. A decision from MDDC was awaited. The Clerk was asked to contact DCC Highways and request that they make a site visit to review the hazards relating to the entrance to the proposed development at Crosses Farm field, should the application be taken to appeal.
6.2 19/019050976/House: Fairoak, construct verandah & carport. MDDC had approved this application.
6.3 19/01067/House: School House, extension & balcony. MDDC had approved this application.
6.4 19/00529/FULL: Chieflowman Farm Barn conversion. MDDC had approved this application.
6.5 19/01236/PNAG: Greenend, erect machinery/storage building has been approved by Prior Notification.
7. PARISH PLANNING
7.1 A questionnaire was still being drafted.
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:
8.1 The Clerk would continue to circulate DALC newsletters and MDDC Parish news plus other items considered to be of interest.
8.2 Cllr Branton asked about correspondence received from Plug ‘n Go relating to electric vehicle (EV) charge pooints. She proposed that UPC should review provision for EVs; this might benefit users of the Hall as the number of such vehicles was increasing. Cllr Branton suggested that local firm Sol be contacted to make a presentation to UPC. It was agreed that the Clerk would invite Sol to the November meeting.
9. HALL AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION
9.1 Cllr Adcock said that committee room and the main hall had been redecorated and the external woodwork would be done. The annual bonfire night was being planned.
10. EMERGENCY PLANNING AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
10.1 There had been further shed break-ins recently in Sampford Peverell.
11. VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
11.1 The bus shelter had been cleared of ivy and other growths. Cllr Norman would check the rafters, some of which might need replacing. Cllr Adcock would then pressure wash the walls and repaint them. Cllr Branton had checked out bicycle racks for young people who catch the school bus at the cross roads. Two 5-bike racks would cost £70 delivered and would then require robust foundations. Cllr Norman proposed that Cllr Branton be authorised to buy the racks and their location would be decided after consultation with UHRA. All agreed.
11.2 School Path: there had been no progress.
11.3 Devon Air Ambulance (DAA) had written proposing the use of the playing field as a night landing site. This would require the erection of a single pole with a light that would be operated only by the ambulance crew when needed. The typical cost of an installation was £2,900. Cllr Slade said that his Locality budget could provide perhaps 1/3rd of the cost. It was agreed that this matter should be investigated and the Clerk was asked to arrange a meeting with DAA and UHRA.
12. STATE OF ROADS IN PARISH
12.1 Cllr Branton had obtained ‘close the gate’ signs for footpaths and could pass these on to anyone needing them. Cllr Adcock noted that the footpath adjacent to Chieflowman House (Footpath No 17) was overgrown and impassable. DCC had in the past kept it clear. The Clerk was asked to consult with DCC.
12.2 Cllr Norman commented that the diversion of Uplowman Road via Putson Lane was chaotic, especially when several large site vehicles were travelling together or met a large agricultural vehicle. He said that the road needed to be wider. Cllr Branton was concerned that mud from the site would make the diversion hazardous in the winter. Cllr Slade said that these points had been put to the contractor and that he would welcome UPC’s comments in writing to help DCC highways deal more robustly with the contractor. The Clerk was asked to draft a note.
13. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting was confirmed for Thursday 21st November 2019.
The meeting closed at 8.40pm
Public discussion
The proposal to establish a DAA night landing site was discussed. Participants were generally in favour, but there were concerns over other uses of the light. It was agreed that there would be wider consultation.
UPC Minutes of 19 September 2019