Parish Council meeting: Tuesday, 6 October 2015

Key information

Meeting location: The Church of St James, Avonwick

Meeting time: 7.30 pm

Agenda

PDF of the Agenda for the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday, 6 October 2015

Download the Agenda (PDF, 66.7 KB)

Approved Minutes

Approved Minutes for the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday, 6 October 2015

These minutes were approved on 3 November 2015

Please noteEvery care has been taken to present this accessible copy of the minutes with accuracy, but the formal record of the meeting remains the signed paper copy of the minutes.

PRESENT

Councillors Gabriel, Grevatt, Hunt, Luscombe, Seager-Berry and District and Parish Councillor Steer.

APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

County Councillor Vint and Councillor Bell.

MINUTES

The MINUTES of the meeting held on 1st September 2015 were confirmed and signed – proposed Cllr Seager-Berry seconded Cllr Steer.

MATTERS ARISING

The work on the playpark gate has been completed. Thanks are due to Messrs Andrew and Mark Langmead, who carried out this work at no cost to the Council. Questions were raised concerning the disposal of the cut grass from the play area. Action Cllr Gabriel.

REPORTS

Councillor Vint submitted a report of his work at county level. He also asked for the Council’s thoughts regarding the recent accident on the bridge at Avonwick. Cllr Seager-Berry recalled the many attempts over the years to find a solution to the problems caused by vehicle owners approaching the bridge at inappropriate speeds. Traffic lights have been mentioned on many occasions but have always been rejected by the highways department. Councillors suggested that further barriers could be constructed and that a flashing warning sign might have an effect on some drivers. Cllr Seager-Berry expressed concern over the relative height of the road surface when compared to the height of the parapets. She believes that the road surface has seen successive layers of resurfacing which have raised the level of the road to the extent that the parapets are no longer high enough to do the work expected of them.

Councillor Steer reported that additional planning officers had been appointed and that the enforcement of planning decisions is receiving greater attention. A group of travellers had recently occupied space off the Totnes – Newton Abbot road. Wind turbines and solar farms are no longer featuring significantly in planning applications.

Councillor Seager-Berry reported on a recent meeting of the flood committee. This committee has recently lost two significant members due to their moving home. The committee is, however, continuing to function. At present a “home” for sand bag provision is being located.

Councillor Grevatt reported on the progress being made on the new website. Councillor Steer agreed that funding could be made available from his locality fund to cover the costs involved. Councillor Grevatt also reported on the success of the recent “Apple fair” held by the Village Hall committee. Councillors expressed their appreciation of the work that had gone into organising the fair and voiced their congratulations to the committee for the success of the venture. Councillor Grevatt informed the Council that the secretary of the village hall committee had resigned and that Mr Paul Tyler, chairman of the committee, would, for the present, be acting as the point of contact. [CONTACT DETAILS REMOVED]

CORRESPONDENCE

Specific items of CORRESPONDENCE were noted as follows:

DCC – Flood Resilience, noted DALC – Newsletter, noted

SHDC – Prior notification applications, noted

Diptford and North Huish Parish News – agreement to publish NH Parish minutes in magazine , agreed.

Local Government Boundary Commission –Consultation for North Devon, noted.

FINANCE:

 

Balance c/f 8401.03
Income VAT ref. 590.00
Income (interest) 0.28
Expenditure park 90.00
Balance c/f 8901.31

 

 

This balance is made up as follows:

 

P3 money 149.40
Council funds 8751.91
Total 8901.31

 

HIGHWAYS

Councillor Gabriel reported on a meeting that he had had with Diptford Parish Council regarding the appointment of a Community Road Warden. It was agreed to advertise this post.

Concern had been raised by parishioners over the unfinished raised area at the side of the road near the Avon Inn. Action clerk

It was reported that repairs to the road surface between Coombe House and North Huish had been carried out to a good standard.

The condition of the road surface from Woodland Barton to Langford Cross was causing concern. Fears concerning the health and safety of road users at this point were raised. Action clerk.

Knotweed was reported on the Avonwick – South Brent road. Action clerk.

ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

The Parish Website. The Parish Precept.

NEXT MEETING

On Tuesday 3rd November 2015 at 7.30pm at St James Church, Avonwick.