Clayhidon Parish
Council
A Meeting of the above council
was held, on Monday 14th April 2014 at
the Church Room, Clayhidon at 7.30pm.
The following
Business was brought before the council:-
1.
Election of Chairman
2.
Election of Vice Chairman
3.
Confirmation of Minutes of Preceding Meeting.
4.
Matters arising from the minutes
5.
Payments of Accounts
6.
Parish Council Accounts / Audit / Auditor
7.
Reports from County / District Councillors
8.
Correspondence
9.
General business
Present
Mr RM Kallaway, Chairman; Mr RJ
Pike; Mr AFJ Redwood; Mrs S Hay; Mr ME Bendle; County Councillor Mr
RF Radford; Dist. Councillor Mr FJ Rosamond; Mr E Hopkinson of Devon
Wildlife Trust and Mr M Osmond, clerk. No parishioners present.
Apology
Apologies
were given for Mr AGS Hill & Mr RW Drew as unable to attend.
As
Mr Bendle was not present at this time the Chairman opened the meeting and
commenced with the Minutes and gave a welcome to those present.
Callers Farm
Mr Hill had contacted Mrs Hay in regard to
screening of the silage bunker time. The Chairman stated that Mr Hill had also
contacted him and as Mrs Hill was not well and in hospital, time not known.
Noted that Mr Drew had stated earthmoving and completion of present new
building would allow screening and that the Parish Council could visit and see
the site.
Election of Chairman
As
Mr Bendle now present clerk asked for nominations as Chairman. Mr R Pike
proposed Mr R Kallaway and this was seconded by Mr M Bendle, as Mr
Kallaway was willing to stand and there being no other nominations, this was
agreed by those present. Mr Kallaway then thanked members for their support
during past year and for his election.
Election of Vice Chairman
The
Chairman then asked for nominations for Vice Chairman. He stated that Mr A
Redwood wished not to stand again. Mr A Redwood then proposed Mrs S Hay and Mr
R Pike seconded this nomination. As there were no other nominations, this was
agreed by those present. The Chairman then thanked Mr Redwood for his past
service and support as Vice Chairman in past years, he then welcomed Mrs Hay as
Vice Chairman.
Minutes
The minutes of
meeting 10th February 2014 were taken as read (copies having been previously
circulated), confirmed and signed.
Matters Arising
Members
agreed that the Chairman would send a card from the parish council to Mrs Hill
with sincere wishes during present illness.
Hemyock Homes
Noted
two homes would have families from Cullompton. Mr Rosamond stated of background
details to affordable homes permission of District Council. Not all Hemyock
applications had reached the criteria standard at the present time. Families
outside of area had greater need and met the criteria standard. Question asked
as to whether a family in residence would need to move if their circumstances
changed, answer to this not known at present time.
High-Speed Broadband
Mr
N Parish MP for area had been contacted by District Councillor and informed
that he was looking at possible options regarding this and what funds were
available to be drawn upon in the Blackdowns.
Salt Spreader
After
a general discussion on a further model seen, that may be suitable it was
agreed to place on the autumn agenda.
Planning Application
Clerk
stated that although noted that Gladhayes barn conversion had been refused, the
formal notice of this had not been received.
Turbury
The
chairman introduced Mr Edric Hopkinson, Nature Reserves Officer, to speak on
the application made to erect a fence around part of turbury, 1773 metres of 3
strand barbed wire on wooden posts with wooden field and kissing gates at
access points which would enclose 11.05 hectares in order to facilitate
grazing. Also to reinstate the Public Right of Way (Footpath 6), at present
impassable, which runs across the turbury. Details given of work done and
proposed being the removal of gorse in places and tufted grass clumps to create
some open spaces for insects, this would sustain the habitat. A trial burn of
grass had been done to create the grazing area for Exmoor pony which would be
placed there when fencing completed. The Sandpit Cottage area would be fenced
as not part of the turbury owned, to prevent any claims of possible damage.
Noted Mr C Padfield had access right on part boundary to land owned by him and
any fence erected would not affect him. Visitors who walked footpaths would not
be affected. Details of insects and plants found on site listed to members as
being rich in these. No cost to the Parish Council for this work. All details
would be found on parish website, “Pump” magazine and at Wellington Library.
Thanks given for details received.
County Councillor
Mr
Radford stated of £200 being made available from his fund towards repairs to
sign post finger at Bolham Hayes. An email from Mr Hill on visit of W Pike was
noted and discussed which included upgrade of road through Bolham. Chairman
raised matters of cost quoted from reports received of road repairs for
Clayhidon. This was discussed by members. Noted around 50 potholes in need of
filling. Mr Radford stated of there not being enough money to do all work required
as budgets were not increasing to meet need. An extra £7 million from the
government to the County for road repair and extra staff employment to fill
potholes, this was a major problem across the County.
Members stated of potholes that had eroded to core of road as not filled
when only small and road not sealed to keep out surface water. Attention drawn
by Mr Radford, to amount received by County from Council tax in Clayhidon to
amount spent by highways in the parish, as more being spent than received. Costs
for Council Care Homes found to be higher than in the public sector, now review
in order to look for savings of £110 million. Thanks given for the details.
District Councillor
Mr
Rosamond gave a short report noting the public toilet at Hemyock, the parish
was to take over operation of this in order to keep it open. Local plan
consultation period now ended. East Tiverton extension plan under consultation
from public. The report made for junction 27 development awaited from
consultation. Waste collection service to be maintained as weekly. Thanks given
for details.
Payment of Accounts
The
following payments were proposed by Mr Pike seconded by Mr Redwood and agreed
by members
Community First Trading
|
Ins. Premium
|
£ 144.59
|
D.A.L.C.
|
Subscription £86.79 + VAT
£12.82
|
£ 99.61
|
Parish Council Accounts
Clerk
had prepared a Statement of Accounts for year end 31-3-2014 and this was
confirmed by a bank statement received for balance of £8020.97. It was then
proposed by Mr Bendle seconded by Mr Redwood and agreed the Statement and the
Receipts & Payment book be signed as correct and adopted.
Audit Return
Members
then confirmed the income and expenses of the Audit Return, proposed by Mr
Bendle seconded by Mr Redwood and agreed and signed by Chairman. The Governance
section was read, agreed and signed by the Chairman. Members agreed Mrs S
Aldworth to be internal auditor as she had been contacted by clerk and was
willing to do this. Date of or audit 9-6-2014
Correspondence
DCC
“Devon Waste Plan” the objectives and policy framework till 2031 on view as
submitted to Secretary of State notice. Copy of East & Mid Devon Safety
Partnership newsletter. Copy of Mid Devon “Parish Matters”. Copies of
HealthWatch voices of Devon. Mid Devon Open Space & Play Area survey. DCC
Confirmation Order of Footpath 28 & 31 changes. BSG notice of AGM on
3-6-2014 at Otterford Parish Hall. Other correspondence received, listed and
noted.
Planning application
Application
by Miss J Ward, Bolham Water for the erection of a two-storey extension on
higher Garage side. After viewing and discussion no objections raised and
members support given.
General Business
Chairman
stated of correspondence letter to Charity Trustees by Mr Hodges at
Churchstanton, requesting permission to cutback overgrown branches of hedge
trees for use of field as at present due to terms not possible. Chairman
stated, fields classed as Meadow grassland and he did not think it was as per
agreement. He had spoken to Mr C Carpenter of Churchstanton to discuss letter and
as still a problem with Munty Wood Charity the tenant, Mr K Hodges would pay to
Clayhidon Charity rents due and then Clayhidon would repay Churchstanton. Noted
the present agreement ends in 2014. Trustees wished to give to him a further 12
months tenancy to improve the grazing available. Mrs Hay stated that now Mrs M
Tuckey the post lady would not be retiring early as previously thought and
parish collection on hold. Mrs Hay stated that “Scout Agreement” for their use
of Grays Quarry ends in May and if wished by members would provide a new
agreement for their use for another year. This was agreed by all as no
complaints or problems raised by their use of wood.
Roads/High-Speed Broadband
Arising
from the email of Mr A Hill on state of roads and visit of W Pike, discussion
on how to take this forward was held. Agreed a public meeting at hall was best
option. Chairman would contact Mr Hill to arrange the visit of MP Mr N Parish
or he would contact the secretary of MP as to when available to come. Concerns on
high-speed broadband not being available could also be raised. Noted the
flooding of Miss C Smart’s arena was in part due to a Highways drain being
blocked by concrete when the new entrance to the property was created. Not
known if Mr Hill had contacted her for this to be cleared and ditch reinstated
to clear surface water.
Date of next meeting
As
there was no other business the meeting was closed after it was agreed on
Monday 9th June 2014 for the next meeting at the Church Room and those present
being thanked for attending.