BURRINGTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes prepared by Angela Snell

DRAFT

BURRINGTON PARISH COUNCIL 215
Parish Council Meeting held on the 29th September 2009

Present Mr J Short (chairman), Mr. B. Fraser-Smith, Mr P Bailey Mr M Evans, Mr P Smale, Mr R Snell Mrs T Weston, Mrs A Snell (Clerk)
In attendance, PCSO Yorkie, Mr J Evanshaw
Apologies: Mrs E Griffiths– Prior Commitment
Mr R Marriott
Mr R Edgell- County Councillor, Mrs S Croft - District Councillor


Mr John Short welcomed Ms Tracey Williams from North Devon Homes. Ms Williams was aware of the present difficulties in the village. North Devon Homes have people on a waiting list for homes along with North Devon District Council who through there Housing Advice Centre also have families requiring housing. NDH are unable to discriminate as to who is allocated properties families put down areas they would like to live requiring no local connection to these areas. Criminal records are checked but a very good reason has to be given for not housing a family. New criteria for house lettings are beginning in January. All previous NDDC homes are now run by North Devon Homes concerns come from these types of houses not the new S106 local connection houses.
Starter tenancies are undertaken that run for a year if problems occur in this time NDH have greater powers to work towards warning and finally eviction, these can be extended for another six months if required. If eviction does take place NDH are no longer responsible to home these people. The tenant is responsible for dependants living in the house along with visitors to the house. NDH does have an allocation policy that is available from the clerk.
If a problem family are in a certain area witnesses would have to come forward to give evidence of anti social behaviour in front of a Judge and it would be the Judges’ decision to prosecute and to obtain an injunction to ban people from certain areas. These people could then be on a priority move transfer, if on a starter tenancy two months notice can be given to evict.
A tenant has to read and sign a set of guidelines and rules which they have to adhere too with a copy for the tenant. Another way for families to move is by a mutual swoop but either of the properties must not be over crowded and this can happen over different areas. It must be stressed that the great majority of tenants are excellent.
It was suggested that the Parish Council put together a letter or leaflet informing prospective tenants of the up and downs of living in a rural village like the lack of amenities, distance to travel, bus schedules and the fact of there being no evening bus service but to promote the good things about village life and the good community spirit.
Ms Williams was thanked for coming and speaking to the Parish Council.

Public Participation
Mr Evanshaw raised concerns regarding the Post Office mobile service that over the last week the service has only been operating for 2 days instead of the contracted 4 days. He has contacted the PO at Cheriton Bishop and reported that the post master was in hospital and had put a notice in the van, but this does not fulfil the contract and no cover had been arranged it is feared this is the thin end of the wedge and back up should be provided. An official sign should at least be put out to explain the absences, a letter is to be written to the Post Office asking what is contractually required and if these targets are being met and if not why not.

Declaration of Interests – Councillors are invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interest,
including the nature and extent of such interests they may have in any items to be
considered at this meeting. They are also reminded to consider whether in the light of recent
activities any items within their Register of Interests should be updated.

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1.i . The Minutes of the meeting held on 25th August 2009 were agreed and signed
ii The Minutes of the planning meeting held on 11th September 2009 were agreed and signed.
2. Clerks report, i. Hedge cutting on the main route through the village was discussed, the NDDC
have been contacted and they are only required to cut for safety purposes, hedges, verges and in
front of signs. After investigation no advice was obtained regarding picking up cuttings. A quote has
been obtained of the estimated number of hours it would take to do one cut both sides where
required from Millmoor to Week this being 18 hours work , this item was deferred to the November
Budget meeting for further discussion. ii. The tender advert for the grass cutting contract for the
2010 season was agreed and three contractors are to be written to, with the advert also being
placed in the Parish magazine.
3. Chairman’s Report. i. Since the last meeting there has been a vandalism related fire in the
school shed which also burnt a corner of the infant classroom along with the shed containing
equipment, the police are now carrying out regular visits to the village. ii. The Parish Hall planning
is progressing and the Land Registry have requested a site visit which has been paid for. iii Two
quotes have been received for cleaning the obelisk, Mr R Grants quote has been accepted
at £100 and £182 for redoing the lettering a grant is to applied for to Cllr Sue Croft to cover these
expenses.
4. Highways, i. Mrs T Weston reported that she has received an email from highways to say the pipe for the drainage between the Dole Parks has been ordered, Mr Pearce has agreed to certain conditions and when the pipe is laid the patching work will be undertaken to tie in with the pipe work. It was also reported that the pipe across Green Down Lane has been installed; the larger pipe will now take all the water away therefore easing the problem on the Bridleway. Pot holes were reported at above Aylescott Driers and by the Sawmills.
5. County and District Councillors items: Cllr Croft has requested the grant application be forwarded to her for the Queen Victoria obelisk work and the fencing around the obelisk this will be undertaken. The DAPC AGM was held on the 26th September it was reported that the affiliation fees will be raised by 2%, the Local Government Review is unlikely to proceed due to the forthcoming election but more co-operative ties need to be forged between District Councils. The DAPC is to change its name to the Devon Association of Local Councils this will be implemented from April 2010. Mr Mike Mansell is at present Acting Chief Executive of NDDC, closer ties are being forged with Torridge District Council both councils have voted to explore sharing services.
6. Finance, Approve and sign the following cheques from 1851:-
701 J and J Bins £8.66
702 Mr R Turner( grass cutting) £192.00
703 Clerks salary expenses £591.16
704 Office expenses £53.65
Approve and sign the following cheques from 4535:-
115 MVF Mr R Webber security fencing £253.49

All councillors were in agreement to approve the cheques.
i. Quotes were discuss for renovation work on the bus shelter, a quote has been received for renovation work but it is a bigger job than first anticipated, with the quote in access of £700 another quote has been received for repairing and painting the shelter from Mr M Marks of £180 it was proposed by Mr P Bailey and seconded by Mrs T Weston it was unanimously agreed to accept Mr Marks quote. The gate into the school was discussed as being in poor repair it was agreed for Mr J Short and Mr P Bailey to inspect the gate and it was suggested to have it in keeping with the fencing that will be erected around the obelisk.
ii. The quotes for the electrical work around the MUGA were discussed it was proposed by Mrs T Weston and seconded by Mr B Fraser-Smith to accept Mr K Pickard quote for 6 impact resistance

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bulkhead lights at £480 + VAT it was pointed out that the wood and fixings need attention before these are put in place.
ii. The quotes for fencing around the obelisk were discussed it was proposed by Mr P Bailey and seconded by Mrs T Weston to accept Mr M Cox from Village Property Maintenance to supply and erect fencing and gate at Burrington School for £325 all agreed, it was noted liaison needs to be undertaken with the school when work is to be carried out.
ii. iv. The preferred suppliers list was deferred to the next meeting.
As it was 9.30pm all agreed to continue.
7. Planning
Planning P C recommendations NDDC
44369 Balls Corner
46953 Bedprot Farm, farm mangers dwelling Appeal

46996 2 North Parks stables A letter has been received from NDDC planning stating that retrospective planning is required.
48787 Kingsland garage Passed
48937 Jenny Fox Cottage
49009 DAAT @ Eaglescott Airfield, amended
car park layout, additional lighting & storage, new canopy Mr B Fraser-Smith and Mr R Snell declared a personal interest in the item to be discussed. Two councillors Mr J Short and Mrs T Weston have visited the site of the proposed amended plans.
A long discussion took place, concluding that the layout of the car park, the canopy and the external store were agreed by all councillors as recommending for approval.
The Parish Council would recommend the lights on the understanding that the lights are only to be used in dark or poor weather conditions for return emergency missions only in designated flying hours and for no take off purposes what so ever.
With all previously agreed conditions being re-emphasised.
A vote took place with 4 for and 3 abstentions. So the proposal was agreed to recommend approval.

8. Police Report. PCSO Yorkie reported that there is a greater police presence in the village with night patrols also taking place.13 calls have been made in the last 30 days including two burglaries at the sawmills . PCSO Yorkie was promoting the property marking kits which can be purchased for £4.70 on the 10th October at a central point in South Molton. The estimated cost of the vandalism to the school is in the region of £8 to £10 thousand pounds which is only partly covered by insurance. “No trick no treat no thanks” leaflets were distributed.
9. Post Office i. The mobile PO service was covered under public participation.
ii. The siting of the Parish Notice Board, the owner of the house has requested it be taken down due to the siting of the Post box next to it, The present site was felt to be the most advantageous in the centre of the village. So it was proposed to place the notice board on posts a distance from the wall on Parish Council ground next to the Post box. This was proposed by Mr P Bailey seconded by Mr R Snell.
10.Correspondence
i). Free Trees from ND Coast and Countryside Service are being offered details from the clerk.
ii). The DAPC Newsletter was distributed.
iii). The Devon Countryside Access Forum report has been received
iv.) The RD&E Newsletter is available.
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v). The Village Green was distributed.
vi). The CCD Review has been received.
It was reported that there has been a smell problem from the sewers in the village SW Water have been contacted along with the Environmental department.
As there was no further business the meeting was closed.


Date of next meeting Parish Council Meeting Tuesday 27th September 2009, 7.30pm,


…………………………Chairman


…………………………..……Date



Tuesday 27th October with Ms Emma Ingle from NDDC Customer Services
Tuesday 24th November Budget meeting
 

Parish Clerk, Angela Snell: 01769 520265, rjandarsnell@aylescott.fsnet.co.uk

Minutes prepared by Angela Snell 

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