Raddon Hills Area Group of Parish Councils
Notes from the meeting held on Wednesday 24 February 2016 at Newton St Cyres Parish Hall, at 7.30 pm
Present: Cllr David Baker (NSC PC) (Chair) Cllr Andrew Wiles (Brampford Speke PC) Cllr David Cowie (Stoke Canon PC) Cllr Derek Boustred (Stoke Canon PC) Cllr Robert Ayre (Shobrooke PC) Cllr Chris Boult (Shobrooke PC) Cllr John Spivey (Thorverton PC) Cllr Levon Stephan (Rewe PC) Cllr Jill Baker (NSC PC) Cllr Simon Grundy (EDDC) Sergeant Dave MacFadden (Crediton Police) PCSO Lisa Crocker (Crediton Police) Ros Davies (DCC Footpath Officer)
Apologies: Cllr M Squires (DCC) Cllr B Deed (MDDC) Cllr P Hare-Scott (MDDC) Cllr N Way (MDDC) Cllr Hugh Rogers (Stockleigh Pomeroy PC) Fred Harper (Shobrooke Footpaths) Cllr Clive Smith (Upton Pye Footpaths) Cllr Peter Bowden (DCC) Cllr G Quicke (NSC PC) Cllr M Merrett (Brampford Speke PC) Cllr J Stroud (Rewe PC)
In Attendance: Victor Gough (DCC Project Officer, Road Warden Scheme), Jock Campbell (NSC Community Resilience Officer) Jane Hole (Minute taker)
52. Notes for the meeting of the 20 October 2015 The notes were agreed as a correct record
53. Matters Arising (not on the Agenda) Social media – possible topic for another meeting?
54. Police input Sergeant Dave MacFadden gave a report. The police funding cuts were not as much as anticipated by Tony Hogg at the last Raddon Hills meeting. A funding review was due in November/December and it was possible that several million pounds would still need to be cut. However, PCSO’s were secure for the next two years. PC Keith Bradshaw had left Crediton Station and moved to Exeter’s crime hub. It was agreed to send a letter of appreciation from the Raddon Hills Group for his work and support over the past few years. Overall crime figures were down by 12.4%, although common assault showed an increase. A summary of the crime figures will be circulated with these minutes. There was no update regarding the re-development of Crediton Police Station. Rewe Parish asked if they could receive monthly updates for crime figures. David thanked Dave and Lisa for their input and both left after this item.
55. Community Resilience – what plans have parishes made? DCC had recently stated that every parish should have a Community Resilience Plan (CRP). Jock Campbell, Newton St Cyres (NSC) Community Resilience Officer gave an overview of the process involved in the production of NSC Community Resilience Plan (CRP), a copy of which is available on NSC PC’s website. The reasons behind the development of the plan were three-fold: increased threats due to weather/climate etc., concern that there would be less support from authorities’/emergency services and an ageing population. The plan had been developed with support from DCC and the
Page 1 of 5 Environment Agency (EA) through the Pathfinder project which had provided a template to help develop the plan. The plan identified all types of eventuality/emergency and identified the risk and likelihood involved with each. The risk of flooding came out as high and therefore most work had been undertaken in this area. Flood wardens had been trained by DCC and the EA had installed a tipping rain gauge which could issue text alerts when certain water levels were reached. A lot of emphasis had been placed on mitigating the circumstances to prevent flooding occurring, for example, working with landowners/famers to clear waterways. Steve Densham (MDDC) had been instrumental in this co-operative working and had arranged for consultants to carry out two surveys into further work that could be taken to alleviate flood risk, funding for which was now being sought. Three emergency sheds containing emergency equipment/signs had been funded by DCC and were at strategic places in the parish. The Devon Community Resilience Forum had provided the opportunity to network with other parishes in Devon. A night time helicopter landing site for the Devon Air Ambulance was being considered at the Recreation ground. NSC currently had one defibrillator and plans were in place for a second, located at the Recreation ground. The current defibrillator had been funded by the British Heart Foundation and it was noted that funding could be applied for from the lottery. Parishes present said they would struggle to get volunteers to work on such a project. Jock felt that much of the motivation in NSC was generated by self-interest as many of the people active in the flood watch group had previously been affected by flooding. It was noted that until recently vegetation and other material cleared from ditches and roadsides was classified as hazardous waste and could not be put on fields, which was part of the reasons why land owners/farmers did not carry out the work as often as necessary. Simon suggested it would be helpful if the information from NSC’s tipping rain gauge could be fed into other warning systems to provide information for areas further downstream. It was noted that there were three local rain gauges which could be accessed at: http://www.gaugemap.co.uk/ David thanked Jock for his input and Jock left the meeting.
56. DCC Highways - councils to compare service received and to take a vote as to whether there is any confidence in DCC's management of this service
A paper by David Cowie (Stoke Canon PC) had been circulated detailing many highway problems experienced by Stoke Canon parish. A major problem had been caused by a broken culvert, the existence of which had been denied by highways, but which on inspection was found to be defective due to ingress/blockage and was eventually replaced. Recently the EA said they needed to carry out repairs/reinforcement work on the Stoke Canon bridge on the A396 and scheduled this work for February 2016. The parish did not feel that their concerns about the timing of the closure and the diversion route were taken into account and so contacted the emergency services only to find that they had not been informed of this scheduled work in accordance with established protocols. The work has been postponed. On another recent occasion South West Highways (SWH) distributed road closure letters around the village warning residents to move their cars or have them moved for them, only for the work not to start and on contacting SWH were told the letters had been issued in error. Work previously carried out by the EA on a gully assembly sits proud of the road and only takes surface water into the drain when the road is flooded. This defect has been acknowledged but has not been fixed. The depressions were filled in but reappeared the morning after the work was carried out. Restrictions placed by highways on the type of equipment/road
Page 2 of 5 signs that must be used are another source of frustration. Stoke Canon have had five Neighbourhood Highways Officers (NHO) since 2013.
Parishes present agreed that they were frustrated with highways and identified the main problems as lack/no communication/feedback, lack of understanding of issues, in some cases poor quality of work, some jobs undertaken in the wrong order, identified work not carried out/not carried out in a timely manner, no willingness to work with parishes and lack of continuity by changing NHO’s. Parishes were appreciative of the lack of money that highways have but felt that better working relationships with parishes would lead to better solutions for all.
Parishes had been unable to get answers from County Councillors, the head of highways would not attend a public meeting that NSC had asked for and Mel Stride, MP, was helpful, but had no influence over DCC. Victor suggested that a formal complaint should be made.
Rewe parish stated that it had increased its precept by 25% for the next financial year so it could do the work that highways were no longer doing.
It was noted that problems with highways were county wide as evidenced by the highways conference that DALC had organised for later in March.
The group would be interested to know how DCC plan to fund highways going forward, given the decreasing funding from central government.
It was agreed to send a letter to Phil Norrey, Chief Executive of DCC setting out the concerns of the group. Clerk to circulate to the group prior to sending. In addition to see what help DALC might be able to give following on from the conference in March.
57. To consider the employment of a Raddon Hills Highways lengthsman David had circulated a paper suggesting how a Raddon Hills lengthsman might be employed, together with details of the equipment required and costs involved. Most parishes present felt the costs were too high and would need a significant increase in the precept in order to pay for it. In addition, it might be that some weeks there would be no work to be carried out, or work may not be possible due to weather and it would be difficult to justify employing someone in these circumstances. An alternative proposal of using a contractor was suggested as this would remove the burden of employment, insurance, training and equipment. However, it was agreed that this would best be done on a parish basis rather than an organised Raddon Hills basis. It was therefore agreed not to proceed with this proposal at the present time.
58. Footpath updates from Ros Davies (DCC) and Parish Council Footpath Wardens Ros reported as follows: Bickleigh Warden: Richard Spurway P3 Status: Not P3 All good – no works are planned. Burnhalt Bridge has been closed on health and safety grounds. Estimated costs for replacement £180k. Brampford Speke Warden: Richard Spurway P3 Status: Member of the P3 scheme Generally, all good. Boardwalk extension planned and funding has been provided. Richard will be working with the parish to co-ordinate the project.
Page 3 of 5 Cadbury Warden: Sam Jeffcoat P3 Status: Not P3 Only one right of way in the parish, the route leads to a hill fort and is in good order. Recently walked by the warden. Crediton Hamlets Warden: Johnathan Rowlands P3 Status: Not P3 Warden is new to the area and yet to undertake a full path inspection. There are no outstanding matters at present but any work needed will be undertaken at the time of inspection. Huxham Warden: Richard Spurway P3 Status: Not P3 No matters to report at present Newton St Cyres Warden: Johnathan Rowlands P3 Status: P3 Surface works planned on footpaths 1 and 12 and agreed with the P3 co-ordinator Steve Parker. Work to be completed when weather improves. Netherexe Warden: Richard Spurway P3 Status: No P3 Stile on land belonging to Mr May is due to be improved. Richard will undertake the work.
Rewe Warden: Richard Spurway P3 Status: Member of the P3 scheme No outstanding work that we are aware of Shobrooke Warden: Sam Jeffcoat P3 Status: Member of the P3 Scheme Work planned to convert last remaining stiles to gates (subject to landowner permission). Funding for this has been awarded. Bridge has been replaced recently. Fred Harper, P3 Co-ordinator, has undertaken excellent work in the parish in recent years. Stockleigh Pomeroy Warden: Sam Jeffcoat P3 Status: Not P3 All walkable routes are in great order – no problems reported by the public. Stoke Cannon Warden: Richard Spurway P3 Status: Member of the P3 Scheme No works planned at present – all good Thorverton Warden: Sam Jeffcoat P3 Status: Not P3 We have an obstructed path close to Hulk Lane. A diversion may be required. Upton Pyne Warden: Richard Spurway P3 Status: Member of the Scheme
Page 4 of 5 Flood alleviation work planned – in discussion with Clive Smith, P3 Co-ordinator.
59. Housing development pressures and exchange of information It was noted that the housing bill was still subject to amendments as it continued to go through parliament. Hastoe had stated that they would not give the extended right to buy to rural tenants whilst they still had discretion in the matter. Thorverton parish noted that a local developer had been found for its housing scheme and work should begin shortly. Upton Pyne had finished their affordable housing development.
60. Parishes update on progress with Superfast Broadband, in particular the last 10% Rewe and Brampford Speke were not connected but all the other parishes present were now connected in full or part.
61. Proposed Boniface all-purpose trail from Crediton to Exeter – update on progress The group were in the process of registering as a charity and continued to make progress.
62. To consider if a Raddon Hills website, hosted by MDDC, would be beneficial It was noted that MDDC would host a website for no charge and the Clerk was willing to set it up and maintain as necessary. The website could provide a description of Raddon Hills group, post minutes of meetings and provide a link to each individual parish website. Clerk to progress.
63. Update on developments within each Parish Brampford Speke parish had a Clerk vacancy and would circulate details round the group Clerk to circulate to Rewe and Stoke Canon an example performance appraisal form.
64. Any other business There was no further business
65. Date and location of next meeting in October A rota for hosting meetings had been circulated and was agreed. Clerk to check if Stockleigh Pomeroy could host the next meeting on 18/19 October 2016.
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