CHITTLEHAMPTON PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the meeting held on 20 February 2019 at 7.30 pm. The Methodist Hall, Chittlehampton.

Present: Parish Councillors: Mr M Ives, (Chairman), Mr T Kirby, Mr H Hooper, Mrs R Rawle, Mrs S Rowe, Mr P Bradbury, Mr I Waldron, Mrs M Edwards County Councillor Mr R Edgell District Councillor Mr W White Parish Clerk Mr A Scott Apologies: Parish Councillors Mrs P Shallcross, Mr C Timberlake, Mrs A Davies

No response: N/a Members of the public: No members of the public were present

The meeting started at 7:30pm. The minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of 9th January 2019 and of the Planning Meetings of 9th January 2019 and 7th February 2019 were agreed and signed off as true records.

Matters Arising

Air Ambulance: All work has been completed apart from the construction of the steps which needs to be done in warmer weather to avoid the risk of frosts. Grenville Buckingham, who used to live in village, has very kindly donated the sum of £438.42 to the Parish Council which covers the outstanding cost of the air ambulance lighting.

Affordable Housing: The Parish Clerk has received notification that questionnaires will be sent to all households. Cllr Hooper intends to attend a Community-led Housing Seminar to be held in Barnstaple on 14th March 2019. [Post meeting note: The affordable housing questionnaire will be sent out during the second week of March with a closing date of 19th April 2019]

Eastacott Cross: The previous Clerk has written to all parties involved as indicated in last month’s minutes. No direct response has been received from Nick Russell (NR), Inspector of Ancient Monuments, Historic England South West and the matter is now considered closed.

The Square: There is a need to wait for the weather to improve before work can start.

Dog Bins: There is nothing to report but checks will be made on whether the bin near Murch’s building, Umberleigh is being emptied every week as it always appears full.

Playing Field: The RoSPA inspection will take place in March. There is an option to pay extra to have someone present during the inspection but Councillors agreed that this was not necessary. Once the report has been received, steps will be taken to implement any maintenance work identified. The Parish Council has signed up to have automatic future inspections unless we cancel them.

Register of Interests: All entries have been updated.

Highway Matters: There is nothing new to report.

Umberleigh Village Hall: In the absence of Cllr Shallcross no update was available regarding the request for funding for a storage container which has been passed to the Village Hall Committee.

Broken Signpost: In the absence of Cllr Mrs Davies no update was available regarding Mr and Mrs Nicolls’ intended appeal against NDC’s decision to refuse their application for permission in principle on land at Little Ash.

Payments made: £40.00 Mr L Southcombe. Spraying of weed killer. £387.75 Mrs K Wylde. Wages, Expenses, Petty Cash. £35.97 Mrs M Edwards. Plants.

Payments received: £33.00 Mrs C Henderson-Begg. Donation for Air Ambulance Lights. £3984.82 Devon Air Ambulance Trust Grant. £1200.00 NDDC.

Go North Devon: In response to a request from Go North Devon Councillors unanimously agreed to repeat last year’s donation of £50.

Chittlehampton Primary School: The Chairman has spoken to the Chair of the school’s Board of Governors who has confirmed that the Board is fully committed to keeping the school open. The Chairman listed all the actions already being taken to increase roll numbers. Cllr Edgell explained he has discussed the school with the Chairman of the Parish Council at some length and he explained the issues involved. The standard of education being provided is very good. It has recently had an Ofsted inspection and was graded as Good. The question was raised as to whether new parents are given a welcome pack when they move into the village and whether this could highlight the school. Cllr Edgell would like to arrange a meeting at the school between himself and representative Governors. The Parish Clerk will contact the Chair of Governors for the school in this regard.

Any other Business: Cllr Edgell explained that the County Council has a full meeting on the budget tomorrow. The limit on increases in council tax means that the increase must be under 3% so it will be just under this at 2.99%. To go above this limit and run a referendum would be counter-productive due to the costs involved. The improvements to the link road are in motion. The Government have provided £83m and the County Council £10m. The objectives are to deal with safety issues and to improve the flow of traffic. Work is planned to start in a year’s time. A roundabout will be built at Landkey and 1000 new houses at Whiddon Valley. There will be an integrated junction at West Buckland. Cllr Edgell showed the Parish Councillors the plans and explained the reasoning behind the decisions that had been taken.

Cllr White informed the meeting that the District Council will meet a week on Monday and that they too plan their contribution to the council tax to be increased by 2.99%. Atherington looks as if it will need a new defibrillator and they were wondering if the one at Umberleigh is also getting near the end of its life. The Chairman explained that it is newer than Chittlehampton’s one and that at the moment there is no reason for it to be replaced. Cllrs discussed the various costs involved.

The meeting ended at 8.15 pm. The next meeting will be at 7.30 pm on 10th April 2019 in the Methodist Hall, Chittlehampton.