REPORT BY MRS S SQUIRE, PARISH CLERK, ON ATTENDANCE AT A MEETING ON THURSDAY, 20 AUGUST 2015 AT THE GUILDHALL, BARNSTAPLE ORGANISED BY BARNSTAPLE TOWN COUNCIL TO LOOK AT POSSIBLE WAYS OF MANAGING GRASS AND VERGE CUTTING DUE TO A REDUCTION IN THIS CARRIED OUT BY DEVON COUNTY COUNCIL.

Mr Will Austin, Barnstaple Town Clerk introduced himself and said that the invitation to the Meeting had been extended to all Parish and Town Clerk’s in the North Devon Council area.

Five Clerks were present, representing South Molton Town Council, Braunton Parish Council, Fremington Parish Council, Mr T Squire representing Atherington, Bishops Tawton, Bratton Fleming, East & West Buckland and Goodleigh Parish Councils and myself representing Ashford, Berrynarbor, Chulmleigh, East Worlington, Georgeham, Horwood Lovacott and Newton Tracey, Kentisbury & Trentishoe and Romansleigh Parish Councils. A Councillor from Ilfracombe and a Councillor from North Molton were also there.

Mr Austin explained that DCC had agreed to hand over verge maintenance in Barnstaple to the Town Council.

Barnstaple has a sponsorship scheme in place with DCC which allowed businesses, community groups and individuals to take on green and planted areas. The relevant Licence is obtained and no fee is charged. 21 areas are sponsored in this way, some of which have a sponsorship sign.

In connection with the sign, I asked about planning permission which was acknowledged as necessary. Barnstaple Town Council organise this on behalf of the people who have sponsored the particular area as it would be advertising the company or group.

Disposal of green waste was discussed at length. Mr Austin advised that North Devon Council charge £50 per van load of green waste to dispose of this which is the responsibility of DCC. The very successful composting scheme at Bratton Fleming was spoken about which is for residents of that village only.

DCC will cut visibility splays and corners to comply with legal requirements but are adamant not to do any more.

Barnstaple Town Council offered to take on the grass cutting within Barnstaple and wanted £16,000 from DCC to do this. DCC offered £6,000 and a final figure of £10,000 was agreed.

We were told that DCC would be willing to give money to Parishes to use for grass cutting.

The TAP (Town & Parish) Fund could be used if a Parish partners another Parish but if it has been used for this purpose before, it can’t be used twice.

If a Parish Council decided to go down the route of dealing with grass and verge cutting, the number of Tenders required from contractors would depend on its Financial Regulations.

South Molton Town Council are looking to do in-house grass cutting which could be extended to include other Parishes. This is at a very early stage and there are no definite plans made.

Barnstaple Town Council provide a Chapter 8 trained person to do the risk management side of grass and verge cutting and volunteers who are already lined up then do the actual work in certain areas.

DCC offer Chapter 8 training and a half day awareness course where a minimum of 15 candidates are required.

Barnstaple Town Council could offer training and Parishes should advise if they are interested.

Roadside weeding was discussed but not in depth as this did not seem to be so much of a problem as the verges and visibility splays. Again, the TAP fund was suggested to pay for this in a particular Parish, providing they could partner another Parish.

South West Highways clean signs and replace where necessary free of charge. I was very surprised about this and am sure that this is not generally known.

A lot of information came out of the Meeting which I feel can take Parishes forward and I will be asking my Councillors for permission to approach DCC to find out how much they would give a Parish to do grass cutting. In the meantime, I have requested a grass cutting map for each Parish to show exactly the current responsibility of DCC in this area.

Sue Squire 21 August 2015