20-21/

MORCHARD BISHOP PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF PARISH PATHS PARTNERSHIP SUB-COMMITTEE MEETING

Monday 12th October 2020 at Sports and Social Club

Present: Neale Meade (Chairman), Jackie Patten (P3 Co-ordinator), Paul Trimming, David Parker (Parish Clerk).

1. Apologies: Sonja Andrews, Roger Field, Claire Proietti, Massimo, Proietti, Ros Davies (Public Rights of Way – Parish Paths Liaison Officer for ).

2. The minutes of the meeting of 10th August 2020 (and Appendix) were approved and signed by the Chairman. Proposer: Jackie Patten

3. There were no Matters Arising not dealt with elsewhere

4. Finance: – Funds in the P3 account stand at £4,017.72. We have received £2,050 from Devon PROW for further major works. Johnie Butt has been commissioned to put in a stream crossing on Footpath 61 at Tatepath. David is still to apply for a VAT rebate. Finance Report approved by the Committee.

5. Fp 18 & 19 and Watcombe Farm - have approved the redirection of footpaths 18 & 19 around Watcombe Farm, further, Ros Davies reports that Steve Gardner (Public Rights of Way Senior Officer, Asset Management and Enforcement at Devon County Council) has said ‘I agree with we can process this diversion free of charge as it is in the public interest. We could also supply / install any gates free of charge’. Ros Davies will continue to progress this matter.

6. Fp 24 – David is expecting signs from Ros Davies about the footpath being a cul-de-sac, (as at the time of writing these minutes – sign now received) David hopes that Sam will still be able to speak with the new owners of Ingodown farm to see if the whole footpath could be reopened. Again, with the current pressures on Devon PROW department this will not be given any priority for the moment. Leave this on the agenda as a watching item in the hope that as pressure decreases over the winter that Devon CC can move this matter forward.

7. Volunteer Reporting: - Jackie reports that we are still not getting many reports. Neale passed Jackie some reports at the meeting. Jackie will send out an e-mail to the footpath friends addressed individually stating the footpaths that still need to be walked.

8. Report on Footpaths/outstanding works – see separate appendix for ongoing work. The numbers highlighted in pink are those where we have instructed Jay Northfield to do the work.

- Fps12 & 14 Middle Weeke Farm have planted their Maize crop too close to the hedge-line to get a clear path - Fp 13 Middle Weeke Farm have planted swedes (covered by nets) and in another field sugar beet and in neither case have they left room for the footpath nor have they signposted a diversion. – David has spoken with Ros, Sam Jeffcoat is contacting the farmer to explain the position regarding Public Rights of Way.

Work to do

Fp 32 needs a marker – Paul will do it.

Page 1 of 2

20-21/

Fp 32 according to the map – Fp 32 starts on Road. Since Bishops Meadow was built and the footpath blocked up – it is now not obvious that the footpath should be accessed via Greenway. We need to place an appropriate sign with diagram on the Corner of Chulmeigh Road and Greenway. The finger post signposting Fp32 needs to be visible from Greenway – David will arrange for it to be moved. Fp 48 – Vegetation needs cutting back around the sign – Neale will do it. Fp 38 needs much better marking

Major Works Fp 61 Johnie Butt has been commissioned to put in a stream crossing at Tatepath.

9. Two Moors Way Noticeboard – Roger has circulated a proof of the proposed sign. Sonja doesn’t like the proposed font for the wording – bottom right. The rest of the committee had mixed views about it – David will circulate five Alternative fonts for the whole committee to vote on by e-mail. Roger can then confirm the order for the sign.

11. Any other Business – Ros Davies had informed David that Sem Jeffcoat was moving to a new area as of 1st November 2020 and that Stuart Howell would be our new Footpath Warden – he’s a lovely chap and very approachable. Ros and Stuart will visit Middle Weeke Farm next year before crops are sown to reinforce the Public Rights of Way across their land. Paul Trimming suggested that in the future we start naming some of the footpaths (or circular walks) and then write about them in the Morchard Messenger to encourage locals to walk other footpaths they may not be familiar with.

The next scheduled meeting of the P3 committee will be at 6.30pm on Monday 14th December 2020

Page 2 of 2