Parish Council Newsletter Issue 21. June 2009 Chairman’s Report Due to the time constraints this year, the recipient has From the Annual Parish Meeting been selected from nominations made by Councillors Held on Wednesday 6 th May 2009 and the presentation will be made later this evening. The Parish Council agrees that this is an excellent This meeting will follow a slightly different format to way to acknowledge the huge contribution volunteers last year. We have added reports from the Parish make in our community; volunteers are essential to Council’s Committees as well as local organisations the smooth running of so many local organisations, which have received grants in excess of £500 from and it is time this contribution is recognised and the Parish Council in the past year; this includes applauded by the community as a whole. South Brent Old School Centre, South Brent Pre School and 1 st South Brent Scout Group. From now onwards, nominations for this award will be So what has the Council been doing over the past requested from village organisations in the Parish year? Council’s December newsletter, with a supporting statement of not more than 100 words and presented During the year, Paul Hedges retired and gave up the at the Annual Parish Meeting. role of Parish Tradesman and as a thank you, Paul and his wife Carolyn were guests of honour at the The Council is very grateful to District Councillors Annual Parish Dinner held on Saturday 25 th April. Cathie Pannell and Colin Jones, County Councillor This position has now been filled by Ian Wade. Trevor Pennington, Maurice Retallick, Parish Council The issue of the unauthorised ‘Travellers Sites’ in the Representative at Dartmoor National Park Authority Parish have taken up a great deal of time and effort. and the local Police for regular attendance at Council The greatest concern most recently was when a new meeting and keeping the Council up to date on local group of ‘Travellers’ pitched up on the Recreation matters. The Council would also like to thank Pam Field. Fortunately they only stayed for a short period Honeywill who takes care of the toilets at of time. The Council remains vigilant to this issue and Sanderspool Cross Play Area. She also opens and is in regular contact with the authorities responsible closes the park as well as looking after the Bus for providing for ‘Travellers’. Shelters and generally keeps the area tidy. On behalf of the Parishioners of South Brent, please accept this The Remembrance Service, held in November, was bouquet, as a token of their appreciation for the work exceptionally well attended. Thanks are due to Revd you do, particularly as this can sometimes be a David Winnington-Ingram, Mrs Patricia Prebble, the thankless task. servicemen who kindly arranged to attend the service, to Mr Graham Jordan and Mr Mike Roberts for And Julia Willoughby, Clerk to South Brent Parish parading the standards, and to everyone who took Council. Even though I have been a Parish Councillor part. PC Jacqui Hopper assisted with traffic control for 14 years and this is my fourth year as Chairman, I before the service and again on 11th November for know this role would be much more difficult without the two minute silence at the Toll House, for which Julia’s support and the work of the Council much the Council is most grateful. harder without her calming influence, knowledge, The Christmas lights, in the centre of the village were experience, and dedication, also her willingness to different last year. Due to Health and Safety concerns undertake CiLCA training to assist the Council with regarding ‘stringing’ lights across the highway, six meeting the ‘Quality Council’ status. On behalf of the solar powered Christmas Trees were installed in Fore Parishioners of South Brent, Councillors, both past Street, Church Street and Station Road. Although not and present please accept our heartfelt thanks and very successful, given the short notice of replacing this small token of my personal appreciation. the previous display and in an attempt to be more Finally, at the Council meeting held in October, the sustainable, this was a fair compromise. Council agreed amendments to the Standing Orders, During the year two Councillors have decided to step notably Standing Order 12a, which limits the term of down from the Council. Firstly, Ron Akehurst, who office of the Chairman to four consecutive years. This served with the Council for six years, his contributions amendment was made unanimously and one which I will be sadly missed especially with highway matters. whole heartedly support. As I have completed four This vacancy has been filled in March by Miss Donna consecutive years, as Chairman, I shall be standing Warne whom we warmly welcome. Kevin down from this position at the Annual Parish Council Chamberlain has just left the Council after ten years. Meeting which will be held on Monday 18 th May 2009 He was Chairman of the Planning Committee for four in The Stansbury Room at the Village Hall starting at years. But he will be missed mostly for his invaluable 7.30pm. It has been a privilege to serve as Chairman contribution to the Media Committee including the for the past four years and I hope my successor production of the newsletter. enjoys the challenges that come with this position, as The Parish Council has this year launched a much as I have. ‘Community Champion Award’ for the Parish, to Thank you. recognise the invaluable contribution volunteers make Cllr Glyn Richards to our Community. 1 Issue 21. South Brent Parish Council Newsletter June 2009 New Chairman and Vice Chairman for South Brent South Brent Parish Council Community Champion At the Annual meeting of South Brent Parish Council Award 2008/09 th on 18 May, Cllr. Mark Copleston was elected The nominees and winner of the Award, for this Chairman of the Council, with Cllr. Greg Wall elected year were: Vice Chairman. Graham Jordan runs the Inter Parish Quiz, is Cllr. Glyn Richards has served for four years as Chairman and indicated that he would step down at famous for his quizzes and for hosting the Village the May meeting in line with the Council’s standing Hall Show for many years. orders. The Council recorded a vote of thanks for all Anne Nicholls was nominated for all her efforts Cllr. Richards’ efforts, and welcomed Cllr. Copleston with the Recreation Association and at Palstone to his new role with a good humoured meeting, and applause when the meeting closed! Park, particularly sourcing funding and working Members of the public and press are invited to attend with young people. any meetings of the Parish Council, which are Phillip Ward-Green has been involved with the advertised on the Council website South Brent Action and Community Group for 25 www.southbrent.gov.uk and on the Council notice years, and Chairman for 10 years. boards. Jane Wellens has organised ‘Villages in Action’ events for some years as well as regular BEATING THE BOUNDS ‘Breakfast Cafes’ and other cultural and fund raising projects. The ancient ceremony of ‘Beating the Outer (Moorland) Boundary of the parish of South Brent will The winner was Anne Nicholls of South Brent take place on Recreation Association. th Saturday 26 September 2009 Start at Heathstone Head at 9.30 am sharp. Free transport to Heathstone Head will leave from the Station Yard car park from 8.30 am. (Please note there is no parking in the area of Neighbourhood Watch Heathstone Head or Gidleigh Bridge) Refreshments for participants will be provided at the Neighbourhood Watch is one of the biggest and end of the walk at Turtley Corn Mill. most successful crime prevention initiatives ever. No dogs or riders on horseback. Behind it lies a simple idea and a value shared by This is a 9 mile walk, not suitable for young children. millions of people around the country; Children are to be accompanied by an adult. Transport from Turtley Corn Mill back to the village 'Getting together with your neighbours to take will be free for walkers. action can cut local crime' All are invited to assist the Parish Council Everyone knows that the police are there to fight in performing this ancient rite. crime, but they need the community's help to do an Enquiries: clerk@southbr ent.gov.u k (01364) 72894 effective job. Neighbourhood Watch schemes with an active partnership with the police can: COMMONS ACT 2006 - cut crime and the opportunities for crime The implementation of the Commons Act 2006 is an - help and reassure those who live in fear of opportunity for the updating of the registers of crime common land and of town and village greens, which - encourage neighbourliness and closer are held by Devon County Council as the Commons Registration Authority for Devon. The registers were communities drawn up in the late 1960s and in some respects are For more information on Neighbourhood Watch now out of date. Parish Councils have been asked to schemes or how to set one up in your area please consider land that could be added to the register. contact the Crime Reduction Office at Totnes on Such land would enjoy the legal protection afforded 01803 860415 or ask for contact from your local to common land and be subject to the public access provisions of the Countryside and Rights of Way Act. Neighbourhood Beat Manager PC 2870 Jacqui It is also possible that some land has been wrongly Hopper by leaving your contact details on: registered as Common land or town or village green 08452 777 444.