MEMBERS

Cllr J Foster - Chairman

Cllr S Franklin - Vice Chairman

Cllr V Haddy Cllr S Hill Cllr S Walton

Cllr M Palmer Cllr P Preston-Day Cllr K Stow

District Council Representative - Cllr I Steer

County Council Representative - Cllr G Date

1. Apologies - were received from Cllr Haddy and County Cllr Date.
2. Declaration of Interest and update of Members’ Interests - Cllr Franklin in 5a.
3. Minutes of the previous meeting Monday 5 March were approved and signed.
4. Planning Matters
1. 2975 SHDC - Application for work to tree preservation trees (2565) at The Copse, Curtisknowle - the council had no objection to this work.
2. 2977 SHDC - Boreston Foot Cottage, Halwell - it was noted their application from had been withdrawn.
3. Review of outstanding issues:
• 17/2154/05/F Mount Zion Mill - a parishioner queried that this could be used as residential accommodation, the council checked the planning permission and this is not allowed. However it was noted that there were two points where the building does not appear to be the same as the plan so the clerk was asked to write to check these with SHDC planning.
• A further parishioner has objected to the caravan parked at Butterdon Lodge TQ9 7NZ, the clerk was to chase this again with SHDC planning.
• Bradridge Cross 17/1388/05F - the clerk is to ask SHDC planning to check this is no longer being used for business.
5. Highways and Paths
1. Cllr Franklin reported on P3: The Annual Grant from DCC in 2006 was £500. All our paths were classified as ‘Easy to Use’ in the annual County Council inspection, but we continue to improve where we can. Thank you to all landowners who co-operated in the scheme and all walkers who have used the paths.
• Footpath 1 - Village Hall to Moorcott. A small amount of money has been spent this year on road planings. However the very wet weather has resulted in a considerable amount of foot erosion to this path and we are hoping to add a further 40 metres above the concrete path shortly.
• Footpath 2 - Holsome Lane to Holsome Farm Lane. This path is in good condition and is regularly used. I would like to remind walkers to keep to the signed diverted path and to keep dogs under close control especially when there is stock in the field.
• Footpath 4 - Murtwell to Parish Boundary . The gateways have been hardened to alleviate the accumulation of mud in the winter. There have been reports of the gate at the Murtwell Lane end being tied with baler twine - this should not be tied as the latch is in good working order.
• Foothpath 5 - Greyhills Cottage to Crabadon Lane opposite Ashwell Lane. The 2 in 1 gate incorporating a pedestrian gate within the main gate works well when the field is not stocked, but the heavy rainfall this winter has again resulted in an accumulation of mud. We are working closely with the Rights of Way Warden to find a solution.
• Foothpath 57 - Moreleigh Road to Curtisknowle Road. All stiles here are in good condition and the path will be kept clear through a corn crop this year.
• Bridleway 3 - Broadley Farm to Gara Bridge. This well used bridleway is in good condition and works have been done thanks to Highways Department to the collapsed culvert on Broadley Lane in the woods.
6. District Councillor’s Report - Cllr Steer said last month SHDC agreed a Council Tax increase of 3.9%, and that the Devonwide bus scheme had been excessively popular. The chief executive Ruth Bagley is leaving SHDC after 7 years and interim steps are being considered before a permanent appointment is made.
• Cllr Foster thanked Cllr Steer for the 11 years she had helped us and wished that she would enjoy her retirement. He hoped that we would receive the same support from the next District Councillor.
7. County Councillor’s Report - Cllr Date sent a report of the many meetings he attended in March despite having a virus.
8. Local Elections
• The council thought that it was a shame that the local press had not taken the elections up as an issue.
9. Development Control & Conservation User Group
1. Cllr Franklin reported that this was a well attended and interesting meeting. Steve Munday Head of SHDC Planning & Building Control was in the chair, it was explained that the split on the affordable housing for Sherford was still not definite as the numbers were not yet clear, final report will be in June. SHDC aims at 50% affordable housing overall, land owners can speak directly to a dedicated team. The ‘Expert Planning resource’ is provided online by SHDC for residential extensions and building to check whether you need to apply for planning permission for the work you want to do. There was a report by Jamie Staples on the SHDC enforcement policies. Parish Councils are at the grass roots of helping to keep compliance.
10. Correspondence and Points of Information
1. 2980 - Nationalgrid - pipes are being delivered by road in March finish by autumn.
2. 2986 - Cllr Hill is dealing with the SHDC Feedback form regarding Parish Cluster Meetings.
11. Voluntary Registration of Playing Field
• The playing field is now registered.
12. Additional Items as per the Chairman
• Cllr Foster said that Paul Collings had kindly agreed to give a talk on their wind turbine at the Annual Parish Meeting.
• Darnells Accountants had generously offered the council 6 or more free computers and other equipment providing the council pay towards the deleting the hard drives. The council agreed to spend the £120 necessary. Discussion is needed as to the housing and use of the computers.
• About 25/26 people have shown interest in the Diptford Energy consortium. Cllr Hill has spoken to the oil companies and there are different ways of lowering the oil price without causing too much work. Either we can sign up to one supplier so all get deliveries on the same day or 1 day a month someone can ring round to see who needed oil. (There is no advantage in ‘topping up’) It was agreed that there should be a meeting at the Parish Hall for people to come and sign up, the council agreed to cover the cost of the Hall.
13. Finance
1. The end of year figures were presented and report made.
2. The cheque was agreed and signed.
14. Date of the next meeting
1. Tuesday 1st May 7:30pm - Annual Parish Meeting- followed by the Parish Council Annual General Meeting