Parish Council Meeting Buckland Brewer Primary School, Wednesday 9th May

All Parish Council members present except Mrs Shirley Tilley whose apologies were received. 9 members of the public were present as well as District Councillor Bob Hicks.

Ken Miles Torridge District Council Solicitor spoke about the new Localism Act and the potential impact on the Parish Council: In addressing the meeting Mr Miles referred to many as aspects of the act including a new standards regime and a new code of conduct which he hoped the District Council would agree in June. It was anticipated that this code of conduct would be adopted by all Parish Councils within Torridge. Mr Miles assured the meeting that when the council were in a position to do so training courses will be made available to Parish Councillors. Directives relating to the act were being produced by the government on a gradual basis and further clarification was still needed in a number of areas.

Annual General Meeting –Election of Officers: Jim Lowe was re-elected as Chairman, Trevor Mills was re-elected as Vice Chairman and Theresa Soanes the Parish Clerk was re-elected as the Responsible Officer.

Public Speakers: Peter McClymont chair of the Community shop committee updated the meeting on the shops progress.

Correspondence: Amongst the correspondence was a letter giving AGM details of the Great Torrington Local Community Partnership: A letter from Torridge District Council regarding a complaint against the chairman, there being insufficient evidence no further action would be taken: A letter from Torridge District Council indicated that the next Advisory Group meeting will take place on 17th July. All Parish Councillors to receive a copy of the agenda.

Parish Plan Review: It was reported the distribution of the review is continuing.

Thornehillhead Moor: It agreed to organise a parish walk on the moor later in the summer.

Wind Turbine Thornehillhead Moor: A public meeting has been organised at Thornehillhead chapel on Thursday 7th June at 7.30 pm. Speakers will include a representative from Fine Energy and a Member of Torridge District Council Planning Department

Village Hall: David Lloyd reported that Pearce Construction had met with the village hall committee and reported that there was unanimity with Local Planning Officers in respect of applying for planning permission for 40 new houses, including 8 affordable and a new village hall.

372 Bus Service: The chairman reported that discussions with DCC and Torridge community Transport had produced two alternative proposals in respect of a more limited budget (£433.73) as reported at the previous meeting. He reminded the Council that we were looking for nine Friday late afternoon return trips through the villages to Bradworthy during Petroc’s nine week summer holidays. With limited funds it was possible to run 5/6 journeys (£70.04 per journey, Total £420.24) back from Barnstaple to the villages on the 372 Beacon Bus route. Torridge Community Transport has offered to run the full nine journeys from Bideford Quay for £422.90. It was agreed that the other three parishes in the scheme should be consulted re their views but there was a preference at the meeting to go with the Torridge Community Transport Scheme.

Diamond Jubilee: Barbara Babb reported that an open meeting had be held, a provisional programme had been produced a distributed which may be updated nearer the date ( June 4th). To date £876 has been raised to fund the event.

Back Lane: It was reported by Andrew Hewitt that a price had been secured for scraping the lane but he was still waiting for a County Engineer to look at it.

Road Markings: DCC Engineers had looked at the village roads and have agreed to replace the road markings which are in a poor state. It is envisaged that they will also re surface the roads where the road makings have deteriorated prior to white lining them again. It was anticipated the work will be carried out this summer.

Parish Clerk Remuneration/Job Description Sub-Committee Report: The Chairman thanked Kate Slocombe and Andrew Hewitt for their contribution to the sub-committee. It was agreed that an extra two hours a month be added to the clerks monthly contracted hours while she deals with the extra work generated by the Thornehillhead Moor project. It was also agreed that an annual appraisal will conducted at the end of the year.

Members Reports: Members reported on a number of issues including dealing with the overhanging branches on the village green trees: Possible help to be requested to reinstate the cobbled path next to the Lych Gate: Following limited results from the current housing needs survey an approach had been received by the Community Council of Devon (acting on behalf of Torridge District Council) for a £200 contribution to a full housing needs survey (costing £2,000) in the parish. This was declined by the council who felt that if Torridge wanted a survey then they should pay for it: It was reported that no response had yet been received for the vacant allotment: The state of some of the roads in the Parish was discussed, a number of roads in the parish were in need of urgent repair including the road between Hoarstone and Henbury Cross, the hedge had slipped at Glen Hill and the road between Yeo Vale and Moorhead cross was in serious need of improvement. It was agreed to write to DCC regarding the Parish Councils concerns.

Planning: Plans re a replacement chimney at Charge in Time Buckland Brewer were supported by the Council.

Accounts: The Clerk reported that the bank balance stood at £3,322.76 in the Parish Council account and £2,392.16 in the Thornehillhead Moor project account. Community grant payments as agreed at the previous meeting were paid.

The next meeting will take place at the school on Wednesday 13th June starting at 8.00pm