Rackenford and Creacombe Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held at Rackenford School on

Wednesday 10th September 2008

 

 

Present were: Miss S Child (Chairman), Mr F Phillips, Mr A Stone, Mr B Morrison, Mr M Lane, Mrs C Hall (Clerk), PCSO Mike Livett and members of the public.

 

 

780. Co-option of a new Councillor.

It was necessary to co-opt a Councillor for the Creacombe Ward.

The only person to put themselves forward was Mrs Jenny Cox. She was proposed by Sarah Child and seconded by Michael Lane. The Chairman explained that she had links to Creacombe and was a lifelong member of the community. She was unanimously elected.

A card for John Lee, who resigned due to ill health, was circulated and signed. He was also bought some brandy.

 

781. Apologies for absence were received from Mrs C Cranch.

 

782. The minutes of the last meeting were taken as read and signed by the Chairman.

 

783. Feedback from Committees.

Brian Morrison reported for the Hard Court Area Committee.

Spraying is needed – around the perimeter and on the surface. The school rent is due – the Clerk will look into a direct debit. There might be a grant available for a storage container, benches etc.

 

784. Matters Arising.

Village of the Year: We did not win. A good report was passed around to Councillors and a copy put on the notice board.

PCSO Mike Livett reported that the Sweetbriar alarm fault had been resolved, but when it went off the Police had to answer. He also reported that there had been no crimes in the area, just a welfare case and traffic issues on the A361. There was no more information on the Post Office break-ins. There was some concern for security for the outreach services. The Chairman expressed thanks to him for coming to the meeting.

785. Children’s Play Area/Common.

Play Area: Thanks were expressed to Stuart Warne and Brian Morrison for going over the Play Area and tightening the nuts and bolts etc., digging out the grass and spraying the area. It needs more clearing but is in reasonably good order. Brian picked out the large bits of wood on the surface.

The sandpit needs topping up. It will take a couple of dumpy bags of ocean-fine sand. This will cost approximately £20.00 per cubic metre; play sand is more expensive. The Council resolved that Brian Morrison and Fred Phillips could spend up to £100.00 on this. It was proposed by Sarah Child, seconded by Jenny Cox and passed unanimously. Brian reported that there was nothing new to say on the surface.

Common: Various hedges need trimming; Fred Phillips will reconsider this after October. Various trees are too low.

 

786. Post Office/Shop.

This has been flooded. Fred Phillips dug out a drain. Pea gravel has been obtained; volunteers are needed to spread this. It was wondered whether recompense could be gained from the insurer or the builder.

More volunteers are needed in the shop. The Chairman has received a four-page letter about the Post Office closure, but it still does not contain the information wanted on turnover.

 

787. Footpaths and Trinity Well.

Trinity Well: The drain has been cleared. The cob has been started. Highways are to do the drain on the other side of the road, following chasing up by Fred Phillips. The lengthsman was here last week and requires a list of jobs. The well is running late. J C Hughes does not need a cover. He will be asked to erect scaffolding if the thatcher wants a cover. Fred will lend the equipment or perhaps the thatcher will provide his own.

There is no firm news on the gap in finance.

Helen Hyland will have an auction of promises on 21st November to raise money for Rackenford’s three outstanding needs: the shop, the well and the children’s play area surface.

£1,000.00 of P3 money can be spent on the well notice board as long as it is done by a local person. Barry Cowell has been asked and is working on the design. Maps will be provided as needed.

Footpaths: There was no information on this from Brian Morrison. He will ask Stuart Warne to take on this task.

The MVF vouchers will be spent on sand or go to Michael Lane for the well pump. This was proposed by Brian Morrison, seconded by Andrew Stone and carried unanimously.

 

788. Report by the District Councillor.

The District Councillor was not present.

 

789. Boundary Changes.

A proposal was circulated by the Chairman, a copy of which will be with the Minutes. The Chairman and Clerk will draft a response to the Boundary Committee.

 

790. Correspondence.

The file is in circulation. Contents include:

1.     An SMCIC Newsletter.

2.     A copy of Devon Talk.

3.     Information on Community Planning from the CCD.

4.     A copy of Fieldwork from the CPRE.

5.     Information on the Senior Council for Devon.

6.     The DAPC Annual Report.

7.     Information on the North Devon Biosphere Reserve.

8.     A copy of Playing Field.

9.     Member Services Information Sheets from NDDC.

 

791. Financial Matters.

a)     Balances are as follows:  Lloyds   £5,913.62

                                             P3          £2,152.00

                                             A & L  £12, 322.30 

 

b)    Cheques to be paid:        SLCC       £59.00

                                             Jim Fraser £16.65

 

c)     A Letter of thanks for the donation was received from the SMCIC.

A letter requiring more information was received from the Audit Commission.

 

d)    Alliance and Leicester Deposit Account: This will be closed and the money put in our current account. Then the Council will find the best deposit account to reinvest in.

 

792. Planning Matters.

 

a.      Jenny Cox, the Councillor for Creacombe, has been added to the Planning Committee.

b.     A Certificate has been received from NDDC to say that the application for a classroom at Rackenford School has been granted.

c.     A Certificate from NDDC to say that the application for 15 camping pitches at Creacombe Parsonage has been granted.

d.     Bickham Moor Wind Farm: A decision will be made at a meeting at the Town Hall on Thursday 11th September.

e.      The applicant for Gibbet Moor biodigester held an open day, which was attended by Sarah Child, Michael Lane and Fred Phillips. There were several people there. The ideas and figures presented seemed to change and were hard to follow. It is likely to be six months before there is an application.

f.       The application at Part Coleford Farm was refused by this Council but NDDC’s reply is still awaited.

g.     The application at Upcott Manor was approved by this Council and NDDC’s reply is awaited.

h.     The application at Lower Bulworthy was approved by this Council and NDDC’s reply is awaited.

i.        The application for land opposite the Toll House was approved by this Council and NDDC’s reply is awaited.

 

793. Matters of Urgency Raised by the Chairman.

Creacombe Parsonage had been reported selling Calor Gas. Andrew Stone will check out the rules on storage and sale first, then the PCSO will be asked to intervene.

It was reported that a double garage had appeared at one of the Manor Cottages without planning permission having been sought.

 

794. The date of the next meeting is Wednesday 12th November 2008. Please keep the October date, 8th, in the diary.