Rackenford and Creacombe Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held at Rackenford School on

Wednesday 12^th November 2003

Present were: Miss S Child(Chairman), Mrs B Kirby, Mr B Morrison, Mr R Aldridge, Mr M Lane, Mr J Lee, Mrs C Hall(Clerk), Mrs N Lewis (District Councillor) and members of the public.

297. Apologies were received from Mrs C Cranch and Mr F Phillips.

298. The minutes of the September meeting were taken as read and signed by the Chairman. The minutes of the extraordinary meeting held on 14^th October were signed by its Chairman, Rick Aldridge.

299. Matters arising:

a) Play Area

The clearing around the play area, to help prevent further vandalisation, has been finished. Thanks for the repairs were expressed to Stuart Hagley and Stuart Warne. They will mend the gate so that it doesn’t trap fingers and they have agreed to re-stain the woodwork. The gate needs to be widened to meet the new disability access laws next year. The safety inspection drew attention to the floor and the multiplay. It was agreed to ask the Stuarts what they feel able to do. Betty took the Taylormade catalogue to give them to see what additional equipment they would recommend. The Clerk will get estimates from Matta flooring, woodchips and safety grass. The Chairman felt that it would be worth looking for grants when we know what we want and the prices.

b) Thanks were expressed to Rick for getting the Council another filing cabinet, which the Clerk is putting to good use.

300. The Post Office.

Michael Lane reported that the new shop was now open and in business and was a nice place to go. The Shop Company has applied for grant funding from the Co-op, £4,000 from their dividend fund. They will hear in February. It was felt by all that the villagers should be proud of their new shop. Sarah read out a letter from Michael Lane expressing thanks, especially to Rick, for the £1900 raised by the Beer Festival held in August.

An extraordinary meeting, of those Councillors not involved directly in the shop, was held to regularise things. Sarah expressed thanks to those Councillors who attended. Next Monday, the 17^th, there is a meeting with NDDC to sort out the illegal loan. Sarah, Rick and the Clerk will attend. The loan was discussed. Until the Council’s responsibility for it has been removed and a “red book” valuation has taken place the building cannot be signed over to the Shop Company. The valuation will take place next week – by Holton & Thomas, as recommended by the South Molton Town Clerk.

At this point the Interest book was signed and Sarah, Brian and Michael left the room. The remaining three Councillors discussed the resolution as follows:

To confirm the resolution of October 14^th regarding the transfer of the Church Room to the Shop Company as soon as it is practical following its valuation and the removal of the PC’s responsibility for the loan from NDDC. If the valuation is higher than the £25,150 paid last February the Council believe that disposal to the Shop Company at less than best value is desirable in view of the promotion of economic and social well being for the community which is involved.

This was drawn up following advice from Lesley Smith at DAPC. It was proposed by Rick Aldridge and seconded by John Lee. The resolution was passed unanimously.

301. Footpaths and Trinity Well

Brian reported that there is £2617 in the bank account. This is largely for the project on Western Common. The bridge has been done on the path from Batsworthy to Creacombe Church. There is a new sign on path 11, path 53 has been cleared and there is more clearing going on.

It was reported that on the Two Moors Walk the verges have not been cut. Betty will ask the Highways about this.

Brian has a copy of “Rules for Landowners”. He will enlarge it and put it in the new notice board.

Sarah passed correspondence relating to P3 to Brian.

There was nothing on Trinity Well.

302. The Common; annual maintenance needs.

Heidi Ferdinando will give the Council the piece of Common behind Meadow View, but she will get Des to clear it first.

The Council decided not to clear more but to keep clear what has been done and mow it every year. It was agreed that this should be budgeted for.

There is a pile of rubbish on the Common near the bonfire site that was not burnt on November 5^th . Concern was expressed that it might encourage more to be dumped. Fred will be asked to finish clearing it up. There is some surplus building stone. If this is not given away before Fred will bury it when he makes the lay-by.

303. Correspondence

A letter was received from Ron Sutton concerning The Stag.

There was a letter from the electoral commission thanking the Council for their reply to their survey.

Information on transport was passed to Michael.

Information on policing was given to John.

Information on the fire service was given to Rick.

There is a DAPC meeting on 24/11 discussing planning but no one is available to go.

There is a meeting on the ethical framework on 20/11. Sarah has the information.

A report on the Quality Parish seminar was tabled.

Information on playing fields was given to the Clerk to give to Jim Fraser.

Information on Care Direct will be given to Sue Dunn to put in the shop.

Information on a play area conference was given to Betty.

304. Financial Matters:

a) The Clerk passed out copies of the Budget. The Chairman estimated that the Council would end the year approx. £500 over budget. As we have to budget next year for alterations to the play area, keeping the common clear and audit fees it would be unwise to reduce the precept.

b) The ongoing audit was discussed. The internal auditor cannot sign it off yet. The fees accrued will be £600, if there are no further investigations.

c) The Clerk’s wages, of £399.95, and expenses, of £145.67, were paid.

d) The new Parish notice board, outside the shop, will cost £200 for the materials. The Council agreed to pay for it instead of giving a grant. The Clerk awaits the invoice.

e) The School has been hired by the Clerk for meetings next year at a cost of £102.24.

f) A cheque for £10 was written to the South Molton Community Information Centre.

g) A bill from Des Reed for £360 was paid.

h) A bill from Derek Berry for £180 was paid.

305. Planning Matters:

a) The Council has received the Devon plan on planning matters. It doesn’t support significant new developments but is precise about affordable housing. It supports village shops.

b) Sarah has had various letters concerning the Human waste pit on Willicroft Moor from DCC and NDDC. At first you couldn’t store human sewage within 400m of a dwelling. The next said that it was all right if it was an agricultural dwelling. Finally the Environment Agency said that they refused permission.

306. Matters of urgency raised by the Chairman

Nancy Lewis informed the Council that Witheridge had just had a new notice board, complete with its own roof, and she would find out how much it had cost.

307. The next meeting will be on January 7^th 2004