Rackenford and Creacombe Parish Council

Minutes of the meeting held at Rackenford School

On 9^th July 2003

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

272. Apologies were received from Mrs C Cranch, Mr F Phillips and Mr J Lee.

273. Minutes of the last meeting were taken as read and signed by the Chairman.

274. Matters arising.

The appointment of a representative for the School Governors has been left until next term.

274. Children’s Play Area/Common.

There is a pile of clay soil on the front of the Common, containing glass, from the shop that needs to be buried. There is also a bonfire that needs burning. Hopefully this will be done before the children break up. The Council is grateful to Ron Kirby for all his continuing effort. The transfer documents are finally complete, having been signed by both sides.

275. The Post Office.

There has been a delay to work due to the movement of a telegraph pole. The internal walls are complete. The roof, to both the church room and the extension, will be done next week. The opening date is September. Fund raising is ongoing.

276. Village Hall/Skate Board Area.

The Council was pleased to welcome Jim Fraser, from the Village Hall Committee. The Committee has re-evaluated the project after the recent village survey. They are proceeding with the Hall as first priority but at a much-reduced cost to that previously proposed. Graham Lamb proposes a similar structure but constructed from a steel frame with blocks and a slate roof. The planning implications of changing the plans have been explored and Jean Watkins is to see the new plans. The hope is to reduce building costs by at least 50%. The tennis court and skateboard area are on hold for the moment. The Chairman thanked Jim very much for coming.

277. Correspondence.

The Council has received a map concerning the new Rights Of Way Act and a notice is in the noticeboard.

A leaflet on Night Light Blight from the CPRE was passed to Beryl Coleman for the school.

The Countryside Agency is encouraging parishes to do a parish plan. Sarah has filed this, as we have not long done a village appraisal.

NDDC want to know the name of the tree warden for this parish.

New guide booklets on Member’s Interests were distributed.

Minutes from the South Molton Area Committee and NDDC .

A Standards Guide for new members was passed to Rick.

The Council received notification of a change of licensee for The Stag. But it has changed tenant since then.

The monthly news round up from DCC was tabled.

Sarah has kept information on new farm buildings.

A copy of Village Green was passed to Jim as it contained information on village halls.

The Devon Municipal Waste Management Strategy was passed to Michael as it contained information on composting.

Information on the Disability Act was received. This comes into effect in October 2004 and concerns wheelchair access to play areas. The Council will bear this in mind next year.

The Clerk will order ‘A Parish Councillors Guide’.

A list of Charges for Council Facilities 2003/4 was given to Sue Dunn and will be put in the PO. The Clerk will put up a notice to that effect.

Sarah took the Performance Plan Vol. II from the NDDC.

A copy of Clerk’s Direct was received.

Information on the Quality Parish Scheme was received.

278. Financial Matters.

a) A cheque for £100 was written to the PCC to cover their grant for this year. The suggestion was made that perhaps the PCC would like to make a donation to the village shop.

b) The Clerk was authorised to obtain a copy of the Parish Councillors guide.

279. Planning Matters.

a) The Goat Shed at Woodpeckers was passed by this Council.

b) It was agreed that there was nothing more the Council could do regarding the new houses at Prospect but they were concerned that the NDDC planners still haven’t replied.

c) The Council was informed that an upstairs extension was being built onto Lower Meadown, owned by Graham and Sandra Smith, seemingly without planning permission. The Clerk is to report this to NDDC.

280. Matters of urgency raised by the Chairman.

Sarah thanked Ron formally for his playground inspections etc.

Hedges at Bulworthy Knap are overgrown and dangerous. Betty will report this first to the farmer concerned and then to David Jeremy if nothing is done.

There is also a rubbish bag at Bulworthy, which it is felt has fallen off the back of the pick-up. Betty will report it to the Civic Centre.

281. The date of the next meeting will be September10th 3003 at 7.30pm. at Rackenford School.