Cllr James McInnes, County Councillor for the Hatherleigh and Chagford Ward, was present. There were also two members of the public present.

Public participation one of the members of the public did wish to address the council. Mrs Williams informed the council that the street light outside her house was going off at all hours. She also wished to inform the council that the cobbled path was in a disgraceful state. Cllr Squire would enquire as to whether P3 funds could be used to scrape out the weeds and tidy it up. Cllr Askew stated that as a footpath it is adequate, but as an historic path it may not be. Cllr Coleman stated the church cobbles were re-laid and the PCC could be asked as to who carried out the work.

The minutes of the last meeting were signed as a true record.

PLANNING

The following planning applications have been received and required comments prior to this evenings meeting: -

Hayrish Farm, South Tawton (S.C. parish) prior approval notification for the erection of an agricultural building for hay storage. The Clerk consulted with the chairman and Cllrs Askew, Squire and Mardon. A comment was sent supporting the application.

Fenlea, Exbourne erection of garage (domestic use). The clerk consulted with the Chairman and Cllrs Askew, Squire and Mardon. A comment was sent supporting the application.

Hayrish Farm, South Tawton (S.C. parish) change of use of holiday cottages to ancillary use for main house. No external alterations. The clerk consulted with the chairman and Cllrs Askew, Squire and Mardon. A comment was sent supporting the application.

The following applications were discussed at this evenings meeting:-
Hatherton, S.C. erection of anemometry mast for temporary period of 6 months. It was resolved to support the application.

Incott Farm, S.C. Change of use of barn to dwelling - including alterations. It was resolved to support the application.

The following applications have been granted permission:-
Rowden Manor, S.C. conservatory extension.
Rowden Manor, S.C. demolition of small extension and erection of conservatory extension.

The chairman stated she had spoken with Mrs Bevis, who lives at Bank Cottage. They have had to re-submit their planning application because of a technicality. She stated that they were not going to remove any trees. The chairman has studied the site and agrees that no trees will require removal. Mrs Bevis will attend the meeting when their application is discussed.

Local Government Review of Devon a copy of WDBC's response has been received.

Cllr Weeks had emailed the clerk with some items he wished to bring to the attention of the parish council. They are as follows: -
Local Development Framework the core strategy goes out to public consultation on May 28th for 7 weeks.
Emergency Plan in response to a question raised by Chagford at an Eastern Link meeting DCC and WDBC are planning to hold workshops during the summer to offer advice on how to develop an Emergency Plan.
Wellsprings, S.C. the planning appeal against the refusal of the planning application for the retention of mobile home will be held on July 7th at Kilworthy Park.
Planning Enquiries from June 1st the times when a planning officer will be in attendance in the Okehampton Customer Service Centre will be Monday (9 a.m. - 12 noon) and Wednesday (1 p.m. - 4 p.m.)

MATTERS ARISING

Parish Plan at the last meeting a letter was handed to Cllr Askew regarding the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP). Most of the 10 points have been covered. Sampford Courtenay's Parish Plan was carried out in 2004 and a new plan should be considered within the next couple of years. The LSP states you should abide by the principles of sustainability and address climate change and biodiversity.
Cllr McInnes stated the Community Council of Devon could provide funding and he has his County Councillor pot of money and would be happy to provide some funding.
New Parish Plan to be an agenda item for the next meeting.

Parish Paths Partnership a letter has been received from Ros Davies (Public Rights of Way at DCC) explaining this years funding. We have received two grants of £365 and £1480 (Total £1845). We need £600 to meet the council's financial obligations this year. The contractor undertaking the work at Frankland Ford Bridge will invoice the parish for the remaining £1245 and any shortfall will be met by Tim Freeman's budget.
Cllr Squire stated it was now time to start strimming the paths. The clerk to contact Shim at Belstone Farm and Garden Maintenance and ask him to contact Cllr Squire for the areas requiring attention.
Cllr Askew stated that Cllr Coleman was now in the process of printing the footpath maps.

Public Toilets the clerk informed the parish council that the new minimum wage as of October 1st 2009 will be £5.80 per hour.
Toilet rolls have been ordered (2 packs of 36 rolls to meet their minimum order requirement).

Playground Equipment Inspection the Chairman carried out the inspections. May 6th - the grass had been cut, but not picked up. The grease on the shackles had gone solid. It was explained that this was normal.
May 12th - all O.K. May 19th - the grass had been cut and picked up. May 26th - all O.K.
Cllr Squire will carry out the next inspection.
Cllr Askew reported that the village green was being used to play cricket. Cllr Coleman had stated there had been favourable comments about the contractor from residents.

ANNUAL PLAYGROUND INSPECTION - copies of this were passed around to Cllrs.
The inspector has suggested marking the edges of the manhole covers with yellow paint to make them more visible. This was discussed and it was felt that doing this would make them more noticeable and perhaps encourage young people to fiddle about with them.
The inspector has mentioned the incomplete fencing in the bottom left hand corner of the green. This is in hand - Cllr Cartwright is seeing to this.

The equipment should carry a small plate giving details of the manufacturer, year of manufacture, equipment reference, basic level mark and number and date of EN 1176. The clerk has already contacted Playline Design and they are going to tend to address this issue.
The seats are not fixed down and one of them has a rotting armrest. The seats have never been fixed down. Cllr Cartwright stated he would assess the overall condition of the bench in question. If it is in a poor state it can be got rid of. If it is generally fairly good Peter Reddaway could be asked if he would arrange repair and a coat of oil/varnish.

Highway Matters the chairman stated it has been brought to her attention the number of motorists who miss the sign for Winkleigh at Greenhill Cross. As you approach from Spires Lake the sign for Winkleigh/Torrington is on the right hand side of the road on the waste ground. The sign on the left hand side (which is more likely to be seen by motorists travelling that way) does not show direction to Winkleigh. The clerk to contact DCC and ask for the signage to be improved.
It was reported that the mirror at Sampford Chapple has now been erected, the lines at Willow Tree Farm have been repainted and the drain at Sampford Chapple has been cleared.
DCC have written to state that an order is in the system to remove the branches beside the B3215, the potholes will be tended to eventually. Bulland Cross has been examined, but they weren't sure as to what the concern was. The situation was explained to Cllr McInnes, who will take this up.
Cllr Cartwright stated that Station Road had been ploughed out.

Cllr McInnes asked about the highways as he had provided a direct line number to contact the Northern Area Support Team. The clerk had used this number and had been told by the lady answering not to use
the number again! It was felt this would be an item that could be taken up at an Eastern Link meeting. He stated that if we experience any problems we are to mention it to him. The clerk has been sending emails to the north area team.

Removal of BT payphones this was discussed earlier in the meeting.

Land Registration the clerk rang Mr. Higgs. He is currently on holiday she will try again in early June.

Bus Shelters nothing further has been heard.
Amendments to Register of Interests the clerk has received a letter from the Monitoring Officer asking Councillors to check that she needs to be notified of any amendments. A few minutes will be spent at the next meeting for Councillors to check through their register and ensure it is up to date.
FINANCE

Prior to the meeting a cheque was signed for the following: -
Post Office Ltd. (water bill 17/1/09 - 17/4/09) £41.07

Cheques were signed for the following: -
Mr. L. Beer (toilet cleaning 27/4/09 - 25/5/09) £68.76
WDBC (third instalment of rates on public conveniences) £43.00

Amount in bank is £5117.94 and total in Reserve Account is £4165.41 TOTAL - £9283.35
Represented thus P3 - £1784.77 Precept, toilets + other £7136.26 Interest £315.41 Countryside Agency - £46.91

The Chairman conducted a mini audit.

INSURANCE - Community First have issued their renewal, which comes in at £515.24 (included admin fee and Insurance Premium Tax). Came and Company has submitted a quote totalling £422.45. The clerk
went back to Community First and they were willing to come back to £482.80, which is still significantly more. It was resolved to accept the quote submitted by Came and Company (a further reduction can be obtained by taking a three year binding agreement). The clerk to find out a bit more about the three year agreement before accepting the quote. Then arrange for a cheque to be sent.

Accounts for the year ended March 31st 2009 these were circulated to all Cllrs prior to the meeting. Cllr Forrest had noticed that £835 had been accrued through this financial year. The clerk stated that monies can be taken and used to reduce the next precept. Cllrs also discussed the possibility of using funds for a project to benefit the parish (improving the cobbled path, purchase of a bench). The clerk to put something in the Roundabout asking parishioners if they have something they would like to see done in the parish.
The accounts and Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Return were approved and signed by the Chairman and R.F.O.

CORRESPONDENCE
Littlethorpe of Leicester Ltd., WDBC - Housing Strategy Update and Sustainable Community Strategy, WDBC - various election posters, WDBC - Your Guide to help in difficult times, West Devon e connect, Arien Signs, Clerks and Councils Direct, Junk Mail, DAPC Newsletter, Roadside Hedge and tree management, Farming & the public highway, digitaluk - the digital switchover, Kompan, Okehampton and District Senior Council for Devon.
Bradwell have phoned. The Charles Arnold Baker 8th edition is now available (it is regarded as the clerks bible). It is published at £67, but as we are members of DAPC it can be obtained for £53.60. The clerk to ask for a copy on approval or contact local clerks and see a copy.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

The chairman stated she had received a Tidy Up pack from Defra. This will be discussed at the next meeting.
She also stated she had accepted an invitation to meet the Bishop of Plymouth at an event being held in Okehampton.

The dates for the next few meetings are: -
Tuesday 23rd June 2009 at 7.30 p.m.,
Tuesday 21st July 2009 at 7.30 p.m., Tuesday 18th August 2009 at 7.30 p.m.,
Tuesday 15th September 2009 at 7.30 p.m.,Tuesday 13th October 2009 at 7.30 p.m.,
Tuesday 10th November 2009 at 7.30 p.m.,Tuesday 8th December 2009 at 7.30 p.m.,
Tuesday 5th January 2010 at 7.30 p.m.,

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30 p.m.
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