There were two members of the public present.

Public participation one of the members of the public wished to address the council. Down by the roundabout the hedge of the pub car park and the bushes going up towards Rectory Hill have grown out and are obscuring visibility for vehicles travelling from Sampford Station.
The bus shelter by the New Inn is a focal point. The trough and the shelter both need tidying up.
The hedge that runs beside Rose Cottage has become overgrown and is spreading out onto the highway. The chairman stated she would speak to Mr. Allin, who lives there.

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

PLANNING

The following applications were discussed at this evenings meeting:-
Land at Beer Cross, S.C. change of use of equestrian building and associated land to self storage (B8 use). The work has already been carried out. Cllr Weeks informed the parish council that he had been informed by the applicant that she had enquired about planning permission in 2007 and had been told that none was required. The enforcement officer has now informed her that planning consent is needed.
Cllr Coleman requested that it be minuted that he felt there were inconsistencies in the way in which planning applications are handled.
After some discussion it was resolved to support the application.

Highridge Farm, S.C. erection of agricultural workers dwelling. Cllr Weeks informed the council that a financial check would be carried out to ensure the feasibility of a further dwelling. The dwelling would be tied to agricultural. Cllr Askew stated that it fitted in with comments made in the parish plan. Residents wished to see this form of housing. It was resolved to support this application.

Paize Farm, S.C. extension and alterations to dwelling. Cllr Coleman stated there should be sensitivity to planning applications involving Listed Buildings. He felt that if we received notice of an application for such a building then the Heritage Officer should be contacted for his views. Cllr Weeks stated that both the Conservation Officer and English Heritage would be approached with this type of application.
Cllr Coleman felt the parish council should support the views of the Heritage Officer. The remaining Cllrs felt they could not do this as they did not know what his views were.
It was resolved to support this application.

Paize Farm, S.C. extension to building. It was resolved to support this application.

The following applications have been granted permission:-
Fenlea, Exbourne erection of garage (domestic use) including drive and alterations to access.

Hatherton, S.C. erection of anemometry mast for temporary period of 6 months.
Cllr Coleman asked if members of the public should be advised of the fact that there may be a wind farm at this location. Cllr Cartwright responded by stating that this fact is not yet known as it may only be for them to erect one turbine for their own use. It was decided not to take that step at this stage.

MATTERS ARISING

Local Housing Needs Report - briefing meeting this item was brought forward to discuss before Cllr Weeks left. Cllr Weeks advised the parish council that this meeting is to be held on Thursday August 6th at Exbourne Village Hall. Tea and coffee will be served at 7.15 with the meeting starting at 7.30. The Chairman and Cllr Smith are to attend. West Devon Borough Council has instructed the Community Council of Devon to conduct the Housing Needs Report. The clerk gave the chairman a letter for her to study prior to the meeting.

Owing to other commitments Cllr Weeks left the meeting.

Parish Paths Partnership notification has been received of P3 Summer Workshops. Cllrs Squire and Askew are to attend the event at Hatherleigh tomorrow. The P3 grant is to be discussed and this will be reported at the next meeting.
Cllr Coleman has raised questions concerning the classification of the green lane that runs down past Weirford House up towards Beerhill (is it a footpath, bridleway or green lane?). Cllr Askew has emailed them to DCC and is awaiting a response.
Cllr Coleman presented a third draft of the footpath maps. He stated that he would be happy for the document to be revised every 6 months. Cllr Cartwright proposed that the maps are taken forward. This was seconded by Cllr Smith and agreed by all present. The Chairman expressed thanks to Cllr Coleman for all the work he has done in producing the map.
Cllr Askew stated he had walked a number of the paths and they are in good order.
FOOTPATH FUN DAY - this is to be held on September 5th. A route has not yet been selected (Cllr Askew is considering a route in North Tawton), but the timings will be the same as last year. The clerk has put something in the Aug/Sept Roundabout.

Public Toilets Mr. Reddaway, who was present at the meeting, informed the council the weeds have been killed on the wall outside the public toilets. When it is dry he will begin the pointing.
Mr. Harper has begun trimming the hedge.
Cllr Cartwright stated he would have a look at the lights in the toilets to see if low energy bulbs can be used.

Playground Equipment Inspection Cllr Forrest carried out the inspection. He stated that everything is O.K. The foot/hand grip that is loose on the ramp of the childrens challenger - he feels that the screw has broken. The clerk had contacted Playline Design and had been informed that screws can be tightened up without voiding the guarantee. If timber is removed then that would void the guarantee. It is not serious at the moment, but need to keep an eye on it. Mr. Harper will look at it.
Cllr Mardon to carry out the next inspection.
The grass contractor has been contacted. The parish council will get their 16 cuts through into November. He likes to cut the grass weekly at the start of the season and then gradually lengthen the time between cuts as the season progresses. It was agreed that he has done a good job.

Highway Matters the clerk just pointed out that on June 24th the foliage was being trimmed back and the underneath of Frankland Ford Bridge was being pointed.
The Clerk has written to DCC regarding the Review of Existing Speed Limits on A and B roads. She has received an acknowledgement and is currently awaiting a full response.
The clerk has written to DCC regarding issues raised at the last meeting, responses as follows: -
i. DCC will endeavour to fill in the potholes at Strawberry Lane X. They have been continually pressing for more resources to catch up with the backlog.
ii. An order has been issued to replace the rotten handrail on the footbridge beside the New Inn.
iii. Photos of the Greenhill X signs have been sent to the Traffic Engineer to ascertain the best solution to make the Winkleigh signage more visible.

DCC and Devon & Cornwall Constabulary have issued a joint statement on the introduction of 20 mph zones and limits. They are united in their aims to reduce the number of collisions on Devon's highway network. In most communities 30mph restrictions are the most appropriate. In some locations where there are a high number of vulnerable road users and where average speeds are generally already lower then 20mph limits may be appropriate.

It was noted by Councillors that a speed limit has still not been introduced at Belstone Corner. It is understood that the B3215 is going to be surface dressed in the near future. Station Road is scheduled for next year.
Cllr Smith stated the 'Give Way' sign into Witheybrook (near Clover Hill) has been flattened.

The Chairman stated that the residents in Fir Cottage have stated that the street light outside their property goes off at 1.30am. The clerk will inform DCC.

Eastern Parishes Link Committee Meeting Cllr Mardon has stated that she will present her report at the next meeting.

Removal of BT payphones Cllr Coleman declared a personal interest. He stated he had checked the payphone at Sampford Chapple and it has been disconnected. The parish council has not been notified that this was to be done and the clerk was asked to write to B.T.
He has finally met with DCC concerning the payphone network.

Land Registration the clerk has now contacted David Higgs. He is working on a draft declaration, which he hopes to complete very soon. The clerk will chase this up again.

Bus Shelters nothing further has been heard.
Local Housing Needs Report discussed earlier.
Tidy up pack Cllr Coleman stated he felt this would make a good community project. He took heed of Cllr Cartwright's previous reference to insurance. The clerk was asked to check whether the insurance covers parish volunteers. Once this is ascertained Cllr Coleman is happy to organise the event.
The clerk to contact WDBC and ask if the bus shelters can be cleaned out.
Councillors check their Register of Interests Councillor Coleman and Cartwright are given their registers to check. Cllr Cartwright declares his is up to date. Cllr Coleman is to take his home to check it through.

Cllr Askew had filled in an amendment form, but following checks with the monitoring officer it has already been dealt with and will not be sent to her.

FINANCE
The following has been received:
HM Revenue & Customs (reclaimed VAT) £99.49
Cheques were signed for the following: -
WDBC (fifth instalment of rates on public conveniences) £43.00
Post Office Ltd. (water bill 18/4/09-9/7/09) £39.46
Tony Mogford Associated (annual playground inspection) £63.25
Audit Commission (Fee for external audit) £138.00
D.A.P.C. (annual subscription) £108.65
Belstone Farm and Garden Services (part of the work carried out
at Frankland Ford Bridge) P3 £1207.50
Mr. L. Beer (toilet cleaning 22/6/09 - 19/7/09) £68.76

Amount in bank is £2284.12 and total in Reserve Account is £4165.41 TOTAL - £6449.53
Represented thus P3 - £577.27 Precept, toilets + other £5509.94 Interest £315.41 Countryside Agency - £46.91
The clerk submitted a claim for petty cash for July totalling £6.98. The chairman checked the receipts and authorised payments.
The Chairman conducted a mini audit.

Accounts for the year ended March 31st 2009 the Audit Commission have returned the Annual Return with no Matters Arising. The clerk will now advertise the conclusion of the audit.

Mr. Reddaway informed the council he had checked the bench down on the village green and it was his opinion that it was not worth repairing.
Cllr Cartwright proposed buying two new 5 foot benches. This was seconded by Cllr Coleman and agreed by all present. The clerk will get a selection of prices. Mr. Reddaway stated that tannalised timber was preferable to hard wood.

CORRESPONDENCE
WDBC - e-connect, Devontalk magazine, trp southwest ltd (safety surfacing), J. Parker (this was handed to the chairman), DAPC newsletter, Vitalise, Clerks and Councils Direct, Standards Committee (meeting on July 7th), The Playing Field.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Coleman stated he had looked for comments online concerning Paize Farm - no views have been expressed by Heritage officer. Cllr Cartwright stated his views may not have been expressed yet.
Mr. Reddaway commented that Cllr Cartwright had done an excellent job clearing half of the cobbled path. Cllr Cartwright stated it had taken him 8 hours.
The chairman stated she would have a look at the trough by the bus shelter (New Inn) and report back.
The clerk was asked if there had been any feedback about requesting ideas from parishioners about small projects they would like to see done. She stated she had not received any requests although the idea had been followed up by The Okehampton Times, who had written a piece about it.

Cllr Coleman stated he felt that there was now a more approachable attitude under the new Chairman. The chairman thanked him for his comment.

The dates for the next few meetings are: -
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 9.10 p.m.

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