Cllr Askew was in the chair.

Cllr Weeks, Borough Councillor for the Exbourne Ward, and PCSO Lee Walker were present. There were also two members of the public in attendance.

The Chairman invited PCSO Walker to address the meeting. He stated he now had the readings for the 3 month exercise carried out by the traffic section at Launceston. 8 tickets were issued and 35 motorists were given a verbal warning. They allow 10% + 2 mph so in a 30 mph limit that would be 35 mph so a vehicle travelling between 30 and 35mph would be given a verbal warning. One vehicle was recovered as it did not have insurance. They intend to return and do a similar exercise in the future.
He stated that he had run checks on the registration number of the quad bike supplied by a member of the public and it did not match up as being that type of vehicle. It was decided to supply PCSO Walker with the name and address of the person believed to be driving the quad bike. It has not been seen in the village recently.

Cllr Squire asked if it was possible to implement a weight restriction on the Sampford Chapple to Red Post X road as a number of HGV's try to travel along it and then have to reverse back out onto the A3072. PCSO Walker stated he would speak with DCC and report back to the clerk.
PCSO Walker stated he would be leaving on the 15th November. There will be no immediate replacement, but hopefully there will be one in approx 6 months or so. Cllrs expressed disappointment at this news and wished PCSO Walker well for the future.

Cllr Forrest stated that at the Eastern Link meeting the Neighbourhood Farm Watch was mentioned. Cllr Forrest asked if farmers were aware of this scheme. PCSO Walker stated he had contacted farmers, who express interest, but as yet no-one has requested the form that needs to be filled in to join the scheme. It was suggested that something be put in the Roundabout to publicise the scheme.
PCSO Walker stated the results of the exercise would be placed in the Okehampton Times. Cllr Smith stated that she felt 8 tickets did not seem very many given the length of time that the exercise took place. PCSO Walker assured Cllrs that this was a very good result.
PC Nadine Wilson is still the Neighbourhood Beat Officer.

The Chairman thanked PCSO Walker for attending. He then left the meeting as he had other commitments.

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

PLANNING

The following applications have been received:-

Rowden Farm, S.C. four experimental woodchip corrals/pads. A comment was required prior to the meeting. The clerk consulted with Cllrs Harper (Chairman), Askew, Squire and Mardon. It was resolved to support the application.

Wellsprings, S.C. retention of structure for agricultural workers dwelling. It was resolved to OBJECT to this application as the holding is not large enough to support an agricultural worker.

Cllr Smith declared a prejudicial interest in the next application and left the meeting.
Fernhills Moor, S.C. alterations including new chimney, new windows and doors, and solar panels. Erection of verandah and improvements to driveway. It was resolved to support this application.
Cllr Smith returned to the meeting.

Cllr Askew declared a prejudicial interest in the next application and left the meeting. Cllrs chose Cllr Cartwright to chair the meeting in his absence.
Partwood Cottage, S.C. erection of shed for use as a garden studio. It was resolved to support this application.
Cllr Askew returned to the meeting and took the chair again.

The Chairman reminded Cllrs that the planning applications are available on West Devon Borough Councils website. When applications come through the clerk will email Cllrs with the details so they can, if they wish, view the application online rather than seeing it for the first time at the meeting.

The following applications have been granted permission: -

Fullameade, S.C. replacement extension.
Land adjacent to Lesser Slatters, S.C. erection of double garage.

Structural review of Devon - draft proposal the clerk has sent a draft copy of a letter responding to the consultation including a comment about the lack of financial information. It was agreed that this letter be sent once an amendment has been made.
Various correspondence has been sent concerning this issue. A letter from WDBC has stated that 'any council could argue that the existing pattern of local government in Devon is far better than a forced move to the creation of one council'.

Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Cllr Weeks has emailed the clerk with the details of the housing waiting list. This has been sent on to Cllrs with the email facility. There is no-one who at present resides in Sampford Courtenay on the list. WDBC currently carries out in the region of 4 housing surveys per year.
Cllr Weeks stated that since he had sent this information John Packer at WDBC has stated he would like to carry out a cluster survey (Exbourne, Jacobstowe, Iddesleigh and S.C.) to ascertain housing need. It was resolved to proceed with this survey. Cllr Weeks stated he would inform Mr. Packer.

MATTERS ARISING
Parish Plan a continuation of the third examination of the parish plan. Health Services - the availability of NHS dentists was criticised. Mr. Thomson in North Tawton is retiring. Cllr Weeks stated he had heard that a NHS dentist is to practise in the town.
The timings of the buses to attend appointments at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital raised questions.
Cllr Squire raised the issue of the proposed closure of the dispensary at Okehampton. It has been argued there are two pharmacies in the town. Patients do, however, find it useful to be able to pick up a prescription at the hospital rather than having to find somewhere to park and collect it from the pharmacist's.
Cllr Weeks stated WDBC has an Overview and Scrutiny committee meeting and someone from the PCT is attending. He would report the outcome at the next meeting.
North Tawton and Hatherleigh will not be affected by this proposal.
It was resolved that the clerk should write to the PCT and request that the dispensary is not closed.

Closure of Post Offices the clerk has received a Network Change Programme Area Plan Decision booklet for Devon. Nothing further to report.

Owing to other commitments Cllr Weeks left the meeting.

Parish Paths Partnership the footpath lengthsman has asked for £25 extra to help with the extra petrol costs. The Chairman had spoken with Tim Freeman and he was happy for P3 money to be used. It has been some time since the amount has been increased. It was resolved to increase the amount from £120 to £145. It will be effective from this financial year.

Public Toilets eDF have sent a letter stating the electricity is to go up. The fixed daily charge will be 11.38p per day and the charge for each kWh for the first 1,500 kWh used per annum will be 18.35p per day.
The clerk to speak with Mr. Beer and ask if low energy bulbs are being used.

Playground Equipment Inspection Cllr Smith had carried out the inspections. The grass had not been cut until the last few days of carrying out the inspections (it had not been cut on 7th, but had been cut by 16th). The frequency of the cuts and the length of grass that is left raised concerns. The clerk to write to the contractors and express concern regarding this and request an invoice with the dates of the cuts detailed. The foliage on the water path is overgrown, but this is not parish council property. The wood has splintered on the play equipment where the screws go in
Cllr Coleman will carry out the next inspection.
A letter has been received from the PCC stating they have no objection to the fixing of a self closing mechanism onto the gate.

Highway Matters a road closure order has been received. The road between Dornaford X and Stonewold is to be closed between 15th September and 26th September for utility works (Balfour Beatty).
Cllr Squire stated he had tried contacting Martin Stoddart to inform him that he would be away when the parish lengthsman was in the parish. He contacted My Devon and heard nothing. It was suggested that if he notified the clerk she could try emailing the Barnstaple office and see if that gets a better response. This system has been criticised before. Meanwhile, the clerk to find out how the system works.

The members of the public left the meeting.

Removal of BT payphones BT have now introduced two new initiatives 'Sponsor a kiosk' ( the telephone service will remain, but the parish council pays BT £500 per annum towards the upkeep of the kiosk) and 'Adopt a kiosk' (the telephone service is removed and the parish council purchases the kiosk from BT for a consideration of £1). The deadline is October 1st.
WDBC have written to inform the parish council that they have sent their final decision notice. Bearing the new initiatives in mind WDBC have asked BT what effect the objections will have on preventing removal of phone boxes. WDBC will notify councils when they have a response.
The chairman asked Cllr Coleman for his opinion. He stated that BT is in deep trouble with this consultation. If they do not wish to operate a telephone service from the kiosks they should offer other companies the opportunity to do so. The kiosk has already been removed in some parishes. The deadline has been extended so wait and see and discuss again at the next meeting.

Eastern Link Committee Cllr Forrest attended the last meeting. The Neighbourhood Farm watch scheme has already been discussed.
Parish Plans were discussed. One parish has a 10 year old parish plan and are to consider redoing it.
Local Government Review - WDBC and DCC are not happy with the consultation and particularly the absence of any financial information.
The committee now has a Chairman and Vice Chairman.
They wish to come to Sampford Courtenay on March 5th 2009. The village hall committee will be informed. It was resolved to provide tea/coffee.

Land Registration the clerk has provided the solicitor with the copies of the old minutes and the letter from The Office of the Commons Commissioners. She will chase this up and see what progress has been made.

Flooding in the village a tonne of sand has been delivered to Cllr Cartwright's farm. Two quotes were obtained and RGB was the cheapest. A working party now needs to be organized. Cllrs Cartwright and Mardon and the clerk will assist. A date will be arranged after the meeting.
Tracy Windermer has contacted the clerk. She has spoken to DCC and they will remove the silt from under the bridge and see to the vegetation on the river bank (no date has been mentioned). Heavitree Brewery has also acknowledged responsibility and she is waiting to meet with their surveyor. She would like to be informed of where the sand bags have gone and where the sand surplus is stored.
The clerk to put something in the next edition of The Roundabout to inform residents that there is a supply of sand and anyone who feels they require sand bags can contact the clerk.

FINANCE

The following has been received: -
Western Power Distribution (wayleave) £2.60

Prior to the meeting a cheque was signed for the following:-
R.G.B. (one tonne of sand for sandbags) £44.65

Cheques were signed for the following: -
Mr. L. Beer (Toilet cleaning 18/8/08 - 14/9/08) £66.24
Mr. L.A. Harper (trimming hedge around toilets) £30.00
W.D.B.C. (seventh instalment of rates bill) £34.00
Mrs. S. Harper (purchase of milk, cream, splits, jam and tea/coffee
For footpath funday) £29.32

Amount in bank is £45.07 and total in Reserve Account is £5071.99 TOTAL - £5117.06
Represented thus P3 - £359.77 Precept, toilets + other £4438.39 Interest £271.99 Countryside Agency - £46.91

The Chairman conducted a mini audit.

The clerk apologized to the council as a review of the budget should have been carried out at this meeting. Instead it will be done at the next meeting.

The clerk has received a letter from WDBC requesting the precept for the financial year ending on 31st March 2010. It needs to be submitted before December 26th. It was decided to begin discussing it at the November meeting.

CORRESPONDENCE
DAPC Newsletter, West Devon CVS AGM, Devons Sustainable Community Strategy 2008 - 2018, Village Green, CCD Review, CCD Community Building Training Programme, Rural Health Conference, CCD Powering up Communities, Clerks and Councils Direct, DevonTalk,
Glasdon U.K., DAPC - Managing, Maintenance and Inspections for your Playgrounds, Devon and Cornwall Police Authority - Police Liaison Meeting on Wednesday 1st October + various emails.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Squire asked about the hedge trimming. The clerk has written a letter to DCC and is awaiting a reply.
It has also been noticed that the road between Spires X and Culm X has become overgrown.
He also stated that he had spoken to a person from SWW regarding the leak at Frankland Hill. The site was visited and hopefully something will now be done.
It was suggested by Cllr Cartwright that 'Questions from the public' be an agenda item at the end of the meeting. This was agreed by all present.

Cllr Forrest sends his apologies as he will be unable to attend the next meeting.

The dates for the next few meetings are: -

Tuesday 14th October 2008 at 7.30 p.m., Tuesday 11th November 2008 at 7.30 p.m.,
Tuesday 9th December 2008 at 7.30 p.m., Tuesday 6th January 2009 at 7.30 p.m.,
Tuesday 3rd February 2009 at 7.30 p.m.,Tuesday 3rd March 2009 at 7.30 p.m.,
Tuesday 31st March 2009 at 7.30 p.m.,Tuesday 28th April 2009 at 7.30 p.m.,
Tuesday 26th May 2009 at 7.30 p.m.,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 9.50 p.m.

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