There were three members of the public in attendance.

Cllr Squire was in the chair.

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

Colin Coleman was in attendance. He was co-opted by the Parish Councillors and signed his declaration of acceptance of office. He took his seat on the council.

PLANNING

The Local Strategic Partnership - Rural Planning Event Cllrs Smith and Mardon responded stating they would attend this event on May 8th at 7.30 pm in the Okement Centre (Cosford Room).

Cllr Squire stated that the construction of the extension at Stonewold has begun and a new entrance has been created to allow the digger access. There is no new access granted consent on the application. The Council would need to ensure this entrance is filled in again once the work has finished.

MATTERS ARISING

Parish Plan this is the third look through the plan and Cllr Askew explained how the parish plan came about. In 2003 it was decided it would be desirable to conduct a new plan. It was done as part of the Okehampton MCTI (Market and Coastal Towns Initiative). A steering group was formed and a well attended meeting was held in early 2004. This set out the basis of the plan. The return rate was 48.2% (258 individuals opinions were given). There was also a small survey for the under 14's. 64% of the parishioners were aged 41-70. A quarter of those responding were employed in agriculture closely followed by those working in the public sector. Some questions were not answered, which may have been down to the layout of the questions.

The parish is still in the minority of those that have carried out a plan. The issues raised in Sampford Courtenay's plan are similar to those raised in other village's parish plans.
The plan is available on the web.

Parish Paths Partnership DCC has sent a letter confirming the amount of the P3 grant.
Following the last meeting the clerk has done further research on the issue of taking Cllr Squire on as an employee. She spoke to the insurance company and DAPC. The Parish Council would have more responsibility as the employer holiday pay, sick pay and would be more responsible for the equipment used (strimmers etc.). Cllr Askew had also spoken to Tim Freeman at DCC's P3 section and he advised it may be best to take on a self employed person to carry out the maintenance on the footpaths.
After much discussion it was proposed by Cllr Forrest and seconded by Cllr Mardon that Cllr Squire is not taken on as an employee. This was agreed by the other Cllrs present. It is with regret that this decision is taken. Cllr Squire was thanked for all the work that he has undertaken.
There is a gentleman at Brightley who is self employed and recommended by P3.

The clerk will work out the average number of hours Cllr Squire has worked over the last three years to give the council some idea of the hours that are involved.

Public Toilets Cllr Harper stated the paint had been purchased and the clerk stated a cheque was to be signed later in the meeting for £33.47 for paint, sandpaper etc.
The clerk informed the council that Les would now be paid for three hours cleaning through the spring and summer months.
The clerk has spoken to Homeserve, which offers water supply pipe cover for a yearly fee. It is strictly for homeowners and does not apply to public toilets. It is something that was raised at a meeting some months ago.

Safety inspections on play equipment the report carried out by Tony Mogford has been received. He has highlighted 4 manhole covers on the cobbled path. The clerk has spoken to SWW and they are supposed to be inspected tomorrow when they will ascertain who has responsibility for them.
He also highlighted the toggle trap between the slide and the timber upright. The clerk has informed Playline Design. A member of the public at the meeting stated they had been and filled in this gap.

Cllr Harper stated she had looked at the step adjacent to the cobbled path (as discussed at the last meeting) and did not feel it posed an obstruction. It was generally agreed that no action would be taken on this issue.

Cllr Cartwright was not present to give his play equipment inspection report. Cllr Harper stated she would carry out the next report and would obtain the book from him.
The child protection policy has to go up on the green. The clerk asked if it would be advisable to have the new chairman sign it at the next meeting before it goes up? This was agreed. The recommended ages for the items of play equipment will also appear on the policy.
The grass has been cut.

Highway Matters Cllr Squire stated the road between Red Post X and Sampford Courtenay has been patched in preparation for surface dressing.
DCC - there is still water seeping out at the top of Frankland Hill. The clerk to chase this up.
The water leak outside Thornbury Cottage has been repaired.

Cllr Harper stated she had spoken to the landlords at the New Inn about replacing the sodium bulbs currently in the lights in the pub car park with white light bulbs. They do not think that it will be a problem.
Cllr Squire stated there was a pothole beginning to come again just above Cricket Farm. This would be checked.
Cllr Smith stated the layby at Witheybrook Lane has been cleared and is currently nice and tidy.

Eastern Parishes Link Committee Meeting - special meeting to discuss concepts for unitary status Cllr Forrest attended the meeting.
It was made clear that a system of unitary local authorities will be introduced in Devon with all of the existing authorities being replaced. The only issue is how many unitary authorities there will be. The 11 existing authorities have between them submitted 19 proposals. West Devon Borough Council, in conjunction with South Hams, has suggested 2 urban unitaries based on Plymouth and Torbay with the rest of the county covered by three rural unitary authorities. Devon County Council have suggested the same two urban unitaries but with only one other authority covering the whole of the rest of the county.

Because the government's only aim is to save money the option with the fewest authorities, i.e. Devon's, is likely to be favoured. The existing two urban unitaries may be expanded. Plymouth is suggesting it should cover all of its travel to work area. Any savings will be retained by central government and not be passed on to council tax payers.

The chairman of Eastern Link had written a letter supporting the West Devon proposal and was criticised for this as he had no authority to do so. His offer of resignation may be discussed at the next Eastern Link meeting

The next Eastern Link meeting has been postponed to July 17th to link in with the dates when the proposals are put out for public consultation.

Parish and Town Council Standards Training the clerk attended this event. It focused on the declaring of interests (personal and prejudicial).

FINANCE

The following has been received: -
Reserve Account (interest) £18.98
W.D.B.C. - first half of the precept £2694.00
W.D.B.C. - Burial Grant £40.00

Prior to the meeting a cheque was signed for the following: -
Post Office Ltd (eDF energy/electricity) £27.11

Cheques were signed for the following: -
Mr. C.R. Squire (work carried out on footpaths) £50.50
Mrs. S. Harper (paint, sandpaper,putty for repairs to public
Conveniences) £33.47
Mr. L. Beer (Toilet cleaning 31/3/08 - 27/4/08) £66.24
W.D.B.C. (second instalment of rates bill) £34.00

Amount in bank is £3217.66 and total in Reserve Account is £3547.37 TOTAL - £6765.03
Represented thus P3 - £389.09 Precept, toilets + other £6081.66 Interest £247.37 Countryside Agency - £46.91

As the first half of the precept has been received it was decided to transfer £2,000 from the Current Account to the Reserve Account
The clerk submitted a petty cash claim for April for £4.69. Cllr Smith checked the receipts and authorised payment.
The bank mandate will be signed at the next meeting.
The new insurance premium has been received and is for £497.10, which is a little over the budgeted figure of £490. This can be paid at the next meeting.

Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2008 a copy of these has been sent to all Councillors prior to the meeting. It was noted that the balance carried forward into this financial year is £2000 more than was in the bank on 1st April 2007. The accounts were agreed by all present and duly signed by the Chairman and Clerk.
The clerk will prepare the annual return and get copies of sections 1 and 2 to all Cllrs prior to the next meeting. That can then be signed at the next meeting. The audit has been set for July 7th 2008.

CORRESPONDENCE
Devon Rural Network, NALC Conference 2008, Devon NHS Primary Care Trust - Joint Strategic Review of Health and Social Care in Devon, DCC - Local Involvement Network (LINK) for Devon, DCC - Emergency Planning Newsletter, DCC - Statement of Accounts 06/07, WDBC - Free Radon Tests, Devon and Cornwall Constabulary - Stay Out Stranger (Stamp out Doorstep Crime). Various emails sent to those with the facility.
199.3
ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Cllr Smith asked about erecting a fence around the play equipment if the finances were available. The inspection did not stipulate a need for fencing.
A member of the public asked about the lack of safety surfacing under the tower unit. The clerk stated there is a stipulation that if the fall height is under 1 metre there is no requirement to provide safety surfacing. The member of the public was asked to put her query in writing and then a copy of her letter can be sent to Tony Mogford Associates and his opinion sought.
Another member of the public asked why he and his neighbour had not received their letters about the rotary clothes driers situated on the green. The clerk stated this was down to her as she had not yet written the letters. He explained that he had been using the drier on the green for a number of years and had paid rent to do so (probably about 30 years ago), but the rent had been waived as it was nominal and not worth collecting. The council decided to take this no further at present and see what happens.
The member of the public also asked about the earth that has been removed to erect the play equipment and has been placed at the base of this hedge. It was agreed that Cllr Harper and her husband would help Mr. Goundry remove it. It can then be placed in the pit left by Western Power Distribution.
Cllr Harper asked again about the self closing apparatus for the gates. The clerk will look into it.

Cllr Coleman asked about the maps for the footpaths. He stated that if someone can provide him with source material he may be able to get some printed. Cllr Squire will show him the footpath map.

Cllrs Squire and Smith send their apologies for the next meeting. Cllr Squire will be away and Cllr Smith is singing with S.C. choir.

The dates for the next few meetings are: -
Tuesday 27th May 2008 at 7.30 p.m.,
Tuesday 24th June 2008 at 7.30 p.m., Tuesday 22nd July 2008 at 7.30 p.m.,
Tuesday 19th August 2008 at 7.30 p.m., Tuesday 16th September 2008 at 7.30 p.m.,
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.,

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.15 p.m.

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