The Minutes of the Meeting held on Wednesday 23rdJanuary 2008 at 7.30pm
in Winkleigh Community Centre

1.1.8 Guest Speaker: Mr J.Deasy DCC Highways Area Engineer for Northern Devon

Mr Deasy addressed the PC and gave a broad outline of the changes in DCC's Highways Service and systems. Cllrs were advised that there are two main areas within the system 1. Maintaining existing services & 2. Improvements. The Cllrs agreed to focus this discussion on improvements in line with the agreed priorities set by the Parish Council following extensive work carried out by the Traffic Group during the Parish Plan process.
Cllrs were advised that funding is very tight and only allocated based on the Governments 3 focus issues over the next 5 years. These issues are : Casualty reduction + Safety improvements, Public Transport & School Travel Plans and anything requested outside of these parameters will be very difficult to fund. Mr Deasy advised Cllrs that the previous request for safe pedestrian access from the village to the Sports Centre including street lighting is still active and will be put forward to their next meeting to bid for funding for 2008/9 financial budget. A copy of the plans was left with the PC for consideration.

The Chairman then opened to Cllrs for Questions. Mr Deasy was given a copy of the PC's priority traffic issue report and agreed to respond with his opinions as soon as possible & also agreed to supply the Clerk with details of the colour coding of finger posts system.
Mr Deasy confirmed that parishes can get involved with funding particular projects but that this must be done in conjunction with DCC to ensure appropriate/safe etc. Cllrs were advised that Ashreigney and Yarnscombe Parish Council's have done so. Mr Deasy confirmed that he would attend a site visit in the village on 30th February to look at issues in more detail.

2.1.8 Reports

Police: PSCO Sandra Brown gave an update of recent activities in the parish

Cemetery: Cllr J.Turner advised that the sewerage works and the soil bunker have now been completed

Litter bins: Cllr Bowers reported that the new litter bins should be installed in the next 2 weeks.

Development Brief: The Chairman gave an update on the interviews for the consultants to prepare the brief for Winkleigh.

TAAG: Cllr Holman reported on the recent TAAG meeting advising Cllrs of the topics covered.

Footpath No35: The diversion order for Footpath no 35 has been confirmed by the PI.

3.1.8 PLANNING

A) Returned from TDC

a) 1/0904/2007/Ful: Single Storey side extension, Merrifield, Eggesford Rd, Winkleigh: Approved
b) 1/1189/2007/FUL: Construction of 2 private fishing ponds, Kinangop, The Airfield, Winkleigh: Approved
c) 1/1216/2007/FUL: Retrospective application - replacement building for storage of hay, maintenance equipment and shelter for ponies, Field opposite Ashley Cottage, Wembworthy: Approved
d) 1/0806/2007/FUL: Alteration/replacement of existing general purpose agricultural building, Honeymead, Clotworthy: Withdrawn
e) 1/1167/2007/FUL & 1/1187/2007/LBC: Conversion of redundant agricultural building to expand existing holiday accommodation business, Ward Farm, Winkleigh : Approved.

f) 1/2526/2006/FUL, 1/2408/205/REM, 1/2000/2005/REM, 1/1798/2005/REM, 1/0132/2006/FUL: Applications for plots 4,8, 9,10,11 Townsend Farm, Winkleigh : Applications not proceeded with.

B) New Applications

a) 1/0001/2008/FUL: Demolition of existing garage & replacement with new garage, Winkleigh Court : Cllr Holman declared an interest and left the meeting. Cllr Hodgson proposed that the application be returned as impossible to determine due to gross inconsistencies in the drawings and scale - 2nd Cllr Bowers: A.I.F. MOTION CARRIED

b) 1/0033/2008/FUL:Rear two storey extension, 53 Westcots Drive, Winkleigh: Cllrs Holman & Bowers declared an interest and left the meeting. Cllr Hodgson proposed refusal of this application due to concerns over the density of the development as a whole having been originally built to capacity and also additional concerns regarding the reduction of amenity land- 2nd Cllr J.Turner: voting 2 for, 2 abstentions: MOTION CARRIED: Refused.

C) Deferred Applications

a) DCC/2584/2007: Construction of waste transfer station for inert & general builders , commercial and general household waste at The Airfield, Winkleigh: Cllrs were advised that the additional information has not been made available yet therefore this application was again deferred to the next meeting.

4.1.8 FINANCE

a) Payments

Cllr J.Turner advised Cllrs that he had inspected the new sewerage system at the Cemetery Bungalow including the additional work requested and also confirmed that Mr Parker had also now cleared the ditch against the A3124. Cllr J.Turner proposed that the PC approve payment of the invoices submitted by Mr Parker -2nd Cllr Johnson: A.I.F.MOTION CARRIED

The following payments were made since the November meeting :

EDF Energy ( Electricity to Winkleigh Square) £19.40 Cheque 1221
Mr J.Turner ( chemical toilets while sewerage work completed) £25.00 1222

The following payments were presented for authorisation:

TDC ( 1/4 Road sweeping) £ 587.50 Cheque 1223
Audit Commission ( Annual Audit of accounts) £ 158.63 1224
SLCC ( Annual Subs) £ 91.00 1225
Winkleigh Community Centre (Hire) £ 55.50 1226
N.J.Bullen ( Clerks Salary + Expenses January) £ 485.00 1227
MJ. Parker ( Sewerage work at Winkleigh Cemetery) £2400.00 1228
JM.Parker (Sewerage work at Winkleigh Cemetery) £ 350.00 1229
MJ.Parker ( Additional work to sewerage at Winkleigh Cemetery) £ 130.00 1230
Parker Built Engineering Ltd ( clear ditch at Cemetery) £ 50.00 1231
Winkleigh Playing Fields Committee ( Hire of Sports Centre) £ 45.00 1233

Cllr Hodgson proposed that the payments presented above were approved and authorised for payment - 2nd Cllr Bowers: A.I.F. MOTION CARRIED.

b)Cllr Judge reported that she had completed the Internal Audit and was happy with the records.

5.1.8. Current business matters

a) Discussions on Clerks Reports
The Clerk advised that she had received information on the consultation on new procedures for the validity of planning applications. Cllrs were advised that the deadline for comment is 25th February which is before the next scheduled meeting. Cllrs agreed to contact Clerk if they felt an extension was required in order for a response to be given.

b) Traffic from Seckington Cross - bottom of Townsend Hill
Cllr Johnson raised again his concerns over traffic and pedestrian safety on the above route. The Chairman stated that this route had been identified as a priority of the PC and that this had been reported to Mr Deasy via the PC's report. It was agreed that as Mr Deasy had advised that he would respond formally to the PC's report the PC would await his response and discuss at the next meeting.

c) TDC Core Strategy Issues and Opinions Report
The Chairman had produced a draft response for consideration. The Cllrs discussed each question in turn and formally agreed a response. Following a lengthy debate it was proposed by Cllr J.Turner that the revised draft was formally adopted by Winkleigh Parish Council as their response to TDC's Core Strategy consultation - 2nd Cllr Hodgson: A.I.F: MOTION CARRIED.

d) TDC Draft Planning Obligations SPD
The Chairman stated that a response to this document was very important but that the results of the Core Strategy consultation needed to be considered before responding.

6.1.8. NEW BUSINESS

a) Working Party
Cllr J.Turner agreed to move this matter to the February agenda.

b) Winkleigh Pre-School relocation
Cllr Cooper had been unable to attend the meeting therefore the matter was moved to the February meeting.

c) Pavement to Playing Fields on the A3124
Cllr Cooper had been unable to attend the meeting and the Cllrs had received a copy of the proposed new footpath from Mr Deasy earlier in the meeting therefore the matter was moved to the February meeting

PUBLIC PERIOD II

LETTERS AND CORRESPONDENCE.

The meeting was declared closed at 10.35