Council Meeting – 12th October 2022

Mrs A Weekes (Chair), Mr M Bendle, Mr R Brown, Mr J Kidner, Mr N King, Mrs D Evans (Parish Clerk), District Councillor S Clist and members of the public.

Apologies Mr R Drew (Vice Chair) and County Councillor R Radford

Absent  Mr Blackmore

None declared.

PROPOSAL:  The council minutes of the meetings of 8^th August & 26^th September are approved.

PROPOSED:  Mr Brown

SECONDED:  Mr Kidner

DECISION: passed (all in favour)

4.1      Concerns were raised about the creation of a track across a field in the parish which is contrary to the planning permission obtained.  The case has been reported to MDDC Enforcement and it is hoped that it will be dealt with quickly.   A general discussion ensued with regard to the effectiveness of MDDC’s planning department and the repercussions of a lack of enforcement action in one particular case within the parish. District Councillor Clist was asked to progress this enforcement case and ensure Revenue and Benefits Department are aware of the case to ensure council tax is being paid.  Mrs Weekes will draft a letter and circulate to councillors to send to MDDC informing them of the pc’s disappointment at MDDC’s failure to listen to local knowledge.

4.2    Councillor Clist was asked to follow up on another case in the parish and ask that Enforcement visit to ensure the agricultural occupancy condition is being complied with.

SC

AW

SC

5.1       Hidon Woods – Mr Brown gave an update on the condition of the wood including his observations with regard to:- standing deadwood and fallen dead wood, evidence of vehicle tyre tracks and some spraying of brambles.  Mr King suggested the site might be offered to a forestry company for training purposes and, in return, the pc might receive some free woodland management.  Mr King will report back.

5.2       Clerk’s Job evaluation – Mr Kidner volunteered to assist the clerk with the job evaluation.

NK

JK

The following permission was noted:-

6.1        22/01176/HOUSE.  Erection of a two-storey extension (Revised Scheme).  Old Ridgewood Farm, Clayhidon.

6.2        22/01519/FULL.  Erection of a roof over existing silage clamp.  Callers Farm, Clayhidon.

7.1  Income and expenditure

FINANCE

INCOME

 EXPENDITURE 

 BANK RECONCILIATION 

 PROPOSAL:  The expenditure is agreed and the above cheques/payments are paid/agreed.

PROPOSED:   Mrs Weekes

SECONDED:   Mr Brown

DECISION: passed (all in favour)

The clerk was asked to establish from Mrs C Blackmore the bank details for the harvest supper donation.

Clerk

Nothing to report

County Councillor Radford sent the following report:-

We have a new Chief Constable.  Last week the Police & Crime Panel endorsed the appointment of DCC Will Kerr OBE.  He is currently Deputy Chief Constable for Police Scotland.  A very experienced officer, before Scotland he held senior appointments in the Police Service of Northern Ireland and the National Crime Agency.

Starting on Monday 3^rd October for three weeks, a Waste Composition Analysis of residual waste bins is underway across the county.  1800 residual bins will be examined and will give an indication of which materials are in them, this will allow targeted communications and interventions where necessary.  A similar project was carried out some 7/8 years ago with some enlightening (and surprising) results.  Recycling Rates 21/22 – provisional data suggests that Devon County Council has retained its place as the 2^nd highest performing Waste Disposal Authority (WDA) in the country at 55.3% – which is the combined performance of Waste Collection Authorities (WCA) and Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRC).  Nevertheless, waste statistics indicate that all Districts, apart from East Devon, experienced static, or reductions, in their recycling rates with the average reducing from 51.5% to 49.8%.  East Devon at 61% achieved its highest ever ranking of 6^th place nationally.

Like previous austerity rounds, this will not be a simple budget cutting exercise.  We HAVE to look at delivering our services differently, more efficiently and above all more effectively.  Already £20m of savings have been identified and the projected £40m overspend has been reduced down to £18m. But more needs to be done.  76% of our budget goes to Adults and Children’s Services and these are the key services we have to change if we are to get into a financially sustainable position.  The Strategic Leadership Team (SLT) has endorsed an Eight-Point Plan to help us all focus on making better use of the Council’s resources and all do our bit to help organisational financial stability.  While Devon County Council has a good track record of sound financial management, these are unprecedented economic times and, like all other local authorities, we are facing a very challenging financial situation. Those that listened to the Cabinet meeting or read the Budget Monitoring report will have heard the context of this.  Members have been asked to consider applying the same principles and thought to their work and travel in terms of asking the same questions i.e.  Is there a cheaper alternative?, do I need to claim for this journey? i.e. could it be done via teams?  We are paid travel time and we are asked if there are cheaper ways.  For me I can continue giving a written report, but if you want me to attend your meeting, please let me know and I will be there.

District Councillor Clist reported:-

He had represented the Upper Culm ward on various proclamation ceremonies.  He has recently met with the new president of the NFU, Minette Batters.

MDDC has implemented the new 321 bin it system.

MDDC has secured a grant to improve the shop fronts of Tiverton and it hopes to do a similar thing in Crediton, subject to grant funding.

The budgets and general finances are under enormous pressure and MDDC is looking at a budget deficit of £1m.

11.1    Pot Holes – the clerk explained that there is a highways grant fund which the pc could apply to for funding a ‘pot hole repair kit in a bucket’.  She believes the pc might get funding for the materials and 50% of the labour costs to fill in the pot holes.  Mr Houghton, the parish lengthsman, has the necessary qualification for working on the road.  Clerk was instructed to apply for funding for 52 tubs.  The parish should mend those pot holes that aren’t deep enough and wide enough to be filled by DCC Highways.

Clerk

Mr Brown reported that the footpaths in the parish are in a good state of repair.  He politely asks that electric fencing is not put across footpaths, blocking access.

There is an online event tomorrow.  The clerk has circulated details.

The next meeting is on 21^st October.  The AGM is at Otterford Parish Hall on 10^th November.

The Mary Parsons Gift Trust hopes to sell the field and split the proceeds between Churchstanton and Clayhidon.  The John Griss Charity will issue an update report next week.

16.1    Community Shed –

PROPOSAL:  The pc makes a donation of £100.

PROPOSED:   Mr King

SECONDED:   Mr Kidner

DECISION: passed (all in favour)

16.2   Wiltown green – letter of request to mow and weed the green.  Mr Houghton will be asked to add this to his list of jobs.

Clerk

17.1    Letter from Parish Hall asking for support.  It was agreed that the pc supports the aims of the parish hall committee and looks forward to working more closely with them on future projects.  However, the pc wishes it to be clear that it has no substantial funds to add to future projects.

Nothing to report.

Planning meeting (if required) Monday 14^th November or full council meeting Monday 12^th December at 7.30pm Parish Hall.