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1. A meeting of the Parish Council took place on Wednesday 30th April 2008 at 8.00 p.m. in Bridgerule Parish Hall.
2. Present:- Chairman Councillor K. James, Councillors J. Stoneman, G. Abbott, J. Giles, K. Davey, J. Watkins. G. Cooper and K. Chilton, Mrs L. Packer Clerk and RFO. Member of the Public - Mike Knowle.
3. Apologies: - Mr J. McDougall (Neighbourhood Watch).
4. Adoption of the Minutes: - The Minutes of the meeting held on 26th March 2008 having been circulated prior to the meeting were adopted and duly signed by the Chairman. appreciated.
5. Declaration of Interests: - None declared.
6. Finance i. The cashbook accounts to 31st March 2008 and bank reconciliation were presented, approved and adopted. ii. An Invoice from Community First for Insurance Cover was presented for payment and authorised £275.94 Cheque Number 000358. iii. Audit: carried forward.
7. General correspondence to date: was received. After consideration it was decided that it is the policy of this Council to wish to see the status quo retained when consulted about plans to introduce Unitary Authorities and the Clerk was delegated to submit this response when consulted
8. Playground, Playing Field and Southfield Open Space Committee a. Playground The Committee has been working on researching suitable suppliers, available resources and grants availability. Applications if appropriate are to be submitted. Councillors felt they would like to see some progress and the Clerk in consultation with the Committee members delegated to purchase suitable items within the budget available.
b. Playing field carried forward c. Southfields Open Space Councillor Stoneman had a been given an estimate for fencing at £333.28. It was decided to go ahead with the work and to accept Councillor Stoneman's offer to oversee the work being done.
9. Parish Plan carried forward. 10. Planning;- i. Agricultural workers dwelling at Norton Farm, Norton Lane This application fully supported. From local knowledge, noted that both Director's of the business are hands-on farm workers on a daily basis.
ii. Conversion of integral garage to kitchen, 11 Littlebridge Meadow Approval recommended
iii. Erection of 8 dwellings at Little Bridge Farm comprising 4 open market houses and 4 affordable houses for shared ownership. The Parish Council fully support this application. Need has been demonstrated in the Bridgerule Housing Needs Survey independently carried out by the Community Council of Devon on behalf of the Devon Rural Housing Partnership dated December 2007. Linked to the Holsworthy Property Trust adopting affordable housing for local persons. The Parish Council would like to see this application seen in conjunction with Plot 3 Canal Rise, with a s.106 agreement for a community benefit contributing to the Parish from Plot 3 for the overall development. The Parish Council would support an additional dwelling if this would achieve the viability of the affordable housing allocation by the Holsworthy Property Trust. The infrastructure roads are already in place and it is unrealistic to expect this site to return to being an agricultural area.
iv. Plot 3, Canal Rise The Council believe this application should be seeen as integral to the development as a whole. It is suggested a contribution from this plot should contribute towards community benefits via s.106 agreement. v. Conservatory, 22 Southfields Recommend Approval
11. Parish Hall Clive Smale is drawing up papers. Carry forward.
12. Reports, Questions from Councillors, Events, Items for future Agenda. a. Councillor Stoneman reported Mr Glover is willing to continue to cut the grass at the bus shelter and this was approved and confirmed by the Council b. Councillor Abbott passed on a request from Bridgerule School for a letter supporting their application for disabled access. Drawing submitted and approved. c. Several Councillors expressed their concern over the condition of roads in the Parish. Serious pothole still need to be addressed. Yellow markings had washed away before the team to fill them in had arrived. The Council feel this is not acceptable. It was suggested they could be invited to a meeting to explain their lack of activity repairing Main and Minor roads in the parish. d. Regeneration of Holsworthy. The plans to move the market were raised and generally discussed. e. Councillor Abbott reported that Short and Abbott have decided not to continue with the grass cutting next year. The Clerk to advertise for Tenders for next year. Short and Abbott were thanked for their taking the job on for so many years. f. Undeveloped sites at Littlebridge Meadows and Southfield, Environmental health at Torridge to be contacted to see if outstanding matters can be addressed.
13. Public Questions None raised.
14. Date of next meeting; The next monthly meeting will be 26th May 2008. The meeting was closed at 9.25 p.m.
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