Bere Peninsula Parish Plan Community meeting held at Hope Cottage, Bere Alston On Wednesday 8 th September 2010 at 7.30 pm In attendance: Mike Benson Helena Rogers Julie Overnell Francis Cooper Sheila Gay Geoff Stowell Janet Parfitt John Gallagher Andrew Sadleir Brian Martin Apologies: Hilary Boot-Handford Robin Musgrave Jen Potts Dotty Allan Reference Minute Action 2 / 1 The Minutes of the meeting held on 28 th April 2010 were agreed. Matters Arising - None 2 / 2 Introduction Mike urged everyone to be realistic in their ideas. Mike stated he would like to have answers before questions. It was suggested to precede the debate that the group needs to know where they are going. Mike reported that we will need to do our research, then go to consultation to see what everyone would support. Geoff Stowell pointed out that there are some things we can do ourselves, but others that need consultation with others. Mike suggested one action area we can do as a group - to collect rubbish and clear the estuary foreshores perhaps requiring more waste bins from West Devon. We can show we are taking action for the plan then ask West Devon if they can respond to this. We need to be forward looking. 2 / 3 Housing Survey West Devon will provide the survey which will be included in the pack with the questionnaire - we don't have to deliver by hand to every resident; Most residents live in small number of post codes with few living in the outlying areas. For small fee, PO would cope with outlying areas or just use 2 nd class post and we could deliver the rest. Questionnaire should be addressed to 'Occupants' of each house and not specific names. Mike suggested a label to read: 'This is not a Political document. It is simply to ascertain the wishes of the community to improve services', so people don't simply throw it away. Option to do grant bids to cover costs from WDBC and other sources. The Parish Council has already provided 100 for start-up costs.
2 / 4 Education The Local school is very highly rated. Robin previously identified the issue of the community use of sports hall facilities. Mike suggested that someone should talk to Kim Wilde to find out what she would like from the community in support of what she is doing. Should we link it in with the pre-school operation? Julie highlighted the issue of adult education and agreed to approach Kim Wilde to discuss all relevant issues. Mike commented on the shortage of school places and fluctuations in population nationally. It was suggested that someone should talk to Nick Law to get his ideas re any local social needs. Julie O Robin M Janet suggested working together and linking up with the dog warden. It might be necessary to have a store of equipment for clearing up. 2 / 5 Business including Tourism. It was agreed there was a need to talk to local shops to see what can be done to support these businesses. This also applied to B&Bs. The option of a late train was suggested. Geoff Stowell offered to take on the task of approaching businesses. With the improved communications that now exist, we should have some relevant productive things in the village going on apart from just having computer connections. Andrew Sadlier offered to research this. Geoff would produce an introductory letter which could be used as a template Geoff S Andrew S 2 / 6 Youth Facilities Suggested that Jen Potts is asked to look into new/improved Youth Facilities and to report back. Mike B 2 / 7 Surgery Noted that a Health Visitor comes here as an ad hoc service. Mike stated that we can't directly affect the surgery at present and it would be better to wait until Abbey is more established. Also noted that the Friends of the Surgery has been wound up although the group may start up again when the situation is more settled. 2 / 8 Roads, Highways, Public Transport Limited opportunities for improvement in Bere Alston but more options in Bere Ferrers. The Tavistock Bere Alton link would have a major impact on the peninsula although current plans are for trains to stop at Bere Alston only. Janet stated that we need better link between buses and railway services. 2 / 8 Cont. Mike reported that the Parish Council is trying to work with other councils to get extra funding for train use as buses are limited particularly in Bere Ferrers, and there is a need for councils to work together. Also the possible increase in public transport to Weir Quay a Minibus would be appropriate.
Julie suggested a minibus could be rented out to organisations. Mike thought that Okehampton had tried this but it wasn't sufficiently supported. Also issue of insurance might be problem. Regarding roads, Mike was hoping to go to meeting regarding emergency road conditions. Several restrictions affecting local people with collecting grit, sand, etc. Option might be to have bins around the village for local supply John G / Robin M John G will contact Robin and liaise with him. 2 / 9 Police Mike will contact PC Callender to ask what part the police can take in this initiative. Mike B Concern was expressed that we don't have a police presence late in the evening. Mike pointed out that we can't expect more from police because we are low crime rate area. 2 / 10 Sport and Leisure There was a need to approach people involved in local community sport and identify their needs. Dotty Allen was suggested as a contact. The Weir Quay Hub Club is aiming for a base for combined watersports and leisure facilities. Funding will be easier to get for combined groups. It was agreed that the Hub Club should be inspirational as part of Parish plan. 2 / 11 Needs of the Elderly Janet and Brian agreed to work together to discover what the needs are on the peninsula and what information is available. Three issues were initially identified: Live-in sheltered and residential accommodation; Care in the Community; People with Special Needs. The question was raised as to can we find out who and where the old people are? Jane Nash will be asked if she will look into this as she is interested in the old people's needs. Janet P / Brian M Jane N 2 / 12 Environmental Issues including Green Energy Andrew was asked to look into this for the whole Parish. Mike suggested the idea of a rota for a general clean up. More bins may be needed. Janet suggested getting people involved to raise the profile. The impact of the recent clear up day in Bere Alston was raised because everyone noticed the yellow jackets worn by those taking part. Sheila asked to be involved in this area. Ann MacDonald who is a 'Green Member' of the church, may be supportive so she will be asked to take part. Andrew S Shelia G
2 / 13 Arts and Crafts This needs to include professionals and amateurs. Brian suggested we need a good exhibition hall. Helena will speak to organisations to find out if they would like to become involved. Helena R 2 / 14 Creation of Village Web Site Ann Parsons has already created a website which is fairly comprehensive. Agreed that we would like Broadband speed improved particularly in Bere Ferrers. We could be used as a pressure group to improve the connection speed. Andrew Sadleir will look at general communications including phone lines and mobile coverage. The E-mail Trail that has been set up by the Parish Council has started to be used. Hopefully, it will be used more. 2 / 15 Next meeting Next Meeting; Wednesday October 13 th 7.30pm in Hope Cottage. The Meeting closed at 9.25pm Parish Plan Distribution Name Email Address Telephone Andrew Sadleir Via - cllr.robin.musgrave@westdevon.gov.uk Barbara Bousfield, 4 Bristol Row, Bere Ferrers 01822 840074 Bridget Treliving treliving_825@hotmail.com 01822 841794 Cathey Sirey, Cobbleton, Bere Ferrers 01822 840584 Chris Fine, 2 The Retreat, Bere Ferrers 01822 841337 Claire Hall claire959@btinternet.com 01822 841829 Clive Charlton ccharlton@plymouth.ac.uk Daphne McDonald dmcdbf@talktalk.net 01822 840544 Diana Mitchell mitchellsthe@hotmail.com 01822 841086 Dr. Fay Howard fhowardpearce@yahoo.co.uk 01822 840010 Frances Cooper Via - cllr.robin.musgrave@westdevon.gov.uk
Parish Plan Distribution Name Email Address Telephone Geoff Stowell geoffstowell@tiscali.co.uk 01822 840262 Graham Callender Graham.CALLENDER@devonandcornwall.pnn.police.uk Helena Rogers, Highway helenaprogers@gmail.com Hillary Boot Handford hilaryhighlands@googlemail.com Jane Nash geojann@hotmail.co.uk 01822 840558 Janet Parfitt janet_parfitt48@hotmail.com 01822 841315 Jenny Potts jenpotts@beregen.org.uk 01822 840856 Jim Barnes jimandpru@tiscali.co.uk 01822 841686 John Gallagher johnphil.gallagher@lineone.net Julie Overnell jjeo@hotmail.co.uk 01822 840452 Mike Benson mikebenson80@hotmail.com Mike Street street3cotts@btinternet.com Michael Poole eco-nomic@supanet.com 01822 840612 Monica Mitchell monica@tavyvalley.myzen.co.uk 01822 841360 Mr I Wright julie@wright52.plus.com 01822 840372 Mr. B. Martin brianmartin410@btinternet.com 01822 841232 Patrick Waterfield patrickwaterfield@gmail.com 01822 841717 Penny Grimshaw, Little Clouds mike@muddycreek.myzen.co.uk 01822 841863 Pete Silcock info@active-services.org.uk Peter Lansdell peter.lansdell@mypostoffice.co.uk 01822 841506 Ray Bullough raebullough@yahoo.com 01822 840419 Robin Musgrave cllr.robin.musgrave@westdevon.gov.uk 01822 841064 Rod Atkins rod.atkins@btconnect.com Sheila Gay sheilas-garden-magic@hotmail.com 01822 841181 Turner Ann bobturner@stela.eclipse.co.uk 01822 841464 Robert Plumb, WDBC Rplumb@Westdevon.gov.uk 01822 813600 Dotty Allan, WDBC Dallan@Westdevon.gov.uk 01822 813600 Nick & Val Law nicklaw2@tiscali.co.uk Sarah Finnemore berebelles@yahoo.co.uk 07779724867 Melanie Whitting berebelles@yahoo.co.uk 07779723461 Bere Ferrers Parish Council Bereferrersparishcouncil@btconnect.com 01822 840748