LANDKEY PARISH COUNCIL Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held in the Old School Centre on Wednesday 7 th February 2018 at 7.30 p.m. Present: - Chairman Councillor Prowse Councillors Beer, Halliday, Mrs Hommell, Lane, Lovell, Medland and Mrs Morton Also Present: M. Isaac Parish Clerk and DCC Councillor Edgell. Apologies:- Councillor Mrs Pollard 194 MINUTES The minutes of the meeting held on the 3 rd January 2018 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. 195 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest announced. 196 QUESTIONS TO THE PARISH COUNCIL The following issues were raised by Parishioners: It was noted that Devonshire Homes had accepted responsibility for the flooding issues in the playing fields. During the recent cold spell the water had iced over. A Parishioner asked when would the water coming off the grass verge adjoining Church Lake/Vicarage Road be sorted. North Devon Homes had accepted responsibility but no further communications had been received. It was agreed to contact Miles Sellick at North Devon Homes for an update. Councillor Beer reported on behalf of a Mr and Mrs Price that the garages for Church Meadow were in an appalling condition and needed refurbishment. It was note that the majority of the garages were owned by North Devon Homes. It was agreed to report the matter to Miles Sellick, North Devon Homes for action. 197 REPORT OF COUNTY COUNCILLOR Councillor Edgell reported that he still had County Councillor grant funds available for local schemes and the deadline was in February. It was agreed to seek funding for the provision of 2 litter bins and 2 benches for the playing fields adjoining the children s play area. He further reported that he was again looking to get additional funds in the budget for repairs to small roads as he had succeeded last year. He stated that DCC were looking to increase the Council Tax by 3% (maximum limit) with an additional 3% for adult social care as permitted by Central Government. The overall increase across all Authorities was likely to be 5 ½ %.
198 REPORT OF DISTRICT COUNCILLORS Councillor Lane reported that NDC was looking to increase its Council Tax by 2.99% a rise of 97 p.a. for a band D property. 199 VENN STREAM - FLOODING The Chairman stated that the recent flooding in the village from the Venn stream had been a major event. A number of properties had been flooded. He further stated that he had been approached by the Chairman of Bishops Tawton Parish Council to arrange a meeting along with Swimbridge Parish Council with the Environment Agency. A Parishioner outlined the water flows around the Parish. It was agreed that the Chairman liaise with the two adjoining Parish Council s to seek a joint approach for a meeting with the Environment Agency. Concern was expressed that the West Buckland attenuation works could have an effect on flooding in Landkey. It was reported that a red plastic bollard had been placed over a large pit just outside the gate to the Tanners Road play area on the road. 200 DEVONSHIRE HOMES COMMUNITY LAND The Chairman reported that he and Councillor Halliday had met with representatives of the trustees regarding the transfer of the Community land to the Parish Council and their concerns regarding the provision of storage space for their equipment. Concern was also expressed about the footpath link through the Millennium Green. It was noted that no formal response had yet been received regarding the transfer of the land to the Parish Council. It was agreed that the Clerk contact Shaun Harrington, NDC to seek progress on the transfer of land. 201 LANDSCAPE/FLOWER BED AREAS, BLAKESHILL ROAD/TANNERS ROAD/SOTH HAYES COPSE: FUTURE Councillor Prowse stated that he had still not heard from Mr Morrish from Swimbridge regarding a quote for a low maintenance ground cover for the large flower bed only. The Council agreed to give Mr Morrish one more chance to respond as the Council wished to make a decision at its March meeting 202 PROVISION OF REPLACEMENT RUBBISH BINS IN THE PLAYING FIELDS
The Council considered a request from Mr Rippon for 2 new litter bins in the play area adjoining Tanners Road. The existing litter bins were open topped and filled with water when it rained making them difficult and messy to empty. Councillors considered that there was a lack of seating in the play area. It was agreed: a) To replace the 2 existing litter bins with 2 larger covered litter bins b) To provide 2 benches in the play area c) To seek funding for the 2 litter bins and 2 benches from DCC Councillor Edgell s Locality fund 203 POLICE It was reported that there had been several van breakings in the Village 204 HIGHWAY MATTERS The following matters were raised: Councillor Beer reported that he had spoken to the owner of Portmore regarding the re-location of the directional sign located too close to the Four Oaks turning. The owner wished to keep the sign but was happy for it to be moved 10-15 metres further up the road. Councillor Medland reported that he had met the landlord at the Castle Inn regarding the Landkey Car Park directional sign and who was happy for the sign to be erected on his property. However the ideal location was by the electricity pole. It was agreed that Councillor Medland contact DCC to ask for consent to place a pole in the pavement and seek a cost for them to erect the sign. It was reported that the Russell Close sign was rusted and fallen off. 205 PLAYING FIELDS Councillors Lovell, Medland and Lane reported that they had met NDC Planning and Enforcement Officers on site. The Enforcement Officer had taken photos of the problem and the Officers would deal with the concerns expressed. 206 MILLENNIUM GREEN There were no issues to report 207 OLD SCHOOL CENTRE Councillor Beer reported that a new door lock had been put on the main door. 208 PARISH COUNCIL WEBSITE AND NEWSLETTER Councillor Halliday reported that he had sought a price from Lonsdale for a single coloured border around a paragraph to highlight a story. The quote was 120 per thousand copies.
The quote was noted. 209 NEW BUSINESS CORRESPONDENCE The Clerk reported: a) The receipt of a letter from MCC regarding the 96 th Land s End trial on 30/31 March 2018 that was noted. b) The receipt of a Consultation regarding the Tarka Learning Partnership, a new local Multi Academy Trust of 6 local schools. It was agreed that the following response be made: Landkey Parish Council regrets the potential loss of an asset to the Village and considered that the money would be better spent on education rather than on a re-branding exercise. Councillor Prowse declared an interest in the above matter due to his wife s work. c) Councillor Prowse reported that he had been approached by Swimbridge to support a TAP application for refurbishment works to the Old School Room in Swimbridge. He stated that he had given his support as the project would benefit residents of Landkey who used the premises. 210 FINANCE RESOLVED: a) Payments The following payments were approved: - M. Isaac Clerk s Expenses (incl ink) 77.40 T. Hommell Xmas Tree for Community Comp 20.00 S. Harman OSC Supplies 6.98 Landkey Playing Fields Cttee Grant 400.00 b) Budget 2018/19 The draft budget for 2018/19 (previously circulated) was agreed and adopted. 211 PLANNING MATTERS Councillor Halliday updated the Council on the Planning Applications considered at the Planning Sub Committee prior to the Council meeting. The Clerk reported the receipt of the following Planning Application:
64079 Outline Application for erection of 22 dwellings (all matters reserved), land at Birch Road/Blakeshill Road, Landkey. It was agreed that the application be considered at the March PC Meeting and that an extension of time be sought from NDC. 212 ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT NEXT MEETING There were no items raised. 213 NEXT MEETING It was noted that the next Parish Council meeting would be held in the OLD SCHOOL CENTRE on Wednesday 7 th March 2018 at 7.30 p.m. Chairman Meeting closed at 9.06 p.m.