SEVEN councillors were joined by Cllr Peter Hare-Scott (Mid Devon District Council) and later by Cllr Margaret Squires (Devon County Council) for the March meeting of Newton St Cyres Parish Council.

Police Report. (February 2017) Incidents reported included: Road traffic collision with altercation; concern for welfare on A377; pony on road; road traffic accident – car into wall; bad driving on A377; intruder in garden; domestic incident; concern for welfare, female in distress on A377.

Crimes recorded included: one x driving a motor vehicle when above the alcohol limit; one x criminal damage; two x burglary – non dwelling.

The Police believe the burglaries are connected to the spate of burglaries overnight between February 21 and 22 across the Crediton area.

The Police are asking that residents make sure that sheds etc, are securely locked and checked regularly. Any high value items should be marked and numbers recorded.

PCSO Nicola Payne thanked the members of the public who take the time to call the Police when they see a situation that concerns them.

She can be contacted for non-urgent matters on her email: [email protected] or by calling 101 to receive a log number.

Matters raised by the public. Parking is still a problem in Half Moon lay-by and letters have been delivered to all households in the area. Cllr Squires will follow up the request for the Enforcement Officers to check when they pass through on their way to Crediton.

Fly tipping is also a problem and some in Station Road had been reported to MDDC and subsequently removed. Fly tipping had also taken place over the hedge in Lilly Lane and had been reported.

Speed Camera. The Chairman reported that he had arranged to visit the parish in Gloucestershire where a permanent speed camera had been installed and which recorded speeds by vehicles 24/7. The system appears to work in a similar way to the present Speed Watch operating in the parish but without the need for anyone having to set up the camera and be in situ. Cllr Baker will report back to the April meeting on his findings.

General matters around the parish. It was noted that the notice board at Tytheing Close needs repairing and a new larger board had been ordered for Sand Down Lane. The lamp post outside the Hall had been painted and the glass shades need cleaning.

Cllr Parker will treat the grass on the Village Green and prune the tree nearest to the entrance to Pump Street. A new tenant had been found for an allotment and notices would be displayed about how to look after resident’s chickens, ducks etc. during the restrictions imposed as a result of the Avian Flu outbreak. Parishioners are asked to be vigilant and report any deviation to the rules to Trading Standards.

The Friends of the Arboretum had received £1,000 from the collection at Tesco and intended to explore the idea of disabled access to the Arboretum. The Friends are also planning a "dog mess awareness day" on March 18.

The Parish Council agreed to purchase a quantity of Dog mess disposable bags and have these available FREE OF CHARGE at the Parish Surgeries on the first Saturday of each month (in conjunction with the planned Coffee Mornings).

Parish Plan Actions. Groups and Clubs are to be asked about their requirements for volunteers, the time involved and any special times involved.

Organisers are asked to contact Roger Wilkins with lists on 01392 851337. Roger will then compile a list of these requirements and circulate it to those who have shown an interest in volunteering in the parish.

Red Telephone Boxes. The Parish Council now owns the telephone box at the Station and will shortly take responsibility for the box in the middle of the village. The box at the Railway Station will become a Book Swap Shop and Cllr Chris Southcott will be looking after this. Cllr Southcott has already received a good quantity of books and will rotate the stock to keep the selection fresh.

The box in the village will eventually house the defibrillator which, at present, is attached to the Crown and Sceptre plus a few shelves to hold a Book Swap.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday, April 6, at 7.30pm in the Clubroom of the Parish Hall. Everyone is invited to attend and bring along queries and comments.

The next Parish Surgery will be held in conjunction with the Coffee Morning in the Parish Hall on Saturday, April 1 (10.30am to 12 noon). The Coffee Mornings are a sociable event with stalls and a raffle to enjoy and an opportunity to talk to the Councillor on duty.

Date for your Diary. The Annual Parish Meeting will be held in the Parish Hall on Thursday, April 27 at 7.30pm.

There will be an input about Broadband coverage in the parish and one from Cllr John Daw, Chairman of Mid Devon District Council. Coffee/tea and biscuits will be available and there will be displays from various groups in the village. Notices will be displayed in the notice boards nearer the time.

Cllr Jill Baker

Press Officer