COLEBROOKE Parish Council met on July 18 at Colebrook Parish Hall.

The Chairman welcomed Cllr Peter Heal, Chairman of Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) to the meeting.

Cllr Heal explained about the structure of the organisation and identified the key personnel. He referred to the recent Peer Review which is available on line. He went on to talk about the Local Plan Review and various service developments in the area.

He talked about his role as Chairman which he is enjoying. Cllr Heal, in responding to a question about granting Planning Permission, accepted that there was currently no link between this and the availability of primary care services.

Cllr Heal said that he would do what he could to support the parish in securing improved broadband services in those parts of the parish which still needed assistance.

PLAY AREA

Cllr Heal confirmed that the lease on the Coleford Play Area would expire in 2018. The equipment there is 20 years-old and would need replacing. MDDC would not continue the lease and it would be for the Parish Council to consider taking up the lease with the landowner if he is willing.

The Parish Council would need to search for grants or undertake major fundraising in order to replace Play equipment.

He said MDDC valued the input of Parish Councils to the planning process as they had local knowledge. Cllr Heal explained how enforcement action would be taken if Planning Permission was refused.

BROADBAND

Cllr Graham reported on the latest situation re Broadband in the parish: “For those in the Parish not being adequately supplied by the Fibre Optic Cabinet opposite Poachers’ Pocket e.g. inhabitants of Coleford, a contract has now been awarded for our area to Airband, the Wireless Technology provider currently providing broadband to Dartmoor and Exmoor National Parks. Apparently, our rural area in common with much of Mid Devon is too thinly populated for the fibre optic solution by Gigaclear, being rolled out across most of the rest of Devon, to be economic.

“Vouchers obtained before November 2016 remain valid until September 31, 2017. The voucher scheme for new applicants is being considered but is subject to affordability. The details of the contract with Airband are still being worked out and will be published on the Connecting Devon and Somerset website when they have been completed. You can keep abreast of the official line on the website: www.connectingdevonandsomerset.co.uk .

“A pressure group – Broadband for Rural Crediton (B4RC) – has reminded us that wireless technology requires clear line of sight to the transmitter aerial, (whose positioning in Colebrooke is not yet known and will presumably be subject to planning permissions). B4RC recommends that, if you do have a voucher, exploring alternative options such as installing a 4G antenna. No-one knows how long it will take for Airband to have a functioning network in place across this area”.

PARKING

The council discussed the ongoing parking problems in Coleford. Cllr Butt referred to the bollards in the area that prevented other cars parking in certain places and to the layby which still needs clearing out. The clerk said that DCC Highways and the Police were going to come and look at the problem to see what they could suggest.

The Chairman reported that Neal Herridge had now completed his first Road Warden Course. The next step was to send Mr Herridge on a pot hole course and to apply for funding so the Parish could buy equipment, clothing and road signage. No works could be undertaken until these steps had been achieved. The Council resolved to sign the Road Warden Agreement with Devon County Council.

It was noted that any requests from the parish for assistance should be routed via the clerk and not directly to Mr Herridge. It was also noted that Mr Herridge has limited availability and could not be expected to be instantly available when works were required.

‘PHONE BOX

The council resolved to sign the agreement to adopt the telehone box in Colebrooke. There had not yet been any ideas from the parish as to how it might be utilised. Nothing can happen until the equipment is removed and then the box will need cleaning up and repainting. The council agreed to fit it out with shelves and to use it as a book and plant swop in the first instance.

The council agreed a grant of £214.23 to the Penstone Glade Association to cover its insurance premium. Councillors agreed that it was a valuable resource for the whole parish. Cllr Hodder encouraged all residents to go to the events held in the Glade.

The council heard that the revised Village Hall Constitution had been rejected by the Charity Commission and advice given as to how to proceed which they would now follow.

The clerk reported on feedback from the External Auditor and the council agreed the changes that were required which were incorporated into the Risk Assessment Policy and the Internal Control Policy for 2017/18. Both of these are available on the Council website.

The clerk read out a report from PCSO Dave Waring stating that there had been one crime in the parish of a burglary/theft from an outbuilding. There had been the following calls: two x alarm activations, two x concern for welfare, one x miscellaneous and one sudden death.

The Parish Clerk is Diane Shepherd, Squirrel Lodge, Colebrooke, telephone 01363 85051 or email: [email protected] . If you have a comment about the parish please contact the clerk, the councillors or use the contact form on the website. The council wants to hear from you!

The clerk is also available on the first Tuesday of the month from 10am – 12 noon on 01363 85051/07565 350457.

The next meeting of the Parish Council is on September 12 at 7.30pm at Colebrooke Parish Hall.

DS