AT the July meeting of Sandford Parish Council, an entry was read to the council from the Parish Comment Book under the heading “Breeding Cones”.

The writer commented on the growing number of cones outside properties, in and around Sandford Square, and pointed out that they had been placed on the public highway by people “..thinking they own the road”.

Details were given of the properties which had placed cones outside their properties. The Parish Council was asked to remind householders that the use of cones “...are illegal, socially irresponsible, just plain selfish."

New Buildings call box – Cllr Nick Unstead gave an update on the future use of the call box.

The cost of a defibrillator was still under enquiry as were other suggestions for future use of the box.

In the meantime it was agreed that the parish council would go ahead with the purchase of this call box for one pound and the chairman signed the agreement between the parish council and BT.

The parish council is currently looking for a volunteer or a group of volunteers to re-paint the Mill Lane call box which has also been acquired by the Parish Council.

BT has kindly supplied all the paint and necessary kit to carry out this task.

Cllr Unstead also reported that the New Buildings “Airband” broadband installation was “about to happen”.

It was noted that Sandford AFC had arranged for the “drains works on the playing field” to be carried out.

It was understood that the cost had been approximately £2,000 and the clerk was requested to obtain a copy of the invoice so as to establish whether the VAT could be recovered?

Play Area Sub Committee – Cllr Jim Stephens proposed that members of the sub committee be asked to convene a meeting.

Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) had sent its July Parish Newsletter.

This gave notice that the MDDC TAP (Town and Parish) Fund had been re-vamped and was now known as the “Communities Together Fund”.

It was noted that “The changes return the scheme to its original purpose of encouraging “communities to work together; identifying and kick starting new ideas for their mutual benefit”.

It was envisaged that this source could be used for the future refurbishment of the Play Area.

It was also pointed out the the New Buildings Beacon Church was hoping to become a Community Building (e.g. installation of a toilet etc) and would be raising funds and applying for grants to achieve this. It was pointed out that Churches had previously been unable to apply for this source of funding.

VACANCY

Following the resignation of Jake Weedon, the parish council now has a casual vacancy and any parishioner interested in applying is asked to send an "Expression of Interest” setting out the reasons for being considered to the Parish Clerk, Malcolm Vallance, Myrtle Cottage, Sandford, by September 1, 2018. Email: [email protected] .

The Parish Clerk gave details of an email from a developer about a “Proposed New Development in Sandford” and made a request to address the Parish Council at the July 5 meeting.

The clerk had responded that the request had been too late for inclusion on the July agenda and suggested the developer made contact again ahead of the September 5 meeting.

The parish council met after the recent public meeting held to discuss the Higher Road Planning Application and it was unanimously agreed to object to this application.

The parish council has now gone into summer recess and will not meet again until Thursday, September 5, at 7.30pm, at Sandford Community Sports Pavilion.

MJV