COMMUNITY CONSTABLE Paul Roberts told members of Sandford parish council at their December meeting that he was aware of a problem with youths using catapaults.

Youths have been reported using catapaults to fire stones into the gardens of Okefield Road, Crediton from the wood at the Crediton end of the Sandford footpath.

Constable Roberts appealed to residents of Okefield Road to report any incidents and appealed for help from any members of the public who see catapaults being fired.

The council also heard about youths who had hung around the village during bonfire night and agreed that members of Sandford Football Club had acted responsibly in dealing with the matter.

Traffic in the village was another aspect of Constable Roberts' attendance at the meeting. He was told about a problem with traffic speeding on Rose and Crown Hill. He agreed to look into this problem and also to monitor the ongoing situation caused by vehicles parked outside Mole End and Star House (off the Square), causing an obstruction for any large vehicle trying to pass through this area without mounting the footpath and causing structural damage to properties

Constable Roberts confirmed that his time "on the beat" will be increased from 70 per cent of his time to 80 per cent, although he did point out that he had 16 parishes to cover!

Ken Madden gave an update on the Sandford Neighbourhood Watch and the Sandford Emergency Plan

Councillors were told that it was hoped that the new Sandford parish website would soon be up and running.

A quotation has been accepted to re-fence the Sandford play area, which it is hoped to fund from Section 106 money.

The council agreed to adopt the BT telephone call box at East Village after hearing that a parishioner had offered to maintain the box.

The next meeting of the parish council will be held at Sandford Congregational church hall on January 7, starting at 7.30pm. At this meeting the council will set its rate precept for the year 2010/11 and deal with grant applications received during the year.

In the New Year the council will carry out a Sandford housing survey to identify needs for affordable housing in Sandford. Until such housing needs are known the council does not propose to take any further action to identify suitable land or pursue the suggested formation of a Sandford Housing Association.

M J Vallance

Clerk to

Sandford Parish Council