CREDITON Hamlets Parish Council met for its monthly and annual meeting in May.

At the annual meeting, held first, Cllr George Mortimer was elected Chairman and Cllr J Stevens was elected Vice Chairman.

The council resolved to no longer have a Planning Committee and has invited Jenny Clifford, Head of Planning and Regeneration at Mid Devon District Council, to attend the next meeting.

The council resolved to have a Human Resources Committee and to amalgamate it with the Finance Committee.

The council resolved to inspect its current noticeboards and to consider any maintenance that might be required. It amended the Model Publication Scheme to include a charge for the Clerk’s time.

Cllr Brook proposed a vote of thanks to Cllr Leigh and Cllr Scrivener for their work as Chairman and Vice Chairman.

The monthly meeting then followed. Mr T Price was co-opted onto the council. The Monitoring Officer has been invited to attend a future meeting of the council.

The council completed the Annual Governance Statement 2016/17 for the External Audit and approved the Annual Accounts 2016/17. The Internal Audit report had been completed and all was satisfactory. All these documents are available on the council’s website.

The council resolved to engage Hotchkiss Warburton solicitors to act for it in the matter of the Yeoford Play Area lease. Materials had now been sourced to allow the Binneford Finger Post to be repaired.

The council supported Planning Applications at Westacott Barton, Eastchurch Farm, Lower Demmitts, Station Road in Yeoford and Hilltop House.

The council received a Police Report that stated three crimes had been reported between March 28 and May 2: one theft from shop (Wellparks), one theft from filling station (Wellparks) and one Criminal Damage to vehicle on A377.

There had also been five incidents reported: one concern for male sleeping in car, one domestic incident, one two-vehicle RTC, one concern for welfare of distressed female and one assistance required by Fire Service.

Cllr Brook reported that the river had undermined the pillars on the Footbridge over the River Culvery at Venny Tedburn and the Clerk was asked to contact the DCC Footpaths Officer about this.

Cllr Jarvis said that she would take the waste bin away from the old Village Hall as this had been causing difficulties.

The council heard that the overgrown hedge at High View, Woodland Head was causing difficulties for cyclists and pedestrians and the Clerk was asked to write to the owner to ask him to cut it.

The council expressed concern at the increased charges at the Punchbowl Recycling Centre and the impact this would have on fly-tipping in the area and the Clerk was asked to write to DCC about this.

Councillors expressed concern about a new opening at South Hill, Neopardy and asked the Clerk to investigate.

Cllr Coren said that Cllr Heal would be taking up his role as Chairman of Mid Devon District Council shortly and Cllr Heal had requested to attend a Crediton Hamlets council meeting in his new role.

Councillors requested that the Clerk only email essential information to them in future and they would then consider the list of correspondence at their meetings.

Cllr Leigh congratulated Cllr Nick Way on his re-election to Devon County Council and Cllr Coren, on behalf of himself and Cllr Heal, thanked Cllr Leigh for all his hard work and support over many years.

The next meeting of the council will take place on June 5 at Crediton Town Council Chamber at 7.30pm.

The draft minutes of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council are available on three noticeboards within the parish: Hookway, Westernlea and Yeoford.

The minutes and other information about the council is available on the Crediton Hamlets Parish Council website: http://www.creditonhamlets.org.uk/ .

If you have any comments or queries the Clerk, Diane Shepherd, can be contacted on telephone 01363 85051 or email: [email protected] .