AFTER a break of several months, since an ATM was put in where the letter box had been, Crediton will once again have a letter box at its Post Office on Market Street.

This was reported by Cllr Dan Webb to Crediton Town Council at its meeting this week. Cllr Webb runs Crediton Coffee Company on Market Street, next to the Post Office.

He said the new post box would go in between his shop and the Post Office. Council chairman, Cllr Frank Letch observed that Crediton was one of the few towns without a letter box outside its Post Office.

Another piece of welcome news was that Crediton was now receiving 4G, the fourth generation of mobile telecommunications technology, giving people faster connections.

It was commented that Crediton was now in the 21st century.

At the annual meeting which preceded the ordinary meeting, Cllr Frank Letch was elected chairman of the council and Mayor for the ninth consecutive year.

Cllr Joyce Harris was re-elected vice chairman and Deputy Mayor for the coming year. A town councillor for 24 years, she has held this post each year with Cllr Letch and is a former Mayor.

Members were elected to various internal committees including the roles of chairman, vice chairman and the chairman of the relevant committee most closely related to the particular matter made up an emergency committee.

Representatives were appointed to a number of outside bodies including the Friends of Crediton Station, Devon Towns Forum, Devon Association of Parish Councils and Larger Councils sub committee, Mid Devon Transport Forum and Newton St Cyres Cycle/Pathway Group.

Looking at the review of the council’s Standing Orders it was agreed to enforce the rule that members should raise their hand if they wish to speak instead of butting in.

Cllr Andi Wyer reported that the district council had promised to rebuild two pieces of play equipment at Newcombes Meadow before the Whitsun bank holiday.

Cllr Letch reported having been to a meeting about NEW Devon Clinical Commissioning Group’s plans for Care in the Community.

He said that, with Richard Ward, practice manager at Chiddenbrook Surgery, a log of agencies which have anything to do with care in the community was being set up.

He asked if anyone had ideas about groups that could be included to, please, inform either himself via the town council, the Town Clerk at the council office on Market Street, or Mr Ward at Chiddenbrook.

PLANNING

There were no objections to the following planning applications: notification of intention to carry out works to one willow, one Norway maple and one common ash tree within a Conservation Area at Jockey Cottages, Jockey Hill, so long as Mid Devon District Council’s tree officer had approved the work.

Erection of a raised timber deck with timber railings at Bramblings, Searle Street.

Erection of an extension at 12 Creedy Road.

Erection of an extension and alterations to the dwelling to improve access at 14 Creedy Road.

Erection of a two-storey extension following demolition of the existing conservatory at 15 Walnut Drive.

Erection of three dwellings at Okefield House, Deep Lane. Although there was concern about access for construction vehicles, this was not a planning issue.

It was noted that the planning authority, Mid Devon District Council, had approved a revised scheme for a two-storey extension and a balcony at Arlington House, Ash Court.

Also approved was replacing five first-floor windows at Mid Devon Fulfilling Lives, 2 Bank Place Chambers on Market Street with UPVC double glazed units.

Approval had been given for change of use from industrial (Class B8) to Assembly and Leisure (Class D2) plus more car parking and alterations to the north elevation of 2 Westward Business Centre, Mill Street.

Approval had also been given to fell a magnolia tree at 2 North View, Union Road.

An application to build two semi-detached dwellings at Parliament House, Parliament Street was refused by the district council as was an application to create a parking bay after demolition of a wall and outbuildings at Lamina, Peoples Park Road.

Also attending this meeting was Mid Devon District Council chief executive, Stephen Walford, who was appointed at the end of last year and took up the post this year.

By Sue Read