SEVEN councillors were present at the October meeting of Newton St Cyres Parish Council and were joined by Councillor Peter Hare-Scott (Mid Devon District Council) and later by Cllr Margaret Squires (Devon County Council).

Councillor Graeme Barnell was welcomed to his first full meeting.

Police Report: Suspicious vehicle, possible link to dog thefts. Road traffic collision, damage only, Lake Lane and A377.

Road-related offence A377, Motorbike doing wheelies. Two males walking in road at 4am. Two concerns for welfare. Three incidents of dangerous driving on the A377. RTC with injuries, Motorbike and car on A377. Road-related offence – possible DIC (drunk in charge). Highway disruption, broken down vehicle on the A377.

There have been no crimes recorded in this period.

Planning: Change of use of agricultural land to domestic garden on land at NGR 288226 098008 (Adjacent to 3 Court Barton Cottages) Newton St Cyres. No comment.

MDDC: Following a complaint about horses being ridden around New Estate, Cllr Hare-Scott said that horse riders have a right of way to do so.

Cllr Hare-Scott reported that MDDC was on financial course for the year.

Finance: Noted that the Parish Council had passed its external audit.

General maintenance and Parish matters: Cllr Reeves reported that footpath One had a gate removed but this has now been put back.

Cllr Southcott reported that footpath Seven, which had ridges from ploughing in the field was going to have the ridges removed and levelled by the farmer.

Cllr Reeves reported that the building of the new school was progressing well and was predicted to be ready around the end of March 2018, with a move over Easter, so as to be in use by the start of the summer term.

Cllr Southcott proposed that there should be a grand opening of the school when it was ready and councillors agreed.

Cllr Reeves reported that the Arboretum was going to be installing a wheelchair path.

Upton Pyne had requested help with a donation of £150 towards tree felling work required at Langford Bridge, as part of ongoing flood defence work there. This was approved as a one-off payment by councillors from their flood relief fund, still unused, on the understanding that flooding of the road would be reduced.

A resident has agreed to pay half of the £300 cost of the flood defence work required at Sandown Lane and a grant is in place for the remainder. The work may therefore be commissioned by the clerk.

There was confirmation from Kingswood Homes that open space in Kingfisher Close would be maintained via a home owner maintenance agreement.

Cllr Reeves reported that contractors would soon start installation of the fence around the churchyard.

Following a recent incident when an ambulance was unable to pass by the Parish Hall to reach a resident, due to parking outside on Bingo night, it was agreed that signs would be put up outside to request no parking in certain areas.

Devon County Council: Cllr Enright will email councillors with details for consideration of Highways Town and Parish Council’s upcoming conference venues.

Cllr Squires reported that DCC will be taking on 25 apprentices spread across several departments. The funding is coming from the National Apprenticeship Levy.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday, November 2, at 7.30pm, in the clubroom of the Parish Hall. The Parish Surgery will be held on Saturday, November 4.

Everyone is very welcome to attend the council meeting and surgery and ask questions or give comments.

Cllr Gina Quicke.