AT the April meeting of Sandford Parish Council, members agreed to request a meeting with a senior Mid Devon District Council planning officer and representatives of Summerfield Homes Ltd to discuss outstanding issues on the new homes being built at "Creedy View".

Items outstanding include the play area, car park, coach park and the footpath to "Snows".

It was understood that in accordance with the S106 Agreement dated February 11, 2014, that some of these matters needed to be formalised "...before the first occupation of the first dwelling to be occupied on the development".

Parish clerk Malcolm Vallance reported on the national Victory in Europe celebrations due to take place in May.

Given the short notice the parish council felt there was not enough time to arrange a Parish Beacon on this occasion.

However, the clerk said he was liaising with Mary-Rose Somerville, one of the churchwardens at St Swithun's Church over the suggestion of a Sandford parish commemoration being incorporated into their service on Sunday, May 10.

WALL ISSUES

It was reported from the Parish comment book that concern had been expressed over the poor state of the boundary wall on Pond Corner adjacent to the "Blue Door".

The chairman agreed to draw this to the attention of the landowner. Cllr Andrew Jackson had met with Cllrs Phil Harvey and Richard Stoyle to discuss the suggestion to draw up a Sandford Neighbourhood Plan.

A document had been produced setting out reasons for carrying out the Plan and a list of possible groups and interested parties. The first part of the process would be to agree the "Area" of the Sandford Neighbourhood Plan with the District Council and the suggestion was to include Sandford, New Buildings, East Village and Pedlarspool.

LITTER PICK

A Litter Pick was set for May 2 (meeting at the Playing Field at 10am) and the clerk agreed to contact MDDC to make arrangements for litter pickers, black sacks etc.

It was agreed that the 2015 Annual Parish Meeting had gone well with more than 40 parish councillors, parishioners and representatives of parish organisations attending.

Cllr Pat Yeo suggested that in future Sandford Stores should be asked to present their accounts at the Annual Parish Meeting.

Cllr Yeo and the clerk had made a review of the Sandford cobbles and the report would be sent on to MDDC for inclusion in the Sandford List of Heritage Assets.

Devon County Council had sent a copy of the formal document to establish revisions to Footpaths No's 25 Sandford and Five and Eight Upton Hellions (Public path diversion and definitive Map and statement Modification Order 2015) together with a new Parish Map showing these revisions.

They had also sent details of a proposal to divert Footpath No 16 at "Withywinds", Sandford and the parish council agreed to support this suggestion.

PEDLARSPOOL

The Sandford Parish Council submission to the MDDC Local Plan Review was agreed in the terms of the points set out at the March meeting.

Cllr Jackson was thanked for formulating these comments.

Dr Kevin Page had sent a copy letter he had sent to MDDC setting out his comments over the Local Plan regarding Pedlarspool.

It was agreed to obtain estimates to refurbish the bench in the Square (opposite the Lamb Inn) and once again hold the annual contest to find the Best Garden, Tubs and Hanging Baskets in the village.

The next parish council meeting will take place at 7.30pm at Sandford Congregational Church Hall on Thursday, May 14 (Elections, May 7) when the new parish council will meet for the first time.

MJV