CREDITON Hamlets Parish Council met on December 4 and January 2 at Yeoford Community Hall.

Councillors discussed the Yeoford Play Area at both meetings and resolved to provide a grant of £500 to the Yeoford Community Association in 2017/18 to pay for the cost of the insurance and inspections.

The councillors also agreed to provide a grant of £1,000 in 2018/19 to pay for the cost of insurance and inspections and to provide an additional fund for required maintenance works.

The grant will continue for five years and then be reviewed.

Budget and Precept Request 2018/19: Councillors agreed a budget for 2018/19 and a precept increase of £1,000 to cover the cost of the £1,000 grant to the Yeoford Community Association.

Closure of the Crediton Town Council Offices: Councillors discussed the threat to the Crediton Town Council offices and agreed to write to the Chief Executive of Mid Devon District Council in support of Crediton Town Council.

League of Friends of Crediton Hospital letter re Service Provision: Councillors noted the letter from the League of Friends and agreed the council should write to Devon County Council (DCC) in support, expressing concerns at the reduction in services to the parish.

Roads and Footpaths in the Parish: Councillors again identified deterioration in road surfaces in several areas of the parish and these were all reported to DCC.

Garden Centre at Barnstaple Cross: Councillors received a presentation from the owner of Homeleigh Garden Centre and his architect who presented plans to develop the Garden Centre.

Councillors had the opportunity to ask questions and to raise concerns. Councillors welcomed the development in principle which is at the pre-application stage.

Proposal for use of land at Westernlea: Councillors received a presentation about the plans for a community garden at Westernlea in Crediton. Councillors welcomed these proposals and considered that this could be supported by Section 106 monies.

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 01363 85051 or email: [email protected] .

The next meeting of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council is on February 5 at the Council Offices, Market Street, Crediton.

Alan Quick