CREDITON Hamlets Parish Council, meeting earlier this month, agreed that the Section 106 monies available to them would be prioritised for the Yeoford Play Area.

Councillors are continuing discussions with the Yeoford Association as to how this money could best be deployed.

The clerk reported that she had not yet received any ideas from the parish about Tap Fund monies. As a reminder the Tap Fund details are set out below again:

The TAP Fund is a useful way of supporting a wide range of local projects across the district, such as:

• highway improvements (for example grit bins, signs, safety improvements, bridges, traffic regulation orders, rights of way, weeds)

• community events and celebrations (for example seasonal celebrations, trips, visits, commemorations, memorial events)

• community facilities (for example village hall/community facility improvements)

• sport, leisure, arts, heritage, culture (for example youth clubs, libraries, allotments, theatres, plays, music)

• local economy, employment and welfare (for example community shops, food banks, homelessness).

Town and parish councils, constituted community and voluntary groups (including “Friends of” groups), registered charities, faith groups and social enterprises may apply for funding.

TWO ROUNDS

This year, there are two funding rounds:

• Round one (deadline to apply by September 30, 2016)

• Round two (deadline to apply by February 28, 2017)

Following the deadlines, the TAP Fund Funding Panel will meet to vote on the applications and award TAP money.  Applications will be scored against set criteria with innovative community-focussed projects receiving strongest weighting.

If a project commences before September 30, 2016, there is some underspend money from 2015/16 that is available and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. 

TAP money is clustered by Devon County Council’s county wards.   The money is based on the number of registered electors in each county ward.  The budget is calculated based on £1.10 per registered elector (whereby £1 is awarded from Devon County Council (DCC) and 10p from Mid Devon District Council per elector).

Councillors are keen to receive expressions of interest from the parish about how this money might be used.

POLICE

Councillors received the Police report for May 2016 stating that the Police had received four calls in May, one Anti-Social Behaviour, one abandoned vehicle, one cow on the road and one neighbourly dispute. Four crimes had been reported: two making off without payment, one drug related and one criminal damage to property.

HEDGES

Councillors expressed concern about the overgrown hedges on many of the parish roads making driving conditions hazardous in places.

Cllrs were reminded of the importance of reporting all road and related problems on the DCC website: https://new.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-a-problem/ if action is to be taken. As many parishioners as possible are encouraged to do this.

Councillors discussed how they could develop a closer relationship with the parish.

Suggestions made included engaging with the parish to develop a Parish Plan and holding the council meetings in the parish rather than in Crediton. There will be further discussions about this at the September meeting. If you have any ideas please contact the clerk or any of the councillors.

’FACEBOOK’

Crediton Hamlets Parish Council now has a “Facebook” page. There has been a very positive response from those who have viewed it so take a look!

The next meeting of the Council is on September 5 at 7.30pm at The Council Chamber, Market Street, Crediton.

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] .

Alan Quick