CREDITON Hamlets Parish Council met for its June meeting at Yeoford Community Hall.

There were no members of the public present. Cllr Tony Price signed the Declaration of Office and was welcomed to the council by the chairman.

The council considered the planning application 17/00762 at Court Barton Cottages and resolved to support the application to build a single-storey extension and detached garage.

The council had expressed concern about an overgrown hedge at High View and had asked the clerk to write to the landowner. The landowner had responded and the council noted that the hedge would be cut at the end of September.

The council had invited both the Monitoring Officer from Mid Devon District Council and Jenny Clifford, Head of Planning and Regeneration at MDDC to attend the meeting.

The council heard that Jenny Clifford would hope to attend the September meeting. There was currently no date for the Monitoring Officer to attend but she would be providing training to councils in the autumn.

The council had expressed concern about the stability of the footbridge over the River Culvery. The clerk had contacted the Footpaths Officer, Johnathan Rowlands who had responded promptly and had instructed Devon County Council bridges department to undertake the repairs as soon as possible. The council asked the clerk to write to thank Mr Rowlands.

The council had expressed concern about the increased prices at the Punchbowl Recycling Centre and the likelihood of increased fly tipping in the area.

The clerk had written to Mr C Chandler, Senior Waste Manager, who had confirmed that the rates for 2017/18 had remained the same except for one change for DIY plastics. Mr Chandler confirmed that fly tipping showed a downward trend over the past six years. The council resolved that it remained concerned.

The council resolved that its two noticeboards in Westernlea and Yeoford needed some repair and maintenance.

The council requested that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr Rice who had supplied the wood free-of-charge to allow the Binneford Finger Post to be repaired.

The council received a Police report. There had been three crimes reported since May 2: two x theft from shop, Wellparks and one theft of equestrian equipment stolen from an outbuilding after padlock was smashed. Five incidents had been reported: one passing of intelligence regarding a wanted male, two x road traffic collision at Woodland Head, one concern for vulnerable male and one of cables hanging into the road at Creedy Bridge.

The council expressed concern about motorbikes travelling along Green Lanes and Bridleways. Councillors referred in particular to the Bridleway going from Venny Tedburn to Posbury (Harford Lane) and the Unsuitable for Motor Vehicles lane going from Venny Tedburn to Oldrige. The clerk was asked to find out what is allowed on Green Lanes and Bridleways.

Cllr Stevens reported that he had been asked if there could be a bus shelter in Yeoford. The clerk was asked to enquire via the "Yeoford Voice" if this is something that would be welcomed and if so where it should be placed.

Cllr Heal confirmed that he would be attending the next meeting of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council in his capacity as Chairman of Mid Devon District Council.

The chairman congratulated Cllr Nick Way on his re-election as County Councillor. Cllr Way sought feedback on the performance of the new Highways Contractor and the council resolved to make this a new item on the council’s agenda. If any member of the parish has any feedback the council would be pleased to hear from them.

The council responded to a letter from outside the parish suggesting that MDDC was planning to remove fencing from Play Areas.

The council resolved that they would not wish this to happen and Cllrs Heal and Coren were asked to confirm that this would not happen at Yeoford Play Area.

The council heard that a defibrillator could now be purchased for Yeoford because Cllr Brimacombe had kindly offered to add sufficient funds to the grant already obtained by the parish council. The chairman proposed a vote of thanks to Cllr Brimacombe.

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 new 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