ALL nine councillors were in attendance at the November meeting of Newton St Cyres Parish Council and were joined by Cllr Peter Hare-Scott (Mid Devon District Council) and Cllr Mrs Margaret Squires (Devon County Council), plus four members of the public.

The council also welcomed Cllr Peter Heal, Chairman of Mid Devon District Council, who gave a very interesting insight into the structure of the District Council and the names of the officers to contact if and when required.

Cllr Heal cleared up a matter on planning issues and explained that any alterations to the final planning consent should be notified to the Parish Council and he would ensure that the appropriate officers were aware of this.

Police Report. (For October). Highway disruption (petrol tanker broken down on highway), Burglary, Road related offences – Motorbike riding recklessly, Speeding cars, Possible drunk in charge of a motor vehicle, "Drag racing" on the A377. Violence on train coming into station, road traffic collision (damage only), two reports of concern for welfare, Nuisance (anti-social behaviour) young people window knocking. One crime of burglary was reported.

Report from members of the public. Thanks were expressed for the notices which had been put up opposite the Hall asking people not to park along there. Cllr Squires suggested that the Parish Council write and formally request double yellow lines to be placed on both sides of the road outside the Hall.

New School. It was reported that this work was underway and it is hoped to move into the new premises in May 2018. The Parish Council will be kept informed of any official opening ceremony in the future.

Plans for the footpath between the new school and the playing fields were at the discussion stage and the old school footpath will still be maintained to allow children from the Tytheing Close area to walk down to the village safely. It was agreed to check if there were any old covenants on the original school building which may have to be taken into consideration when the building is vacated.

Highways matters. The work to clear the drain at the bottom of Sand Down Lane would be undertaken soon.

Highways were suggesting that the "lego" blocks at the base of the hill opposite Langford Road should be moved back further into the hill as traffic was starting to re-align the road as a consequence of having to drive round these blocks.

Cllr Squires agreed to take on board the comments by the council over the pothole filling on School Hill. It was agreed that it appeared to be making two jobs out of one job as only some of the potholes had been filled during a recent visit by DCC Highways.

Greater Exeter Planning Strategy. The council agreed to keep a watching brief on the Greater Exeter Planning Strategy as the plans progressed through the consultation process.

General matters. It is proposed to hold a meeting of the allotments holders and the litter pickers in order that a progress report can be made. The Recreation Ground reported that it is looking for a Project Manager to oversee the erection of the new play equipment as funds are being held to go towards this play equipment.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Thursday, December 7 in the Clubroom of the Parish Hall starting at 7.30pm.

There will be no January meeting unless a planning issue arises, in which case notices will be posted on the notice boards. The February meeting will be held on Thursday, February 1.

Parish Surgeries will be held on the following dates, on conjunction with the coffee mornings: Saturday, December 2 ; Saturday, January 6 and Saturday, February 3. Please come along and meet your councillors with your questions and queries.

Cllr Jill Baker

Press Officer.