AT the November meeting of Sandford Parish Council, Elizabeth Dalton was elected chairman of the council and at the same time the council accepted the resignation of Andrew Webb.

In the Public Forum a new parishioner gave details of his gardening services.

The Parish Comment Book contained an entry pointing out that the litter bin outside the front entrance to Sandford School was not being emptied. It was agreed to pass this on to Mid Devon District Council.

Turners Tours had responded to the comments regarding the 369 bus stop at the end of Mill Lane.

Drivers have now been asked to slow down when passing in case passengers were waiting in the bus shelter.

Turners also wished to convey their thanks to Sandford Stores for their use as a contact point on occasions when the bus was delayed.

A request was received for a “No Parking Sign” on Back Lane in view of the congestion caused by cars parked in this area. It was felt that this might lead to an emergency vehicle being unable to gain access. It was agreed to pass the request on to the Highway Authority (Devon County Council) and the community police officer.

A complaint has been received from a resident at Creedy View over skate boarding at Creedy View.

The community police officer had been notified and had agreed to keep an eye on the problem. The Play Area at Creedy View is open and the suppliers are returning to the village to make some additions to the safety surfacing. It was also agreed to purchase a seat and a litter bin for the play area.

There has also been a complaint received over a parked mobile home on land at the end of Snows.

It was agreed to refer this matter on to MDDC who, it was assumed, were the landowners.

The council has subsequently replied to say that: “The Neighbourhood Officer for the area was aware of the issues of parking on the estate and has written to the tenant who we believe is parking the vehicle in the turning bay”.

MDDC said it is also to write to residents “...to advise all the residents that parking in the turning bay should be discouraged and ultimately that they should not park there”.

Cllr Pat Yeo reported that she had sent off a grant application for a defibrillator to be sited outside Sandford Stores.

A suggestion was made for a light on the top of Sandford Sports Pavilion for use by the Devon Air Ambulance Trust (DAAT).

It was also agreed to ask DAAT to provide a speaker for the 2017 Annual Parish Meeting set for March 16, 2017.

A new location at the end of the football pitch below the hedge in Meadowside Road has been suggested as the new home for Sandford AFC tractor shed.

Suggestions for future use of the Mill Lane call box included a location for the books donated to Sandford Stores, a site for a defibrillator and an information point to publicise footpaths walks in view of its location near to the Millennium Green.

A decision will be made at the next meeting and in the mean-time it was also agreed to point out to BT the poor state of the box and the need for it to be re-painted before the parish council formally “Adopt the Box”.

The Highway Authority is to be asked to state when the road at Long Barn is to be repaired or re-surfaced as it is felt this is the worst piece of road in the Parish.

The next Sandford Parish Council meeting will take place on January 5, 2017.

MJV

• Devon County Council has confirmed that the Long Barn road will be part patched and part re-surfaced before the end of the financial year. The council also confirmed that the works will be funded from Cllr Mrs Margaret Squires’ allocation from the DCC Pothole Action Fund.