THE March meeting of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council was held in the Council Chamber, Market Street, Crediton

Two members of the public were present.

The Annual Parish Meeting was held first and the chairman presented his report on the activities of the council in the past year and the plans for the future.

The chairman explained that the council had again raised its Precept in response to the need to take on roles and activities previously undertaken by Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) and Devon County Council (DCC).

This year the parish council has agreed to take on the lease of the Yeoford Play Area which MDDC has relinquished.

The council had provided grants this year to the three churchyards in the parish, Citizens’ Advice and the Crediton Town and Hamlets War Memorial.

The council had supported, in principle, the purchase of a defibrillator for Yeoford and had applied for grants towards the cost.

The chairman reported that the greater part of the parish was now enjoying improved broadband services but that the 01647 number were still waiting for this.

It was noted that the council now had a website and a “Facebook” page.

The chairman reported on the deteriorating road network in the parish and how councillors had become frustrated to the extent that on some occasions local farmers had stepped in to carry out repairs.

The chairman said that the council paid proper attention to all planning applications and regretted the lack of enforcement action and regulations governing permitted development.

The chairman reported that the council’s plans included supporting Yeoford Community Association, working to agree a Village Action Plan, if that was requested, and extending the use of the council website.

The chairman thanked all the councillors and the clerk for their work.

The council meeting followed the Annual Parish Meeting.

Councillors noted that the proposed Chapel Downs development was within the Crediton Hamlets parish and the clerk was asked to write to Barratts to ask them to attend the April Council meeting.

The council responded to a request from Crediton Town Council about the Remembrance Day Service and noted that it was content with the current arrangements for the parade and the service.

The councillors confirmed that they were, and should, continue to be on equal footing with the Town Council.

The council continued to discuss the insurance and lease for the Yeoford Play Area and repairing the Binneford Cross Finger Post.

Cllr Stevens confirmed that, should the money be raised for a defibrillator, it could be sited at Yeoford Church.

Cllr Wholey reported that he had not identified an individual in the parish who would be interested in becoming the Road Warden. The council would be pleased to hear from anyone who might like to take up this role for which training would be provided.

Cllr Jarvis reported the poor state of the telephone box at Yeoford and Cllr Stevens commended the Crediton Boniface planters sited at Downes.

Cllr Coren (MDDC) reported that Cllr Heal had been voted the chairman of MDDC.

The council agreed to support TAP Fund applications from the Crediton Youth Theatre and Penstone Glade Assocation.

Cllr Way (DCC) updated the council on the railway services in the parish and the clerk was asked to write in support to the GWR and Okehampton Rail.

The next meeting of the parish council will be on Monday, April 3, at Yeoford Community Hall at 7.30pm.

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] .

DS