FLOODING issues and Stagecoach buses not stopping when requested were among items discussed at the October meeting of Newton St Cyres Parish Council.

Six councillors attended the meeting and were joined by Cllr Peter Hare–Scott, leader, Mid Devon District Council and Cllr Margaret Squires, Devon County Council.

The meeting was also attended by four member of the public as well as by the Village Flood Watch representative Malcolm Brooks, supported by Denis Long and Lynsey McLean (Environment Agency).

The council was provided with a comprehensive update by Mr Brooks regarding the local flood surveys completed to date and the plans to provide the village with an automated rain gauge that has the potential to provide households at risk of flooding with an early warning.

Information sheets are being prepared and the committee is now looking for two suitable strategic sites for small sheds in which to hold sandbags and sand.

The public in attendance raised a number of points, mainly regarding parking, the bus stop and traffic issues in Half Moon, as well as concerns regarding buses not stopping when requested.

The council addressed all points, but noted that many of the issues raised were beyond their remit. However, it agreed to write to Stagecoach and to raise the issue of bad drainage at Magnolia Cottage with Devon County Council Highways department.

Cllr Hare–Scott announced that the recent planning application from 2 New Estate would now go in front of the MDDC planning committee in November and that a site visit is to be arranged by Jonathan Guscott, the Head of Planning at MDDC.

The council was also informed that Jonathan Guscott has agreed to attend the next Parish Council meeting in November in order to directly answer questions arising from the public and the Parish Council.

The MDDC budget was coming under increased pressure but the district council had recently received a good independent audit report.

The funds to replace the recently demolished bus stop were approved and the recent applications for TAP funding made by the parish hall and football club were under process with Mid Devon District Council.

It was noted that the application for safety netting made by the Rec will depend on unused TAP funds being available.

Cllr Squires explained that there was a huge backlog of road maintenance work caused by flooding incidents and agreed to investigate the possibility of assisting parish council(s) by providing more transparency as to how Highways prioritise, schedule and finance their road maintenance work.