UTON farmer, George Mortimer, was re-elected as chairman of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council at its annual meeting in May with Cllr John Stevens re-elected as vice chairman.

At the regular monthly meeting that followed Mrs Edna Beasly of Yeoford was co-opted to fill the vacant seat on the council. She was one of three applicants.

The council resolved to retain a Finance and Human Resources Committee. Membership: Cllrs Mortimer, Stevens, Vigers and Scrivener.

The council resolved that Cllrs Vigers and Cole would represent the Council on the Crediton United Charities.

The council reaffirmed the General Power of Competence.

Planning applications took up much of that meeting.

The council resolved to be neutral in respect of an application to build 257 homes at Creedy Bridge. This is in Sandford parish. Hamlets is a neighbouring authority.

With the application for the remodelling and modernisation of the existing garden centre at Barnstaple Cross, the council heard from the architect and two members of the public.

The application would include erection of retail areas, cafe and warehouse, formation of new vehicle access, parking provision and landscaping. The council resolved to make a site visit before commenting.

It also recommended a site visit before commenting on the outline application to build five dwellings with associated landscaping and relocation of the access for Homelea on land at Hill Barton, Yeoford.

An application for the change of use of land from agricultural to equestrian, building a stable block and making a menege on land north of Woodland Cross was supported.

Also supported was an application to build an extension to provide WC facilities at Holy Trinity Church, Yeoford.

Supported also was an application for change of use of agricultural land to domestic curtilage and building a single storey garage and living room extensions at Folly View, Uton.

Planning decisions by Mid Devon District Council were noted including an extension with integral garage at Ravenswood and construction of a new field access and track at Beare Farm.

It was agreed to make two applications for Section 106 funding for Yeoford Play Area and ask that targeted funds be used to improve the Tuckers Meadow Play Area in Crediton.

Once again Cllr Vigers reported the state of the road from Posbury Church to Blackdown Cross and Cllr Derek Coren reported on work he was doing with Cllr Nick Way to get local drains and gullies cleared.

Councillors resolved to grant £1,000 to the Citizens’ Advice as a contribution to enabling it to increase its service in Crediton by one day-a-week for the next year.

This meeting was held at Yeoford. The next Hamlets meeting is on Monday, June 4 at 7.30pm at the Crediton Council Chamber on Market Street, Crediton.

Minutes and other information about the parish council is available on the Hamlets website at: www.creditonhamlets.org.uk and comments or queries for the clerk should be addressed to Mrs Diane Shepherd at: [email protected] or telephone 01363 85051.

Agendas are posted on the four notice boards in the parish - Hookway, Yeoford, Westernlea and Woodland Head.