EIGHT councillors were joined by Cllr Peter Hare-Scott (Mid Devon District Council) and eight members of the public for the meeting of Newton St Cyres Parish Council on July 7.

The meeting started at 7pm with an input from Sue Southwell, Rural Housing Enabler, Devon Communities Together who explained the process for undertaking a housing survey to gauge the opinion of the parish for affordable housing, how many and where etc.

Sue explained that the average price of houses for sale in Newton St Cyres meant that an income of approximately £93,000 per year was required to obtain a mortgage and buy in the village.

These figures pointed to a need for affordable housing and the council agreed to discuss the possibility of a housing survey at their next meeting.

In the meantime, Sue would register our interest with Mid Devon District Council to seek their support for a survey.

The question of the supply of waste bag supplies was raised again and Cllr Hare-Scott agreed to check whether these could be made available though our local shop.

MDDC

Cllr Hare-Scott reported that Mid Devon District Council was on course to be the first in the country to publish completed accounts this year.

It was also reported that a full planning application for the new school in Station Road and the housing development there would be lodged with the council in the next couple of months.

RISK ASSESSMENTS

Councillors will be undertaking risk assessments in the parish during July and August and presenting the updated papers to the September Parish Council meeting.

These risk assessments are an essential part of the running of the parish and cover general responsibilities, litter pickers, Community Speed Watch, Neighbourhood Watch, Arboretum, car park etc.

QUALITY COUNCIL

The chairman reported that the Parish Council is one of only five councils in the county to have obtained the same Quality Council level of qualification (and one of those councils is Exmouth with a far larger population). Congratulations were recorded to Jane (the Parish Clerk) for all her hard work with this.

GENERAL

It was reported that the vacant allotments had been topped and a survey was taking place on the facilities offered by other council run allotments.

Cllr Parker agreed to strim the edges of the car park and also reported that the fallen step in Footpath number five would be repaired.

The council agreed to explore the possibility of purchasing the two redundant telephone boxes in the parish and requested that an article appears in the "Newton Wonder" asking parishioners for ideas for their use.

The Community Speed Watch Group is seeking new members.

The next meeting will be on Thursday, September 1 at 7.30pm in the Clubroom of the Parish Hall.

Please note there will be no Parish Council meeting in August unless there is an urgent need and then notices will be displayed in the notice boards.

The next Parish Surgery will be held in conjunction with the Village Market on Saturday, August 27 (10.30am to 12 noon) where a Parish Councillor will be available to take your questions and queries.

Members of the public are always welcome at Parish Council meetings, please come along with your views and questions.

Cllr Jill Baker

Press Officer