SIX councillors and three members of the public were joined by Councillor Margaret Squires (Devon County Council) and Cllr Peter Hare-Scott (Mid Devon District Council) for the September 1 meeting of Newton St Cyres Parish Council.

The council had received a notice of resignation from Cllr J Ward and had thanked Cllr Ward for her past service to the council.

Notices advertising the vacancy had been posted on the Parish Council website and "Facebook" page and a notice had been placed in the notice board on the Village Green.

As a result Jim Enright had requested he be considered for the vacancy. The council agreed unanimously to co-opt Jim and he then took his place among the councillors. Cllr Enright had been a Parish Councillor previously and was welcomed back into the council.

HIGHWAYS ISSUES

Concerning highways issues, Cllr Squires had obtained some answers to our queries and confirmed that the work needed at Shuttern Brook had been surveyed and was now on the list, a speed check in West Town had been carried out and the results did not justify speed bumps.

The problem of the concrete blocks opposite to Langford Road needed to be checked out with Devon County Council and Cllr Squires agreed to follow this through. It was agreed to recommend to the Parish Hall that they apply for funding for the drainage works from Cllr Squires’ Locality Fund.

MID DEVON DISTRICT COUNCIL

Mid Devon District Council was thanked for repairing the potholes near New Estate.

A questionnaire about street cleansing was completed as requested and the Parish Council found very little fault with the system as it stands. Newton St Cyres has a very active team of volunteer litter pickers who make a big difference to the tidiness of the village.

Discussion also took place on the proposal by MDDC to amalgamate the litter bins and the dog waste bins. The map that had been circulated was found to be incorrect so the council resolved to point this out to MDDC plus the fact that all but one of the dog waste bins were purchased by Newton St Cyres Parish Council.

The council agreed to suggest to MDDC that the litter bins and dog waste bins could be emptied by one lorry making one round trip.

HOUSING SURVEY

The council agreed to check the Housing Survey template on offer to see if any additional questions were required as we will be taking up the offer of conducting the survey with funding from MDDC.

DEVELOPMENT GROUP

The council agreed to call an initial meeting of the Development Group who would be taking forward the suggestions and requirements from the recent Parish Plan results.

COUNCILLORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

A meeting of the current Allotment holders would be called in October as yet another plot had become vacant. The Community Speed Watch is in abeyance for eight weeks due to illness, resignations and house moves by some of those involved.

Cllr Steve Parker was nominated to be the council’s representative on the Boniface Trail and he would report back to the council in the same manner as the representatives on the Parish Hall, the Recreation Ground Club, etc.

Cllr Enright agreed to take on the role of Neighbourhood Watch Officer and would liaise with PCSO Lisa Crocker.

The council agreed to ask parishioners for any ideas that they may have for the role of a casual worker who would keep the village tidy, such as grass cutting, weed control, leat cleaning, sign cleaning, etc.

Any ideas should be forwarded to the Parish Clerk, Jane Hole on 01392 851148 or email: [email protected] .

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday, October 6 at 7.30pm in the Clubroom of the Parish Hall. Everyone is very welcome to attend and bring along their queries and questions.

The next Parish Surgery will be held in conjunction with the Village Market on Saturday, October 22, in the Parish Hall. Please come and support the Market and chat to your councillor on duty.

Cllr Jill Baker

Press Officer