AT the May meeting of Sandford Parish Council, Cllr Shuana Waller was re-elected as chairman and Mike Snow as vice-chairman.

Cllr Andrew Webb reported on the receipt of a letter from Sport England following the application by the Parish Council for £75,000 to build the Sandford Community Sports Pavilion.

The letter stated: “...Sport England has agreed to an advance of funding for project development costs to Sandford Parish Council of £1,000. The award is to pay for a consultant-led Feasibility Study to ensure the viability of your project (Sandford Community Sports Pavilion) in terms of cost and practicality”.

It was agreed to accept the offer and that it would be necessary to form a sub-committee of interested parties (to include Sandford AFC) to take this matter on.

SHUTE STREAM

The Clerk had reported a complaint that the Shute Stream was once again in need of clearing out. With regard to the affordable homes car park at “Creedy View”, it was agreed to contact Falcon Rural Housing to ask them to tidy up the overgrown area between the Parish Hall fence and the affordable homes parking spaces.

Near the Sandford Sign, the grass at the entrance to the village had not been cut by Devon County Council Highways and the Clerk was asked to contact Ian Perry to carry out one cut.

TRAFFIC

A meeting had taken place at New Buildings to discuss the ongoing traffic issues with Steve Tucker (DCC Highways).

He had advised that “Rumble Strips” were not an option.

Signs stating “20’s plenty” were agreed could be an option but noted that they could not be placed on the highway, only on private property.

It was agreed a flashing speed sign was an option, though the likely cost would be £3,000.

It was agreed to ask Crediton Town Council for details of utilising the Speed Camera scheme.

An update had been received from Summerfield Homes on outstanding matters at “Creedy View”.

With regard to landscaping, it was “Noted but our response remains unchanged".

Concerning the Kissing Gate, “Bark will be installed as agreed”.

Flooding was on the agenda and noted: "The tank will remain in Summerfield ownership and will be maintained by us. All storm water drainage leading to it and away from it will be owned and maintained by South West Water”.

PLAY AREA

Concerning the Play Area: “I have attached an extract from the planning drawing which clearly shows the timber fence between the car park and the play area. We apologise that some of the posts have become unstable and we will attend to these on our next visit.

“The area inside the gates will be made flush with the kerb with turf as explained in our last correspondence.

"The small gap under it will also be reduced slightly by this action. We suggest that the gap is not excessive. The play area follows the natural ground level - The site is built on a slope and has already been levelled considerably.

“The fences may not meet with your approval but are fit for purpose. They contain children within the relative safety of the play area, have good gates to keep dogs off and they give children a sense that it is their area, separate from the surroundings”.

The next meeting of Sandford Parish Council will take place at 7pm on Thursday, June 2, when Cllr John Daw (Chairman of MDDC) will be present.

MJV