District Council chairman was guest speaker at Sandford Parish Council meeting

COUNCILLOR Peter Heal (Chairman of Mid Devon District Council) was the guest speaker at the September meeting of Sandford Parish Council.He explained that he was in the process of visiting all 42 parishes in Mid Devon and then went on to up-date the parish council on the key personnel at MDDC and on the structure of the cabinet-led council.

He also reported on a number of recent service delivery requirements including the 2017 Local Plan Review which the Inspector would consider during September. Questions were then raised by the parish council on matters including planning, dog bins, Council Tax revenue and merger of local district councils.

Chairman Elizabeth Dalton thanked Cllr Heal for attending and he stayed for the rest of the meeting.

An entry had been made in the parish Comment Book in respect of an incident when a dog had run out of the Millennium Green, under the gate, and in doing so had been killed by a passing car. A suggestion was made that the space below the gates should be blocked off. It was agreed to take this matter up with the Millennium Green committee who had subsequently advised that dogs should be kept on leads on the Green.

The clerk had received a telephone call to say that a resident at Crofts had fallen in a pothole on the footpath at Crofts. On telephoning MDDC the clerk was told that this was a Devon County Council Highways department matter.He had agreed to pursue the matter and on contacting DCC Highways had been told that as this was a MDDC Estate it was their responsibility. On going back to MDDC and reporting the comments from DCC, the next day MDDC had arrived and carried out the necessary repairs to the footpath. MDDC Cllr Judi Binks advised that she had been to see the parishioner who had fallen on the footpath.

The chairman gave an update on developments over the acquisition of the Creedy View Car park since the last meeting, though matters still remained unresolved.

There were still problems arising from the “Summerfield Land” not having been transferred across.

Discussion also took place about how the parish council would finance the legal fees that they were being faced with and how the amount already paid had been allocated. An email had been received from Mary Ellis (Gorwyn Trust) pressing for a speedy conclusion to these matters.

It was agreed the parish council would make a final decision, taking into account the finances involved, at the October meeting.

It was agreed that the Sports Pavilion Opening had been a great success and the clerk had now completed the scrapbook to include the building works and the opening ceremony.

A schedule showing that Pavilion opening expenses had cost £172.44 had been circulated against the £200 allocated from the Parish Celebration Fund. A vote of thanks was given to the clerk for making all the necessary arrangements.

County Councillor Margaret Squires had written a report that had appeared in "The Crossing" giving details of a meeting with the DCC Highways Committee (HATOC) that had taken place in August to discuss parking in the Square.

The committee had gone away to consider the matter and make their proposals which then would go out for public consultation. It was agreed to convey the grateful thanks of the parish council to Cllr Squires for all of her assistance on this matter.

It was agreed to report to PCSO Dave Waring issues concerning issues at New Buildings in connection with cars being driven at at high speed and leaving tyre marks on the lane in lower New Buildings, which was a danger to all who used the lane either on foot or in vehicles.

Young children also use the lane and access the play park at the top of the lane.

Cllr Phil Harvey reported that the play area bus had been re-instated. The concrete mound that had appeared was in fact the original concrete base to the Roundabout and would be disposed of. It was also agreed to dispose of the slide as scrap as it no longer met safety specifications.

The next meeting of the parish council will take place at Sandford Congregational Church Hall on Thursday, October 5 at 7.30pm.

MJV