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

It was reported that David Swallow had repaired the broken window in the bus shelter at Half Moon and the council expressed sincere thanks for this support.

The police report included: December 2015: one concern for welfare; one possible prowler; two alarms; one male selling power tools in Half Moon; one possible Internet fraud; one tree down on A377; one possible drink driver; one suspicious vehicle plus one assault.

January 2016: one poorly Police Car on A377!; two ponies in road at Half Moon; one tree down in Half Moon; one incident of dangerous driving on A377; one abandoned 999 in Langford plus one drink driver.

MDDC

Cllr Hare-Scott, for Mid Devon District Council, reported that the new system for waste collection seemed to be working well after some of the minor problems had been sorted out.

MDDC had raised Council Tax by 1.99 per cent and at the moment were on budget. Provision of housing was a major issue which had to be resolved in the very near future.

PARISH PLAN

It was reported that a 55 per cent return had been accomplished to the questionnaire and the results were being formulated into a document which would be launched at the Annual Parish Meeting on Thursday, April 28.

Highways matters were still showing as a major concern followed by the lack of affordable housing in the parish.

For the Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations, it was agreed to hold discussions with the School about a possible joint celebration and to report back to the March parish council meeting.

It was suggested that discussions should take place with the Parish Hall Committee about the provision of Wi-Fi in the Hall and the Parish Council would be prepared to help with any costs involved.

Thanks were registered to Royal Mail for painting the post boxes in the parish.

A promise had been made to the village to repair the damage to the Village Green by the mobile sign that had been placed there in error.

The sign advising of road closures should have been in the Half Moon lay-by but had been placed on the Green by mistake. The resulting damage is large ruts which will need levelling out and rolling once the ground is drier.

Work is to take place in the allotments to tidy up the empty plots and prices are being obtained.

The council agreed in principle with the suggestion of a night landing site for a Devon Air Ambulance and this will be discussed by the Recreation Ground Club.

The next meeting of the parish council will be held in the Clubroom of the Parish Hall on Thursday, March 3 at 7.30pm.

The next Parish Surgery will be held in conjunction with the Mini Market on Saturday, March 26 (10.30am to 12 noon) in the Parish Hall. Everyone is very welcome to come to Parish Council meetings and there is always a time slot allowed for parishioner’s questions and comments.

Cllr Jill Baker

Press Officer