THE Thursday, December 1 meeting of Newton St Cyres Parish Council was attended by seven Councillors, the Parish Clerk, the Mid Devon District Councillor Graeme Barnell, and one member of the public. 

THE ENVIRONMENT

• The Climate Officer asked if the Parish Council would support bike racks being installed at the Parish Hall.  The Clerk reported that the Hall had indicated that they were not required. It was suggested that individuals contact the Parish Hall and suggest that bike racks be installed. 

• Mid Devon District Council was supportive of a proposal by a parishioner to plant trees and wildflowers at Court Orchard and a resident’s consultation carried out by MDDC was also supportive.  Cllr G Barnell advised that MDDC would provide a grant of £1,000 to the Parish Council and the Clerk would follow this up. 

• Cllr G Barnell had met with the Environment Agency, Forestry Commission and other interested parties to discuss possibilities for natural flood management following the Environment Agency’s designation of Newton St Cyres as a rapid catchment area.  An approach would be made to Devon County Council to discuss options and possible funding. 

• Cllr G Barnell noted his resignation as the Chair of the Flood Group and a replacement chair was required.

PLANNING

• An application (22/02068/FULL) has been made for a change of use of land from agricultural to equestrian, including the construction of a riding arena on Langford Road (Grid reference: 290248 97597). The Parish Council decided to pass no comment on the application.

• Pedlarspool development – This was a concern due to the likely increased traffic on the A377.  Cllr G Barnell noted that there was a meeting before Christmas with local Parish Council Chairs and MDDC and the developer, Bellway Homes with a view to requesting Bellway Homes to reconsider the design of the houses and to incorporate environmentally friendly initiatives.  A meeting was scheduled for January with MDDC to try and establish protocols for joined up infrastructure planning, to include schools, transport and medical facilities. 

• Potential crossing at Tytheing Close – DCC representatives at the A377 Action Group meeting had agreed that a scheme should be drawn up so that it was ready to go when money was available.

• The Neighbourhood Plan Group would be running a community engagement event in the Parish Hall on Saturday, February 25, which would include lunch. All parishioners are welcome.

ROAD AND TRAFFIC ISSUES

• Boniface Trail - Cllr G Barnell gave an update on the Boniface Trail as discussed at the recent A377 Action Group.  The consultant’s report promised at the end of the summer required amendment, but at present there was no funding available.  A funding bid had been submitted, the results of which would be known in January. Devon County Council favours a route along "quiet lanes" as this would be considerably cheaper. It might be necessary to include some road restrictions limiting vehicles to make this viable. At the same time, it was suggested that the route identified by the Boniface Trail Association might be deliverable in phases over a period of time. 

• HATOC were actively considering the speed limits on the A377 between the Quicke's straight and Crediton, following a suggestion that this whole stretch should be 40mph.  Consideration was also being given as to how to improve the safety for people using the bus stop at Smallbrooke. 

• Update on the Road Warden Scheme. The Clerk had applied to DCC for 52 tubs of tarmac and this would be delivered on December 7 at no cost to the Parish. 

• After discussion it was agreed to look into Vehicle Activated signs to address speeding issues in the parish. The issue will be raised with DCC via Cllr M Squires and possibly the Raddon Hills Group.

OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS

• A draft budget had been circulated.  It was resolved unanimously to keep the precept the same as last year at £13,431.

• A suggested plan of work to improve the entrance to the allotments had been circulated and Cllr R Cashmore agreed to progress this with the Road Wardens. 

• Cllr R Cashmore had drawn up a suggested poster and a flyer raising the profile of the elections for Parish Councillors next year. It was agreed to have publicity material available for the parish council surgeries early next year. 

• Community Resilience Group. The update of the Community Resilience plan was agreed. Jock Campbell was thanked for his continuing work. It was agreed that discussion with Firewatch should continue.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held in the Parish Hall on Thursday, February 2 at 7pm. Members of the public are welcome.

Alternatively, if members of the public wish issues to be raised in council meetings, they can contact councillors in the usual way. There is also a Parish Surgery at the Coffee Mornings held on the second Saturday of the month in the Parish Hall.

Liz Ouldridge