THE Thursday, April 7 meeting of Newton St Cyres Parish Council was attended by nine Councillors, the Parish Clerk, the Devon County Councillor, Margaret Squires, the Climate Officer, Sue Rowell and three members of the public.

Environment and Climate Change

• Sue Rowell reported on the recent citizens’ forum on the climate emergency organised by the NSC Environmental Wellbeing Group and supported by the Parish Council.

The meeting was well attended and there was lively participation by all. The meeting concluded with a list of priorities for local action being formulated.

This was an extensive list but included actions on energy, food security and poverty and health.

The meeting is being reported on in the “Newton Wonder” Magazine and on the Parish Council website. The Parish Council will now consider how best to support the outcomes of the meeting.

• Sue also reported on the monitoring of water quality in the Lower Creedy from March to December last year. The overall score for the river was “fair”.

However, this conceals some disturbing levels of some pollutants.

The levels of phosphate (probably from agricultural use of fertilisers) and dissolved solids (probably from sewage treatment plants) are high. Both these pollutants can lead to river eutrophication, which is very harmful for wildlife, and they are also not good for human health.

Unfortunately, these pollutants will have entered the river upstream of Newton St Cyres. This means taking steps to rectify the problem is more difficult. In addition, after heavy rainfall, suspended solids can be high due to soil and road run off. Monitoring continues.

• The Parish Council agreed to the development of small areas on the village green as wildflower areas. These will be managed by the NSC Environmental Wellbeing group.

Annual Parish Meeting

• The Annual Parish Meeting took place on Wednesday, April 6. More than 20 parishioners attended as well as Parish Councillors.

Jim Enright, the Chairman of the Parish Council, presented the Unaudited Accounts for the past year, ran through his annual report and explained the method and importance of a Neighbourhood Plan.

• The development of the NSC local plan took a further step forward with the formation of the NSC Parish Council Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.

A total of 12 volunteers from the Parish agreed to join the group and initial meetings are being arranged.

• The results of the recent housing survey were published. These show the urgent need for at least five affordable homes within the Parish. A copy is now on the Parish Council website.

• Jock Campbell was awarded the “Community Volunteer of the Year” award in recognition for his considerable contribution to the development of the Community Resilience Plan.

Road and Traffic Issues

• Devon County Council is now considering introducing a 20mph speed limit on Station Road.

• The brambles on Station Road will be cut back by the volunteer Road Wardens.

• Additional 30mph signs have been erected in Half Moon. These are unofficial signs, erected by an unknown member of the public.

However, they use the red circle around the “30” number. This format has a statutory meaning and members of the public are not permitted to use it.

We ask for the signs to be removed before they cause problems with the local police, who cannot enforce speed limits while illegal signs are in place.

• The A377 has been identified by the police as a “high harm route”.

This means we can expect to see more monitoring of speeds using police camera vans or handheld devices. Of particular interest are areas around Smallbrook and Tytheing Close and the straights at Half Moon and by Quicke’s farm.

• The volunteer Road Wardens are still having problems getting their activity sanctioned by Devon County Council. Margaret Squires will be pursuing this for us, and the Parish Clerk will also contact other people at a high level within Devon County Council.

Other Council Business

• It was decided to replace the broken bench that had been removed halfway up School Hill after requests from members of the public.

• The footpath into the woods at the top of Tinpit Hill has been substantially improved and new signage is being placed.

• More trains will be stopping at NSC station. The timetables will be displayed on the station platform.

• It was agreed to repair and white line the Parish Hall Car Park, with the hope of postponing the need for a full resurfacing for some years.

• The burnt-out car remains at the top of Pump Street despite Mid Devon District Council being informed on several occasions. Mr Graeme Barnell, the Mid Devon Councillor, will be asked to pursue this for us.

• Plans for the Platinum Jubilee Party are nearly complete, and the wildflower seeds for the Primary School have been purchased.

• More complaints have been made about dog mess on Sandown Lane. The Parish Council will be putting up some signs but please, please, do pick up after your dog.

• There has been a confirmed case of Avian Flu in Newton St Cyres.  Poultry owners must keep their stock indoors until further notice.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held in the Parish Hall on Thursday, May 5 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 will also be a Parish Surgery at the Coffee Morning to be held on the second Saturday of the month in the Parish Hall.

Liz Ouldridge