NEWTON St Cyres Parish Council met on April 2 and we were able to welcome another new councillor to our Council.

Imogen Marshall will be taking on the role of footpath warden as well as helping in other areas in which she has expertise. This is very pleasing as the Council now has eight members and we only need one more to make our numbers complete.

Several members of the public expressed their concern about potholes on Tytheing Close as well as a need for a crossing over the A377 there.

Our road wardens may be able to help with filling the potholes. If not, we shall have to ask Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) to repair them.

The Council also sees the need for a crossing and we will continue to work with Steve Keable, our County Councillor on this problem.

Concern was expressed about the number of apparently abandoned cars around the village.

These vehicles have been parked for some time and may not be taxed or have a valid MOT. Councillor Liz Ouldridge promised to follow this up.

Councillor Jock Campbell gave us an excellent briefing on the development of holiday homes next to Hanlon’s Brewery.

It seems the developers may have infringed some planning rules and Jock will be in contact with MDDC to ensure that there is full compliance with the planning decision conditions.

The Council had two bits of good news from Devon County Council. Firstly, they have installed a smart new bus shelter at Half Moon.

Secondly, they have replaced a very difficult stile on footpath 8 (this goes across the Quicke fields from Tinpit Hill to Marsh Lane) with a gate, at our request.

However, the sewage leak at Smallbrook continues to be an issue. The Environment Agency has assured Councillor John Dean that it will be fixed shortly. John will be monitoring this.

Councillor Monica Herpoldt-Bright briefed us on the Britain in Bloom entry and we gave permission for some flower-adorned bikes to be placed on the green for the short time of the judging.

Monica is also trying to arrange a meeting of the Neighbourhood Watch volunteers with our local police liaison officer.

Councillor Liz Ouldridge attended a meeting on resilience organised by Devon Communities Together.

The Environment Agency provided some useful contacts which may be of interest to parishioners.

To check your property’s flood risk, you should visit this website https://check-long-term-flood-risk.service.gov.uk/risk .

If you wish to sign up to free flood warnings by phone or email, please visit www.gov.uk/get-flood-warnings or phone 0345 988 1188.

If you need to consider flood resilience measures then www.befloodready.uk , www.floodmary.com and www.bluepages.org.uk may be helpful.

The National Grid was also advertising their Priority Services Register. You can sign up to this by ringing 0800 096 3060 or visiting https://customer.nationalgrid.co.uk/advice-and-guidance/priority-services .

This service is free and available to anyone who relies on electricity for medical equipment, uses a stairlift / electric hoist etc or would be distressed and unable to cope with an unexpected power cut.

The service will give you a phone number to contact them in case of a power cut.

It will inform you in advance if there is to be a planned power cut and provide updates while there is a power cut. It can also provide some assistance through other organisations like the Red Cross.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on May 7 in the Club Room of the Parish Hall.

It will start with our Annual Parish Meeting at 7pm.

Do come along as we will be presenting the work accomplished by the Parish Council over the last year, as well as our accounts. It is a good opportunity for you to talk to us about your local concerns.

Liz Ouldridge