SIX councillors, five members of the public and Cllr Peter Hare-Scott (Mid Devon District Council) attended the March meeting of Newton St Cyres Parish Council on Thursday, March 3. Cllr Margaret Squires (Devon County Council) joined the meeting later.

During the Public Session concern was raised about the state of the closed Crown and Sceptre, the cars parking in the bus lay-by at Half Moon, cars parking on the road in Court Orchard and an abandoned car in the space by the garages in Woodlands.

The council resolved to follow up all these concerns with letters to the appropriate bodies.

Thanks were also expressed to an employee of Quickes Estate for their help in cutting down growth at the entrance to Meadowlands and in Station Road.

MID DEVON DISTRICT COUNCIL

Cllr Hare-Scott explained that the Council Tax had been raised by 2.7 per cent and they had managed to balance the budget again for this year.

The council agreed to lobby MDDC about their decision to raise car park charges to £2 for 10 hours and to express their concern about the proposed development of 300 houses at Pedlarspool in Crediton.

Members agreed that this development will seriously impact on the village as the present infrastructure is already struggling to cope with traffic and more cars coming from Crediton will be unsustainable.

COUNCILLORS’ RESPONSIBILITIES

The bus shelters are to be cleaned in the near future and the seats will be inspected once the drier weather arrives. The village green will be treated if needed and the allotments will be tidied up in April.

Councillors were reminded of their commitment to keep the notice boards in the parish up-to-date and to remove any out-of-date posters regularly.

ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Thursday, April 28, in the Parish Hall, starting at 7.30pm.

This will be an important evening in the Parish calendar as the results of the recent Parish Plan will be launched and discussed.

Everyone is very welcome to come along and join in the discussions and see the results of the survey.

Also at this meeting, Alan Quick, Editorial Manager of the "Crediton Courier" will be making an input on the history and production of the weekly newspaper.

Tea, coffee and biscuits will be on offer to all who come along.

THE QUEEN’S 90TH BIRTHDAY

Plans are in hand to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.

A small working group will meet to arrange for celebratory mugs to be given to all the children and residents aged 90 or over and a cream tea will be organised in the Parish Hall on Sunday, June 12. More details will follow in due course.

DOG FOULING

A more sober note was struck when reports came to the Parish Council about the continued dog fouling taking place in some areas of the village (even in the areas around the present dog waste bins).

This is potentially a serious offence and dog owners were reminded that, if their pet is seen to foul the pathways etc. and the owner does not pick it up and dispose of it sensibly, then a heavy fine can be imposed. Photo evidence can be used to prosecute any offenders.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday, April 7, at 7.30pm, in the Clubroom of the Parish Hall.

The next Parish Surgery will be held in conjunction with the Mini Market on Saturday, April 23, again in the Parish Hall, from 10.30am to 12 noon. Please come along with your questions and comments to either or both of these events.

Cllr Jill Baker

Press Officer