AT the March meeting of Sandford Parish Council, the clerk reported that an entry had been made in the Parish Comment Book advising that when the potholes were repaired on the Henstill Road (February 21) the road was closed.

This meant that the residents of “Bawdenhayes” were “unable to go up or down the lane”. A request was made that if this happened again due notice could be given to the local residents and was agreed to pass this comment on to Devon County Council Highways department.

It was also agreed, for the third time, to report outstanding parish potholes in need of repair to DCC Highways – West Sandford Road and Lodge Corner. Also Long Barn, near Creedy Lakes, where the road surface was in a dangerous state potentially giving rise to claims from drivers for damage to their vehicles.

A meeting was held at Mid Devon District Council with the Chief Executive, Stephen Walford, and which was attended by Cllrs Dalton and Griffin JP, to discuss various parish issues including the “Creedy Bridge Development”.

A response had been received confirming the position in respect of future Precept funding.?“All houses in your parish will pay your precept, irrespective of whether they may look to Crediton for many of their services. The parish boundary is all that matters, so any new houses within your boundary will pay your precept, and you will be able to secure extra funds through this to pay for additional items or improvements that you believe are necessary”.

MDDC had replied to apologise for the delay in dealing with the Parish Council complaint regarding the proposed future allocation of “Creedy Bridge” S106 funding.

Comments were agreed on current planning applications in the Parish:

Land at NGR 285493 104975 (Holly Water Holidays), Cross Hill Cross to Cheriton Cross, East Village - Change of use of agricultural land to leisure and tourism for an area of 170 square metres for the erection of a timber tipi and associated outdoor area - No Objection subject to a suggested 10-year condition for this building.

Devon County Council request for comments to application received by the Mineral Planning Authority - Extraction of up to 2,000 tonnes of Exeter Volcanic Series building stone per annum at Knowle Quarry, Copplestone, Crediton, EX17 5PB - No objection.

The wording had been agreed for new Signs (“Creedy View” car park and Hiring sign for Pavilion) and the clerk, and Cllr P Yeo, had been to visit Xswraps in Crediton to place the order.

A Litter Pick was planned for Saturday, April 28, meeting at the Sports Pavilion at 9.15am.

The next Parish Council Meeting will take place on April 4, at 7.30pm, at Sandford Congregational Church Hall.

This will be the last Parish Council before Parish Elections on May 2. All current Parish Councillors will stand down ahead of theses elections.

Anyone interested in standing as a Parish Councillor is asked to contact the Parish Clerk, Malcolm Vallance, (telephone Crediton 772769) for further information. Nomination forms need to be submitted to MDDC at Tiverton during the period, March 18 to April 3.

MJV