EIGHT councillors attended the April meeting of Newton St Cyres Parish Council and were joined by six members of the public, Cllr Peter Hare-Scott (Mid Devon District Council) and Cllr Mrs Margaret Squires (Devon County Council).

Police Report. No crimes were recorded for the period March 1 to April 4, which was good news!

The following incidents had been reported during that period: two incidents of erratic driving; one harassment; three missing persons; one highway disruption (debris on road); one incident of dangerous driving; two reports of cows on road; one report of sheep on road; one report of a dog on a road and one road traffic accident (hit and run).

PCSO Nikki Payne thanked the community for their understanding and support during the difficult search for a missing resident and would remind residents that she can be contacted on 101 or by email: [email protected] .

Public Session. Two parishioners raised a query about the trees which had been felled in Station Road and asked whether there were plans to replace them.

It is understood that they had to make way for the new footpath to the School and the plans seemed to indicate a hedge would be planted. An allotment holder was assured that only allotments which had been re-let would be rotovated and all other vacant plots would be mowed.

Planning. The following decisions were taken:

Compass House – erection of a single story side extension after demolition of existing store. No comment.

Hunters Lodge – erection of extension and other alterations following demolition of existing extension. Support the application.

Lindisfarne – creation of new vehicular access for off street parking following demolition of existing wall. No comment.

Advertisement sign south of Newbridge Cross – erection of non-illuminated fascia sign. No comment.

No 5 Creedy View – erection of detached double garage and car port following removal of garden shed. The Council objected on the grounds of the size and position in front of the main building line.

Broadgate Cottage – repair to wall with block and render to match existing. No comment.

Report from Mid Devon District Council. Cllr Hare-Scott reported that the District Council were on budget at the close of the Financial Year.

Plans for 300-plus houses at (Creedy Bridge) Pedlarspool had been submitted and concern was expressed by the council on the effect that the extra traffic would generate on the A377 and especially through the village.

Cllr Hare-Scott agreed to see if a pollution check could be carried out in the narrow part of the road through the village.

Notice Boards, Finger Posts, Telephone Boxes etc.

A new notice board had been erected at the bottom of Sand Down Lane with a much easier surface for pinning notices. A quote for replacing the broken sign post opposite the entrance to Station Road was accepted as was a quote to paint the telephone boxes at the Railway Station and in the village.

Speed Camera. The chairman had visited Rodborough in Gloucestershire to talk to the parish council there about their new ANPR (Automatic Number Plate Recognition) camera. This camera is a permanent fixture and records speeds 24/7 in both directions.

It records vehicle registration numbers and takes a photograph.

The council agreed to follow this up with discussion with the Police and to seek funding if it was felt to be viable. The website for the camera used at present is: safespeed.com .

Dog Fouling. As this is a constant agenda item it was felt that more serious action should be pursued. It was agreed that the clerk should contact the clerk of Colebrooke Parish Council to obtain details of the biodegradable pink paint that council intended to purchase which would be used to highlight mess left on footpaths, roads, pavements etc and hopefully shame the perpetrators into doing something about it.

FREE dog poo bags will be available at the parish surgeries which are held at the coffee mornings on the first Saturday of the month.

Highways matters. The problem of flooding into houses at the bottom of Sand Down Lane would be discussed at a meeting to be arranged with DCC Highways Manager. The handyman from Thorverton would start his schedule of maintenance and repairs in the Parish shortly.

New Housing Development. The school children had submitted a list of names for consideration for the road into the new housing development in Station Road.

The council agreed to submit the name Kingfisher to Mid Devon District Council as the preferred choice. MDDC will make the final decision and also add Road, Close, View etc. after the name.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Thursday, May 4 at 7.30pm. This meeting will be held in the MAIN HALL as the Devon County Council elections will be using the Clubroom.

The next Parish Surgery will be held in conjunction with the Church Coffee Morning on Saturday, May 6 (10.30am to 12 noon).

As always everyone is very welcome to attend the council meetings and to talk to the councillor on duty at the surgery table with questions and queries.

Cllr Jill Baker

Press Officer