EIGHT Councillors were present at the July meeting of Newton St Cyres Parish Council and were joined by Cllr Peter Hare-Scott (Mid Devon District Council) and Cllr Margaret Squires (Devon County Council).

Ten members of the public also attended to raise issues and hear the work of the Parish Council.

In the Public Participation session the problem of potholes in School Hill was raised and Cllr Squires reported that these had been brought to the attention of Devon Highways.

The problem of the concrete barriers opposite the entrance to Langford was raised as they had become partially hidden by debris and weeds. This problem will be taken up by the Parish Council with Devon Highways.

Council vacancy. The council agreed to defer any decision until the September meeting when it was hoped that all three applicants could attend.

Mid Devon District Council. The council had invited the MDDC Planning Officer to come and speak at the September meeting on the question of the Local Plan and how infrastructure is to be included. More specific detail of the queries concerning the Local Plan would be forwarded to the Planning Officer in order that he would come prepared with answers.

Cllr Hare-Scott reported that the auditor had signed off the district council accounts and they were in a healthier state than in previous years. He said the council was in the process of testing insulation panels on its buildings.

Devon County Council. Cllr Squires was thanked for her contribution to the cost of the new fence required at the extension to the churchyard.

Cllr Squires urged people to report potholes and highways concerns through the DCC website as this would produce an incident number and would be logged. The finger post at Shute Cross had been broken off and it was agreed that a letter should go to DCC requesting a replacement.

Updates. Parking in Half Moon layby: Devon Highways have confirmed that this location is enforceable by Traffic Wardens and they will monitor the parking there. Any concerns should be logged through the following Log reference: ENQ171016816.

Crown and Sceptre: Heavitree Brewery had cut the hedge above the pub which had been obscuring the view when pulling out of the pub car park and had confirmed that the premises are on the market.

Village Flag and Flagpole: A suggestion had been put forward for the purchase of a flagpole and a possible design for a village flag. Councillors agreed to discuss this after further thought.

Parking in Station Road: Concern had been expressed about cars parking on both sides of Station Road and it was agreed to monitor this situation.

Results of Questionnaire: Only three replies had been returned out of the 400+ questionnaires which were delivered with the Annual Report. This was a disappointing result as many had indicated in the answers to the Parish Plan that they would like to see more clubs and organisations start up in the village and also that they would be willing to volunteer help.

Footpaths: Councillors are walking the various footpaths in the parish and reporting problems to Cllr Parker for any action required.

Open Spaces: It was agreed to check who would be responsible for the maintenance of any open spaces as a result of the development in Station Road.

There will be no meeting in August so the next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Thursday, September 7 in the Clubroom of the Parish Hall. The meeting will start at 7pm to allow for an input by the MDDC Planning Officer on the Local Plan etc.

The next Parish Surgery will be held on Saturday, August 5 in the Clubroom of the Parish Hall (10am to 12 noon). There will be free coffee and biscuits, a raffle and a tombola stall plus the surgery advice table. Everyone is welcome to come along and meet the councillors, enjoy a sociable atmosphere and maybe win on the tombola or raffle!

Cllr Jill Baker

Press Officer