THE March meeting of Newton St Cyres Parish Council, held on Thursday, March 3, was attended by nine Councillors, the Parish Clerk, County Councillor Mrs Margaret Squires and four members of the public.

TRAFFIC AND ROAD ISSUES

The County Councillor reported that the speed of vehicles as they entered the 30mph limit near Quicke’s Farm is to be monitored.

This is after complaints that traffic does not slow down as it enters the village. If traffic is found to be travelling too fast, an initial 40mph limit may be imposed further up the road to slow the traffic.

• The speeding vehicles at the Smallbrook Corner was also discussed. Concern was expressed that children waiting for the school bus at the bus stop were at risk if cars failed to corner. The bus stop sign has gone, and the County Councillor will take this up with the bus company.

• The Parish Council has been invited to apply to Devon County Council for 20mph speed limit on Station Road near the School entrance.

The Parish Council is also taking part in the “Twenty is Plenty” campaign by Parish Councils across Devon.

• At the recent Parish Council Surgery, several complaints were made about inconsiderate parking of vehicles. Station Road was mentioned as a particular problem at the entrance to Sand Down Lane.

Here, vehicles parked at the entrance to the road, made it very difficult for traffic to exit the junction round them and prevented farm vehicles and logging trucks from using the road altogether.

In addition, vehicles parked in front of a gate slightly farther back, blocked the entrance to a field. The Parish Council asks all road users to consider others when parking their vehicle.

• In Tytheing Close, Mid Devon District Council staff have visited the householders and explained the difficulty that parked cars posed to recycling and rubbish collection. All householders received a calendar of collection dates.

• Broken bollards at Tytheing Close have been replaced but a bollard on an island in the road at Half Moon needs repair. The County Councillor will take this up with Devon Highways.

• Large Potholes in the lay-by at Half Moon were also reported to the County Councillor.

• Newton St Cyres Parish Council pothole repair group is ready to go! However, the group is still struggling with obtaining approval for risk assessments from Devon Highways. The County Councillor was asked to expedite this.

• It seems unlikely that NSC Parish Council will be able to get a salt bin for Kingfisher Close unless the Parish Council buys one and stocks it. The Devon County Councillor offered to contribute towards the cost.

THE ENVIRONMENT

The Environmental Wellbeing Group reported on its research into the viability of using part of the village green as a wildflower meadow.

This has broadly received support from the residents around the green. The scheme will be fully discussed at the next council meeting so that, if approved, planting can go ahead at the beginning of April.

• The Community Conversation event on the Climate Emergency, being organised by the Environmental Wellbeing Group and due to be held on April 2, is making good progress.

The Group hope for good participation from parishioners and have some interesting speakers attending.

• There was a plan for as many civic leaders as possible to plant a tree on March 11 as part of the National Association of Civic Officers. Unfortunately, NCS Parish Council left it too late to plant a tree on that day. However, a relative of a local parishioner who worked as a forester for the Quicke family in the 1960s, has offered to donate money for the planting of a specimen tree in his memory. This was felt to be an excellent idea and the Arboretum committee will be approached to see if it has a suitable site for the tree.

THE QUEEN’S PLATINUM JUBILEE

Plans are coming along well for a Jubilee Party to be held at the Rec. on Sunday, June 5 from 12 noon to 4pm.

All parishioners are invited, and they should take along their own picnic and tables and chairs. Parking will be available.

It was decided that each child at the Primary School should receive a packet of red, white and blue wildflower seeds as part of the celebration.

OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS

It was reported to the Council that the 4G antenna will be installed on the church tower in the next few months. This will substantially improve reception in the village.

• The Emergency and Resilience sheds are having their equipment checked and updated where appropriate.

• The allotments are much improved, although one or two allotments still need more attention.

It was decided not to pursue a formal allotment association as the number of tenants is too small for it to work. Instead, it was agreed to try to involve the tenants in more of the day-to-day management of the site.

• The old school footpath needs considerable attention. The Parish Council is getting quotes for the work.

• The date and the agenda of the Annual Parish Meeting was agreed. (See below).

• The footpath from the top of Tinpit Hill through Newton Woods is to be re-stoned as it has presently become unusable.

• An abandoned car at the junction of Pump Street and Sand Down Lane was set alight and required the fire brigade to put it out.   The Parish Council is asking for the vehicle to be removed.

Most distressingly, it seems likely that local people must have set it alight as this happened some time after it was abandoned.

The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 6 in the main hall of the Parish Hall at 7pm. Parishioners are strongly encouraged to attend to hear about the work of the Parish Council.

There will be an opportunity to become involved in developing the Newton St Cyres Neighbourhood Plan.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held in the Parish Hall on Thursday, April 7 beginning at 7pm. Members of the public are welcome. Alternatively, if members of the public wish issues to be raised in council meetings, they can contact councillors in the usual way.

There will also be a Parish Surgery at the Coffee Morning to be held on Saturday, April 9 in the Parish Hall.

Liz Ouldridge