DRAFT MINUTES OF BRAYFORD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON THURSDAY 18th APRIL 2013 at 7.50 p.m. in THE VILLAGE HALL, FOLLOWING ON FROM THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING.

PRESENT: B. Symons (Chairman), Cllrs. M.Naden, S.MacAllister, K.Leworthy, R.Dart, T. George,

Jane Jeyes, County Cllr. J. Yabsley.

1.APOLOGIES were received from Cllrs. Boddington, Collier, Barrow and District Cllr. Edgell.

2.APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES DATED 21st MARCH 2013 – T.George approved and

R. Dart seconded that the minutes are signed as correct.

3.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – Mr. Malcolm Faulker stayed throughout the meeting and was welcome.

4.MATTERS ARISING:

i)Kerbstones at Brayford crossroads – these have to be dropped further.

ii)Fencing at The Old Garden – a site meeting to be arranged soon to decide on type of fencing.

iii)TwoWay Direct – awaiting comments from the company executives who explained the satellite broadband at the Farmers’ Market last Saturday. This offer is free for a limited time. It only applies to the village of Brayford and not to Fullaford and outlying areas.

iv)N.D. and Torridge Local Plan – there is a Local Plan Workshop being held at the Sports Club at Bratton Fleming on Friday 26th April at 10 a.m. to discuss Local Plan Part III. M. Naden will go to this.

v)Millenium Garden Maintenance – The Chairman has written to thank Mr.Tony Bawden for mowing and generally looking after this area for many years. Mr. Alan Boyles has agreed to take over this task, using the Parish Council lawn-mower. Rate of pay to be agreed.

Cllr. Leworthy remarked that water is under-mining the boulders; the river needs dredging. The Chairman will consider this problem. (The Water Board will not dredge the river).

5.NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

There have been four thefts of motor fuel from cars parked in Brayford, and minor thefts from a car port – tools, etc. P.C.S.O. Rozputynski has confirmed that he is dealing with the problem of lorry stacking at the Quarry.

6.LENGTHSMAN

County Councillor Yabsley confirmed that there will be no rise in Council Tax this coming year. Council elections are being held in early May. The 2013 County Council Budget will again be reduced.

Re Highway maintenance, Cllr. Yabsley expressed his dismay at the lack of initiative shown by County Council contractors and the lack of pride in their work. He shares the Parish Council view that Mr. Richard Sables is an excellent Highways Officer. Mr. Yabsley will pass on our requests to him: the footpath running alongside the cottages in the village, in particular Purbrook Cottage, as mentioned last month, is breaking up and in the road there are potholes.

Potholes, too, up Whitefield Hill. Cllr. Leworthy showed photographs of potholes forming on tarmac work carried out only last week. This is due to poor practice. Concern was also expressed at the length of time taken to complete tasks along the A399.

7.PROJECTS UPDATE

a)Charles Village Green – meeting to be arranged for May/early June.

b)de-fribillators – it is understood that the electrician will install these on 22nd April. The Chairman to be informed when this has been done.

c)Play Area – information on swings sought from Creative Play.

8)PLANNING APPLICATIONS

i)Application for Extensions to dwelling at Hobbs Wood, Charles, Ref: 55434.

ii)Application for change of use of land from agriculture to residential curtilage creating a new vehicular access and closure of existing vehicular access at Mockham Cottage. Ref: 55505.

iii)Listed Building application to (1) remove existing red sandstone render and replace with lime-based render; (2) replace front door at Old Church House, High Bray. Ref: 55556.

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9.FINANCE

Nat.West. Statements dated 28th March 2013: Current Account, £4,917.15; Reserve Account, £20,364.36. No. 2 Current Account, £2,970.90. Now that the Church Bells Project is complete, the balance in No. 2 Current Account will be transferred to Reserve Account, and ring-fenced for Church Bells. Included in Reserve Account at present: Parish Paths, £452; Play Area, £3,992.87 (this sum includes the two grants recently received from County Cllr Yabsley, £1,000 and District Cllr. Edgell, £300). Possible Election costs, £850.

Outgoings: Salary of Parish Clerk, £117.84;

N.D.C. Printing February and March; April and May Newsletters, at £36 each time = £72.

D.A.L.C. Membership for 1.4.2013 to 31.3.2014, £91.52.

Rent for Village Hall to end March 2013, 12 meetings x £10 = £120.

K.Leworthy proposed and S. MacAllister seconded this expenditure.

Incoming: D.C.C. grant for £1,000; and N.D.C. grant £300 for Play Area footpath.

Audit – our Internal Auditor, Mr. Martin Hickman, is very unwell and unable to audit the Parish Council accounts this year. The Clerk is in contact with neighbouring Parish Clerk, Mrs. Sue Squire, who uses South and West Internal Audit to do their accounts, but this may prove expensive. Cllr. Dart may be able to recommend someone.

10.MEETINGS ATTENDED – none.

11.UPDATE ON LOCAL MATTERS – see (6) Lengthsman.

12.CORRESPONDENCE was discussed as required.

13.MATTERS BROUGHT FORWARD AT CHAIRMAN’s DISCRETION – none.

14.DATE OF NEXT MEETING IS THURSDAY 16th MAY 2013 PRECEDED BY THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING.

Meeting closed at 8.45 p.m.