DRAFT MINUTES OF BRAYFORD PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ON THURSDAY 16th JULY 2015 at 7.30 p.m.

PRESENT: B.S. Symons (Chairman), N. Barrow, M. Naden, T. George, G. Collier, K.Leworthy,

S.MacAllister, Ray Dart, Jane Jeyes, District Cllr. Edgell and County Cllr. Yabsley.

P.C. Micallef, who left after (5).

In Attendance, Margaret Hartnoll.

The Chairman introduced Mrs. Polly Hartnoll, who will take on the responsibility of Parish Clerk at the August 2015 meeting.

1.APOLOGIES received from A. Boddington, who has sent a message to say he will strim Charles Village Green.

2.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION – none.

3.APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES DATED 18th JUNE 2015 – T.George proposed and

S.MacAllister seconded that the minutes are signed as correct

4.MATTERS ARISING:

i)Play Area – M. Naden is waiting to secure a good deal on e-Bay for the sacks of loose-fill.

ii)British Legion – the Chairman produced a sample of the wording on the commemorative slates to be placed alongside the oak trees, for approval, which was given. The Chairman will order these.

iii)School Academy Trust – Nigel Ayre from Messrs. Crosse, Wyatt, Verney and Ayre, Solicitors, has been on holiday but Cllr. MacAllister has confirmed to the Solicitor that the Trustees are the Parish Council collectively and we only require that the Solicitor approves the Lease, or otherwise. The TEAM Academy requested a decision from us by the end of June. It was suggested to Mr. MacAllister that he

speaks to Mr. Ayre’s Secretary, asking her to stress the urgency of our request. The Chairman recommends that if this fails, we should use another Solicitor and County Cllr. Yabsley furnished Mr. MacAllister with details of a Tiverton Solicitor.

The School sign has been installed.

Hedge trimming is scheduled for 23rd and 24th July.

iv)Solar Panels at Bratton Fleming – still awaiting decision on allocation of community fund.

v)New Clerk, Mrs. Polly Hartnoll, was warmly welcomed and will commence duties in August.

vi)Local Government Boundary Commission, proposed changes to the South/North Wards – Cllrs. Edgell and Yabsley expressed their appreciation to the Parish Council for sending recommendations to the Review Officer, as agreed at our June meeting.

5.NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

P.C. Adrian Micallef reported that there had been no crime in Brayford. There are still break-ins in sheds in the neighbourhood. The fuel thief has been caught and is being brought to justice. Chairman remarked that the safety of the increasing numbers of cyclists on our roads causes concern to drivers. P.C.Micallef agreed that cyclists must obey the Highway Code.

In response to our report that dogs are being stolen by a driver of a white van, the Chairman

said that Avon and Somerset Police keep the Greater Exmoor Shoots informed by e-mail of activities of this kind on Exmoor. P.C.Micallef had been unable to trace details of stolen dogs, but he did say that the driver of the white van selling generators etc. is well known. The generators have been legitmately purchased from a wholesaler.

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6.LENGTHSMAN

Pot-holes at High Bray are now huge; some work has been done at Whitefield but there are still pot-holes to be filled in there. County Cllr. Yabsley encouraged us to continue to report pot-holes on the road.

There is still money to repair them.

Traffic lights along the A399 where work has not yet commenced, are costly to D.C.C. Should they be removed until work commences?

Also along the A399, from Brayford to Rapscott, spring water runs on to the road and not directly into drains. Cattle escape from the meadow along the road past Newtown Bridge – farmer should be informed.

7.FUTURE PROJECTS – ideas welcome.

8.PLANNING APPLICATIONS

N.D.C. Erection of Dwelling at The Oaks, Little Bray Lane. Ref: 59527.

9.FINANCE

Nat.West.Statements dated 1st July 2015: Current Account, £3,147.70; Reserve Account £23,228.89;

Current Account No. 2, £10.90. This account is reserved for PROJECTS).

(Included in Reserve Account: Parish Paths, £452; Play Area, £1,014.57; Church Bells, £2,960, possible Election costs, £850).

Outgoings: Salary of Parish Clerk, £117.84 + stationery £9.96 + postage, £14.04 = £141.84.

N. Barrow proposed and T. George seconded this expenditure.

10.`MEETINGS ATTENDED

Cllr. Jeyes reported that, as the Parish Council kindly financed the improvements to the lighting in the Village Hall, the balance of the Lottery grant can be used to replace the old gas pipes.

11.UPDATE ON LOCAL MATTERS FROM DISTRICT/COUNTY COUNCILLORS

There is some grant money from both our Councillors for small projects, if required

The TAP Fund is available again this year (re-named N.D.Community fund). It was recommended that we combined with Kings Nympton Parish Council again this year and, if agreeable to them, apply for monies under the heading Flood Alleviation. Application should be sent to Lorna Jones, N.D.C., by 30th September. Derek Atkinson kindly does the application. The Clerk will also apply for the Community Locality Grant allocation from County Cllr. Yabsley, to add to any TAP funding we are awarded. This will enable us to do drain clearance once more during the winter months.

County Cllr. Yabsley continued to update us on road problems. The picnic areas/public conveniences along the Link Road, from South Molton to Tiverton, are under threat of closure. This, it was thought by all, should not be allowed to happen, especially as the Tourist industry is so important to North Devon.

12.CORRESPONDENCE

S.M.T.A. has requested a grant from Brayford Parish Council. The Clerk will write to explain the procedure.

13.NO MATTERS BROUGHT FORWARD AT CHAIRMAN’S DISCRETION THIS MONTH.

14.DATE FOR NEXT MEETING IS THURSDAY 20th AUGUST 2015.

Meeting closed at 8.15 p.m.