The Finance Committee met to set a budget for 2008/09 and to determine the amount to be precepted from the District Council during that year.

Members of the Parish Council agreed to make grants during 2008/09 to a number of village organisations: the Village Hall & Recreation Ground Charity - £1,500 to assist with running expenses: the Parochial Church Council - £300 to assist with churchyard maintenance costs: “Parish News” - £125 to assist with production costs. Money will also be made available to provide a further dog bin, to buy equipment for the Tree Wardens and to stage the welcome reception for the French Twinning visitors this summer.

With other expenses, including insurance, room hire, audit fees and the Clerk’s salary and expenses, the total required for 2008/09 amounts to approximately £8,000. Due to savings made in the current year it is possible to finance this with a precept of £7,400, an increase of 3.5% on last year. Because of the new houses now in occupation in the village the contribution through Council Tax will be very slightly less than in this current year.

M J Aspray

Clerk to the Parish Council

These notes have been made from the draft minutes of the meeting which have not yet been approved as a true record.

The Parish Council formally noted the reports by planning sub-committees convened to consider planning applications. The revised application by David Disney for the use of land at Station Road for a 215 space carpark, the application by Bridgezone Ltd to build two storey offices and stores in Lower Town replacing their existing building, and The Devon Natural Food Co Ltd’s proposal to erect a new amenity building at Junction 27 were all supported.

Outline plans for a replacement dwelling at Butteridge Farm, proposals to erect a dwelling and garage at 43 Boobery and a plan to convert a barn to holiday accommodation at Hill Kiln Farm were also supported. Members had no objection to the proposal to fell a spruce tree at Sampford Mill. However, plans to construct a two storey extension to the rear of 27 Higher Town were not supported, Members fearing that the site would become overdeveloped if the proposals to build a new dwelling to the east of the house were ever allowed.

The meeting was told that MDDC had approved plans to site 10 wooden lodge holiday caravans adjacent to Ayshmeade, but noted the condition that they must be used for genuine holiday let purposes only. Other plans approved included dormer windows at 48 Higher Town, an extension at 13 Court Way, an extension at
18 Higher Town, and the erection of a dwelling adjacent to 2 Richmond Close. They noted that permission had been granted for the retention of a tractor and implement shed behind 2/2A Chains Road.

Parish Councillors considered a revised application for a barn conversion with construction of a garage at Pitt Cross, also for a porch at 26 The Brendons, both of which were supported.

Members decided to oppose the sale by MDDC of land on the corner of Boobery and Coot Hide for development. It is considered to be an ideal site for some of the affordable housing that is needed for parishioners, and should, in the opinion of the Parish Council, be used for this purpose.

They also expressed their opposition to DCC plans for parking meter controlled parking along Station Road.

A complaint has been received about the position of a new dog bin on the narrow section of Boobery. MDDC is to be asked to reconsider its position.

M J Aspray
Clerk to the Parish Council

These notes have been made from the draft minutes of the meeting which have not yet been approved as a true record.

Notes on the meeting of the Parish Council held on Tuesday 25th September 2007

Members were joined by Cllr Mrs Margaret Squires, Chairman of MDDC, as well as by the Ward Members, Cllrs Mel Lucas and Mrs Bainbridge and by County Councillor Ray Radford. The Parish Council formally noted the reports by planning sub-committees convened to consider planning applications and the support given to the application by M Gifford for renovation works at 14 Turnpike, the application for the construction of an agricultural worker’s dwelling at Ayshford Lands and the application by Mr & Mrs Aggett to convert a redundant agricultural building into a dwelling at Pitt Cross.

Members also noted the approval given by MDDC for the extension of an agricultural building at Little Landside, for an extension at 4 The Brendons and for stables and tack room for private domestic use only at Chains Road. The meeting also considered several more recent applications, all of which were supported, namely an extension at 18 Higher Town, an extension at 13 Court Way and the erection of a dwelling adjacent to 2 Richmond Close.

The Parish Council received updates on various enforcement matters currently under investigation, namely the erection of a steel-framed building behind Chains Road, the alleged illegal occupation of log cabin holiday units on two properties in Lower Town and of a workshop in the same area.

Members agreed to adopt the revised Code of Conduct.

The accounts for 2006/07 have now been audited without comment by the Audit Commission.

M J Aspray
Clerk to the Parish Council

These notes have been made from the draft minutes of the meeting which have not yet been approved as a true record.

Three parishioners responded to the Parish Council’s advertisement for members to be co-opted following the uncontested elections in May. The meeting opened with the Chairman, Cllr Mrs Maggie Muggleton, welcoming the new Members, Richard Stagg, Robert Doubell and Scott Farr.

The Clerk reported that since the last meeting seven planning applications had been examined by a planning sub-committee, all had been supported. Members noted that the local planning authority, Mid Devon District Council, had, in the same period, approved tree works within the Conservation Area at 29 Higher Town, at 20 Higher Town and at Sampford Barton Farm. Also approved were the erection of a conservatory at 17 Cornlands, and , subject to certain conditions, the creation of a 215 space car park on Station Road close to Tiverton Parkway Station. An application to install dormer windows at 48 Higher Town and a revised application to convert a barn into a dwelling at Great Landside Farm had both been refused permission, despite support by the Parish Council.

Confirmation of the refusal to grant planning permission to Higher Town Developments Ltd for the constgruction of a house adjacent to 27 Higher Town had been received. The reasons for refusal were that the proposed development would have a detrimental effect upon the setting of the Conservation Area, would give rise to an unacceptable level of overlooking of a neighbouring property and would result in a loss of public views.

The Clerk reported that road edge white lines are to be reinstated at the lower end of Turnpike and that the school warning lights erected by the County Council in Higher Town are to be relocated to a less obtrusive position. Continuing problems of dog fouling included one observed incident involving a dog in the charge of a child on the Canal tow-path.

The annual walk of Parish footpaths had, again, been a great success. Thanks were expressed to the three walk leaders and to the team of ladies who prepared the cream teas in the Memorial Hall at the end of each of the three walks. One serious obstruction had been discovered. This was reported to the County Council’s Footpaths Officer and speedily and successfully dealt with.

Members of the Parish Council voted unanimously to support in principle the develoopment of a Parish Plan with the proviso that expenditure involved is kept within the level of grant aid received for this process. The Clerk reported that the accounts for 2006/07 had been sent to the Audit Commision for audit.

M J Aspary Clerk to the Parish Council.

These are notes for your immediate information. The minutes will be ratified by the Council at their next meeting.