MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL ANNEXE ON MONDAY 10TH MARCH 2008 

Present: Cllr M Smith (Chairman)

Councillors: Mrs B Powell, M Jolly, Mrs K Tomkins, P Privett, G Preston

In Attendance: Cllr R Giles (DCC), PC Clive Vickery, PCSO Maria Clapp, PC Jim Tyrrell, 2 members of the public

Apologies: Cllr Graham Brown (EDDC), Cllr Mrs P Blackmore, Mr Phil Higginson

Questions from the Public

No issues were raised.

154. Apologies for Absence

Apologies were accepted and approved.

155. Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 11th February 2008 were confirmed and signed by the Chairman.

156. Police Officer’s Report

PC Clive Vickery reported that 3 crimes had been reported in the month. One was a theft from a motor vehicle, where the vehicle’s hub cab and name badge had been removed. The second was a break in to a detached garage with criminal damage but no theft. The third was theft of a mirror from the owner’s private drive.

PC Clive Vickery informed the council that due to administrative restructuring, policing Feniton Parish would now fall under the Ottery St Mary Police Station.
He then introduced PC Jim Tyrrell and PCSO Maria Clapp who are to take over the roles previously held by PC Vickery and PCSO Phil Anning.

Mr Partridge then made some positive comments regarding his experience of policing within the village.

PCs Vickery, Tyrrell and PCSO Maria Clapp then left the meeting.

157. County and District Councillors’ Reports

There was no EDDC report.

Cllr Roger Giles commented on his attempts to encourage Meg Booth of DCC to investigate and act regarding the flooding in the village but a bid for funds to this end has as yet been unsuccessful. He also reported on the possibility of purchasing the Playing Fields for the village and explained he had contacted Cllr John Smith at DCC for further action. He also reported on DCC plans to act as landowner for the proposed Science Park at Redhayes, east of Exeter, and the fact that DCC had awarded the funding to rebuild Ottery Primary School.

158. Declarations of Interest by Members and Officers

No interests were declared.

159. Consideration of Planning Matters

160. Finance

The following payments were authorised:

1554 - EDDC - £672.10 - Annual maintenance contract
1555 - A Spry - £96.25 - Village handyman
1556 - Clerk - £278.15 - Clerk’s salary / expenses
1557 - HM Revenue - £97.26 - Income tax / clerk’s salary

161. Late Entry Correspondence

There was none to consider.

Mr Francis Pyle, having been late to arrive and so missing the public participation, then brought to the attention of the council a joint meeting at the village social club on the 23rd April 2008. This is to be between the Playing Fields Association, The Social Club and the Parish Council to discuss ways of raising the £360,000 needed to purchase the land on which the Social Club is built.

Mr Pyle was also keen to point out a misleading article regarding his family which had been published in the Parish Magazine.

162. Village Handyman’s Report

Mr Spry had nothing to report.

163. Individual Member Responsibilities

Cllr Mrs Tomkins reported a meeting due to be held on 17th March 2008 between EDDC, engineering contractors and the Parish Council representative to confirm the site of the proposed Multi Use Games Area at the QEII Recreation Ground.

Cllr Mrs Powell queried the poor state of the ground in front of the Spar shop as a danger to the public. The Parish Council requested that Cllr Roger Giles pursue the question of ownership of the land with DCC. Cllr Giles informed the council of his attempts to fix a date for the proposed tree planting by DCC on the grassed area in front of the shop doors. He has so far been unsuccessful. Cllr Powell suggested paving the area. Cllr Jolly suggested a speculative letter to the Spar shop might clarify the situation. Cllr Giles was asked to request confirmation of ownership from DCC.
The council felt it was for DCC to provide clarity, especially as it was felt there was a danger to the public.

164. Parish Council Website

There was nothing to report.

165. Resolution to request the press and public withdraw from the meeting

Mr Partridge and Mr F Pyle then left the meeting.

166. To consider a letter from Mr P J Higginson

There followed a discussion of a letter from Mr P J Higginson.

167. Date of next meeting

Monday 14th April 2008,
AGM of the Parish Council to start at 7pm in the Village Hall Annexe.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2115 hours.

……………………………………..Presiding Chairman 14th April 2008

Last Updated 8th October 2008