Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held on Monday, 19 September 2011 in the Peek Hall Rousdon at 8 p.m.

Present: Martin Platts (Chairman), Roy Jones, Judith Ellard, Michael Stride, Bill Moore, Mary Jones, Cllr Jim Knight, PC Steve Speariatt and Sgt Richard Stone

Open Forum – Colin Boyd spoke for several minutes, regarding aspects of the Planning System which he thought worked well in our area compared with other places he has experienced – he thought the local holiday letting situation may need monitoring.

A comment was made that holiday letting was the only business option open to owners of properties on the Rousdon Estate.

1. Apologies were received from Ian Thomas, Kevin Salter, Simon Harper

2. Police Report – There had been 4 crimes – latest 19 June.

- Speed Watch had been a great success due to the efforts of volunteers and PC Steve Speariatt.

- There was a new Police non-emergency number 101 – but it was stressed that 999 should be used if public felt suspicious of imminent crime.

- Query about flashing speed sign – this would need power supply and would need to be enforced, etc.

3. District Councillor – had said we should watch progress of Local Plan, via the website, also on Twitter and Facebook.

4. County Council Report –

- Mailing Preference Service – DCC were encouraging the use of this to avoid junk mail and save paper

- Payment by Results was to be trialed in Devon Children Centres, Sure Start, etc.

- 1m 16-24 year-olds are NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training) – highest for 5 years

- Truancy was down by 1%

- 22 September – to accompany Brian Hoare from Highways to check Combpyne-Rousdon – where work would be needed - culvert blocked up at top of green Lane causing flooding, freezing, etc. Grit bins – new ones required for Combpyne Square, also Edgehilll end of Compbyne

- Tough Choices – the next round was being advertised – e-mail would be sent to clerk

- Consumer complaints were no longer to be dealt with by the Trading Standards Office – to be taken on by the Citizens Advice Bureau.

5. Minutes – were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

6. Matters Arising: Planning application no 11/1403/COU – Yurt at Higher Manor Farm, Combpyne – consent had been granted for retention of this.

7. Planning -

App no 11/1994/FUL - The Paddock, Rousdon, Lyme Regis, DT7 3XR - Construction of extension to dwelling

There were no objections to this application.

App no 11/2007/FUL - Higher Manor Farm, Combpyne, Axminster, EX13 8SY - Construction of single storey extension

There were no objections to this application.

8. Payments: cheques were signed for the following:

DAPC Annual Subscription £10.00

Clerk's Salary £683.15

Clerk's Expenses £38.37

War Memorial Grasscutting £12.50

Bus Shelter Caretaking £52.19

Grant to Parochial Ch Council £128.40

Follow-up to Finance meeting held on 26 July 2011 - It was decided not to purchase a gritting machine as this would probably not get enough use to merit the cost, and possible maintenance and storage problems could be foreseen. Extra grit bins would be required and could be arranged through County Councillor. Plans were being prepared and planning application going ahead for Peek Hall rear porch.

9. Parish Council Vacancy – Alistair Kemp was interested but unable to attend this meeting – clerk would send him details of next meeting. Nothing more had been heard from the previously interested party.

10. Correspondence

- CAB - request for donation and letter re vacancy for a Board member.

- Car Park Review – email link to Council to send their views back to clerk

- Localism Bill Summary – would e-mail copy to Councillors

11. Snow Warden Scheme – it was decided after some discussion to approach Jim Bolton to ask if he would be prepared to take this on.

12. Date for next meeting – Monday, 21 November at 7.30 p.m. Dates for the following year’s meetings were circulated.

The Council were also reminded about the DAPC meeting on Tuesday, 25 October, to be held in Peek Hall.

Other business –

- Cars parked in Combpyne Square – possibly causing some congestion – question of lights, etc., after dark – would check situation with local police.

- The Yew tree on the War Memorial Green was to be trimmed by contractors working for Western Power.

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