Public Question Time

28 members of the public attended the June meeting to discuss the application submitted by Hemyock Baptist Church to provide a mobile classroom in the grounds of the Church.

Mike Eastick from Upper Culm Twinning Association asked whether the Parish Council would give their support to the twinning being made official.

John Churchill enquired why County Council had spent money digging out and tarmacing the landing on Lemons Hill. Congratulations

Chairman Mrs Heather Stallard was congratulated by councillors for her recent award of an MBE in the Queens Birthday Honours.

Planning Officer

Mr C Dines Principle Planning Officer at MDDC spoke about general planning issues and answered questions raised by Councillors.

Matters Arising

Millhayes Bridge - only 1 quote received for £3600 plus £610 for an anti slip deck. Mr Brooke to go ahead and order bridge.

Parish Council to confirm in writing to Mike Eastick support for official Twinning with St Herblon in Loire Valley.

Re stone facing of wall surrounding LPG tanks at Millhayes - Bloors had agreed to carry out this work but had now left the site. MDDC's Enforcement Officer to pursue the matter.

Question why landings used for storing gravel had been tarmaced - joint venture between DCC and Devon Highways to prevent loss of gravel which tended to get caught up in weeds & grass.

South View had been patched but this was not satisfactory. Road needs proper resurfacing. Mrs Kingston to contact Devon County Housing Dept who are responsible for South View.

Longmead Committee looking for a portacabin to site on field as a temp measure to include a loo.

Young Farmers to clean out stream behind Parish Church.

Parking problem at The Oaks - letter about parking now passed to District Council.

District Council Report

Still a problem about speeding at Symonsburrow

MDDC has a budget deficit of £200,000 and has a problem over various key members of staff absent on long term sick leave.

Plans to extend recycling to cover rural areas in District has been delayed for a month.

County Council Report

Section 106 monies from local developments had gone towards Uffculme School Sports Field - £12,784 from Longmead Development and £7,850 from Bloor Homes.

Report - Focus on Devon Strategy 2006 / 2011 to be sent out to Parishes.

Parishes to decide whether they want pavement edges spayed with weed killer. DCC will send details before we decide.

A further survey of traffic in Symonsburrow is to be carried out by Devon County Highways. Earlier survey proved inconclusive.

Longmead Field

New notice board now in place at entrance to Longmead.

Sign will be required for access road to rear of Station Road to make clear that no parking there and road is for access only.

Need to purchase mower - concern that residue left behind is rotting the new grass. In the meantime, Parsons Landscapes to be contacted for price for mowing including removing the cut grass.

Football Club hoping to start using the new pitch in September.

Concern about weeds growing around newly planted shrubs. Some Longmead residents have been carrying out weeding. Mrs Stallard has asked Mr Pike to do an initial clear then Mrs Steed was going to keep an eye and use a spot spray where necessary.

During very hot weather tennis courts closed around midday as it can damage new courts to be played on when still very new.

Millhayes Hall

Millhayes Hall now finally in ownership of Parish Council.

Site meeting to be held to set list of priorities for work to be done with the available funds.

£25,000 to come from Bloors

HELP Committee to meet in near future.

Tony Drewart to connect up an electrical power point.

Planning Matters

Applications approved by MDDC Planning Dept

Mr & Mrs Clist
Mr D Parsons - livestock shed
Mr A Eltringham
Hemyock Parish Council -sports pavilion
Mr S Hart - garage & stables
West of England Developments -site behind pub
Yew Tree House - conservatory
3 Logan Way - conservatory

Plans Inspected by Parish Council

West of England Developments
St Mary's View site. In June meeting Parish Council recommended refusal for this application as the land is outside the development line. Application is for change of use from agricultural to residential and erection of double garage. Mr Lehner attended the July meeting to explain that foundations were already in place when he acquired the land and he wished to improve the layout by resiting the garage which involved acquiring an extra piece of land from Mr Lock..Councillors were happy with the garden part of the plan but
had reservations over the garage unless it was wooden and therefore deemed temporary. Councillors unable to vote again on the matter until the next meeting.

Baptist Church - erection of mobile classroom.
Some feeling among Councillors that they may not have been aware of all the issues at the time the application was originally voted on. It was decided to hold a site meeting so that there could be no mistake as to what was being proposed. However, this did not take place as the application was withdrawn by the Baptist Church.

Chairmans Business

Mrs Stallard had attended a Chairmans Course and Masterclass which was interesting and informative.

Mr McCulloch thanked councillors for their card and get well wishes.