PARISH COUNCIL.  There was a Parish Council meeting on Monday, 19 October by Zoom, chaired by Councillor Bridger and attended by Councillors Dack, Heywood, Lang, Richmond-Price, Slee, County Councillor Inch, a Bideford Town Councillor and one member of the public.

Councillor Lang declared a Personal Interest in the Devon Air Ambulance Night Landing Site and a Prejudicial Interest in the Lease relating to the Allardice Hall.  

 The Minutes of the meetings held on 7 September and 21 September were approved as a correct record.

A Report on behalf of Devon County Council was received from County Councillor Inch.

Planning Correspondence. Torridge District Council Approval for proposed extensions and alterations to dwelling at Woodlands, Parkham.

2019/20 Audit.This had been completed by the internal auditor and the Certificate of Exemption had been forwarded to the external auditors. Councillors had been circulated with details of the internal auditor’s Report.

Finance.  Balances and budgetary figures to the end of September were circulated to Councillors. Payments were approved.

The insurance policy had been renewed.

The second instalment of the Precept had been received from Torridge District Council.

Councillors agreed that future payments for the Data Protection Registration Certificate with the Information Commissioner’s Office should be paid by direct debit, saving £5 per annum on the cost and streamlining the payment method, obviating the need for a cheque.

The Legacy investment term with Lloyds Bank expired on 27 October and Councillors agreed to invest the money, with the interest earned over the last 3 months, for a further six months.

Councillors had looked at investing the funds with another provider but interest rates were no better than what Lloyds were offering.

The Clerk had enquired the details regarding a Locality Grant from County Councillor Inch for the refurbishment of the bus shelter in Babeleigh Road and he had followed this up with staff at Devon County Council.

Matters discussed.

Devon Air Ambulance Night Landing Site.  Councillor Lang advised this was ongoing.

Flashing Speeding Sign at Horns Cross.  A reply from the Neighbourhood Highways Officer had advised that this would not be followed up by Devon County Council.

County Councillor Inch is going to take up a ‘thank you for driving carefully’ sign with Highways to see if this was viable.

 Rough Sleeper Estimate.  The Parish Council has been asked to advised Torridge District Council about the number of rough sleepers in the Parish on the night of 9/10 November.

 Stanley Court – take up of properties who have expressed an interest.  There was not much interest in this after a number of people had initially contacted the Parish Council, and were advised that in the first instance, they should get themselves on the housing register through Torridge District Council.

There is to be an article in the Parkham Pie directing people to the Torridge District Council Housing Department if they wished to proceed.

 Footpath / bridle path beside Penhaven Hotel and its potholes.  The Devon County Council Public Rights of Way Officer is to be advised of the problems again being experienced at this location.

 Defibrillator training awareness session scheduled for November.  Due to the ongoing circumstances, this has been delayed in March 2021.

 Compliance and follow up of audit items.  Councillors had been forwarded with the relevant documents and the following were approved: Standing Orders, Financial Regulations, General Risk Assessment, Grant Giving Policy, Equal Opportunities Policy, Freedom of Information Publication Scheme, GDPR Data Protection Policy, GDPR privacy Notice, Grievance Procedure, Disciplinary Procedure, Dignity at Work / Bullying and Harassment Policy, Sickness and Absence Policy, Health and Safety Policy, Retention of Documents Policy and Lone Working Policy.  Some of these documents were new to adopt and others in place were reviewed and adopted.

Items to note.

Bucks Mills Telephone Exchange.  The owner had been advised that at the Parish Council meeting on 21 September, Councillors had recommended approval.

Amendments to planning regulations.  Councillor Bridger had drafted a response on behalf of the Parish Council which was circulated to Councillors and subsequently submitted.

TDC’s Strategic Plan 2020 – 2023.  A response had been submitted by the Parish Council.  

What3Words.

• What3Words is a geocode system for the communication of locations with a resolution of three metres.  
• What3Words encodes geographic coordinates into three dictionary words - the encoding is permanently fixed.
• What3Words is an App that can be downloaded onto a phone and can easily identify precise locations which could be useful if anyone became lost or, more importantly, save a life.  It is free for both iPhones and Android devices.

Varnishing of seats and tubs on the Village Green was deferred to the Spring.

Notification of road closure to complete SWW utility works outside Parkham Ash.  The works, subject to approval from Devon Highways will take place between 26 November and 3 December.

Budget and Financial Controls Report by the Clerk as a result of training.  This had been forwarded to Councillors for studying which was well received and good feedback received.

Allardice Hall Lease.  Councillor Lang declared a Prejudicial Interest and left the meeting.

Councillor Bridger went through the 10 points mentioned in the email from the Parish Council’s solicitor and would go back to the solicitor to clarify some points.

The next meeting is on Monday, 30 November at 7.30pm by Zoom during which the 2021/22 Budget and Precept will be agreed.