NOTES OF PARKHAM PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 18 MAY 2020 BY TELECONFERENCE.The meeting was chaired by Councillor Bridger and attended by Councillors Dack, Heywood, Lang, Richmond-Price and District Councillor Harding until the Finance item.

Welcome.The Chairman welcomed Councillor Richmond-Price to his first meeting as a Parish Councillor who had signed the relevant forms, witnessed by Councillor Dack who wore gloves and adhered to social distancing. 

Representations from the public.  Emails had been received from residents of Bucks Mills regarding concerns about visitors because TDC had opened the car park.A follow up email confirmed that over the weekend, the car park had been full and there were a great many visitors, so much so that government instructions relating to social distancing could not be observed.

            Residents felt as if they were prisoners in their own homes and they as  Parkham and Woolsery Parish Councils would write to TDC about the matter.

            District Councillor Hughes advised that TDC had put up notices reminding people about social distancing and that the car park had to be open because of government regulations.  Separately, he had contacted Geoffrey Cox MP and the Head of Paid Services at TDC over these concerns.

 Woolsery Parish Council had been in touch suggesting a joint letter being sent from them and Parkham Parish Council and this was agreed.

Apologies.  Councillor Slee.  It was noted that Councillor Stevens had resigned as a Councillor.

Declarations of Interest.  Councillor Lang declared a Prejudicial Interest in Application 1/0320/2020/AGMB – Prior notification for the change of use of agricultural building to 1 dwelling under Class Q and associated operational development – barn at Grid Reference 237741 122133, Parkham.

Approval of the Minutes of the meeting held by teleconference on 27 April 2020.  Proposed by Councillor Bridger as a correct record.  Seconded by Councillor Lang and agreed.  Councillor Richmond-Price did not vote. 

Planning.    The following Applications were considered:

1/0320/2020/AGMB Councillor Lang declared a Prejudicial Interest and the Chairman suggested that this Application was considered at the end of the meeting when Councillor Lang could disconnected, there being no other business to conduct. This Application was accordingly considered within Minute No. 11.

Councillor Richmond-Price proposed to recommend approval.  Seconded by Councillor Bridger and unanimously agreed.

1/0242/2020/FUL Proposed by Councillor Bridger to reply ‘no objections’.  Seconded by Councillor Lang.  Unanimously agreed.

1/0264/2020/LBC Proposed by Councillor Bridger to reply ‘no objections’.  Seconded by Councillor Dack.  Unanimously agreed.

1/0291/2020/CPE – Certificate of existing lawful use of land as a private garden – land to rear of 12 Pound Meadow, Parkham.  The Parish Council has not been invited to respond but it can do so, to confirm or otherwise the applicant’s statement that the land has been used as a garden for more than 10 years.

To reply:  The Parish Council can confirm that it has been used as a garden for more than 10 years.

Planning Correspondence.   The following TDC Decision Notices were noted:

APPROVALS for:

1/0178/2020/FUL & 1/0179/2020/LBC – Store/preparation room and garage – The Bell Inn, Parkham.

1/0413/2019/FUL – Erection of 5 detached bungalows – land at Barton Road, Parkham

1/1134/2019/REMM – Reserved Matters (scale, layout, appearance and landscaping) for 21 dwellings (including affordable housing) and associated works ; and discharge of and/or compliance with conditions 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 9, 13, 15 pursuant to outline planning permission 1/1216/2015/OUTM – Penhaven Estates Limited, Penhaven Country House, Parkham.

Finance  Balances were tabled and payments authorised.

It had been advised that one of the flower baskets fixed at the Horns Cross bus shelter had disappeared.  Proposed by Councillor Bridger that a resident is given authority to purchase a replacement.

Refurbishment of bus shelter.  Details of the new specification had been forwarded to three contractors, two of which had provided a quotation. The contract was awarded to Mr D Stevens.

Councillor Bridger is to circulate details of a suitable notice board to be fixed in the bus shelter with a decision being made at the next meeting.  

Funding to assist in the current coronavirus crisis. Councillor Bridger updated the meeting on the current situation.

People on the edge of the Parkham had not, as far as was known, been advised of the help available and if this was the case, Councillor Bridger to be advised. 

2020/21 Precept.  It was noted that the sum of £7,262.11 had been credited to the current account.  This includes the sum of £762.11 to assist with funding.

Matters to be discussed.  Councillor Slee had requested Acre Road was on the Agenda and this was deferred to the next meeting when it was hoped work commitments would enable him to attend.

Date of next teleconference or Zoom:  Monday, 29 June 2020 at 7.30pm.

Councillor Lang thanked the Clerk for sending details of a TDC Grant specifically for Village Halls to assist during the coronavirus epidemic for loss of income. 

An application had been submitted and the Allardice Hall had been awarded the sum of £10,000.

Councillor Lang disconnected and left the meeting, after which Planning Application 1/0320/2020/AGMB – Prior notification for the change of use of agricultural building to 1 dwelling under Class Q and associated operational development – barn at Grid Reference 237741 122133, Parkham was considered.