MUCH of the March meeting of Crediton Hamlets Parish Council was spent talking about outstanding highways issues and further matters needing attention following the recent bad weather.
It was reported that local residents', including farmers, had been active during the recent period of bad weather attending to local issues, including the removal of a tree that had fallen at Lords Meadow Industrial Estate.
It was reported that at "Rosedale", Hookway, the previous flooding issues had still not been resolved and the ongoing flooding issues were in need of urgent attention.
Also reported was, outside Winstode Farm, a culvert collapsing and trees below Langridge Wood taking out the road and a blocked drain at East Studholme.
On the Yeoford to Hittisleigh Road (near North Down Farm) there was a need to cut the hedges and Devon County Council Highways were informed of the need to clear the road edges.
In North Down, hedges were in need of being planed out, as water was "ponding" at this location. Flooding was also reported opposite Posbury Chapel.
County Cllr Nick Way once again shared his concerns over the future lack of maintenance of the highway and how rural roads would suffer from lack of investment.
He also spoke on the Review of Cuts to Devon County Council Services, which included the Crediton Youth Centre and St Lawrence Residential Home.
Mel Stride MP had sent a copy of a letter received from DCC on the matter of rural Broadband.
It was reported that "the Crediton exchange has been upgraded" and "Members of my Team will be liaising with the Parish Council and plan to attend a future Meeting". The Moretonhampstead exchange had also been updated.
Copplestone and Cheriton Exchanges would "become available from September 2014". Mel Stride was also interested to learn that The Mare and Foal Pub in Yeoford had been nominated as a Community Asset and referred to it as "A very important local pub".
The Chairman Peregrine Leigh reported on the MDDC Local Plan Review in which there was a proposal to include 17 new homes off Lower Road next to Hill Barton Farm. This was the only item effecting Crediton Hamlets Parish.
District Cllr Derek Coren explained that the Review Document was out for discussion.
A "well attended" public exhibition had taken place in Crediton and comments on the proposals had to be submitted to MDDC by March 24.
The sites in the plan had been submitted by local landowners and a small percentage would be developed in the ongoing life of the document.
Once this was adopted by MDDC it would be in place up until 2033.
Whilst the parish council did not have any strong views on the recommendation, it was wondered whether residents of Yeoford were aware of the proposal for 17 new homes in the village of Yeoford?
Cllr Coren agreed to print off copies of the map, showing the proposed development and these would be distributed in Yeoford with an explanation that any comments needed to be submitted to MDDC by March 24.
Copplestone Parish Council had sent an email headed "Transport to the RD and E Hospital".
For some time they had been writing to express concerns from residents over parking issues at the Hospital.
They were now contacting neighbouring parishes to ask them to report any parking issues.
After discussion whilst the parish council did not have any strong views on this matter it was agreed to write and express the problem over lack of parking spaces at peak times (2pm to 5pm).
It was agreed that the red Telephone Box at Yeoford Station should be registered on the MDDC "Register of Assets".
It was reported that the street lights outside the old Village Hall in Yeoford were on during the day.
It was agreed to increase the Parish Clerk's salary by one per cent with effect from April 1, 2014, following a recommendation from the National Association of Local Councils.
It was agreed, in principle, to support a TAP (Town and Parish) application to MDDC by Sandford AFC towards the refurbishment of their Club Hut and new Public Toilets.
The next Parish Council Meeting will take place at the Council Chamber, Market Street, Crediton at 7.30pm on Monday, April 7.
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place at 7pm on Monday, May 12 (as there is a Bank Holiday on May 5), and will be followed at 7.30pm by the May Parish Council Meeting. The venue for these two meetings will be the new Yeoford Community Hall.
MJV