MID Devon District Council informed the Parish Council that the reserved matters application relating to the detailed development of Langford Nursing Home had been approved.

Councillor Margaret Squires’s retirement: Margaret is retiring as our Devon County Councillor at the elections on May 1. We took time to thank her for her work over the years as our County Councillor.

Footpaths and Footpath warden: Steve Parker, who has been our very effective Footpath Warden for many years, has decided to give up the role.

The Parish Council would like to thank him so much for his dedication and hard work. He will be missed. Councillor Graeme Barnell has been appointed as the new Footpath Warden. He will seek to establish a group of volunteers who could monitor the paths and report issues. Graeme will also need to complete the annual P3 survey required by Devon County Council as soon as possible.

Half Moon Bus Shelter and Bus Stop: The bus shelter at Half Moon, which has become decrepit, is to be removed and a quote was accepted for this work. Devon County Council will put up suitable signs to indicate there is still a bus stop at this location.

Meanwhile, the Parish Council will seek to find a more robust permanent shelter, and to investigate moving the location of the bus stop to a more suitable location.

Dead and dying Elm trees at the Allotments: At the allotments, many of the dead trees have been removed and these will be laid down in the hedgerows to decay naturally.

Councillor Donna Harris is working towards a regular schedule of hedge maintenance at the allotments to prevent future build-up of dead trees.

Allotments and Arboretum Safety Concerns: Concern has been expressed over the safety of entrances to both the allotments and the arboretum.

At the allotments, it was decided to add a clause to the tenant leases stating that vehicle access to the allotments was entirely at the driver’s risk.

Councillor Liz Ouldridge will meet with arboretum representatives to draft an appropriate risk assessment that considers the proximity of the arboretum to the A377 and to ensure mitigating actions were taken.

Volunteers Big Thank you Party: Councillor Liz Ouldridge is compiling a list of volunteers to be invited to a ‘Thank You Tea Party’ to be held for local volunteers at Sherwood House in June.

The budget and date for the party will be decided at the next Council meeting. Liz would appreciate nominations for invitations from parishioners.

It was agreed that the Parish Council annual report should be published and circulated through the Newton Wonder.

The Village in Bloom: Routine maintenance of Parish Council assets will be scheduled before the Britain in Bloom judging takes place.

Christine Fraser will explain all about this event at the Annual Parish Meeting to be held on Wednesday, May 14, 7pm in the Parish Hall.

Parish Council Grants for year 25/26: Progress on the distribution of grants for the new financial year was discussed. Plans for spending the grant money are being requested.

The Chair of the Parish Council is elected every year in May. Councillor Graeme Barnell told the Council that he will not be standing for re-election as Chair this year.

The Annual Parish Meeting: This will be held on Wednesday, May 14 at 7pm in the Parish Hall. At the start of the meeting, a presentation from the Britain in Bloom organisers will take place. This will be followed by the Parish Council Chair’s report, questions from the public and refreshments. All parishioners are invited.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held in the Parish Hall on Thursday, May 8 at 7pm. Members of the public are welcome.

This is a week later than usual as elections will occupy the hall on the previous week. Alternatively, if members of the public wish issues to be raised in council meetings, they can contact councillors in the usual way.

There is also a Parish Surgery at the Coffee Mornings held on the second Saturday of the month in the Parish Hall.

Liz Ouldridge