THE March meeting of Sandford Parish Council heard that a response had been received from the Ombudsman (Local Government), to the complaint over the way that Mid Devon District Council Planning department had dealt with the Weavers Way planning enforcement.

The reply stated that only those received from individuals could be processed.

Mid Devon District Council (MDDC) – The request from the Parish Council to draw down S106 Funding to cover play equipment had been acknowledged. The application had been completed and submitted, together with  the necessary paper work to MDDC.

Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (ROSPA) – Safety inspections had been booked for both play areas in the village.

Devon Archives – Confirmation had been received to confirm that a deposit of past years' Parish Council minutes could be made at Devon Archives and this action was agreed.

A Parishioner who was a volunteer at Devon Archives had kindly offered to collect them and deposit them on behalf of the Council.

Zed Pods - Michael Lowman (Manager, MDDC Operations Building Services) had sent an apology and very full explanation addressing the issues  that the Parish Council had submitted over the way the  “Crofts Zed Pods” issues had been dealt with. 

It was agreed to attach a copy of his reply as an appendix to the March minutes.

Bus service - Mervyn Leach had sent comments over the 369-bus service during the “cold snap” and these were noted. It was agreed to send him a copy of the email received from Dartline concerning this issue.

Police matters - No new matters reported. It was noted that there had been two incidents in the Parish that had ended up at the Crown Court in Exeter.

Mud - A further complaint over mud on the road from “Town Barton” to West Sandford had been received. The writer had been told his further comments had been noted and that this was not a Parish Council issue but a Police issue.

Electronic charging points – An update was requested as to what progress has been made.

It was agreed to respond stating that during the time the Parish Council had been discussing this issue the technology, and costs, had kept changing. In February it had been decided to wait for the technology and service provision to mature.

It had been hoped to “piggyback” on the Weavers Way development and discussions were ongoing to place EV points in the Sandford Parish Council car park.

Also, that it was disappointing that the Parish Hall had declined the suggestion that it would benefit from an EV charging points installation.

Cobbles - Notice had been received over damage to cobbles in the Square. It was felt that this was wear and tear and the matter had been reported to DCC Highways on the DCC website.

The dates of the next two Parish Council meetings, to take place at Sandford Scout Hut at 7.30pm, were confirmed for April 5 and May 3.

MJV