January 16th 2025

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Chris also reported that schools are being fined £20,000 for every pupil excluded, which represents the actual cost to DCC in providing alternative education.

Openreach insist that two poles in the village, which are owned by National Grid need replacing before they will attach the broadband cables to them. National Grid says these are both serviceable and do not need replacing. One outside Ambleside number J3 and one outside The Cottage J5. These are in the village on the road towards Burrow Plot Cross. These are poles used by both National Grid and Openreach but owned by National Grid

Until the poles are replaced Openreach will not proceed with the internet up-grade which the village desperately needs. National Grid have informed the parishioner that the work will not be done until Openreach pay their bill.  Work was scheduled by National Grid but as Openreach had not paid their bill the work was cancelled. This work has been postponed indefinitely will not be re-scheduled until Openreach pay the bill.

There has been over £1,000,000 in pledges from local users for this wok to go ahead, and this money is not being accessed until the work is done.

The council instructed the clerk to produce a detailed report, circulate this to the Council for agreement and then to send this to Mel Stride MP, OFCOM, BBC Spotlight and Crediton Courier.

a.       Village hall hire                                               £12.00

b.       John Smith tree lights                                    £24.99

c.       clerk’s wages (net)                                          £350.48

d.       Tax on clerks wages                                          £87.80

e.       clerk’s expenses                                               £24.55

f.        Cumbria Clock company                                £198.00

g.       H Smith Grass Cutting                                     £220.00

h.       St Matthew’s Church                                      £200.00

i.         Allerbridge Chapel                                           £350.00

j.         Crediton Community Transport                  £200.00

Marion Born had obtained a quote for work to spruce up the war memorial, and it was discussed. It was decided that any sprucing up before VE/VJ Days will be carried out by volunteers.

The budget as agreed is attached to the end of these minutes.

Frogbury Cross manhole cover flipped by a vehicle, which in turn damaged the pipe beneath causing a leak. This is the second time in 6 months this has occurred. After completion the work had to be checked by Devon Fire and Rescue Service as it is a fire hydrant.

Frogbury cross drain flooded with water running done from the south, exacerbated by  the lack of a gully at the lower end of the hill for the water to run in to.

An articulated lorry, driven by a new driver, which had been delivering fertiliser to Grange Farm slipped into the ditch on the southern edge of Exeter Lane. Grange farm have carried out repairs to clear the road surface and the ditch

Still awaiting a response from Cllr Margert Squires for the SCARF report.

Potholes between the village and Burrow Plot Cross have now grown to  size at which they can be reported as potholes.

The clerk has reported a Slow Down sign is missing on the approach to Allerbridge bends from Morchard Road

Marion reported one pothole, out of many had been fixed between West Leigh and Southmoor.

The drains in Church lane continue to be blocked leading to the water overflow tuning the road into and ice rink during cold weather.

The grit bin by the green is 40% full. DCC Highways website can be used to report this.

It was noted the War Memorials Trust would not be able to finance any work as the memorial was in “Good condition” and so does not meet their criteria.

Andrew Green asked the Clerk to arrange a first aid refresher by Jays Aim.