Minutes of Petrockstowe Annual Parish meeting held on
Tuesday 17th April 2007 in the Baxter Hall.
Present Cllr S Johnston (Chairman), County Cllr J Rawlinson, District Cllr P Collins,
Ally Boyd DCC, Clerk, 16 Residents,. Mr T Seath. PC. S Middleton, PCSO M Baker.
1 Apologies received from Mrs A Luxton, Cllr S Cottle, Cllr R Watts, Mrs J Harris,
Mrs M Kelsey, Mrs A Johnston, Mrs W Brown.
2 Minutes. Minutes of Parish Meeting held 18th April 2006 having been circulated
were approved and signed as a correct record.
3 Matters arising there were no matters arising from the minutes.
4 Parish Plan. Ally Boyd from Devon County Council spoke on how to start a Parish Plan.
A Parish Plan differs for different villages. Most villages that have completed their plan
have had positive results. They take about 18mths to complete. Residents can have their
own steering group, with the help from Parish Council; grants are available to help with
printing etc. The cost depends on the type of plan the village wants. Mrs I Fisher showed an
interest with some other residents. It was proposed that an advert is put in Petrockstowe
news to ask for volunteers, or opinions on whether to continue with a plan, P Collins felt
that it is a way to see what the village needs; affordable housing, local post office local
schools. There are about 8 villages in Torridge area that do not have a plan, others are either
completed or in the processs of being completed, Ally Boyd is always available to assist
There are others at Torridge District Council that are willing to help get started. Grants are
also available from the Community Council of Devon. Chairman thanked her for her attendance.
5 Police We had an unexpected visit from PC S Middleton our Beat manager with her PCSO
Melissa Baker. We have 2 Police Community Support Officers in Torrington, the other is
Sandra Brown. If we have any issues they will do their best to help. They would
like to be able to visit villages more often, but have quite large areas to cover. Cllr Vogel
raised the parking on yellow lines in Torrington She said that as there are no traffic wardens
people are taking advantage. PCSO have to rely on police for transport unless they can get
sponsorship. Chairman thanked, them for coming.
6 Chairman’s Report. Cllr Johnston gave his report on the work of the Parish Council. He
was elected chairman following the resignation of G Thatcher in September, He
expressed that Parish Council’s are only asked to give their comments on any planning
applications, they cannot approve applications. Play area is now the responsibility of
the Council for £1 per year, with a sub committee, as with the Recreation ground. He
proposed on behalf of everyone a big Thank you to all of the sub-committee members for
thier efforts. A number of events have been arranged on the Recreation Ground, with the
start of the cricket season. Roads are constantly addressed. School transport is also an
on going problem. Chairman Thanked J Rawlinson & P Collins for all they do for the
village. Government White Paper are to give Parish Councils more say in future. Grants
have been awarded to the Baxter Hall, Churchyard fund, Rainbow Pre-school, Clinton
School., Play area Citizens Advice Bureau and Ring and Ride. for 2007.Councillor
Johnston thanked all who have supported him during his time in office, and to all whom
haven’t, for giving him the challenge. It was put to the Parish that future parish meeting
agendas include a Chairman’s Annual Report. The resolution was carried.
7 Council’s Accounts. Clerk presented the accounts for the year, these were approved and
signed by the Chairman.
8 Acer Tree Clerk reported that the Tree Preservation Order (TPO) had not been received
from Torridge but a report on the inspection had. Cllr Collins said that the TPO is being
prepared, and thought that it should have been received, Council are concerned that as they
have been asked for it to be felled and replaced by a smaller version, how would they stand
if it came down and damaged property around. Cllr Rawlinsom thought the council would
be responsible for any damage. A number of residents do not consider that there is any
urgency for tree to be felled. It will be discussed further by the Parish Council.
9 School Transport.Clerk will write to Cllr J Rawlinson and give him the information that we
have on the re-routing of the TORRO13 to Torrington. He will look into it on our behalf.
10 J Rawlinson reported that a sum of money has been awarded to Devon to help repair minor
roads, it was suggested that Petrockstowe should have more money as there are a lot of
heavy clay lorries using the roads. Let him have a list of roads needing repairing He
thanked council for keeping him informed. J Rawlinson asked to be excused, Chairman
thanked him again for all the work he does on our behalf.
11 Street Lighting It was brought to the meeting’s attention that the street lights are left on all
night, and a lot of power is wasted, There were concerns about accidents and crime if lights
were turned off. It was suggested that each area be turned off alternately, for a trial period..
All present were in favour of this suggestion.
12 Parish Representatives. 4 representatives to the Baxter Hall committee from the Parish are
Mr B Aldridge Mrs J Jeffs Mr T James and Mr M Stephenson others remain the same.
13 Road Closures A number of road closures for the village, received by the clerk will be
placed on the notice boards and in Newsletter in due course.
14 P Collins. Spoke on a meeting he had attended with the Audit Commission, improvements
are being seen at Torridge, a lot of work still to be done in certain areas, The annual
inspection for the Torridge Council cost £85,000. Heads of departments are now getting
monthly accounts. He is sure that we will soon be getting cardboard collections no date
available yet. Torridge are supporting our local Post Offices. He was asked about 2 weekly
collections, after losing our black bags, It is not on the cards as yet,
Chairman thanked him for all he has done in his term of office.
Meeting closed at 9-40pm
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