Parish Council
We spent a successful morning clearing and tidying the pavement and Overgrown hedge. This job is now complete. I have contacted the Highways Officer to confirm that this work has now been completed and he has expressed his thanks to all those involved who have engaged in sorting this out.
There is a STOP sign by the junction on the Back Road past the Old Dairy and the Turn Left sign is absent. I have contacted the Highways Officer and asked his advice on this matter. I am awaiting a decision.
There are significant pressures on the Leaf Clearing Team at this time in the year and the late leaf fall during this month, particularly of deciduous trees throughout the area has made their planning even more difficult and this has been made even more difficult by the periods of adverse weather which we have all had to endure too.
I would like to express huge thanks for all the recent work done by the DCC Leaf Clearing Teams in our village. Two vehicles, one large and one small, made their way through the village this week (1st December) and have cleared the kerbside on the main road and in other areas of the village, including Oaktree Park. The larger leaf sweeper also cleared the leaves in the Haunch (which has recently been installed) up the hill towards Okehampton too. I have spoken to a number of different representatives from DCC and they are very grateful indeed for all the work that we all doing to make their job of supporting the infrastructure in our village easier.
I have completed a first check of the drains throughout the village and I have observed that they are all working successfully. It is my intention to complete a second check in the New Year to make sure that we are doing all that we can to minimize the risk of flooding due to overfilling of drains. I am sure that you will all agree too that the recent leaf sweeping in the area will help with successful drainage too.
Highways made contact asking us to help with a wall by the pathway out of our Parish up the road on the East Side of the village just after the 40mph signs. We have checked this wall and the hedge. I am in the process of asking advice from Highways and communicating directly with South Tawton Parish Council about this matter. There are a few of us who are happy to complete this work but we need clarity as to what exactly needs to be done.
I have contacted the Snow Warden and spoken to him. We have exchanged numbers. He will be checking all the Grit bins in the village to make sure that they are topped up. I have spoken to Highways Officer and he is going to drop off some bags of grit up on Skaigh Lane.
I have spoken directly to our assigned Highways Officer and he has suggested that there are funds available for representative Road Wardens which are available for them to purchase equipment and materials in order for them to complete necessary work in their area. It has been suggested to me that if our village were to purchase a Mobile Leaf Blower that it would save time and effort of DCC teams which might enable them to service a wider area if we can complete regular leaf clearance ourselves in our own village. I have included the link below for us to discuss.
The Highway Community Enhancement Fund (HMCEF) – Communities (devon.gov.uk)