MINUTES OF THE WEST DOWN ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

HELD AT WEST DOWN PARISH HALL ON 6^TH MAY 2009

Present: Cllr A Hewitt (Chairman), CCllr A Davis, DCllr P Barker, DCllr M Wilkinson,

Cllrs D Spear, S Squire and J Volley.

The Chairman opened the meeting at 7.00pm by welcoming the members of the public present and with apologies being received from PC M Hendry and Cllr E Wright.  He then invited questions from the public.

1.     Mr Bill Buchan spoke concerning the ongoing problems caused by inappropriate vehicle parking during the 'school run'. He acknowledged the help from the Police and is aware that the Police do not have the resources to patrol every day. He noted that the Pre-School are 'casting the net' by advertising for placements from both Braunton and Ilfracombe, with the inference that by attending Pre-School, selection for a school placement would be improved. This would further increase traffic movements and parking problems for the future. He suggested 'out-of-the-box' solutions needed to be found, for example, closing the school (which he emphasised he did not endorse) or reducing the number of pupils at the school commensurate with the number of likely children in the village thereby reserving West Down School for West Down children, which does not happen under the current system.

2.     Mr John Hookway  agreed with Mr Buchan's comments concerning the parking problems caused during the 'school run' and also praised the Police for their efforts in dealing, on occasions with a minority of inconsiderate and hostile parents. He continued by thanking the members of the Parish Council on having a thankless task, not often appreciated by the general public and at the same time acknowledged the support  to our Parish matters given by both our County, and District Councillors.

The Chairman responded by accepting the thanks of Mr Hookway on behalf of his fellow Councillors, and echoed the valued support given by the County and District Councillors. He also praised the efforts of PCSO Vicki Gordo both for patrolling the 'school run', but also in trying to address and reduce the dog fouling problems. - Regarding the numbers and 'externally' sourced pupils at the school, he repeated comments provided on earlier occasions, namely that School 'admissions' policy is determined at County levels, but hoped that at least some of the 'school run' parking problems may be resolved when the new car park is up and running.

There being no further business, the Chairman thanked those present for their regular attendance at Parish Council meetings throughout the year, and closed the meeting at 7.25pm.