RESIDENTS packed the side hall at South Brent’s village hall this week to hear the parish council give its account of the last year’s activities in the annual meeting.

Chairman Greg Wall gave a brief report on each committee’s dealings throughout the year, before the meeting heard from representatives of three groups that had received grants of more than £500 through the council’s Community Benefit Fund: the Carnival Club, the Old School Community Centre, and Judo Club.

Cllr Wall told the meeting the Finance Committee, chaired by Cllr Glyn Richards, had increased the council tax precept by 13.2 per cent, although various factors had influenced the decision. The 2016 / 17 budget allows for costs associated with the five-yearly Parish Plan review, for example, as well as Beating the Bounds, which happens every three or four years.

The Government support grant had been reduced, and the committee had also, given the economic climate, decided to increase the local projects budget by 50 per cent to support village organisations as other sources of funding disappear.

The committee noted the increase meant the average property would be paying 12 pence more per week to fund the parish council.

Cllr Richards also chairs the Planning Committee, which reported a 13.5 per cent increase in planning applications – 50 had been received in the past year. Only three decisions made by planning authorities Dartmoor National Park and South Hams Council differed from the committee’s recommendations.

Cllr Richards also reported the number of agricultural applications had gone up by 28 per cent on last year, which may be indicative of an upturn in agriculture in the parish.

Cllr Wall then moved onto the open spaces committee, chaired by Cllr Peter Kelly. Although it was not a ’satisfactory’ situation, and after much persistence, it had been confirmed that Jubilee Crossing in the centre of the village would not be afforded any particular legal status.

The committee had investigated road safety throughout the village, acting on suggestions from parishioners. A sign reading ’South Brent welcomes careful cyclists’ had been installed at the top of Hillside, although an application for money to install a flashing speed sign for Exeter Road had not been successful.

Repairs have been carried out to the toilets at the much-used Sanderspool Cross playground, and new play equipment installed there. The three benches in Wellington Square are to be refurbished with new oak slats, funded by money from the Produce Association, which is being wound up.

The Media Committee chaired by Cllr John Rawlinson reported that the new parish council website, www.southbrent.gov.uk, had been working well since its relaunch last year. Thanks were offered to John Shepherd for continuing to fulfil the role of webmaster, and to Cllr Richards, who had stepped down from editing the newsletter having done so since 2009. The current edition of the newsletter and back issues are available on the website.

More generally, Cllr Wall said the council continues to be concerned about dog fouling, and visibility and speed issues in Exeter Road.

Numerous grants had been awarded, including to the Totnes and Dartmouth Ring and Ride and the Ivybridge and District Transport Association. The council had also supported Citizens Advice, South Brent & District Caring, and local youth organisations, and the two town cemeteries.

Cllr Wall also spoke of the great turnout for both the remembrance service and two minute silence in November, and thanked organisations and individuals that had supported the Christmas lights.

The chairman also gave ’sincere thanks’ to parish clerk Julia Willoughby, who had been working for the council for 20 years, and presented her with a bouquet.

Gerald Cleave from South Brent Carnival Club thanked the parish council for its grant, which had been spent on 2,000 low energy lightbulbs. Together with Bridgwater Carnival Club a container load of the bulbs had been procured from China, at a healthy discount.

Mr Cleave said the carnival was going from strength to strength, and this year was the 40th since it had been restarted. This year programmes would be given away, not sold, to encourage attendance.

The South Brent float and royalty planned to attend 26 carnivals this season. It cost more than £20,000 to run the summer and winter carnivals and float each year.

Mike Baines from the Old School Community Centre also gave thank for grants received through the Community Benefit Fund. The building dated from 1876, he said, meaning there was always something that needed attention.

A grant received in October had been used to purchase IT equipment for the Beacon Room at the centre, including a projector, screen and laptop. The centre has also recently been awarded a further grant of more than £500.

Louise McEvoy of South Brent Judo Club said the Community Benefit Grant was really apreciated, and had supported players attending the nationals in an effort to be selected for the England squad. The club had enjoyed outstanding success for a small village, she said, with 13 players of different ages representing England in the sport.

The meeting concluded with presentations to this year’s community champions, and refreshments.