Updates from our March meeting

• We’re having a Spring Clean Up Day! On Sunday 26 April, we’ll be rolling up our sleeves and doing some little jobs to help keep the parish tidy (and save your taxpayer money by not hiring people to do simple upkeep). We’d love for as many parishioners as possible to join us – young, old and in-between – there will be jobs suitable for anyone to get involved in. Afterwards we’ll have a cuppa and some cake. We’ll share more details here and in our usual channels very soon, but for now, please hold the date if you can!
• We’ve confirmed with Holcim how residents can best raise questions or concerns with them in relation to the quarry. We will be creating a new quarry page on our website to house all the details very soon and we’ll share once it’s complete.
• Cllr McDonald will take a lead on water quality issues, after a resident highlighted a recent sewage discharge into a River Lyner tributary. We will be looking at what the community can do to monitor, report and highlight water issues.
• Mid Devon District Council will be resurfacing the enclosed playpark area in Burlescombe, using funds that have been ringfenced for investment in this space.
• MDDC have funded an independent Housing Needs Survey that will gather evidence about the local need for affordable housing. The survey will cover the parishes of Sampford Peverell, Halberton, Burlescombe and Uplowman. It will be circulated to people in need of affordable housing. We will share more details as they become available, but if you’re asked to complete it, please do, as it will help us better represent residents in relation to future planning and housing developments.
• We’ll be continuing to work our way through the list of professional tree work needed along the Old Railway Line, as highlighted by the recent tree report.
• Our email newsletter is up and running, sign up here https://zcmp.eu/nheY to be kept in the loop on local matters. Councillors are starting to deliver postcards around the Parish to make sure anyone who wants to sign up is aware.
• Our new volunteer process is now in place, where we get in touch with our list of local volunteers if there is a small suitable task or event to get involved with – things like litter picking, small repairs, tidying up local spaces, etc. If you would be interested in joining the list, contact Tsara on cllr.tsara.smith@burlescombeparishcouncil.gov.uk.
• The Council is submitting a response to the Local Government Reorganisation consultation. We echo the concerns of the Devon Association of Local Councils, including: protecting community engagement and neighbourhood empowerment, the careful management of any transfer of local facilities to parish councils, and ensuring residents from rural communities like ours retain access to council services. Find out more about the proposals on our website https://burlescombeparishcouncil.gov.uk/news/have-your-say-on-the-future-of-local-councils/
• The Friends of Grand Western Canal are looking for more members who want to help protect and enhance this important nature reserve. Membership starts from just £5, find out more on their website https://www.friendsgrandwesterncanal.org.uk/
• The Annual Parish Meeting and Annual Meeting of the Parish Council (which believe it or not are slightly different things) will take place from 7pm on Wednesday 20 May at Burlescombe & Westleigh Community Hall. Come along to hear reports from local groups, a summary of our year and updates on the big things happening in the parish.

The minutes and reports will soon be on the meeting webpage.

The next Parish Council meeting will be on Tuesday 21 April at Westleigh URC Hall, starting at 7pm.