Newbrooke Ward Report August 2019
 
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Road and Cycle Way improvements 
I’ve been continuing work to get improvements in road safety, include highway improvements along and adjacent to the A377 and to reduce the need for car use and journeys. Many local people share my belief that we cannot continue with road traffic dividing and dominating our communities in the way that it now does. We need safer road crossing points, more pavements, and dedicated cycle ways. 
I am aiming to get a local highways and transport plan agreed by Devon County Council and the Parish Councils.   I hope this will give us away forward with the large number of road and transport issues that have been waiting for progress. It should help the local authorities involved to respond to local people who are asking for action. 
In July I met with Officers from Devon County Council and County Councillor Margaret Squires together with Roger Cashmore Newton St Cyres Parish Councillor. I am meeting them again in September to discuss how to get this plan done. Like all such plans it will need to be costed with a timetable for implementation. It will also need to be the subject of discussion and consultation with local people
I will be keeping local people informed and updated on progress. If you have views or proposals let me know.


Twenty is Plenty
Some residents along West Town Lane and in Sweetham have told me they want to see a change in speed limits in their locality. The are concerned that 30mph is too fast in narrow country lanes where people live, walk and where children play. The know that this takes time to achieve so they are also asking for informal “Twenty is Plenty” signs along the roads that are causing concern. I agree with this but, before I take this up, I need to ensure that it has the support of most people in these localities. starting in West Town Lane and West Town in September I will be putting a letter in our mailbox asking for your views.  Please can you do our best to answer m questions and return this to me.
Langford Lorry Traffic
Residents of Langford are asking for action because their lives are being badly affected by a large volume of heavy lorry traffic through their village. I’ve been working with Devon County Councillor Margaret Squires to in an attempt improve matters. 
Climate emergency
I am interested in setting up a local Climate Emergency Action Group. The idea is to bring local people together to: -
  • Share information about good practice and other local schemes aimed at reducing greenhouse gases.
  • Plan local action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Engage with local authorities, businesses and local people to reduce carbon release.
Are you interested? Let me know.


Graeme Barnell
District Councillor
Newbrooke Ward
Mid Devon District Council
Halses, West Town,
Newton St Cyres,
Devon,
EX5 5BS
Landline 01392 851308
Mobile 07564541572
Website Page https://www.newtonwonder.net/mid-devon-district-councillor.html
Facebook Page and Messages:- https://www.facebook.com/Graeme-Barnell-District-Councillor-476396543103535/




Climate Emergency and the local Parish Councils in Shobrooke and Newton St Cyres

Although the PCs have no premises and few assets they do support and sponsor a number of activities and organisations locally. They are also an important source of leadership in engaging with local businesses, schools and householders.
I hope that the PCs will pass their own climate change resolution along lines of that passed unanimously last week by Mid Devon Council. We need to achieve carbon neutral impact on our environment by 2030.
I would also hope the PCs might also set up their own local Climate Emergency Network and invite local businesses, schools (where there's one locally) , voluntary organisations and residents to join. The idea would be to share information about successes in reducing carbon emissions and examples of good practice both locally and in s imilar communities elsewhere.
Graeme Barnell
District Councillor
Graeme Barnell Newbrooke Ward Councillor Report June 2019
​Since my election in May I’ve been busy finding out more about my new responsibilities. I’ve also tackling some of the issues that were raised with me during my campaign.
  1. Communal areas maintenance at Tytheing Close, Court Orchard, Shuttern Close, and New Estate Sweetham
Mid Devon Council are responsible for the maintenance of and the communal areas as well as its rented housing on these estates. This includes some pathways and communal grassed areas 9apart form the Newton Village green). I’ve visited these estates with Any Paddison the Mid Devon Housing Neighbourhood Officer and agreed where work needs to be done. The cuts in the money given to local authorities has meant less money to spend on estate maintenance. However, both Andy and I share a determination not to let standards slip. This includes regular grass cutting, weeding of paths etc. Andy and I will be following up on agreed action points. Please let me know if you have concerns.


  1. Road safety and the environment
Before and during my campaign I received a number of representations about road safety and environmental issues and a perceived lack of progress in getting these addressed. Most of these concerns arise from the ever-increasing volumes of traffic on the A377 and the impact of this on our communities. These concerns include: -
  • Safe(r) road crossing points across the A377 at Smallbrook (bus stop), Newton Village, Tytheing, and Half Moon.
  • Pavements/pathways in Half Moon and along Station Rd (between the school and the Bridge).
  • Cycle paths particularly the planned Boniface Trail.
  • 20mph speed limits on roads where children play especially those without pavements.
  • The safety of the crossroads in Newton Village (A377 junction with Church Lane and Station Rd).
  • Extending the Park and Ride service in Crediton
  • Speeding along the A377 including Newton Village and Half Moon (Average Speed Camera plans)
  • Pollution levels in Newton Village
I believe we need a local road safety action plan to be consulted on with local people and agreed with Devon County Council Highways and the Police. This should include a timetable for action. I will be meeting with managers from the Highways Department and the Police. I also hope to meet with the committee responsible for the Boniface Trail to find out how Mid Devon Council might be able to help in moving the Project towards completion. I have invited the Parish Council to discuss with me how we can work together to get this work done. 
  1. Planning and Development
The Government is asking local councils to meet targets for more housing. The Mid Devon Council Local Plan sets out the amount and type of new housing to be built and where. This plan is still in draft form. The Government is now asking Mid Devon Council to review the Plan and look again at how housing targets can be met especially in the early years of the plan. We are also waiting for the latest version of the Greater Exeter Strategic Plan that will also include additional targets for new housing in Mid Devon. 
I have been asked to take on lead responsibility for Planning and Regeneration within the new governing Cabinet of Mid Devon Council. The Cabinet will soon be reviewing our responses to the Government on the Local Plan and our involvement in the Greater Exeter Plan. 
At the moment I understand that the Parish is not identified by Mid Devon Council for additional housing. However, I will obviously be keeping a close eye on this and I will update if there is new information. I am committed to involving local people in early discussions about any new housing development plans in the Parish
  1. Contact
Please contact me if you want to share your views on these issues or on other matters relating to local services.
Cllr Graeme Barnell
Newbrooke Ward
Mid Devon District Council
01392 851308
07564541572
Facebook messaging:- https://www.facebook.com/Graeme-Barnell-District-Councillor-476396543103535/


Web Page:- https://www.newtonwonder.net/mid-devon-district-councillor.html


I am very happy to arrange a private meeting either in your home or his if this is needed.


 


2nd May Mid-Devon Council Election Results:
Graeme Barnell wins the election for the Newbrooke Ward with 274 votes
Graeme Barnell, your new Mid Devon District Councillor, can be contacted on 01392 851308 or on his mobile  number 07564541572.
Email: gbarnell@middevon.gov.uk
He can also be contacted on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/Graeme-Barnell-District-Councillor-476396543103535/
He will be providing details of regular surgeries in the near future. In the meantime please contact him if you need help.
TWENTY IS PLENTY -WEST TOWN LANE Newton St Cyres
Picture
Since my election as District Councillor for Newbrooke I've been asked by several residents who live along West Town Lane what can be done about speeding traffic along the Lane. This is a typical narrow village road with no pavements, housing abutting the road along its length, children playing on the street and people walking along the road to get to the bus stops and the village shop. Elderly people often cannot hear cars approaching. 
In my view Twenty MPH is more than plenty but there are often cars, farm traffic and delivery vans driving much too fast down the lane. 
I think we should be asking for an official 20mph limit or zone along the length of West Town Lane. In the meantime, it’s been suggested we put up our own unofficial "Twenty is Plenty" and also ""children playing" signs along the lane. Many villages have done this and have reported success in reducing speeding. 
Are you a resident of West Town Lane, Woodlands, Meadowlands or Marsh Lane? What do you think about these ideas? Please let me know. If you think this is not a good idea let me know too. Do you have any other suggestions to make? Read more about Twenty is Plenty in different parts of the country and send me a message me on my District Councillor Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Graeme-Barnell-District-Councillor-476396543103535/ 
 You can also Email me at gbarnell@middevon.gov.uk, Alternatively call me on 01392-851308.


Graeme Barnell
District Councillor