Following the successful Parish Consultation meeting on 16 September 2011, Bickleigh Parish Council met on 22 September 2011 for its normal monthly meeting.  A number of members of the public were in attendance.  

Discussion took place between Council members and the public during the meeting and the following was resolved –

·         The Parish Council would publish the feedback and comments received from the Consultation meeting on 16 September 2011

·         The Parish Council would invite members of the public to join a Steering Committee that would include all Councillors who wished to attend.  The number of members of the public would be ideally limited to a maximum of eight.

·         The Steering Committee would meet to discuss and help to formulate the Council policy on matters relating to the Urban Fringe.

·         The output from the Steering Committee would then go the Parish Council with a proposal for adoption.   It would then be the Council's decision to accept, amend or reject the proposal. 

·         There would be a deadline set out by the Council by which time the Steering Group would produce a recommendation for the Council's consideration.

·         Notice of these intentions would be sent to all those people who attended the public meeting on 16 September 2011 AND left their email addresses; all those who had subsequently provided email addresses, placed on the Bickleigh Parish Council website, placed on notice boards, advertised in the Herald and be the subject of a leaflet drop in the Parish. 

Members of the public will be invited to join this Committee and should do so by applying to the Parish Clerk.  A deadline will be published for submission of applications. 

The Parish Council is looking for people who can best represent their community by way of skill, knowledge, ability or simply enthusiasm.

No formal application process is envisaged but it would be very helpful if applicants could tell us of any areas of special interest they may have; an outline of any experience or expertise or indicate why you would like to be considered.   

In the event of more than eight people applying the Parish Council reserve the right to select those members who they feel will best represent the widest cross section of the community.  Any persons not selected would be invited to attend meetings in a observation capacity. 

The Steering Committee meetings will be held in public.  The first meeting is likely to take place sometime in March 2012. 

Although this process has not yet been finalised there is nothing to stop members of the public applying now for consideration.

Apply by email to parishclerk@bickleigh.gov.uk