Minutes 9th December 2025

Present: Cllrs Hulett (Chair), Moyse, Gilpin, Purnell, Steve Hill, John Pettitt, Cllr Fife Cook (DCC), Cllrs Mott & Southcott (WDBC).

  1. Public Session (15 minutes) Steve Hill complained about the overflowing drains in Hawthorn Park. Explaining that there are plants growing out of the drain and have been for the last two years. The matter will be reported through the Highways Report a Problem web page (AP1 – Clerk to report). It was also agreed that the council should provide guidance to the parish on how to report Highways problems (AP2 – Clerk to include information in the parish newsletter).
  1. Apologies for absence – Cllrs. K & L Lenton, Cllr. Cook
  1. Declarations of Interest

Nil.

4. Affordable housing survey

    Katie West being unable to attend the meeting, Cllr Purnell produced a briefing note (appendix 1) outlining to Councillors the important findings from the online survey. The key finding was that of the 19 respondents, 6 indicated a need for affordable housing within the village. There were questions from the floor about how the properties would be managed to ensure that they remained available solely for local need and would not find their way onto the open market. Councillors were able to outline two of the different methods to retain control of the properties whilst assuring parishioners that any realisation of affordable housing is a long way in the future.

    Councillors agreed that it was not capable of progressing this matter further without Katie West’s guidance. Consequently the matter was referred to the January meeting.

    It was agreed that outline feedback on the survey should be provided to parishioners in the latest parish newsletter.

    1. Minutes of the monthly meeting 11th November 2025

    The minutes were accepted as a true and accurate record, and duly signed by the Chair.

    1. Matters arising from the meeting 11th November 2025 which are not part of the agenda items. (See also Action Points from meeting).
    • Car parking on Bonfire Night. Discussions have taken place with the Castle Inn management, who tried to deal with the issue on the night but with only limited success. They are holding discussions with the brewery owners and others to try and resolve the issue for next year. They would welcome any suggestions from parishioners.
    • Bridleways. The council’s concerns have been reported to the Avon and Somerset mounted department who are working with local constabulary officers on horse and rider safety in traffic, asking whether they can inspect the sites. Councillor Purnell, who initiated the contact with the police, will chase them up for a response. It was noted that there are already signs at the A386 / Skitt Lane junction warning motorists.

    Councillors agreed that further action should wait until a response has been received from the police.

    • Disabled bay – Granite Way Councillor Fife-Cook stated that the work to re-paint has been completed although the bay will retain its present advisory status and there will not be a kerbside sign because of the cost and because the presence of the sign will change the status of the bay, a status which cannot then be reversed. It was agreed that this matter can now be considered closed, pending any further problems.
    • Bus access above the War Memorial. Councillor Moyse submitted a report (previously circulated) of a recent meeting with Stagecoach during which the company’s previous contention that they would be unable to timetable a stop for wheelchair users beside the existing bus shelter because their longer buses would be unable to turn there was challenged by Cllr Moyse. Peter Knight, MD for Stagecoach, promised to look into the problem and report back. Councillor Fife-Cook asked for an update on the matter to date so that he can take the matter up with Stagecoach also. (AP3 – Clerk to compile and send).
    1. Urgent matters to report (For information)
    • In replies to questions from Cllr Fife-Cook and Lydford council, DNPA report that they hope to remodel the public toilets on the existing footprint so that a disabled facility can be included. The report will hopefully be concluded in March 2026, and work can start afterwards

    .

    • Heavy duty drainage is to be installed by the Mucky Duck site, although work is presently being held up as electricity cables need to be removed.
    • Lydford council’s Emergency Response team were out today (9th December) dealing with risks of flooding in the village following exceptionally heavy rains.
    1. Broadband network provision within the village.

    Councillors were concerned about the lack of clarity on any plans for upgrading the existing poor provision within the village. Councillor Fife-Cook stated that a Cabinet Member of Devon County Council was collating local concerns ahead of a possible meeting with a representative from central Government. He will contact the Member concerned.

    Councillors agreed to suspend the matter until next meeting when hopefully more information should be available.

    1. Disability audit

    Councillors agreed that there was nothing further that could be started at this point: work is being initiated or carried out on all of the matters raised. These need to be followed up as necessary.

    It was decided that the council should publish a summary of what’s been achieved to date on the council website and in the parish newsletter (AP4 – Clerk to compile and publish reports)

    1. Council finances 2026-27

    a) Budget 2026-27

    Councillors reviewed the draft budget (previously circulated). It was agreed that the budget should include only lines of spending where the purpose and amounts were already known or could be readily estimated. Any other spending should be drawn from reserves when it is known and, if necessary, the amounts could be recouped from future funding.

    Councillors agreed that two days’ work from the Lengthsman should be included in the budget (AP5 – Clerk to adjust budget accordingly).

    b) Precept 2026-27

    The meeting resolved to increase the precept by 2.6%, being a figure below the published inflation figure of 3.8%. Proposed by Cllr Hulett, seconded by Cllr Purnell. All in favour. The exact cost per band D household will be published when these figures can be calculated.

    1. Planning

    Councillors noted the following applications had been approved:

    • Application 0317/25 Installation of roof mounted solar panels at Townend House EX20 4AR. Certificate of lawfulness issued.
    • Application 0306/25 General purpose agricultural building at Raddon Farm EX20 4BP. Prior Approval granted.
    1. Policy review

    The Clerk will examine all of the policies requiring review this year. Where updates or re-writes are required, these will be placed before the council for approval (AP6 – Clerk to conduct review)

    1. Finances
    1. Councillors resolved to approve the following payments:
    1. J. Bright £ 412.77 December salary
    2. HMRC £ 98.79 PAYE & employers’ NI contribution December
    3. J. Bright £10.20 Meeting expenses

    Proposed Cllr Hulett, seconded Cllr Gilpin, all in favour.

    1. Banking reconciliation for period 1.4.25 to 31.11.25

    Opening balance 1.4.25 £10,606.72 Bank holdings at 31.11.25

    Add receipts £11,264.93 Deposit Account £15,096.03

    Less payments £6,773.31 Current Account £2.31

    £15,098.34 £15,098.34

    The reconciliation was duly noted.

    1. There were no payments made by the Clerk under the Scheme of Delegation.

    Meeting closed 20:20