Draft Minutes 2025 April 02

Apr 14, 2025 | Minutes

DRAFT Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Dittisham Parish Council held in
Dittisham Village Hall on Wednesday 2 April 2025 at 7:00p.m.

Present: Parish Cllrs Bond (Chair), Green, Hawkes, Neale, Pope, and Unitt were present, as were Devon County Cllr Hawkins, and A Thom, Clerk. There were eight members of the public present.

Absent: Cllrs Golding and Nightingale.

1. a. Public Forum

2. i) Dartmouth Caring

3. Representatives of Dartmouth Caring provided an update on its activities. About one third of Dartmouth Caring’s clients are in villages. It serves anyone in Dartmouth Medical Practice’s area. It’s role is to help people to live the lives they want to live, to support people to make informed choices, and to give people an opportunity to mix. Two years ago Dartmouth Caring received a Lottery grant to provide a bus to collect people so they can access the same support they had before the relocation to the current site in the Wellbeing hub. The Parish Council can help by letting people in need know that the service is available. There is a need for some types of volunteer: such as ex-professionals who can lead Memory Cafe groups.

4. ii) Request for a mobile cafe in the Ham Car Park

5. One of the requestors described the proposal to site the cafe which operates from a converted horsebox in The Ham Car Park. The cafe would provide bins and use home compostable cups. It has a quite generator and is also gas powered. They suggested it would be located sideways with the hatch opening onto The Ham; and ideally left there overnight and be on the River Dart end of the car park. The cafe measures five metres in length from hitch to trail. The requestors said they would work with the local community and collaborate with local businesses.

6. A representative of Dittisham Sailing Club made DSC’s comments. Overall DSC is not in support. Of particular concern is the loss of car parking spaces, especially on Sundays in the summer. DSC also has four or five regattas each year. They noted that DSC has paid DPC for permits to park in The Ham car park.

7. Other matters raised were additional litter, an adverse impact local business, whether it would create an increased risk to users of the car park, competition to stalls if there is a village event, and a change to the character of The Ham (there is currently no commercial presence or pressure).

8. iii) Planning Application 0633/25/HHO The Manse The Level Dittisham TQ6 0ES.

A resident gave their view. They were broadly in favour but raised two issues: the expanse of glass facing the river and how the applicant will access to the road because there is currently no access to the grassy area where the proposed building would be put.

9. iv) Request for a mobile cafe in the Ham Car Park

The requestor responded that they don’t think the cafe would be as impactful as described in the discussion. They haven’t been able to find a pitch, and would like to give the mobile cafe a chance and assess impact.

A representative of the Anchorstone Cafe explained that the post COVID business environment is very difficult for all the village businesses. Expenses and staff costs have gone up. They said the proposed mobile cafe would take away from the businesses that are here. They said they would hope the Parish Council would support local business.

1. Apologies:

Apologies for absence were received from Parish Cllrs Golding and Nightingale, and from SHDC Cllr McKay.

2. Co-option to fill the Vacancy for a Parish Councillor

This item was deferred to the 7 May meeting because the one applicant does not yet meet the qualification criteria.

3. Declaration of Interests

None declared.

4. Community Reports

   1. Devon County Council Councillor

DCC Cllr Hawkins noted that we are in the pre-election time period which restricts what he can say. He reported that he has sent emails about the Higher Street barrier and repainting lines, as DPC requested. DCC met on 20 March regarding its devolution proposal. DCC has put forward five devolution options because there will be a new DCC elected in May 2025. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee asked South West Water to attend a meeting last week. The Committee invited Friends of the Dart Representatives to help it.

1. 2. South Hams District Council Councillor

Deferred in the absence of SHDC Cllr McKay.

5. Proposal for Mobile Cafe in the Ham Car Park

Twelve comments received from residents were shared with the Parish Council prior to the meeting.

Cllrs discussed the proposal. The main concerns raised are an effect on parking, possible negative effect on existing village businesses, a negative effect on the character of The Ham, making the Ham a commercial space, and management of increased litter. It was questioned whether the cafe would have different customers to the existing village businesses. The requestors have suggested they can signpost to other businesses. It was asked whether there is a capacity to create total increase in demand. Residents who have responded in support would appreciate the extra service. It was suggested to make a specific charge, not to purely charge for car parking spaces, which would be fair with other businesses which have set operating costs and pay for the increased Council administration time. DPC needs to check if the cafe would have an effect on the business rates paid by DPC. It was asked if the cafe could have a trial period: monitoring the impact and feedback. A Task and Finish Group was created. It will discuss the proposal with DSC and businesses. It was suggested that the Mobile Cafe requestors also talk with village businesses. A decision will be made by the May monthly meeting of DPC.

6. Approval of Minutes

It was resolved to approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 March 2025.

7. Financial Matters

   1. Payments

It was resolved to authorise the following payments:

• Grounds Maintenance Contract 2024 £4,213.57

• Business Rates 25/26 The Ham Car Park £4,106.46

• Business Rates 25/26 The Level Car Park £3,193.60

• DALC Chairing Local Council Meetings Course £36.00

• DALC Being a Good Councillor Course 4 £18.00

• Village Hall Hire December 2024 to March 2025 £150.00

• Annual Support Fee 25/26 Defibrillator Red Lion Inn & Ferry Boat Inn £396.00

• Quay Tap December 2024 to March 2025 £35.49

• Devon Communities Together Annual membership fee £50.00

• SHDC Payroll Service 24/25 £120.00

• Clerk Expenses Reimbursement £40.50

It was noted that Lloyds Bank has taken the monthly account fee in arrears by direct debit £4.25 on 18 March. The charges were started 10 January instead of 14 January 2025 as advised by letter.

The PayByPhone banking and transaction charges which will be invoiced by SHDC were noted.

8. Requests for Grants from Dittisham Parish Council

   1. West Dart Bus

It was resolved to approve the request for a grant of £250.00.

9. South Hams District Council’s Planning Decisions

The following decisions were noted:

1. 1. 0379/25/TCA Barton Cottage The Lane Dittisham TQ6 0HB. T1: Silver Birch – Fell & Remove tree, the tree is dead/ nearly dead due to a bad attack from Honey Fungus. Raise No Objections.

   2. 0397/25/TCA Barton Cottage The Lane Dittisham TQ6 0HB. T1 & T2: Fir trees – Crown height reduction by 6 metres – due to the trees growing very large & disproportionate to the garden & surrounds & are significantly restricting light. Raise No Objections.

   3. 2890/24/HHO & 2891/24/LBC Bay Cottage Manor Street Dittisham TQ6 0EX. Householder application for new extension, glazed link to existing single storey extension, material change, new window & revised external access. Conditional Approval.

   4. 0445/25/ARC  Shearwater, Riverside Road, Dittisham, TQ6 0HS. Application for approval of details reserved by condition 3 (Windows/Doors) of planning consent 3571/24/HHO. Discharge of Condition Approved.

2. New Planning Applications

   1. 0633/25/HHO The Manse The Level Dittisham TQ6 0ES. Householder application & Listed Building Consent for two storey rear extension & replacement garage.

Support (by resolution) subject to a Construction Management Plan and the management of potential light pollution due to the increase in glazing.

The CMP needs to address the disposal of the large volume of earth which would be excavated during the construction and the prevention of soil run-off during construction. Passage of traffic on The Level can already be challenging, particularly during the tourist season. Traffic may also be affected by the required reconstruction of the wall of the Village Hall on The Level. DPC will submit its light pollution comment.

1. 2. 0645/25/FUL Kelbechan House, Capton, TQ6 0JE. Erection of small ground mounted solar array.

Support (by resolution).

1. 3. 0847/25/HHO Old Mill Old Mill Lane DartmouthTQ6 0HL. Householder application for extension to existing dwelling & associated works. (Neighbouring Parish Consultee)

Support (by resolution).

1. 4. 0836/25/ARC Land Adjacent Fairholme Riverside Road Dittisham. Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 6 (Arboricultural Method Statement & Tree Protection Plan) & 9 (CEMP) to planning consent 1476/24/FUL.

Support (by resolution).

11. New Premises Licence Application to SHDC

    1. New Premises Licence for Anzac Bistro Dartmouth, 2 Anzac Street, Dartmouth, TQ6 9DL.

Closed 1 April 2025. No comment submitted by DPC.

12. Reports from Councillors’ Working Groups and External Forums

    1. Footpaths

The P3 Footpaths Scheme forms returned to DCC were noted.

1. 2. Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner Councillor Advocate

It was resolved to approve the special motion ‘To make Cllr Neale DPC’s Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Advocate.’

13. Councillors Contact Details

All Cllrs present agreed to share their mobile numbers internally to establish a DPC WhatsApp Group with the proviso that the Group is used infrequently for necessary short alerts type of communication.

14. Car Park Machine Attendant Contractor Insurance

The Report was noted. The contractor continues to be covered by DPC’s Insurance Policy. The new and the previous contractor have found that they cannot obtain their own insurance for the work as is standard practice for contractors.

15. Grounds Maintenance Contract

It was resolved to approve the Maintenance Working Group’s special motion ‘To replace in the Grounds Maintenance Contract the approved ‘Fixed Work’ Specifications for cutting the grass on The Ham and strimming on The Ham with the current increased frequencies: to cut the grass on the Ham weekly, and strimming on The Ham every three weeks.’

Prior to the vote the Clerk spoke restating their opposition to this change as unnecessary and not good practice, and confirming that the contractor has not objected to the contracted specifications being changed.

16. Correspondence and Contacts

The following were noted or considered. Discussion added in italics.

• Repair to Barrier between Higher St. and Lower St.
  Followed up by DCC Cllr Hawkins: expected to be delivered under the 2025/26, start date not yet known.

• Reinstatement of White Lines at entrance to Lower St.
  Reported to DCC by the Clerk.

• Replacement of sign to Bozomzeal at Bozomzeal Cross.
  Reported to DCC by Cllr Neale. DCC has replied that a new order will be raised in April 2025.

• DALC Devolution Update for Smaller Councils 8 April, 10am – 11.30am, online.

• Review of the South Devon National Landscape Management Plan: Introductory meeting with Parish Clerks and Parish Chairs =, 22nd April at 6:00 pm, online.

• 25/3/25 Resident of Capton, Problem with dog fouling in Capton and on public footpaths, and a request for two dog poo bins in Capton.
  Referred to SHDC which is checking if there is capacity to add these bins to the existing rounds & whether Locality Officers can add to their dog patrols. If there is capacity for emptying the bins – there is charge £5 per bin per empty and a cost of around £500 for SHDC to install a bin.

Cllr Neale’s proposal that she consult with Capton residents (do they want a dog waste bin, how many, and where?) and possibly install a temporary bin was agreed.

17. Next Meeting

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on 7 May 2025 at 7:00 pm was confirmed.

18. Closure of the Meeting

It was resolved in accordance with the 1960 Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act to exclude the public and press during consideration of the following items because of the commercial-in-confidence or employment nature of the business.

19. DPC Maintenance Contract

The application received for the unfilled vacancy was discussed. It was noted that some work is being done by someone that does not want a contract with the DPC for the work. It was agreed that instead of contracting one person, DPC will use both current contractor and the applicant as suits their skill-set and the quality of the work done.

20. Clerk’s Annual Leave Request

The request was agreed.

The meeting closed at 21:27.