Approved Minutes 2024 June 26

Jun 27, 2024 | Minutes

The Minutes can be read below or downloaded here: MN_2024 June 26 EM DPC Approved Minutes

APPROVED Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Dittisham Parish Council held in

Dittisham Village Hall on Wednesday 26 June 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

Present: Cllrs Bond(Vice-Chair and meeting Chair), Golding, and Neale and were present, as was A Thom (Clerk). There were no members of the public in person or over Zoom audio-connection.

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. Absent. Cllrs Green, Hawkes, Lloyd, Nightingale, Pope, and Unitt.

1. Apologies:

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Nightingale, Pope, and Unitt.

2. Declaration of Interests

None declared.

3. 2023/24 Annual Governance and Accountability Return

   1. 2023/24 Internal Audit

The Auditor’s report was noted. It does not have any recommendations for action.

1. 2. 2023/24 Audit Annual Governance Statement

It was resolved to approve the Statement.

1. 3. Signature of the Audit Annual Governance Statement

The statement was signed by the meeting Chair and the Clerk.

1. 4. 2023/24 Audit Accounting Statements

The Accounting Statements were considered.

1. 5. 2023/24 Audit Accounting Statements

It was resolved to approve the Statements.

1. 6. 2021/22 Audit Accounting Statements

The Statements were signed by the Chair of the Meeting.

1. 7. Publication of Notice of Public Rights & Publication of Annual Governance & Accountability Return

It was noted that the Return & Notice will now be published, with inspection dates 1 July 2024 to 9 August 2024.

4. Parish Council Insurance Policy 2024-2027

The options were discussed.

Approved Minutes 2024 May 01

May 21, 2024 | Minutes

The Minutes can be read below of downloaded here: MN_2024 May DPC Approved Minutes

APPROVED Minutes of the Meetings of Dittisham Parish Council in
Dittisham Village Hall on Wednesday 1 May 2024 at 7:00p.m.

6:00 pm – Drop-In Session

DPC was available to project planning applications and for discussions with Parishioners. No Parishioners attended.

1. 7:00 pm – Public Forum

No issues were raised by members of the public.

Present: Cllrs Nightingale(Chair), Bond(Vice-Chair), Green (entered during the AMPC), Lloyd, Neale, and Unitt were present, as were A Thom (Clerk) and Devon County Councillor Hawkins. There were no members of the public in person or over Zoom audio-connection.

Absent. Cllr Golding.

Annual Meeting of the Parish Council

1. Election of Chair

It was resolved unanimously to re-elect Cllr Nightingale to be Chair of DPC. Cllr Nightingale abstained.

2. Chair’s Signature of Declaration of Acceptance of Office

Cllr Nightingale signed the Declaration.

3. Election of Vice-Chair

It was resolved unanimously to re-elect Cllr Bond to be Vice-Chair of DPC. Cllr Bond abstained.

4. Vice-Chair’s Signature of Declaration of Acceptance of Office

Cllr Bond signed the Declaration.

5. Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Golding.

6. To declare interests in items on the Agenda

No declarations of interest declared for the AMPC Agenda.

7. Ordinary Meetings of the Parish Council

The ordinary meetings of the Council will continue to take place on the first Wednesday of the month in the Village Hall starting at 7:00 p.m. except for August and January. There is no ordinary meeting in August. DPC’s monthly meeting for January 2025 will be on Wednesday 15 January.

8. Review of the Terms of Reference for Personnel Committee and Subcommittee

It was resolved to authorise the proposed Terms of Reference.

9. Review of Appointment of the Members of Personnel Committee and Subcommittee

It was resolved that the Members will remain Cllrs Neale, Nightingale, and Green.

10. Working Groups & Positions of Responsibility

All appointments were reviewed. It was resolved to authorise: the revised list of appointments, to remove the two roles SHDC Climate Community Forum & Sustainable Dittisham & Sustainable South Hams with their role done by the Climate & Environment Working Group, and to create Playground weekly checks and Tree post severe weather checks roles, that DPC will seek residents to assist with Playground weekly checks, and that the Role descriptions will be updated to reflect these changes and noting the active Communications Group.

11. DPC’s Delegations of Authority to the Clerk

It was resolved to authorise the proposed Delegations.

12. Standing Orders & Financial Regulations

The reviews approved 3/4/24 were noted.

13. Asset Register

It was resolved to confirm the Asset Register as at 31/03/24.

14. Arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all insurable risks

The three year agreement which ends 3/7/24 was noted.

It was resolved to increase the declared value insurance cover for subsidence of the Old Chapel Burial Ground retaining wall to £150,000 effective immediately, to make the Policy’s description of which wall is insured clearer, and to contact DPC’s neighbours suggesting confirmation of their own adequate subsidence insurance. DPC will research further the reinstatement costs taking into account the nature of the retained burial ground.

15. Review of the Council’s Subscriptions, Contracts, and Direct Debit mandates

The current arrangements were noted. The Clerk noted that the annual maintenance grant to the Village Hall Management Committee requires review in 2024.

16. Review of the Council’s Bank mandates.

It was resolved to remove former Cllrs Tucker and Hodge from NatWest and Lloyds mandates, to add Cllr Nightingale to the NatWest mandate, and to add Cllr Unitt to both NatWest and Lloyds mandates.

17. Approval of the list of due payments which arise on a regular basis as the result of a continuing contract, statutory duty, or obligation, and to be authorised by the council & paid by the Clerk in response to correct invoices.

It was resolved to authorise the proposed list.

18. Review of the list of the Council’s Policies and Procedures

It was resolved that relevant Working Groups would review or create as relevant: Grant documents will be reviewed by Finance Working Group, Communications Policy by Communications Working Group, and Personnel Committee will consider Disciplinary & Grievance Procedure, Dignity at Work Policy, and Equality and Diversity Policy. The Clerk will review Publication Scheme and Website Accessibility.

19. 2024 Statement of Internal Controls

It was resolved to approve the Statement.

20. 2024 Risk Register Review

It was resolved to approve the Risk Register.

May Meeting of the Parish Council

1. Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Golding and SHDC Cllr McKay.

2. Two Vacancies for a Parish Councillor

It was confirmed that the vacancies would be advertised closing 31 May 2024. Communications Working Group Councillors will assist with promoting the vacancies.

3. Declaration of Interests

Cllr Green declared a disclosable pecuniary interest (DPI) in the replacement of the Dittisham Armada Beacon item and Cllr Neale declared a DPI in the reimbursement of Parish Meeting refreshment costs.

4. Approval of Minutes

It was resolved to approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 3 April 2024 and the Parish Meeting on 17 April 2024.

5. Community Reports

   1. South Hams District Council Councillor

Deferred in the absence of SHDC Cllr McKay.

1. 2. Devon County Council Councillor

DCC Cllr Hawkins reported that DCC will be holding a special meeting on Monday, mainly to address devolution. He attended a meeting with South Hams [District Council] last week about road sweeping: held because the work has not been done and Parishes are not given notice of visits. He was advised that SHDC will buy a new mechanical sweeper to be based in Dartmouth at the Park and Ride.

6. Financial Matters

   1. Financial Reports

The Clerk has advised that no monthly Financial Reports were provided for this meeting. A process has been decided to manage the VAT treatment of SHDC’s RingGo and Level Car Park permit services for DPC, and the Clerk is now working to apply that to complete 23/24 financial year and the annual audit return. DPC’s bank accounts reconcile as at 28/3/24.

1. 2. Payments

Cllr Neale left the meeting.

It was resolved to authorise the following payments:

• DALC, Annual membership Fee, £153.07

• DSC Permits 24/25, £87.60

• SHDC, Uncontested Elections, £213.78

• Installation of section of ledge and underpinning on The Ham retaining wall, £1,350.00

• Parish Meeting refreshments reimbursement, £32.20

• Noticeboard Key Cutting Reimbursement, £7.95

• Clerk office expenses reimbursement, £18.10

• Society of Local Council Clerk’s membership, £154.70 for 24/25 (£238 pro-rata with Blackawton PC)

It was resolved to confirm transfer by cheque of £10,000 from NatWest to Lloyds Treasurer’s Account.

The following payment authorised since the last monthly meeting was noted:

• Car Park Attendant January to March 2024, £500.00

1. 3. Receipts

The following receipts were noted:

• DCC, P3 Grant 23/24, £200.00
• SHDC, Precept first instalment, £8,000
• DSC, Permits 24/25, £6,356.02

7. SHDC Planning Decisions

The following decisions were noted:

1. 1. 0366/24/ARC Spindlewood, Higher Street, Dittisham, TQ6 0HT. Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 5 (Timber Cladding), 9 (External Lighting), 18 (Roof Slate), 19 (Hard Landscaping) & 20 (Ducts, Flues, Rainwater Goods, Vents & External Attachments) of planning consent 2455/21/FUL. Refused.

   2. 0443/24/HHO Pump Cottage The Level Dittisham TQ6 0ES. Demolition of existing single storey garage & store (north side extension) & first floor dormer, removal of existing oil tank & slab, proposed internal alterations & extension to include 1no proposed ground floor single storey extension South & West facing, 1no proposed two storey extension to north to provide extended living accommodation, 1no replacement dormer, installation of new Air Source Heat Pump & modifications to existing ground floor door & window openings. Withdrawn.

   3. 0233/24/HHO Fingals Hotel Dittisham Dartmouth TQ6 0JA. Householder application for PV cells on post 1948 garage roof. Conditional Approval.

   4. 0455/24/LBC Bay Cottage Manor Street Dittisham TQ6 0EX. Listed Building Consent for Internal alterations to first floor layout, replacement timber windows, internal & external remedial works to all stone walls, floors & ceilings, replacement rainwater goods/fascia & barge boards. Conditional Approval.

   5. 0241/24/LBC Mulberry House Dittisham Dartmouth TQ6 0ER. Listed building consent for single storey extension to kitchen, replacement of veranda with new garden room, insertion of window to rear elevation, replacement of upvc windows and doors with timber units, replacement of single glazed timber conservatory with double glazed timber, installation of air source heat pump and internal alterations. Conditional Approval.

   6. 0489/24/HHO Laburnum Cottage Manor Street Dittisham TQ6 0EX . Householder application for installation of a charger for an electric car (EV Charger). Conditional Approval.

It was also noted that the following decision which was not listed on the Agenda had also been made:

1. 7. 0426/24/HHO The Manse The Level Dittisham TQ6 0ES. Householder application for the creation of driveway and off road parking area including access alterations. Withdrawn.
2. New Planning Applications

   1. 1011/24/HHO Capton Mill Cottage CaptonTQ6 0JE. Householder application for first floor extension to rear, new raised patio to front, installation of new windows at first floor level on south east and south west elevations and juliette balcony.

Support (by resolution).

1. 2. 0673/24/FUL Lauriston Riverside RoadDittishamTQ6 0HS. Demolition of existing house and erection of new replacement dwelling.

Support (by resolution) with DPC’s comment about reducing light pollution and requesting a Construction Management Plan which includes that deliveries are not made during the School buses’ arrival and departure times. DPC thanks the applicant for a clear application, particularly for providing a direct comparison of the current and proposed buildings in one location. (DPC also noted an error in the Introduction of the AONB Statement, where the first sentence relates to a different application).

9. Neighbourhood Plan Public Information Meeting

Discussion of the arrangements for the proposed public meeting were deferred because of Cllr Golding’s absence.

10. Replacement of Dittisham Armada Beacon Post

Cllr Green left the meeting.

It was resolved to approve expenditure of £450 for the purchase of a replacement post for the historic beacon contingent on the availability of match funding from the Dittisham Charity, with the plan being to then donate the post to Raleigh Estate.

11. Reports from Councillors’ Working Groups and External Forums

    1. Dittisham Parish Emergency Plan

It was resolved to approve the revised Plan. More work is required regarding communication solutions if there were to be no broadband and/or a power outage with a loss of digital voice. It was confirmed that DPC would pay for attendance at the DALC Crisis Communications for Local Councils training (£30 +VAT), and agreed that the Clerk and Cllr Nightingale will respond to an enquiry from the press about the Plan, in consultation with Cllr Unitt.

1. 2. ‘Zoning’ Proposal

Discussion about whether to create zones for individual Councillors to liaise with was deferred to the June meeting and zoning will be removed from the Emergency Plan.

1. 3. Maintenance Working Group

It was resolved to approve the Report’s proposals to remove and replace a dead Memorial tree and to reconfigure a barrier fence above southern Ham retaining wall.

12. Being a Dementia Friendly Parish

It was agreed to invite a speaker to talk to the Parish Council (step one on Action Plan). The talk will be in June at earliest and remains to be agreed.

13. EV Charging Points

The Climate Working Group will review the possible installation public EV charging points in the village. The two possible locations are the verge on Riverside Road and the possible new car park on the northern edge of the village.

14. Annual Risk Assessment Survey of Dittisham Parish Council’s Trees

It was resolved to confirm the inspection in June by the same surveyor and at the same cost as in 2023.

15. Extra emptying of the bins on The Ham during the tourist season

It was resolved to confirm that DPC will request that SHDC again make an extra visit, Wednesday 10 July to 30 October, 17 empties, £160.65.

16. Dittisham Sailing Club Permit Regulations

It was resolved to confirm the addition to the Regulations that the vehicle registration must be written with a permanent marker.

17. Registration of The Red Lion Inn as an Asset of Community Value

It was noted that South Hams District Council has decided to list The Red Lion Inn as an Asset of Community Value.

18. Correspondence & Communications:

19. The following were noted or considered:

• 22/4/24 SHDC, Rogue Traders Advice

• 19/4/24 Resident notified DPC of further earthworks at the Manse. SHDC contacted and resident also asked to report to SHDC

The Clerk was asked to obtain a report and to find out if there is a stop works notice, and if not why not.

• 17/4/24 Anthony Mangnall MP, Potholes experience requested. Shared with Parish

• 12/4/24 DCC contacted by DPC regarding repainting 20 mph circles. Dittisham has been added to DCC’s Parish Remark package list.

• 11/4/24 Resident contacted DPC to request double yellow lines next to wall at entrance to The Level. Resident and a Cllr are working on a map which could be used for an application to DCC by DPC.

• Clerk contacted SHDC about waiving Ham Car Park PCNs issued after Village Hall Wall collapse.

20. Next Meeting

It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on 5 June 2024 at 7:00 pm.

21. 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 item because of the confidential nature of the business.

22. To consider the DPC’s next actions to meet its responsibilities as the owner of a freehold.

DPC is waiting on further information from its solicitor.

The meeting closed at 21:20.

Draft Minutes Annual Parish Meeting

Apr 26, 2024 | Minutes

The Minutes can be downloaded here or read below: MN 2024 April 17 Parish Meeting Draft Minutes

DRAFT Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting

Wednesday 17 April 2024 at 7:00 p.m. in Dittisham Village Hall

Present: 28 people were present including speakers, Parish Cllrs Nightingale (Chair), Bond (Vice-Chair), Golding, Green, Lloyd, Neale, and Unitt, and A Thom (Clerk).

1. Parish Council Chair

Cllr Nightingale welcomed those present, reported on the Parish Council’s activities, and invited questions.

Cllr Nightingale thanked two residents for their quick response when part of the Village Hall’s wall collapsed in the middle of the night, and the Village Hall Committee and its work team on getting the road open as soon as possible.

He announced that two Parish Councillors have recently resigned: Cllrs Tucker and Cllr Hodge. He thanked them for their time and input to the Council. Cllr Tucker was thanked for 33 years of continuous service on the Parish Council and Cllr Nightingale noted that we will try to find a way to mark his long service in a permanent way.

He said that over the past year we looked at 28 planning applications and streamlined the process for how we consider applications: identifying applications as minor or major, and concentrating more closely on the major applications.

We declared personal interests nine times to be as transparent as possible. We created a standardised process for organising a planning application site visit.

The Parish Council has representatives on the Dart Harbour Community Group, the Health Services group, with Sustainable South Hams, and more. They try to represent the Parish’s interests and report back to the Parish Council.

We wrote to our MP about lack of NHS dentistry services and continue to investigate further actions. There is the possibility of a new low cost dental service in Dartmouth.

We worked with our lengthsman to keep roads clear, despite the record rain. We asked the lengthsman to do some other tasks, such as weed clearance in the village, because unfortunately budgets are constrained everywhere, so the choice is sometimes between us doing it, or it not being done.

We supported the Dart Bathing Water Status application which is now being considered by DEFRA.

We give regular grants to, for example, the Village Hall and St Georges Church.

Cllr Nightingale discussed how many tasks are carried out to keep things as they are that aren’t seen. For example, in maintaining The Ham we liaise with the South Hams District Council grounds maintenance team, who won the contract for 2024 and have done it since 2021, and do a good job. Cllrs on the Maintenance Working Group liaise with the contractors and help to adapt the contract as needed. We survey Footpaths and bridleways, and bid for grants from DCC for substantial repairs. Residents were asked to please report public footpath problems directly to Devon County Council [the authority responsible] on its website.

2. Guest Speakers

   1. Brixton Parish Council, Chair: Being a Dementia Friendly Parish

The Chair of Brixton Parish Council discussed their experience with being a Dementia Friendly Parish and how Dittisham could take action.

Brixton is is one of five Dementia Friendly Parishes around the Yealm (a registered charity) and a member of the Four Rivers Dementia Alliance, which has nineteen member Parishes.

Of the 28 people in the room six to eight raised their hands to say that they currently know someone who is affected by dementia

The Chair said that being dementia friendly is about people with dementia not experiencing judgment or stigma. It is important to see the person and not the dementia. There are about 80 kinds of dementia, with Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia being the most common.

In dementia friendly parishes the person and their family continue to feel welcome. The person with dementia remains active in the community and part of what’s going on.

They provided an Action Plan for parish councils. Steps include: council and community awareness training, nominating a lead, signage (yellow and black, Arial font – available on the Alzheimer’s website), checking if public buildings are dementia friendly, and helping local businesses to be dementia friendly.

1. 2. South Devon National Landscapes (AONB) Chair

The SDNL Chair discussed what the organisation does and its priorities.

There are 46 National Landscapes. The renaming came out of an independent Report about protected landscapes. It was a recommendation of the Report: because young adults don’t understand what an AONB is and the relabelling increased its profile and broadened the audience to those less than 40 years old. The purpose of SDNL is to conserve and enhance the beauty of the landscape. That is also a duty of all relevant authorities, including parish councils. SDNL is a consultee on major applications (for more than 10 dwellings) and for single dwellings with an impact on the SDNL. They work to improve engagement, access, and quality of design. SDNL recognises that national landscapes are a living and working landscapes, and that balance is required, for example between employment and protection.

SDNL works on projects in partnership – for example with the South West Coast Path Association.

Its tools are national and local legislation and its own Management Plan. It receives funding of £200,000 per year for staff and also accesses substantial project funding, such as £500,000 National Lottery funding for a four year ‘Life on the Edge’ project about the rich biodiversity of the land between the moor and the sea. SDNL administers a popular Farming in Protected Landscapes grant program. It is in its fourth year and all funds are allocated, which has provided access to additional funds.

SDNL is working with the South West Coast Path to increase access.

SDNL is not a statutory consultee, because of the cost of making that change, although it was a recommendation of the same Report, and some pressure is being applied to achieve that.

The Parish Council can ask SDNL to be involved in a specific application.

A question was asked about light pollution from bright lights on homes. The speaker replied that SDNL has a dark skies policy in its Management Plan and that neighborhood plans can include a dark skies policy. For example South Huish / Hope Cove Neighbourhood Plan has a lights off time.

There is a program to upgrade the existing AONB signs but it’s not currently funded.

A question was asked about the proposed high development next to the River Dart at Baltic Wharf in Totnes. It was explained that because of its location it is not within the remit of SDNL. The Parish Council could comment if it took the view that the project affects the character of the River and local councillors could be lobbied.

3. Consultations

   1. Parish Emergency Plan

The Plan is being revised in response to pressure on emergency services and because half of the village difficult to access: Lower Street and beyond The Level. The Plan endeavours to use the time waiting for emergency services to try to ensure access. Calling emergency services remains residents’ first action. However it takes time for them to arrive – for example Fire services might take 30 minutes to arrive.

1. 2. Jubilee Steps Handrail

There were no objections from the meeting and some strong expressions of support for the proposal. If someone falls please notify Devon County Council so that they are aware if there are safety issues with the Steps. There are instructions about how to report and webpage links on the Dittisham Parish website’s home page.

1. 3. Commemoration of D-Day

The Parish had a very important role in the preparations for D Day. It is the 80^th anniversary of the landings on Thursday 6 June 2024. There are national and local events and activities planned that Dittisham could connect with. Residents might also wish to commemorate locally – for example a walking trail of the visible remains of the D-Day preparations, documenting local involvement, or a display in the Hall. Raleigh Estate is purchasing a new post and working to have the Armada Beacon ready for the commemoration.

4. Announcements

   1. Production of a Dittisham Neighbourhood Plan

DPC will be arranging a public meeting to inform residents about the potential benefit of a neighbourhood plan to provide local planning policy for Dittisham. The South Devon National Landscapes (AONB) Chair has agreed to lead this meeting. The preparation of a neighbourhood plan would be a community, not a Parish Council, project. Neighbourhood Plans can be as simple or extensive as the community chooses.

1. 2. Drop in DPC availability – from 6 pm before the monthly meetings

From the 1 May meeting we will trial being in the Hall from 6:00 pm, an hour before the meeting starts, to project planning application plans requested by residents and also to be available to discuss other matters of interest to residents.

5. Discussion

   1. Potholes

A resident said that Anthony Mangnall MP has asked residents to share your experiences with potholes, to inform a debate in the House of Commons on Wednesday 24th April.

The Parish Council encourages you to report potholes to Devon County Council. There are Report a Problem links on the Parish website home page which will take you to the DCC reporting page.

1. 2. Light Pollution

It was suggested that the Parish Council produce a leaflet. It might be used to inform residences which release a lot of light. A Parish lights off event was suggested, perhaps linking with a national/international event.

Approved Minutes 2024 April 03

Apr 12, 2024 | Minutes

The Minutes can be read below or downloaded here:  MN_2024 April DPC Approved Minutes

APPROVED Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Dittisham Parish Council in
St George’s Church Dittisham on Wednesday 3 April 2024 at 7:00 p.m.

1. The meeting was relocated from the Village Hall because there was no water in the Hall, due to management of the collapse of part of the Hall’s retaining wall. The relocation was advertised as widely as possible. The Parish Council is grateful to a member of the public who was at the Hall from 6:45 to 7:15 to direct people to the new location.

2. a. Public Forum

i. Fall of part of the Village Hall’s Retaining Wall on The Level

Part of the retaining wall fell overnight last night. The wall is the Village Hall Management Committee’s responsibility. The Parish Council has been working to support communication and to reduce the impact on residents. The Fire and Ambulance services have been notified, as have holiday cottage operators and South Hams District Council (regarding waste collection). The Clerk was asked to also notify Police, RNLI, and Coastguard.

It was noted that access for people with mobility issues will need to be considered if The Level is not fully open to traffic during the wall’s reconstruction. It was observed that improving the surface of the access track from Rectory Lane towards Bozomzeal would make the village more resilient including if access was restricted during the wall’s reconstruction, however Rectory Lane is a private road, and the track is currently one vehicle wide with no passing places and is not suitable for motor vehicles.

ii. D-Day 80 year Commemoration

A resident described the extensive and important local involvement in D-Day. They asked the Parish Council to make further efforts: to ask the private landowner to have the beacon ready and for the event to be commemorated in the Parish.

iii. EV Charging Points

The Parish Council has been approached about the installation of public EV charging points. This will be an Agenda item in 1 May meeting.

iv. Parking Format in The Ham Car Park

The meeting agreed that the preferred parking is at 90 degrees on The Ham side and at 45 degrees on the north Ham side. The Clerk will post temporary advisory notices and plan to install permanent signs, with a view to making better use of the parking area when it is busy.

Present: Cllrs Nightingale(Chair), Bond(Vice-Chair), Golding, Hodge, Neale, and Unitt were present, as were A Thom (Clerk), Devon County Councillor Hawkins, and one member of the public was present for the open forum. There was no Zoom audioconnection.

Absent. Cllrs Green, Lloyd, and Tucker.

1. Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Green, Lloyd, and Tucker, and from South Hams District Cllr McKay.

2. Declaration of Interests

Cllr Golding declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the Bozomzeal Manor planning application.

3. Approval of Minutes

It was resolved to approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2024.

4. Community Reports

   1. South Hams District Council Councillor

Deferred in the absence of SHDC Cllr McKay.

1. 2. Devon County Council Councillor

DCC Cllr Hawkins commended progress made with clearing the fallen part of the Village Hall’s wall. DCC will support reopening The Level as soon as possible.

The Dartmouth Park and Ride was open for the Easter weekend.

5. Financial Matters

   1. Financial Reports

It was resolved to approve the Financial Reports, which showed total funds of £81,740.40 and an unearmarked general fund of £28,738.63, and the Bank Reconciliation was noted.

1. 2. Payments

It was resolved to approve the following payments:

• Devon Communities Together annual membership fee, £50.00

• SHDC, 22/23 Payroll, £120.00

• SHDC, Ham Car Park Rates, £3,285.17

• SHDC, Level Car Park Rates, £3,112.26

• Clerk, March Expenses reimbursement, £22.31

It was noted that the Clerk and Chair will approve payment of the following three invoices which were received after the Agenda was circulated: annual payments for the car park machine maintenance agreement and the defibrillator support agreement, and a South West Water invoice for the tap on the Quay.

6. SHDC Planning Decisions

The following decision was noted:

1. 1. 3830/23/TCA Mill Creek Cottage, Lower Street, Dittisham, TQ6 0HY. T1-T6: Leylandii/fir trees – Fell trees due to them being vigorous growers & are taking the light from other recently planted trees that are trying to establish themselves, originally planted to quickly establish privacy from neighbours & are no longer required & particularly so if other indigenous trees & shrubs are allowed to grow, these trees kill the ground underneath them & prevent anything else from getting established, are unattractive & overpowering, surrounding deciduous trees/plants would provide a much better vista, more in keeping with the local countryside. Approved.

2. New Planning Applications

   1. 0398/24/HHO Mulberry House DittishamTQ6 0ER. Householder application for single storey extension to kitchen, replacement of veranda with new garden room, insertion of window to rear elevation, replacement of upvc windows and doors with timber units, replacement of single glazed timber conservatory with double glazed timber, installation of air source heat pump and internal alterations.

Support and make the same comment as for the corresponding listed building consent considered by the 14 March meeting (by resolution).

1. 2. 0928/24/LBC Bozomzeal Manor Bozomzeal DittishamTQ6 0JG. Listed Building Consent for repair works to main house & pump house & new floor to garage.

Cllr Golding left the meeting.

Support (by resolution).

Cllr Golding returned to the meeting.

8. Production of a Dittisham Neighbourhood Plan

It was resolved to approve the proposal to invite a speaker to present to Parishioners about the production of a Neighbourhood Plan and to announce that meeting at the Annual Parish Meeting. The purpose is to properly inform the Parish and see if members of the public wish to take this ‘project’ forward.

9. Request for Paper Copies of Plans

DPC’s response to residents’ request for provision of paper copies of planning application plans for residents to view in Village Hall was discussed. Historically the paper copies were provided by South Ham District Council. SHDC ceased providing them many years ago. Paper plans are not available at SHDC. Production by DPC was considered however it cannot currently print A3 and printing would increase the impact on the environment. It was resolved to respond to residents explain the history of the copies and to trial being in the Hall from 6 p.m. before the monthly meetings of the Parish Council. DPC will project the plans requested by residents and also be available to discuss other matters of interest to Parishioners.

10. Reports from Councillors’ Working Groups and External Forums

    1. Manor St. Turning Bay Refurbishment Project

The Report from a working group of residents and a Councillor was considered. It was resolved to implement the first two items (about the management of the neighbouring wall and to weed and tidy up the area) and to obtain quotes for a contractor to resurface with donated granite sets.

1. 2. Fire Task & Finish Group

It was resolved to close the Group. Its functions have been taken on by the work on the Emergency Plan.

11. Licence to Occupy agreement with SHDC to Install a Defibrillator on The Ham Toilet Block

It was resolved to approve signature of the proposed Licence and to authorise the Clerk to sign it on behalf of DPC.

12. Review of Standing Orders and Financial Regulations

It was resolved to approve the reviewed Standing Orders.

It was resolved to approved the reviewed Financial Regulations.

13. Code of Conduct

The meeting discussed the practical application of the Code.

14. Cyberinsurance

It was resolved to approve the Report which has risk assessed cyberinsurance and recommends not taking insurance now, to continue cloud and offline hard drive backups, and to seek view of 23/24 internal auditor.

15. Reinstatement of Ham Car Park Surface post Site Compound

It was resolved to take no further action at this time, to monitor the surface, and to review in twelve months.

16. Dittisham Sailing Club Car Park Permits

It was resolved to confirm that the Permits are only valid if the vehicle registration number has been written on them legibly in the white space under the date, and that the Clerk will update the issue date on the related DPC Regulations.

17. Dittisham Residents’ Permits

It was noted that there was a period of time when renewals didn’t require evidence of current Council Tax and that this has been resolved. It was resolved to take no further action in relation to this matter.

18. NatWest Notice Accounts

It was noted that 35 day notice and 95 day notice accounts have been opened with balance transfers of £15,000 and 25,000 respectively.

19. Correspondence:

The following correspondence was noted:

• Notice of election for the Police and Crime Commissioner Election being held on 2 May 2024

• Meeting request – potential residential development in Dittisham

• Cllr Hawkins, Change to Ashprington gritting route & Parish tow along gritter suggestion

• Notice of wall collapse Dittisham Mill Creek. DCC PROW and Dart harbour now informed.

• Repair of fence next to Shinners Cottages. DPC reported owner and then to DCC PROW

The Clerk will follow up on this unresolved matter.

• Community Compost Opportunities-Repurposing Brown Bins 4/5/24 & 2day Community Composting 27-28/4/24

• DHCG, Dart Harbour interest in reinstatement of shower in The Ham toilet block. Referred to SHDC.

• Emergency flood plans for Totnes, 11/4/24 6:30-8pm, Totnes Guildhall. Speaker from the Environment Agency.

20. Next Meeting

It was confirmed that the next monthly meeting of the Parish Council and the Annual Meeting of the Parish Council will be held on 1 May 2024 at 7:00 pm.

The meeting closed at 21:01.

Draft Minutes 2023 Annual Parish Meeting

Apr 12, 2024 | Minutes

The Minutes can be read below or downloaded here:  MN_2023 04 19 Annual Parish Meeting DPC Draft Minutes

DRAFT Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held in
Dittisham Village Hall on Wednesday 19 April 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

Present: Eleven members of the public were present, as were Parish Councillors Anderson, Nightingale, Bond, Hodge, Lloyd, Neale, Tucker, and Unitt, and A Thom (Clerk).

1. Dittisham Parish Council Report

Cllr Nightingale reported on the Parish Council’s activities over the last year.

DPC looked at at least 32 planning applications, took part in various consultations. Councillors represented Dittisham on various groups and external forums, went to working meetings, and met with contractors.

The Dart 10K came up with new proposals for the swim and, because we felt that the event was important, we devoted a lot of time to it. Unfortunately in the end we couldn’t justify the impact on the community of the new proposed way of running the event.

DPC tried to help Parishioners to access cost of living support. A Warm Place trial event was held in The Red Lion Inn. We published energy saving information via the Parish website, DPC Facebook, and leaflets were distributed in the Village Hall and elsewhere, and we investigated grant support for those in energy hardship.

DPC also spent a lot of time dealing with some internal issues. Improvements have been made and the Council is not vulnerable to that happening again.

There is a new Personnel Committee which is looking at training, data security, healthy working conditions and a safe, pleasant and competent environment for us all.

The Clerk completed the Certificate in Local Council Administration.

We are looking at signing the Civility and Respect Pledge to address growing concerns about bullying, harassment and intimidation within the sector and to seek to collaborate with other Parish Councils to achieve that. We already benefit from good links with other Councils, including Ashprington, Blackawton, Brixton, Aveton Gifford, and Slapton.

One of our aims this year will be to improve our communication and consultation, and to involve more non-councillors in the Council’s projects.

Cllr Anderson is leaving the area and the Council. We are very sorry to see him go. He has been a great Chair, giving a jovial yet business-like character to our meetings, and his planning knowledge has been very helpful.

2. Dart Harbour Master

The Harbour Master was very pleased to attend the Meeting to discuss the work being done by Dart Harbour and talk with Dittisham’s Parishioners.

They said that Dart Harbour’s new Strategy was launched in 2022 following consultation. Dart Harbour is also working on new policies – including mooring management, with changes prioritising local residents, especially those within walking distance. A 20 year vision is to be published.

Dart Harbour will be talking to owners of boats which lay up in Dittisham Mill Creek over the winter.

A holding tank requirement is being phased in. Dart Harbour is communicating with South West Water. The water quality measure is good 95% of the time. Dart Harbour is looking into bathing water status designation for some areas but it does not yet know about the rules which govern that.

Dart Harbor is investing in a couple of physical pontoons, including Fisherman’s in Dartmouth. There is a new visitor pontoon in Dartmouth which should help Dittisham.

Dart Harbour is looking at expanding facilities for cruise ships.

There is a possible project working with other groups to map the salt marshes.

3. The Habitat Group – Hedgehog Highways

A representative of the Group discussed some of its activities.

The Habitat Group’s booklet has been a great success. It has been distributed to 850 residences in Dittisham and neighbouring parishes and 4,500 requested for Totnes.

There is a project to reintroduce water voles into the River Gara. No water voles were found in mink traps which were in place for four months. 800 water voles will be released to four sites over two and a half years. The water voles are a keynote species and so will have a positive effect on habitat.

There has been a devastating reduction in the hedgehog population over the last twenty years. This is due to cars, pesticides, and loss of habitat. The Group is encouraging the creation of hedgehog highways. The hedgehogs need a hole the size of a CD in fences. They can travel two to three miles in a night. They eat slugs and snails.

The speakers were followed by refreshments and conversation.