Approved Minutes 2023 January 04

Jan 30, 2023 | Minutes

The approved minutes can be read below or downloaded here: MN_2023 January 04 DPC Approved Minutes

APPROVED Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Dittisham Parish Council held in Dittisham Village Hall on Wednesday 4 January 2022 at 7:00 p.m.

Carbon Savers Course, 7:00 pm – 7:15 pm, Session 1 – Introduction

The meeting discussed the video. The action from the module is to calculate your carbon footprint – Carbon Savvy offers three methods: taking from 5 minutes to a full calculation taking about 45 minutes. The resources will be shared, including on the Parish website. Knowing your carbon footprint allows you to target your efforts where you will have the biggest potential impact.

Present: Cllrs Anderson (Chair), Nightingale (Vice-Chair), Bond, Green, Hodge, Lloyd, Neale, and Unitt were present, as were A Thom (Clerk), Devon County Cllr Hawkins, South Hams District Cllr McKay, and one member of the public.

1. Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Tucker.

2. Declaration of Interests

Cllr Green declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Item 9 Dart 10K event.

3. Approval of Minutes

It was resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2022.

4. Public Issues

No matters raised.

5. Community Reports
   • South Hams District Council Councillor

South Hams District Council Councillor McKay reported that SHDC won £1 million from the Shared Prosperity Fund to help reduce carbon emissions in the District. The Plymouth Freeport has been approved. Work on the 23/24 budget is ongoing. Cllr McKay will follow up DPC’s enquiry about whether SHDC will remove weeds from roads in the village.

• Devon County Council Councillor

Devon County Council Councillor Hawkins reported that the 23/24 budget process is encountering considerable difficulties. The Dartmouth Health and Wellbeing Centre should be open by March or April next year at latest. The Dartmouth Food Bank is open every Friday in Townstal Community Hall, there is also help and advice, and parcels can be delivered in need. There were previously 6 to 12 users of the Food Bank and there are now over 30. The Dartmouth Youth Group is open in Ivy Lane every Tuesday through to mid-July. The Leisure Centre is starting again, on three Fridays this month. 31 children went to the Train of Lights and on 28 July they will go to a theatre in Plymouth. These activities are free to users. Organisers are also trying to organise basketball in the Leisure Centre every Thursday.

6. SHDC Planning Decisions

The following decisions were noted:

• 3411/22/TPO The Old Rectory, Rectory Lane Dittisham TQ6 0HD. T1: fell to ground level due to low amenity value and damage to drive & T2: Eucalyptus – fell to ground level due to low amenity value and to create space for other planting. Raise No Objections.
• 3687/22/TCA Bay Cottage Manor Street Dittisham TQ6 0EX. T1: Conifer – dismantle due to heavily shading garden and to allow more beneficial species within garden. Raise No Objections.
• 3683/22/TCA Mill Creek Cottage, Lower Street, Dittisham, TQ6 0HY. T1-8: Ash – Ash coppice stools at East and West end of group of 7 stools to be recoppiced to higher coppice point at circa 2.5m given their advanced dieback conditions. (5 to be reduced and 2 to be recoppiced) Middle 5 ash coppice stools to have 50% crown reduction due to lower levels of Ash dieback than the 2 outer trees. Raise No Objections.
• 2238/22/HHO Overdart House Rectory Lane Dittisham TQ6 0HD. Householder application for alterations & additions to existing dwelling. Withdrawn.

7. New Planning Applications
   • 3845/22/VAR Downton Farm Dittisham TQ6 0JD. Application for variation of condition 2 (approved drawings) of planning consent 1025/20/FUL (retrospective).

No comment (unanimous resolution).

• 4091/22/VAR Downton Farm Dittisham TQ6 0JD. Application for variation of condition 2 (approved drawings) of planning consent 1462/19/LBC.

Support with a comment raising light pollution concerns about the new glazing in the proposal (unanimous resolution).

8. Consultations

• DCC, Local Nature Recovery Strategy – Organisations’ work, Closes 13/1/23
• Devon and Severn IFCA, Proposed new Mobile Fishing Permit Byelaw 2022. Closes 20/01/23

No comment submitted by DPC on the above consultations.

9. Application to hire The Ham 1-4 September 2023 for Dart 10K Swim Event

Cllr Green left the meeting.

The application, which includes a different car parking field near Lapthorne dip, was considered. Feedback was given and questions raised. A decision was deferred pending further information.

Cllr Green returned to the meeting.

• Request for a temporary site compound in The Ham car park

The request for a temporary site compound for 5-6 weeks to the end of February in The Ham car park at the end adjacent to the River Dart was approved with the conditions that the central access is kept clear, access to the bins or footpath (depending on the side of the car park chosen) is maintained, and that DPC will be paid for the car park spaces used was approved by resolution. The car park is used at their own risk and DPC after discussion will have the final say on how many spaces are being used.

• Cost of Living – ‘Warm Place’ in The Red Lion Inn

It was resolved to approve a £200 grant towards the trial of the provision of ‘Warm Place’ events in The Red Lion Inn with payment on receipt of an invoice.

• Personnel Committee’s Recommendations

It was resolved to approve the recommendations: to update the sick leave and annual leave provisions in the Clerk’s contract to be consistent with the current NJC Green Book, and for a temporary increase in core hours from 16 to 18 hours per week until 31 March 2023 for completion of core management tasks alongside a review of processes.

• Parish Lengthsman Hours and Role

It was agreed that DPC would pay for the Parish Lengthsman’s time to attend a meeting to review the role.

• Financial Matters
  • Financial Reports

It was resolved to approve the Reports which showed a total balance of £73,610.59, unearmarked general fund of £24,979.62, and bank accounts reconciled.

• Payments

It was resolved to authorise the following payments:

• Parish Lengthsman, £88.00
• Pittman Trees, Maintenance tree works, £1,740.00
• Clerk, Reimbursement of December expenses, £17.29
• South West Water, Quay tap, Sep to Dec 2022, £20.16

The Clerk’s claim for December overtime, £126.35, was approved by resolution.

The payments made since the December meeting were noted:

• Clerk, December Salary, November overtime, 22/23 Award back-pay overtime, CiLCA study time £2,955.74
• HMRC, December, £1,434.69
• NEST Pensions, December, £285.34
• Information Commissioner’s Office, Annual Fee direct debit, £35
  • 2023/24 Budget and Precept

It was agreed to schedule a discussion meeting and an extraordinary meeting to determine the 2023/24 Budget and Precept demand.

15. Correspondence

The following correspondence was noted:

• Invitation – South Devon AONB 2023 Partners Conference on 25th January at Moreleigh Village Hall TQ9 7FH

16. Next Meeting

It was confirmed that the next monthly meeting of Dittisham Parish Council would take place on 1 February 2022 at 7:00 pm.

• 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 commercial-in-confidence nature of the business.

18. 2023 DPC Grounds Maintenance Contract

The quote received for the 2023 contract was considered. It was resolved to accept the quote and to add to the contract that the contractor confirms that it possesses the certificates of competency and risk assessments relevant to the work.

The meeting closed 22:02.

Approved Minutes 2022 December 07

Dec 28, 2022 | Minutes

The Approved Minutes can be read below or downloaded here: MN_2022 December 07 DPC Approved Minutes

APPROVED Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Dittisham Parish Council held in Dittisham Village Hall on Wednesday 6 December 2022, scheduled to start at 7:00p.m

The meeting started late due to the Clerk’s late positive COVID test. The planned screening of the first Carbon Savers Course was deferred to the 4 January meeting due to technical difficulties with the sound.

• Present: Councillors Nightingale (Vice-Chair and meeting Chair), Bond, Green, Hodge, Neale, and Unitt were present in the Hall, as were Devon County Cllr Hawkins, and 9 members of the public. A Thom (Clerk) and two members of the public joined via the audio-connection.

1. Co-opted Parish Councillor

Councillor Hodge was welcomed to the Parish Council.

2. Apologies

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

3. Declaration of Interests

Cllr Hodge declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in the Village Hall and it was resolved to grant the written request for a dispensation to speak.

4. Approval of the Minutes of the Meetings held on 2 November and 30 November 2022.

It was unanimously resolved to support the approval of the minutes.

5. Public Issues
   • Request that the Parish Lengthsman sweep leaves which block drains at the top of Riverside Road

It was agreed to ask the SHDC Localities team to sweep. The Maintenance Working Group Councillors will consider the wider management of the problem throughout the village.

• King’s Coronation Saturday 6 May 2023

It was agreed to make a provision in the budget and to look out for grants to apply for.

6. Management of the surface of the Jubilee Steps

The item was moved up the Agenda at the Chair’s discretion. The steps are the property of Devon County Council. DCC does not have resources to do works such as to install handrails because of financial pressures. If residents are injured on the steps DCC Cllr Hawkins said that the contact details to make a personal claim are on the DCC website. It was agreed that the management options available will be considered and costed, and reported back to a meeting of DPC.

7. Community Reports
   • Devon County Council Councillor

DCC Cllr Hawkins said the SHDC agreed last week to make £147,000 available for cost of living grants. £50,000 can be bid for by local charities who are helping. Cllr Hawkins has met with Citizens Advice and will meet the new CVS Manager this week about the provision of help. Vouchers for free school meals over the Christmas holidays can be requested until 15 December.

There will be a three-month closure of Brixham Road.

DCC has severe financial pressure in the challenging times. There is a £75 million budget shortfall. The cost of the protected delivery of Adult Social Services and Children’s Services are affected by inflation.

The Children’s Centre has a meeting with local community bus service providers next week to find money for a community bus service in the area.

Cllr Hawkins will see if he can help with gritting into the village.

A new DCC Chief Executive Officer has been appointed.

• South Hams District Council Councillor

Deferred in the absence of SHDC Cllr McKay.

8. SHDC Planning Decisions

The following decisions were noted:

• 2554/22/FUL Water Edge Lower Street Dittisham TQ6 0HY. Change of use of Boathouse to short term holiday let (retrospective). Conditional Approval.
• 2539/22/HHO Watermans Cottage Manor Street Dittisham. Householder application for demolition of existing summerhouse & re- built in new style.
• 2734/22/TCA St Annes, Manor Street, Dittisham, TQ6 0EX. Proposed works: T0073: Magnolia tree – Crown reduction from existing height to 4.5 metres & Crown lift to 2 metres above ground to reduce spread to keep tree in proportion and to manage the size of tree in small garden. Raise no Objections.
• 3411/22/TPO The Old Rectory, Rectory Lane, Dittisham, TQ6 0HD. T1: fell to ground level due to low amenity value and damage to drive & T2: Eucalyptus – fell to ground level due to low amenity value and to create space for other planting. Raise no Objections.
• 3687/22/TCA Bay Cottage Manor Street Dittisham TQ6 0EX. T1: Conifer – dismantle due to heavily shading garden and to allow more beneficial species within garden. Raise no Objections.

9. 3683/22/TCA Mill Creek Cottage Lower Street Dittisham TQ6 0HY. T1-8: Ash – fell due to dieback. The delegated decision taken by the Clerk in consultation with DPC Tree Wardens to support the SHDC Officers proposal for alternative works was noted.

• New planning applications
  • 3296/22/HHO Yew Tree Cottage Manor Street Dittisham TQ6 0EX.Householder application to replace existing single storey extension with new two storey extension & internal alterations, alterations to front parking, replacement of failing & leaking windows & addition of porch canopy above front entrance (Resubmission of 4130/21/FUL).

Object (unanimous resolution): The proposal affects the setting of listed buildings including the attached cottage uphill, the extension is too high and is visible from the River and has a negative effect on the character of the landscape in a Conservation Area and AONB. The application hasn’t addressed the new climate planning requirements.

• 3628/22/FUL Herongate Lower Street Dittisham TQ6 0HY. Extension to boathouse to provide ancillary accommodation.

No comment (by resolution).

• 3843/22/VAR Downton Farm Dittisham TQ6 0JD. Application for variation of condition 2 (approved drawings) of planning consent 1461/19/FUL.

It was resolved by unanimous resolution to agree.

• 3845/22/VAR Downton Farm Dittisham TQ6 0JD. Application for variation of condition 2 (approved drawings) of planning consent 1025/20/FUL (retrospective).

Consideration of this application was deferred.

• Premises licence application from Dartmouth Town Council for Royal Avenue Gardens, Dartmouth. Seven performance related provisions.

No comment will be made on this application.

• P/2022/1119 – Land to The South Of White Rock Adjacent To Brixham Road, Aka Inglewood, Paignton. Major Reserved Matters application relating to outline consent P/2017/1133 for approval of (i) layout, (ii) scale, (iii) appearance, (iv) landscaping for the construction of 373 dwellings (Use Class C3), provision of serviced land for primary school and nursery school, internal access roads including vehicular and pedestrian/cycle access, the provision of public open space (formal and informal) and strategic mitigation.
  No further comment will be submitted by DPC.

11. Consultations

• DCC, Devon Electric Vehicle Charging Strategy. Closes 16th December 2022.

No comment will be made by DPC.

• Reports from Councillors’ Working Groups & External Forums
  • Village Hall

DPC received a Report from Cllr Neale and noted that the Annual Premises Report has been received by DPC. The Clerk’s question about what problem requires works to the wall beyond the repair of the damage caused by a vehicle will be referred back to the Village Hall Management Committee.

• Maintenance Working Group

The recommendation to consider taking up the option to extend the current contract with SHDC and the proposed Specifications for the contract was approved by unanimous resolution. It was agreed to obtain its price for the contract from SHDC.

13. DCC Councillor Locality Fund

It was agreed by unanimous resolution to apply for a grant to fund the works to refurbish the area adjacent to the Manor Street turning bay and to install a bench there.

14. Project to Install two Defibrillators

It was agreed to create an earmarked reserve to hold funds raised for the project, such as those raised by the recent Quiz. SHDC has agreed in principle to provide access to power from the toilet block on The Ham and Cllrs are looking into the supply of power to the phone box in Capton.

15. Slippery Lane to Dittisham Mill Creek

It was agreed that the management options available will be considered and costed, and reported back to a meeting of DPC. The lane is a public right of way.

16. Financial Matters
    • Financial Reports

It was resolved to approve the reports which showed a total balance of £82,397.66 and a General Fund of £33,766.69.

• Payments

It was resolved to authorise the following payments:

• SHDC, Maintenance Contract, £3,536.78
• Village Hall, Hall Hire September to December 22, £169.99
• Parish Lengthsman, October & November 22, £407
• Clerk November Council Expenses reimbursement £17.29

The following payments made since the November meeting were noted:

• Clerk, November Salary, October overtime, 22/23 Award back-pay, £1,516.29
• HMRC, November, £404.61
• NEST Pensions, November, £127.89
  • Clerk’s claim for overtime

The Clerk’s claim for six hours overtime was approved by resolution.

• Allocation of additional Parish Lengthsman hours

Consideration of the allocation of additional hours was deferred.

• Draft Budget

Consideration of items for the 2022/23 budget was deferred.

• 2022-23 NJC Award for Clerks

It was noted that the current pay rate has been implemented.

• Payment to the Clerk for their time to complete the CiLCA

It was resolved unanimously to agree to the Personnel Committee’s recommendation for payment to the Clerk for their time required to complete the CiLCA (£3,135.44, including Employer’s National Insurance and Pension contributions), as detailed in the circulated supporting documents and Personnel Committee Minutes.

• To note or consider correspondence

• 1/11/22, Power Allotments Devon, Community energy site finding project.
  It was agreed to publicise this project.
• 11/22, To SHDC regarding sweeping Jubilee Steps. Confirmed visit from SHDC.
• 16/11/22 Devon Wildlife Trust, Free landmark tree offer.
  It was agreed to accept the offer and Cllr Neale will work on choice of tree and location.
• 11/22 Lower Street Shute Hill end camber, leaves blocking drains, gully too small. Correspondence with DCC & SHDC
• 11/22, Resident, Slippery footpath to Dittisham Mill Creek. Discussed with DCC

18. The next meeting of Dittisham Parish Council will be held on 4 January 2023 at 7:00 p.m.

The meeting closed at 22:00.

Approved Minutes 2022 November 30

Dec 1, 2022 | Minutes

The Approved Minutes can be read below or downloaded here: MN_2022 November 30 DPC Approved Minutes

The Parish Council is very pleased to welcome Helen Hodge to the Council.

APPROVED Minutes of the Meeting of Dittisham Parish Council held in Dittisham Village Hall on Wednesday 30 November 2022 at 7:00p.m

Present: Cllrs Nightingale (Chair), Bond, Neale, and Unitt, and A Thom (Clerk) were present, as were two members of the public.

1. Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Anderson. Cllr Tucker’s absence has been approved by DPC.

2. Declaration of Interests

None declared.

3. To agree the interview process

The interview questions and process were agreed.

4. Interview of two candidates for the vacant role for a Parish Councillor

The candidates were were interviewed sequentially. They were asked a standard set of questions.

5. Decision regarding which candidate to co-opt

It was unanimously resolved to co opt Helen Hodge to fill the vacant role for a Dittisham Parish Councillor.

6. Signature of the Declaration of Acceptance of Office

This item was not addressed.

7. To welcome the new Councillor to the Parish Council

The successful candidate was welcomed to the Parish Council.

Draft Minutes Personnel Committee 2022 November 25

Dec 1, 2022 | Minutes

The draft minutes can be read below or downloaded here: MN_2022 November Personnel DRAFT Minutes

DRAFT Minutes of the Meeting of the Personnel Committee in Dittisham Village Hall on
Friday 25 November 2022 at 10:00 a.m.

Present: Councillors Neale (Chair), Bond, and Nightingale were present, as was A Thom (Clerk). There were no members of the public.

1. Apologies
   All Members present.

2. Declaration of Interests
   None declared.

3. The role of the Personnel Committee, its operation, and the initial actions which will be carried out by it

DPC has set Terms of Reference for the Personnel Committee and Subcommittee. Councillors agreed that they will work to support and manage the Clerk, and to support Councillors to understand and follow the Code of Conduct, and to understand roles and boundaries and interactions.

4. Personnel Subcommittee

A Personnel Subcommittee was created composed of the same councillors as the Personnel Committee. Councillor Neale will Chair the Personnel Committee and Personnel Subcommittee. The Subcommittee will call meetings ad-hoc as required. The informal meeting of the Personnel Committee on 30 September nominated Cllr Nightingale to be the day to day contact for the Clerk and also the contact for monthly check-ins, and noted that he can involve the DPC Chair as appropriate.

5. Training for the Personnel Committee

Councillors agreed to read the NALC/SLCC ‘Being a Good Employer’ booklet by Friday 6 January and to review the training options. The Clerk will forward Cllr Neale information about obtaining a DALC website login.

6. DPC’s actions and processes to prevent and manage bullying by Councillors and by members of the public, including the Civility & Respect Pledge

The Committee will take bullying issues seriously and respond as rapidly as possible. In principle it supports the Civility and Respect Pledge. It is considering the new Dignity at Work Policy, Model Councillor Officer Protocol, and the new DALC Civility and Respect training. A meeting of the Subcommittee was scheduled provisionally for Friday 20 January at 10:00 am.

Councillors suggested an annual training budget of £75 per councillor, excluding the Being a Good Councillor training.

The Committee suggested recommending that completion by new councillors of basic, required training as described in the Policy is required within the specified time-frame in order for councillors to remain in working groups or be nominated to represent the Council in external forums.

Councillors suggested an amendment to section 4 of the draft Training and Development Policy to say that ‘Requests for training will be considered by the Clerk in consultation with the Personnel Committee.’, replacing by the Personnel Committee alone. To enable training to be booked promptly the Committee agreed to suggest a change to the delegation of authority to the Clerk to empower the Clerk to authorise training, in consultation with the Personnel Subcommittee. Councillors will consider the training recommended for new councillors (section 3.1 of the Policy).

7. 2022-23 National Salary Award
   It was resolved to agree the Award for the Clerk’s conditions should be implemented.

8. Alteration to the Clerk’s Contract
   It was resolved to support the Clerk’s request to update the sick leave and annual leave provisions in their contract to be consistent with the current NJC Green Book.

9. Draft Training and Development Policy
   The draft Policy was discussed above and further under this Agenda item.
   Section 8 was altered to change the title to ‘Study Leave, Study Time, and Costs’ and to read: ‘Where individuals require study time to undertake study which is not mandatory but part of the individual’s formal continuous professional development the council will contribute up to 100% of study leave time and prescribed fees and other relevant expenses arising, subject to negotiation and based on the official course hours allocation and resource guidance.’ and the threshold for financial support subject to agreement increased to £500. Councillors will review the draft Policy further and consider it in the planned meeting of the Subcommittee.

10. Payment by DPC for the Clerk’s time to complete the CiLCA
    The payment to the Clerk for all of their time taken to complete the CiLCA, as recommended in a Performance Appraisal, was supported by the Committee. The payment was suggested in the informal meeting of Personnel Committee Councillors on 30 September. The Clerk has kept a time-sheet for the two Units completed subsequently and used the time-sheet to estimate the total time taken as requested. The time taken to date is approximately four weeks of full-time work. This proposal needs to be presented to DPC.

11. Clerk’s Core Hours Allocation
    It was agreed that the ongoing core hours allocation requirement cannot currently be reliably estimated and that there are core management tasks which need to be completed, including the review of DPC’s information management system, archive and deletion, playground management review, and tree inspection policy. It was agreed to recommend a temporary increase in core hours from 16 to 18 hours per week until 31 March 2023 and to examine current tasks and the allocation of time to them, and then to examine again the core hours requirement.

12. To consider a resolution to close the meeting to members of the public and the press as permitted by the Public Bodies(Admissions to Meetings) Act 1960 because of the confidential nature of the business
    This resolution was not required.

13. To conduct a Performance Appraisal & approve a CPD plan.
    This item was deferred.

The meeting closed at 12:45.

Approved Minutes 2022 November 02

Nov 11, 2022 | Minutes

The draft minutes can be read below all downloaded here: MN_2022 November 02 DPC Approved Minutes

APPROVED Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Dittisham Parish Council held in Dittisham Village Hall on Wednesday 2 November 2022 at 7:00 p.m.

1. Present: Councillors Anderson (Chair), Nightingale (Vice-Chair), Bond, Lloyd, Neale, and Unitt were present, as were South Hams District Cllr McKay, Devon County Cllr Hawkins, A Thom (Clerk), and two members of the public.

1. Apologies

Apologies were received from Cllr Green. Cllr Tucker’s absence has been approved by DPC.

2. Declaration of Interests

None declared.

3. Approval of Minutes

It was resolved to approve the Minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2022.

4. Public Issues

   1. Green Waste Collection

It was noted that the collection will not happen as the collectors may not have room for extra green waste and they cannot guarantee that there will be no cost for removal.

5. Community Reports

   1. South Hams District Council Councillor

Cllr McKay reported that SHDC’s in-house waste and recycling service is going well, excepting some issues with brown bin collections. SHDC has received the report it commissioned on the economics of the maritime sector, especially Baltic Wharf. The report supports the importance of preserving the facility. Cllr McKay is interested in Warwick University’s report about the economic effect of the energy crisis on households, the money taken out of the economy, and the potential to save 34% of overall household energy costs by improving energy efficiency. The Overview and Scrutiny Committee is looking at Building Regulations tomorrow. SHDC’s lendology scheme has loans of over £200,000. Cllr McKay said that the housing statistics in the 2021 Census don’t support a shortage of housing and he is looking into whether the shortage may be due to the use of the housing stock. Second homes are being purchased in the new housing estate in Dartmouth.

1. 2. Devon County Council Councillor

Cllr Hawkins noted that there is no control over the use of the houses in the new housing estate in Dartmouth and that ‘affordable homes’ are calculated as a percentage of average house price, not with reference to the local ability to pay. From next April second homes can be charged 200% council tax. DCC has £75 million deficit in the current financial year, half or about £37 million has been found, and it is still to find the remainder from cuts. Cllr Hawkins said that it is important Dittisham submits a Locality Fund application by December or the funding may be lost. There is a weekly community hub event on Fridays from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm in Townstal Community Hall with officers from Dartmouth Caring, Citizens Advice, and others, the food bank, and they are starting to serve meals. The last rollerblading event in the Dartmouth Leisure Centre had 104 participants. It is free and happens on two Fridays a month.

6. Parish Lengthsman – Update

This item was moved up the Agenda at the Chair’s discretion. Cllr Lloyd entered near the start of this item. The new contracted Parish Lengthsman, Ian Cumberlidge, introduced himself to the full Council and described his approach to the work. The handover and orientation will take place on Friday 4 November.

7. Events – Request for hire of The Ham 1- 4 September 2023 for a Dart 10K swim

This item was moved up the Agenda at the Chair’s discretion. A representative of the hirer addressed the Council and described the activities of the Level Water charity, which benefits from the event. A decision regarding the request for hire of The Ham was deferred pending the receipt of more information, particularly about the parking and traffic management.

8. SHDC Planning Decisions

The following decisions were noted.

1. 1. 1355/22/LBC Dunedin Cottage The Quay Dittisham TQ6 0EZ. Listed building consent for new lean to shed to contain replacement electric boiler. Conditional Approval.

   2. 2855/22/HHO The Lookout Riverside Road Dittisham TQ6 0HS. Householder application for changing room & gazebo by existing pool. Conditional Approval.

   3. 2707/22/HHO & 2708/22/LBC Mill Creek Cottage Lower Street Dittisham TQ6 0HY. Householder application & Listed Building consent for new glazed link extension with internal alterations to form ground floor WC. Conditional Approval.

2. Planning Inspectorate Confirmation of Valid Appeal APP/K1128/D/22/3304662: 0507/22/HHO Dartside, Manor Street, TQ6 0EX. Householder application for construction of free standing garden building (summerhouse) within rear curtilage (Resubmission of 1105/20/HHO).

The above appeal was noted.

10. New planning applications

    1. 2238/22/HHO Overdart House Rectory Lane Dittisham TQ6 0HD. Householder application for alterations & additions to existing dwelling.

It was unanimously resolved to Support and, because of the large amount of glazing, to make a strengthened version of DPC’s standard comment about its concern to address the cumulative effect of light pollution on survival of nocturnal species and on residential amenity and requesting the inclusion of design features to mitigate the light pollution.

1. 2. 3553/22/ARC & 3466/22/ARC Fern Cottage Manor Street Dittisham TQ6 0EX. Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 3 (doors and windows), 4 (timber cladding) and 5 (rainwater goods) of planning consent. 4778/21/HHO & 4779/21/LBC.

It was unanimously resolved to Support.

11. New tree applications
    1. 3411/22/TPO The Old Rectory Rectory Lane Dittisham TQ6 0HD. T1: fell to ground level due to low amenity value and damage to drive& T2: Eucalyptus – fell to ground level due to low amenity value and to create space for other planting.

It was unanimously resolved to Support.

1. 2. 3683/22/TCA Mill Creek Cottage Lower Street Dittisham TQ6 0HY. T1-8: Ash – fell due to dieback.

It was resolved to Object. Cllr Unitt abstained.

12. Consultations

• Devon and Somerset Fire & Rescue Services, Council Tax, Closes 30/11/22 12:00

• SHDC Council Tax Reduction Scheme Closes 27/11/22

DPC will not be submitting a comment on the consultations above.

13. Review of The Use of The Ham Policy and The Ham Hire Documents

It was unanimously resolved to approve the reorganised documents as circulated excepting the changes: leave out the Dart 10K specific conditions of hire from the approved set of documents, use the revised data protection paragraph as written for the Dart 10K hire agreement, specify in the Dart 10K specific conditions that the gate to The Ham referred to is located next to the toilet block, and delete the extra ‘the’ from The Use of The Ham Policy 2 f). Two plans remain to be created.

14. Reports from Councillors’ Working Groups & External Forums

    1. Health Representative

Cllr Unitt was appointed DPC’s Health representative.

Cllr Unitt’s report on the Dartmouth Patients Participation Group AGM was received.

The Dartmouth PPG has a current online survey.

15. Car Parks – Dittisham Sailing Club Permits

1. It was agreed to retain the current system of increasing the charge for permits annually by CPI and that the Clerk will calculate the charge using most current ONS data available before the DSC AGM in November.

16. Crocus bulbs from the Rotary Club

The proposal to plant bulbs at the entrance to the Level Car Park on the right-hand side between the line of posts and the curb was approved by unanimous resolution.

17. Training

DPC Councillors’ access to the Devon Association of Local Councils’ Code of Conduct Webinar (delegate fee £30) or the Standards of Public Life e-learning training (£16) was approved by resolution.

It was agreed that DPC will trial, with its next meeting on 7 December, screening the first 15-minute Carbon Savvy course video at the start of the meeting at 7 pm. Members of the public will be invited to join the screening. There are ten modules with videos and support materials in total.

18. DPC’s Information Management System

Cllr Nightingale and the Clerk have been working on reviewing how DPC manages its information. Councillors will be asked to complete a survey about their information management system.

19. Review of Delegated Authority to the Clerk

It was resolved to approve the revised delegation document as circulated.

20. Financial Matters

    1. External Auditor’s Report

The Report and its comments were considered. DPC noted that the opinion was qualified because the 2020/21 external auditor report and certificate was not published on the website by the required date and DPC answered ‘No’ to the wrong question in the Annual Return. The formal report included an ‘other’ matter regarding the explanation for the restatement of the 2020/21 figures from a receipts and payments basis to an income and expenditure basis. Following the conclusion of the audit the Auditor issued an official correspondence stating that the restatement of figures was correctly done.

1. 2. Financial Reports

The reports, which showed a total balance of £87,356.37, general fund of £39,786.60, and reconciled were noted.

1. 3. Payments

It was resolved to authorise the following payments:

• Judges Web Design Website updates, 30.00

• Car Park Attendant, Contract July-September inclusive, 500.00

• Scribe, Annual Software Licence from 1 January 2023, 273.60

• Clerk, Clerk October Expenses Reimbursement, 22.28

The following payments made since the September meeting were noted:

• Pension, September £82.75

• Clerk Salary October £1,101.62

• HMRC PAYE/NI/ENI October £116.61

1. 4. Overtime Claim

It was resolved to approve the Clerk’s claim for five hours overtime.

21. Next Meeting

It was confirmed that the next meeting of the council will be on 7 December 2022 at 7:00 pm.

22. 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 due to the commercial-in-confidence nature of the following business.

23. Tree Works

The quotes to carry out the tree works recommended in the 2022 safety survey of DPC’s trees were considered and the preferred contractor was chosen by resolution (1,450 exVAT). The Clerk was delegated authority to work out the practical details for the works to take place in consultation with the Maintenance Working Group.