Mar 10, 2023 | Minutes
The approved minutes can be read below or downloaded here: MN_2023 March DPC Approved Minutes
APPROVED Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Dittisham Parish Council held in Dittisham Village Hall on Wednesday 1 March 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
Carbon Savers Course
Session 3 – Shopping: The meeting discussed the 15 minute video. The action from the module is to consider: What are your three favourite belongings and why? This can be a good indicator of what contributes to our quality of life in terms of products.
Present: Councillors Nightingale (Vice-Chair and meeting Chair), Bond, Hodge, Lloyd, Neale, Tucker were present, as were A Thom (Clerk), and South Hams District Cllr McKay. There was one member of the public.
Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Anderson, Green, and Unitt, and Devon County Cllr Hawkins.
Declaration of Interests
None declared.
Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 1 February 2023
It was resolved to approve the minutes.
Public Issues
No matters raised.
Community Reports
Devon County Council Councillor
DCC Cllr Hawkins was not present.
South Hams District Council Councillor
SHDC Cllr McKay said that he would be meeting with Planning Enforcement Officers on Friday to review the current cases. He is encouraging SHDC to provide printed forms to apply for Voter ID for the Local Elections in May.
Cllr McKay said that he would ask for SHDC’s full commitment to keep streets in the village clear of vegetation after they have been cleared by DPC, as requested.
Cllr McKay was asked how SHDC will identify second homes for Council Tax purposes in order to charge second homes double the Council Tax and what the income from the change would be.
Financial Matters
Financial Reports
The Reports, which showed a total balance of £75,076.47 and an unearmarked general fund of £25,935.50, were noted.
Payments
It was resolved to authorise the following payments:
- Judge’s Web Design, Annual hosting, £140.00
- Judge’s Web Design, Website updates, £10.00
- Clerk, February Expenses Reimbursement, £26.24
- DALC, Being a Good Councillor Course #1, £18.00
- Cllr Bond, Defibrillator cabinet security tags, £10.95
The payments made since the February meeting were noted:
Clerk, February Salary £1,248.15
HMRC, February, £212.46
NEST Pensions, February, £98.56
Sustainable South Hams River Assembly 18 March 2023
Cllr Nightingale is attending at no cost DPC and will report back to DPC.
- Annual Playground Inspection
It was noted that a booking has been confirmed with the 2022 provider at a cost of £145+VAT.
- SHDC Planning Decisions
The following decisions were noted.
3843/22/VAR Downton Farm Dittisham TQ6 0JD. Application for variation of condition 2 (approved drawings) of planning consent 1461/19/FUL. Conditional Approval.
3845/22/VAR Downton Farm Dittisham TQ6 0JD. Application for variation of condition 2 (approved drawings) of planning consent 1025/20/FUL (retrospective). Conditional Approval.
4091/22/VAR Downton Farm Dittisham TQ6 0JD. Application for variation of condition 2 (approved drawings) of planning consent 1462/19/LBC. Conditional Approval.
- New planning applications
0030/23/HHO The Cider Cottage Manor Street Dittisham TQ6 0EX. Householder application for new boat & garden store in existing garden.
A seconded motion to Support was not carried.
No Comment, decided by unanimous resolution.
Variation to the premises licence of Dartmouth Wine Company, 6 Duke Street, Dartmouth, TQ6 9PZ.
DPC is not submitting a comment.
Consultations
National Planning Policy Framework Consultation, Closes 2 March 2023.
Devon Association of Local Councils & Devon Communities Together, Survey on what resources councils would find helpful in an emergency toward a community support plan for Devon. Closes 8 March 2023.
Cllrs and the Clerk can comment as individuals, stating their role.
DPC will respond after the Sustainable South Hams River Assembly on 18 March 2023. This is an item on the 5 April Agenda.
Coronation Events Saturday 6 May to Monday 8 May 2023
DPC has been told that residents are working to organise the following events to take place over the holiday weekend:
Saturday: TV coverage of the Coronation and refreshments available all day on a large screen in The Red Lion Inn.
Sunday: Lunch on the beach organised by the FBI, lunch organised by the Anchorstone, music.
Monday: Games, races, and a picnic 12:00-15:00. These are being organised by a resident. DPC agreed the Clerk will support the organiser to submit an application to use The Ham. This will be an item on the 5 April Agenda.
Request to loan DPC’s Projector to Ditsum Players for its AGM
Councillors agreed to the request and Cllr Neale will take responsibility for the projector.
Reports from Councillors’ Working Groups & External Forums
Village Hall Management Committee
The circulated Report was noted.
Proposal for Improvement of the Flora on The Ham and Ham Triangle
The proposals in the Report were considered and agreed by unanimous resolution with the following changes: to remove the sentence regarding marking trees that will grow to full height and to add that the dropwort in the north gully of The Ham will be monitored.
Temporary Compound in Ham Car Park
The request for the revised dates to place the temporary site compound in The Ham car park was considered and agreed for four weeks to 31 March 2023 on the same terms as the previous approval. If the property was to continue to be occupied beyond 31 March 2023 a charge of £1,000 per week or a pro-rata daily charge for each day or partial day of occupation will be applied. This is to ensure that DPC is able to provide a car parking service to residents and visitors. The Easter holiday begins 1 April 2023.
Annual Parish Meeting on 19 April 2023 at 7:00 pm
It was agreed that in addition to a report on the Parish Council’s activities and progress, speakers will be invited: the Harbour Master and the Sustainable Dittisham Habitat Group to discuss the hedgehog habitat project, or alternatively a representative of the AONB or one to discuss the Saltmarsh project. It was agreed Cllr Lloyd will arrange refreshments with a budget of up to £50.
DPC Information Management System
A GDPR compliant cloud sync has been set up for the Clerk’s laptop using Google Workspace. A separate meeting is required to support Councillors to review their information management.
River Dart Coastal and Estuarine Woodland Project (Evolving Forests)
There is request to promote this project to landowners who own woodland within 500m on either side of the River Dart. DPC will support this and Cllr Tucker can provide the Clerk with a list of names.
Hedgehog Highway Project
The information about this national project will be passed on to the Sustainable Dittisham Habitat Group which is currently working on a local project to create wildlife corridors.
To note or consider correspondence
DPC decided to write to DCC in support as requested and to suggest that the IDCTA also contact DCC.
Keep Britain Tidy, Great British Spring Clean 17 March to 2 April
To SHDC Planning, Request for increased clarity when planning applications are resubmitted, 17/2 & 24/2/23
South Devon and Dartmoor Community Safety Partnership, Invitation to annual forum Wednesday 22nd March 2023, 09.15-13.00 on Teams
Next meeting of Dittisham Parish Council
It was confirmed that the next meeting will take place on 5 April 2022 at 7:00 pm. Cllr Lloyd gave her apologies for that meeting.
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 nature of the business.
Parish Lengthsman Contract
It was resolved to accept the application received for the Contract from the existing Parish Lengthsman.
Quotation for 2023 Tree Condition Assessment
The quote was accepted and the Clerk will book the assessment.
The meeting closed at 21:33.
Feb 2, 2023 | Minutes
The Approved minutes can be read below or downloaded here: MN_2023 February DPC APPROVED Minutes
APPROVED Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Dittisham Parish Council held in Dittisham Village Hall on Wednesday 1 February 2023 at 7:00 p.m.
- Carbon Savers Course, 7:00 pm – 7:15 pm, Session 2 – Home Energy
- The meeting discussed the video. The action from the module is to answer ‘Additional Questions’ to find out in more detail how your home is using energy and options to reduce it.
Present: Councillors Nightingale (Vice-Chair and meeting Chair), Bond, Green, Hodge, Neale, Tucker, and Unitt were present, as were A Thom (Clerk), Devon County Cllr Hawkins, South Hams District Cllr McKay. There were no members of the public.
- Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Anderson and Lloyd.
- Declaration of Interests
None declared.
- Approval of Minutes
It was resolved to approve the minutes of the meetings held on 4 January, 18 January, and 27 January 2023.
- Public Issues
- Request for a swing in the Dittisham playground for older children and adults
Cllr Green conveyed the request.
There are currently two toddler cradle seat swings. This arrangement zones the playground for children of different ages. The request will be recorded for consideration if new equipment is installed.
- Community Reports
- South Hams District Council Councillor
There is a letter from Sustainable South Hams requesting support for a grant to support its activities. SHDC Cllr McKay attended a briefing last week about how the £1million from the Shared Prosperity Fund to help reduce carbon emissions will be used to gather evidence for a capital funding bid. The budget meeting will be on 16 January. There was a small gap, £300,000, in the budget which has been filled by a funding guarantee from central government of £700,000. SHDC can provide an ‘Authority Certificate’ to people who don’t have an acceptable photo ID document to vote in the May elections. A planning application for Baltic Wharf is yet to be submitted to SHDC. SHDC is operating a new Planning Charter under which applicants have one opportunity to make an application.
- Devon County Council Councillor
DCC Cllr Hawkins reported that the Governors met with the Health Trust last week. The Dartmouth Health and Wellbeing Centre is due to be handed over on 14 April, with an opening ceremony on 17 May at 2 pm. The hospital site was due to be transferred to the Dartmouth Town Council and the developer before Christmas. That has not yet happened. Cllr Hawkins is looking into value for money regarding the clinic and the hospital site. There is a DCC budget meeting in three weeks. Additional money has been provided by central government and DCC no longer has a big budget shortfall. Highways is not likely to receive more funding.
- SHDC Planning Decisions
The following decisions were noted:
- 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 4779/21/LBC. Discharge of condition Approved.
- 3553/22/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. Discharge of condition Approved.
- New planning applications
- 4337/22/HHO Overdart House Rectory Lane Dittisham TQ6 0HD. Householder application for alterations and additions to existing dwelling (Resubmission of 2238/22/HHO).
Support (by unanimous resolution).
- 0064/23/HHO Herons Flight Riverside Road Dittisham TQ6 0HS. Householder application for minor changes to the existing planning consent 1183/21/HHO (retrospective).
Support (by unanimous resolution).
- Reports from Councillors’ Working Groups & External Forums
It was resolved unanimously to approve the South West Gaffers’ request for tents and campervans on The Ham and in The Ham car park 11-14 August for River Dart Rally as circulated.
- Dittisham Parish Lengthsman
It was resolved to approve the proposed 23/26 contract hours, specifications, and contract.
- Project Proposal – Trial Clearance of Weeds
It was resolved to approve the proposal and to delegate the Clerk authority to create a prioritised list of locations for clearance in consultation with Cllrs Bond and Neale. Pre and post photos will be taken. SHDC is not able to do the clearance in February / March this year. DPC will work to monitor the ongoing street sweeping and hand clearance by SHDC. The Clerk will ask SHDC Cllr McKay for grant funding for this project.
Approval of the Reports was deferred because they were provided to Cllrs on the day of the meeting. They show a total balance of £76,862.03 and an unearmarked general fund of £27,721.06.
It was resolved to authorise the following payments:
- Tindle Newspapers, Lengthsman Contract advert, £96.00
- Car Park Attendant, Oct-Dec 22, £1,000.00
- Clerk, Reimbursement of January expenses, £17.29
The following payments made since the January meeting were noted:
- Clerk, January Salary £1247.95
- HMRC, January, £212.66
- NEST Pensions, January, £98.55
- Report on temporary closure of Manor Street from 23 January 2023
The works were completed on Monday 30 January, one working day late. Feedback will be given to the contractor and in future similar road closures DPC will make contact with the contractor in advance to ask if access issues have been planned for.
The following correspondence was noted:
- 4/1/22 Resident, Bozomzeal potholes. Referred to DCC.
- 18/12/22 Resident, Thank you for works to Level Car Park Tree.
- Dates for the Annual Parish Meeting and for the Annual Meeting of the Council
The Annual Meeting of the Council will take place at the start of the monthly meeting in May. The Local Council Elections on Thursday 4 May cause the May meeting to be held later this year, after the elections.
The Annual Parish Meeting will take place on Wednesday 19 April at 7:00 pm. The speakers will be agreed by the March meeting of DPC.
It was confirmed that the next monthly meeting of Dittisham Parish Council will be held 1 March 2023 at 7:00 pm.
The meeting closed at 20:46.
Jan 30, 2023 | Minutes
The Approved Minutes can be read below or downloaded here: MN_2023 January 27 EM DPC Approved Minutes
APPROVED Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Dittisham Parish Council held in Dittisham Village Hall on Friday 27 January 2023 at 10 am
Present: Cllr Nightingale (Vice-Chair and meeting Chair), Bond, Hodge, Neale, and Unitt were present, as was A Thom (Clerk).
- Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Anderson and Tucker.
- To declare any personal interests or disclosable pecuniary interests in items on the agenda.
None declared.
- 2023/24 Budget and Precept
It was resolved unanimously to approve the Budget as circulated with the one change to increase Staff Costs by £2,302.20.
It was resolved unanimously to increase the Precept demand by £2,000 to £14,000.
The increase in Precept demand by £2,000 will cost each (Band D equivalent) household in the Parish £5.50 per year.
In 22/23 Dittisham was 51st in a list of 61 Town and Parish Council precepts. Most of its income comes from the village car parks which DPC owns and manages.
The initial list of projects for 23/24 required a precept of approximately £20,000 which was felt to be clearly not acceptable. The projects and all reserve requirements and allocations were reviewed. It is recommended that councils hold between three and 12 months’ worth of un-earmarked reserves. A larger council may be closer to three months, a smaller council closer to twelve months. DPC decided in 2022 to hold six months of un-earmarked reserves.
The approved budget allows for the result of the current evaluation of the Clerk’s core hours being an increase of up to two hours per week. In discussion, the suggestion that if DPC’s income is greater than that forecast the additional funds be added to the Parish Health and Safety reserve was supported. DPC will also look for grants and for cost sharing opportunities.
Jan 30, 2023 | Minutes
The approved minutes can be read below or downloaded here: MN_2023 January 18 EM DPC Approved Minutes
APPROVED Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Dittisham Parish Council held in Dittisham Village Hall on Wednesday 18 January 2023 at 6:00 p.m.
Present: Cllr Nightingale (Vice-Chair and meeting Chair), Bond, Hodge, Lloyd, Tucker, and Unitt were present, as were A Thom (Clerk), 16 members of the public (including one who arrived near the end of the meeting), and Cllr Anderson who joined the audioconnection as a member of the public.
- Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Anderson.
- Declaration of Interests
None declared.
- Application to hire The Ham 1-4 September 2023 for Dart 10K Swim Event
Members of the public were given an opportunity to comment on the application. The application was considered by DPC. It was resolved to refuse the application.
- Parish Lengthsman
The proposal to allocate an additional 15 hours in 22/23 was approved by resolution.
The proposal to advertise a contract of up to three years and to place adverts in the Dartmouth Chronicle with advertisement closing date 4 January and the February Parish Magazine was approved by resolution.
The meeting closed at 18 56.
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.
- Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Tucker.
- Declaration of Interests
Cllr Green declared a disclosable pecuniary interest in Item 9 Dart 10K event.
- Approval of Minutes
It was resolved to approve the minutes of the meeting held on 7 December 2022.
- Public Issues
No matters raised.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
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.
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.
- Correspondence
The following correspondence was noted:
- Invitation – South Devon AONB 2023 Partners Conference on 25th January at Moreleigh Village Hall TQ9 7FH
- 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.
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.
- 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.
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.
- Co-opted Parish Councillor
Councillor Hodge was welcomed to the Parish Council.
- Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Anderson, Lloyd, and Tucker, and South Hams District Cllr McKay.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Financial Matters
It was resolved to approve the reports which showed a total balance of £82,397.66 and a General Fund of £33,766.69.
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.
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
- 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.
