Draft Minutes of the Parish Meeting, Wednesday 21 April 2021, 7:00 p.m. via Zoom videoconferencing
Present: Councillors Tucker (Chair), Anderson (Vice-Chair), Bond, Faulkner, Green, Neale, Nightingale, and Quinn were Present, as were DCC Councillor Hawkins, A Thom Clerk, and 17 members of the public.
- Chair’s Welcome & Introduction – Cllr John Tucker
- Dogs Trust – Supporter Relations Officer
The functioning of the local Ilfracombe facility was discussed. Of its dogs
51% are handed over, 48% stray, and 1% born in the facility.
All dogs from the facility are vet checked, vaccinated, neutered, and microchipped. They do virtual home visits and pre-adoption talks, provide a free collar, lead, and food sample, four weeks free insurance, and free advice for the life of the dog.
The facility has training and behaviour advisors, a home from home scheme, dog school (available even if the dog is not from Dogs Trust), education officers, outreach projects, and a canine care card scheme (available even if the dog is not from Dogs Trust).
More than 40,000 dogs could need help due to the pandemic. e.g. because owners affected COVID, financial hardship. COVID has also affected the Trust’s operations.
Donations form about two thirds of the Trust’s income, with the balance coming from legacies, some trading income, investment income.
Its mission is to stop healthy dogs being destroyed, to be there for all dogs who need them, and preventive community and education campaigns.
- South Dartmoor Community Energy – Director and LEAP Home Energy Advisor
Offers a free 40 min assessment of house and practices to those eligible. People can be referred or self-refer. An interesting discussion about current and future heating options, insulation, and grant eligibility.
- DPC’s Achievements – Cllr Sune Nightingale
Cllr Nightingale discussed DPC’s activities and sucesses over the past year.
DPC supported the community’s COVID-19 response – taking early action, allocating Councillors to support zones of the parish, and supporting links with the care network.
Habitat review – this was a collaborative project between Sustainable Dittisham and DPC supported by the Parish of Dittisham charity. 40 trees are being planted on The Ham. Changes have been made in how grounds maintenance is done.
Work has been done reviewing legal documents such as the grounds maintenance contract, old chapel burial ground title, Ham hire conditions, and the creation of a grant giving policy.
DPC has responded to consultations: supported the Climate and Ecological Emergency bill, supported the Local Electricity Bill, responded to the Interim Devon Carbon Plan and to the Draft Housing Strategy.
DPC is looking into installing EV charging points.
DPC has carried out a consultation on the problem of dog fouling in the village. As a result it is arranging for the relocation of some bins.
A birds nest swing has been installed on The Ham.
DPC continues to employ a contractor to clear ditches, drains, and buddle holes around the Parish.
- DPC’s objectives for the next year – Your views
- parking in the village
- double yellow lines opposite the level car park need to be repainted
- low quality of broadband in Capton
- more building works than usual in the village
- email DPC Agendas