Approved Minutes 2025 July 02

Jul 21, 2025 | Minutes

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

Present: Parish Cllrs Bond (Chair), Golding, J Green, Hawkes, Pope & Unitt were present, as were D.Cllr McKay, C.Cllr  Rake, C Radford (Clerk). No members of the public were present.
Apologies: Cllrs N Green (Vice-Chair) & Neale

a) Welcome the incoming Clerk The Chair formally welcomed the Clerk to Dittisham Parish Council
b) Public Forum No members of the public were present.

  1. Apologies were received as above.
  2. Declaration of Interests Cllr Bond declared an interest in item 2, payment 2507_2.
  3. Approval of Minutes
    3.1 the monthly meeting held on 4 June 2025
    3.2 the Extraordinary General Meeting held on 18 June 2025
    It was RESOLVED to sign minutes at 3.1 as an accurate record and to sign the minutes at 3.2 with a minor amendment.
  1. Community Reports
    4.1 South Hams District Council (SHDC) Councillor (D.Cllr) The following update was given:
  • The D.Cllr encouraged all to attend Local Government Reorganisation consultation and give thoughts on the various options that have been proposed. The 4-5-1 option (4: a unitary authority combining, South Hams, Teignbridge, West Devon, and Torbay; 5: a unitary authority combining East, Mid, North Devon, Torridge, and Exeter and 1: Retaining Plymouth unitary authority on its existing boundary) being the preferred option.
  • Neighbourhood Plan Funding has ceased. The D.Cllr has queried if SHDC officers intend to lobby Government.
  • SHDC’s draft 2024/5 accounts are published. Due to injection of £0.5m from business rates, funds are in the black.
  • A collaborative water quality testing initiative aims to provide real time readings of river water to a website.
  • A Devon wide Forest Plan has been adopted.
  • A review of the Joint Local Plan will put SHDC in a much stronger position to respond to new expected housing figures, which have more than doubled. Plymouth will no longer be included.
  • A round table to support collaboration amongst organisations delivering community transport has been arranged for July 30 to support sharing of resources and to decrease use of cars.
  • A meeting about South Hams Festival to support messages about the environment and climate change is taking place on July 15
    4.2 Devon County Council (DCC) Councillor (C.Cllr) The following update was given:
  • DCC is starting work on a new Council Plan for period to 2029, despite the context of Local Government Reorganisation (LGR). Cllrs were urged to respond to consultation on LGR.  The C.Cllr commented that what matters is the delivery of services and democratic accountability and is of the view that the 4-5-1 proposal would seem to be the best approach looking at proposals through that lens. Following queries from cllrs, the C.Cllr and D.Cllr commented that 4-5-1 delivers better services and accountability because it remains on a manageable scale.  District wards have a population of approximately 2-3K and County Divisions approximately 10K..A whole Devon approach would have either too many cllrs making business difficult under a party-political structure, or the system would lose contact with communities.  The geographical make-up of 4-5-1 is grouping areas that have more in common. Some Councils within the structure already have shared management.  It was noted that to manage their population, Cornwall Council has now divided ‘Management Areas’ that reflect the old districts that existed before they became a unitary authority.
  • Social Care and Children’s Services are a Council priority. Poor performance in the latter has been improving.  There is now greater emphasis of early intervention reducing the need for more costly interventions later and slowing the flow of children going into care.  DCC is considering the option of bringing Highways maintenance back under Council management.  It was noted that most of DCC services are statutory requirements, but not all. DCC will be looking at how those speculative services are passed on to the new authority.
  • Cllrs commented that the main issue around potholes is that don’t maintain roads properly in the first place.
  1. Financial Matters
    5.1 Payments made between meetings It was noted the following payments had been made:
  • Payment to Clear Insurance Management Limited invoice LCO02274 for Local Councils Insurance Renewal = £918.64 no VAT
    5.2 Payments It was RESOLVED to authorise the following payments:
  • Payment 2507_1 to Community Heartbeat Trust invoice 26599 for Annual Support Cost Year 2 (in 4 Year terms) at £165 plus £33 VAT = £198
  • Payment 2507_2 to Richard Bond as reimbursement for purchase of 25KG Black Bitumen at £9.33 plus £1.87 VAT = £11.20
  • Payment 2507_ 3 to Parish and Town Audit Service invoice IA015025 for Internal Audit = £195 no VAT
  • Payment 2507_4 for Car Park Attendant Contract in June = £150
  • Payment 2507_6 to Arccas invoice 39 for grounds maintenance services carried out during the month preceding the invoice date, as per ongoing contract agreement at £30 plus £6 VAT = £36
  • Payment 2507_7 to Arccas invoice 40 for grounds maintenance services carried out during the month preceding the invoice date, as per ongoing contract agreement at £500 plus £100 VAT = £600
  • It was RESOLVED that regular invoices expected in August from suppliers under contract should be paid as received.
    5.3 Annual Tree Survey It was RESOLVED to accept quotation of £582 from Dart Forest Trees for annual inspection of trees at The Ham, The Level Car Park and Capton Triangle.
    5.4 Printer After discussion it was RESOLVED to approve the purchase of a new printer of a cost of approximately £100. It was noted to take the ongoing costs of ink into account when selecting the printer.
    5.5 ESET It was RESOLVED to renew of ESET Home Security (antivirus and secure banking browsing) due to expire for 1 year at a cost of £35.99.
  1. South Hams District Council’s Planning Decisions The following decisions were noted:
    6.1 0645/25/FUL Kelbechan House, Capton, TQ6 0JE. Erection of small ground mounted solar array Conditional Approval.
    6.2 1506/25/ARC Fairholme, Riverside Road, Dittisham, TQ6 0HS Application for approval of details reserved by condition 7 (Hard & Soft Landscape) of planning consent 1476/24/FUL Discharge of Condition Refused
  2. New Planning Applications to consider a recommendation to the planning authority:
    7.1 1718/25/HHO and 1719/25/LBC The Old Bakehouse, Manor Street, Dittisham, TQ6 0EX Householder application and Listed Building Consent to renovate dwelling, including alterations & extensions to rear hall & loft area to create new bedroom suite. It was RESOLVED to OBJECT to the planning application on the grounds of over development:
  • View (of the development) from the river and view from the lane.
  • Scale of the development out of keeping with the listed building and will have a negative impact on surrounding buildings, being in a conservation area and Grade II listed.
  • The Parish Council object to the property becoming a 4 bedroom property overburdening services and increase in traffic.
  • If SHDC is minded to give consent, a site management plan and traffic management plan would need to be put in place, given its location.
    7.2 1852/25/FUL Newstone, Blackawton, TQ9 7DR Agricultural Building extending to 27.43 x 6.09m, 4.58m to ridge and 3.22m to ridge. It was RESOLVED MAKE NO COMMENT on the application.
  1. New Tree Applications To consider a recommendation to the planning authority:
    8.1 0320/25/TPO Rose Orchard Lower Street Dittisham TQ6 0HY G2: Holm Oak – Full crown reduction of up to 1.5m to manage canopy growth. (Pre pruning dimensions: H. 14m W.12m. Post pruning dimensions: H. 12.5m W.10.5m). It was RESOLVED to SUPPORT the application
  2. Reports from Councillors’ Working Groups and External Forums
    9.1 Emergency Plan It was reported three quotations were obtained to deliver an ‘Emergency First Aid at Work’ course for 12 people on Monday 29th First Aid 4 Life was the cheapest quote. The course will be free for attendees. There was discussion on arrangements for storage of Emergency Lions bottles for collection.  It was RESOLVED that Cllr Unitt and The Clerk liaise on the purchase of 500 business cards for a cost of approximately £80.
  3. The Level Phone Box It was noted that the first stage of the adoption process has been completed.
  4. Neighbourhood Plan (NP) It was reported that approximately 13 -14 attended a meeting on 25th June, where attendees talked about the scope of the NP and how best to take it forwards. It was noted that despite funding of £10,000 available for NP groups being no longer available, the group was still minded to continue. Those who attended will form a Steering Group for the NP and agreed to meet again in September to discuss a Mission Statement and a first draft questionnaire for village circulation. There was discussion on whether Dittisham join with other parishes to benefit from economies of scale, however there was consensus that there was a different agenda for the Parish of Dittisham and keeping the plan contained and succinct was the best way forward.
  5. Potential new car park Discussion following enquiries on land availability. Following discussion it was RESOLVED that the chair speak with the landowner to establish the current position with the land.  The Parish Council would then follow this up with a letter if the landowner and communicate the outcome to the Village Hall committee. 
  6. Clerk’s Employment
    13.1 Contract Cllrs had the opportunity to review the Clerk’s contract of employment. It was RESOLVED to approve the contract.
    13.2 Payroll To consider payroll arrangements It was RESOLVED to continue to use payroll services provide by South Hams District Council and review if necessary.
  7. Correspondence and Contacts To note or consider:
  • 12/06/25 Dittisham Music Festival section on the Parish Council Website. It’s been noticed that the Parish website has a section for the regatta but not for the festival. An enquiry has been raised asking if a ‘music in Dittisham’ section could be added to help publicise events throughout the year. RESOLVED: No objections. 
  • 12/06/25 Please register your [defibrillator] site on ‘The Circuit’ Ambulance services across the country have changed how they register defibrillator sites, which are now required to be registered on ‘The Circuit’, an online system managed by the British Heart Foundation. Separate registration is required for each defibrillator and a status check is required at least once every 90 days. A link is provided with a comprehensive breakdown of the differences between The Circuit and WebNos. RESOLVED: ACTION: Cllr Bond to look into it.
  • 17/06/25 Have your say on the future of Devon. The District Council is asking everyone with a connection to the South Hams what matters to them to help shape devolution proposals.  A range of consultation events are taking place and a short survey is being circulated: southhams.gov.uk/local-government-reorganisation RESOLVED: Cllrs to respond individually.
  • 18/06/25 #26 2025 [DALC] E-Bulletin Cllrs were informed this bulletin includes news that the Government has announced plans to amend legislation to allow local authorities (including parish and town councils) to hold remote and hybrid meetings. The Government also intends to introduce legislation to permit proxy voting.
  • 18/06/25 Town & Parish Council Briefing: Local Government Reorganisation Cllrs are invited to a one hour online briefing at 17:30 on 23rd The Leader and Chief Executive of South Hams District Council invite Town and Parish colleagues to hear about progress and give feedback on plans to help shape them up.  A formal invite with Teams meeting link has been sent to the Clerk.  The D.Cllr had also agreed to circulate. Noted.
  • 19/06/25 Consultations on the South Devon National Landscape Management Plan Review The ‘Around the Dart Estuary’ cluster meeting previously advertised has been merged with the ‘Start to Stoke Fleming’ cluster and will take place at 6pm on 11th Bookings through Ticketsource. Noted.
  1. Next Meeting: It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Wednesday 3rd September 2025 at 7:00 pm.

Meeting closed at 20:53.

Download APPROVED Minutes of the monthly meeting of Dittisham Parish Council from 2nd July 2025 (PDF)
Minutes will open in a new tab.