APPROVED Minutes of the Meetings of Dittisham Parish Council held in
Dittisham Village Hall on Wednesday 7 May 2025 at 7:00p.m.
Present: Parish Cllrs Bond (Chair), Golding, J Green, Hawkes, Neale, Pope, & Unitt were present, as were SHDC Cllr McKay and (arriving part way through) DCC Cllr Simon Rake. There were no members of the public present.
Absent: Cllr N Green and A Thom, Clerk.
a. Public Forum
No matters raised.
Annual Meeting of the Parish Council
Election of Chair
It was resolved to re-elect Cllr Bond.
Chair’s Signature of Declaration of Acceptance of Office
The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was signed by the Chair and witnessed.
Election of Vice-Chair
It was resolved to defer until the June meeting.
Vice-Chair’s Signature of Declaration of Acceptance of Office
See above.
Co-option to fill a Vacancy for a Parish Councillor
It was resolved to co-opt Jon Green.
The Declaration of Acceptance of Office was signed Cllr J Green and witnessed.
Apologies for absence
Apologies were received from Cllr N Green and A Thom, Clerk.
Declaration of Interests
None declared.
Ordinary Meetings of the Parish Council
It was agreed the meetings will remain at 7:00p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month (except August) in Dittisham Village Hall.
Confirmation of the Terms of Reference for Personnel Committee and Subcommittee
Confirmed with no changes.
Confirmation of the appointment of the Members of Personnel Committee and Subcommittee
Confirmed with no changes.
Working Groups & Positions of Responsibility
The role description document was confirmed and the list of appointments was confirmed with the following amendments.
Working Groups
Emergency Plan – Former Cllrs Nightingale and Lloyd to remain on the group as non-councillor members.
Finance – Cllr J Green to join.
Footpaths – Cllr J Green to join.
Task & Finish Groups
New Village Car Park Development Group – Deleted as the project is now with SHDC to progress.
Outside Bodies
Dart Harbour Communities Group & Dart Estuary Forum – Cllr Unitt to join. Cllr Bond to leave.
Health – Cllr J Green to join.
DPC’s Delegations of Authority to the Clerk.
It was resolved to remove Business Continuity Delegations 5.1-5.3.
Standing Orders & Financial Regulations
It was noted that Standing Orders & Financial Regulations require review against new Model documents.
The last reviews were approved 3/4/24. Approval of the updated documents will be on the 4 June Agenda.
Asset Register
The Asset Register as at 31/03/25 was confirmed.
Confirmation of arrangements for insurance cover in respect of all insurable risks
The insurance arrangements were confirmed and the current three year agreement which ends 2/7/27 noted.
Review of the Council’s Subscriptions, Contracts, and Direct Debit Mandates.
The arrangements were reviewed. A query was raised regarding payment for the emergency phone number service, whether by annual subscription or direct debit. It was agreed to review the service when the current one-year subscription approaches its end.
Review of the Council’s Bank Mandates.
The Mandates were reviewed. The current NatWest mandate request requires Cllr signature to be completed.
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 which to be authorised by the Council and paid by the Clerk in response to correct invoices.
It was resolved to approve the list of due payments.
Review of the list of the Council’s Policies and Procedures and to agree any action required.
The list was reviewed. It was agreed to review action required in September 2025.
To consider and approve the 2025 Statement of Internal Controls.
Considered and approved by resolution.
To consider and approve the 2025 Risk Register Review.
Considered and approved by resolution with the proposed changes as circulated.
DRAFT Minutes of Monthly Meeting of the Parish Council
Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Cllr N Green and A Thom, Clerk.
Declaration of Interests
None declared.
Approval of Minutes
It was resolved to approve of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 2 April 2025.
Community Reports
Devon County Council (DCC) Councillor
This item was moved down the Agenda pending the arrival of the DCC Cllr.
South Hams District Council (SHDC) Councillor
SHDC Cllr McKay noted the outcome of the elections with Cllr Simon Rake replacing Cllr Jonathan Hawkins as County Councillor for Dartmouth & Marldon. Cllr Julian Rake continues as leader of SHDC. With the elections now over, Cllr McKay is hopeful for a response from the Secretary of State to the nine devolution options submitted. Cllr McKay highlighted an initiative to assist tenants of both private and public landlords to deal with damp and mould issues, and leaflets were given to distribute. An initiative to monitor the water quality of the River Dart is underway in partnership with Plymouth University. Dart Harbour Authority are part of a group working to preserve the salt marshes with particular reference to Longmarsh in Totnes. Attention was drawn to a discussion forum being facilitated by the SHDC Community Development Officer aimed at bringing the various community transport organisations together. BT are proposing to remove some public phone boxes and the 90 day consultation period is currently open. Cllr McKay suggested DPC submit a grant application to assist with the funding of work to the Jubilee Steps. Cllr McKay introduced and handed over to Cllr Rake who arrived at the meeting.
Devon County Council Councillor
Cllr Rake introduced himself as our new Devon County Councillor. He paid tribute to Cllr Hawkins for his work as a “dedicated and honourable public servant”. DPC also took this opportunity to similarly thank Cllr Hawkins and for all the support he has given to Dittisham Parish over the years. Cllr Rake outlined that the Liberal Democrats took 27 of the 60 Devon County seats and that by working with the Green Party (six seats) and two Independent councillors a majority administration would be established. The Reform Party took 18 seats. Cllr Rake referred to three areas of priority – 1. Accessibility of services by those with Special Educational Needs and Educational Healthcare Plans; 2. Cost savings – the example given being the cost of repairing potholes; 3. Government reorganisation and devolution. Cllr Rake raised awareness that with devolution some services may be lost and it could fall the parish councils to pick these up and that he encouraged working with neighbouring parishes to achieve economies of scale. He gave examples of road sweeping and bin collecting as possibilities.
Proposal for pop up coffee spot on The Ham
The Public feedback on the mobile cafe proposal was noted together with the recommendation in the Task and Finish Group’s Report. It was resolved to reject the proposal in line with the recommendation, there being limited goodwill in the village for the proposal and concerns for the impact on local businesses with a similar offer.
The revised request for a pop up coffee spot operating from the tailgate of a Land Rover was discussed. It was felt that the same principles underlying the decision above applied and it was resolved to reject this revised proposal.
Financial Matters
Financial Reports
The Financial Reports and signed bank reconciliation at 31 March 2025 were noted.
Payments
It was resolved to authorise the following payments:
Parish Meeting Refreshments Expenses Reimbursement Cllr Neale £42.20
Clerk April Expenses Reimbursement £29.78
DALC Being a Good Councillor 1 Cllr Hawkes £18.00
Metric Software Changes for 1/4/25 £262.80
Metric Machine Maintenance Agreement Annual Fee £1,150.56
Grounds Maintenance of Access steps to private entrances April 2025 £36.00
Grounds Maintenance Contract April 2025 £600.00
Maintenance of Capton Noticeboard £40.00
Car Park Machine Attendant January – March 2025, £250
The following payments authorised since the last monthly meeting were noted:
Grounds Maintenance March £500.00 +VAT+ £600Grounds Maintenance of Access steps to private entrances £30.00 +VAT = £36DALC Annual Fee £162.13Cleaning moss & lichen off park benches The Ham during February £93.75Playground Annual Inspection £156.00
- SHDC Planning Decisions
The following decisions were noted:
2482/24/HHO Tunis The Quay Dittisham TQ6 0EZ. Householder application for extension to rear of property with associated works inc demolition & rebuild of existing ancillary building. Conditional Approval.
0245/25/FUL Chipton Barton Dittisham TQ6 0HW. Renovation & change of use of former cider barn to ancillary use. Conditional Approval.
0836/25/ARC Land Adjacent Fairholme Riverside Road Dittisham. Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 6 (Arboricultural Method Statement & Tree Protection Plan) & 9 (CEMP) to planning consent 1476/24/FUL. Discharge of Condition Approved.
- New Planning Applications
1071/25/LBC Higher Dart Cottage Manor Street Dittisham TQ6 0EX. Listed building consent for replacement of south elevation timber sash windows, refurbishment of north elevation timber sash windows, replacement of asbestos roof finishes with natural slate & installation of new log burner flue to exit through rear elevation pitched roof.
Support (by resolution) with comment on the observation that replacement of the roof has already been carried out.
New premises licence application from Coastal Trail Café at Riverside Court, South Embankment, Dartmouth, TQ6 9BH.
No comment to be submitted (by resolution).
Consultations
South Devon National Landscape Management Plan Review – Public Survey.
This consultation was noted.
Staffing Arrangement
The Clerk’s resignation as Dittisham Parish Clerk and RFO was noted. Cllrs took this opportunity to formally express their thanks to Annette for her dedicated work and professionalism over the years.
The April 2025 Personnel Committee Draft Minutes and Subcommittee Notes were noted including the proposed changes to the Clerk & RFO’s hours allocation and hourly pay rate.
The Personnel Committee’s recruitment adverts were noted and approved. Timing of recruitment was discussed in relation to the Clerk’s last working day being Monday 9 June. It was resolved that Cllr Golding act as second Clerk and Cllr N Green as RFO if required.
Preparation of a Neighbourhood Plan for Dittisham
It was resolved that the DPC supports a Neighbourhood Plan being developed for the Parish.
Cllrs Hawkes, Green and Golding will be involved in the project going forward and will organise an initial meeting to take place, likely before the end of June.
Sewage Spills into The River Dart
It was agreed to request information from South West Water on details of spills and the corrective action being taken. Cllrs Hawkes and N Green to liaise.
Reports from Councillors’ Working Groups and External Forums
Annual Playground Inspection
The Inspection Report, meeting notes, and action required were noted.
It was agreed to re-book RoSPA for the Annual Playground Inspection in 2026.
Events – Application
It was resolved to approve the ‘Kids Sea and Soil Event’ on The Ham, Saturday 17 May 2025 subject to the Application Form receiving the necessary signatures. A donation to DPC funds to be requested and a reminder given that car parking must be paid for.
Maintenance
The completed restoration of the memorial bench and the planned wording for the memorial plaque were noted.
Emergency Plan
The Report was noted.
The proposal to run a first aid course for up to 12 people on 27 May 2025: £695 (exVAT) was discussed. It was agreed to look into a later date for the course and in the meantime to identify individuals or groups in the village who have first aid skills. The Communications Group is to undertake this.
Correspondence and Contacts
The following were noted and considered:
5/4/25 Camping on The Ham. DPC notified by a resident of a tent on The Ham overnight on 4 April.
Invitation to DPC, South Devon National Landscape Management Plan Review. Online, 13 August at 6pm
Next Meeting
It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on 4 June 2025 at 7.00 pm.