Parish Council meeting: Tuesday, 7 October 2025

Approved Minutes for the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday, 7 October 2025

These minutes were approved on 4 November 2025

Please noteEvery care has been taken to present this accessible copy of the minutes with accuracy, but the formal record of the meeting remains the signed paper copy of the minutes.

1) Open Forum

1. Church Cross - Parking at the Junction again has been noted. C Cllr D Thomas confirmed that the Parish Council could apply to DCC for double yellow lines on the junction, this would not be done immediately, it would first go in front of the HATOC committee and then be open for public consultation. It would be a solution to move cars away from the junction and they would park elsewhere. Chairman – Cllr R Steer confirmed this would be discussed later in the meeting under Highways.

2) Present

Cllr Steer (Chairman), Cllr Grevatt (Vice-Chair), Cllr Gabriel, Cllr Ring, Cllr Bell, Cllr Snoxall, D Cllr D Hancock, C Cllr D Thomas. Attended by 2 members of the Public

3) Apologies – Cllr Hunt.

4) Declarations of Interest

5) Previous Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held Tuesday 2nd September 2025.

The above minutes have been circulated and read - Proposed by Cllr Bell and seconded by Cllr Gabriel with all in agreement. Duly signed by the Chairman – Cllr Steer.

6) Matters Arising

1. North Huish Notice Board – this has arrived and is awaiting installation.
2. Avonwick Pumping Station – noted that the tanker was there for several days when it rained, the situation is currently being monitored.

7) Reports.

1. County Councillor D Thomas reported - Parish protocol was agreed where DCC will support Parishes who want to install items such as road signage if the Parish pays to get it done quicker, DCC do not have the budget to help out but they will support communities. LGR – this is still ongoing with various different options being put forward, Government will look through all the options in November and it will then go out to consultation.
2. District Councillor G Pannell & D Hancock.
   Full copy of the report has been circulated to Cllrs -
   LGR Public Sessions currently still ongoing – finishing on 29th October.
   South Hams Energy Assembly takes place on the 18th October.
   Call for sites – SHDC Local Development Plan. Because housing targets have been changed by Government there is not a 5 year land supply available to SHDC.  The search for land may prove the targets are not obtainable in the South Hams because of the National Landscape and the AONB.
   Fake QR Codes on Car Park Pay & Display.
   Visual Arts South West Survey being undertaken.
   Police & Crime Commissioners Community Grant Scheme has been released to help tackle crime in communities.
3. Look out for the Winter Fuel Payment Scam.
4. Play Park - Cllr R Steer reported – noted the old picnic table has been turned over this will be checked for damage, handles on rotator replaced, hedges and grass have been cut.
5. Tree Warden – Cllr J Bell - trees losing leaves now, ash dieback still around and trees being blown down in the Autumn storms.
6. P3 Co-Ordinator – there has still been no response from PROW regards the installation of a gate on the track from Lupridge to Causewell, the Clerk will ask C Cllr D Thomas to chase up a response.
7. Defibrillator – New pads for Avonwick Defib, next Agenda for discussion.
8. Parish Flood Plan – Cllr L Ring reported - meeting will be held tomorrow, looking at an adopt a drain scheme where Parishioners keep an eye on a specific drain each.
9. Fireworks Display – Cllr Thomas and Nick Colton are happy to meet the organisers on site if they need advice regards traffic management on the night.

8) Planning Applications / Matters.

Applications received from South Hams District Council

1.  Application no 2627/25/LBC – Broadmead, Diptford TQ9 7LX – Listed Building consent for replacement roof tiles. Support – proposed by Cllr Bell & seconded by Cllr Grevatt with all in agreement.
2. Information only no comment required – Application no 2864/25/ARC – Bickham Farm, Diptford TQ9 7NJ – Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 3 (barn owl method statement), 5 (external lighting), 6 (schedule of works) to planning consent 1021/25/FUL.

     Decisions received from South Hams District Council

1. Tree Works Allowed – Application no 2503/25/TPO – Woodlea, North Huish TQ10 9NF – Fell T1 – Beech Tree.
2. Prior Approval Required and Given – Application no 2333/25/PAA – Greenslade Farm, Avonwick TQ10 9EZ – Prior Approval for new agricultural track (1059 metres x 3 metres wide) following determination of 0995/25/AGR.
3. Discharge of Condition Approved – Application no 2502/25/ARC – Bickham Farm, Diptford TQ9 7NJ – Approval of details reserved by condition 4 (landscape plan), and informative 2 (BNG) of planning consent 0189/25/FUL.
4. Conditional Approval – Application no 0823/25/FUL – Hollymount Cottage, Avonwick TQ10 9NA – (amended description), Repairs to outbuilding and change of use of land to domestic garden area.
5. Appeal Decision – Appeal dismissed – Application no APP/K1128/W/25/3365459 – Avon Inn TQ10 9NB – Use of two pods in the garden for full time B & B as part of the pub business, resubmitted with an updated flood risk assessment.

9) Correspondence

10) Highways

1. Junction – Church Cross – suggestion of Double Yellow Lines to stop parking on the junction with is an ongoing problem. All Cllrs in agreement that this be progressed.  The Clerk will write to C Cllr D Thomas and Nick Colton – Highways Officer to confirm.
2. Blocked drains – an email has been received from a Parishioner regards blocked drains. Cllr L Ring confirmed she has replied and invited the Parishioner to the flood group meeting. Any blocked drains can be reported by Parishioners on the DCC website. Cllr R Steer will ask John Widdicombe the Parish Lengthsman to look at the one blocked opposite Meadow Cottages in the car parking bay, this also goes under the road. John will also be asked to look at Blackhall Hill.

11) Finances

Payments

1.9.25 – BACS - £139.20 (vat £23.30) - John Widdicombe (Lengthsman August 25).
7.9.25 – BACS - £22.75 - Avon Vale Tennis Club (Room Hire September).
25.9.25 – BACS - £86.52 (vat £14.42) – Sutcliffe Play (Handles for Play Equipment).

Bank Balances October 2025

Treasurers Account	5,665.41
Business Account	6,060.70
	11,726.11

Monies held within PC Balance

P3 = £110.00

12) Next Meeting Date & Any Items for Next Meeting.

1. Next Meeting Date 4th November 2025.
2. New Defib Pads.
3. Church Cross - Double Yellow Lines.

There be no further business the meeting closed 8.19pm