Parish Council meeting: Tuesday, 4 November 2025

Key information

Meeting location: Avon Vale Tennis and Croquet Club

Meeting time: 7.30 pm

Sound Recording You can download the audio recording for this meeting or use the player embedded in this page after the download link. Download the audio file here.
Agenda

Agenda for the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday, 4 November 2025

1) Open Forum

For Parishioners to raise matters of concern relevant to the work of the Parish Council. (Matters concerning other bodies e.g SWW, SHDC, DCC should normally be referred directly. The Parish Council would try to assist where difficulties arise after such a referral has taken place)

2) Present

3) Apologies for Absence

4) Declarations of Interest

5) Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held Tuesday 7th October 2025

6) Matters Arising

  1. North Huish Notice Board.

7) Reports

  1. County Councillor D Thomas.
  2. District Councillor G Pannell & D Hancock.
  3. Play Park
  4. Tree Warden.
  5. P3 Co-Ordinator.
  6. Defibrillator – New Pads to be ordered - £150 (inc vat).
  7. Parish Flood Plan.

8) Planning Applications / Matters.

Applications received from South Hams District Council

  1. a) Application no 2862/25/FUL & 2863/25/LBC – Bickham Farm TQ9 7NJ – Alterations and extensions to Farmhouse, Cottage & Bothy, reinstatement of walled garden with erection of glasshouse & construction of attenuation pond.

Decisions received from South Hams District Council

 -  none.

9) Correspondence

10) Highways

  1. Church Cross – Double Yellow Lines.

11) Finances.

Payments

3.10.25 – BACS - £139.20 (vat £23.20) – John Widdicombe (Lengthsman September 25).
15.10.25 – BACS - £22.75 - Avon Vale Tennis Club (Room Hire October).
28.10.25 – BACS - £28.74 (vat £4.79) – Jolt (Wordpress Hosting).
28.10.25 – BACS - £139.20 (vat £23.20) – John Widdicombe (Lengthsman October 25).

Bank Balances November 2025

Treasurers Account 5,335.52
Business Account 6,063.69
11,399.21

Monies held within PC Balance

P3 = £110.00

12) Any Items to go onto the next Parish Council meeting Agenda.

  1. Next Meeting Date 2nd December 2025.
Approved Minutes

Approved Minutes for the Parish Council meeting on Tuesday, 4 November 2025

These minutes were approved on 2 December 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. a) Church Cross - Parking at the Junction.
    A letter was read out from a Parishioner who is opposed to the suggestion in last months minutes of putting Double Yellow Lines on the junction to stop parking.
    Cllr Grevatt confirmed that he had a similar conversation with another Parishioner and explained that this had not been targeted at any individuals in particular and its to encourage people to park sensibly on the junction back from the line of sight for people turning out.
    Speed down the hill towards the Avon Inn was noted and Cllr Grevatt confirmed that when the speed in the area was monitored most vehicles were not travelling over the speed limit.
    C Cllr D Thomas confirmed that if the Parish Council were to apply to DCC for Double Yellow Lines there would be a process for Parishioners to respond to these proposals which would be presented to the HATOC Committee.
    Chairman – Cllr R Steer confirmed this would be discussed further and a decision made later in the meeting under Highways.

2) Present

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

3) Apologies

– Cllr Bell.

4) Declarations of Interest

5) Previous Minutes

Minutes of the meeting held Tuesday 7th October 2025. The above minutes have been circulated and read - Proposed by Cllr Ring 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 is still to be fitted – Cllr Hunt confirmed he will attend to this.
  2. Fireworks – Cllr Steer confirmed he has spoken to the Pub regards the parking arrangements for the evening.

7) Reports.

  1. County Councillor D Thomas – LGR is nearly at the end of the consultation period, District & County Bids will shortly be submitted to Government, options will then come back for consultation in Spring 2026.
    Cllr Ring asked Cllr Thomas about the adopt a drain scheme which Plymouth Council are doing and whether it would be useful for the Parish.  Cllr Thomas asked Cllr Ring to email the details through, as it may be of interest at County level.
  2. District Councillor G Pannell & D Hancock.
    Cllr Hancock reported - Water Quality Monitoring Pilot underway in Rivers by the   University of Plymouth. Thermal Imaging Camera hire is available from SHDC for homes to monitor heat loss areas.
  3. Play Park - Cllr Steer – wooden boards at the bottom of the wire is to stop weeds from encroaching, these will need to be replaced in the spring as they are rotten
  4. Tree Warden – no report given.
  5. P3 Co-Ordinator – nothing to report.
  6. Defibrillator – New Pads to be ordered - £150 (inc vat) – all in agreement to go ahead  with the purchase of these.
  7. Parish Flood Plan – Cllr Ring reported, last meeting was quiet, no more meetings to be held until the adopt a drain scheme is further ahead.

8) Planning Applications / Matters.

Applications received from South Hams District Council

  1. a) Application no 2862/25/FUL & 2863/25/LBC – Bickham Farm TQ9 7NJ – Alterations and extensions to Farmhouse, Cottage & Bothy, reinstatement of walled garden with erection of glasshouse & construction of attenuation pond. Proposed by Cllr Steer that the Parish Council Support the application – 4 in agreement and one abstention.

Decisions received from South Hams District Council

- none

9) Correspondence

10) Highways

  1. Church Cross – Double Yellow Lines – Visibility is the problem on this junction, it could be that one vehicles length around the junction would be enough to improve the visibility.
    Cllr Ring suggested that the Parish Council should try some signs on either side first to ask people to park back from the junction.  Cllrs were in agreement to try some signs on the wall first, permission would need to be sought from the property owners and wording would need to be decided on.  If this did not work then the Parish Council will go ahead and request Double Yellow Lines.
  2. Drains which were raised at the last meeting have been cleared by John Widdicombe.

11) Finances

Payments

3.10.25 – BACS - £139.20 (vat £23.20) – John Widdicombe (Lengthsman September 25).
15.10.25 – BACS - £22.75 - Avon Vale Tennis Club (Room Hire October).
28.10.25 – BACS - £28.74 (vat £4.79) – Jolt (Wordpress Hosting).
28.10.25 – BACS - £139.20 (vat £23.20) – John Widdicombe (Lengthsman October 25).

Bank Balances November 2025

Treasurers Account 5,335.52
Business Account 6,063.69
11,399.21

Monies held within PC Balance

P3 = £110.00

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

  1. Next Meeting Date 2nd December 2025.

There be no further business the meeting closed 8.17pm

District Council Report

District Councillor's Report November 2025

Water quality monitoring pilot: making good progress.

  • University of Plymouth marine technicians have been working on the installation infrastructure for initial four sites (frameworks now installed on the Dart and in Salcombe Harbour). Next installation will be for Sequer’s Bridge (R.Erme) over next couple of weeks.
  • Friends of the Dart will be carrying out validation sampling on the Dart as part of the pilot with opportunities for other community groups to get involved. This will feed into a pilot impact report.
  • Digital dashboard is due to launch to public in early 2026. 

Thermal Imaging Camera Scheme launched to support warmer, healthier homes

We have officially launched our next iteration of our thermal imaging camera scheme, offering practical support to communities across the district to help residents identify heat loss in their homes and improve energy efficiency.

This scheme is part of our wider commitment to tackling the climate emergency, supporting residents through the cost-of-living crisis, and improving health outcomes linked to cold, damp housing.

Key details:

  • Up to six communities will be selected to take part this autumn and winter.
  • Communities can apply to borrow a thermal imaging camera to assess homes and community buildings.
  • Applications are first come, first served, and must include a list of nominated homes.
  • The Council will support an “energy champion” in each participating community to lead the local rollout.
  • The scheme is delivered in partnership with South Dartmoor Community Energy (SDCE).

Key messages for residents:

  • Stay warm and well: Cold homes can worsen health conditions and increase pressure on health services. This scheme helps identify where improvements can be made.
  • Save energy and money: Thermal images show where heat is escaping, helping residents make informed decisions about insulation and other retrofit measures.
  • Act locally on climate: Improving energy efficiency reduces carbon emissions and contributes to a more sustainable South Hams.
  • Apply now: Communities interested in taking part should apply as soon as possible via the Council website.
  • More information and application form: www.southhams.gov.uk/thermal-camera-hire

Investing in warmer, healthier homes

Following our Executive meeting yesterday, we have issued a press release and video on how we are helping residents stay warm and cut their energy bills.

Following the success of the Home Upgrade Grant, which helped 46 households enjoy warmer, more energy-efficient homes, we have now launched the Warmer Homes Local Grant.

The scheme will support up to 80 more households over the next three years, helping those on low incomes living in cold or damp homes.

Hear from Barry about how the scheme changed his home.

Yealm Community Energy Fair

On Saturday 15 November (10am-1pm), Yealm Community Energy and Sustainable South Hams will be hosting the Yealm Energy Fair at Wembury War Memorial Village Hall, PL9 0LF.

This free, family-friendly, drop-in event will provide local residents and business owners from all 5 Yealm parishes with practical ideas to reduce energy costs, improve warmth, comfort and efficiency, and access expert, tailored advice on retrofit and renewable energy options.

There will be free impartial advice from South Dartmoor Community Energy with information on grants and funding, plus practical and technical advice.

A number of local energy installation companies will be at the show to promote a range of services from retrofit to renewables. There will also be kids activities and refreshments, plus free parking so that you can bring the family.

To find out more email Ruth at ruthlw@sussh.org or visit yealmenergy.co.uk/news

Click here to download a leaflet for the event.

NHS App

NHS Devon is encouraging residents to take control of their health this winter through the NHS App.

Record numbers of patients in Devon are now accessing services through the NHS App, which has become an essential tool for managing healthcare needs conveniently and efficiently.

It’s particularly beneficial during winter as illnesses such as flu, RSV and COVID-19 spread more easily in the UK during colder months when people spend more time indoors.

The NHS App helps users order repeat prescriptions and nominate a pharmacy for collecting medication, book GP appointments and locate nearby NHS services – all without needing to wait for surgery opening hours or make a phone call. 

Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy

The Devon Health and Wellbeing Board have drafted the new Joint Health and Wellbeing Strategy.

This strategy sets out how they will work together to understand local needs, set shared priorities, and take action to improve people’s health and wellbeing.

The board are keen to ensure that the strategy represents the health and wellbeing needs our communities, so organisations and members of the public in Devon are invited to have their say on the strategy through our consultation and continue to help contribute to its development.

The consultation will run for six weeks from Thursday 23 October to Thursday 4 December.

Please follow this link to the consultation page, which includes the draft strategy, a link to the consultation questionnaire and further information: devon.cc/jhws-consultation-2025