Annual Parish Meeting: Tuesday, 6 May 2025

Draft Minutes for the Annual Parish Meeting on Tuesday, 6 May 2025

Present – Cllr Steer, Cllr Ring, Cllr Snoxall, Cllr Grevatt, Cllr Gabriel, C Cllr Thomas, Cllr Cllr Bell, D Cllr Hancock, Cllr Hunt, 7 members of the Parish.

Open Forum

– no points raised.

Chairman of the Parish Council – Cllr Steer

Many thanks to our Cllrs for all their work throughout the year, Highways matters, Potholes & Planning again being always on the Agenda. Many thanks to District Cllrs David Hancock & Guy Pannell and to our County Cllr Dan Thomas - congratulations on being elected again as County Councillor. Thanks to our Clerk – Sharon Raggett and to Mr Widecombe our Parish Lengthsman. The Playpark is very well used especially in this nice weather, the pub in Avonwick is well supported, the Garage is also well used, its good to see local business do well.

County Cllrs Report – Cllr D Thomas

As I have given monthly reports on matters such as the budget as they occur, my annual report contains a single (if important) item:

Election Results

Firstly many thanks to my opponents, a civil and democratic election was held. Last week’s election saw the political map of Devon dramatically redrawn. The Lib Dems went from 9 to 27 Cllrs (4 short of an outright majority).

The Conservatives went from 40 to 7 Cllrs. The Green Party gained 4 members, from 2 to 6 Cllrs. The Independents are now at 2, down from 3 Cllrs. Reform UK are the official opposition, with 18 Cllrs. The South Hams is the only authority area in Devon with no Reform members.

Julian Brazil has been elected Leader of the Lib Dems and will become Leader at County later this month. He has announced that he will be resigning from his position as leader at SHDC.

Paul Arnott, the Leader of East Devon District Council, will be his county deputy. A new county cabinet will be selected over the next couple of weeks, prior to the annual meeting on May 22^nd.

District Cllrs’ Report – Cllr D Hancock

Important matters to note this year – Local Government reorganisation has taken up a lot of time this year. Finances of SHDC are in a precarious position because of the removal of the Rural Support Grant which comes from main government leaving half million shortfall in the budget, carparking charges have been increased with a local reduction scheme available to help close this gap.  Defra funds have helped to purchase land for the South Hams Community Forest – 9000 trees have been planted so far by community volunteers, 100`s of people turned up to help with this.

Police Neighbourhood Beat Manager – Totnes Rural.

No report given. Chairman of the Parish Council – Cllr R Steer confirmed that a Police presence had been seen around the Parish including the regular stopping of the speed van in various places.

Trustees – North Huish Feoffees.

Jonathan Bell: last 12 months some new trustees joined, money is raised through rental of land owned, this money is used to support parishioners in need and this year helping South Brent Caring.

Church of St James, Avonwick – Marigold Seager-Berry.

St James Church continues to provide worship according to The Church of England every Sunday at 11 a.m.

Since June 2024 we have had no priest licenced to us and have manage with Priests in retirement to take services of Holy Communion and Licenced Readers along with lay led services of Mattins taken by Peter Stradling or Marigold Seager-Berry.

Since Christmas The Revd Alan Ryan (retired priest) has taken a service for us once a month. He hopes to move into Avonwick and will be available more often and help with upcoming baptisms during this year.

Marigold or Mike Tidball play the organ and we have a small choir.

The congregation is a loyal group who come from the village of Avonwick and others from Ivybridge, Ugborough, South Brent, Diptford and North Huish and Ermington and the occasional holiday makers and visitors.

There is a small number who make up the Church Council and have input into our services, cleaning, flower arranging and brass cleaning.

At Christmas time we resurrected the Mulled Wine Party (carols and secular Christmas readings) at Black Hall. This had been in abeyance since Covid lockdown.

We continue to give outwardly to Children’s Society at Christmas, Ivybridge Local Food Bank at Harvest, and Combat Stress at Remembrance Sunday.

We are completely self-funded with no help from the Diocese. The congregation and the church trust is able to pay for the maintenance of the building and graveyard, electricity, organ tuning, and all eventualities.

It is a unique church and much loved and well maintained with such loyal support.

Avon Vale Tennis & Croquet Club – Deirdre Pope.

The Club continues to thrive. Last year we did exceptionally well financially and spent the proceeds on a brand new mower for the grounds. We have nearly 100 tennis members, 30 croquet members and about 30 junior members under our excellent coach. 15 of our adult members and several junior members live in the Parish. We hold many tennis tournaments some of which are open to all and social events including 2 quizzes which were advertised to the village. We are keen to attract local residents or community groups to use our facilities for clubs, societies or private events.

North Huish Community Group.

The North Huish Community Group held five well-supported events at St Mary’s Church North Huish during 2024: a coffee morning with bring and buy cake sale and plant sale in April; a cream tea with a local history display entitled ‘Memories of North Huish’ in June; a harvest lunch in September; a short act of remembrance on Armistice Day and carols by candlelight in December. During the year, donations were made to the CCT (Churches Conservation Trust), the Royal British Legion, the Mustard Tree cancer charity and RABI – the farmer’s charity. Funds were also raised to install additional electric sockets in the church to improve safety and convenience while events are in progress.

It has been another successful year, holding popular social events for the local community and supporting charities including the CCT which maintains the beautiful and historic grade one listed church at North Huish. Many thanks to the organising team and all our supporters.

Meeting closed 6.53pm