Draft Minutes 2026 October 12

Oct 23, 2026 | Minutes

DRAFT Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Blackawton Parish Council held on
Monday 12 October 2026 at 7:30 p.m. in Blackawton Village Hall

Present: BPC and SHDC Cllr Rake, BPC Cllrs Douglas-Ross, Hadow, Luckens, and Thomas were present, as were DCC Cllr Brazil until his report, and Clerk A Thom.

There were 31 members of the public present for the Open Forum and one member of the public until Item 7.

a. Open Forum

i) Possible Residential Development Scheme in Blackawton

A representative of Acorn Property Group explained the possible development that they are working on. It is around 30 to 35 residences of 2 and 3, and 4 bedrooms on Ruby Field, the land opposite Higher Island. They would be built to the “Future Homes” standard and have an overheating assessment. The presentation was followed by questions. South West Water has said that the sewage processing plant would need to be upgraded prior to their occupation. There were questions about the company structure and the legal entity responsible for the site. Cllr Rake commended the developer for liaising with the community at this early stage, which they don’t have to.

b. Councillors Forum

No matters raised by Cllrs.

  1. Apologies

Apologies for absence received from Cllrs Coe and Oughton were noted.

  1. Co-option to fill the current Vacancy for a Parish Councillor

It was resolved to co-opt the applicant, Claire Douglas-Ross

Cllr Douglas-Ross signed a declaration of acceptance of office and it was witnessed by the Clerk.

  1. Declarations of Interest

None declared.

  1. Minutes of Previous Meetings

It was resolved to approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 14 September 2026.

  1. Report from Devon County Council Councillor

DCC Cllr Brazil acknowledged BPC’s enquiry about the status of the request to replace the 30 mph limit with 20 mph and for the reduced speed zone margins to be extended. He suggested suggested BPC contact DCC’s Cabinet Member with responsibility for transportation about progressing the request. Cllr Brazil said that Local Government Reorganisation (LGR) is now pretty much off table. During the LGR response phase County and District Councils have been working well together. There is potential for economies of scale. Same or compatible services will be reviewed and a decision made about at what level the service should be delivered. For example gritting is best delivered centrally, compared with planning where delivery is local. Once there is agreement among County and District Councils a proposal can be put to Government. Each council would continue to maintain its sovereignty. There is an agreement with Torbay and Plymouth to set up Devon Strategic Mayoral Authority. It would represent about 1.25 million people. A judicial review has been tabled about the Government’s LGR decision. Whether it is started depends on the result of the Government’s current LGR ‘pause and review’. Cllr Brazil is pretty confident that DCC would win.

  1. French Furze Development

This item was moved up the Agenda at the Chair’s discretion.

Cllr Rake said that the developer is in the process of appointing a contractor fix the final snags on the business units. It is a short list of snagging items. Cllr Rake expects a timeline for the units’ transfer this week, which can then be used to prepare for next actions. It is hoped to expand the Business Units CIC membership now that there will be something to do.

The developer has submitted a S73 planning application which addresses the playpark, drainage, and west end of the site. In it the steps are removed and a retaining wall inserted which allows an expanded toddler play area. It wasn’t validated by SHDC, but has been resubmitted and is awaiting validation.

It may be possible to work with SHDC to build out the remaining three business units and run them. SHDC operates its own business units, so has helpful experience.

  1. Report from South Hams District Council Councillor

The elections next year will be for District Council (not a new authority created out of the LGR process). Budget setting will start soon and will be very testing this year because of the Government settlement under LGR scaling back funding. The Freeport and associated projects at Sherford and Langage are coming near to their next phases, which is positive for SHDC’s funds. Solar panels have been installed on the Kingsbridge Leisure Centre and will follow on Ivybridge’s.

  1. Planning Applications

    1. South Hams District Council’s Planning Decisions

The decision as follows was noted:

  • 2258/26/FUL Westdown Blackawton TQ9 7AL. General Purpose Agricultural Building. Conditional Approval.

    1. Review of New Applications

BPC considered commenting to SHDC on the following application:

  • 2529/26/HHO 2 Greenslade Road Blackawton TQ9 7BP. Demolition of conservatory with replacement extension & associated minor alterations.

It was resolved that no response will be made to SHDC.

The applications below are for information:

  • 2709/26/ARC Bow Cottage Blackawton TQ9 7AH. Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 7 (Windows / Doors) & 8 (External Attachments) of planning consent 1800/25/LBC.

  • 2712/26/ARC Bow Cottage Blackawton TQ9 7AH. Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 10 (Windows / Doors) & 11 (External Attachments) of planning consent 1799/25/HHO.

  1. Consultations

  • Consultation on Plymouth becoming a member of the Devon and Torbay Combined County Authority and conversion to a Mayoral Strategic Authority. Closes 28 October 2026.

Budgeted funds would be transferred and there would be more local say in how funds are spent.

It was resolved that BPC would respond in support, implementation delegated to the Clerk in consultation with the Chair.

  • South Hams District Council. Taxi Fare Review for setting the maximum taxi fares for Hackney Carriages (the vehicles with a ‘TAXI’ roof sign). Closes 22 October 2026

  • Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service. Community Risk Management Plan. Closes 4/1/2027.

  1. Wind Turbine Feasibility Study

The update Report was noted. A meeting of the Steering Group will be arranged to agree next steps.

  1. Blackawton Log of Traffic Collisions and Near-Collisions

Three responses have been received to date and they are about three different locations. BPC will review and consider actions it can take.

  1. Blackawton Sewage Treatment Works – Request for regulatory clarification on capacity, resilience,

Replies to BPC’s correspondence have now been received from Ofwat, the Environment Agency, and South West Water. The Clerk’s Report noted that the new storm tank has been installed and is fully operational, the works has been dry weather flow compliant since 2013, decisions regarding future investment and capacity increases are guided by the strategic Drainage and Wastewater Management Plans (the next update is scheduled for 2028). The spills data shows that BLACKAWTON STW_SSO_BLACKAWTON spilt 56 times in 2025. The Clerk said that although they remain unclear about the Blackawton plant’s operations it would take more time to understand the operational data published by SWW and there is no apparent intervention for BPC to take. The meeting agreed that no further action will be taken by BPC and appreciated the current local citizen science monitoring river water quality.

  1. Blackawton Beacon

The Clerk’s Report was noted. The Parish Council confirmed the view that the Beacon is an important community resource to support. The Parish Councillors would welcome a meeting with the Beacon’s creators if requested

  1. Churchyard Tree Planting

It was agreed that BPC will now plant a crab apple (Malus) John Downie on MM106 root stock on the north side of the path from School Lane to the Church.

  1. Maintenance of Council Assets

    1. Woodlands Bus Shelter Flag

BPC confirmed that the adhesive notice to replace the flag on the Dartmouth bound shelter is acceptable and that BPC wants the shelter to be on DCC’s list to install a solar panel (as part of DCC’s current program) subject to confirmation of the details.

    1. War Memorial Grounds Maintenance

It was noted that the Clerk has requested a clean up of the area at the end of October. Cllr Rake will be BPC’s representative at the Remembrance Day service on 8 November.

  1. Data Protection Compliance – Blackawton Community Website Data

It was resolved to delegate the Clerk authority in consultation with the Chair to finalise the service contract and the data processing contract with the website host and to sign on behalf of the Council.

  1. Finance

    1. Annual Governance and Accountability Return Audit 25/26

The Notice of Conclusion of Audit and the External Auditor’s report were noted. Sections 1 and 2 of the AGAR are in accordance with Proper Practices and no matters were raised.

    1. Update on Current Financial Position

The Reports were received and Bank Reconciliation signed. Total balance at 30 September £73,435.87 and unearmarked general fund £33,544.88.

    1. Payments

It was resolved to authorise the following payments

  • External Audit £250.00

  • Clerk September Expenses Reimbursement £112.32

  • Grounds Maintenance Cemetery Biodiversity areas cut £42.00

  • Grounds Maintenance Frequent cuts 4, 15, and 30 September 2026:

Churchyard £210.00

Cemetery £342.00

  • Community Defibrillator annual support agreement £198.00

Payments authorised since the last monthly meeting

  • Parish Lengthsman
    To 31 March 2026 (The 25/26 end of year hours balance of was 3 hours in credit.) £264
    Two Forces Cross visibility splay cuts & Parish lengthsman work 8 September 2026 £275

    1. Interest Earning Account

It was resolved to open a Lloyds 35 day notice account as a temporary measure, because the interest is comparatively low, and to deposit earmarked reserves. Notice to then be given that funds will be withdrawn. The November meeting to receive a report on interest earning account options.

    1. Replacement for the use of the Clerk’s Personal Credit Card

It was agreed to implement the proposals in the Report.

  1. Correspondence

The following invitation was noted:

  • Invitation to webinar about setting up green heat networks, 13/10/26, 7:00-8.30 pm. Hosted Carbon Copy

  1. Next Meeting

It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 9 November at 7:30 p.m.

  1. Closure of the Meeting

It was resolved, in accordance with the 1960 Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act, to exclude the public and press during consideration of the following item(s) because of the commercial-in-confidence nature of the business.

  1. Conservation of the Historic Entrance Gates to St Michael’s Churchyard

It was resolved to accept the middle priced quote. The blacksmith is experienced, heritage trained, and works with traditional methods and in wrought iron which are requirements for this project.