You are hereby summoned to attend the monthly meeting of Blackawton Parish Council to be held on Monday 13 April 2026 at 7:30 p.m. in Blackawton Village Hall for the purpose of transacting the following business.

a. Open Forum

The Chair invites Questions from Parishioners.

b. Councillors Forum

Cllrs may raise items for attention or for future consideration.

AGENDA

1. Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

2. Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of Members’ interests in Agenda items

3. Minutes of Previous Meetings

To approve Minutes of the Meeting held 9 March 2026.

4. Report from South Hams District Council Councillor

5. Report from Devon County Council Councillor

6. Planning Applications

   1. South Hams District Council’s Planning Decisions

To note the decisions as follows:

• 0140/26/HHO Lower Abbotsleigh Blackawton TQ9 7AF. Householder application for retrospective permission for a timber summerhouse built within 2m of the boundary. Conditional Approval.

• 0375/26/ARC Bow Cottage, Blackawton, TQ9 7AH. Application for approval of details reserved by condition 6 (Historic Building Record) of planning consent 1800/25/LBC. Discharge of Condition Approved.

• 0378/26/ARC Bow Cottage, Blackawton, TQ9 7AH. Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 6 (CEMP) & 8 (Historic Building Record) of planning consent 1799/25/HHO. Discharge of Condition Approved.

• 0551/26/AGR Grimpstone Farm Blackawton TQ9 7DW. Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed agricultural storage building measuring 13.1m (L) x 6.7m (B) x 6.8m height to ridge. Prior Approval Not Required.

• 0192/26/CLE The Linhay Higher Wood Farm Blackawton TQ9 7AB. Certificate of lawfulness for non compliance with occupancy condition. Cert of Lawfulness (Existing) Certified.

1. 2. Review of New Applications .

To consider commenting to SHDC on the following applications:

• 0795/26/HHO 65 French Furze Road Blackawton TQ9 7FN. Householder application for proposed rear dormer to form additional bedroom with en-suite.

• 0862/26/HHO Stone House Farm Blackawton TQ9 7DE. Householder application for single storey rear extension & revised front entrance.

• 0865/26/TCA 3 Church Hill Blackawton TQ9 7BQ. T1: Oak – remove, too large, causing excessive shading, too close to power line.

• 0902/26/HHO 26 French Furze Road Blackawton TQ9 7FN. Householder application for rear extension and alterations to existing dwelling.

To note the following application.

• 0917/26/ARC Bow Farm Blackawton TQ9 7AH. Application for approval of details reserved by condition 7 (Sustainable Drainage Option) of planning consent 1799/25/HHO.

7. French Furze Development

To receive an update.

8. Greenslades Road Circuit Footpath

To consider supporting the proposal to replace the existing S106 requirement for scalpings with some provision for drainage and for the path to be broadened.

9. Parish Council Noticeboard

To agree a policy regarding posting community notices.

10. Creation of a Blackawton Community Emergency Hub

To receive an update.

11. Felling Trees in the Blackawton Churchyard

To consider the placement of a simple ‘deadwood habitat’ sign.

To decide management of the remaining dead cherry tree, next to footpath towards School Lane.

12. Planting Churchyard Trees

To consider a revised proposal to plant an avenue of five rowans the east side of the footpath and three on the west.

To consider where to plant the remaining two rowan trees. To make arrangements to plant in April 2026.

13. Churchyard Wall Maintenance

To consider approving signature of the contract with the stonemason.

To consider carrying out additional works on Park Lane (to a bulge area) and on Main Street (to brace across a crack).

14. Wind Turbine Feasibility Study Grant

To consider approving BPC’s signature of the Grant Funding Agreement.

To consider approving BPC’s signature of the NDA and a contract with the feasibility study provider.

To consider creation of a Steering Group and its members.

15. BPC Policies and Procedures

To consider approval of the draft BPC Equality and Diversity Policy.

16. Finance

    1. Update on Current Financial Position

To receive Reports and Bank Reconciliation for signature.

1. 2. Payments & Receipts

To authorise the following payments

• Clerk March Expenses Reimbursement £18.55

• Devon Communities Together Membership Annual Fee £50.00

• Scribe Accounting & Cemetery Software £535.68

• Felling Churchyard Trees £1,740.00

• Devon Association of Local Councils Annual Fee £379.57

• Website Updates £22.00

Payments made since the last monthly meeting

• Churchyard tree pre-felling bat survey £283.00

• ICO annual fee (direct debit) £47.00

17. Correspondence

To note or consider:

• Devon County Council responsible to distribute Government funding for low-income households Oil Heating through the new Crisis and Resilience Fund (CaRF).

18. Annual Parish Meeting

To confirm arrangements.

19. Next Meeting

To confirm the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 11 May at 7:30 p.m.

20. Closure of the Meeting

To consider a resolution, 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.

21. Contracted Work

    1. Parish Lengthsman

    2. Cutting back Vegetation growing on St Michael’s Churchyard’s Walls and Gate Pillars twice a year

22. Cemetery Treeworks – removal of fallen Monterey Cypress branches & removal in the autumn of the tree growing on a grave

23. BPC Insurance 2026-2029

PRESS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE VERY WELCOME TO ATTEND

Annette Thom

Parish Clerk

The post Agenda 2026 April 13 appeared first on Blackawton.

You are hereby summoned to attend the monthly Meeting of Blackawton Parish Council to be held on Monday 9 March 2026 at 7:30 p.m. in Blackawton Village Hall for the purpose of transacting the following business.

a. Open Forum

The Chair invites Questions from Parishioners.

b. Councillors Forum

Cllrs may raise items for attention or for future consideration.

AGENDA

1. Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

2. Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of Members’ interests in Agenda items

3. Minutes of Previous Meetings

To approve the Minutes of the Meeting held 9 February 2026.

4. Report from South Hams District Council Councillor

5. Report from Devon County Council Councillor

6. Improving Road Safety at Forces Cross

To receive an update. To consider creating a BPC log of accidents at Forces Cross, including retrospective data.

7. Planning Applications

   1. South Hams District Council’s Planning Decisions

To note the decisions as follows:

• 3266/25/HHO The Anchorage Main Street Blackawton TQ9 7BG. Householder application for extension of existing dwelling & associated works. Conditional Approval.

• 0211/26/AGR Wild Bank Farm Blackawton TQ9 7AA. Application to determine if prior approval is required for five polytunnels. Four measuring 20.12m (L) x 6.1m (B) x 2.84m height to ridge and one measuring 14m (L) x 7.1m (B) x 2.9m height to ridge. Refused.

1. 2. Review of New Applications

To consider commenting to SHDC on the following applications:

• 0375/26/ARC Bow Cottage, Blackawton, TQ9 7AH. Application for approval of details reserved by condition 6 (Historic Building Record) of planning consent 1800/25/LBC.

• 0378/26/ARC Bow Cottage, Blackawton, TQ9 7AH. Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 6 (CEMP) & 8 (Historic Building Record) of planning consent 1799/25/HHO.

• New premises licence application Bayards Court Care Dartmouth TQ6 0FF. Supply of Alcohol On premises Monday to Sunday 12:00-22:00 & Opening Hours Monday to Sunday 06:00-23:00.

To note the following application.

• 0551/26/AGR Grimpstone Farm Blackawton TQ9 7DW. Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed agricultural storage building measuring 13.1m (L) x 6.7m (B) x 6.8m height to ridge.

8. Devon County Council Decision

To note the decision as follows:

• Public Path Diversion Order 2026 – Footpath No.4, Blackawton. Order made.

9. Consultations

• Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government public consultation on the proposals relating to the Government’s programme of local government reorganisation in Devon, Plymouth and Torbay. Closes Thursday 26th March.

To consider submission of the draft response circulated.

10. French Furze Development

To receive an update.

11. Creation of a Blackawton Community Emergency Hub

To consider whether to adopt this initiative and, if yes, to decide the location and confirm access arrangements.

12. Felling of Trees in the Blackawton Churchyard

To confirm arrangements, including: proposed deadwood habitat site, arrangements for craftspeople to collect wood.

13. Churchyard Wall Maintenance

To consider the timing and funding of the project for maintenance of areas of the churchyard wall on Park Lane and on Main Street.

14. Cemetery Tree Maintenance

To note quotes be obtained for works to remove the Monterey Cypress’ broken limbs.

To consider the Clerk’s recommendation to remove the conifer which is growing on a grave & also obtain quotes for that.

15. Finance

    1. Update on Current Financial Position

To receive Reports and Bank Reconciliation.

1. 2. Payments & Receipts

To authorise the following payments

• Clerk February Expenses Reimbursement £29.41

• Website updates and Accessibility Check £113.00

• Parish Lengthsman 15 November 2025 to 18 February 2026 £408

• Parish Council Noticeboard £1,056.04

16. Requests Grants from BPC

To consider the following requests:

1. 1. Crimestoppers

For a presentation to a Parish meeting & provision of digital, social and print media. £50.00

1. 2. Blackawton Allotments Association

To replace windows in the communal shed which are in disrepair. £1,200.

17. Clerk Hours Allocation

To consider the Clerk’s proposal for a core allocation of 15 hours per week from February 2026 to March 2027, as has been budgeted for, subject to monitoring with the Personnel Committee.

18. BPC Policies and Procedures

To consider approval of the reviewed BPC documents:

1. 1. Information Management System Policy

   2. Publication Scheme

   3. Record Retention and Disposal Schedule

   4. Terms of Reference for Personnel Committee & Subcommittee

2. Contracted Work

To note that BPC is currently inviting quotes for the following work. Closing date 31 March 2026:

1. 1. Parish Lengthsman

Clearing drainage grips and channels that carry water off Parish lanes. About 60 hours annually.

1. 2. Vegetation growing on St Michael’s Churchyard’s Walls and Gate Pillars

Cutting back the vegetation twice a year.

20. Transfer of Documents to Devon Archives

To note the plan to transfer historical Minutes.

21. Public Paths Partnerships Scheme & Annual Forms

To note that no decision received on the bid last year for works to Footpath 7, Woodford.

To consider whether to submit works requests in the current forms, probably due 31 March 2026.

22. Correspondence

To note or consider:

• Invitation South Devon National Landscape Partnership Meeting, 13/03/2026, Hybrid: Repton Room at Follaton House and online via Zoom, 10am – 12:30pm

• Invitation SHDC : ‘The National Planning Policy Framework and its Relationship with Neighbourhood Plans Town and Parish Council Briefing 12/3/26 4:00pm to 5:00pm, online

• Invitation SHDC ‘Policy for the Transfer of Community Assets’ Briefing 19/3/26 5:45pm to 6:45pm, online

• The Department for Transport has announced an increase in Funding for Installing EV Chargers for renters, flat owners, homeowners without driveways and businesses

23. Scheduling of Annual Meetings

• To select a date for the Annual Parish Meeting from 1 April to 1 June.

• To confirm that the Annual Meeting of the Council will take place at the start of the monthly meeting on 11 May 2026.

24. Next Meeting

To confirm that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 13 April at 7:30 p.m.

25. Closure of the Meeting

To consider a resolution, in accordance with the 1960 Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act, to exclude the public and press during consideration of the following item because of the commercial-in-confidence nature of the business.

26. Churchyard Wall Maintenance Project

To consider the quotes received for the Traffic Management during the works.

PRESS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE VERY WELCOME TO ATTEND

Annette Thom

Parish Clerk

The post Agenda 2026 March 09 appeared first on Blackawton.

You are hereby summoned to attend the monthly meeting of Blackawton Parish Council to be held on Monday 9 February 2026 at 7:30 p.m. in Blackawton Village Hall for the purpose of transacting the following business.

a. Open Forum

The Chair invites Questions from Parishioners.

b. Councillors Forum

Cllrs may raise items for attention or for future consideration.

AGENDA

1. Apologies

To receive apologies for absence

2. Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of Members’ interests in Agenda items

3. Minutes of Previous Meetings

To approve Minutes of the Meetings held on 12 January and on 26 January 2026.

4. Report from Devon County Council Councillor

5. Report from South Hams District Council Councillor

6. Planning Applications

   1. South Hams District Council’s Planning Decisions

To note the decisions as follows:

• 2889/25/HHO Brocks Down 13 Dartmouth Green Blackawton TQ9 7FE. Householder application for replacement of existing single storey garden room with oak framed garden room. Conditional Approval.

• 3452/25/VAR Hingston Farm Lane To Hingston Farm East Allington TQ9 7QA. Application for variation of condition 2 (Approved Plans) of planning consent 1299/25/FUL (Proposed demolition of barns & replacement with residential dwelling in lieu of Class Q consent 2639/24/PDM). Conditional Approval.

• 2883/25/FUL Land Adjacent 25 French Furze Road, Blackawton. Replacement of existing garage & containers with commercial store & office. Conditional Approval.

• 0163/26/TEX Wadstray House Blackawton TQ9 7DE. T1: Beech – storm damaged, hung tree within adjacent sycamore over driveway, risk to tenants and property. No Objection Raised.

1. 2. Review of New Applications

To consider commenting to SHDC on the following application:

• 0140/26/HHO Householder application for retrospective permission for a timber summerhouse built within 2m of the boundary. Lower Abbotsleigh Blackawton TQ9 7AF.

To note the following applications.

• 0192/26/CLE The Linhay Higher Wood Farm Blackawton TQ9 7AB. Certificate of lawfulness for non compliance with occupancy condition.
  The decision will be made by SHDC based on evidence and the application of specific legal criteria.

• 0211/26/AGR Wild Bank Farm Blackawton TQ9 7AA. Application to determine if prior approval is required for five polytunnels. Four measuring 20.12m (L) x 6.1m (B) x 2.84m height to ridge and one measuring 14m (L) x 7.1m (B) x 2.9m height to ridge.

7. Consultations

• DCC, Proposed changes to Devon Library Service. Closes 22/2/26.

• Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service, Feedback from residents about what the risks are within the local community: Closes 12:00 9/4/26.

8. French Furze Development

To receive an update.

9. Improving Safety at Forces Cross

To note that there has been another crash and to revisit what action can be taken by BPC.

10. Churchyard Wall Maintenance

To consider the approach to the project for maintenance of areas of wall on Park Lane and on Main Street, and the timing of the works.

11. Felling of Trees in the Blackawton Churchyard

To receive an update.

12. BPC’s Policy for Notifications to SHDC about Possible Breaches of Planning Legislation

To consider the proposal that BPC Policy be to signpost Parishioners to report their concerns about potential breaches of planning legislation directly to SHDC.

13. Aluminium Can Recycling Point in the Village

To note that residents have bought a can crusher and created a recycling point at the car park between the shop and the pub.

14. Greenslades Circuit Footpath

To receive an update.

15. Installation of a Public EV Charging Point Within the Village

To consider whether the Blackawton Parish Council wants to be involved in/carry out a project to reinvestigate this.

16. Nominations for the ticket draw to attend a Garden Party at Buckingham Palace

17. BPC’s Gritter and Blackawton Snow Warden

To receive an update.

18. Finance

    1. Update on Current Financial Position

To receive Report and Bank Reconciliation.

1. 2. Payments & Receipts

To authorise the following payments

• Clerk January Expenses Reimbursement £30.39

• January cut of the internal face of the Cemetery hedge £120.00

• Autumn clean of bus shelters £210.00

1. 3. 25/26 Internal Audit

To consider appointing the same internal auditor as for the 24/25 internal audit.

19. Correspondence

To note or consider:

• Thanks from the Beacon editor for the grant from BPC

• Thanks from South Hams Citizens Advice for the grant from BPC

• 2/2/26 To DCC From a resident re. terrible condition of the road outside Newton Farm in the Parish of Blackawton. Follow up of correspondence started January 2025. Road has not been repaired by DCC.

20. Next Meeting

To confirm that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 9 March at 7:30 p.m.

21. Closure of the Meeting

To consider a resolution, 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.

22. Churchyard Wall Maintenance

To consider the quotes received for the maintenance of the churchyard wall project for:

• • Stonemasonry
  • Traffic management during the works.

PRESS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE VERY WELCOME TO ATTEND

Annette Thom

Parish Clerk

The post Agenda 2025 February 09 appeared first on Blackawton.

You are hereby summoned to attend the Extraordinary Meeting of Blackawton Parish Council to be held on Monday 26 January 2026 at 8:00 p.m. in Blackawton Village Hall for the purpose of transacting the following business.

AGENDA

1. Apologies

To receive apologies for absence

2. Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of Members’ interests in Agenda items.

3. Request for a Grant from BPC

To consider the request for a grant of £588.14 towards the construction of the community compost site.

4. Closure of the Meeting

To consider a resolution, in accordance with the 1960 Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act, to exclude the public and press during consideration of the following item because of the commercial-in-confidence nature of the business.

5. Churchyard Wall Maintenance

To consider the quotes received for the recommended maintenance of the churchyard wall and for the associated traffic management.

6. Re-open the meeting to members of the public and press

7. 2026/27 Budget and Precept

   1. To receive and consider the Clerk’s Report and proposed 2026/27 Budget.

   2. To decide the 2026/27 budget.

   3. To decide the 2026/27 precept demand.

PRESS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE VERY WELCOME TO ATTEND

Annette Thom

Parish Clerk

The post Agenda 2026 January 26 appeared first on Blackawton.

You are hereby summoned to attend the monthly meeting of Blackawton Parish Council to be held on Monday 12 January 2026 at 7:30 p.m. in Blackawton Village Hall for the purpose of transacting the following business.

a. Open Forum

The Chair invites Questions from Parishioners.

b. Councillors Forum

Cllrs may raise items for attention or for future consideration.

AGENDA

1. Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

2. Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of Members’ interests in Agenda items.

3. Minutes of Previous Meetings

To consider approval of the Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 December 2025.

4. Report from Devon County Council Councillor

5. Report from South Hams District Council Councillor

6. Planning Applications

   1. South Hams District Council’s Planning Decisions

To note the decision as follows:

• 2958/25/FUL Higher Dreyton Farm Blackawton TQ9 7DG. Extension to existing detached garage to form ancillary accommodation & associated works. Conditional Approval.

1. 2. Review of New Applications

To consider commenting to SHDC on the following application:

• 3761/25/PDM Buildings At Sx 829 494 Blackawton. Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed change of use of agricultural barns to 5no. dwellinghouses (class C3) & for associated development (Class Q (a+b)).

7. French Furze Development

To receive an update.

8. Repair of the Railing at the Lychgate Entrance to the Church

To confirm the completion of the project.

9. Snow Warden Role & Blackawton Parish Council’s Gritter

To review the use of the gritter and the Snow Warden role.

10. Protecting the A379 Road over Slapton Line from the Sea

To respond to Strete Parish Council’s correspondence suggesting lobbying for plans to protect the road.

11. South Hams Ramblers’ Offer to Carry out Footpath Maintenance

To consider accepting the offer free labour on most jobs relating to path upkeep.

12. Finance

    1. Update on Current Financial Position

To receive Reports, Bank Reconciliation, and report against budget to 31/12/25.

1. 2. Payments & Receipts

To authorise the following payment:

• Clerk December Expenses Reimbursement £29.55

1. 3. Grants made by BPC

To consider making the budgeted grants of:

• £300 to South Hams Citizens Advice

• £100 to the Blackawton Beacon

1. 4. BPC’s Draft 2025/26 Budget

To consider the Report and the draft Budget. To schedule an extraordinary meeting to finalise the 2025/26 Budget and Precept demand.

13. Correspondence

To note or consider:

• The Cornelius Fund – Can provide grants to to help with rental deposits, first month’s rent and other household needs. It needs Committee members.

• SHDC – South Hams Community Awards. Nominations close Saturday 31/1/26

• SHDC – Invitation Town & Parish Councils Briefing Local Government Reform, Online, 21/1/26 18:30–19:30

• Devon Community Resilience Forum Spring Forum, 26/3/26, 10am-4pm, Teign Valley Community Hall, Christow, EX6 7WA.

14. Next Meeting

To confirm that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 9 February at 7:30 p.m.

15. Closure of the Meeting

To consider a resolution, in accordance with the 1960 Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act, to exclude the public and press during consideration of the following item because of the commercial-in-confidence nature of the business.

16. Noticeboard Quotes

To consider the quotes and arrangements to install a Parish Council noticeboard in the Main Street bus shelter.

PRESS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE VERY WELCOME TO ATTEND

Annette Thom

Parish Clerk

The post Agenda 2026 January 12 appeared first on Blackawton.

You are hereby summoned to attend the monthly meeting of Blackawton Parish Council to be held on Monday 8 December 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in Blackawton Village Hall for the purpose of transacting the following business.

a. Open Forum

The Chair invites Questions from Parishioners.

b. Councillors Forum

Cllrs may raise items for attention or for future consideration.

AGENDA

1. Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

2. Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of Members’ interests in Agenda items.

3. Minutes of Previous Meetings

To approve Minutes of the Meeting held on 10 November 2025.

To note the approved Minutes of the Personnel Committee Meeting on 26 March and draft minutes of the Personnel Sub-Committee Meeting on 1 December 2025.

4. Report from South Hams District Council Councillor

5. Report from Devon County Council Councillor

6. Planning Applications

   1. South Hams District Council’s Planning Decisions

To note the decisions as follows:

• 2635/25/PDM Land At Sx 801 505, Blackawton, TQ9 7AZ. Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed change of use of agricultural barn to 4no. dwellinghouses (class C3) & for associated development (Class Q (a+b)). Refused

1. 2. Review of New South Hams District Council Applications

To consider commenting to SHDC on the following applications:

• 3266/25/HHO The Anchorage Main Street Blackawton TQ9 7BG. Householder application for extension of existing dwelling & associated works.

• 2889/25/HHO Brocks Down13 Dartmouth Green Blackawton TQ9 7FE. Householder application for replacement of existing single storey garden room with oak framed garden room.

• 3452/25/VAR Hingston Farm Lane To Hingston Farm East AllingtonTQ9 7QA

• New Premises Licence – Higher Hutcherleigh, Blackawton, TQ9 7AD. Supply of alcohol off the premises:- Monday to Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00. Sunday 10:00 to 15:00. The premises will package hampers for distribution and will not be open to the public.

1. 3. Review of New Devon County Council Application

To consider commenting to DCC on the following application:

• Informal Consultation – Public Path Diversion – Blackawton Footpath No.4 Higher Pasture Farm, Blackawton.

7. French Furze Development

To receive an update.

8. Maintenance of Churchyard Wall

To note the Report and email correspondence from the Engineer.

To confirm that the Clerk will now obtain quotes for the recommended works.

9. Churchyard Gates

To note the Clerk’s Report, to consider arrangements for projects to move the southern lychgate into the Church and to photograph all churchyard gates, and

To confirm: a community working group to help to seek grants for the repair and maintenance works, and to ask the School and the local History group if the works might be a learning opportunity.

10. Planting Trees in the Churchyard to Replace Felled Trees

To note the Clerk’s Report.

To confirm the variety of rowan trees to plant in an avenue in the Churchyard.

To review or confirm the spacing of planting in the avenue.

To authorise payment of up to £50 for a crab apple (malus) John Downie.

11. South Devon National Landscape’s Offer of a Wheelchair Friendly Picnic Table with Two Bench Seats

To review BPC’s choice of a wheelchair accessible site to locate the table/bench.

12. Personnel Sub-Committee

To consider approving the recommendations of the 1 December Personnel Sub-Committee meeting:
-to book a DALC whole council bespoke training course (short course for up to 10 people cost of approximately £250 plus travel), and to confirm the topics and date,
-no action is required regarding pension contributions,
-a system where the Clerk arranges annual leave by notifying the Personnel Cllrs in advance and within legal time-frame, -to continue to pay the Clerk for 15 hours per week from October to January inclusive (excluding when on annual leave). 15 hours per week is the average total weekly budgeted staff hours for 2025/26.

13. BPC’s Gritter

To plan action to assess the gritter, and to decide whether and how to repair it.

14. Finance

    1. Update on Current Financial Position

To receive Reports and Bank Reconciliation.

1. 2. Payments & Receipts

To authorise the following payments

• Clerk November Expenses Reimbursement £35.29

• Royal British Legion Donation £50.00

• DALC, Managing Projects webinar training £42.00

• Churchyard Wall Engineer’s assessment of works £940.85

Payments authorised since the last monthly meeting:

• Bat Survey of churchyard trees prior to felling £536.00

• Parish Lengthsman October 2025 £132.00

15. Cemetery Transfer of Deeds of Grant

To note that effective 17 November 2025, the fee for obtaining copy documents has been revised from £1.50 to £16.

16. Meeting Action items

To briefly review.

17. Next Meeting

To confirm the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 12 January at 7:30 p.m.

18. Closure of the Meeting

To consider a resolution, 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.

19. Grounds Maintenance Contract 2026

To consider accepting the costs proposed.

20. Noticeboard Quotes

To consider the quotes and arrangements to install a Parish Council noticeboard in the Main Street bus shelter.

21. Churchyard Trees

To consider the quotes to purchase rowan trees to plant an avenue in the Churchyard.

PRESS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE VERY WELCOME TO ATTEND

Annette Thom

Parish Clerk

The post Agenda 2025 December 08 appeared first on Blackawton.

You are hereby summoned to attend a meeting of the Blackawton Parish Council Personnel Committee to be held on Monday 1 December 2025 at 8:45 p.m. in Blackawton Village Hall for the purpose of transacting the following business.

AGENDA

1. Apologies

To receive apologies for absence

2. Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of Members’ interests in Agenda items

3. Approval of Minutes

To consider approval of the Minutes of the meeting on 26 March 2025

4. Training

To consider recommending arranging a DALC whole council bespoke training course, with a short course for up to 10 people cost of approximately £250 plus travel.

5. Development of BPC Policies

To note the new duty from October 2024 New Duty Requiring Employers to Protect Employees from Sexual Harassment.

To note the Equality Act 2010 requirement for an Equality & Diversity Policy

To consider BPC’s actions to adopt these policies, perhaps using a Dignity at Work Policy and an Equality & Diversity Policy.

6. Pension Contribution Levels

To consider the Report explaining that minimum pension contributions are calculated on ‘qualifying earnings’.

7. Clerk’s Annual Leave

To consider approval of the annual leave requests.

To consider a system for meeting the Clerk’s contract requirement to ‘take annual leave at times agreed with the Council’.

8. Clerk Hours Worked & Remuneration

To note the update and proposals, including a recommendation to implement the increase in core hours to 13 hours per week from January 2026.

9. Performance Appraisal

To schedule an appraisal to be done with the Personnel Sub-Committee.

Annette Thom

Parish Clerk

The post Agenda Personnel Subcommittee 2025 December 01 appeared first on Blackawton.

To all members of Blackawton Parish Council Personnel Committee 21 November 2025

You are hereby summoned to attend a meeting of the Blackawton Parish Council Personnel Committee to be held on Wednesday 26 November 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in Blackawton Village Hall for the purpose of transacting the following business.

AGENDA

1. Apologies

To receive apologies for absence

2. Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of Members’ interests in Agenda items

3. Approval of Minutes

To consider approval of the Minutes of the meeting on 26 March 2025

4. Training

To consider recommending arranging a DALC whole council bespoke training course, with a short course for up to 10 people cost of approximately £250 plus travel.

5. Development of BPC Policies

To note the new duty from October 2024 New Duty Requiring Employers to Protect Employees from Sexual Harassment.

To note the the Equality Act 2010 requirement for an Equality & Diversity Policy

To consider BPC’s actions to adopt these policies, perhaps using a Dignity at Work Policy and an Equality & Diversity Policy.

6. Pension Contribution Levels

To consider the Report explaining that minimum pension contributions are calculated on ‘qualifying earnings’ .

7. Clerk’s Annual Leave

To consider approval of the annual leave requests.

To consider a system for meeting the Clerk’s contract requirement to ‘take annual leave at times agreed with the Council’.

8. Clerk Hours Worked & Remuneration

To note the update and proposals, including a recommendation to implement the increase in core hours to 13 hours per week from January 2026.

9. Performance Appraisal

To schedule an appraisal to be done with the Personnel Committee.

Annette Thom

Parish Clerk

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You are hereby summoned to attend the monthly meeting of Blackawton Parish Council to be held on Monday 10 November 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in Blackawton Village Hall for the purpose of transacting the following business.

a. Open Forum

The Chair invites Questions from Parishioners.

b. Councillors Forum

Cllrs may raise items for attention or for future consideration.

AGENDA

1. Apologies

To receive apologies for absence from Parish Cllrs Hadow & Mardon, and from DCC Cllr Brazil.

2. Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of Members’ interests in Agenda items.

3. Minutes of Previous Meetings

To approve Minutes of the Meetings held 13 and 20 October 2025.

4. Report from South Hams District Council Councillor

5. Report from Devon County Council Councillor

6. Planning Applications

   1. South Hams District Council’s Planning Decisions

To note the decisions as follows:

• 2380/25/CLP The Granary Millcombe Farmhouse Blackawton TQ9 7AE. Certificate of lawfulness for proposed siting of caravan within the domestic garden to provide ancillary accommodation. Cert of Lawfulness (Proposed) Certified.

• 2657/25/AGR Yonder Parks Bungalow Blackawton TQ9 7DR. Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed general purpose agricultural building measuring 22.86m (L) x 18.28m (B) x 9.14m height to ridge. Prior Approval Deemed Consent.

1. 2. Review of New Applications

To consider commenting to SHDC on the following applications:

• 2958/25/FUL Higher Dreyton Farm Blackawton TQ9 7DG. Extension to existing detached garage to form ancillary accommodation & associated works.

• 2883/25/FUL Land Adjacent 25 French Furze Road, Blackawton. Replacement of existing garage & containers with commercial store & office.

7. French Furze Development

To receive an update.

8. Contract to Cut Back Vegetation growing on the Churchyard Wall, Entrance Steps & Pillars

To consider approving the proposed specifications & advertising a contract (1 year/optional 3 year extension).

9. Contract for Grounds Maintenance in the Churchyard & Cemetery

To consider approving the revised specifications & re-advertising a contract (1 year/optional 3 year extension).

10. Wind Turbine Feasibility Study Grant Application

To note that an application has been submitted & the Clerk’s report advising that the contract to carry out a study would need to be re-advertised.

11. Finance

    1. Update on Current Financial Position

To receive Report and Bank Reconciliation.

1. 2. Payments & Receipts

To authorise the following payments

• Clerk, October Expenses Reimbursement £31.01

• Parish Online annual subscription fee £58.80

• Grounds Maintenance – Churchyard Frequent cuts 14 & 28 October £204.00

• Grounds Maintenance – Cemetery Frequent cuts 14 & 28 October £216.00

Payments authorised since the last monthly meeting

• Parish Lengthsman September to 4 October £230.00

1. 3. Accounting Software 26/27 Cost Increase

To note the advice that the annual charge will increase by 40%, due to a review using precept value as an indicator of the size of the council and the level of support and resources used. Next review in three years. No change to Cemetery software charge.

12. Clerk’s Request for Annual Leave

To consider approving the request.

13. Church of England Permission to carry out Churchyard Maintenance

To note the Clerk’s report about law creating legal and planning controls for the Church of England: requiring a formal authorisation for some works to church buildings and churchyards.

14. South Devon National Landscape’s Offer of an Accessible/Wheelchair Friendly Picnic Bench

To consider the offer and an accessible site to locate a bench. Applications close 30/11/25..

15. Correspondence

To note or consider:

• Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service Annual Precept Survey. Closes 3 December2025

• SHDC Thermal imaging camera loan scheme for communities

• ICCM Campaign to change DWP Funeral Expenses Payment eligibility criteria

16. Next Meeting

To confirm the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 8 December at 7:30 p.m.

17. Closure of the Meeting

To consider a resolution, 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.

18. Grounds Maintenance Contract

To review the contract.

1. Noticeboard Quotes

To consider the quotes to install a Parish Council noticeboard in the Main Street bus shelter.

PRESS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE VERY WELCOME TO ATTEND

Annette Thom

Parish Clerk

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You are hereby summoned to attend the extraordinary meeting of Blackawton Parish Council to be held on Monday 20 October 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in Blackawton Village Hall for the purpose of transacting the following business.

AGENDA

1. Apologies

To receive apologies for absence.

2. Declarations of Interest

To receive declarations of Members’ interests in Agenda items.

3. Application for a Wind Turbine Feasibility Study Grant

To consider Cllr Coe’s proposed application for BPC to apply for a Government grant to pay for a feasibility study for a Community Owned Wind Turbine.

4. Blackawton Emergency Plan

To note the working draft and actions Report.

To consider next actions, including: to identify members of the Community Response Team & the Co-ordinator, to consider communications – including Volunteer Emergency Telephone Service and two way radios.

PRESS AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ARE VERY WELCOME TO ATTEND

Annette Thom

Parish Clerk

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