Approved Minutes 2022 September 06

May 18, 2023 | Minutes

The Approved Minutes can be read below or downloaded here: MN_2022_September BPC Approved Minutes

APPROVED Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Blackawton Parish Council held on Tuesday 6 September 2022 at 7:30 p.m. in Blackawton Village Hall

Open Forum

  1. Parish Lengthsman

The contractor who had been working with the now retired Parish Lengthsman described their own approach to the vacant role and confirmed their application to be contracted to fill it.

Present: Councillors Rake (Chair), Coe, Mallyon, Ougton, and Thomas were present, as were South Hams District Councillor Reeve, and A Thom (Clerk).

  1. Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Mewes (Vice-Chair), Curry, and Devon County Cllr Brazil.

  1. Declarations of Interest

None declared.

  1. Minutes of Previous Meetings

The Minutes of the Meeting held on 5 July 2022 were approved.

  1. Report from South Hams District Council Councillor

SHDC Cllr Reeve talked about the project for South Hams District Council to recommence in-house delivery of the waste and recycling service. SHDC is taking on FCC staff. Recycling boxes will be implemented in a later stage. SHDC Cllrs will receive an update on Thursday next week. Please let SHDC know if you are aware of problem areas of the Parish for waste collection.

Councillor Reeve asked the Parish Council to check if any items on the current enforcement list have now been resolved.

Cllr Reeve noted that the requested waste bin has not yet been installed in the French Furze community space. She will chase the bin’s installation and also the repair of the surface of the MUGA. Vistry will be at French Furze on Thursday. Work is being done on the surface of the Business Units’ floors. Cllr Reeve will request another meeting with Vistry.

  1. Report from Devon County Council Councillor

Deferred in the absence of DCC Cllr Brazil.

  1. Planning Applications

    1. SHDC Planning Decisions

The following decisions were noted:

  • 2120/22/COM Wadstray Top Middle Wadstray Farm Blackawton Totnes TQ9 7DD. Notice of Intent to Install Electronic Communication Apparatus comprising three Antennas, three RRH’s and one GPS Node and associated ancillary equipment on the existing tower. Permitted development.
  • 2414/22/TCA St Michael’s Church Church Hill Blackawton Totnes TQ9 7BQ. T1 – Ash – Fell due to progressive Ash Dieback. No objection raised.
  • 2099/22/HHO Woodfin Cottage Blackawton TQ9 7BW. Householder application for demolition of existing extension & outbuilding & erection of single storey extension, loft conversion, internal alterations & landscaping to garden. Conditional Approval.
  • 4783/21/ARC Pasture Farm East Allington TQ9 7QA. Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 5 and 6 of planning consent 0232/19/FUL. Split Decision
  • 4678/21/CLE Land Adjacent 25 French Furze Road Blackawton. Certificate of lawfulness for existing use of land for B8 purposes (storage of builder’s equipment and materials) and associated buildingand container. Cert of Lawfulness (Existing) Refusal.
  • 1765/22/CLP 4 Main Street Blackawton TQ9 7BG. Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed installation of energy efficiency measures & conversion of garage. Cert of Lawfulness (Proposed) Certified.
  • 1785/22/FUL The Old Dairy, North Millcombe Farm Blackawton Devon TQ9 7AE. Demolition of an existing agricultural building & construction of a replacement dwelling following Class Q approval 2462/19/PDM & associated landscaping. Withdrawn.
  • 1284/22/FUL Woodford Farm Blackawton TQ9 7AA. Application to replace dwelling permitted by application ref 2929/20/PDM with an alternative design using the same internal building footprint and location, proposing to replace existing steel portal barn with more sensitive, high quality design allowing for provision of new building with significantly improved thermal & Environmental performance. This application also seeks permission for associated landscape works and erection of small, open-sided tractor shed. Conditional Approval
  • 1501/22/CLP 3 Main Street Blackawton TQ9 7BG. Certificate of Lawfulness for Conversion of existing utility area to habitable space and energy efficiency works to the building envelope. Cert of Lawfulness (Proposed) Refusal.

  1. Main Street Phone Box Refurbishment

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

The box has been checked by volunteers who concluded that there is nothing major wrong with it. Of the 72 windows eight need replacing. There is no electricity supply. It is a more arduous job than expected and not straightforward.
The three options proposed were complete refurbishment by an organisation which specialises in this (expensive), a refurbishment by enthusiastic local volunteers – which we do not have in sufficient number currently, and to remove/sell the phone box.
It was decided that the project requires more consideration and making a decision was deferred.

  1. Planning Applications

    1. Review of New Applications

  • 2562/22/FUL Waterslade Blackawton TQ9 7BS. Alteration & extension of existing outbuilding to provide 2 bedroom cottage.

It was agreed that a site meeting would take place on Sunday 18 September because Councillors were unclear about what is being proposed.

  • 2130/22/FUL & 2131/22/LBC Lower Ash Farm Blackawton TQ6 0LR. Householder & Listed Building Consent for Conversion & change of use of traditional farm buildings to 1 residential dwelling & 2 self-catering holiday units together with restoration of other barns & landscaping scheme.

Not in Blackawton. No comment.

  • 2852/22/HHO Netheravon 2 Vicarage Road Blackawton TQ9 7AY. Householder application for rear courtyard extension to existing dwelling.

Resolved to Support.

  • 2455/22/ARC Hutcherleigh Turn Blackawton Devon. Application for approval of details reserved by condition 6 (Surface Water) of planning application 1103/22/FUL.

No comment made by BPC.

  • 2757/22/FUL Development Site at SX 793 508 Blackawton. Erection of stable block and change of use to equestrian.

Resolved to Support.

  • For information. 2331/22/PDM Higher Pasture Farm East Allington TQ9 7QA. Application to determine if prior approval is required for proposed change of use of agricultural buildings to 5No. dwellinghouses (Class C3) and for associated operational development (Class Q (a+b)).

  • For information. 2437/22/CLP 3 Main Street Blackawton TQ9 7BG. Certificate of Lawfulness for Proposed use of existing utility area to habitable space & energy efficiency works to the building envelope.

  1. Consultations
  • SHDC Survey of Residents’ Views ‘My Place, my Views’. Closes 17/10/22. 5pm

  1. Replacement of Stolen Blackawton Beacon Flaming Torch School Sign

It was unanimously resolved to purchase the sign from the resident who purchased a replacement for the stolen sign, with an estimated cost of £400, and to welcome contributions from the community towards that cost. Cllr Mallyon will work on the installation to try to make it tamper proof.

  1. EV Charging Points

The meeting agreed to invite both Econetiq and Western Power Distribution to a public meeting to consider the proposal from Econetiq to install EV charging points in Village Hall, Business Units, and French Furze community car park, and to learn more about how WPD manages the supply of sustainable domestic installations such as air source heat pumps and EV charging points.

  1. Village Horticultural Show Commemorative Cup

It was unanimously resolved to fund the purchase and engraving at a cost of £104.00.

  1. Access to the Carbon Savvy Course starting October 2022 for all BPC Councillors

It was unanimously resolved to authorise expenditure of £99 for all BPC Councillors to access the course.

  1. Parish Tree Warden

It was unanimously resolved to accept the very kind offer from a resident to do the role.

  1. Parish Lengthsman.

It was resolved to employ the applicant contractor to take on the remainder of the 22/23 contract.

  1. Report on Maintenance of the Cemetery

It was resolved to arrange for work to be done to scrape, fill, and level the area at the rear of the Cemetery. The area has become very uneven with soil, cuttings, and broken slabs being left there, and as a result of the fallen tree. Residents with diggers and the necessary skills will be asked. The Clerk noted that a risk assessment will be required.

  1. Grounds Maintenance

It was agreed to request that the all areas cuts of the Cemetery and of the Churchyard are carried out as soon as possible. The contractor will also be asked for a price to strim the area at the rear of the Cemetery.

  1. Dream Away Grants for holidays for children and adults with disabilities
    It was decided not to make a grant to the scheme.

  2. Finance

    1. Update on Current Financial Position

The cashbook at 31 August reconciled, with total funds £54,725.48 and general fund £12,388.78.

    1. Payments & Receipts

The following payments were authorised:

  • DALC, Data protection training, £33.60

  • ARCCAS, Cemetery yellow and blue zones 2/6, 15/6, 29/6, £306.00

  • ARCCAS, Churchyard Frequent Zones 11/8 & 24/8, £180

  • ARCCAS, Cemetery Yellow and Blue Zones 11/8 & 24/8, £204

  • Clerk, July & August Office Expenses Reimbursement CE44, £28.94

  • Williams and Triggs, Refixing of two memorials, £420.00

  • Bay Trees Services, Removal of ash tree, £570.00

  • Parish Lengthsman, Feb to June 2022, £195.00

The following payments made since the July meeting were noted:

  • ARCCAS, Churchyard frequent maintenance 2/6, 15/6, 29/6, £270.00

  • Kingsbridge Websites, Annual Support Renewal, £80.00

  • Community Shop, Parish Meeting refreshments, £66.65

  • ARCCAS, Cemetery Yellow & Blue 13 /7 & 28/7, £204.00

  • ARCCAS, Churchyard Frequent Zones 13 /7 & 28/7, £180.00

  • Clerk, July Salary £391.26, August Salary, £393.85

  • HMRC, July PAYE, £101.00, August PAYE, £101.00

  • NEST, July Pension, £35.35, August Pension, £35.35

The following receipt was noted:

  • Resident, Additional inscription on memorial tablet, £40.00

    1. Option to opt out of SAAA central external auditor appointment arrangements

It was confirmed that BPC will remain in the scheme.

    1. Authorisation of payment of Grounds Maintenance and Maintenance Contractor Invoices

It was resolved to authorise payment of invoices for the core contract work due in 2022 under contract with the Maintenance Contractor and with the Grounds Maintenance Contractor as permitted by Financial Regulation 5.6.

    1. Lloyds Bank Treasurers Account

It was resolved to increase the minimum balance to £1,000.

    1. Coleridge Group Bank Account

It was agreed to respond to Cllr Brazil’s enquiry about the moving the funds in the account in support of moving the funds to a fee free account

    1. Clerk’s Overtime Claim

It was resolved to approve the claim for five hours overtime.

  1. Correspondence

The following correspondence was noted:

  • June 2022, Cllr Rake responded to a resident’s enquiry about drainage at French Furze: Referred to contact Vistry and SHDC.

  • 6/7/22 Cllr Rake to Vistry re Business Units

  • 30/7/22 Resident, Support of rewilding of the Churchyard

  • 2/8/22, South West Water, Sewage Spills to Garra, Cllr Mewes sent further enquiry

  • 22/8/22 Allotments Association: Added to website and email address created

  • 26/8//22 Proposed 1 day road closure Hutcherleigh in November for utilities work

  • Sustainable South Hams Assembly 8/10/22 10:00-2:00, Invitation

  1. Next Meeting

It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 4 October 2022 at 7:30 p.m.

The meeting closed at 9:45 p.m.