The Minutes can be read below or downloaded here: Approved Minutes 030924
Blackawton Parish Council
Established 1894
APPROVED Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Blackawton Parish Council held on Tuesday 3 September 2024 at 7:30 p.m. in St. Michael’s Church
Present: DCC Cllr Brazil, Parish & South Hams District Cllr Rake (Chair), Parish Cllrs Luckens, Mardon and Thomas (acting Clerk) were present. There were four members of the public present.
Absent: Parish Cllrs Oughton (Vice-Chair), Coe, Haddow and Clerk A Thom.
a. Open Forum
Four Parishioners attended. Discussion focused on the proposed “Blackawton in Spring Bloom” initiative to plant daffodil bulbs in the village. Possible planting sites were discussed along with associated merits and concerns. It was agreed that bulbs would not be planted in sites where residents were not in support.
b. Councillors Forum
Cllr Rake will draft an article for the next Beacon thanking parishioners for their participation in the recent churchyard maintenance weekend. It was agreed that the MUGA should be an agenda item for the next meeting.
1. Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Oughton, Coe, Haddow and Clerk A Thom.
2. Declarations of Interest
None declared.
3. Minutes of Previous Meeting
It was resolved to approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 16 July 2024.
4. Report from South Hams District Council Councillor
SHDC Cllr Rake provided further detail regarding the 2025 South Hams Festival. Notably, grants (up to £1,000) are available to communities for specific Festival related projects. For grant applications to be considered, the parish would first need to provide the Festival with a sponsorship donation of £500.
5. Report from Devon County Council Councillor
Cllr Brazil highlighted the continuing uncertainty surrounding local government devolution and also the DCC decision to add second home council tax income to the general budget pot rather than, as favoured by all District Councils, to ring fence it for housing.
6. Provision of cover for Clerk during possible leave of absence
Cllr Rake indicated that the Clerk might be able to resume duties in some form during the week commencing 16 September. It was therefore resolved not to make any specific alternative arrangements at this time to provide cover for the Clerk. It was also resolved, in the event of an extended leave of absence, to authorise the Chairman and Vice-Chairman jointly to approve and arrange any cover that might be required in the Clerk’s continuing absence up to, but not exceeding, the Clerk’s current salary level.
7. Changes to cemetery charges
Cllr Thomas’ report on the proposed changes was reviewed and discussed. He was requested to edit the document by removing all except the recommendations. The recommendations are to remain as presented except that the proposed fees for Interment Lawn and Memorial Cremation Area are to be rounded up to the next £10 increment. The revised list of recommendations will be presented for approval at the next meeting.
8. Grant application
It was resolved to authorise an application for a grant of £256 to fund the purchase of bulbs for planting in the village.
9. Finance
9.1 Payments and receipts
It was resolved to authorise the following payment:
Elliott Construction, repairs to cemetery bank, Back Lane: £1,476.00
10. Next Meeting
It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 1 October 2024 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 9:30 p.m.