Notes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on
Tuesday 15 April 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in the Blackawton Village Hall
Present: There were 27 people present, including Parish & South Hams District Cllr Rake (Chair), Parish Cllrs Oughton (Vice-Chair), Coe, Luckens, and Thomas, Devon County Cllr Brazil, guest speaker from Sustainable South Hams, and A. Thom (Clerk).
1. Report from Blackawton Parish Council Chair
Cllr Rake thanked the other Parish Councillors (all also volunteers) and the Clerk for their work over the past year.
He discussed projects which have taken place over the year since the last Annual Parish Meeting. He said that the success of the Village Hall is a demonstration of the skill and dedication of the community pulling together, and that Councils can facilitate this to happen.
Cllr Rake discussed the management of some village green space (Churchyard and Cemetery) by the Parish Council. There was a great community day strimming the Churchyard last September. There is a continued program maintaining the edges and leaving some wild areas. It is looking fantastic at the moment and we expect this approach to pay increased dividends over time with increased biodiversity. We are looking to install an explanatory panel in the Churchyard this year to explain the management approach. This is particularly important at times of the year when it looks less attractive.
The success of Blackawton in Bloom which was led by a resident has added colour to the village and was supported by a grant from the Parish Council.
Cllr Rake discussed the Government’s Devolution White Paper and the current reorganizing of local government – which will result in the merging of the functions of district councils and county councils into unitary councils. A likely consequence is that the ranges services provided will come under pressure and parishes will need to provide more services locally if we want them. Cllr Rake said that Blackawton Parish Council is well positioned to respond. We have professionalised our service over recent years and we are putting out feelers to other local parish councils to see if we’re able to gain efficiencies by working together.
2. Report from Blackawton’s Devon County Council Councillor
Devon County Cllr Brazil said that DCC has increased its component of council tax by 5%: the 3% maximum increased permitted, plus 2% for adult social services. DCC’s financial settlement from central Government was reduced this year, including the loss of the Rural Services Delivery Grant which was to mitigate the extra cost to deliver services in a rural area, for example school transport. The majority of the new dual council tax on second homes, about 70%, goes to DCC.
Regarding Blackawton, Cllr Brazil thanked the Parish Councillors for what they do and said that the local resilience is evident. With local government reform parish councils may need to take on discretionary services. The Hall is a good example of partnership working.
3. Blackawton Community Groups
Representatives from some Groups spoke to the meeting:
Allotments Association
The Association is run by members. It is affordable (£12.50 annually for a single plot). There are some single plots available.
Bell Ringers
The Bell Ringers meet on Thursday evenings. Here are seven ringers and three learners. New ringers are welcome. Come along and try it out.
Community Shop
It was sad to see the previous manager leave last October. The Shop has been pleased to welcome the current Manager and Assistant Manager.
The Shop has a fabulous team of volunteers. It is lovely to be involved with, and is a fun and happy environment. There are two or three volunteer get togethers each year.
The Shop is going well. If it makes a profit it contributes to the village, for example toward the cost of the annual fireworks.
New volunteers are welcome. You can also become a member by buying one share at a cost of £10. Members can vote in the AGM and you receive extra information as a shareholder.
Blackawton Playing Fields Committee
The Committee looks after public spaces in the village: the fireworks field, the community meadow, and the playpark. There is a great group of volunteers. There was a successful wassailing event last year. The Committee is always looking for new people to join.
Community Composting Site
The project has achieved planning permission for the Site to be placed at the back of the Village Hall car park. It will take garden material and produce garden compost.
They are waiting for funding from South Hams District Council. They have received technical support and advice from Sustainable South Hams, for example to achieve planning permission.
4. Guest Speaker from Sustainable South Hams – Food Waste Composting
The speaker discussed the Bokashi method of anaerobic fermentation food waste composting. It is from Japan. Food waste, including meat, is placed into a bin and handful of a special bokashi bran starter sprinkled on top of about every 5 cm depth. The food waste is squashed down to remove air and an air-tight lid put on. The fermenting food waste doesn’t smell unpleasant. When ready it can be buried and then planted on top of, or added to a traditional compost heap where it will break down faster and will not attract vermin.
You can buy special bokashi bins or can make your own using a readily available bucket with an air-tight lid. The speaker hasn’t found in the need to have a tap to remove liquid. They don’t add much cooked food waste, which tends to produce more liquid.
There was a discussion about tumble bin composters which are used at a community and commercial level. There is the potential for their use by the School. There can be funding available to support the substantial purchase cost.
5. More Information and Contact Details:
Community website: www.blackawtoncommunity.com
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Community Groups pages, and
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News post about Bokashi Composting – with links to resources
Contact the Clerk on 07979 391442 or parishclerk@blackawtoncommunity.com