The Minutes can be read below or downloaded here: MN_2024 October 01 BPC Draft Minutes
Blackawton Parish Council
Established 1894
DRAFT Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Blackawton Parish Council
held on Tuesday 1 October 2024 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall
Present: Parish & South Hams District Cllr Rake (Chair), Parish Cllrs Haddow, Luckens, Mardon, Oughton (Vice-Chair) and Thomas (acting Clerk) were present. There were no members of the public present.
Absent: DCC Cllr Brazil, Parish Cllr Coe and Clerk A Thom.
a. Open Forum
There were no questions from parishioners.
b. Councillors Forum
Cllr Luckens raised the matter of the new footpath from Greenslade Road. Cllr Rake stated that, under the S106 agreement, the responsibility for the path down to the bottom of the bonfire field is the responsibility of the developer and that the S106 provides no provision for crossing the stream at the bottom. DCC is responsible for maintaining public footpaths. It was agreed to add this item to the agenda for the next meeting.
1. Apologies
Apologies for absence were received from DCC Cllr Brazil, Parish Cllr Coe 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 3 September 2024.
4. Report from South Hams District Council Councillor
SHDC Cllr Rake highlighted the request from the 2025 South Hams Festival for a sponsorship donation of £500. It was agreed to add this item to the agenda for the next meeting. Cllr Rake also remarked that land for sale in the village might be eligible for DEFRA grant funding for qualifying uses.
5. Report from Devon County Council Councillor
On behalf of DCC Cllr Brazil, Cllr Rake reported that DCC are in the early stages of a new tendering process for the road maintenance contract.
6. Changes to cemetery charges
It was resolved to adopt the proposed new schedule of cemetery charges with immediate effect, excluding any current ongoing applications. It was noted that there remain other outstanding cemetery issues highlighted in the Clerk’s earlier report which still need to be addressed – primarily who qualifies to be buried in the cemetery and at what fee level (single or double).
7. Yellow rattle sowing in the Churchyard & general management approach
It was resolved to approve the proposal to purchase and sow yellow rattle seed in the Churchyard up to a value of £350. Discussion highlighted difficulties in getting the seeds to germinate: the need for cold weather and good ground preparation – either closely cutting the grass and scarifying or lifting turf to lay seed on bare earth but not dug in. Cllrs Haddow and Rake will coordinate this process.
8. Planning
2798/24/HHO: Householder application for proposed off road parking including external works, Penlows, Park Lane, Blackawton TQ9 7BD. It was resolved to support this application.
9. Finance
9.1 Financial report
No detailed financial report was presented. We have received the second precept payment and have a “healthy” bank balance.
9.2 Payments and receipts
It was resolved to authorise the following payments:
Arccas:
O/D invoice 15303437 Cemetery Green Zone £108.00
Invoice 15303478 Cemetery topping £ 42.00
Invoice 15303653 Cemetery cuts 5&19 Aug £204.00
Invoice 15303652 Cemetery Green Zone 5&19 Aug £216.00
Gardentime
InvoiceV37K351 Bulbs pursuant to grant £ 55.86
Payment of the following invoice by delegated authority under S6.8 III of the Financial Regulations was noted:
SCTM Inv 5167 Traffic management £1,236.00
10. Next Meeting
It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Tuesday 5 November 2024 at 7:30 p.m. in the Village Hall.
11. Closure of the meeting
In accordance with the 1960 Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act, it was resolved to exclude the public and press during consideration of the following item because the business relates to consideration of employment and personnel matters.
12. Provision of cover for Clerk during possible leave of absence
It was resolved to establish a Personnel Sub-Committee comprising Cllrs Rake, Oughton and Haddow/Mardon (alternating). Their initial priority will be to review, in conjunction the Clerk, the Clerk’s workload and hours. It was also resolved to appoint Cllr Luckens to be a Proper Officer of the Council pre tem.
The meeting closed at 8:18 p.m.