Approved Minutes 2025 July 14

Aug 11, 2025 | Minutes

APPROVED Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Blackawton Parish Council held on
Monday 14 July 2025 at 7:30 p.m. in Blackawton Village Hall

Present: Parish & South Hams District Council Cllr Rake (Chair), and Parish Cllrs Oughton (Vice-Chair), Coe, Luckens and Thomas were present, as were Devon County Cllr Brazil for his report, and Clerk A Thom.
Absent: Cllrs Hadow & Mardon.

a. Open Forum

No members of the public present

b. Councillors Forum

i) Red Phone Box

Materials have been purchased and work to refurbish the phone box has started.

The Primary School has been asked about exhibiting art in the phone box and is ready to supply art.

ii) Defibrillator Guardians

This team to be added to the Parish Groups list and Cllr Thomas will provide a group contact.

  1. Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mardon.

  1. Declarations of Interest

Cllr Coe declared an interest in the 1712/25/HHO The Anchorage planning application Item.

  1. Report from Devon County Council Councillor

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

DCC Cllr Brazil reported that the DCC Cabinet has had its first substantive meeting. DCC holds a fund from Government to distribute to those in need of support. There is a strategy to increase DCC’s capacity for the in-house delivery of services for children with special needs: spending £160 million over ten years for specialist schools, inclusion units etc.

DCC is having a second look at the road maintenance contract, with a view to improve communication and cooperative working with Parishes and community groups. A new protocol is being written.

Budgets are tight. In the future DCC’s current cyclic maintenance work will be done less frequently, if at all, if not done by the community. Cllr Brazil said that communities also understand what is needed most.

In discussion in response to a question, Cllr Brazil explained that repair of potholes which are classified as a safety defect are paid for out of a different fund to road resurfacing work, which come out of the capital budget.

Regarding Local Government Reform, no progress has been made over the past six months. Torbay now wants to go alone. The next step is for Devon to submit one proposal for the whole of Devon to the Government in November.

Grass has been cut at Forces Cross to improve visibility. Cllr Brazil will follow up BPC’s request for a redesign of the intersection to improve visibility, and will also follow up BPC’s request for a Major Maintenance Grant for works to a footpath near Woodford bridge.

  1. Minutes of Previous Meetings

It was resolved to approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 9 June 2025.

  1. Blackawton Emergency Plan

Devon Communities Together ran a workshop in the Village Hall on 23 June. That work can be now be used towards creating a Blackawton Emergency Plan. Devon Communities Together has provided a template and examples of other Parish’s Plans. These are available on the Devon Communities Together website, and linked to from a post on the home page of the Blackawton Community website. Cllr Rake has received expressions of interests from two non-councillors who want to be involved. Cllr Rake will contact them, and there will be an invitation in the next Beacon for residents to be involved in or to lead creating the Blackawton Emergency Plan.

  1. Report from South Hams District Council Councillor

Cllr Rake reported that SHDC ended the 24/25 financial year with a very small surplus, which was only achieved by using funds from the Business Rates Retention Reserve. Expenditure was over budget in Waste Management (£670,000), and for emergency and temporary housing (£250,000). There was excess income and underspending in other budget headings. SHDC has acquired houses in Sherford using Government grants, which should help going forward.

Cllr Rake encouraged people to respond to the survey about Local Government Reform on the South Hams [District Council] website. He suggested focusing responses on the desired service delivery structure and on democratic accountability, because in the future existing structures, such as the current City and District councils, will not exist. Under the current system District Councillors represent two to three thousand people, and County Councillors about 10,000.

SHDC has started to install solar panels on the roofs of all four Leisure Centre swimming pools. Fusion Leisure has struggled with numbers post-pandemic, usage has not regained pre-pandemic usage numbers, and cheaper electricity will help.

  1. Planning Applications

    1. SHDC Planning Decisions

The following decisions were noted:

  • 1647/25/ARC Woodford Farm, The Linney, Blackawton, TQ9 7AA. Application for approval of details reserved by condition 3 (roofing materials, timber & stone) to planning consent 3967/23/FUL. Discharge of Condition Approved.

  • 1748/25/TEX Wadstray House Blackawton TQ9 7DE T1: Beech – Reduce to 10m monolith and retain for habitat. Evidence of Ganoderma fungal brackets within base of trunk. Potential large scale damage to property if failure occurs. Grant Exemption.

    1. Review of New Applications

  • 1604/25/HHO 8 Cheavestone Lea BlackawtonTQ9 7AU. Householder application for proposed single storey rear extension.
    No comment (by resolution, Cllrs Luckens and Rake abstained).

  • 1712/25/HHO The Anchorage Main Street BlackawtonTQ9 7BG. Householder application for extension of existing dwelling & associated works.
    Cllr Coe left the meeting.
    No comment (by resolution, Cllr Rake abstained).

Cllr Coe returned to the meeting.

  • 1852/25/FUL Newstone, Blackawton, TQ9 7DR. Agricultural Building extending to 27.43 x 6.09m, 4.58m to ridge and 3.22m to ridge.
    No comment (by resolution, Cllr Rake abstained).

  • 1799/25/HHO & 1800/25/LBC Development Site Formerly known as Bow Cottage, Blackawton. Householder and Listed building application for refurbishment of existing dilapidated cottage and associated works.
    Support (by resolution, Cllr Rake abstained). The Parish Council’s view is that the proposed works are of benefit to the community. The proposed works would bring a currently dilapidated site back into housing use. The proposed works would also remove an ‘eyesore’ and the temptation to break-in to the site.

  • 1987/25/FUL Land At Sx 808 527 (Nr West Drayton Farm) Blackawton. Provision of new agricultural access. Support (by resolution, Cllr Rake abstained). The Parish Council’s view is that the new wide splay which is part of this proposal would result in improved visibility and would also enable traffic to get off the road faster.

  • 1876/25/AGR Land at SX 780 509 Blackawton. Application to determine if prior approval is required for proposed excavations or deposits of waste material reasonably necessary for the purposes of agriculture; to create a small car park in the paddock.
    No comment is being made by BPC.

  1. Consultations

The following consultations were noted or discussed. All are available on a Consultations post on the home page of Blackawton Community website:

  • SHDC, Survey for Local Government Reorganisation. To inform a more detailed business case for SHDC’s final proposal.
    This consultation was discussed by Cllr Rake in his report as minuted above.

  • DCC, Alcohol and drug services in Devon. Closes 25/7/25

  • Government. The Fair Funding Review 2.0. Local authority funding reform, through the Settlement from 2026-27. Closes 15/8/25.
    Cllr Rake commented that it is going to be tough. There are reasons to focus on areas which are deprived overall, but the Government misses the South West.

  • Government, Consulting on Changes to Council Tax Billing. Closes 12/9/25

  1. Community Owned Wind Turbine

BPC considered the proposal for a feasibility study, initially paid for by BPC and then BPC reimbursed from grant funding.

Due diligence questions have not yet been addressed by BPC: such as how power generated would be distributed, what the actual benefits for the community would be, what other options are available, and compliance with the value for money requirements in BPC Financial Regulations. The Clerk will check if the Parish Council has a legal power to spend funds for this purpose. It was also asked if this would best be progressed as a Parish Council project or a community project.

The meeting agreed that a visit would be arranged, using the West Dart Bus, to visit the community owned turbine at Lawrence Weston, Bristol with a view to understanding residents’ actual experience. Cllr Coe will take the visit arrangements forward.

  1. Legal Responsibility for the Maintenance of the closed St Michael’s Churchyard, Blackawton

It was resolved to confirm that BPC will now write to the Parochial Church Council (PCC) sending the letter approved by National Association of Local Councils’ legal advice. The effect of letter is to agree that despite the wording of the PCC’s 1977 letter, BPC accepts that the responsibility to maintain the closed churchyard was transferred from the PCC to BPC in 1977.

  1. Movement of the Churchyard Wall on Park Lane

An Engineer has visited to inspect an area of wall on Park Lane. It is expected that their written report will be received in August and include specification for works to the wall on Park Lane and on Main Street near Church Close. They have advised that the works are not urgent. It is expected that a road closure will be needed.

Quotes will be obtained to remove the conifer located in the Churchyard at Main Street/Church Close, after nesting season, which is expected to be a recommendation in the pending report.

  1. Tree Risk Assessment Survey

The Report of the Survey and its Recommendations were noted.

The Clerk was asked to obtain quotes to remove the avenue of cherry trees in the Churchyard as recommended in the Report; because some have died, others are in a declining condition and likely diseased, and the avenue no longer has its intended impact on the landscape. The Report recommends replanting a new avenue of trees of a different genus.

The meeting noted that the majority of residents’ responses to BPC’s 2023 survey preferred felling all of the avenue at the same time and replanting with a single species.

  1. Churchyard Gates Maintenance

Quotes have been sourced for maintenance works to the gates. With the exception of the gate into the School, the gates in the Churchyard wall are Grade 11 listed. The Church itself is Grade 1 listed. The heritage expectation is that repairs will use like for like materials and methods, which increases the cost of the project. It was resolved that a site visit will be arranged with the Heritage Planning Officer (at a cost of £290 or less if Parish Councils’ hour of free pre-planning advice time can be used) and one of those who quoted in the role of a paid expert (subject to their charges being approved by the Clerk and the Chair). The purpose of the site meeting is to agree what approaches to the management of the gates are acceptable.

  1. Parish Council Grounds Maintenance Work

The team hasn’t been cutting above the Churchyard retaining walls beside Main Street, Park Lane, and School Lane. Going forward they will maintain a clear strip at the top of all Churchyard roadside walls (prioritising wall integrity over biodiversity in this specific area), strim vegetation between the Church wall and the pathways, and strim on the steps to the paths. As a goodwill gesture they will trim the hedge/coniferous plants located behind War Memorial into shape, tidy up the War Memorial area on the last regular visit in late October, cut back ivy from the inside of the lychgate, and cut the lychgate garden. It was resolved to agree this approach and to approve payment of the June invoices as received.

  1. Parish Council Maintenance Contractor Work

It was noted that the bus shelter cleans, handy-person work, and work to cut vegetation on the churchyard walls and pillars flush has been separated into three separate contracts. The role descriptions for the handy-person work was approved. The work can also be done as separate jobs, rather than an ongoing contract.

  1. Parish Lengthsman Work

The Parish Lengthsman has advised that they have been carrying out Lengthsman work in Blackawton, but haven’t brought invoices up to date. The Clerk will request reports monthly and report back to BPC’s September meeting.

  1. Proposal to use Budgeted Staff Hours

It was resolved to approve the proposal for the current Clerk to use the staffing resource provided for in the 25/26 Budget by using four to six additional hours per week from June to September i.e. the budgeted hours, and for the Personnel Committee to meet in September to review, with a view to probable recruitment of a second Clerk and possible reduction of the current Clerk’s core hours.

  1. Community Renewable Energy Projects

This item to consider engagement with the community, distribution of information about projects and their possible benefits to the community’s resilience and prosperity was deferred.

  1. Tree Warden – SHDC ‘The South Hams Tree, Woodland & Hedge Plan 2024-2029’

The Plan was noted.

  1. Blackawton Neighbourhood Plan Meeting

In response to the cancelling of the Government grant funding to produce Neighbourhood Plans the meeting decided not to hold the planned Neighbourhood Plan meeting in September.

  1. French Furze Development

There has been some activity towards transfer of the Business Units. A SHDC Officer will visit to sign-off on completion of the Units. The developer will then move to conveyancing, to transfer the Business Units to the Blackawton Business Units CIC. A group of French Furze residents may be created to address concerns and may meet in the Village Hall.

  1. Meeting Action Items

This item was deferred.

  1. Finance

    1. Update on Current Financial Position

The Reports and Bank Reconciliation were received, and the Bank Reconciliation at 30 June signed.

At 30 June 2025 total funds were £65,222.87 and the unearmarked General Fund £19,718.33.

    1. Payments & Receipts

It was resolved to authorise the following payments:

  • Clerk June Expenses Reimbursement £368.74

  • Tree Risk Assessment Survey £624

  • 24/25 Internal Audit £165

  • Grounds Maintenance Churchyard Frequent cuts 10 & 24 June £204

  • Grounds Maintenance Cemetery Frequent cuts 10 & 24 June £216

Payments authorised since the last monthly meeting

The following payment was noted:

  • Website Hosting Annual Fee, £90.00

    1. Change to Lloyds Bank’s System to change Contact Details

It was noted that two signatories can now make a change, and that it is requested that this will only initiated by the Clerk/RFO.

    1. Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023

It was noted that this legislation places a new positive obligation on employers to take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment and that BPC’s obligations, such as training or policy, will be reviewed.

  1. Correspondence

The following was noted or considered (meeting comments in italics):

  • SHDC: e-bikes will be available to hire from eight “bases” around the town from 20 June.

  • DALC: DALC Councillor Development Framework

  • Invitation. SHDC to PCs, South Hams Local Government Reorganisation: 23/07/25 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. Online

  • Enquiry, Middleton Community Power: exporting surplus energy via the grid. We are looking at selling surplus energy via the grid to the local council using a sleeved PPA.

  • Invitation. SHDC to community groups and parish/town councillors: Development of a South Hams-wide ‘Rally for Nature’ in summer 2026, 15/07/25 11am–1pm, Follaton House

  • Invitation. Commercial: Community Batteries, 16/07/25 11:00. Online

  • Enquiry: paid adverts in newsletter for service to support householders in the area install heat pumps, solar panels and batteries.

  • Resident, Village Concerns: High Speed of Traffic in the Village, French Furze public space Grounds Maintenance. Dog Fouling.
    The Clerk was asked to add Vehicle Activated Signage to a future agenda.

  • Ivybridge CDTA: Enquiry about EV charging for an electric West Dart Bus

  • Invitation, SDNL: Coastal Farm Walk Invitation Weds 9th July 6-8pm

  1. Next Meeting

It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 8 September at 7:30 p.m.

  1. Closure of the Meeting

It was not necessary to close the meeting.

  1. Churchyard Gates Maintenance

Quotes received were not considered by the meeting.

The meeting noted that the Clerk and Chair may approve the quote provided to cut flush vegetation growing on churchyard wall and to remove three sapling trees growing on or next to the top of the wall and insert ecoplugs.

The meeting closed at 21:58.