Approved Minutes 2025 September 08

Sep 16, 2025 | Minutes

APPROVED Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Blackawton Parish Council held on

Monday 8 September 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), Hadow, Luckens, Mardon, and Thomas were present, as were Devon County Cllr Brazil for his report, Clerk A Thom, and two members of the public.
Absent: Cllr Coe.

a. Open Forum

i. Water Quality in the River Gara and Slapton Ley Catchment

A member of its Steering Group described the BLUEprint for Rivers Project: a collaborative project designed to unite local stakeholders in restoring the health of our rivers, estuaries, and streams by 2027.

The Steering Group has members with a wide range of expertise. The Project covers the catchments of the Gara and Slapton Ley, the Avon, and the Salcombe-Kingsbridge Estuary. It is funded from DEFRA’s Water Restoration Fund (fines and penalties levied on South West Water).

BLUEprint’s first phase is a design project: to gather data, lay the groundwork and design a further bid to fund a delivery project based on what is learnt. That delivery project will have a substantially larger budget and be used for practical projects to improve water quality. They will work with local landowners to fund and install nature-based solutions (such as planting, moving gates, and contouring) designed to improve water quality. The project representative said that in the Gara and Slapton about 40% of problems relate to agriculture and 60% to South West Water.

BPC is invited to attend a summit on 4 October 2025. Stakeholders will listen to talks in the morning and workshop in the afternoon, with a goal to put together a catchment plan.

b. Open Forum

Visit to a Community Owned Wind Turbine

A member of the public discussed the visit to the Lawrence Weston community owned wind turbine near Bristol, which was arranged by Cllr Coe and also attended by Cllr Hadow. They explained that the turbine is located close (about four kilometres away from) an economically deprived area. The turbine has created a steady income flow for community use e.g. a community hub with opportunities such as cooking clubs and bowling groups.

c. Councillors Forum

Churchyard Wall

The Clerk informed Cllrs of the additional request they have made of the Engineer advising on the churchyard wall: to consider drainage in the central section of the Park Lane wall and also two areas of movement in that wall towards the School Lane end.

  1. Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Coe.

  1. Declarations of Interest

None declared.

  1. Minutes of Previous Meetings

It was resolved to approve Minutes of the Meeting held 14 July 2025.

  1. Report from Devon County Council Councillor

Devon County Council Councillor Brazil reported that DCC has now had its first substantive meeting. It has a Strategic Plan which has improvement of the service provided to children at its centre and throughout. The meeting approved a Delivery Plan (there were no votes against it). Cabinet Reports were received from Highways, Rural Affairs, and Adult Services. Motions were carried in favour of a ban on smartphone use by students during the school day (DCC’s polices can encourage and support implementation, although DCC doesn’t have direct control of academies, and DCC will lobby the Government), calling on the government to mandate the redistribution of surplus safe-to-eat food from supermarkets to charities, and about zero tolerance of hate crime.

Locally, DCC has assessed the condition of Greenslade Road and taken some core samples. However in the context of the overall condition of roads in Devon this road is not likely to be a priority. DCC has started a process for engineering works to improve visibility at Forces Cross; if works are possible they are likely to be several years away.

Some grant funds have been received by BPC from DCC for minor works to public rights of way. The outcome of BPC’s request for a major grant for improvements to Footpath 7 (near Woodford) is not yet known.

Cllr Brazil reported that every Devon Council supports a whole of Devon (and Cornwall if they like) mayoral authority. A holding response has been received from the Government. There are four fast track mayorals. DCC is yet to decide but is moving towards proposing one big Devon (A full Member day on Thursday will look at local government reorganisation). Underneath that it wants community hubs, like the existing HATOC [Highway and Traffic Orders Committees], with powers and resources to deliver at a local level. Cllr Brazil said that with the Westminster reshuffle leading to a new team Councils are writing urgently to find out where that leaves us.

Cllr Rake added that Devon has launched a new grant fund ‘places to go and things to do’ about activities for people aged 11 to 25 years. There is information on the DCC website.

A member of the public commended the information in DCC’s weekly newsletter.

Cllr Brazil said that if St George’s flags or crosses are a safety issue or provocation DCC will act quickly. Some crosses have been painted over. No flags have been removed.

In response to a Cllr’s question Cllr Brazil said that regarding changes to create village 20 mph zones, if parishes pay the related costs that can be done. This will be an item on the 13 October Agenda, as will DCC’s plan for French Furze.

  1. Report from South Hams District Council Councillor

Cllr Rake said that there is not a great deal to report about SHDC’s recent activities.

SHDC is developing a new Joint Local Plan with West Devon, although the future of SHDC is uncertain, because SHDC doesn’t have an established land supply to meet increased the Government’s increased targets. Targets were increased from about 500 to about 900 last year. Cllr Rake said that this was a top down decision. It didn’t consider local restrictions such as the local National Landscape and Undeveloped Coast designations. The Joint Local Plan project is in very early stages.

  1. Planning Applications

    1. South Hams District Council’s Planning Decisions

The following decisions were noted:

  • 1505/25/PDM Land At Sx 801 505 (Woodford Barn), Blackawton. Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed change of use of agricultural building to 2No dwellinghouse (class C3) & for associated development (Class Q (a+b)). Prior Approval Required and Refused.

  • 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. Prior Approval Required and Refused.

  • 1520/25/PDM Land At Sx 801 505 (Woodford Barn), Blackawton. Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed change of use of agricultural building to 2No dwellinghouse (class C3) & for associated development (Class Q (a+b)). Prior Approval Required and Refused.

  • 1604/25/HHO 8 Cheavestone Lea Blackawton TQ9 7AU. Householder application for proposed single storey rear extension. Conditional Approval.

  • 1712/25/HHO The Anchorage Main Street BlackawtonTQ9 7BG. Householder application for extension of existing dwelling & associated works. Withdrawn.

  • 2088/25/TCA 1 Tumbling Fields Main Street Blackawton TQ9 7BG. G1: x1 Bay & x1 Cypress – remove. No Objections Raised.

  • 2314/25/TCA St Michaels Church Church Hill Blackawton TQ9 7BQ. T1 – T8 (Cherries): Removal of the avenue of cherry trees leading from the southern gate of the churchyard to the porch of St Michael’s Church T9: Conifer – Removal, the roots of the large conifer are damaging the retaining wall of the churchyard (both the next to Main Street and the adjoining wall next to the small garden area), if the tree is not removed the walls will become dangerous. No Objections Raised.

    1. Review of New Applications

This application was noted, for information. SHDC’s decision will be based on evidence submitted to SHDC.:

  • 2380/25/CLP The Granary Millcombe Farmhouse Blackawton TQ9 7AE. Certificate of lawfulness for proposed siting of caravan within the domestic garden to provide ancillary accommodation.

    1. Applications received since the 14 July Meeting of BPC

The following applications were noted. They were circulated within BPC and no extraordinary meeting considered required to comment to SHDC on them.:

  • Pavement Licence Application – Smith Street Deli, Dartmouth, TQ6 9QR

  • Variation application premises licence Royal Castle Hotel, Dartmouth TQ6 9PS

  • Dartmouth Pavement Licence – Seale Arms

  • 2148/25/ARC Ebenezer Blackawton. TQ9 7BN. Application for approval of details reserved by condition 3 (Windows & Doors) to planning consent 0619/25/HHO.

The Blackawton Tree Warden commented to SHDC on the following application:

  • 2088/25/TCA 1 Tumbling Fields Main Street Blackawton TQ9 7BG. G1: x1 Bay & x1 Cypress – remove.

The Tree Warden noted that the Bay tree is causing damage the adjacent wall and overhanging the adjacent property, and that the Cypress is intertwined with the Bay tree. They requested the opinion of the South Hams Tree Officer.

  1. Consultations

  • South Hams District Council: series of events in September and October to discuss the Local Government Reorganisation proposals to help inform a final proposal.

The closest event to Blackawton will take place in the Flavel Centre on 8 October 2025, 18:15 to 20:00. There is more information on Blackawton and South Hams District Council’s websites.

  • South Hams Draft Statement of Licensing Policy 2026 – 2031. Closes 30/09/2025

BPC is not submitting a whole of Council response to these consultations.

  1. Management of Trees in the St Michael’s Churchyard

It was resolved to remove the conifer from the southeast corner next to the lychgate because it is endangering the adjacent churchyard walls.

It was resolved to remove the dead cherry tree on the avenue to School Lane.

It was resolved to review management of other sickly trees on the avenue to School Lane in a year and limit current felling to that already decided.

It was resolved to delegate a decision about whether the arrangement of a ‘Bat Survey’ is required to the Clerk in consultant with Cllr Hadow.

A final decision regarding arrangements for use of cherry wood by local craftspeople and proposals to leave cherry tree trunks in situ as habitat deadwood, or if that is not acceptable then stacking any unused cut wood in a series of low piles against the north Church wall was deferred to the 13 October meeting.

It was resolved to approve the proposal to Replant the avenue from Cousins Cross to the Church porch with Rowan trees. The planting details (e.g. size of trees, budget, post-planting care) will be on the 13 October Agenda.

A decision regarding the proposal to replace the dead cherry on the path to School Lane with a Hawthorn tree was deferred the 13 October Agenda.

  1. Maintenance and Restoration of Gates in the St Michael’s Churchyard

It was noted that a single meeting is being arranged with both representatives of the Church and of SHDC to agree an appropriate approach to the works, and that the response to a Project Enquiry to the Heritage Fund regarding grant funding for the works was not positive. The Fund requires that the proposal addresses all of its four investment principles: saving heritage, protecting the environment, inclusion, access and participation, organisational sustainability.

  1. Blackawton Emergency Plan

It was agreed that the Clerk will prepare a draft Blackawton Emergency Plan for consideration by the 13 October meeting. This will build on the work from the June 2025 Workshop.

Cllr Luckens left the meeting.

  1. Blackawton Community Owned Wind Turbine

BPC did not allocate resources to apply for a Government grant to pay for a feasibility study for a Community Owned Wind Turbine. The Parish Council is in principle supportive of using its structure to support the project (e.g. to advertise and receive tenders, receive grant funds, receive, approve, & pay invoices). However BPC considers that the drive behind the project needs to come from the community, which is not currently the case for this project.

  1. Parish Lengthsman Report

The Report and Invoice received today for the regular work on priority areas done from July 2024 to the August 2025 was noted.

  1. Maintenance and Repair of the Railing at the Church’s Lychgate, on Church Hill

The proposal from a volunteering resident to remove the railing, repair, and reinstall with a materials budget of up to £150 was accepted with thanks. BPC plans to repaint the railing in black. It amended the plan to add requiring that the area is made safe when the railing is removed from site, and requests that the work is done as soon as possible to address residual risks because the railing has been damaged.

  1. Community All Areas Cut of the Churchyard

Cllr Rake is leading the community project which will take place on Sunday 21 September after Church. He said that is a community project not a BPC one and won’t have access to BPC’s insurance.

  1. French Furze Development

Cllrs Rake and Thomas (in their role as Directors of the Blackawton Business Units CIC) are meeting an SHDC Officer on site this week to assess whether the Business Units are complete. If the Units meet the S106 conditions the process for the developer to transfer the units to the Blackawton Business Units CIC can be carried out.

  1. Blackawton Tree Warden Vacancy

BPC will keep advertising to try to fill the vacancy.

  1. Stoke Gabriel Ukraine Action Group

It was agreed to invite the Action Group to make a presentation at a separate public meeting in the Village Hall. The Clerk has checked and been advised that there won’t be a charge for the use of the Hall for this purpose.

  1. Meeting Action items

The review the list was deferred.

  1. Finance

    1. Update on Current Financial Position

The Reports showed a total bank balance of £59,109.81 on 31 August 2025 with an unearmarked General Fund of £13,684.42. The second half of the precept will be received in September.

    1. Payments & Receipts

It was resolved to authorise the following payments:

  • Clerk July & August Expenses Reimbursement £99.08

  • Cllr Coe Emergency Plan Workshop Refreshments Expenses Reimbursement £4.79

  • Grounds Maintenance Churchyard Frequent cuts 8 & 22 August £204.00

  • Grounds Maintenance Cemetery Frequent cuts 8 & 22 August £216.00

The following payments authorised since the last monthly meeting were noted:

  • Supplies to restore phone box & re-fix loose slab on wall around War Memorial area £68.87

  • Cut flush Churchyard wall vegetation, fell three saplings growing on the wall & insert ecoplugs. Payment for first stage of £742.50 made. Total of £1,000 approved by Clerk and Chair for the complete work.

  • Grounds Maintenance Churchyard Frequent cuts 5 & 19 August £204.00

  • Grounds Maintenance Cemetery Frequent cuts 5 & 19 August £216.00

  • Set-up cost for Webhost to provide additional Email addresses for Community Shop & Allotments (for GDPR compliance) £22.00. The ongoing cost will be £20/year including the existing extra 10 Email addresses.

16.4 Local Government Pay Award 2025/26

It was resolved to support the implementation of the new Award.

  1. Correspondence

The following correspondence was noted:

  • Peninsula Transport £100k Rural Mobility Fund Closes 5/10/25

  • Strete Parish Council Meeting, 17/07/2025, Open Public Forum with Slapton Line Partnership Adaption Manager, Minutes shared with BPC

  • UK Policing’s notice of South West’s Cyber Resilience Centre: Free Cyber Support available for Sole Traders/SME’s/Charities/Public Authorities etc.

  • Slapton WW2 Research Project. For BPC’s information

  • Invitation: Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service: Community Conversations Webinar on 10/09/2025 at 12:00pm, Road safety

  • Invitation: South Devon National Landscape Partnership Meeting 19/09/2025, Hybrid: Repton Room at Follaton House and online via Zoom. 10am – 12:00pm

  • Invitation: South Hams Energy Assembly 18/10/25 Kingsbridge Community College

  • Invitation: Scribefest 9/10/2025, 9:30am – 4:00pm

  1. Next Meeting

It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Parish Council to be held on Monday 13 October at 7:30 p.m.

  1. Closure of the Meeting

It was resolved, in accordance with the 1960 Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act, to exclude the public and press during consideration of the following item because of the commercial-in-confidence nature of the business.

  1. Management of Trees in the St Michael’s Churchyard

Quotes received for the removal of the avenue of cherry trees from Cousins Cross to the Church porch and of the large conifer in the south-east corner of the Churchyard were considered and a quote of £1,450 exVAT was accepted.

The meeting closed at 21:49.