Approved Minutes 2026 January 12

Jan 14, 2026 | Minutes

APPROVED Minutes of the Monthly Meeting of Blackawton Parish Council held on
Monday 12 January 2026 at 7:30 p.m. in Blackawton Village Hall

Present: Parish Cllrs Oughton (Vice-Chair and meeting Chair), Coe, Hadow, Luckens, and Thomas were present, as were Clerk A Thom, and one member of the public during the Open Forum.
Absent: Cllrs Rake and Mardon.

a. Open Forum

  1. Aluminium Can Recycling Point in the Village

A resident suggested the creation of an aluminium can recycling point within the village. It would need to be outside. It would require a can crusher (cost about £10 but a Cllr has one which could be donated) and a metal cage (specifications, cost, and production to be determined). The resident said that the purpose is to make people more aware they can recycle aluminium cans. They suggested it might be possible to engage Year 6 students of the Primary School to create a poster each year. Cans could be sold for scrap metal generating a small income, but this is not the primary purpose of the project. During discussion, a visible location in The George Inn’s car park was suggested as a possible location. It was agreed that a plan is needed. Cllr Coe and the resident will develop a plan for discussion by the next monthly meeting of BPC, on 9 February 2025.

b. Councillors Forum

  1. The Clerk will send a Churchyard Grant Applications cloud folder invitation to Cllr Luckens.

  2. Cllr Coe will circulate email correspondence about a Westminster Briefing from November 2025 addressing responding to emergencies related to climate change.

  3. There will be a community meeting about The George Inn in February 2026.

  1. Apologies

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Rake and Mardon.

  1. Declarations of Interest

None declared.

  1. Minutes of Previous Meetings

It was resolved to approve the Minutes of the Meeting held on 8 December 2025.

  1. Report from Devon County Council Councillor

Deferred the absence of Cllr Brazil.

  1. Report from South Hams District Council Councillor

Deferred the absence of Cllr Rake.

  1. Planning Applications

    1. South Hams District Council’s Planning Decisions

The following decision was noted:

  • 2958/25/FUL Higher Dreyton Farm Blackawton TQ9 7DG. Extension to existing detached garage to form ancillary accommodation & associated works. Conditional Approval.

    1. Review of New Applications

The following application was noted. No response is being made by BPC. The decision will be made by SHDC based on evidence and the application of specific legal criteria.

  • 3761/25/PDM Buildings At Sx 829 494 Blackawton. Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed change of use of agricultural barns to 5no. dwellinghouses (class C3) & for associated development (Class Q (a+b)).

  1. French Furze Development

Cllr Thomas reported that since the site visit in November 2025 an updated snagging list has been confirmed and the developer is working on it. They have three quotes and are hoping to do the work in January 2026. Another site meeting has been provisionally planned for February 2026. The developer has nominated an employee to lead on the remedial works and another who will lead on the transfer of the title to the Business Units. We are newly aware of a soak-away in the Business Units’ car park which needs to be investigated.

There was a public French Furze Residents’ meeting on 10 December 2025. It was attended by both both SHDC and the developer. SHDC said that planning permission is required for the works the developer needs to do. Obtaining planning permission will delay the end date for the works. There will be a follow-on French Furze Residents’ meeting in the Village Hall on Tuesday 24 February 2026. The developer has been invited back to give an update on the timescales they presented at the December 2025 meeting. Relevant members from SHDC will be invited to attend. After those two speakers questions from the public will follow.

  1. Repair of the Railing at the Lychgate Entrance to the Church

BPC confirmed the completion of the project to remove, repair, repaint, and reinstall the railing. The Parish Councillors send their thanks to Matt Studd of Copper Tops for volunteering his time to to the work and for the excellent job done.

  1. Blackawton Snow Warden Role & Blackawton Parish Council’s Gritter

BPC owns a gritter of the type which is towed behind a vehicle. It was agreed that Cllrs Coe, Luckens, and Thomas will work together to move the gritter into the village and possibly do some repairs and maintenance works on it. Blackawton does not currently have a volunteer Snow Warden. Two residents have recently considered taking on the role but both thought that role described by Devon County Council was too onerous. The Clerk noted that DCC’s guidance says that the role is determined by parish councils. The Clerk will draft a Blackawton Snow Warden role to meet Blackawton’s needs and which might be more acceptable to volunteers, and then invite DCC to review it to see if it also meets DCC’s requirements.

  1. Protecting the A379 Road over Slapton Line from the Sea

BPC considered Strete Parish Council’s correspondence suggesting lobbying for plans to protect the road. Cllrs did not choose to be involved in this lobbying approach. The meeting noted that the petition, started by a Strete Parish Councillor, for funding and resources to protect the Slapton Line has 2,022 signatures. It was advertised by BPC on the Blackawton Community website in January 2025. BPC has not been asked by residents to work to protect the Slapton Line. BPC will invite residents’ comments in the next Beacon. The Clerk will respond to Strete Parish Council.

  1. South Hams Ramblers’ Offer to Carry out Footpath Maintenance

BPC appreciates the South Hams Ramblers’ offer of free labour on most jobs relating to path upkeep. The Clerk has requested confirmation of their public liability insurance. Cllr Coe has asked for the offer to be advertised in the next Beacon. Cllr Luckens is aware that the new footpath from Greenslades Road to the Playing Fields would be substantially improved if work was done to clear some earth. In this case BPC’s role will be to facilitate communication between the South Hams Ramblers and the land owner.

  1. Finance

    1. Update on Current Financial Position

The bank reconciliation and report against the budget to 31/12/25 were noted. Total funds were £65,021.77 and the unearmarked general fund £21,328.65.

    1. Payments & Receipts

It was resolved to authorise the following payment:

  • Clerk December Expenses Reimbursement £29.55

    1. Grants made by BPC

It was resolved to approve making the budgeted grants of:

  • £300 to South Hams Citizens Advice

  • £100 to the Blackawton Beacon

    1. BPC’s Draft 2025/26 Budget

The Draft Budget and Budget Notes were discussed. Completion of the Budget requires receipt of pending quotes for works to the Churchyard wall. The main factors which will affect the Budget and the Precept demand are those costs, funding and staging of the restoration and maintenance of the Churchyard gates, and the Clerk’s hours. An extraordinary meeting to finalise the 2025/26 Budget and Precept demand was scheduled for Monday 26 January at 8:00 p.m.

  1. Correspondence

The following were noted:

  • The Cornelius Fund – Can provide grants to to help with rental deposits, first month’s rent and other household needs. It needs Committee members.

  • SHDC – South Hams Community Awards. Nominations close Saturday 31/1/26

  • SHDC – Invitation Town & Parish Councils Briefing Local Government Reform, Online, 21/1/26 18:30–19:30

  • Devon Community Resilience Forum Spring Forum, 26/3/26, 10am-4pm, Teign Valley Community Hall, Christow, EX6 7WA.

  1. Next Meeting

It was confirmed that the next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 9 February 2026 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. Noticeboard Quotes

It was resolved to purchase a slimline Parish Council noticeboard at a cost of £880.04 exVAT for installation in the Main Street bus shelter. Cllr Luckens will receive and install it.

The meeting closed at 20:36