Minutes from April 2025 meeting

DRAFT

Newton St Cyres Parish Council

Minutes of Newton St Cyres Parish Council Meeting held in the Parish Hall Club Room on Thursday 3 April 2025

 

The meeting commenced at 7.00pm

Members present

Cllr G Barnell (Chair)

Cllr D Harris                                           

Cllr L Ouldridge

 

In attendance:    C/Cllr M Squires (left 7.40pm), 1 member of the public (left 7.40), J Hole Parish Clerk

Public Participation

There was none

Formal Business 

01/04/25    Apologies

                       Cllr J Dean,  Cllr M Herpoldt-Bright, D/Cllr M Binks, D/Cllr S Chenore

 

02/04/25    Declaration of Interest

                       None noted

 

03/04/25    Minutes of the last meeting held on Thursday 6 March 2025 

                       Agreed and signed as a true record

 

04/04/25    Newton St Cyres Parish Council Issues relevant to Mid Devon District Council

4.1                 Planning Applications 

                       25/00453/LBC – Listed Building Consent for replacement windows; lower cill level of south room rear window to create French windows; removal of front door lobby in upper room; installation of ensuite shower room in South end bedroom; works to Cider Barn to include full-height opening in rear wall; new window opening in rear wall; new external sliding doors in front wall; replacement windows; insulation of internal face walls; installation of rooflights and repair and replacement of render at Langford Farm, Langford Road Langford,EX5 5AG – it was resolved to comment as follows: “Could consideration be given to allowing replacement windows to be double glazed to allow for greater energy efficiency”

4.2                 Planning Decisions

4.2.1              25/00034/HOUSE – Erection of a two storey side extension at 10 Tytheing Close, Newton St Cyres – permission refused

4.2.2              24/00222/MARM – Reserved Matters for the erection of a 50 bedroom nursing home following Outline approval 20/01584/MOUT at Langford Park Nursing Home, Langford Road, Langford – grant permission

4.2.3              24/00257/FULL Alterations and improvements to existing parking and servicing arrangements including additional hard surfacing, a cycle store and new fencing Location: Langford Park Nursing Home Langford Road Langford Newton St Cyres – grant permission

4.2.4              25/00254/CAT – Notification of intention to fell 1 Sycamore, reduce the height of 1 Corsican Pine by 50% within the Conservation Area at Court Orchard Copse, Station Road – no objection

4.3                 Report from District Councillors on issues relevant to the parish  

                       There was no report

 

05/04/25    Newton St Cyres Parish Council issues relevant to Devon County Council            

5.1                 Report from County Councillor on issues relevant to the Parish

C/Cllr M Squires reported on a recent trip round the parish with our Neighbourhood Highways Officer who had complimented our Road Warden Scheme. 

5.2                 Footpaths update – P3 scheme information circulated

                       It was noted that Steve Parker had resigned as Footpath Warden

                       Cllr G Barnell proposed the setting up of a Footpaths Network of interested parishioners who would oversee paths and report issues to the Footpath Warden. 

                       It was resolved:

• To propose a vote of thanks to Steve Parker for all his work as footpath warden over the years.
• To appoint Cllr G Barnell as Footpath Warden
• That as Footpath Warden Cllr G Barnell would complete the Annual P3 survey as soon as possible as the deadline for return had already passed
• That Cllr G Barnell would write an article for the Newton Wonder to ask for volunteers to become a member of a Footpaths Network of interested parishioners who would oversee paths and report issues to the Footpath Warden.
• That Cllr G Barnell would email C/Cllr M Squires with a proposal for work to be carried out on FP 1 and FP4 to hopefully be funded from DCC funding for footpath improvements

 

06/04/25    Finance

6.1                 To agree Payments and note Receipts

                       These were agreed as:

Expenditure – current account	£	Receipts – current account	£
Alex Adams – work at allotments – already paid	500.00	Beer Engine - sponsorship	120.00
N Gillon - RWS expenses (boots, ear defenders)	54.98
J Hole – reimbursement for RWS equipment	60.90
J Hole – Salary and expenses	421.17	Receipts Car Park Maint acct
HMRC – PAYE and emp’er NI	61.69	Nil

 

6.2                 To approve on-line authorisation for this month’s payments

                       Cllr L Ouldridge and Cllr D Harris

6.3                 Balances (after above transactions)

6.3.1            Parish Council Current Account balance: £8,220.75

6.3.2            Footpath Account: £788.02 (included in Current Account balance)

6.3.3            Parish Hall Car Park maintenance fund balance: £6,698.94 (separate Bank account)

6.4                 Financial Statement and Budget Monitor

                       Noted

6.5                 To consider quote for demolition of bus shelter at Half Moon

                       DCC had added the bus stop to their list for a pole install and as an interim measure suggested they could display on the flag on the opposite side of the road with the statement: ‘Services stop on both sides of the road’. Perhaps a larger timetable case can be put in to show this too.

                       Cllr L Ouldridge reported that a parishioner had made a suggestion that the bus stop should be relocated  to the Half Moon layby.  After discussion it was resolved:

• to go ahead with the demolition of the bus shelter at Half Moon
• to pursue the idea of relocating the bus stop to the Half Moon layby. Cllr G Barnell would discuss the idea with Hanlons as it may be possible to tie this in with their current works
• To accept DCC suggestion as detailed above.

 

07/04/25      Other Parish Council Matters

7.1                 Quarterly Report – Environment and Climate - Cllr D Harris and Cllr M Herpoldt-Bright

                       Allotment update:

                       Cllr D Harris reported on her recent discussion with the landlord of the allotments, who had told her that the maintenance of all the boundary hedges were the responsibility of the Parish Council . He had also said that any cut down wood could be laid down in the hedge. It was resolved:

• That Cllr D Harris would meet with the tree surgeon who had carried out the recent felling of the dead elms to work up a costed allotment maintenance schedule which could be incorporated into future budgets
• That the Clerk would obtain an estimate for cutting the hedge bordering the A377 during this financial year

                       It was noted that no response had been received from any landowners following the communication sent earlier in the year.

 

7.2                 To agree to Risk Assessment the Arboretum and Allotment

                       Allotment - It was noted that there was no official vehicle access into the allotments.  It was resolved to:

• Add a clause in all new allotment agreement stating that vehicle access was entirely at the drivers risk. Clerk to circulate draft wording for agreement
• To ask all existing allotment holders to sign an amendment to their allotment agreement stating that vehicle access is at the drivers risk. Clerk to circulate draft wording for agreement

                       Arboretum – the arboretum committee had received a request from a self employed parishioner who wished to use the arboretum to run a parent and child group on a weekly basis.  It was noted that entry and exit points to the arboretum were not secure and there were no warning signs posted. After discussion it was resolved:

• That the Clerk would inform the arboretum committee not to accept the booking until a full risk assessment had been carried out
• To carry out a risk assessment together with representatives from the arboretum committee. Cllr L Ouldridge to contact the Chair of the Friends group to make arrangements.
• Following the risk assessment both the PC and Arboretum Committee to consider what actions need to be taken with particular regard to site security, signs and insurance.

 

 

7.3                 To note date of Annual Parish Meeting is Wednesday 14 May at 7pm – to agree budget for light refreshments

                       A presentation from the Britian in Bloom organisers would take place.  It was resolved: to set a budget of £50 for light refreshments.  Clerk to liaise with Cllr J Rimbon-Whittaker regarding catering arrangements

7.4                 To agree date of Volunteer “thank you” tea party in June

                       It was resolved

• that the Clerk would contact Cllr J Rimbon-Whittaker to agree a date for the tea party
• That Cllr L Ouldridge would compile a list of volunteers to be invited and forward this to the Clerk who would inform Cllr J Rimon-Whittaker of potential numbers in order that a budget could be agreed at the May meeting

7.5                 To review asset maintenance schedule in light of Britain in Bloom judging

                       It was resolved: to accept the quotes for the refurbishment of the Village Green noticeboard and the  painting of the two benches in Court Orchard.

7.6                 Responses from parish organisations re grants for 2025/26

                       Cllr G Barnell had scheduled a meeting with Sue Browne as church representative to confirm plans for the use of the grant and would find out if the fence repairs to the land proposed for the new churchyard should include a gate.

                       The Clerk had emailed the Parish Hall Chairman to find out if they were proposing to carry out the work on the damp in Club Room in this financial year and had asked for a reply by the end of April

                       The Clerk would meet with representatives from the Rec Committee to draw up a renewal and refurbishment plan for the Children’s Playground including the use of the 25/26 PC Grant to the Rec of £2,000.00

7.7                 To agree publication of Annual Report in Newton Wonder

                       After discussion it was resolved

• The Annual Report would be published in the Newton Wonder.  It would include a short Chairmans report and a summary of the Parish Council’s finances.
• Cllr L Ouldridge would find out the cost of printing enough copies of the Newton Wonder to be delivered to all houses in the parish

 

08/04/25    Forward Agenda Planner/Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda

8.1                 Review of agenda planner for future meetings. 

8.2                 Chairmans Announcement

                       Cllr G Barnell announced that he would not be standing as Chairman or Vice Chair at the May meeting

 

09/04/25    Date of next Parish Council meeting:  Due to County Council elections this would now take place on Thursday 8 May 2025 at 7pm in the Club Room

                      

End of Formal Business

 

Public Participation

There was none

The meeting closed at 8.50pm