Minutes from October 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 2 October 2025
The meeting commenced at 7.00pm
Members present
Cllr L Ouldridge (Chair) Cllr D Harris
Cllr J Dean Cllr J Rimbon-Whittaker
In attendance: C/Cllr S Keable (arrived 7.15pm), J Hole Parish Clerk
Public Participation
Cllr L Ouldridge had received an email from a parishioner reporting Church Lane was overgrown.
Formal Business
01/10/25 Apologies
Cllr M Herpoldt-Bright, D/Cllr S Chenore (D/Cllr M Binks – apology received after meeting)
02/10/25 Declaration of Interest
None noted
03/10/25 Minutes of the last meeting held on Thursday 4 September 2025
Agreed and signed as a true record
04/10/25 Newton St Cyres Parish Council Issues relevant to Mid Devon District Council
4.1 Planning Applications
25/00755/MFUL|Variation of condition (2) of planning permission 18/01800/MFUL (Construction of an on-farm anaerobic digestion plant and associated infrastructure) to allow the substitution of previously approved site plan, to include the addition of CO2 recovery infrastructure|Land at NGR 285024 100245 (East of Lords Meadow Industrial Estate) Crediton Devon – no comment
25/01305/TPO - Application to fell 1 Pine (T1), 1 Elm (T5) and 1 tree (T2) protected by Tree Preservation Order 82/0003/TPO at Court Orchard Copse, Station Road – it was resolved to support this application on health and safety grounds and to request a new tree is planted it its place
25/01306/CAT - Notification of intention to fell 1 Ash tree (T4) within the Conservation Area at Court Orchard Copse, Station Road – it was resolved to support this application
4.2 Planning Decisions
25/01016/HOUSE - Construction of gable roof extension over existing lean-to to increase bathroom headroom at 10 Tytheing Close Newton St Cyres Exeter EX5 5DB – permission granted
25/01017/CAT|Notification of intention to remove 1 Virburnum and 1 Cypress tree in a Conservation Area at Fairlawn Church Lane Newton St Cyres Exeter Devon EX5 5BN - permission granted
25/00855/FULL- Erection of a dwelling following the demolition of an agricultural building utilising the Class Q fallback position (24/01062/PNCOU) at Lily Farm – permission granted
In the absence of a Lead Cllr for Planning and Development, Cllr L Ouldridge agreed to view MDDC website when new planning applications are received. Cllr J Dean would monitor the new lodges at Half Moon (25/00073/BRE). C/Cllr S Keable confirmed he was in contact with the
Enforcement Team regarding this issue. Cllr D Harris would monitor the forestry track application at Hill Farm (25/00612/PNFG|Prior Notification)
4.3 Report from District Councillors on issues relevant to the parish
D/Cllr S Chenore had circulated a report which was noted
4.4 To note report on Local Government Reform
A report from Cllr L Ouldrige had been circulated and was noted.
05/10/25 Newton St Cyres Parish Council issues relevant to Devon County Council
5.1 Report from County Councillor on issues relevant to the Parish
D/Cllr S Keeble circulated a report and this was noted. He informed the meeting that the points we had asked to raise at the Highways and Traffic Orders Committee (HATOC) were not deemed to be suitable for the HATOC forum, but he was meeting with our Neighbourhood Highways Officer next week and would discuss our list of highway concerns.
Cllr J Dean reported that Mel Stride, MP had been contacted with regard to the lack of school signage. The school had confirmed that they did have a school travel plan which was current with the Executive Headteacher for review and would be available shortly.
5.2 To note Footpath Report
A Footpath report had been circulated and was noted
It was resolved to thank G Barnell for the report and confirm that he will remain as Footpath Warden
06/10/25 Finance
6.1 To agree Payments and note Receipts
Since the agenda had been sent an invoice from Greenleaf Garden Services for grass cutting had been received for £215.00. . It was resolved to add this payment to the schedule below
Payments were agreed as:
|
Expenditure – current account |
£ |
Receipts – current account |
£ |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Unity Bank – Bank charge (DD) |
6.00 |
Nil |
|
|
Hydro International – tipping rain gauge |
775.20 |
Receipts Car Park Maint acct |
|
|
NSC Recreation Ground – grant for repairs to equipment |
243.02 |
Nil |
|
|
J Hole – Salary and expenses |
419.93 |
Footpath Account |
|
|
HMRC – PAYE and emp’er NI |
66.79 |
Nil |
|
|
Simon Saunders – grass cutting |
215.00 |
|
|
6.2 To approve on-line authorisation for this month’s payments
Cllr J Dean and Cllr D Harris
6.3 Balances (after above transactions)
6.3.1 Parish Council Current Account balance: £7,513.28
6.3.2 Footpath Account: £648.02 (separate account)
6.3.3 Parish Hall Car Park maintenance fund balance: £6,780.55 (separate account)
6.4 Financial Statement and Budget Monitor
Noted
6.5 To agree grant payments of £1,000 to the Church and £2,000 to the Parish Hall
It was noted that the service agreements with each organisation made provision for a grant payment without any pre-conditions. It was resolved to make payments at the next meeting.
Cllr L Ouldridge reported that she had met with the hall committee and a new service agreement had been drafted. A meeting with the church reps had been arranged and a meeting with the Rec committee had yet to be arranged. The Clerk would present a proposal at the next meeting for using the rest of the grant to the Rec plus a proposal for S106 funding
6.6 To sign Unity Trust Bank form to remove G Barnell from mandate
It was resolved to sign the form
07/10/25 Other Parish Council Matters
7.1 Councillor recruitment
It was resolved to put adverts in the Newton Wonder and on the noticeboards
7.2 Quarterly Report – Environment and Climate- Cllr D Harris
An allotment plot had been given up but the plot had been taken on by the adjacent allotment holder. There were various trees still to be felled (already paid for). The grant application for deer fencing had not been successful. A quote for cutting the allotment hedge had been received. The Clerk reported that two allotment holders had not signed the disclaimer sent in May. It was resolved:
- To accept the quote for cutting the allotment hedge
- That the Clerk would contact the contractor re cutting the trees down
- To require the allotment holders to sign the disclaimer at renewal in April in order to renew their plots
7.3 To agree survey for Village Green
A draft had been circulated. It was resolved:
- To accept the draft with the addition of name and address and a closing date of 30 November
- That the Clerk would put the survey on line with a copy in the Newton Wonder
7.4 Update on Arboretum – to note advice from NALC re insurance requirements
Advice from NALC had been circulated with stated that the arboretums finances would need to be fully included with the Parish Councils finances in order to meet the insurance requirements. However, Cllr L Ouldridge reported that the land owner had agreed to redraft the licence to state that the Friends of the Arboretum committee were responsible for insurance. This would happen once the Friends had been incorporated into an official body.
Cllr L Ouldridge noted that the landowner had closed off the permissive path from the arboretum alongside the A377 down to Quickes shop. This was following health and safety concerns raised by the Parish Council and members of the public.
7.5 To note successful official opening of the Rec Swings
This had been a very successful event and thanks were passed on to Cllr J Rimbon-Whittaker for cooking and serving the food. Cllr L Ouldridge had paid for the cost of the food and Cllr J Rimbon-Whittaker had supplied the condiments. It was resolved to include a new budget heading in next years budget – Community Relations
7.6 To agree update to Financial Regulations and Standing orders
Drafts had been circulated. It was resolved to agree the updates subject to a few minor amendments. These would be signed at the next meeting
7.7 Half Moon Bus Stop – should we request its moved down to the layby?
After discussion it was resolved not to go ahead with seeking to move the bus stop
7.8 To agree review of assets
It was resolved that the Clerk and Cllr M Herpoldt-Bright would survey the parish assets in November
08/10/25 Forward Agenda Planner/Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda
8.1 Review of agenda planner for future meetings. Copy circulated
8.2 Miscellaneous issues
i)To note Belluno’s hedge has not been cut
It was resolved to send a letter to Bellunos Manager and the owner
- ii) Update on parking at the Beer Engine
The Clerk had reported the parking issues to the Neighbourhood Policing team who had informed the Alcohol Licencing team who would be liaising with the owners to express the concerns raised. In addition the Neighbourhood team would pay passing attention and deal with any issues accordingly.
iii) Request to have signs on grass at entrance to woodlands saying "Parking Prohibited "
After discussion it was resolved not to have a parking sign
09/10/25 Date of next Parish Council meeting: Thursday 6 November 2025 at 7pm in the Club Room
End of Formal Business
Public Participation
There was none
The meeting closed at 8pm