Minutes from October 2026
DRAFT
Newton St Cyres Parish Council
Minutes of Newton St Cyres Parish Council Meeting held in the Parish Hall Club Room on Thursday 1 October 2026
The meeting commenced at 7.00pm
Members present
Cllr L Ouldridge (Chair) Cllr J Rimbon-Whittaker
Cllr D Harris Cllr R Vinner
Cllr I Marshall
In attendance: D/Cllr M Binks (left 7.30pm), C/Cllr S Keable (left 8.00pm), J Hole, Parish Clerk
Public Participation
There was none
Formal Business
01/10/26 Apologies
Cllr M Herpoltd-Bright, Cllr J Campbell, Cllr J Dean
02/10/26 Declaration of Interest
None noted
03/10/26 Minutes of the last meeting held on Thursday 3 September 2026
Agreed and signed as a true record
04/10/26 Newton St Cyres Parish Council Issues relevant to Mid Devon District Council
4.1 Planning Applications
26/01235/CAT- Notification of intention to thin the canopy and reduce the height of 1 Silver Birch tree within the Conservation Area at Forge Cottage, Pump Street – no comment
26/01251/PNCOU - Prior Notification for the change of use of two agricultural buildings to flexible use within mixed Commercial use under Class R| at Shippon & Nivin, Bidwell Barton Farm – no comment
Consultation as a Neighbouring authority - 26/01250/MFUL - Variation of condition 8 of planning permission 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 increase the annual feedstock limit from 32,500 tonnes to 48,500 tonnes and remove the restrictions relating to individual feedstock types, tonnages and source sites at East of Lords Meadow Industrial Estate.
It was resolved to comment that using alternative feedstock, such as maize or rye, may have a financial impact on local farmers. In addition, increased traffic on the A377.
Since the agenda had been sent an email had been received from a concerned individual notifying the Parish Council about a East Devon planning application - 26/1919/VAR - Variation of Condition 2 (Approved Plans) of Planning Permission 20/1517/FUL (Construction of digestate storage lagoon, with associated hardstanding and 2.4 metre-high security fencing) to amend the approved design from an agricultural storage bag to a smaller tank.
The Parish Council had not been consulted, even though East Devon District Council had consulted Mid Devon District Council. After discussion, District and County Cllrs noted that there was little legal basis on which to object to AD type applications since these are favoured in the NPPF. It was resolved to contact East Devon District Council enforcement team and comment that it appears the digestate spreading appears to be operating outside of its permitted catchment area.
4.2 Planning Decisions
26/00762/HOUSE - Erection of single store extension following demolition of existing extension and alterations to external appearance (fenestration) at Langford Bridge House, Langford Newton St Cyres Exeter Devon EX5 5AQ – grant permission
4.3 Report from District Councillors on issues relevant to the parish A report from MDDC Parish Liaison Cllr had been circulated and was noted. D/Cllr M Binks suggested that the parish might consider applying for the Creative Community Grants and Cllr J Rimbon-Whittaker would look at the scheme.
4.3.1 Update on Local Government re-organisation/HELAA update
It was noted that the Government had paused Local Government re-organisation. There was no HELAA update. District Council elections would still take place in May 2027.
4.3.2 Progress on a planning meeting with MDDC to discuss HELAA/Local Plan
D/Cllr M Binks reported that MDDC’s Forward Planning team were happy to meet with Cllrs either in Tiverton or on teams, to discuss HELAA and our Community Planning Framework. The Forward Planning Team suggested a meeting in January 2027 would be an appropriate time. It was resolved to ask D/Cllr M Binks to arrange meeting for Cllrs L Ouldridge and J Campbell, ideally at Tiverton.
4.3.3 To consider if a public meeting should be held to discuss HELAA
After discussion it was resolved not to hold a public meeting at this time but to re-consider following the meeting with MDDC Forward Planning team. It was noted that various articles in the Newton Wonder had covered the HELAA process.
4.3.4 To note two Questionnaires – Housing and Economic Needs Assessment and Local Plan Viability Assessment - Stakeholder Providers Survey (DSP26970)
The Clerk had circulated two questionnaires. C/Cllr S Keable noted that as a MDDC Cllr, he was unaware of the questionnaires and he questioned if these had come from MDDC direct? The Clerk would send the email to him.
4.4 To consider MDDC Open spaces consultation
A copy of the consultation had been circulated, and it was noted that the consultation had been extended to January. After discussion two areas in the parish were identified as possible nominees. C/Cllr S Keable suggested the Boniface Trail group should be consulted
It was resolved:
- Cllr L Ouldridge and Cllr R Vinner would speak to the respective organisations
- The Clerk would forward the consultation to the Boniface Trail Group
05/10/26 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 S Keable noted that he may not be able to attend all our meetings due to the large number of parishes he covers. He is happy to be contacted by phone or email.
New path to the allotments – C/Cllr S Keable agreed to speak to the planning officer and liaise with Cllr L Ouldridge to move the project forward.
5.1.1 School signs – grant application
The Clerk was unable to complete the online grant form without financial information and would liaise with C/Cllr S Keable who would provide the necessary information
5.1.2 Update on meeting with interested parties re Boniface Trail
There was no update
5.2 Update on PROW
Cllr L Ouldridge had emailed DCC about the outstanding grant payments which had still not been received. It was resolved that Cllr L Ouldridge would email DCC again
06/10/26 Finance
6.1 To agree Payments and note Receipts:
|
Expenditure – current account – paid in August |
£ |
Receipts – current account |
£ |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Unity Trust Bank Charges DD (September) |
7.00 |
Nil |
|
|
|
J Hole – Salary and expenses |
431.77 |
Receipts Car Park Maintenance Account |
|
|
|
HMRC – PAYE and emp’er NI |
72.01 |
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
Footpath Account |
|
|
|
|
|
Nil |
|
|
|
|
|
|||
6.2 To approve on-line authorisation for this month’s payments
Cllr D Harris and Cllr R Vinner
6.3 Balances (after above transactions)
6.3.1 Parish Council Current Account balance: £7,170.76
6.3.2 Footpath Account: £581.75 (separate account)
6.3.3 Parish Hall Car Park maintenance fund balance: £7,928.71 (separate account)
6.4 Financial Statement and Budget Monitor
Noted
6.5 Road Wardens – to consider PC funding or applying for a DCC grant for red/black/white warning posts x 8, approx. cost £129.00
It was resolved to purchase the warning posts
Grants – clerk to email parish organisations and advise of grant application deadline of 31 October 2026
07/10/26 Other Parish Council Matters
7.1 Areas of responsibility reports – to note any Cllr reports including:
Allotments – update on dead tree removals and new path
New path – covered under 5.1 above
Cllr L Ouldridge had met with the previous contractor and agreed which tress would be felled for the £100.00 already paid. The clerk would instruct the new contractor to go ahead with the felling identified at the last meeting
Feedback from September coffee morning
- Tree stumps were blocking the brook – covered below
- The hedge at Belluno was blocking visibility – the Clerk would write to the owner
- Complaint that contractors parked on the village green – without details of the contractors, no action could be taken.
- Report that there are lonely elderly parishioners who do not get out much. Cllr J Rimbon-Whittaker had spoken to the Vicar to get names so that some action could be taken.
Tytheing Close – progress with petition re road crossing – Cllr I Marshall aimed to get residents stories recorded before DCC meeting in December
Community Resilience – Shuttern Brook – Cllr R Vinner reported that he had walked the lower part of the shuttern brook together with a road warden volunteer and just before it joined the Creedy there were lots of branches. However, it was not clear if these should be removed and advice would be sought from the Environment Agency. He planned to walk the brook along West Town in the next few weeks
Permissive paths – have these been added to Parishonline – this was still outstanding
Arboretum – draft agreement – a draft agreement had been circulated. It was resolved to accept this agreement and Cllr L Ouldridge would ask the Arboreum Committee for its agreement at the next Arboretum meeting
Progress with Welcome pack – no progress to report. Suggested that the welcome pack could be added to the Newton Wonder website.
7.2 Volunteers celebration event 5 September to note success
Cllrs thanked Cllr J Rimbon-Whittaker for providing the catering at the event which had been well attended and very successful
08/10/26 Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda /Miscellaneous correspondence
Email re road works on A377 near Tesco - noted
Belluno hedge – needs cutting – covered above
09/10/26 Date of next Parish Council meeting: Thursday 5 November 2026 at 7pm in the Club Room
End of Formal Business
Public Participation
There was none
The meeting closed at 8.30pm