Minutes Council Meeting September 23 2025
DRAFT
Minutes of the Meeting of Stoodleigh Parish Council, held at 7pm on Tuesday September 23rd 2025 in the Village Hall
Members present : Chairman Cllr W Knowles Vice Chair Cllr J Widdowson Cllr G Parkman Cllr C Payne Cllr D Wotton Cllr B Wotton
County Cllr S Lodge District Cllrs C Adcock and Cllr M Stratton
1. Apologies received from Cllr Mansfield
2. Declarations of Interest – Cllr Knowles declared a personal interest in planning 25/01216/PIP
3. The Public – 10 members in attendance. The subject of possible further development within the village was raised. Cllr Widdowson thought it inappropriate to comment as only rumours were circulating to date and nothing official had been received.
4. Minutes of the Meeting held July 29th – these were approved and signed as a correct record
5. Planning reports and Outcomes –
25/00215/HOUSE Erection of a garage with a store above, Fairview – permission granted.
25/00567/HOUSE and 25/00568/LBC listed building consent for lean-to-utility room to include reducing external levels between garage and installation of a French Drain, Church Cottage – grant permission
25/00621/CAT Notification of intention to fell 2 Sycamore trees and reduce the crowns of 6 Sycamore trees within the conservation area, Little Daymer – objection. ( Preservation orders have been put on some of the trees but the land owner is still liable should any branches fall on the highway.)
25/00772/CAT Notification of intention to reduce the main stem of one Oak tree 5-6 metres within the conservation area, Stoodleigh Court – no objection
25/00807/FULL Subdivision of a dwelling into 2 dwellings, 2 Court Gardens – approved
25/00908/LBC Listed building consent for the replacement of roof slates with natural slate, replacement of UPVC windows with double glazed painted timber & replacement of UPVC gutters/down pipes with powder coated aluminium, installation of internal access to cellar, Ford House – granted with conditions to discharge
25/01087/CAT Application to prune larger limbs of Sycamore tree overhanging the boundary, reduce the crown of 1 Turkey Oak, - no objection
25/01215/FULL Retention of change of use of agricultural land to residential curtilage and double garage, Moss Rose Cottage – awaiting decision. The council had supported this application initially and although there had been slight variation in the garage structure the council unanimously supported the current application.
Cllr Knowles then left the room and Cllr Widdowson took the Chair.
25/01216/PIP Permission in principle for the erection of 1 self build dwelling, Penbrae NGR 291690 118886 – awaiting decision. 3 councillors had visited the site on the 22nd September which is within the existing large garden. They felt that the proposal was reasonable as the owners wished to down size while remaining within the village. To date the owners had actively contributed to village life and wished to continue. This plan would then release a larger property more suited to family occupation. The council unanimously voted in support.
The Chairman returned to the meeting.
25/01238/CAT Notification of intention to remove branches from 2 Beech trees within the conservation area, Land at NGR 292148 118944, The Old Forge – awaiting decision. It was felt there was no need to visit.
25/01250/CLU Certificate of lawful commencement of development approved under application
25/01256/FULL Erection of a self build dwelling & associated infrastructure including garage structure, utilising the Class Q fallback position. 24/00600/PNCOU, land and building NGR 290615 119720 Alridge Mill Hill, Oakford – awaiting decision. No particular council objection.
21/02319/FULL, erection of 5 holiday lodges & associated parking, reception/store and an all terrain vehicle store, High Wood and former Holmingham Quarry, Bampton – awaiting decision although work appears to have started.
The subject of Planning Enforcement arose regards some of the more controversial past applications. It was acknowledged that the MDDC department had been under staffed and that some contraventions or potential problems had been largely ignored and not thoroughly investigated. Residents had raised their concerns verbally to councillors, resentment over possible avoidance of council tax for example and those who felt strongly that action should have been taken far earlier in especially 2 planning cases. The current trend of selling small areas of local woodland and the subsequent erection of “forestry huts” has long been of concern. Residents are readily vocal but reluctant to commit in writing. Ewelina Dulewicz tried to factually correct some statements by the Chairman but was prevented from doing so at this stage in the meeting as the meeting was closed to the public for representation after Item 3. The Chairman would like a FOI from the Enforcement Department as to their actual recent action taken on a number of issues as he felt strongly that the department should be held to account. District Cllr Stratton agreed to look into this.
6. Reports
County and District Council. A monthly report from DC Cllr Steve Lodge had already been circulated. The Local Government Review is still considering 3 model proposals and whichever is accepted will drastically affect the current structure and reduce the number of local councillors required. One idea is of having a Mid Devon, Torbay and Plymouth divide. He highlighted the current variation in money allocated under the present health resources with Torbay granted £82 per head whereas Devon receives £37.
Three Cabinet members have been particularly concentrating on issues affecting children and acknowledge that much more input is needed. Foster carers are especially wanted and deserve more recognition for their valuable contribution to society.
District Cllr Stratton had taken up the potential safety problem outside of the Stoodleigh Inn. As there was no record of fatalities or major incidents any introduction of a mandatory further speed reduction, below the 30mph was not a priority with Highways, but they did however offer some suggestions as to other types of signage adoption. Cllrs Knowles and Widdowson will speak to Lizzie Issacs as to any preferred solution. Unwanted pots and pans can now be collected for kerbside collection.
7. Snow Warden –
No grit bins are provided FOC, only the 5 ton of grit unless there is a nominated warden. Clerk asked to contact Templeton as to their arrangements and Morebath regards their Road Warden appointment with an invitation to attend the November meeting. Personal insurance is one of the more problematic issues.
8. Stoodleigh Inn – dealt with under Item 6.
9. Notice Board – due for completion by the end of September but Cllr Mansfield knows more but was unfortunately absent.
10. OPCC’s funding scheme – the 50% grant towards CCTV installation was of no local interest.
11. Clerk situation – the response had been encouraging and the selection for interview would be decided outside of the meeting.
12. Internal review –
the request for this had arisen following a FOI request. The Clerk had endeavoured to provide all the information that she held plus contacting others who might be able to provide other documentation to satisfy Mr Harris. Despite her best efforts he seemed paranoid that the council was deliberately destroying or withholding information concerning him. The Clerk was now reluctant to enter into a further correspondence as it was mere repetition and going nowhere. Arrangements would be made to carry out a formal internal review.
13. Finance
HSBC current account as at 12/9/25 £9356.19
Unity Bank Savings Account as at 30/6/25 £4923.64.
Expenditure to date against the budget prediction was little altered from July
Payments approved - Clerk £360 HMRC £94.95 Admin £220.03 (higher as additional printer cartridges had been purchased) R Hill £120