July 2024
UPLOWMAN PARISH COUNCIL: MINUTES OF MEETING
Held on Thursday 25th May 2024 in Uplowman Village Hall, starting at 7.50pm.
Cllr C Slade (DCC), and two members of the public present. Minutes by Mr R Hodgson, Clerk. Action points
in bold. Approved on 19th September 2024.
1. MEMBERS PRESENT and PROCEDURAL MATTERS
1.1 Present: Cllrs M Moore (Chair), K Baugh, J Mayne, and R Adcock.
2. APOLOGIES AND REPORTS FROM MDDC & DCC
2.1 Councillors A McCombe (away), D Westerman (away) and D Thomas (working) had tendered
apologies for absence.
2.2 Cllr Slade had sent a report on DCC matters. He said that the planning application for the Greenway
Landfill was scheduled for 4th September but, at the time of the meeting, further details were awaited
from the developer. His Locality Budget still had funds available that might cover road signs for the
Whitnage Lane but approval from Highways would be needed. The Road to Sampford Peverell would
be resurfaced this year but no date had yet been fixed.
2.3 There was no report from MDDC.
3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (16th May 2024)
3.1 Draft Minutes of the annual meeting held on Thursday 16th May 2024 had been circulated. There were
no changes requested and they were signed by the Chair as a true record of that meeting.
4. FINANCES and PROCEDURES
4.1 Current Balance: £7405.48
Income since last meeting (VAT reclaim): £1930.60
4.2The following payments were approved and cheques signed to effect the disbursements:
P Hayman, grass cutting (£192.00)
R Adcock, reimburse for mounting historic map (£738.00)
Mrs M Norman, catering for village celebration/Annual Parish Meeting (£200.00)
R Hodgson, Expenses (£113.55). It was noted that the Clerk’s May payment had not either
been paid or received so this payment included May’s expenses.
4.3 The Clerk reported that the audit papers had been submitted to the external auditor, whose opinion was
awaited. The period for public consultation was now completed with no requests to inspect the books.
5. PLANNING APPLICATIONS
5.1 DCC/4358/2023: Greenway landfill. Revised proposals received – UPC had objected to routing of
HGVs through Uplowman. The next date when this matter might be considered by DCC would be 4 th
September.
5.2 23/00864/PIP, for two self-build houses on land at Stonebridge. The Applicant had appealed against
MDDC’s refusal of permission. Any further remarks must be sent to the Inspector by 6 th August.
Following discussing it was agreed that an additional submission re-emphasising UPC’s reasons for
objection should be sent to the Inspector. The Clerk would draft this.
6. VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS
6.1 The Redwoods Pub project: An application to register the Redwoods as an Asset of Community Value
had been made and the adjudication was awaited. However, since the recent change of government it
was not known if the funding for such projects would continue.
6.2 The mounting and display of the historic village map had been completed in time for the Village
Celebration day on 5th july. Reflecting on the evening, councillors considered that it had been a success
and expressed gratitude to Mrs Norman for the catering and to and all who helped make it an excellent
catering.
6.3 The Clerk said that he had received reports that a hawthorn tree on the green was showing signs of
stress and should be cut down. Cllrs Baugh and Adcock would investigate and make a plan for
dealing with it.
6.4 The Clerk said that Mr Hayman had expressed a desire to reduce his grass-cutting duties. Cllr Adock
said that he had to investigate grass cutting for the UHRA and would look for someone for the UPC
areas at the same time.
7. SUSTAINABILITY AND HEALTHY LIVING
7.1 Cllr Adcock suggested that a letter should be written to the UHRA committee to propose investigation
of community energy schemes for the Hall. His personal suggestions had so far borne no fruit.Volume 4 Page 32
8. CORRESPONDENCE
A list of correspondence received and sent had been circulated. Attention was drawn to the following items of
interest that were not covered elsewhere:
8.1 A young parishioner had written suggesting that he might develop a community website. This
proposal was welcomed and it was agreed that coordination would be required with Mr Milner, who
managed a community site, the UHRA, which has its own site, and possibly the school. Cllr Moore
undertook to start these conversations and to clarify what the costs and management
responsibilities might be, both short and long-term, for discussion and agreement at the next meeting.
9. HALL AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION
9.1 The PA system would be installed during week commencing 19th August. Temporary repairs had been
made to the footbridge but more work would be needed. Cllr Adcock was pleased to report that
arrangements for cleaning the Hall had been made with local contract cleaners.
10. EMERGENCY PLANNING AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
10.1 The Clerk had obtained quotations for printing the household emergency plans for distribution to all
homes. 150 would cost £104 or 200 could be printed for £116 by a local printer. The Clerk proposed
that 200 be printed, which would allow a surplus for future use. This proposal was accepted. The
Clerk would order the printing and it was agreed that payment of £116 should be made on receipt
of an invoice.
10.2 When the emergency plans were available Cllr Moore would deliver batches to each councillor for
personal delivery within each of their areas. The objective was to complete distribution by the time
of the next meeting.
11. STATE OF ROADS IN PARISH
11.1 Whitnage Lane signage: The clerk had heard no more from DCC. He would follow up the enquiry with
DCC to establish cost and possible funding.
11.2 Speeding at Crossways: Cllr Westerman had agreed to investigate 30mph regulations. He had written to
DCC for further information but, due to his absence from the meeting, there was no update on his findings.
11.3 The fences beside the leat were becoming hazardous. It was agreed that they should be taken down on
grounds of safety and the Clerk would inform the Neighbourhood Highway Officer of this action while
replacement was awaited. Cllrs Baugh and Adcock would investigate undertaking the work.
11.4 All agreed that the road to Sampford was a hazard for cyclists as well as damaging to vehicles and asked the
Clerk to follow up its repair with the Neighbourhood Highway Officer,
12. DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The next meeting was confirmed for Thursday 19th September 2024, to be in the Hall at 7.30pm.
The meeting closed at 9.00pm
Public discussion:
Objections to the planning appeal relating to permission in principle for two self-bui;d homes on land behind Stonebridge
were raised. Discrepancies between the original application and the appeal papers were pointed out. UPC was urged to
reinforce its objections to this application.
MINUTES OF 25 July 2024