September 2026 DRAFT

UPLOWMAN PARISH COUNCIL: DRAFT MINUTES OF MEETING

Held on Thursday 17 September 2026 in Uplowman Village Hall, starting at 8.20pm.

Cllr G Westcott (MDDC) present plus 3 members of public. Minutes by Mr R Hodgson, Clerk.

Action points in bold. Subject to Approval on 19 November 2026.

 

1. MEMBERS PRESENT and PROCEDURAL MATTERS

1.1 Present: Cllrs D Westerman, M Moore, E Egan, R Adcock, J Mayne and A McCombe.

2. APOLOGIES AND REPORTS FROM MDDC & DCC

2.1 Cllr D Thomas had tendered apologies for absence due to work commitments. Cllr Lock (MDDC) had a conflicting meeting and had sent a report.

2.2 MDDC report: Cllr Westcott said that there was no update on local government reorganisation, recently put on hold. Cllr Lock’s report drew attention to the Green Spaces register being developed by MDDC.

 

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (21^st July 2026)

3.1 Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 21^stJuly 2026had been circulated. Cllr Adcock clarified that the Hall sustainable energy project was still being costed and no decision was yet made to implement it. No changes were requested and they were signed by the Chair as a true record of that meeting.

 

4. FINANCES and PROCEDURES

4.1 Current Balance: £8802.03

Income since last meeting (donations for trimtrail): £ 125.00

 

4.2 The following payments were approved and cheques signed to effect the disbursements:

     AP Hayman (grass cutting and road works): £138.90

     R Hodgson (Clerk’s salary and epenses): £913.60

4.3 Register of interest forms were still awaited from Cllrs Adcock, McCombe (unable to read electronic signature), Egan and Thomas. These would be actioned shortly.

4.4 There was no update on development of an IT policy.

5. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

5.1 24/01033/FULL: Hill Farm, revised cattle shed layout. UPC had not objected and decision awaited.

5.2 25/01266/FULL: 3 Crossways, Erection of social dwelling. Mddc had approved this.

5.3 25/01366/FULL: Land at Stonebridge, replace barn with two self-build houses. UPC had objected to revised proposals. Decision awaited.

5.4 26/00894PNCOU and 895PNCOU: Whitnage Farm, barn conversions, approved

5.5 26/0982/Full: Hayloft, Green End. Change of use to holiday accommodation. UPC had not objected and decision was awaited.

5.6 26.01035PIP: Little Chace, 1 self build. UPC had objected, MDDC had granted application

5.7 26/0751LBC: Uplowman House, variation of LBC, MDDC had approved.

5.8 Plan Mid Devon meeting. Councillors were invited to learn about the local plan review at meeting to be held on 29 Sept. All could attend except Cllrs Egan and McCombe.

 

6. VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

6.1 Parish Council website: There was no further progress on the move to hosting by Parish Online.

6.2 Parish Priority Statement: Cllrs Westerman and Moore, plus the Clerk, had met to discuss development of a Priority Needs Statement. Cllr Westerman proposed holding a ‘Meet the Parish’ open day. After some discussion, it was agreed that a Friday evening would be most likely to attract but retired and working parishioners. The Clerk would investigate available dates in the Hall.

6.3 Noticeboard on the Green. Cllr Adcock would enquire about the cost of replacement.

6.4 The leat had been dry during the summer. Ths had been partly due to a blockage and leaks. It was noted that it should be the responsibility of riparian owners and users to maintain this man-made structure. However, councillors agreed that it was important to ensure the survival of this historic village feature and a way forward should be investigated.

 

7. SUSTAINABILITY AND HEALTHY LIVING

7.1 UHRA was still pursuing quotations and funding for solar and ground-source heat pumps at the Hall.

 

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:

8.1None that was not related to agenda items.

 

9. HALL AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION

9.1 Cllr Adcock said that ithere was no immediate plan to replace the hall blinds.

9.2 The replacement footbridge frame was currently being galvanised.

10. STATE OF ROADS IN PARISH

10.1 Whitnage Lane signage: Cllrs Moore and Westerman had not yet inspected the lane for suitable locations for signs.

 

11. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was confirmed for Thursday 19^th November 2026, in the Hall at 7.30pm.

The meeting closed at 9.00pm

 

Drafts MINUTES OF 17^th September 2026

 

Public discussion:

Questioners expressed concern that planning applications were being approved despite Uplowman’s lack of sustainability (in planning terms). It was suggested that the PC should obtain professional advice to help in countering applications, possible in association with neighbouring parishes.

It was pointed out that the current HELAA process for identifying available sites had looked at 4 locations in Uplowman with possible 100+ houses. It was noted, however, the HELAA process is simply a screening process and subject to further rounds of consultation, in which the PC would be involved.