Wembworthy Parish Council Meeting September 2025 Minutes
A Parish Council Meeting was held on Monday 11th September 2025 at the village hall at 7.30pm.
1/ Members present and apologies
Councillors Penter, Vile, Limond, and Tucker present
Devon County Councillor and Mid Devon District councillor Steve Keable
No apologies received from Councillor Peters
2/ Public Questions
Sherrie Marshall asked if the PC could contact the new McDonalds restaurant in Crediton as an increase in takeaway litter from there has been noticed on the roadside locally. The clerk is to find a way of sending this concern to McDonalds.
Emergency Plan – Sherrie has been asking residents if they would be prepared for an emergency and most are not. See matters arising*.
There was a query as to where the sewage works are located on Wembworthy.
The PC was able to respond that they are located along the track from the Petty Ford Bridge towards Hollacombe.
3/ Minutes of the last meeting
The minutes were agreed as correct
4/Matters arising.
Update about the nuisance dogs in Eggesford Woods.
Councillor Tucker liaised with Sherrie Marshall who was one of the original people who raised the issue. GT also visited the 3 most popular sites for walking dogs – Flashdown, Heywood and Eggesford Forest, the latter not being in our parish but part of the local Forestry Commission land. Pictures taken and a review of signage etc. Observations include that there wasn’t any signage about what to do if wanting to report an incident, so they must have been removed as they were previously in place. There was a small police sign only with the usual “keep your dog on a lead”. GT contacted Sean Woodward at Forestry about providing this signage and told that no funding for this. Suggesting that the parish council could fund this. DCC councillor Keable suggesting contacting Section 106 contact, Elaine Barry as funds are available. Potential costing would be £50 per sign. The PC to consider financing 10 signs. As only 2 areas in our parish and other parishes have raised similar concerns, Councillor Keable suggested a meeting again on Teams with the Forestry and Police as a proposal is to be made.
The PC unanimously voted on providing the signs if in the parish and to push for section 106 money.
2nd defibrillator for the village.
A last minute phone call was received by the clerk by the National Grid who were about to meet with the church about providing a spur in the porch. This was unexpected as the PC hadn’t pursued this and was considering a solar powered option for the outside cabinet. The clerk has suggested deferring buying the equipment until it has been established what is happening with the church. The clerk asked the National Grid contact if a connection could be from a street light and was told it was possible. This would help with the xmas tree lights too. The clerk is to contact the church warden for an update on their meeting.
Emergency Plan – newsletter response about vulnerable residents – there was no response.
The PC is in favour of providing emergency kits and to use the village hall as a meeting place as long as the village hall committee is in agreement. The next VH meeting is on 6th November so Sarah Goody (liaison) will have this put on the Agenda. The idea of a “Master Kit” was preferred but would we expect villagers to replace items used? Also a larger First Aid kit could be supplied by the PC.
Village planters - pricing
Clerk looking for Thelbridge contact details as unable to trace the planters they have from online searches. Councillor Vile was able to supply this.
5/ Preliminary Budget Planning before Precept decision in November
Defibrillator now agreed – equipment will be purchased to match the existing one so that spare pads and batteries can be used more efficiently.
It was suggested a flashing speed limit sign as previous appeals to have spend limits have come to nothing.
A new Wembworthy sign on the approach to the Lymington Arms to be costed.
The village planters which could be incorporated into the village signs – costing after contacting Thelbridge parish council.
Grass cutting to continue with existing arrangements? – Next meeting’s Agenda.
6/Update on the councillors specialist areas
Graham Penter – Planning – none to consider
Lawrence Peters – Flagpole – LD not present
Gail Tucker – Public relations & Social Media – nothing to add
Susan Vile – Church & Chapel liaison – Eggesford church has a local history exhibition on 14th September 11am. The Harvest Festival service is 21st September at 6pm. Wembworthy church Harvest Festival is 5th October at 11am. A memorial clay shoot is being held to raise funds for both churches on 19th October at 11am. No report from the Chapel.
Sarah Goody (clerk) – Village Hall liaison – The Flower and Produce Show on16th August was successful and a Barn Dance is on 13th Sept. The next quiz is 14th November. The hall is looking into replacement wall panels as Thelbridge hall have had them done and they look great.
James Limond – Improving Broadband for the village – the build is under way and expected to be completed by the end of October
7/Accounts
a) Update on bank balance £10951.08 as at 29th August 2025 (latest statement received)
£10904.52 PC funds
£46.56 remainder of the Jubilee Fund for the plaque
b) Cheques to sign
S Goody – Office expenses (printer ink and paper) - £21.44
S Goody – Clerks salary - £500 – half yearly amount
S Vile – replacement planter - £40
Wembworthy Village Hall - £120 – newsletter print costs for 12 months
8/AOB for next meeting’s Agenda
Date of next meeting is Thursday 13th November 2025
Meeting closed at 8.55pm