Held in Gittisham Village Hall
Present:
Village ward: Cllr C Hall (Chair), Cllr A Rowe (Vice Chair), Cllr D Valentine
Vale ward: Cllr J Twist, Cllr A Powell
In attendance: Cllr Phil Twiss (DCC), 22 members of the public, Fiona Clampin (clerk)
Apologies for absence: Cllr M Walker, Cllr P Orchard, Cllr Alasdair Bruce (EDDC), PCSO Darren England
Before the start of the meeting, one member of the public complained about the amount of mud on the road. They said DCC Highways teams had been out to try clearing some of it, but the poor state of the roads in general made this ineffective. Cllr Rowe explained he’d met the new Neighbourhood Highways Officer who was keen to hear more about the issues affecting parishioners. Cllr Rowe reminded people to use the ‘report a problem’ page on the DCC website or the app.
Other members of the public spoke about their disappointment and frustration following the announcement on 31st October that Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) and Airband had agreed to scale back Airband’s contract agreements to deliver full fibre to properties in the region. This means that Gittisham will not be included in the areas remaining under Airband’s modified contract. It’s the fourth time in more than ten years the village has been let down by providers promising to bring superfast broadband to the parish. Many people outlined the difficulties they have working from home with a very poor broadband connection, even for those who have Voneus wifi which is unreliable and for technical reasons cannot serve some properties in the village. Others complained that online video appointments including for medical conditions were unworkable. Many residents have weak mobile ‘phone coverage, which makes using 4G impossible. Several teenagers explained how, during the years of the Covid-19 pandemic, having slow broadband had left them particularly disadvantaged as they could not always participate in online lessons. One person expressed concern that the copper connection to businesses would be switched off first, which would have a huge impact on his business.
Cllr Powell explained what the parish council had been doing to highlight the issue, including involving the local MP, writing to the relevant government minister and getting some press coverage. Cllr Twiss added that over seven years campaigning for better broadband in the parish, he had never felt more despondent about the situation. Enough is enough, he said.
87/24 To accept and approve apologies
Apologies were received and accepted.
88/24 To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 3rd October 2024
The minutes of the meeting held on 3rd October 2024 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.
89/24 To receive the Beat Manager’s Report
August 2024:
Hamlett Close – 1 x violence and sexual offences
Nether Close – 1 x anti-social behaviour
Hedge Field Close – 3 anti-social behaviour, 4 x violence and sexual offences
Cypress Close – 1 x violence and sexual offences
Laburnum Close – 1 x other theft
Rowan Close – 1 x vehicle crime
September 2024:
Hedge Field Close – 3 anti-social behaviour, 1 x violence and sexual offences
90/24 To receive declarations of interest
Cllr Rowe declared an interest in agenda item 15 / minute ref. 101/24, as he is on the village fete committee.
91/24 To consider actions from the last meeting not otherwise on the agenda
None.
92/24 To receive reports from County Council and District Council representatives
Broadband – Gittisham
Cllr Twiss said Gittisham is losing out yet in the delivery of high-speed broadband yet again, which is incredibly frustrating following many years of lobbying for Gittisham to be treated equally with other communities and a number of false dawns. Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) and Airband (contracted to deliver full fibre broadband) have agreed to significantly scale back Airband’s contract agreements to deliver full fibre to properties in the two counties.
Both CDS and Airband remain committed to finding possible alternative delivery solutions for those communities who were due to receive fibre broadband. CDS contracted with broadband supplier Airband, initially in 2016 to deliver fixed wireless infrastructure and additionally in late 2020 to roll out fibre broadband networks to communities across Devon and Somerset, with four contracts originally due to conclude at the end of 2024. In total, Airband is contracted to deliver 55,493 premises. To date the operator has delivered 18,794 premises in collaboration with CDS. However, following Airband’s restructure earlier this year, the company is seeking to maximise take-up across its existing network while slowing down on build activity which means it can no longer complete its contracted build for CDS in full and the company sought a change to its contract.
Cllr Twiss said he, along with many others, was extremely disappointed to see a reduction in coverage by Airband via the CDS contract, which directly impacts Gittisham. CDS is also discussing alternative options with Building Digital UK (BDUK), the Government’s national agency, responsible for the delivery of Gigabit Broadband. CDS is urging BDUK to re-enable rural voucher applications to open promptly in communities where Airband will no longer be delivering. This should offer communities a potential alternative. At the same time CDS is seeking confirmation of the Devon and Somerset premises that will be connected under the nationally-led contracts awarded to Openreach as part of the Government’s Project Gigabit programme.
Devon colleges and council collaborate to enhance SEND education
Colleges in Devon are working with DCC to provide more places specifically to support the further education of hundreds of young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). At least 350 additional post-16 education places for young people with SEND will be created at Exeter College and PETROC College’s two campuses in Barnstaple and Tiverton, thanks to a multi-million pound bid to the Department for Education (DfE) and Devon County Council.
The plans involve creating new on-campus facilities at the three sites, Exeter, Barnstaple and Tiverton, with dedicated, purpose-built spaces designed to meet the requirements of young people with a range of additional needs. The courses that the colleges will offer are currently under review and will be confirmed shortly. The funding from the DfE is essential in providing quality further education, local to families in Devon, that will help young people achieve better educational outcomes, leading to improved employment prospects and independent living. The colleges are also developing a wide-ranging programme of support for young people with SEND, beginning even before students attend to help make the transitions from school or other educational settings to the colleges as positive as possible.
Devon prepared for winter
Whatever the weather, Devon’s highway teams are prepared and ready to keep the county moving this winter.
Last winter’s biggest issue was the prolonged wet spell which caused extensive damage to Devon’s highway network. This led to a 31 per cent increase in pothole repairs between January and April, compared to 2023, and 94 per cent more than the same period in 2022. However, in terms of dealing with icy conditions, last winter was relatively quiet, with Devon County Council’s gritting teams only using around 6,200 tonnes of salt, which was less than half the amount used the previous winter. But more time was spent cleaning gullies and clearing debris from roads due to torrential rain and several named storms. This highlights that Devon’s highway teams have to be prepared for all eventualities over the next few months where a generally dry winter would be preferable!
The Morocco – UK Power Project
Positive and exciting news about renewable electricity generation that positively affects Devon. The Xlinks Morocco-UK Power Project will be a new electricity generation facility entirely powered by solar and wind energy combined with a battery storage facility. Located in Morocco’s renewable energy-rich region of Guelmim Oued Noun, it will be connected exclusively to Great Britain via 4,000kms (2,485 miles) of high voltage direct current (HVDC) sub-sea cables. This first of a kind project will generate 11.5GW of zero carbon electricity from the sun and wind to deliver 3.6GW of reliable energy for an average of 19+ hours a day. This is enough to provide affordable, clean power to the equivalent of more than 7 million British homes and once complete, the project will be capable of supplying 8 per cent of Great Britain’s electricity needs. Alongside the consistent output from its solar panels and wind turbines, an onsite 22.5GWh/5GW battery facility will provide sufficient storage to reliably deliver each and every day, a dedicated, near-constant source of flexible and predictable clean energy for Britain, designed to complement the renewable energy already generated across the UK.
When domestic renewable energy generation in the United Kingdom drops due to low winds and short periods of sun, the project will harvest the benefits of long hours of sun in Morocco alongside the consistency of its convection trade winds, to provide a firm but flexible source of zero-carbon electricity. Four cables, each 4,000km long, form the twin 1.8GW HVDC sub-sea cable systems that will follow the shallow water route from the Moroccan site to a grid location in Great Britain, passing Spain, Portugal, and France. Agreement has been reached with National Grid for two 1.8GW connections in Devon. Voltage source convertor stations will enable the Xlinks project to secure high-value balancing contracts with National Grid, and a HVDC technical feasibility study has been completed to validate reliability and cost.
In his absence, Cllr Bruce sent the following report: “At the last full district council meeting, a motion was carried with only one abstention to direct the leader to write to the Chancellor, asking her to reverse her decision on the winter fuel allowance. It is unlikely to have any effect, but I note with interest that unions, among others, are setting up to challenge the government over its scrapping of the winter fuel allowance. This has particular resonance here in east Devon, given our demographics. In my opinion this is a soft target for the government and has baffled many in Westminster. And I hope there is now a momentum to steer this government away from this step.
“I have raised my concerns with planning regarding Roebuck Farm. I have made it clear that the gate has been blocked for many years despite the farm’s claims that the entrance has been in constant use. I have sent the officer captured images from Google Earth showing the overgrown entrance.
“Talking of planning, I fully support the Parish Council looking into mounting a legal challenge regarding the ad hoc process employed by EDDC’s Strategic Planning when it came to site selection for the Local Plan. I will be encouraging my other councils to consider the same course of action.”
93/24 To receive an update on superfast broadband from Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS)
Phil Roberts (CDS Programme Manager) and Matt Barrow (Stakeholder Engagement Officer) said it was a humbling experience to hear the challenges people face first hand. They explained the historic and complex failure of the four cancelled contracts to bring superfast broadband to Gittisham village, dating back over more than ten years. They then put forward the possible scenarios to remedy the situation, acknowledging that none were likely to be delivered quickly. There are voucher initiatives which involve working with providers to find a solution, but finding a provider to take this on could be a challenge. There is also central Government’s Project Gigabit, a £5 billion programme to enable hard-to-reach communities to access superfast gigabit-capable broadband. Building Digital UK (BDUK) is launching phased contracts to deliver this, but none include East Devon at this point. This could change as BDUK continues its market research.
Graham Long (rural broadband campaigner) advised the public to make more noise about the issue than they had done previously, as it was unacceptable for residents to be left with a service that he described as belonging to the last century. Cllr Twiss advised the parish council to pursue other avenues without any intervention from CDS, and said he was investigating and would report back.
Cllr Twiss and 18 members of the public left the meeting.
94/24 To receive a report on the EDDC Local Plan and consider contracting a planning consultant
Cllr Valentine said he’d attended the Strategic Planning Committee meeting on 29th October, where he had addressed those present on potential site allocations in the Honiton and Axminster areas (including Gittisham). He outlined the parish council’s opposition to the inclusion of two sites in the Local Plan, with a further 310 dwellings proposed west of Hayne Lane towards the Forge. He explained that this is not a sustainable site for residential development and is contrary to EDDC’s own sustainability objectives. He declared himself very frustrated by the process, which he felt was undemocratic in many ways and he anticipated could be open to legal challenge. However, EDDC’s officers’ recommendation to allocate both sites in the Local Plan was approved by a majority of 8 to 3. The final consultation plan is due to be published before the end of 2024 with an examination in public in 2025.
Members discussed the letter circulated by Lympstone Parish Council, which also discussed the site allocation process and its flaws.
ACTION: Chair and Cllr Valentine to discuss drafting a similar letter with Cllr Bruce that can be distributed to all East Devon parish councils.
95/24 To receive reports from councillors on areas of responsibility and actions since the last meeting:
- To consider the provision of superfast broadband in the parish (Cllr Powell)
- Cf minute ref. 93/24. The Chair thanked Cllr Powell for arranging the meeting and driving the issue forward.
- To note the latest planning decision notices
- 24/0467/PDR Roebuck Farm Weston EX14 3PB – Prior approval (Class R) for a change of use of agricultural buildings to a flexible commercial use within Classes B8 (Storage and Distribution), and Class E (Commercial, business or service) use. Withdrawn.
- To receive an update on Highways
16 January – road to Catshayes Farm closed for Detectronic ‘essential maintenance’ 0800-1700
09 Oct-23 December Sidmouth Road 100m uphill south of Tesco roundabout. Temporary traffic signals. Guarding collapsed culvert causing water damage to road, although they got a last minute overriding order for full closure 31 Oct/01 Nov for emergency drainage works, so anything may happen.
- To consider plans for expenditure in the parish under the Community Infrastructure Levy & S106
In his absence, Cllr Orchard sent the following report: “I attended a recent Honiton Town Council S106/CIL meeting. They are proposing to use the money on three projects: levelling and drainage of football pitches (local MP has recently visited), improvements and drainage to rugby pitches, and realignment of primary school/HCC sports pitches to increase pitches and space. All would be available for public use, and the latter would also allow hockey netball etc outside school hours. They must put bids to EDDC S106 team, who then pass it on to another level, who then pass it on to another level for final decision around March 2025. GPC got two rounds of applause during the meeting.”
- To receive an update on public transport
09-22 Nov. Railway line closure Honiton to Axminster for engineering works. A bus replacement service will run instead.
- To consider climate change measures within the parish, including proposals for rewilding land in the parish
Cllr Rowe said there was no update on this.
- To consider limited residential development in the parish
Cllr Valentine said the changes to the proposals requested by English Heritage would put further pressure on GCLT funds. He will be approaching the board in due course.
- To consider the creation of a footpath linking Hayne Farm with Gittisham village
Cllr Powell said there was no update on this.
- To consider the refurbishment and maintenance of the village play area
The Chair reported that the tower slide plastic window had been replaced, and Andrew Lapping has done some hedge cutting in the wild area..
ACTION: Clerk to request invoice from Andrew Lapping.
- To consider work to be carried out by the lengthsman to maintain ditches and drains in the parish
Members discussed the need for a one-off job by a contractor to clear ditches and drains which are becoming blocked with fallen leaves.
ACTION: Clerk to cancel public liability insurance for the lengthsman.
ACTION: Chair to draw up a list of what needs to be done, following a walkabout with Cllr Walker and Len Abbott.
96/24 To receive a report from the Chair
The Chair said there was nothing to report this month.
97/24 To approve the November payments and to note the current bank balance
Members resolved to approve the following payments:
F Clampin £266.75 clerk’s salary + £10.13 expenses (travel Ottery – Gittisham 7.5-mile round trip x 3 for agendas, minutes & September meeting @0.45p / mile) resolved following discussion minute ref. 98/24
F Clampin £98.54 backdated payment under new pay scale 2024-25 resolved following discussion minute ref. 98/24
Michael Poll, play area grass cutting £65 (inv. ref. 10368)
RhinoPlay, £166.80 Bubble Perspex safety window for tower slide
Community Heartbeat Trust £324 annual support costs for Gittisham Vale & Gittisham telephone box defibs
NEST £28.08 (clerk’s pension)
Members were informed that the current bank balance stands at £24,783.85 (which includes approximately £7,156.88 in the business reserve account).
98/24 To consider a review of remuneration of the parish clerk in line with the annual NALC salary scales, and associated pension payments
Members resolved to raise the clerk’s salary in line with NALC recommendations to £14.36 / hr, for the year 2024-25 (along with associated pension payments), and to apply the increase retrospectively.
99/24 To review the parish council’s online banking arrangements and update the banking mandate as appropriate
Members resolved to remove Cllr Valentine’s name from the mandate and add Cllr Rowe’s.
ACTION: Cllr Twist to investigate other banks.
ACTION: Chair, Cllr Twist and clerk to visit Nat West to request address details are updated to enable online banking to proceed.
100/24 To discuss future projects requiring parish council involvement
Members resolved to defer discussion to the next meeting, and particularly when setting the budget.
Cllr Rowe left the meeting.
101/24 To consider financial support for the 2025 Gittisham village fete
Members resolved to defer discussion to the next meeting, and particularly when setting the budget.
Cllr Rowe returned to the meeting.
102/24 To consider Combe Estate’s 10 year Woodland Management Plan for 2025-2035
The Chair commented that mitigation in the upper catchment to prevent runoff is something that many groups are considering and would be particularly relevant, given the flooding the parish is experiencing (eg Iron Bridge)
ACTION: Clerk to ask Combe Estate for a map to accompany the woodland management plan, as well as the Combe Estate masterplan.
103/24 Clerk’s report
There was nothing to report.
104/24 For information only; items for the forward agenda
Future projects; lengthsman; banking.
105/24 To consider any late entry correspondence
The clerk said some Hayne Farm residents had complained about the siting of dog waste bins, as well as the smell from them not being emptied. Members agreed the siting had been laid out in the original masterplan, overseen by Sovereign.
ACTION: Clerk to contact Mark Sexton at Baker Estates to ask when emptying will happen, and request another walkabout.
ACTION: Cllr Rowe to contact Clare Bryden at Websites Ahoy about the slow arrival of emails.
106/24 Date of next two meetings
Thursday 5th December 2024 and Thursday 9th January 2025
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2135 hrs.
Chair…………………………………….
5th December 2024