2025-01 Parish Council meeting minutes 6 February 2025

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Held in Gittisham Parish Room

Present:

Village ward: Cllr C Hall (Chair), Cllr A Rowe (Vice Chair), Cllr D Valentine

Vale ward: Cllr P Orchard, Cllr A Powell

In attendance: Cllr Phil Twiss (DCC), Cllr Alasdair Bruce (EDDC), one member of the public, Fiona Clampin (clerk)

Apologies for absence: PCSO Darren England

142/24 To accept and approve apologies

Apologies were received and accepted.

143/24        To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 9th January 2025

The minutes of the meeting held on 9th January 2025 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.  

144/24        To receive the Beat Manager’s Report

December 2024:

Meadow Acre – 1 x anti-social behaviour 

Hedge Field Close – 1 x violence and sexual offences

Hayne Lane – 1 x violence and sexual offences

145/24        To receive declarations of interest

Cllrs Hall and Valentine declared an interest in minute ref. 149/24 b).  The Chair lives in a neighbouring property and Cllr Valentine uses the allotment.

146/24        To consider actions from the last meeting not otherwise on the agenda

None. 

147/24 To receive reports from County Council and District Council representatives

Cllr Twiss said that as DCC moves in to the budget-setting month, it has been just as difficult as in previous years to be in a position to present a budget to full council later this month which balances and provides the best taxpayer value for council services.

He outlined where the £784 million council payer money goes; 79 per cent alone goes to Adult and Children services, which greatly reduces the amount available for other things that matter most to residents, such as roads and public transport. The DCC part of the council tax bill is proposed to rise by 4.99 per cent, which includes 2 per cent for social care, but is less than some other councils.  DCC is the least well-funded county council in England and the next increase in what is termed ‘core funding’ for 2025/26 is 2.6 per cent, around the current rate of inflation.

This is set against a period of uncertainty in terms of Local Government, which is likely to see the end of district councils and the county council in Devon, replaced by unitary authorities, after the Local Governance Review is completed and the Government decides on the way forward. A far more detailed breakdown of how the budget is compiled can be found at https://democracy.devon.gov.uk/documents/s50974/Budget%20report.pdf  

Schools in all districts across Devon now covered by Mental Health Support Team

Children and Family Health Devon (CFHD) is proud to announce that schools across all districts in Devon are now able to access support from the Mental Health Support Team in Schools (MHST). This milestone achievement ensures that from 2025, nearly 70 per cent of children attending schools within Devon and Torbay can access early intervention that supports children and young people with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

MHST’s initiative represents a significant investment in the future of children and young people across Devon and Torbay, bringing specialised mental health support to the classroom. With this rollout, MHST is not only levelling the playing field for students across all backgrounds but is also providing educators with powerful tools to create an enriched and mindful learning environment.

The Mental Health Support Team in Schools (MHST) is an NHS service commissioned to work with a number of schools across Devon and Torbay and in the community.  MHST offers early intervention to help children and young people with their mental health and emotional wellbeing.  MHST offers individual and group low-intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (Li-CBT) evidence-based interventions. We additionally work in schools to support their ‘whole school approach’ to mental health by offering:

    • workshops and training to children, families and education staff
    • consultations
    • Mental Health Ambassador Programme
    • Mental Health Audits and much more.

For more information on The Mental Health Support Team in Schools (MHST) or Children and Family Health Devon, visit the Children and Family Health Devon website at https://childrenandfamilyhealthdevon.nhs.uk/   

Free energy efficiency support for your home on offer

Householders who want to make their homes more energy efficient but are unsure of what steps to take next can get free impartial advice from trusted local experts at https://www.energysavingdevon.org.uk/   

The Energy Saving Devon Advice Service provides personalised consultations, helping residents to make informed decisions about improving energy efficiency in their homes.  This could include a free home visit from a local energy advisor to help you understand which energy saving measures are best suited to your home, advice on grants you may be eligible for as well as solutions to issues such as damp and mould, condensation or under heating.

Energy Saving Devon is a partnership of all the local authorities in Devon, local community energy organisations and other strategic partners, administered by Devon County Council.  The Energy Saving Devon team will be able to advise you on the suitability of your home for measures such as insulation, energy efficient windows, heating and hot water systems and renewable energy systems like solar panels.  Retrofitting these measures can make your home warmer and more comfortable as well as providing healthier living conditions, lower energy costs and lower carbon emissions.

To find out more, or to book your free home visit, contact your local community energy organisation by ‘phone or WhatsApp on 0800 999 1439, or email The Chair said she would contact  the service to see if they would be interested in holding an event in the village hall.

Cllr Bruce said he noted with some dismay the BBC story about charging being introduced to use public toilets in our area, and concur with the anger of those interviewed.  He has argued many times that, despite it being viewed as a non-statutory obligation by the council, in a civilised society it should be. Many would argue that we pay enough in rates as it is, he said, and we have an ageing population when unhindered access to toilets becomes a very relevant issue.  Indeed, many of our residents and visitors of every age may need these facilities urgently and not have the means to pay. Sadly, he said, this appears to be yet another blow to the beleaguered pensioners in our district.  Figures to clarify whether it would be more cost effective to keep some of the venerable toilet blocks, like those at Seaton, Budleigh and Honiton, rather than replace them with an ugly new edifice did not materialise in debate at EDDC. So Cllr Bruce said he was none the wiser as to how long the bill for the new would have covered maintenance of the old.

The strategic plan will have passed an important milestone by the time this report is submitted, said Cllr Bruce.  A decision will have been made on the date for the start of public consultation, which will have to be before March 25th. The implications of this plan are profound and wide ranging. He encouraged all residents to take part in the consultation, as this plan will shape our area for many years to come. Already, despite having gone through the torturous journey to get to the allocations provisionally agreed, the goal posts have moved, and we find that the process has only produced 2.9 years of housing allocation instead of the government target of 5. So it’s going to be somewhat concerning to see where any further allocation will come from. Cllr Bruce said he remained hopeful that the hard reality that we cannot keep building housing on valuable land will eventually hit home. We shall see.

148/24   To receive a report on the EDDC Local Plan and consider contracting a planning consultant

Councillors discussed at length how the parish council should proceed in the light of the decision by EDDC’s Strategic Planning Committee to approve a policy which sees land west of Hayne Lane allocated for a mixed-use development to provide 310 homes and 14.6 ha to accommodate employment.  The policy will still be subject to an examination in public by a planning inspector, but councillors were undecided on what could be gained by continuing to oppose what seems to be inevitable – particularly given Government targets for house building.  It was agreed that Cllr Bruce should make enquiries at EDDC as to how much input the parish council can have in developing the masterplan for the area.  This would be in order to represent the views of the parish and potentially influence the outcomes, especially when it comes to footpath links.

Cllr Twiss reported that the Clyst Valley had a Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan in place (LCWIP), and the parish council should ask EDDC if something similar would be planned for this proposed allocation.  He also suggested the parish council should ask if an infrastructure plan exists to support this mixed-use development.

Cllr Bruce left the meeting.

Cllr Twiss said he hoped residents would begin to see improvements in the condition of roads, as there is more money available to carry out repairs.

149/24   To consider the following planning applications:

    1. 24/1420/MRES – Land Off Hayne Lane Gittisham Honiton EX14 3PD – Reserved matters application in respect of matters of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale for the construction of 37 no. residential dwellings and associated garages, infrastructure and landscaping all in association with outline permission 22/1322/MOUT

Cllrs Hall and Valentine left the meeting.  Cllr Rowe took the Chair.

    1. 25/0061/TCA – Allotment opposite Garlands Gittisham EX14 3AJ – G1 – a group of x1 Ash, x1 multi-stemmed Laurel and x1 multi-stemmed Holm Oak: – reduce the crown height and the crown spread of 1 x Ash tree, reducing the crown height by up 1.5 metres and reducing the crown spread by 2m on the trees eastern aspect, making natural target pruning cuts of up to 50 mm in diameter; – reduce in height, to approximately 2m above ground level the Laurel, pruning back all side branch growth from the eastern aspect, removing branch lengths of up to 3m and making natural target pruning cuts of up to 75 mm; – reduce the crown height and spread of the Holm Oak, reducing to approximately 3m above ground level and reducing the end weight and leverage of all stems; creating a new hedge line along this boundary.

Councillors resolved to have no objection to a).  They asked if b) could be revised, following the recent storm damage to trees in the allotment. 

Cllrs Hall and Valentine returned to the meeting and Cllr Hall retook the Chair.

150/24     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)

Cllr Powell outlined the options available at present to overcome the challenges so far experienced bringing superfast broadband to Gittisham village.  He suggested linking up with other communities that have also been failed in the past.  Cllr Twiss reported some recent discussions with his contacts, and asked Cllr Powell to draw up a summary of the history of attempts to bring superfast broadband to the parish.

Cllr Twiss left the meeting.

  • To note the latest planning decision notices

24/2260/VAR 1 Hamlet Cottages Weston Honiton EX14 3PB – Variation of Condition Number 2 (approved plans) on planning permission 21/2741/VAR (Variation of condition number 2 (approved plans) of application 21/1295/FUL (Demolition of existing workshop to be replaced with a new self-build dwelling) – modified design.  Approval with conditions.

24/2200/FUL 1 Hamlett Close Gittisham EX14 3FR – Conversion of existing garage to living accommodation, with first floor extension over.  Addition of external cladding.  Approval.

  • To receive an update on Highways 

17–19 February – road to Catshayes Farm closed for installation of replacement bridge railings.  A diversion will be in place.

03– 08 April: road closed through Alfington again for SW Water.

  • To consider plans for expenditure in the parish under the Community Infrastructure Levy & S106

Cllr Orchard said he had attended Honiton Town Council’s Sports Working Group meeting on 15th January.  There was no progress to report, as EDDC had not convened the meetings scheduled in October 2024.

Cllr Powell suggested the parish council would need to think about how CIL could be used, if there was further development in the parish.  Members discussed the work identified following a walkabout of Hayne Farm with Mark Sexton from Baker Estates, and agreed a follow-up meeting should be arranged.

ACTION: Clerk to check with Baker Estates that missing safety fence near play area is included on the list. 

  • To receive an update on public transport

Cllr Orchard said Network Rail would be carrying out work on the railway line between Salisbury and Yeovil Junction from Saturday 22 to Friday 28 February 2025.  During the closure revised trains and replacement buses will operate.

  • To consider climate change measures within the parish, including proposals for rewilding land in the parish

Cllr Rowe said he had managed to speak to Paul at EDDC, but the council is waiting for a new staff member to join the team before any progress can be made.  Members discussed purchasing a thermal imaging camera to investigate where leaks are. 

The Chair said she had been in touch with DCC about potential solutions for the flooding underneath the Iron Bridge.  During one week recently, flood water made it impassable on two separate occasions and a number of vehicles were stuck in the flood water.  The Neighbourhood Highways Officer has suggested the parish council could fund a depth gauge to alert road users to the height of flood water.  He visited the site and confirmed it is not an issue with the capacity of the drainage system or how it works, it is simply the amount of debris being washed into this area which is blocking the gully grates. There was some discussion about how effective a depth marker would be, but members agreed to pay for the gauge. 

ACTION: Clerk to check how soon the gauge can be installed and whether the cost of £545 includes installation and VAT. 

  • To consider limited residential development in the parish

Cllr Valentine said the revised plans for the development would be on display in Gittisham Village Hall on Tuesday 11th February, and also at the community kitchen during the same week.  He reported that following comments by DCC’s ecologist, further survey work is required to be satisfied there will be no impact on populations of dormice and great crested newts.   The Gittisham CLT AGM will be held on 11th March.

  • To consider the creation of a footpath linking Hayne Farm with Gittisham village

Cllr Powell said he had been in touch with Tom Green at DCC, who said any new footpaths should be progressed through the planning system. 

  • To consider the refurbishment and maintenance of the village play area

The clerk said she had requested the annual safety inspection.

  • To consider work to be carried out by the lengthsman to maintain ditches and drains in the parish

The clerk said she had tried to contact other lengthsmen recommended by other parish councils, but so far to no avail. 

151/24     To receive a report from the Chair

The Chair said she had received messages of thanks from the organisations in receipt of the parish council’s donations.

152/24     To consider joining the Blackdown Hills Parish Network

Members discussed the benefits of being members of the network, following an invitation from the Chair of Otterford Parish Council (and Chair of the BHPN).  They resolved to join at an annual cost of £25.

153/24     To approve the February payments and to note the current bank balance

Members resolved to approve the following payments:

F Clampin £266.75 clerk’s salary + £19.13 expenses (travel Ottery – Gittisham 7.5-mile round trip x 3 for agendas, minutes & January meeting; travel Ottery – Cllr Twist’s house 10-mile round trip x2 @0.45p / mile)

DCC Highways £545 (ex VAT) depth gauge for Iron Bridge

Community Heartbeat Trust defib annual support package (Hayne Farm) £162

Blackdown Hills Parish Network annual subscription £25

NEST £28.08 (clerk’s pension)

Members were informed that the current bank balance stands at £23,081.69 (which includes approximately £7,156.88 in the business reserve account). 

154/24   To update the parish council’s bank mandate and add Cllr Rowe as authorised signatory

Members agreed to add Cllr Rowe to the parish council’s bank mandate as authorised signatory and account manager.

155/24 To consider the casual vacancies in Gittisham Village & Gittisham Vale

The clerk said if EDDC receives no request for an election at the end of a period of 14 working days from 6th February (ie by 25th), the Democratic Services Department will advise GPC that it may co-opt two people to the vacancies – one to represent Gittisham Vale and the other to represent Gittisham Village. 

ACTION: Members to suggest gifts for former Cllrs Twist and Walker.

156/24 Clerk’s report

There was nothing to report.

157/24     For information only; items for the forward agenda

Lengthsman recruitment; casual vacancies and Ward representation.

158/24     To consider any late entry correspondence

None.

159/24     Date of next two meetings  

Thursday 7th March and Thursday 3rd April 2025 at 7.30pm.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2145 hrs.

Chair…………………………………….

7th March 2025