Held in Gittisham Parish Room
Present:
Village ward: Cllr C Hall (Chair), Cllr A Rowe (Vice Chair), Cllr D Valentine, Cllr G Pester
Vale ward: Cllr A Powell, Cllr P Orchard, Cllr A Rye
In attendance: PCSO Darren England, Sergeant Jenny Palmer, one member of the public, Fiona Clampin (clerk)
Apologies for absence: Cllr Alasdair Bruce (EDDC), Cllr Richard Jefferies (DCC)
120/25 To accept and approve apologies
Apologies were received and accepted.
121/25 To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 11th December 2025
The minutes of the meeting held on 11th December 2025 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.
122/25 To receive the Beat Manager’s Report
November 2025
Beech Walk, 1 x criminal damage and arson
Hodges Close, 1 x drugs, 1 x violence & sexual offences
Nags Head Road, 1 x violence & sexual offences
The police explained how crimes are recorded, in response to concern from councillors that there appeared to be a rise in the amount of crimes categorised as violence and sexual offences. Sgt Palmer said that Devon & Cornwall Police have changed how they report crimes, and often sexual offences are reported a long time after they happen – sometimes years later – because victims are reluctant to come forward. PCSO England added that the large increase in properties in the parish would unfortunately bring with it a rise in incidents, so the growth in the crime figures was to be expected. The officers provided advice on how to secure sheds and recommended getting the serial numbers of items such as power tools and bikes recorded. They suggested visiting the website www.securedbydesign.com for further information. They also cautioned against leaving keyless entry for a car near the front door, as criminals have methods of picking up the signal and stealing the vehicle.
The Chair referred to the regular flooding under the Iron Bridge, and asked the police if they could liaise with Devon Highways to find a permanent solution. She also mentioned the street lights are not working there, which means drivers can’t see the flood gauge to assess how deep flood water is.
Cllr Powell reported various incidents of flytipping, and Cllr Rye added that she had reported an example in the layby on Hayne Lane by the horses’ field to both DCC and EDDC’s environmental health. PCSO England said he would follow this up, as Cllr Rye said no action had been taken by either body despite a site visit. PCSO England said he could give the parish council a sign to deter flytippers, and Sgt Palmer added that installing a camera in the trees nearby is a possibility.
ACTION: Clerk to send PCSO England Cllr Powell’s email address, and to send PCSO England’s contact details to Cllr Rye.
PCSO England & Sgt Palmer left the meeting.
123/25 To receive declarations of interest
Cllrs Rowe & Valentine declared an interest in agenda item 12 (minute ref. 131/25), as they have submitted projects for part-funding by the parish council.
124/25 To consider actions from the last meeting not otherwise on the agenda
Cllr Rowe said he had met EDDC’s Engineering Projects Manager for a productive walk of the village watercourse to identify problem areas and discuss possible solutions. The manager is hoping to source a better outflow flap opposite Eveleigh’s Farmhouse, and he will also investigate the erosion where the flood defences finish and desilting the river upstream from the bridge.
Members heard that the brambles on the wall side of 1 Mitchells Cottages are extending too far out. Some of these have already been cut, but further pruning could help in the event of a major flooding event. Cllr Powell said the lengthsman was aware.
Members discussed the amount of runoff from the new farm track which connects Shermans with Catshayes, as well as other locations.
ACTION: Cllr Rowe to draft an email with input from a member of the public which can be shared with Combe Estate and its tenant farmers.
125/25 To receive reports from County Council and District Council representatives, and to consider Local Government reorganisation
There were no reports this month.
126/25 To receive a report on the EDDC Local Plan and consider any actions arising
Members discussed likely scenarios, should East Devon’s Local Plan be found to be unsound at the enquiry in public. Having taken advice from planning consultant Charlie Hopkins on behalf of the parish council, Cllr Valentine said it would be ok to continue with GPC’s objections to the land allocations. (There had been concern that any challenge to the plan, if the enquiry inspector was supportive and the Local Plan fails at the enquiry stage, will essentially give an open door to developers.)
Cllr Valentine reported that Charlie Hopkins feels the plan may well be found to be unsound, especially as the Infrastructure Delivery Plan [IDP] makes no mention of the capacity problem at Honiton sewage works and the IDP is crucial for substantiating the Local Plan. However the inspector can ask EDDC to modify the plan.
Members resolved unanimously to support Cllr Valentine’s response on behalf of GPC as part of the current consultation on the draft Local Plan.
ACTION: Cllr Valentine to send to EDDC with a covering letter.
127/25 To consider the following planning applications:
- 25/2424/FUL – Shermans Farm Gittisham EX14 3AU- Covered FYM store
- 25/2570/PDQ – Stockers Gittisham EX14 3AN – Prior approval (class Q) for change of use from agricultural building to 2no. dwelling houses (use class C3)
Members resolved to have no objection to a) or b).
128/25 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 Rowe reported that he would be meeting the owner of Radio Fibre the following day. He has indicated he would like to meet Openreach at Truances Dairy to discuss options, as well as other property owners and the estate. Cllr Powell asked if he could also attend.
- To note the latest planning decision notices
- There were no updates to report on outstanding planning applications.
- To receive an update on Highways
16-21 March Exeter Road west of Sidmouth Road: overnight closure for patching, lining and cleaning.
- To consider plans for expenditure in the parish under the Community Infrastructure Levy & S106
Cllr Orchard reported that at a meeting of Honiton Sports Working Group Weds 26th November there were bids of £212k for available funds of £127k which included the GPC contribution. Sport England and other S106
funds may be able to make up some of the shortfall. Cllr Orchard agreed to attend the next committee meeting.
- To receive an update on public transport
Cllr Orchard noted that there had been several more additions to the clipboard with details of the bus not passing through Gittisham village. The clerk said she was awaiting a response from Stagecoach, as to whether the company would consider passing through when the previous bus has been cancelled, to help those stranded.
- To consider updating the parish emergency plan
Cllr Rowe said he would update the plan with contact details of new volunteers he had recruited. Members expressed surprise that there had been no gritting in the village and neither was the road through Heathpark, considering both are bus routes. Cllr Rowe has asked DCC if there is any funding for a seed spreader for salt, which could be stored along with the salt at Curlditch. Members noted that some grit bins have been filled.
ACTION: Councillors to await response from DCC, and then decide whether or not to purchase a spreader.
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- To consider climate change measures within the parish, including proposals for rewilding land in the parish
Cllr Powell agreed to repost the message on the various parish communication channels to encourage people to take away a free young tree, offered by the Devon Wildlife Trust.
Cllr Rye reported that EDDC would be visiting the development to understand whether or not the wildlife planning obligations are being met. This refers to wildlife hedges that are part of the plan for Hayne Farm; Cllr Rye has requested the maintenance document for the development to ensure everything is in line. Cllr Powell said that some residents had taken it upon themselves to carry out general maintenance tasks, and it is not clear what the timescale is for full completion of the site. It is only after completion that a resident-led committee could be operational.
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- To consider limited residential development in the parish
Cllr Valentine said he was awaiting quotes from solicitors to be able to proceed with the S106 agreement for the site. He asked if the parish council would be able to support the solicitor’s fees (approx. £2k), and it was agreed to discuss this as part of the budget setting later in the meeting.
- To consider the creation of a footpath linking Hayne Farm with Gittisham village, inc. a footway close to the Otter Inn
The clerk said she would be meeting West Hill PC to understand the process of installing a footway.
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- To consider the refurbishment and maintenance of the village play area
ACTION: Chair to recycle the cans in the play area bin.
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- To consider the work of the parish lengthsman
Cllr Powell said he had shared a list of future projects with the lengthsman.
129/25 To receive a report from the Chair
The Chair said she had arranged to meet Michael Poll to discuss bus shelter refurbishment.
130/25 To approve the January payments and to note the current bank balance
Members resolved to approve the following payments:
F Clampin £275.29 clerk’s salary + £10.13 expenses (travel Ottery – Gittisham 7.5-mile round trip x 3 for minutes, agenda & December meeting @0.45p / mile)
HMRC, clerk tax £1.60 (payable to F Clampin, who will pay HMRC)
Information Commissioner annual membership £52 (direct debit)
NEST (clerk’s pension) £28.98
The clerk said she would pay HMRC with her personal debit card because of issues receiving a code by telephone to access the GPC online tax account. She will circulate the confirmation email when paid. Members were informed that the current bank balance stands at £25,376.16 (which includes approximately £7,309.30 in the business reserve account).
Cllrs Rowe and Valentine left the meeting.
131/25 To agree the budget for 2026-27
The clerk circulated a spreadsheet showing forecast expenditure for 2026/27 and likely expenditure for the rest of the current tax year. Members resolved to set budget expenditure for 2026-27 at £13,512 with future projects a separate total expenditure of £12,200. There is VAT still to be claimed of approximately £2015.52.
Cllrs Valentine and Rowe returned to the meeting.
132/25 To set the precept for 2026-27
Councillors voted unanimously to increase the precept by 2 per cent to £11,145.79, the balance of the budget to be taken from reserves.
133/25 To consider donations to organisations under S137 and Transport
Members resolved to donate £80 each to TRIP, Force, Hospiscare, Citizens Advice & Diabetes UK, and £2,000 to the Gittisham Community Land Trust towards solicitors’ fees.
134/25 To consider proposals to reduce the balance of Gittisham Parish Council’s reserves
Cllr Pester circulated an updated version of the welcome pack, and members agreed this could now be distributed to new residents.
Cllr Pester demonstrated the type of material for the two proposed interpretation boards, which would measure 900mm by 600mm and cost £189.58 inc VAT from Taylor Signs in Honiton. Larger boards measuring 1220mm x 610mm would cost £217.60 for full colour gloss and laminate. Cllr Pester said he had received some good copy from Paul Wakely regarding the history of the parish, as well as a suitable image of the village hall. Members discussed the content and Cllr Pester agreed to continue with this project.
ACTION: Members to send photos and text to Cllr Pester.
135/25 Clerk’s report
None.
136/25 For information only; items for the forward agenda
Annual maintenance contract.
137/25 To consider any late entry correspondence
None.
138/25 Date of next two meetings
Thursday 5th February and Thursday 5th March 2026 at 7.30pm.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2125 hrs.
Chair…………………………………….
5th February 2026