Held in Gittisham Parish Room
Present:
Village ward: Cllr A Rowe (Chair), Cllr G Pester
Vale ward: Cllr P Orchard (Vice Chair), Cllr A Powell
In attendance: one member of the public, Fiona Clampin (clerk)
Apologies for absence: Cllr D Valentine, Cllr A Rye, Cllr Alasdair Bruce (EDDC)
60/26 To accept and approve apologies
Apologies were received and accepted.
61/26 To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 2nd July 2026
The minutes of the meeting held on 2nd July 2026 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.
62/26 To receive the Beat Manager’s Report
May 2026
Beech Walk: 1 x violence & sexual offences
Parsonage Lane: 1 x vehicle crime
Hodges Close: 1 x violence & sexual offences
June 2026
Parsonage Lane: 1 x burglary
63/26 To receive declarations of interest
The Chair declared an interest in agenda items 12, 13 & 15, minute refs. 71/26, 72/26 and 74/26 as he is on both the village hall and village fete committee.
64/26 To consider actions from the last meeting not otherwise on the agenda
None.
65/26 To receive reports from County Council and District Council representatives
In his absence, Cllr Bruce sent the following report: “As those hot stifling days of summer begin to become a distant memory, we await to see how the current El Niño will impact our forthcoming winter.
“While there may be some certainty as to what we can expect this winter, the same cannot be said about the massive shake up coming our way with regard to the Local Government Reorganisation. More details have emerged over the summer which make for dismal reading. It would appear that, despite the best efforts of our councillors and officers, all the hard work and well thought out proposals put forward have been for nothing, with the government going with the plans of the two Labour-run cities. This has been received with universal rejection from all our rural areas within Devon. We have been severely let down in my opinion. Many parts of the country beset by the same situation are resorting to legal action, in an attempt to halt what many believe is a complete waste of time and money, especially as now it appears that no tangible savings and/or improvements will emanate from this major structural change in our democracy.
“Things have been made even worse by the PM stating that, following representations made to him by the rural community, “he will have a look at it.” This just adds to an already confusing picture. I’m sure in the coming weeks more refined information will filter down from government, which I will pass on as soon as I have anything concrete to report.
“In planning news, I have been pressing for clarification on certain points raised in the published government planning review. Key to this for our area is the status of the parkway station in Feniton. The guidance states that a ‘well used’ railway station close to a proposed development would automatically require the planning department to adopt a presumption to approve. In additional, the report makes mention of a need for the station to be within 800 metres walking distance. Neither statements were particularly clear, so I asked the head of EDDC Planning to provide clarity. He has come back and stated that he does not consider the parkway at Feniton to come within the government classification of a well-used station due the current two hourly train stops. This is particularly good news as we can now argue that, if the presence of the station is flagged up as a key element in any major applications it should be able to be dismissed by the planning officers and committee as irrelevant. With regard to the 800 metres walking distance, I queried whether this specifically required the distance to be entirely on pavements and disability access. He was unable to give me clarity on this point at this time as the government report does not specify any of these points. I have asked him to go back and try to get clarification for us.”
The clerk agreed to follow up on her email to Cllr Bruce regarding the vacant council house at Church Mead. Members agreed there is a lot of repair work to be done in the property.
Cllr Jefferies did not send a report this month.
66/26 To consider the following planning applications:
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- 25/0369/FUL Roebuck Farm Weston Devon EX14 3PB Proposed MOT station, hard-standing and widened access track (retrospective) and surface water drainage works (amended plans showing change to location of proposed surface water attenuation basin)
Councillors had previously discussed this application in June 2025, when they objected because they felt this application risks increasing vehicle movements in the surrounding area. In addition, they expressed concern and disappointment that the tree cutting had taken place outside the context of a planning application. Councillors had no additional objections to the amended plans.
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67/26 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 said the rollout of fibre broadband in the village was experiencing further delays. He has spoken to Russell and Helen Hayman to update them and discuss the proposed location of the trenching. Members discussed the whys and wherefores of the parish council receiving a grant from Connecting Devon & Somerset [CDS], which will be used to part-fund whichever supplier can deliver; at this point Bush Broadband / Radio Fibre is the most advanced. The clerk explained that according to Matt Barrow at CDS, there’s been a move towards grants only being paid on proof of payment; that means the recipient (the broadband supplier) needs to have the money upfront before they get reimbursed. Therefore what CDS requires is for Tom Hills to send the parish council an invoice, and this will trigger the payment from CDS. As far as procurement is concerned, Matt Barrow argues that the voucher scheme covers the procurement process. It was a fair and open process in that any supplier could bid, but no other supplier chose to tender for the work in Gittisham.
- To note the latest planning decision notices
Cllr Orchard said there was no update this month. The clerk said EDDC had emailed to note the parish council’s comments regarding 26/1050/FUL – 97 Meadow Acre Road Gittisham EX14 3FH [see minute ref. 48/26]. EDDC said any enforcement investigation would be separate from the current planning application, which relates only to the proposed fence and will be assessed on its own planning merits.
- To receive an update on Highways
1900–0700 nightly Tuesday 15 – Friday 18 September Devonshire Road closed for patching and joints. Unusually there is no diversion route.
2000–0600 Monday 14 -Friday 19 September A30 Honiton Bypass full closure eastbound for bridge joint replacement.
- To consider plans for expenditure in the parish under the Community Infrastructure Levy & S106
Cllr Orchard said there was no update this month.
- To receive an update on public transport
Cllr Orchard reported that South Western Railway is running a reduced service owing to the track bed being too dry, in what is becoming an annual fixture. Last year the timetable was reinstated in November.
- To consider updating the parish emergency plan
The clerk agreed to find out if there are any community resilience workshops coming up which the Chair and / or other councillors can attend. The Chair said there is funding available for equipment, such as the previously discussed salt spreader. To be discussed at the October meeting.
- To consider climate change measures within the parish
Members discussed a possible date of 27th February 2027 to hold a climate change workshop / event in the village hall with stalls. Councillors have been making enquiries with various wildlife and environmental organisations and individuals.
- To consider limited residential development in the parish
There was no update this month.
- To consider the creation of a footpath linking Hayne Farm with Gittisham village, including a footway close to the Otter Inn
There was no update this month.
- To consider the refurbishment and maintenance of the village play area
The Chair said he had met a representative from RhinoPlay, the original supplier of the swings in 2018, to discuss whether or not maintenance was advisable. RhinoPlay has advised the swings are approaching the end of their natural life. Members agreed the timber and joints at the top are worn, although it was noted that the annual play inspection safety report did not condemn them. RhinoPlay has quoted around £11,000 to replace them with two different types of swing in one long frame. Members agreed that steel swings would likely be more long-lasting, although Cllr Powell advised some consultation / notice in advance of installation.
ACTION: Clerk to arrange three quotes for replacement swings, including RhinoPlay.
Chair and Cllr Pester to check existing swings and decide if they should be put out of use.
- To consider the work of the parish lengthsman, including a proposal to increase hourly remuneration to £26/hr, back dated to 1st April 2026 and to consider an annual increase of 1% above the current rate of inflation in the April of the corresponding year
Members discussed a proposal to increase the lengthsman’s hourly rate to £26 / hr. The clerk said although she had asked neighbouring parish councils how much they paid contractors for lengthsman-type work, only Feniton PC had replied with details. Feniton does not have a lengthsman, but pays a handyman for odd jobs around the parish at a rate of £15.31 / hr. Members resolved an increase to £26 / hr, but this will not be backdated and any increase will need to be considered each year when setting the budget, and effective from 1st April each year if approved. The lengthsman will need to give a month’s notice of an increase.
ACTION: Cllr Powell to explain the situation to the lengthsman, with reference to the parish council’s requirement to work within its approved budget.
68/26 To receive a report from the Chair
The Chair encouraged all members to attend the village fete on 5th September.
69/26 To consider updating the parish council’s bank mandate, including adding Cllr Gary Pester to the list of authorised signatories and removing former Cllr Maggie Walker’s name
Members resolved to approve the changes to the parish council’s bank mandate.
70/26 To authorise the signing of the Challenge Fund Funding agreement between Connecting Devon & Somerset and Gittisham Parish Council to support the provision of a Superfast Broadband solution as outlined in the Detailed Quotation and supporting documents by Bush Broadband Ltd
Members heard that DALC were not in a position to give advice, as their experience of this dated from some years ago. Cllr Powell explained that Tom Hills (Bush Broadband) will be required to sign a contract with CDS, and the voucher scheme income will come from them which, combined with the Challenge Fund, should enable the company to complete the work. Members resolved to authorise Cllrs Rowe and Powell to sign the funding agreement, to be witnessed by the clerk.
ACTION: Clerk to discuss similar contract with Branscombe PC clerk.
The Chair left the meeting. Cllr Orchard took the Chair.
71/26 To approve the September payments and to note the current bank balance
Members resolved to approve the following payments:
F Clampin £275.29 clerk’s salary + £16.50 expenses (travel Ottery – Gittisham 7.5-mile round trip x 4 for agenda, minutes, July meeting & removal of audit documents @0.55p / mile)
F Clampin £3.75 backdated travel expenses (April & May) at updated HMRC Approved Mileage Allowance Payment rate
EDDC – Bench, Gittisham Vale (item, installation and plaque) £1,427.58
Michael Poll £75 grass cutting, play area (inv. ref. 10507)
Gittisham Fete £500 upfront costs
EDDC £265.20 dog waste bin annual fee inv. 40073788
NEST (clerk’s pension) £28.98
Members heard that the current bank balance stands at £55,106.21 (which includes approximately £7,332.29 in the business reserve account). They discussed the precept and how much of the current funds is ringfenced as CIL.
72/26 To consider proposals to reduce the balance of Gittisham Parish Council’s reserves, including a toy library for the village hall
Members heard that a resident had suggested purchasing some toys which could be used as a “toy library”, based in the village hall. They agreed that there had been an increase in the number of young children in the parish. Cllr Powell reported that a similar scheme had worked well in Broadhembury, with residents borrowing items once a month at the repair café.
ACTION: Clerk to ask the village hall committee for a proposal and costings.
The Chair returned to the meeting.
73/26 To consider the casual vacancy in Gittisham Village ward
Members agreed that advertising the vacancy was more appropriate now that the summer had ended, and fewer people were likely to be away on holiday.
ACTION: Clerk to advertise the vacancy as soon as practicable, in line with the co-option policy.
The Chair left the meeting. Cllr Orchard took the Chair.
74/26 To consider the flying of flags at Gittisham Village Hall
Members discussed whether or not it was appropriate for flags such as the England flag to be flown at the village hall. It was agreed this was not a parish council matter, and the village hall is a private building, owned by the Combe Estate.
The Chair returned to the meeting.
75/26 Clerk’s report
The clerk said she would be working away from home on 1st October, and would not be able to attend the parish council meeting. Members agreed she could join virtually by calling the Chair on WhatsApp. The date of the November meeting will be rescheduled, as it is the same night as the Ottery Tar Barrels.
76/26 For information only; items for the forward agenda
Cllr Powell said he was poised to take the broken bench from the play area to the Ottery Men’s Shed, but the Chair said he would investigate buying a replacement instead.
Members noted the existence of a parked caravan in the layby next to the gravel pit.
Forward agenda: salt spreader, new NALC pay agreement.
77/26 To consider any late entry correspondence
None.
78/26 Date of next two meetings. Thursday 1st October 2026 and November tbc at 7.30pm.
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2130 hrs.
Chair…………………………………….
1st October 2026