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 P Orchard
In attendance: Cllr Richard Jefferies (DCC), one member of the public, Fiona Clampin (clerk)
Apologies for absence: Cllr A Powell, Cllr A Rye, Cllr Alasdair Bruce (EDDC)
155/25 To accept and approve apologies
Apologies were received and accepted.
156/25 To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 5th February 2026
The minutes of the meeting held on 5th February 2026 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.
157/25 To receive the Beat Manager’s Report
January 2026
Longlands Way: 1 x other theft
158/25 To consider declarations of interest
Cllr Rowe declared an interest in agenda item 11 (minute ref. 165/25) as he is due to be reimbursed by the parish council.
159/25 To consider actions arising from the last meeting not otherwise on the agenda
None.
160/25 To receive reports from County Council and District Council representatives
Cllr Jefferies reported that DCC had approved its annual budget, which prioritises roads and children’s services. He added that there is a big campaign running county-wide to increase take-up of fostering. There will be an extra £15m available for highways, which he said was welcome in the wake of January’s floods. He said he had been corresponding with Cllr Rowe about the flooding issues at Iron Bridge and the incorrect depth gauge.
As regards broadband, members asked if Cllr Jefferies could have any input with Connecting Devon & Somerset. The owner of Radio Fibre (the company working towards bringing full fibre broadband to Gittisham village) has said funding up to £20k is needed towards work on the wayleaves agreements and crop damage payments. Cllr Jefferies said he would speak to the appropriate people to find out what can be done.
Members heard that Exeter City Council’s elections will be going ahead in May.
Cllr Bruce did not send a report this month. Cllr Valentine reported that he would be discussing with Cllr Bruce EDDC’s procedures for outsourcing some council work. Hiring external solicitors for EDDC to complete agreements etc for the Gittisham CLT has led to a sharp increase in costs, which Cllr Valentine said were unacceptable.
Cllr Jefferies left the meeting.
161/25 To consider the following planning application:
a) 26/0156/LBC – 2 Riverside Cottages Gittisham EX14 3AE – Single storey rear extension with rooflight interlinking with existing small rear extension and existing wraparound side/rear extension; replace corrugated sheeting on existing small rear projection to match existing; block up window on original rear wall; block up external door into utility; reconfigure shower and create new door opening from bedroom into shower
Councillors resolved to have no objection to the application.
162/25 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 the owner of Radio Fibre, Tom Hills, says the process has not been plain sailing, which members agreed was to be expected. Costs have escalated and Mr Hills is keen for the parish council to request additional funding from CDS. He would like to meet the Chair and Cllr Rowe to map out a route from Truances Dairy into the village that avoids being on estate land.
Cllr Orchard questioned the wisdom of pressing ahead with a fibre solution; he argued that this technology could be obsolete in a very short period of time, to be replaced by satellite connections. Cllr Rowe agreed to get Tom Hills’ view on this. Cllr Rowe added that Government funding is available for the fibre infrastructure and it might be wise to apply for it as a back-up, in the event of satellite or another future technology failing.
- To note the latest planning decision notices
- 25/2524/FUL Shermans Farm Gittisham EX14 3AU – Covered farmyard manure store. Approval.
- To receive an update on Highways
02–21 March 2000–0600hrs Inspection/Survey – A30 both directions, Honiton to Rawridge carriageway closure for inspections. Diversion via A35 & A358, A30 west to Upottery.
16 March–11 Apr 1900–0600hrs Drainage – A30 Exeter to Honiton. Mobile lane closure for gully cleaning.
Cllr Rowe added that Network Rail are carrying out maintenance on the track and cutting by the Forge, which will last for four weeks beginning 2nd March.
The Chair and Cllr Rowe reported that they had had a productive discussion with Tom Cox, DCC’s NHO and the tenant farmer looking at flooding near the Iron Bridge and how to slow down run-off. There is a culvert which needs clearing belonging to Network Rail. The Chair added that the lengthsman had also made a difference clearing out beyond Gittisham Farm. She thanked Cllr Rowe for liaising with Tom Buxton-Smith at EDDC, which has resulted in the contractor drilling larger holes in the wall running along the river near Eveleigh’s Cottage.
ACTION: Clerk to write to Network Rail about the blockage at e4 / 483a, and also to alert PCSO England to this in case he can raise it with them.
- To consider plans for expenditure in the parish under the Community Infrastructure Levy & S106
There was nothing to report this month.
- To receive an update on public transport
Cllr Orchard reported that the Stagecoach bus had failed to pass through Gittisham village several times during February.
- To consider updating the parish emergency plan
Cllr Rowe said it would be a good idea for a parish councillor to attend one of the online workshops run by Devon Communities Together, designed to help communities respond in an emergency. The online course will explain how to set up an emergency hub and how it functions.
ACTION: The clerk agreed to investigate and circulate details to members.
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- To consider climate change measures within the parish, including proposals for rewilding land in the parish
There was nothing to report this month.
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- To consider limited residential development in the parish
Cllr Valentine said he would be meeting the GCLT mentors next week to seek advice on the huge increase in costs from EDDC which is outsourcing solicitors’ work to be able to proceed with the S106 agreement for the site. The GCLT board is due to meet on 1st April.
- To consider the creation of a footpath linking Hayne Farm with Gittisham village, inc. a footway close to the Otter Inn
There was no update this month.
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- To consider the refurbishment and maintenance of the village play area
Cllr Pester said that Taylor Signs in Honiton (who are designing the interpretation boards) could also create a sign for the play area, which would measure approximately 600x400mm at a cost of £49 + VAT. He said they could also print a minimum of 44 parish council logo stickers for £80 + VAT.
ACTION: Clerk to circulate inspector’s recommendations for signage to Cllrs Pester & Rowe.
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- To consider the work of the parish lengthsman
The Chair reported that the lengthsman had been busy seeing to various spots across the parish.
163/25 To receive a report from the Chair
The Chair said Michael Poll would be carrying out a minor refurbishment of the bus shelter, including some new shelves and a coat of paint. Structurally he says it is fine. She added that she had received some signs from the police designed to deter flytippers.
164/25 To appoint Bluechip Payroll to carry out the annual audit & governance review 2025-26
Members resolved to appoint Bluechip Payroll for another year for the annual audit and governance review.
165/25 To approve the March 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 & February meeting @0.45p / mile)
HMRC, clerk tax £1.60
Charlie Hopkins (planning consultant) £1,000
Cllr Rowe left the meeting.
Cllr Alex Rowe, reimbursement for train journey £72.87 & tube ticket £6.40 to House of Lords, STAR Council Awards £79.27
Cllr Rowe returned to the meeting.
Fab Trim Landscaping lengthsman work (inv. ref. INV-000035) £100
Fab Trim Landscaping lengthsman work (inv. ref. INV-000037) £100
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. (This has been resolved since the meeting.) She will circulate the confirmation email when paid. Members were informed that the current bank balance stands at £22,857.64 (which includes approximately £7,309.30 in the business reserve account).
166/25 To consider the parish council’s grant-giving policy, publication scheme, complaints policy, anti-fraud & corruption policy, Freedom of Information Scheme and code of conduct
It was resolved to approve the above policies.
167/25 To consider the Parish Council’s Statement of Internal Control, Financial Regulations and Risk Management
It was resolved to approve the above policies.
168/25 To consider proposals to reduce the balance of Gittisham Parish Council’s reserves, including two interpretation boards.
Members discussed the possibility of ordering a grit spreading machine and some new benches, and Cllr Orchard agreed to talk to some Vale residents. It was agreed that the telephone box and the Vale bus shelter could do with a coat of paint.
The clerk agreed to write a paragraph for the gazette inviting people to apply for project funding under S137, which is not for individuals. Cllr Valentine suggested the village hall committee could approach the parish council this way for funding for equipment such as adult exercise bikes, which would be for community use. Cllr Valentine said as he is on the village hall committee, he would have to declare an interest.
Members discussed finding an alternative store to Curlditch for the sandbags, and Cllr Valentine cautioned against erecting a shed that would require planning permission (depending on its size).
ACTION: Clerk to ask Michael Poll if he can paint the telephone box.
169/25 Clerk’s report
The clerk said it was unlikely she could make the date of the May meeting, so it may be necessary to reschedule.
170/25 For information only; items for the forward agenda
Cllr Valentine said he had ordered some replacement pads for the village defibrillator, and the clerk added that she had ordered a new battery for one at Hayne Farm.
171/25 To consider any late entry correspondence
Cllr Rowe reported back from his trip to the House of Lords for the STAR Council Awards. Members agreed with the Chair’s comments that his nomination was well deserved.
Cllr Rowe said a resident had enquired about the state of the track by the Dower House, where the surface has become very uneven towards the church.
ACTION: Clerk to raise with Combe Estate.
172/25 Date of next two meetings
Thursday 2nd April and Thursday 7th May 2026 (tbc) at 7.30pm
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2125 hrs.
Chair…………………………………….
2nd April 2026