Fiona

2026-07 Parish Council meeting minutes 2nd July 2026

by

Held in Gittisham Parish Room

Present:

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

Vale ward: Cllr P Orchard (Vice Chair)

In attendance: Cllr Alasdair Bruce (EDDC), Tom Biddle (Baker Estates), one member of the public,Fiona Clampin (clerk)

Apologies for absence: Cllr A Powell, Cllr A Rye, Cllr G Pester, Cllr Richard Jefferies (DCC)

41/26 To accept and approve apologies

Apologies were received and accepted.

42/26        To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4th June 2026

The minutes of the meeting held on 4th June 2026 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.    

43/26        To receive the Beat Manager’s Report

The clerk said there were no updated figures since the last meeting. 

44/26        To receive declarations of interest

The Chair declared an interest in agenda item 13, minute ref. 53/26 as he is on the village fete committee.

45/26        To consider actions from the last meeting not otherwise on the agenda

Members heard that the meeting between the Chair, Cllrs Powell & Orchard, Karissa Marker and Justin Lascelles from Combe Estate had been productive.  Cllr Powell has written up some notes from the meeting which will be circulated in due course. 

The Chair said he had said he had met engineers from Network Rail and discussed the blocked culvert.  They have agreed to liaise with Devon County Council highways engineers to remove the blockage, which could be contributing to flooding under the bridge in wet weather.

Members heard that the litter pick organised by Cllr Powell had been a success. 

46/26 To receive reports from County Council and District Council representatives

Cllr Bruce said that a recent victory in Ottery to throw out a proposal to build 140 homes close to the Sidmouth Road has shown the power of the neighbourhood plan, when pitted against the current pressure from the government to build, build, build. The reasoning is interesting, and should help parishes and town councils – faced with an avalanche of planning applications – to try and bat these off.  The presence of a robust housing allocation complying with the National Planning Policy Framework was a key factor that the inspector commented on.  Landscape impact was also a factor.  Cllr Bruce promised to email a link to the inspector’s report to Cllr Valentine, so he can understand the direction of travel in the context of the EDDC Local Plan.

Cllr Bruce reported that officers outlined the latest from government over the devolution plan at a recent EDDC council meeting. It’s fair to say it did not go down well. There was little new information except that certain responsibilities currently covered by EDDC might be heading towards parishes and town councils, without an appropriate rise in the precept. It was even apparently suggested at a DCC meeting that councillors should use their ‘powers of persuasion’ as nothing is so far forthcoming from government. Frankly, this all looks like a rapidly unravelling mess, said Cllr Bruce, and with a change of heads at government in the offing, he feared this is only going to get worse. Setting aside the cost so far incurred by this idea, it would be better to pull the plug now, he argued.

Cllr Jefferies did not send a report this month. 

47/26 To receive an update on the Hayne Farm development, including progress on the establishment of allotments

Tom Biddle from Baker Estates provided an update on the development at Hayne Farm.  He explained that the original phase is almost complete, and work has begun on the new site at The Acorns where contamination has to be removed.  One plot there has already been sold off-plan.  He anticipated the new phase would be finished in 2028, depending on market conditions. In response to Cllr Valentine’s question, Tom Biddle said Baker Estates had no aspirations to develop any other adjacent site.

Regarding the allotments, Tom Biddle said the fencing and sheds have been installed and paths are there at the site, so he was positive that they would soon be ready.  He agreed to report back to the clerk on how residents can apply for an allotment, after he had spoken to the Sales team.

Tom Biddle agreed to enquire as to the whereabouts of the Gittisham Parish Council sign for the Hayne Farm noticeboard.

Tom Biddle and Cllr Bruce left the meeting.

48/26 To consider the following planning applications:

    • 26/1050/FUL – 97 Meadow Acre Road EX14 3FH – Retrospective application to raise the north-facing fence to a maximum height of 2.35 metres
    • 26/1096/LBC – Town House Gittisham EX14 3AJ – Part retrospective application for Internal alterations and improvements to the existing dwelling, including subdivision of ground floor rooms to create a larder and utility areas, installation of sinks and worktops, underfloor heating beneath existing and new stone flooring, and installation of a new first-floor water tank. External works include a new roofed shelter in the rear garden, a self-supporting canopy over an existing doorway, repairs to the cobbled driveway, new path along side of house, re-roofing of the outbuilding with slate tiles, and replacement of the roof above the utility with slate hanging tiles and new cast iron gutters.
    • 26/1095/FUL – Town House Gittisham EX14 3AJ – as above
    • 26/0457/LBC – 2 Mitchells Cottages Gittisham EX14 3AF – Re-slate roof (re-using where possible) & extend existing ventilation through rear roof space; repairs to chimney stack; replacement of cement render to front elevation with lime equivalents; refurbishment of the stone and timber windows WG1, WG2, WG3, WF1, WF2, WF3 & WF4; replace external suspended ceiling; internal replacement of cement plaster with lime, and installation of ventilated panelling to defective timber framed and party wall.

Councillors had no objections to b) & c), although an application in advance of the works would have been preferable.  The clerk said d) had already been discussed in May and had been included on the agenda in error.  Regarding a) the clerk agreed to contact EDDC for more detailed information on what is being constructed at the site.

49/26     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)

The Chair said Cllr Powell had indicated there was a potential delay over agreement of the terms between Bush Broadband / Radio Fibre and Combe Estate.  Members expressed concern as the Openreach quotation could be void after a certain period of time.   

  • To note the latest planning decision notices

Cllr Orchard said there was nothing to update this month.

  • To receive an update on Highways 

0700–1900 6 August one-way system in place for Honiton Show.

0800–1200 9 August road through Alfington closed for BT works.

Cllr Orchard reported that the bus shelter on Old Elm Road has been repainted.

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

There was no update this month.

  • To consider updating the parish emergency plan

The Chair said work on this is ongoing.

  • To consider climate change measures within the parish

There was no update this month.

  • To consider limited residential development in the parish

Cllr Valentine said the CLT held its AGM on 30th June in Gittisham village hall.  The board have identified two areas of activity for the next 12 months: complete the S106 agreement and find a housing association development partner.

  • To consider the creation of a footpath linking Hayne Farm with Gittisham village, including a footway close to the Otter Inn

The Chair said a proposal for a footpath between Hayne Farm and Gittisham village had been discussed at the meeting with Combe Estate, but the outcome was inconclusive. Members discussed fly tipping, and the clerk agreed to find out from Justin Lascelles if he had been in touch with Cllr Bruce, who had offered to help.

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

The clerk said she had contacted RhinoPlay, the original supplier of the swings in 2018, but had not yet received a response.

  • 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.  However, it was felt that any increase needed to be considered each year when setting the budget, rather than being applied automatically. 

ACTION: Clerk to enquire how much neighbouring parish councils are paying for similar work.

50/26     To receive a report from the Chair

The Chair said there was no update this month.

51/26     To consider and approve an amendment to the council’s expenses policy regarding the updated HMRC Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) rate and backdate eligible payments to 1st April 2026

Members resolved to approve the above increase and backdate eligible payments to 1st April 2026.  The clerk agreed to bring the backdated figure (which covers mileage payments March – May) to the September meeting.

52/26     To approve the July payments and to note the current bank balance

Members resolved to approve the following payments:

F Clampin £275.29 clerk’s salary + £20.63 expenses (travel Ottery – Gittisham 7.5-mile round trip x 5 for agenda, minutes, June meeting, casual vacancy & audit documents @0.55p / mile)

Michael Poll £150 play area grass cuts (inv. ref. 10509 & 10503)

Michael Poll £230 telephone box paintwork (inv. ref. 10505)

Michael Poll £120 Gittisham Vale bus shelter paintwork & replacement of broken cladding (inv. ref. 10506)

Fab Trim Landscaping lengthsman work (INV-000057) £151.49

Community First Insurance (additional items cover) £tbc

F Clampin £275.29 clerk’s salary (August, as no meeting)

NEST (clerk’s pension) £28.98

NEST (clerk’s pension, August as no meeting) £28.98

The clerk said that there was no increase in cost for the items added to the insurance policy.

Members heard that the current bank balance stands at £52,125.62 (which includes approximately £7,332.29 in the business reserve account). 

The Chair left the meeting.  Cllr Orchard took the Chair.

53/26     To consider £500 support for Gittisham village fete

This item was deferred to the September meeting because the parish council was not quorate.

The Chair returned to the meeting.

54/26     To consider proposals to reduce the balance of Gittisham Parish Council’s reserves, including two interpretation boards

Cllr Valentine said he would be submitting his application for a grant for the Gittisham CLT.  The Chair said he had spoken to Justin Lascelles who was relatively favourable about the idea of a village car park for events. 

55/26     To consider the casual vacancy in Gittisham Village ward

The clerk reported that EDDC had received no request for an election after the advertised period.  EDDC has advised GPC that it may co-opt a councillor to the vacancy.  The vacancy will be advertised in due course in line with the parish council’s co-option policy.  One member of the public expressed an interest in being considered for the vacancy.

ACTION: Clerk to advertise the vacancy as soon as practicable.

56/26     Clerk’s report

The clerk said the parish council’s printer / scanner could not be repaired. 

The clerk reported that she had been into a Nat West branch in Exeter to understand why Bankline has been rejecting the request to change the mandate, adding Cllrs Rowe and Orchard and making the Chair the account leader.  This is despite the new signatories receiving a message to say the mandate has been updated.  Until this has been approved and actioned by Nat West, no payments can be made.  It’s hoped this will soon be resolved, and the clerk can resubmit the request.

57/26     For information only; items for the forward agenda

The Chair reported that the carpenter would be moving the parish council notice board (by the village hall) towards The Lodge, and had dug two holes – one of which will be filled in.

ACTION: Chair to investigate a different backing for the noticeboard.

58/26     To consider any late entry correspondence

None.

59/26     Date of next two meetings  

Thursday 3rd September and Thursday 1st October 2026 at 7.30pm.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2045 hrs.

Chair…………………………………….

3rd September 2026

2026-07 Parish Council agenda 2nd July 2026

by

GITTISHAM PARISH COUNCIL

Ms Fiona Clampin

Clerk to the Council

26th June 2026

Members of Gittisham Parish Council

You are hereby summoned to attend the July Parish Council Meeting to be held in Gittisham Parish Room on Thursday 2nd July 2026 commencing at 7.30pm to discuss items on the Agenda and to make resolutions as appropriate.

Prior to the start of the meeting a period of 15 minutes is allowed to permit any resident to bring appropriate matters to the notice of the Council.  Please contact the clerk if you would like to do this, preferably by email in advance of the meeting, with a question you wish to be raised with Councillors on your behalf. 

  1. To accept and approve apologies
  2. To confirm the Minutes of the meeting held on 4th June 2026
  3. To receive the Beat Manager’s report
  4. To receive declarations of interest
  5. To consider actions from last meeting not otherwise on the agenda
  6. To receive reports from County Council and District Council representatives
  7. To receive an update on the Hayne Farm development, including progress on the establishment of allotments
  8. To consider the following planning applications:
    a) 26/1050/FUL – 97 Meadow Acre Road EX14 3FH – Retrospective application to raise the north-facing
    fence to a maximum height of 2.35 metres
    b) 26/1096/LBC – Town House Gittisham EX14 3AJ – Part retrospective application for Internal
    alterations and improvements to the existing dwelling, including subdivision of ground floor rooms to
    create a larder and utility areas, installation of sinks and worktops, underfloor heating beneath existing
    and new stone flooring, and installation of a new first-floor water tank. External works include a new
    roofed shelter in the rear garden, a self-supporting canopy over an existing doorway, repairs to the
    cobbled driveway, new path along side of house, re-roofing of the outbuilding with slate tiles, and
    replacement of the roof above the utility with slate hanging tiles and new cast iron gutters.
    c) 26/1095/FUL – Town House Gittisham EX14 3AJ – as above
    d) 26/0457/LBC – 2 Mitchells Cottages Gittisham EX14 3AF – Re-slate roof (re-using where possible) &
    extend existing ventilation through rear roof space; repairs to chimney stack; replacement of cement
    render to front elevation with lime equivalents; refurbishment of the stone and timber windows WG1,
    WG2, WG3, WF1, WF2, WF3 & WF4; replace external suspended ceiling; internal replacement of
    cement plaster with lime, and installation of ventilated panelling to defective timber framed and party
    wall.
  9. 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)
  • To note the latest planning decision notices (Cllr Orchard)
  • To receive an update on highways (Cllr Orchard)
  • To consider plans for expenditure in the parish under the Community Infrastructure Levy and S106 (Cllr Orchard)
  • To receive an update on public transport (Cllr Orchard)
  • To consider updating the parish emergency plan
  • To consider climate change measures within the parish (Cllr Rye/ Cllr Rowe)
  • To consider limited residential development in the parish (Cllr Valentine)
  • To consider the creation of a traffic-free amenity route linking Hayne Farm with Gittisham village inc. a footway close to the Otter Inn (Cllr Powell / Cllr Rowe)
  • To consider the refurbishment and maintenance of the village play area
  • 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
  1. To receive a report from the Chair
  1. To consider and approve an amendment to the council’s expenses policy regarding the updated HMRC Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) rate and backdate eligible payments to 1st April 2026
  2. To approve the July payments and to note the current bank balance:

F Clampin £275.29 clerk’s salary + £20.63 expenses (travel Ottery – Gittisham 7.5-mile round trip x 5 for
agenda, minutes, June meeting, casual vacancy & audit documents @0.55p / mile)
Michael Poll £150 play area grass cuts (inv. ref. 10509 & 10503)
Michael Poll £230 telephone box paintwork (inv. ref. 10505)
Michael Poll £120 Gittisham Vale bus shelter paintwork & replacement of broken cladding (inv. ref. 10506)
Fab Trim Landscaping lengthsman work £tbc
Community First Insurance (additional items cover) £tbc
F Clampin £275.29 clerk’s salary (August, as no meeting)
NEST (clerk’s pension) £28.98
NEST (clerk’s pension, August as no meeting) £28.98

  1. To consider £500 support for Gittisham village fete
  2. To consider proposals to reduce the balance of Gittisham Parish Council’s reserves, including two interpretation boards
  3. Clerk’s report
  4. For information only; items for the forward agenda
  5. To consider any late entry correspondence
  6. To note the date of the next two meetings, Thursday 3rd September and Thursday 1st October 2026 at 7.30pm. 

F J Clampin – Clerk

Casual vacancy in Gittisham Village ward – election will not be held

by

TO: Clerk of the Gittisham Parish Council

FROM: Returning Officer, East Devon District Council, Council Offices, Blackdown House, Border Road, Honiton EX14 1EJ

CASUAL VACANCY in the Parish of Gittisham (village ward)

I HEREBY GIVE YOU NOTICE that the period for the receipt of notice requiring an election to fill the above vacancy has now expired. No such Notice has been received by me and an election will not be held. The Parish Council should now proceed to fill the vacancy by co-option.

DATED this 25th day of June 2026.

Returning Officer

Melanie J Wellman

Explanation of variances 2025-26

by

Name of smaller authority: GITTISHAM PARISH COUNCIL

County area (local councils and parish meetings only: DEVON

Please provide full explanations, including numerical values, for the following:

  • variances of more than 15% between totals for individual boxes (except variances of less than £200);
  • a breakdown of approved reserves if the total reserves (Box 7) figure is more than twice the annual precept/rates & levies value (Box 2).
Section 22024/25 £2025/26 £Variance £Variance %Detailed explanation of variance (with amounts £)
Box 2 Precept or Rates and Levies    10,13910,927-788-7.77n/a  
Box 3 Total other receipts      4,1271,8862,24154.3GPC was reimbursed in 2024-25 by EDDC through S106 funding for an outdoor ping pong table, £3,079.  The table was purchased in 2023-24. 
Box 4 Staff costs        3,5413,648-107-10,700The NALC recommended salary scales for the previous tax year were delayed, and then implemented and backdated in 2023/24.
Box 5 Loan interest/ capital repayments      NILNIL    NIL    NIL    n/a  
Box 6 All other payments      5,6576,978-1,321-23.35
GPC did not make any major purchases in 2024-25.  Following a leaflet drop & publicity about EDDC’S draft Local Plan, GPC engaged a planning consultant to advice on next steps, £1,000. That was the largest single expense of 2025/26.  In 2024/25 the parish lengthsman stepped down, so the cost of lengthsman work was much smaller.  In 2025/26 GPC recruited a new lengthsman.
Box 7 Balances carried forward22,55724,744
Box 9 Total fixed assets & long term investments & assets33,98634,517-531-1.56n/a
Box 10 Total borrowings      NILNILNILNIL    n/a  
Explanation for ‘high’ reserves       
Box 7 is more than twice Box 2 because the authority held the following breakdown of reserves at the year end:
 
£7,332.29 Contingency
£6,493.32 CIL

GITTISHAM PARISH COUNCIL RECEIPTS AND PAYMENT ACCOUNT FOR YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2026

by
RECEIPTS20252026
Precept£10,927.25£0
VAT£0£1,811.76
Community Infrastructure Levy£0£0
S106£0£0
Grants£0£0
Other£0£0
Interest on business reserve £0£74.68
TOTAL RECEIPTS£10,927.25£1,886.44
PAYMENTS20252026
Clerk’s salary£2,479.89£825.87
Clerk’s expenses£201.36£32.64
Clerk’s pension£256.32£86.94
HMRC / PAYE£0£0
Parish room / village hall hire£45£0
Subscriptions£446.17£0
Audit£145 £0
VAT incurred£242.50£0
Lengthsman£750£300
Lengthsman expenses£0£0
Maintenance£840£110
Donations S137£0£400 
Website & related£455£0
Defibrillator (Hayne Farm) £0£0
Defibrillator annual maintenance x2£324£0
Insurance£473.26£0 
Gittisham Gazette printing £0£0
Other miscellaneous expenditure£1,082.03£1,131.07
TOTAL PAYMENTS£7,740.53£2,886.52
TOTAL PROFIT / LOSS FOR THE YEAR£3,186.72-£1,000.08
RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS SUMMARY 
Balance b/f£22,557.44
Gross income and reserves£12,813.69
Less total payment£10,627.05
TOTAL£24,744.08
BANK BALANCES 31.03.2026 
Nat West Business Reserve£7,332.29
Nat West Current Account£17,411.79
Unpresented payments£0
TOTAL£24,744.08

GITTISHAM PARISH COUNCIL PAYMENTS OVER £100 1 APRIL 2025 TO 31 MARCH 2026

by
DATEPAYMENT – VendorPAYMENT – DescriptionPayment TypeITEMAMOUNT INC VATVAT
       
17.04.2025ClerkClerk’s salary & expensesClerk salary & expenses5£280.250
17.04.2025Alvian Ltd
Play area annual inspectionPlay area7£102£17
17.04.2025Devon Assoc of Local CouncilsAnnual membershipMemberships9£446.17£58.17
08.05.2025ClerkClerk’s salary & expensesClerk’s salary & expenses11£273.500
08.05.2025ClerkReimbursement for Cllr thank you cards & giftsGeneral administration12£108.97£17
08.05.2025Michael PollGrass cuttingMaintenance13£140
08.05.2025
Community FirstAnnual insurance policyPlay area & assets15£473.260
05.06.2025ClerkClerk salary & expensesClerk salary & expenses17£276.880
05.06.2025Michael PollGrass cuttingMaintenance18£2100
05.06.2025Bluechip PayrollAnnual audit of accountsGeneral admin19£1450
10.07.2025ClerkClerk salary & expensesClerk salary & expenses21£280.250
10.07.2025ClerkClerk salary (August)Clerk salary23£266.750
10.07.2025Gittisham Parish HallGittisham FeteGeneral administration27£5000
04.09.2025ClerkClerk salary & expensesClerk salary & expenses33£285.420
04.09.2025Fabian TrimLengthsman workLengthsman37£3800
02.10.2025ClerkClerk salary & expensesClerk salary & expenses40£285.420
06.11.2025ClerkClerk salary & expensesClerk salary & expenses43£293.410
06.11.2025Community Heartbeat TrustDefibrillator maintenance subscriptionGeneral administration46£324£54
06.11.2025Devon County CouncilFlood gaugeGeneral administration47£532.09£88.68
11.12.2025ClerkClerk salary & expensesClerk salary 49£285.420
11.12.2025Fabian TrimLengthsman workLengthsman52£2900
11.12.2025Websites AhoyWebsite maintenanceWebsite maintenance53£4550
08.01.2026ClerkClerk salary & expensesClerk salary & expenses55£285.420
05.02.2026ClerkClerk salary & expensesClerk salary & expenses63£287.670
05.02.2026Michael PollPlay area fenceMaintenance66£1100
05.03.2026ClerkClerk salary & expensesClerk salary68£285.420
05.03.2026Charlie HopkinsPlanning consultant advice, East Devon Local PlanGeneral administration72£1,0000

RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS ACCOUNT FOR THE YEAR ENDING 31 MARCH 2026

by

RECEIPTS

Precept£10,927.25 
S106£0 
Other£0 
VAT rebates£1,811.76 
net interest (on business reserve a/c)£74.68 
Gross receipts


PAYMENTS		 £12,813.69
Administration£234 
Salaries£3,305.76 
Pension£343.26 
S137 / Transport£400 
VAT payments£242.50 
Maintenance£950 
Lengthsman£1050 
Other£4,101.53
Total payments£10,627.05
Excess of receipts over payments

BANK RECONCILIATION		£2,186.64
Balance b/fwd 1 April 2025£22,557.44

Gross Receipts current and reserves accounts £12,813.69

less total payments          £10,627.05

Cashbook Balance                                                                                                                       £24,744.08

Bank balance as at 31 March 2026      Current Acc                                             £17,411.79

Reserves Acc        £7,332.29

Bank Account Balance         £24,744.08 as per cashbook balance

Responsible Financial Officer 

Fiona Clampin

Clerk Signature

 Chair         

Alex Rowe

Chair signature

4th June 2026





Certificate of Exemption – AGAR 2025-26 Part 2

by

To be completed by smaller authorities where the higher of gross income or gross expenditure did not exceed £25,000 in the year of account ended 31 March 2026, and that wish to certify  themselves as exempt from a limited assurance review under Section 9 of the Local Audit  (Smaller Authorities) Regulations 2015

There is no requirement to have a limited assurance review or to submit an Annual Governance and Accountability Return to the external auditor, provided that the authority has certified itself as exempt at a meeting of the  authority after 31 March 2026 and a completed Certificate of Exemption is submitted no later than 30 June 2026 notifying the external auditor.

Gittisham Parish Council

certifies that during the financial year 2025/26, the higher of the authority’s total gross income for the year or total gross annual expenditure, for the year did not exceed £25,000

Total annual gross income for the authority 2025/26: £12,814
Total annual gross expenditure for the authority 2025/26: £10,627

There are certain circumstances in which an authority will be unable to certify itself as exempt, so that a limited  assurance review will still be required. If an authority is unable to confirm the statements below then it  cannot certify itself as exempt and it must submit the completed Annual Governance and Accountability Return Part 3 to the external auditor to undertake a limited assurance review for which a fee of £200 +VAT will be payable.

By signing this Certificate of Exemption you are confirming that:

  • The authority was in existence on 1st April 2020
  • In relation to the preceding financial year (2024/25), the external auditor has not:
  • issued a public interest report in respect of the authority or any entity connected with it
  • made a statutory recommendation to the authority, relating to the authority or any entity connected with it
  • issued an advisory notice under paragraph 1(1) of Schedule 8 to the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (“the Act”), and has not withdrawn the notice
  • commenced judicial review proceedings under section 31(1) of the Act
  • made an application under section 28(1) of the Act for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful, and the application has not been withdrawn nor has the court refused to make the declaration
  • The court has not declared an item of account unlawful after a person made an appeal under section 28(3) of the Act.

If you are able to confirm that the above statements apply and that the authority neither received gross income, nor incurred gross expenditure, exceeding £25,000, then the Certificate of Exemption can be signed and a copy submitted to the external auditor either by email or by post (not both).

The Annual Internal Audit Report, Annual Governance Statement, Accounting Statements, an analysis of  variances and the bank reconciliation plus the information required by Regulation 15 (2), Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 including the period for the exercise of public rights still need to be fully completed and,  along with a copy of this certificate, published on the authority website/webpage* before 1 July 2026.  By signing this certificate you are also confirming that you are aware of this requirement.

*https://gittisham.org.uk

ONLY this Certificate of Exemption should be returned EITHER by email OR by post (not both) as soon as possible after certification to your external auditor, but no later than 30 June 2026. Reminder letters incur a charge of £40 +VAT

Annual Internal Audit Report 2025/26

Signed by the Responsible Financial Officer

Clerk Signature

Date 04/06/2026

Signed by Chairman

Chair signature

Date 04/06/2026

I confirm that this Certificate of Exemption was approved by this authority on this date: 04/06/2026

as recorded in minute reference: 34/26

Generic email address of Authority:

Telephone Number 07899 932620

Published Web address www.gittisham.org.uk

Gittisham Parish Council

www.gittisham.org.uk

During the financial year ended 31 March 2026, this authority’s internal auditor acting independently and on the basis of an assessment of risk, carried out a selective assessment of compliance with the relevant procedures and controls in operation and obtained appropriate evidence from the authority.

The internal audit for 2025/26 has been carried out in accordance with this authority’s needs and planned coverage. On the basis of the findings in the areas examined, the internal audit conclusions are summarised in this table. Set out below are the objectives of internal control and alongside are the internal audit conclusions on whether, in all significant respects, the control objectives were being achieved throughout the financial year to a standard adequate to meet the needs of this authority.

Internal control objectiveYesNo*Not covered** 
A.  Appropriate accounting records have been properly kept throughout the financial year.Y   
B.  This authority complied with its financial regulations, payments were supported by invoices, all expenditure was approved and VAT was appropriately accounted for.Y   
C.  This authority assessed the significant risks to achieving its objectives and reviewed the adequacy of arrangements to manage these.Y   
D.  The precept or rates requirement resulted from an adequate budgetary process; progress against the budget was regularly monitored; and reserves were appropriate.Y   
E.  Expected income was fully received, based on correct prices, properly recorded, and promptly banked; and VAT was appropriately accounted for.Y   
F.  Petty cash payments were properly supported by receipts, all petty cash expenditure was approved and VAT appropriately accounted for.  Not applicable 
G. Salaries to employees and allowances to members were paid in accordance with this authority’s approvals, and PAYE and NI requirements were properly applied.Y   
H. Asset and investments registers were complete and accurate and properly maintained.Y   
I. Periodic bank account reconciliations were properly carried out during the year.Y   
J. Accounting statements prepared during the year were prepared on the correct accounting basis (receipts and payments or income and expenditure), agreed to the cash book, supported by an adequate audit trail from underlying records and where appropriate debtors and creditors were properly recorded.Y   
K. If the authority certified itself as exempt from a limited assurance review in 2024/25, it met the exemption criteria and correctly declared itself exempt. (If the authority had a limited assurance review of its 2024/25 AGAR tick “not covered”)Y   
L. The authority publishes information on a website/webpage, up to date at the time of the internal audit, in accordance with the relevant legislation.Y   
M. In the year covered by this AGAR, the authority correctly provided for a period for the exercise of public rights as required by the Accounts and Audit Regulations (during the 2025/26 AGAR period, were public rights in relation to the 2024-25 AGAR evidenced by a notice on the website and/or authority approved minutes confirming the dates set).Y   
N. The authority has complied with the publication requirements for 2024/25 AGAR  (see AGAR Page 1 Guidance Notes).Y   
 O. The authority has complied with laws, regulations & proper practices relating to digital and data compliance.Y
 P. (For local councils only)   Trust funds (including charitable) – The council met its responsibilities as a trustee.  Not applicable

For any other risk areas identified by this authority adequate controls existed (list any other risk areas on separate sheets if needed).

Date(s) internal audit undertaken                              Name of person who carried out the internal audit

02/06/2026 – 03/06/2026                     Trudie Jenkins Avery

Signature of person who carried out the internal audit  

                        

Auditor signature
  Date03/06/2026
*If the response is ‘no’ please state the implications and action being taken to address any weakness in control identified (add separate sheets if needed). **Note: If the response is ‘not covered’ please state when the most recent internal audit work was done in this area and when it is next planned; or, if coverage is not required, the annual internal audit report must explain why not (add separate sheets if needed).

Section 1 – Annual Governance Statement 2025/26

We acknowledge as the members of:

Gittisham Parish Council

our responsibility for ensuring that there is a sound system of internal control, including arrangements for the preparation of the Accounting Statements. We confirm, to the best of our knowledge and belief, with respect to the Accounting Statements for the year ended 31 March 2026, that:

Agreed
 YesNo‘Yes’ means that this authority:
1. We have put in place arrangements for effective financial management during the year, and for the preparation of the accounting statements. Y prepared its accounting statements in accordance   with the Accounts and Audit Regulations.
2. We maintained an adequate system of internal control including measures designed to prevent and detect fraud and corruption and reviewed its effectiveness.  Y made proper arrangements and accepted responsibility  for safeguarding the public money and resources in  its charge.
3. We took all reasonable steps to assure ourselves      that there are no matters of actual or potential              non-compliance with laws, regulations and Proper       Practices that could have a significant financial effect              on the ability of this authority to conduct its        business or manage its finances.  Y has only done what it has the legal power to do and has complied with Proper Practices in doing so.
4. We provided proper opportunity during the year for  the exercise of electors’ rights in accordance with the requirements of the Accounts and Audit Regulations.  Y during the year gave all persons interested the opportunity to inspect and ask questions about this authority’s accounts.
5. We carried out an assessment of the risks facing this authority and took appropriate steps to manage those risks, including the introduction of internal controls and/or external insurance cover where required.  Y considered and documented the financial and other risks it faces and dealt with them properly.
6. We maintained throughout the year an adequate and  effective system of internal audit of the accounting  records and control systems.  Y arranged for a competent person, independent of the financial controls and procedures, to give an objective view on whether internal controls meet the needs of this smaller authority.
7. We took appropriate action on all matters raised  in reports from internal and external audit.  Y responded to matters brought to its attention by internal and external audit.
8. We considered whether any litigation, liabilities or  commitments, events or transactions, occurring either during or after the year-end, have a financial impact on this authority and, where appropriate, have included them in the accounting statements.  Y disclosed everything it should have about its business activity during the year including events taking place after the year end if relevant.
9. (For local councils only) Trust funds including  charitable. In our capacity as the sole managing  trustee we discharged our accountability  responsibilities for the fund(s)/assets, including  financial reporting and, if required, independent  examination or audit.N/Ahas met all of its responsibilities where as a body corporate it is a sole managing trustee of a local trust or trusts.
 10. We have put in place arrangements for the effective IT and data management in accordance with proper practices during the year under review. Y 

*For any statement to which the response is ‘no’, an explanation must be published

This Annual Governance Statement was approved at a meeting of the authority on:

04/06/2026

Signed by the Chairman and Clerk of the meeting where approval was given:

Chairman

Chair signature

       Clerk

Clerk Signature

and recorded as minute reference: 32/26

Other information required by the Transparency Code (not part of the Annual Governance Statement)
The authority website/webpage is up to date and the information required by the Transparency Code has  been published.Yes
  

www.gittisham.org.uk

Section 2 – Accounting Statements 2025/26 for

Gittisham Parish Council

Year ending
 Notes and guidance
31 March 2025 £31 March 2026 £Please round all figures to nearest £1. Do not leave any boxes blank and report £0 or Nil balances. All figures must agree to underlying financial records.
1. Balances brought  forward17,48922,557Total balances and reserves at the beginning of the year  as recorded in the financial records. Value must agree to Box 7 of previous year.
2. (+) Precept or Rates and Levies10,13910,927Total amount of precept (or for IDBs rates and levies) received or receivable in the year. Exclude any grants received.
3. (+) Total other receipts4,1271,886Total income or receipts as recorded in the cashbook less the precept or rates/levies received (line 2). Include any grants received.
4. (-) Staff costs3,5413,648Total expenditure or payments made to and on behalf  of all employees. Include gross salaries and wages,  employers NI contributions, employers pension  contributions, gratuities and severance payments.
5. (-) Loan interest/capital repayments00Total expenditure or payments of capital and interest made during the year on the authority’s borrowings (if any).
6.  (-) All other payments5,6576,978Total expenditure or payments as recorded in the cashbook less staff costs (line 4) and loan interest/capital repayments (line 5).
7. (=) Balances carried forward22,55724,744Total balances and reserves at the end of the year. Must equal (1+2+3) – (4+5+6).
8. Total value of cash and short term investments22,55724,744The sum of all current and deposit bank accounts, cash holdings and short term investments held as at 31 March – To agree with bank reconciliation.
9. Total fixed assets plus long term investments  and assets33,98634,517The value of all the property the authority owns – it is made up of all its fixed assets and long term investments as at  31 March.
10. Total borrowings00The outstanding capital balance as at 31 March of all loans from third parties (including PWLB).
11. Do the figures in the accounting statements above exclude any Trust transactions?NNFor guidance refer to the Practitioners’ Guide sections 2.31 to 2.33

I certify that for the year ended 31 March 2026 the Accounting Statements in this Annual Governance and Accountability Return have been prepared on either a receipts and  payments or income and expenditure basis following the guidance in Governance and Accountability for Smaller  Authorities – a Practitioners’ Guide to Proper Practices and present fairly the financial position of this authority.

Signed by Responsible Financial Officer before being  presented to the authority for approval:

Clerk Signature

Date 04/06/2026

I confirm that these Accounting Statements were approved by this authority on this date:

04/06/2026

as recorded in minute reference: 33/26

Signed by Chairman of the meeting where the  Accounting Statements were approved

Chair signature

Notice of public rights 2025-26 – exempt authorities

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WHAT EXEMPT AUTHORITIES NEED TO DO TO ADVERTISE THE PERIOD DURING WHICH ELECTORS AND INTERESTED PERSONS MAY EXERCISE RIGHTS RELATING TO THE ANNUAL ACCOUNTS

The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 require that:

1. The statement of accounts prepared by the authority (i.e. the Annual Governance & Accountability Return (AGAR) Part 2), the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records must be made available for inspection by any person interested, during a period of 30 working days set by the smaller authority and including the first 10 working days of July.

2. The period referred to in paragraph (1) starts with the day on which the period for the exercise of public rights is treated as having been commenced i.e. the day following the day on which all of the obligations in paragraph (3) below have been fulfilled.

3. The responsible financial officer for an exempt authority must, on behalf of that authority, publish (which must include publication on the authority’s website):

(a) the Accounting Statements (i.e. Section 2 of the AGAR Part 2), accompanied by:

(i) a declaration, signed by that officer to the effect that the statement of accounts will not be audited on account of that authority’s self-certified status as exempt, unless either a request for an opportunity to question the auditor about the authority’s accounting records under section 26(2) or an objection under section 27(1) of the Act, results in the involvement of the local auditor;

(ii) the Annual Governance Statement (i.e. Section 1 of the AGAR Part 2); and

(iii) the Certificate of Exemption (i.e. Page 3 of the AGAR Part 2); and

(b) a statement that sets out—

(i) the period for the exercise of public rights;

(ii) details of the manner in which notice should be given of an intention to inspect the accounting records and other documents;

(iii) the name and address of the local auditor;

(iv) the provisions contained in section 25 (inspection of statements of accounts etc), section 26 (inspection of documents etc) and section 27 (right to make objections at audit) of the Act, as they have effect in relation to the authority in question;  

HOW DO YOU DO IT?

You will meet statutory requirements if you fully and accurately complete the notice of public rights pro forma in this document; and publish (including publication on the smaller authority’s website) the following documents, the day before the public rights period commences:

  1. the approved Sections 1 and 2 of Part 2 of the AGAR; and
  2. the completed Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Annual Governance & Accountability Return (Exempt Authority). Please note that we have pre-completed it with the following suggested dates: Wednesday 3 June – Tuesday 14 July 2026. (The latest possible dates that comply with the statutory requirements are Wednesday 1 July – Tuesday 11 August 2026; and
  3. the notes which accompany the Notice (Local authority accounts: a summary of your rights).

Smaller authority name: GITTISHAM PARISH COUNCIL

NOTICE OF PUBLIC RIGHTS AND PUBLICATION OF ANNUAL GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY RETURN (EXEMPT AUTHORITY)

ACCOUNTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MARCH 2026

Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 Sections 25, 26 and 27

The Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 (SI 2015/234)

NOTICENOTES
    1. Date of announcement_18th June 2026____________________________(a) 2. Each year the smaller authority prepares an Annual Governance and Accountability Return (AGAR).  The AGAR has been published with this notice. It will not be reviewed by the appointed auditor, since the smaller authority has certified itself as exempt from the appointed auditor’s review. Any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of the AGAR, the accounting records for the financial year to which it relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records must be made available for inspection by any person interested. For the year ended 31 March 2025, these documents will be available on reasonable notice by application to:   (b)             Fiona Clampin (clerk, Gittisham Parish Council), Tel. 07899 932620 email:   commencing on (c) __Friday 19 June 2026 _______________________     and ending on (d) ___Thursday 30 July 2026 ________________________   3. Local government electors and their representatives also have:   The opportunity to question the appointed auditor about the accounting records; and The right to make an objection which concerns a matter in respect of which the appointed auditor could either make a public interest report or apply to the court for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful. Written notice of an objection must first be given to the auditor and a copy sent to the smaller authority.   The appointed auditor can be contacted at the address in paragraph 4 below for this purpose between the above dates only.   4. The smaller authority’s AGAR is only subject to review by the appointed auditor if questions or objections raised under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 lead to the involvement of the auditor.  The appointed auditor is:   PKF Littlejohn LLP (Ref: SBA Team) 15 Westferry Circus Canary Wharf London E14 4HD ()   5. This announcement is made by (e) Fiona Clampin Clerk / Responsible Financial Officer Gittisham Parish Council      (a) Insert date of placing of the notice which must be not less than 1 day before the date in (c) below                     (b) Insert name, position and address/telephone number/ email address, as appropriate, of the Clerk or other person to which any person may apply to inspect the accounts   (c) Insert date, which must be at least 1 day after the date of announcement in (a) above and at least 30 working days before the date appointed in (d) below   (d) The inspection period between (c) and (d) must be 30 working days inclusive and must include the first 10 working days of July.                                               (e) Insert name and position of person placing the notice – this person must be the responsible financial officer for the smaller authority

LOCAL AUTHORITY ACCOUNTS: A SUMMARY OF YOUR RIGHTS

Please note that this summary applies to all relevant smaller authorities, including local councils, internal drainage boards and ‘other’ smaller authorities.

The basic position

The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014 (the Act) governs the work of auditors appointed to smaller authorities. This summary explains the provisions contained in Sections 26 and 27 of the Act. The Act and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2015 also cover the duties, responsibilities and rights of smaller authorities, other organisations and the public concerning the accounts being audited.

As a local elector, or an interested person, you have certain legal rights in respect of the accounting records of smaller authorities. As an interested person you can inspect accounting records and related documents. If you are a local government elector for the area to which the accounts relate you can also ask questions about the accounts and object to them. You do not have to pay directly for exercising your rights. However, any resulting costs incurred by the smaller authority form part of its running costs. Therefore, indirectly, local residents pay for the cost of you exercising your rights through their council tax.

The right to inspect the accounting records

Any interested person can inspect the accounting records, which includes but is not limited to local electors. You can inspect the accounting records for the financial year to which the audit relates and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers, receipts and other documents relating to those records. You can copy all, or part, of these records or documents. Your inspection must be about the accounts, or relate to an item in the accounts. You cannot, for example, inspect or copy documents unrelated to the accounts, or that include personal information (Section 26 (6) – (10) of the Act explains what is meant by personal information). You cannot inspect information which is protected by commercial confidentiality. This is information which would prejudice commercial confidentiality if it was released to the public and there is not, set against this, a very strong reason in the public interest why it should nevertheless be disclosed.

When smaller authorities have finished preparing accounts for the financial year and approved them, they must publish them (including on a website). There must be a 30 working day period, called the ‘period for the exercise of public rights’, during which you can exercise your statutory right to inspect the accounting records. Smaller authorities must tell the public, including advertising this on their website, that the accounting records and related documents are available to inspect. By arrangement you will then have 30 working days to inspect and make copies of the accounting records. You may have to pay a copying charge. The 30 working day period must include a common period of inspection during which all smaller authorities’ accounting records are available to inspect. This will be 1-14 July 2026 for 2025/26 accounts. The advertisement must set out the dates of the period for the exercise of public rights, how you can communicate to the smaller authority that you wish to inspect the accounting records and related documents, the name and address of the auditor, and the relevant legislation that governs the inspection of accounts and objections.

The right to ask the auditor questions about the accounting records

You should first ask your smaller authority about the accounting records, since they hold all the details. If you are a local elector, your right to ask questions of the external auditor is enshrined in law. However, while the auditor will answer your questions where possible, they are not always obliged to do so. For example, the question might be better answered by another organisation, require investigation beyond the auditor’s remit, or involve disproportionate cost (which is borne by the local taxpayer). Give your smaller authority the opportunity first to explain anything in the accounting records that you are unsure about. If you are not satisfied with their explanation, you can question the external auditor about the accounting records.

The law limits the time available for you formally to ask questions. This must be done in the period for the exercise of public rights, so let the external auditor know your concern as soon as possible. The advertisement or notice that tells you the accounting records are available to inspect will also give the period for the exercise of public rights during which you may ask the auditor questions, which here means formally asking questions under the Act. You can ask someone to represent you when asking the external auditor questions.

Before you ask the external auditor any questions, inspect the accounting records fully, so you know what they contain. Please remember that you cannot formally ask questions, under the Act, after the end of the period for the exercise of public rights. You may ask your smaller authority other questions about their accounts for any year, at any time. But these are not questions under the Act.

You can ask the external auditor questions about an item in the accounting records for the financial year being audited. However, your right to ask the external auditor questions is limited. The external auditor can only answer ‘what’ questions, not ‘why’ questions. The external auditor cannot answer questions about policies, finances, procedures or anything else unless it is directly relevant to an item in the accounting records. Remember that your questions must always be about facts, not opinions. To avoid misunderstanding, we recommend that you always put your questions in writing.

The right to make objections at audit

You have inspected the accounting records and asked your questions of the smaller authority. Now you may wish to object to the accounts on the basis that an item in them is in your view unlawful or there are matters of wider concern arising from the smaller authority’s finances. A local government elector can ask the external auditor to apply to the High Court for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful, or to issue a report on matters which are in the public interest. You must tell the external auditor which specific item in the accounts you object to and why you think the item is unlawful, or why you think that a public interest report should be made about it. You must provide the external auditor with the evidence you have to support your objection. Disagreeing with income or spending does not make it unlawful. To object to the accounts you must write to the external auditor stating you want to make an objection, including the information and evidence below and you must send a copy to the smaller authority. The notice must include:

  • confirmation that you are an elector in the smaller authority’s area;
  • why you are objecting to the accounts and the facts on which you rely;
  • details of any item in the accounts that you think is unlawful; and
  • details of any matter about which you think the external auditor should make a public interest report.

Other than it must be in writing, there is no set format for objecting. You can only ask the external auditor to act within the powers available under the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014.

A final word

You may not use this ‘right to object’ to make a personal complaint or claim against your smaller authority.  You should take such complaints to your local Citizens’ Advice Bureau, local Law Centre or to your solicitor. Smaller authorities, and so local taxpayers, meet the costs of dealing with questions and objections.  In deciding whether to take your objection forward, one of a series of factors the auditor must take into account is the cost that will be involved, they will only continue with the objection if it is in the public interest to do so. They may also decide not to consider an objection if they think that it is frivolous or vexatious, or if it repeats an objection already considered. If you appeal to the courts against an auditor’s decision not to apply to the courts for a declaration that an item of account is unlawful, you will have to pay for the action yourself.

For more detailed guidance on public rights and the special powers of auditors, copies of the publication Local authority accounts: A guide to your rights are available from the NAO website.  If you wish to contact your authority’s appointed external auditor please write to the address in paragraph 4 of the Notice of Public Rights and Publication of Unaudited Annual Governance & Accountability Return.  

2026-06 Parish Council meeting minutes 4th June 2026

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Held in Gittisham Parish Room

Present:

Village ward: Cllr A Rowe (Chair)

Vale ward: Cllr A Powell, Cllr P Orchard (Vice Chair)

In attendance: Tom Hills (Radio Fibre / Bush Broadband), Simon Ricketts (Chair, Awliscombe Parish Council), Fiona Clampin (clerk)

Apologies for absence: Cllr A Rye, Cllr D Valentine, Cllr G Pester, Cllr Alasdair Bruce (EDDC), Cllr Richard Jefferies (DCC)

22/26 To accept and approve apologies

Apologies were received and accepted.

23/26        To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 14th May 2026

The clerk said the date of the casual vacancy posting had changed to 4th June 2026.  The minutes of the meeting held on 14th May 2026 were then confirmed and signed by the Chair.  

24/26        To receive the Beat Manager’s Report

April 2026

Honiton link road: 1 x shoplifting

Parsonage Lane: 1 x violence & sexual offences, 1 x other theft

25/26        To receive declarations of interest

None.

26/26        To consider actions from the last meeting not otherwise on the agenda

The Chair said that he and Cllrs Powell & Orchard would be meeting Karissa Marker and Justin Lascelles from Combe Estate the following week to discuss a range of subjects.

27/26 To receive reports from County Council and District Council representatives

In his absence, Cllr Bruce sent the following report: “There has been a notable upsurge in reported cases of fly tipping across east Devon recently.  Although this has always been a minor issue, this most antisocial behaviour by a minority has been encouraged by the numerous national stories in the press regarding giant fly tipping incidents. I’ve had one incident reported to me via the clerk, which will be followed up by a team from EDDC, I would encourage anyone in the parish to report any further incidents as quickly as possible. It seems that rubbish left acts as a magnet for others to dump, so a rapid clear up helps prevent a bad situation getting worse, and more expensive for us to deal with.

“A vacant property that falls under the EDDC housing team has been reported to me via a resident. It appears the property has been empty for some time. I have passed this onto the housing team to prompt them to repair where necessary and get this property occupied as soon as possible.” 

Cllr Jefferies did not send a report this month. 

28/26     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)

Members discussed the technicalities and legal negotiations required to install superfast broadband with Tom Hills from Radio Fibre.  The proposal is to lease an Openreach line from Fenny Bridges to the edge of the village, and a further 2kms ‘ring of fibre’ is then trenched around the outside of the village along the boundary of each property.  Eligible homes and businesses can access Government-funded vouchers to help towards the suppliers’ costs of installing a gigabit-capable broadband connection.  Tom Hills encouraged all residents to apply for the £3,800 voucher, even if they didn’t intend to use it, as it allows others in the community to access fibre broadband.  He said residents should also take out a 1 year pay-as-you-go contract, even if they don’t use it, as this will similarly demonstrate the level of interest.  Each property that requests a full fibre service is able to specify the route the fibre takes from their property boundary into their home.  Tom Hills circulated a document with details of the East Devon parishes he is trying to connect to full fibre broadband, with Gittisham as a case study. 

Cllr Powell cautioned against the parish council being left exposed, but Tom Hills assured him that further grants would be secured before Openreach gets involved.  Councillors said the signs were encouraging and looked forward to making this project a reality at long last.

  • To note the latest planning decision notices
  1. 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.  Refusal.
  • To receive an update on Highways 

27 July–1 August road through Alfington closed overnight for surface dressing and stud removal.

Simon Ricketts, Chair of Awliscombe PC, explained how his parish has become involved with Devon County Council’s road warden scheme over the past two years.  The scheme enables communities to carry out approved minor works on or around the public highway, including filling in small potholes.  Each community can choose the activities that they have the volunteers to support, and that will make the greatest local impact.  DCC will pay for a maximum of three volunteers to attend a one-day course on highways work, and the parish council can recruit further volunteer road wardens who do not have to be councillors.  DCC also provides third-party (public liability) insurance for volunteer work completed in accordance with DCC guidance.

Simon Ricketts said the scheme was proving successful in his parish, and residents had been in touch with him to say how much they appreciated the work – more than any other action by the parish council.  He reminded councillors that any defect that poses a risk to public safety on the roads will still be repaired by DCC maintenance teams.  Mr Ricketts agreed to contact the clerk with further details to circulate to members, and the Chair said he would write a piece for the June gazette to drum up interest.

Tom Hills and Simon Ricketts left the meeting.

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

Members discussed how to spend the £27,090.88 in CIL receipts from EDDC, and it was agreed that replacing some of the swings in the Gittisham play area would be a good idea.  There was a discussion as to whether some of the money could be spent on play facilities at Hayne Farm.  However given the time frame for spending the money (five years), the likelihood of a legally established residents’ association being ready and able to take on responsibility for a project of this type was slim.  However, the Chair said at this stage the parish council is open to ideas.

ACTION: Clerk to contact original company which provided the swings (if it still exists), to see if they will do a site visit and advise on next steps.

  • To receive an update on public transport

There was no update this month.

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

There was no update this month.

  • To consider limited residential development in the parish

Members noted Cllr Valentine’s message that the CLT will have its AGM on 30th June in Gittisham village hall.

  • To consider the creation of a footpath linking Hayne Farm with Gittisham village, including a footway close to the Otter Inn

The clerk circulated an email from Cllr Jefferies who had offered help to move this project forward and had been in touch with DCC officers.  But Cllr Powell said the message didn’t provide any new information, and the main stumbling block currently is knowing who owns the land between the back of Cameron Fuller and the road verge.  Members discussed whether approaching the Land Registry would answer this question. 

The clerk read out an email from a resident enquiring about whether or not a path between Hayne Farm and Gittisham village was likely to become a reality.  Members agreed to raise this at their meeting with Combe Estate the following week.

ACTION: Chair to email Cllr Powell with details of the company which drilled holes in the riverside wall, for him to approach them to quote for a walkway.

ACTION: Cllr Powell to report back to the clerk after meeting with Combe Estate.

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

Councillors agreed that the hedge at the top end of the play area is getting overgrown, and there are also weeds growing up through the tower.  The memorial tree has become somewhat buried in the hedge.  Members thanked Michael Poll for painting the inside and outside of the village telephone box, and for clearing away weeds in the play area.  Cllr Orchard agreed to ask Combe Estate for logs to replace those in the play area.

ACTION: Clerk to contact Michael Poll to arrange for the hedge to be trimmed, after checking for nests etc. and the tree marker.

  • To consider the scope of future lengthsman work

Cllr Powell proposed a pay rise for the lengthsman, which will be discussed at the July meeting.  The Chair suggested the lengthsman should attend DCC’s Chapter 8 training, in addition to the volunteer road wardens, and the parish council will pay for his time and attendance.    

29/26     To receive a report from the Chair

The Chair said there was no update this month.

30/26     To approve the June 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 agenda, minutes & May meeting @0.45p / mile)

Michael Poll £75 play area grass cut (inv. ref. 10493)

Ben Somers (village noticeboard maintenance & refurbishment) £436.06

Bluechip Payroll annual internal audit £145

NEST (clerk’s pension) £28.98

Members heard that the current bank balance stands at £53,406.28 (which includes approximately £7,332.29 in the business reserve account).  The clerk agreed to check with Nat West how the new authorised signatories can approve payments, as the bank has not provided any further information despite updating the mandate. 

The Chair said he had agreed a gift for former Chair Carol Hall with Hamish Hall, which Mr Hall will purchase and invoice the council for part of the amount.

31/26     To receive and note the annual internal audit report

Members noted the annual internal audit report carried out by Bluechip Payroll.

32/26     To approve the annual governance statement 2025-26

Members resolved to approve the annual governance statement 2025-26.

33/26     To approve the 2025-26 accounting statements

Members resolved to adopt the 2025-26 accounts.  Prior to the meeting, the clerk circulated the accounting statements.  The parish council ended the financial year on 31st March 2026 with a balance of £24,744.08 (inc. £7,332.29 in business reserve, with £74.68 interest accumulated this year).  There is VAT to be recovered of approximately £242.50.

34/26     To consider the criteria for meeting exemption from the annual limited assurance review 2025-26, and approve the exemption certificate

Members agreed the criteria had been met, ie that during the financial year 2025-26 the higher of the parish council’s gross income or gross annual expenditure for the year did not exceed £25,000.

35/26     To set and approve the period for the exercise of public rights 2025-26

Members approved the period for the exercise of public rights to extend from 19th June to 30th July 2026.

36/26     To consider proposals to reduce the balance of Gittisham Parish Council’s reserves, including two interpretation boards

Cllr Orchard asked the clerk to enquire if EDDC Streetscene will give permission for a bench to be installed by the balancing pond (w3w summaries.parts.rumble).

37/26     Clerk’s report

The clerk said she had taken the parish council’s printer / scanner to be repaired in Ottery. 

Members said they had received the information on changes to Section 32A of the Localism Act 2011 (as inserted by Section 65 of the English Devolution and Community Empowerment Act 2026), where there is now a clear requirement that a councillor’s home address must not be disclosed on the authority’s public register of interests unless the councillor has expressly requested otherwise.  The Chair said he was happy for his address to be made public on his declaration of interest, and the clerk agreed to inform EDDC.

38/26     For information only; items for the forward agenda

Cllr Powell said he had organised a litter pick for Sunday 14th June, and a risk assessment has been completed.  He hopes this will become a regular event.  Cllr Powell agreed to check with Ottery Men’s Shed on the status of the bench, and he added that he had put up more anti-flytipping signs.

The clerk agreed to check whether funding for this year’s Gittisham Fete has been approved at a previous meeting.

39/26     To consider any late entry correspondence

None.

40/26     Date of next two meetings  

Thursday 2nd July and Thursday 3rd September 2026 at 7.30pm

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

Chair…………………………………….

2nd July 2026