2025-26

Held in Gittisham Parish Room

Present:

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

Vale ward: Cllr P Orchard

In attendance: Cllr Phil Twiss (DCC), Andrea Rye (member of the public), Fiona Clampin (clerk)

Apologies for absence: Cllr Alasdair Bruce (EDDC), PCSO Darren England

179/24 To accept and approve apologies

Apologies were received and accepted.

180/24        To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 6th March 2025

The minutes of the meeting held on 6th March 2025 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.  

181/24        To receive the Beat Manager’s Report

January 2025

Nether Close: 2 x violence & sexual offences, 1 x other theft

Hamlett Close: 1 x violence & sexual offences

Rowan Close: 1 x criminal damage & arson

Nags Head Road: 1 x other theft

February 2025

Nags Head Road: 1 x violence & sexual offences

Meadow Acre: 1 x burglary

182/24        To receive declarations of interest

The Chair and Cllr Valentine declared an interest in agenda item 9a) (minute ref. 187/24a) as they are shareholders of Gittisham Community Land Trust.

183/24        To consider actions from the last meeting not otherwise on the agenda

The clerk said EDDC had replied to her enquiry regarding ward member representation.  She understands that Gittisham’s current make-up is in line with NALC’s recommendation.

184/24 To receive reports from County Council and District Council representatives

Cllr Twiss explained that this was his final Division members’ report for this version of Devon County Council, where a new, much different in member composition, (largely due to around half of councillors retiring from what at times can be an unforgiving role) that will be elected on 1^st May.  He thanked councillors and members of the public for the support that they have given him in the last four years. This has seen a huge amount change taking place, as we emerged from Covid and continue to recover from that dark time, set against a background of a severely underfunded local government sector facing huge challenges to fulfil its statutory obligations, particularly in adult, children’s and highways services.

Cllr Twiss said his report was limited and of a factual nature only, given we are currently in the election regulated period or ‘purdah’ which restricts what councillors can and cannot say or do. The period ends on 2^nd May following the completion of DCC elections.

New Domestic Abuse Support Service launches

A new integrated Domestic Abuse Support Service has been launched by Devon County Council, and it aims to transform how people in the county access and receive support.  The service will be provided by the Devon Domestic Abuse Alliance, a partnership of seven local organisations: North Devon Against Domestic Abuse (NDADA), Encompass Southwest, CoLab Exeter, More Positive Me, The Olive Project, CRAFT Training and Development and Surviving Abuse North Devon.  Each partner brings a wealth of expertise, which will help ensure that those in need of the service, their friends and families as well as professionals receive the right advice, information and care at the right time.  At the heart of this approach is My Story, a person-centred approach led by a dedicated support team, which aims to avoid individuals being referred to multiple services and then asked to share their traumatic experiences multiple times.

The service will include:

•  Single Entry Gateway – A single point of contact offering clear, accessible pathways to support, with phone, text, email, and online chat options to make help easy to reach.
•  Community Domestic Abuse Support – Specialist teams providing risk management, and safety planning tailored to each person’s situation, as well as whole family support and interventions to address the behaviours of those causing harm.
•  Safe Accommodation, Staying Put, and Resettlement Support – A range of refuge and dispersed safe accommodation solutions and help for people to remain safely in their own home.
•  Trauma-Responsive Recovery – Dedicated one-to-one and group therapeutic interventions and peer support, ensuring survivors receive the emotional support needed to heal.
•  Specialist Support – Addressing complex needs such as mental health, substance use, and homelessness, including safe accommodation and outreach options.
•  Behaviour Change – Interventions to help those who harm break the cycle of abuse and take responsibility for change.

For more information, support, or to refer someone to the service from 1^st April 2025, contact: 0808 281 6161.

Children with EHCPs allocated places in their first-choice mainstream school

One hundred per cent of families of children with Education Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) have been allocated places in their first-choice mainstream school from September.  Families sometimes request that DCC considers specialist education alongside mainstream provision, and where specialist provision was requested by families, 87 per cent have been allocated places suitable to their child’s special educational and disability needs. Thirteen per cent were allocated places in their mainstream school of choice or their nearest suitable school that can meet their child’s needs.

The latest figures follow DCC’s announcement earlier this month describing an overall increase in the number of families being allocated their first choices of Devon secondary school places for September.  Seven thousand, three hundred and ninety-eight allocations were made in total for places at Devon mainstream secondary schools this September.  In allocating places for pupils with EHCPs, DCC first consults with the requested school or other setting to ask if they are suitable in being able to meet the child’s needs, and whether they have space. DCC considers the schools’ or settings’ response against a legal criteria as well as the parents’ preferences before making a decision to determine a setting by name (of school, for example) and/or what type of setting or provision to name on their EHCP.

DCC to maintain Free School Meal vouchers as support fund reduced

The Government has confirmed a 11.87% decrease in this year’s Household Support Fund allocation.  The Fund, operating since 2021 and now in its seventh round, was introduced to help individuals and families that are struggling financially with the rising cost of living, such as the costs of energy, food, and other essential household items.  Over that period, DCC channelled its allocation of Household Support Funding into providing a range of support, including the provision of Free School Meal holiday vouchers to families with children and young people who are eligible free school meals during term time.

Citizen’s Advice Devon has used some of DCC’s allocation to support households that use pre-payment meters, often paying higher unit costs and digital meters to help them afford and budget for their energy usage.  Devon’s district councils have used their allocation of the Household Support Fund to support older residents and individuals known to be on low incomes and/or claiming certain benefits, and who are struggling with the high costs of living.  The Department of Work and Pensions’ decrease means that where last year, DCC received £10.1 million, this year Devon will receive £8.9 million.  Cllr Twiss said the impact is likely to hit some of the county’s most vulnerable residents, at a time of continued high prices for food, fuel, and other essential household items.

DCC has confirmed that it will maintain the Free School Meal holiday vouchers, at the same £15 per week per eligible child level, for this Easter and May half-term holidays.  Beyond that though, with Devon County Council heading towards local elections on 1^st May, it will be a decision for the council’s new administration as to how it will allocate the reduced purse to its partner organisations that support people struggling with the cost of living.

In his absence, Cllr Bruce sent the following report: “It’s becoming harder to know what to say with the avalanche of planning applications hitting this little corner of Devon. With this Labour government it’s fast becoming the Wild West of planning, with previously sound reasons to object being swept away, and scant regard to the impact our  fragile communities are going to have to deal with. With this frantic push for housing numbers, long cherished, and hard-won, characteristics of our villages are under threat like never before. If these targets are achieved, they will alter the very fabric of our countryside permanently. Which is why I always ask anyone who emails me concerning a planning application to take part in the consultation process with EDDC, and encourage others to do the same. Whilst we are forced to put forward all the obvious reasons to refuse, and then watch in horror as they are summarily dismissed, I still believe weight of numbers can count with the committee. There is little left to say at this point other than to keep fighting at every opportunity wherever we can.

“It seems a bit irrelevant to follow the above with a comment on the upcoming devolution of your district and county councils, but I mention it here as I believe, although not mentioned in the white paper, parish and town councils may be required to take a greater portion of the areas of responsibility currently placed elsewhere. The short deadline required by Government has meant those involved scrabbling to come up with a plan, rather than have a solution imposed on us. Make no mistake, there are going to be profound changes to the way local government works. My fear is that these changes will reduce services, and levels of responsibility and accountability. Devolution it is not in my view.

“Sewerage issues are once again in the news, and not just in Feniton, but across the South West. The figures recently released make for shocking reading. We seem to be going backwards in terms of water quality. I have given up swimming in the sea after contracting a serious illness the medical profession suggest I picked up there. These are pursuits we used to, and still should, take for granted. We should expect and demand that our elected representatives who have some level of control over this do far better than they currently do. I believe the state our water quality now is in brings shame on our country.

“Finally, I thought I’d share with you some recent emails from Highways with you. This followed a series of complaints from Highways regarding some recent repairs. The first was where a large culvert was replaced after waiting for three years! You imagine the bewildered surprise of the locals when they saw the input grate to the culvert had been placed some 8 inches above the catch point for water rushing down the road. When this was pointed out to the engineer, he emailed to say ‘hopefully it might catch some water from time to time’. That’s like a NASA engineer saying ‘let’s hope the engines fire on re-entry! The last one was a doozy when I got a reply from Highways saying ‘the road condition was not to our preferred standard, but no repairs will be undertaken at this time’. My complaint has always been that it doesn’t matter how much money a government throws at the state of our roads, there is a fundamental problem with how we do these repairs. The above two are just a couple of examples where ratepayers’ money has been wasted and are only a mile apart. Multiply that across the country and it’s obvious there must a catastrophic waste of money going on. Finally I’ll leave you with a recent repair near me where Highways filled a long repair by the side of the road. Did they use tarmac? Why do that when soil will do just as well!”

Cllr Twiss left the meeting.

185/24   To consider the hedges along Hayne Lane / Devonshire Road

Members heard that a resident had complained about the level of hedge cutting along this stretch of road, which they considered to be drastic.  However, councillors agreed that the cutting had been done outside of the nesting season, and now appeared to be growing back.

ACTION: Clerk to respond to resident.

186/24   To receive a report on the EDDC Local Plan and consider contracting a planning consultant

Cllr Valentine said he had formally submitted the parish council’s objections to EDDC’s Local Plan, and indicated that the GPC would like to be engaged in the process when the examination in public takes place.  He explained that Broadhembury PC had taken a different approach, and challenged the legal basis for the work done on the plan, after seeking advice from a planning consultant.  Members agreed with the Chair’s suggestion that a planning consultant should be invited to a future meeting to allow councillors to discuss whether someone representing the parish council would be an appropriate course of action.

Members heard that some parishioners had found the template letter helpful in submitting their comments to the Local Plan, and the Chair thanked Cllrs Rowe and Valentine who had drawn it up.    

ACTION: Clerk to contact Broadhembury PC to enquire about consultant advice.

The Chair and Cllr Valentine left the meeting.  Cllr Rowe took the chair.

187/24   To consider the following planning applications:

1. 1. 24/0514/FUL – Land adjacent to Town House, Gittisham EX14 3AJ – Demolition of existing agricultural buildings. Proposed housing scheme for 6no. CLT owned affordable homes for rent, and 3no. Estate owned open market houses

   Councillors had no objections to a).  The Chair and Cllr Valentine returned to the meeting.

   1. 25/0637/FUL – 2 Ferndale Close Honiton EX14 2YN – Construction of two-storey side extension
   2. 24/2270/FUL – Rapshayes Farm Gittisham EX14 3AB – Remove all external render and re-render with a lime-based mortar and construct enclosed front terrace, retaining walls and gate
   3. 24/2271/LBC – Rapshayes Farm Gittisham EX14 3AB – Replace door on front elevation, replace all windows. Remove all external render and re-render with a lime-based mortar and construct enclosed front terrace, retaining walls and gate
   4. 25/0659/LBC – Rapshayes Farm Gittisham EX14 3AB – To take down existing wall to barns 1 and 2 and rebuild as masonry cavity wall with stone face
   5. 25/0660/VAR – Rapshayes Farm Gittisham EX14 3AB – Variation of Condition number 2 (approved plans) on planning permission 20/0781/FUL (Conversion of barn to holiday let accommodation) proposal to take down existing wall to Barns 1 & 2 and rebuild as masonry cavity wall with stone face

   Councillors had no objections to b), c), d), e) and f).

   ACTION: Clerk to resend parish council’s supportive comments for a).

188/24     To receive reports from councillors on areas of responsibility and actions since the last meeting:

• To consider the provision of superfast broadband in the parish (Cllr Powell)

Cllr Powell said he had spoken to somebody at Virgin, who had advised him to make enquiries with Wildanet who specialise in rural broadband.  Cllr Powell agreed to get in touch with Richard Foord MP, as it has been almost a year since he met parish council members to discuss broadband.

• To note the latest planning decision notices

Cllr Orchard said there were no updates.

• To receive an update on Highways 

No planned works proposed for foreseeable future, although maintenance and safety checks of overhead power lines will close roads north of the parish in late April, said Cllr Orchard.

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

Nothing to report this month.

• To receive an update on public transport

Nothing to report this month.

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

Members discussed whether it would be necessary to reseed the area at the bottom of Old Elm Road, where travellers have appeared in the last day or so. 

• To consider limited residential development in the parish

Cllr Valentine said the Gittisham CLT board would be meeting on 23^rd April.  The deadline for the extension of time on the planning application expires on 6th June.  Survey work which was being required for the revised application has just been done and therefore there will be a report which can go to EDDC prior to 6th June.    

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

Members concluded that any progress on footpaths would be more likely to happen once the allocations in EDDC’s Local Plan had been decided, and so it was agreed to take this off the agenda for the time being.

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

The Chair thanked Cllr Powell for his donation of a Tom Putt apple tree.  Members discussed the work arising from the annual safety inspection, and noted that one of the swing frames was beginning to show its age.  It was agreed to ask one or more of the new councillors if they would get involved in carrying out some of the tasks identified.

ACTION: Cllr Powell to arrange a working party with Cllrs Rowe, Orchard and the new councillors.

ACTION: Clerk to ask safety inspector for advice on signs for the play area.

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

The Chair urged all members to identify areas which needed work and bring them to the next meeting, if they could not be fixed by councillors themselves.

ACTION: Clerk to contact Tom Cox at DCC Highways regarding the flood gauge for the Iron Bridge.

189/24     To receive a report from the Chair

The Chair said there was no update this month.

190/24     To approve the April payments and to note the current bank balance

Members resolved to approve the following payments:

F Clampin £266.75 clerk’s salary + £13.50 expenses (travel Ottery – Gittisham 7.5-mile round trip x 4 for agendas, minutes, election & March meeting @0.45p / mile)

Michael Poll, grass cutting play area £70 (inv. ref. 10390)

Alvian Play & Recreation, annual play area safety inspection £102 (inv. ref. INV-1188)

Gittisham PCC Jan–March parish room hire £45

DALC annual subscription £446.17

NEST £28.08 (clerk’s pension)

Members heard that the first half of the annual precept had been received, and were informed that the current bank balance stands at £27,265.49 (which includes approximately £7,156.88 in the business reserve account). 

191/24 To consider the casual vacancies in Gittisham Village & Gittisham Vale

Andrea Rye outlined her experience and what skills she felt she could bring to the parish council.  She said she was particularly keen to be involved in anything plant-related.  Ms Rye and Gary Pester were elected by a unanimous vote to represent Gittisham Vale and Gittisham Village ward respectively.

ACTION: Clerk to send new councillors register of interests form and investigate training courses. 

Andrea Rye left the meeting.

192/24 Clerk’s report

None.

193/24     For information only; items for the forward agenda

No additional items.

194/24     To consider any late entry correspondence

The clerk said she had reported the encampment on land at the bottom of Old Elm Road to both the police and EDDC.  The Chair said she had replied to several residents’ enquiries about this.

195/24     Date of next two meetings  

Thursday 8^th May and Thursday 5th June 2025 at 7.30pm.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2035 hrs.

Chair…………………………………….

8th May 2025