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, Cllr A Powell
In attendance: one member of the public, Fiona Clampin (clerk)
Apologies for absence: Cllr A Rye, Cllr Alasdair Bruce (EDDC)
173/25 To accept and approve apologies
Apologies were received and accepted.
174/25 To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 5th March 2026
The minutes of the meeting held on 5th March 2026 were confirmed and signed by the Chair.
175/25 To receive the Beat Manager’s Report
January 2026 [unchanged since previous meeting]
Longlands Way: 1 x other theft
176/25 To consider declarations of interest
None.
177/25 To consider actions arising from the last meeting not otherwise on the agenda
The clerk passed on a new battery for the Hayne Farm defibrillator to Cllr Powell. Cllr Valentine said he had ordered replacement pads for the village defibrillator.
178/25 To receive reports from County Council and District Council representatives
In his absence, Cllr Bruce sent the following report: “This will be my last report for your retiring Chair of Gittisham Parish Council. Carol has been a strong force for good in your village and I know will be greatly missed. In my experience as a district councillor, she has been most helpful and supportive in helping me understand the particular aspects that impact this ward, whilst also holding me to account if I missed anything! I for one will very much miss her good counsel. I wish her all the best.
“Potholes have been dominating my inbox, no surprise there I hear you say. What I am surprised at is the blizzard of road closures, especially around the Easter break. Yesterday, in my area I encountered six roads closed both major and minor. In two instances diversions from a main road sent you down roads that were closed further along! This is just plain bonkers. No information was visible as to where the works were and how long they would be in place (one stretch on the Stockland hill road is about seven miles long). In this day and age this lack of information is completely unacceptable. I hate to think of the chaos and mayhem that locals and visitors will experience this Bank holiday. I have sent an email to cabinet members at `Devon County council, demanding urgent action around what appears to be an unplanned and uncoordinated approach to the state of our roads.
“A motion is possibly coming to full council later this month with a view to garner a statement that a tourist tax will not be imposed by EDDC. I have been asked for my support, but I have reservations. My first is around how much impact this may have on our already struggling tourist industry, both positive and negative. Secondly, it is not always clear where any collected revenue would go and who would oversee it. If it was properly ring-fenced for purely supporting the industry it was levied by, for example, in improving and upgrading facilities used by tourists and locals alike, toilets springs to mind, then it might be worth considering. However, my fear is that it may get absorbed into a general fund with little, if any, targeted at where it’s going to benefit those that paid it. I’m sure the debate will be lively and passionate.
“Finally, I am struggling to get action on a number of enforcement actions in our area. This is mainly due to the council only having three enforcement officers (two as I write this). Given the size of our district, and the volume of applications which need an eye on, I’m frankly staggered that this critical part of our planning responsibilities has been allowed to deteriorate to this level. In my view, until this is addressed, how can we be confident that rogue builders will be held to account, and the wholesale abuse of our planning rules run amuck?
So, on that less than positive note, I wish everyone a safe and pothole free Bank Holiday.”
The clerk said she would contact Cllr Bruce regarding Combe Estate’s concerns over the recent spate of flytipping. Justin Lascelles has asked if EDDC can suggest a way of disposing of the growing volume of flytipped materials without additional expense or increased paperwork.
ACTION: Clerk to ask PCSO England for more anti-flytipping signs.
Cllr Jefferies did not send a report this month.
179/25 To consider the following planning application:
a) 25/0369/FUL – Roebuck Farm Weston EX14 3PB – Proposed MOT station, hard-standing and widened access track (retrospective) and surface water drainage works
Cllr Orchard said one of the reports with the above retrospective application contained a reference to the widening of a track, but it’s not clear whether this is retrospective or a future possibility. As before (June 2025) members objected to this application which risks increasing vehicle movements in the surrounding area. They also expressed concern and disappointment that the felling of several mature trees had taken place outside the context of a planning application and during bird nesting season.
ACTION: Clerk to clarify track widening reference with EDDC.
180/25 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 since the last meeting, Tom Hills of Radio Fibre has been in dialogue with Combe Estate’s land agent to try to agree compensation payments to the tenant farmers and negotiate the fee for the wayleaves. Cllr Rowe said he had asked Tom Hills whether or not he believed the infrastructure would soon become obsolete. But Tom Hills has replied to say that the government funding is available, and it will be a government-owned piece of infrastructure that is free for any other provider to use once installed. He also added that residents using Starlink will not be refused broadband vouchers, as it is not deemed to be a counter-service to fibre broadband.
Cllr Powell said he would draft an email to Connecting Devon & Somerset to request £20,000 to cover the wayleaves and solicitors’ fees. Members agreed that bartering was time-consuming and it is important to press ahead.
ACTION: Cllr Powell to draft an email that the clerk will send to CDS.
- To note the latest planning decision notices
- None.
- To receive an update on Highways
04–22 May 2000-0600hrs Construction / Improvement/Upgrading – A30 westbound and eastbound, Daisymount to Turks Head junctions.
14 May 0930–1530. Road through Alfington closed for Openreach pole test.
The Chair said it was disappointing that the meeting between Tom Cox, DCC’s NHO, parish councillors and the tenant farmer had not gone ahead. But it was noted this meeting has been postponed, not cancelled. Cllr Rowe said that Network Rail’s assertion that it has fixedthe blockage at e4 / 483a near the Iron Bridge is false. He added that the flood gauge underneath the Iron Bridge junction is now at the correct height.
ACTION: Clerk to write to Network Rail again about the blockage at e4 / 483a.
- 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
There was nothing to report this month.
- To consider updating the parish emergency plan
Councillors discussed buying a salt spreader for the parish, and mulled over various different models.
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- To consider climate change measures within the parish, including proposals for rewilding land in the parish
Councillors decided on various small ‘wins’ that would reflect the parish council’s commitment to mitigating the effects of climate change and help make Gittisham greener. It was agreed to buy some owl boxes, and encourage the public to suggest locations where they can be installed. Councillors are also hopeful of organising a bird box making session and a nature-type event in the village play area, perhaps in connection with the Devon Wildlife Trust (DWT) and / or RSPB. The parish council will be promoting no-mow May next month; this is turning into an annual event that allows wildflowers to bloom, providing vital nectar for pollinators and increasing biodiversity. Cllr Powell reported that a new management company will be in place at Hayne Farm in the near future, and therefore Cllr Rye will be able to discuss the hedges with the new company.
ACTION: Cllr Rowe to write an article for the gazette, encouraging residents to get involved.
ACTION: Cllr Powell to contact the person in Broadhembury who ran a bird box-making workshop.
ACTION: Cllr Pester to contact DWT about a bat detector.
ACTION: Cllr Rye to apply to the Woodland Trust for a hedge pack. https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/plant-trees/schools-and-communities/
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- To consider limited residential development in the parish
Cllr Valentine said he would be meeting the GCLT mentors and Combe Estate next week to discuss next steps and how to mitigate the huge increase in costs from EDDC outsourcing solicitors’ work. He added that he would like to hold another community event in the next few months to update the public about the developing situation and introduce those who are unaware of the GCLT to the project.
- 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
Members discussed the current state of the petanque court, and how to reduce the amount of weeds. The clerk agreed to contact Michael Poll for his advice. Cllr Pester said that Taylor Signs in Honiton would have the signage ready at some point w/c 6th April. Members noted the annual play area inspection report, which did not flag up any major issues. Cllr Powell said the bench was looking rather wobbly and could do with some treatment, and suggested taking it to the Men’s Shed in Ottery. In addition, the bug hotel is missing some rooms, and Cllr Powell suggested putting out an appeal for spare broom handles which can be cut up and holes drilled in them. Members also heard that there are three dead trees in the wild area. The Chair said while it was too late in the year for planting, any interested families can make it known that they would like to fund replacement trees.
ACTION: Clerk to contact Michael Poll about weeds, and also ask whether he can cast an eye over the timber work of the play equipment and see if anything needs replacing / repairing.
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- To consider the work of the parish lengthsman
The clerk said Justin Lascelles was investigating who is responsible for the road surface outside the Dower House, as discussed at the March meeting. Cllr Powell agreed to talk to Fabian Trim about it and see if he could make recommendations.
181/25 To receive a report from the Chair
The Chair said Michael Poll had done an excellent job in sprucing up the village bus shelter, adding some shelves and painting it inside and out. It’s hoped the Vale bus shelter can get similar treatment in the near future.
The Chair said she would be standing down from the editor role of the Gittisham Gazette. Members discussed the future direction and format of the gazette, which has been in existence since at least the 1990s. Cllr Rowe agreed to lead a new automated email system and website format for the gazette, to which people can subscribe. He added that one option would be to ask local businesses to advertise, which could pay for hard copies in future if needed.
ACTION: Clerk to ask Michael Poll if he can work on the Vale bus shelter.
182/25 To approve the April payments and to note the current bank balance
Members resolved to approve the following payments:
F Clampin £275.29 clerk’s salary + £8.45 expenses (travel Ottery – Gittisham 7.5-mile round trip x 2 for agenda & March meeting @0.45p / mile + stamp £1.70 for VAT rebate application)
HMRC (clerk’s tax, payable via F Clampin, see explanation below) £1.60
DALC annual subscription £465.82 (inv. ref. 7364)
Michael Poll £280 bus shelter refurbishment (inv. ref. 10478)
Michael Poll £75 play area grass cut (inv. ref. 10480)
Michael Poll £75 play area grass cut (inv. ref. 10485)
Gittisham Gazette printing costs, £180
Gittisham PCC, parish room hire £120
Alvian Play & Recreation £102 (annual safety inspection, village play area)
NEST (clerk’s pension) £28.98
The clerk said she would pay HMRC with her personal debit card. She will circulate the confirmation email when paid. Members heard that three years’ worth of VAT rebates had been claimed totalling £1,811.76, and one half of the annual precept received. The current bank balance stands at £29,450.70 (which includes approximately £7,309.30 in the business reserve account).
183/25 To consider proposals to reduce the balance of Gittisham Parish Council’s reserves, including two interpretation boards.
Members agreed with Cllr Rowe’s suggestion that the Gittisham website was due a refresh. He added that some people find the site difficult to use on their mobile ‘phones. All agreed to encourage residents to send in photos that could be used for the site.
ACTION: Clerk to contact Websites Ahoy about a refresh.
184/25 To update the parish council’s bank mandate and add new authorised signatories
Members resolved to remove Carol Hall and Janet Twist as authorised signatories. Members agreed to add Peter Orchard, Gary Pester and Alex Rowe as authorised signatories, with Alex Rowe appointed as the account administrator.
185/25 Clerk’s report
The clerk said she could not make the date of the May meeting, so it would be necessary to reschedule.
186/25 For information only; items for the forward agenda
Cllr Valentine led all members in a thank you to Carol Hall. This was Cllr Hall’s last meeting as Chair, as she has tendered her resignation as a parish councillor. All present thanked Carol for her outstanding service to the local community and dedication in leading the parish council, and said she would be greatly missed.
Standing orders and election of a new Chair on the agenda for next month.
187/25 To consider any late entry correspondence
None.
188/25 Date of next two meetings
Thursday 14th May and Thursday 4th June 2026 at 7.30pm
There being no further business, the meeting closed at 2105 hrs.
Chair…………………………………….
14th May 2026
