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:
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- 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
