Council Meeting – 13th April 2026

The following Councillors are summoned to attend:

Cllr J. Abbey, Cllr I. Mitchelmore, Cllr T. Fletcher, Cllr J. Harris, Cllr S. Lange, Cllr I. Luscombe, Cllr P. Osborne and Cllr G. Sutton.

Cllr J. Brazil, Cllr L. Lawford and members of the public are invited to attend.

The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Monday 13th April 2026, in Slapton Village Hall (main hall), at 7.00 pm.

The public comment section is 15 minutes in duration with 3 minutes allocated per person. If any parishioners wish to speak in relation to a matter on the agenda, please contact the clerk by email clerk@slaptonparishcouncil-devon.gov.uk 48 hours in advance of the meeting.

AGENDA

1) APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Does the PC resolve to accept the reasons for apologies for absence from…?

2) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Councillors are invited to declare any disclosable interest they may have in any items to be considered. They are also reminded to consider whether, in the light of recent activities, any items within their Register of Interests should be updated.

3) PUBLIC COMMENT

4) COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS

a. Cllr J. Brazil

b. Cllr L. Lawford

5) MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 2nd March 2026, if agreed, to be signed by the Chair as a true and correct record. (See separate document 5).

6) PLANNING

a. Applications (for resolution):

i. 0561/26/HHO Rogmore, Sands Road, Slapton TQ7 2QN

Householder application for alterations and extensions

PC comment by 29th April 2026

ii. 0798/26/FUL Land At Sx 800 471 (Dittiscombe Barn), Slapton

Permanent agricultural workers dwelling

PC comment by 16th April 2026

Decisions (for information):

i. 0096/26/TPO Kippax, 2 Chantry Hill, Slapton, TQ7 2QY

TPO 77; T1: Ash – remove, cavities and decay present, suspected Dieback, Ivy infestation, risk of failure onto property. T2: Poplar – crown reduce by 3m overall, bifurcating limbs, codependent limbs, risk of failure

SHDC decision: Conditional approval

ii. 0293/26/TCA Rosevine, Sands Road, Slapton, TQ7 2QY

T1: Quince Tree – Crown reduction by approximately 0.5 meters from branch tips. T2 & T3: Apple Trees – Overall crown reduction by 2 meters

SHDC decision: Conditional approval

Withdrawn: None

7) MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION

a. A379 Slapton Line

b. Village road signage

c. Defibrillator training

d. Councillors sharing the load

e. Contract renewal

8) PROPOSALS RESOLUTION

a. Purchase and installation of software for new Clerk and Chair laptops

b. Date for May’s PC meeting, annual meeting of the parish council – to avoid bank holiday (if agreed, notice must be given on website and noticeboards asap)

c. Date for annual parish meeting – move from 20th April to a date in May to allow time for new Clerk to prepare (if agreed, notice must be given on website and noticeboards asap)

d. Year-end: The PC must discuss and resolve how to answer each of the statements in section 1 – Annual Governance Statement 25-26. Chair to sign, followed by Clerk to sign – see separate document.

e. Does the PC approve the Asset Register? See separate document

f. Year end: Does the PC approve the year end Bank Reconciliation 25-26? Chair to sign, See separate document.

g. Year end: Does the PC approve the Year End Accounts Summary (Receipts and Payments) 25-26 – see separate document.

h. Year end: Does the PC approve Section 2 – Annual Accounting Statement 25-26. Chair to sign – see separate document.

i. Year end: Does the PC approve the Explanation of variances 25-26. See separate document.

j. Year end: Does the PC approve the confirmation of the dates of the period for the exercise of public rights. Chair to sign – see separate document.

9) CLERK’S REPORT: Update from Clerk on matters arising since March’s PC meeting

10) CHAIR’S REPORT: Update from Chair on matters arising since March’s PC meeting

11) COUNCILLOR REPORTS: Update from Cllrs on matters arising since March’s PC meeting

12) REVIEW OF ACTION LOG: Status update (see separate document)

13) FINANCIAL MATTERS

a. Payments to approve: Does the PC approve the payments below, which have been examined, verified and certified by the Clerk and RFO? (see separate document)

Payment no	Details of payment	Amount GBP	Paid for noting
1	VC Warehouse: March phone. Invoice no 1016839, dated 1st March 2026	11.94
2	Sullock Building & Maintenance: Bus Stop Repair. Invoice no INV-0025, dated 23rd March 2026	104.58
3	DALC: Being a Good Councillor Webinar. Invoice no 7514, dated 25th March 2026	18.00
4	Mathias Property Solutions: Grass cutting for March 2026. Invoice no 2239/26, dated 29th March 2026	371.46
5	Woolston Accounts: Mar payroll. Invoice no INV-1111, dated 31st March 2026	20.00
6	VC Warehouse: April phone. Invoice no 1016984, dated 1st April 2026	11.94
7	DALC: Membership Subscription. Invoice no 7538, dated 1st April 2026	218.56
8	B Moor: Clerk’s salary – payment in lieu of holiday plus £24 Expense reimbursement and £2.12 Employers NIC	£455.13  £2.12
9	H Iles: Clerk’s salary Feb & Mar 2026, £160 PAYE tax, £57.55 Employers NIC, plus £26.00 WFH allowance	£666.67  £57.55

*Additional invoices received after the agenda has been issued will be available for review at the meeting 

b. Balance at bank  

Balance as per bank statements on 31.03.26	Amount GBP
Community Account	7019.21
Commercial Instant Access Account	14,452.83
Total	25,946.19

 c. Receipts summary   

Receipts as per bank statements on 31.01.26	Amount GBP
Community Account	0.00
Commercial Instant Access Account   March interest 5.52	5.52
Total	5.52

The next Parish Council Meeting will be held on
Monday 4th May 2026 at 7.00 pm at Slapton Village Hall (main hall).  

Signed: Hannah Iles, Clerk Date: 06.04.26 

 Draft Minutes

Those in attendance: Cllr J. Abbey (Chair), Cllr T. Fletcher, Cllr J. Harris, Cllr S. Lange, Cllr P. Osborne, Cllr G. Sutton 

Mr and Mrs Aubrey attended the meeting to listen to the comments on their planning application and the discussions on the Slapton Line. They arrived at 7.00pm and left at 7.52pm. 

Jenny Hallett was also in attendance. 

1:26 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Cllr I Luscombe was absent. The council also acknowledged apologies from Cllr L. Lawford and Cllr. J Brazil. 

 2:26 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: Councillors were invited to declare any disclosable interest they may have in any items to be considered; Cllr J. Harris declared an interest in item 6ai as the property shares a border with his own property. 

 3:26 PUBLIC COMMENT 

None 

4:26 COUNTY AND DISTRICTS COUNCILLOR REPORT: None received 

5:26 MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 2 FEBRUARY 2026, were agreed and signed by the chair as a true and accurate record. Date amended from 1nd to 2nd March and initialled by the chair. 

6:26 PLANNING 

 a. Applications (for resolution):  

 i.0561/26/HHO Rogmore, Sands Road, Slapton TQ7 2QN  

Householder application for alterations and extensions 

PC comment by 29th April 2026 

It was proposed unanimously that the Parish Council has no comment to make on this application. 

Clerk to action. 

ii. 0798/26/FUL Land At Sx 800 471 (Dittiscombe Barn), Slapton 

Permanent agricultural workers dwelling 

PC comment by 16th April 2026 

The council noted that only one property should be situated on the site. It was proposed unanimously that the Parish Council support this application, but that they would ask for it to be stipulated that the caravan be removed once the house is completed. 

Clerk to action. 

b Decisions (for information):  

i. 0096/26/TPO Kippax, 2 Chantry Hill, Slapton, TQ7 2QY  

TPO 77; T1: Ash – remove, cavities and decay present, suspected Dieback, Ivy infestation, risk of failure onto property. T2: Poplar – crown reduce by 3m overall, bifurcating limbs, codependent limbs, risk of failure 

SHDC decision: Conditional approval 

ii. 0293/26/TCA Rosevine, Sands Road, Slapton, TQ7 2QY  

T1: Quince Tree – Crown reduction by approximately 0.5 meters from branch tips. T2 & T3: Apple Trees – Overall crown reduction by 2 meters 

SHDC decision: Conditional approval  

c. Withdrawn: None  

7:26 MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION 

a. A379 Slapton Line – 

• Amenities – Cllr Abbey and Cllr Osborne attended the amenities meeting at Follaton House, noting that the meeting was poorly attended. Cllr Abbey shared the minutes of the meeting with the Parish Council prior to this meeting. Cllr Osborne raised the working groups proposal for pop up businesses on the line, giving local businesses first refusal but they expressed that the logistics of their businesses in Torcross and Stokenham running the pop-up businesses was too difficult, in part because of the road being closed and also because they cannot spare the manpower. Torcross have an action group with a list of their own issues, including access to the beach and swimming. It has been announced that the Environment Agency have found a significant sum (details to be confirmed) to strengthen the sea defences in front of the properties at Torcross (similar to the structures at Beesands), this is to be confirmed this month. A website, Start Bay Open for Business, with an interactive map has been created by a group of local businesses to let people know that the businesses around Start Bay are open and the best routes for access. There have been news stories and magazine articles and signage has been placed around the area to remind people that the businesses are open. 

• Highways – Cllr Osborne was given permission to speak at the Highways meeting at Follaton House and expressed the challenges to road users. The outcome was that only signage as detailed in the highway code can be used, only temporary road signs can have more information. Road ahead closed signs are appropriate but are not informing people they can access Slapton.  Informal signs could not be commented on, but signs that obstruct the highway or were placed on the highway would not be allowed. At the inland road network meeting, which was much better attended by parish councils and highways. The manager of the passing place project shared slides, which Councillor Abbey shared with the Parish Council prior to this meeting. Devon Highways have approval for £1 million to spend on passing places, at a cost of £22,000 each, this works out to 50 new passing places and highways need to choose from 240 potential locations. Highways listened to feedback from the parish councils, who had the advantage of local knowledge. The working group are expecting to hear more news before the end of April. Focus will be on the north/south roads, with additional signs to stop the larger vehicles using the roads that should be used only by smaller, local vehicles. Councillors noted that now a 56-seat coach has used the route between Slapton and Stokenham we know that large vehicles can fit down there and pass over the bridge but no vehicles are able to pass coming the other way. Individuals have previously contacted SatNav companies, such as Ways, who have amended their routes based on that contact. Councillors noted that Lisa Edmonds has confirmed that the white marks around potholes do not signify that a pothole would be fixed, only that it will be surveyed. The landowner of the area to be dredged at Deer Bridge needs to be identified. Cllr Abbey has put in a lot of work to obtain confirmation that dredging work can be carried out. The work will need to be carried out when the area is dry. If the work is carried out properly it should limit future flooding. Raising the height at Torcross weir impacts the flooding at Deer Bridge. It was noted that during the worst of the flooding the single keyholder was away and when they returned and opened the weir the levels dropped and flooding subsided. 

• Slapton Alliance meeting – the aim of the alliance appeared to be getting the road repaired. There was not much to take away from the initial meeting but there were a lot of discussions. An interesting point raised by Peter Hadley of Frogmore and Sherford Parish Council was the possibility of using semi-permanent bridge structures that could be moved in future to where they are needed. 

• FSC Position Statement – the position statement was shared with the Parish Council before this meeting. Councillors cannot understand why Greenbanks/Brandis Park are being used for pickups instead the new FSC car park. Views from villagers that have been shared with the Parish Council hint that the situation is creating poor feeling within the village, noting that routes and property access have being blocked and coaches have been seen parking on Five Mile Lane while the car park is incomplete, despite there being enough space to continue working around a parked coach. Councillors noted that the community benefits from the FSC, boosting local businesses and providing employment but councillors need to be consistent in highlighting planning contraventions when people raise concerns. Cllr Abbey will respond to the FSC following the meeting and will contact Tally Ho regarding their understanding of the parking arrangements. 

• Councillors are concerned that the taxi service is not frequent enough and there is only one taxi provided, if it is full/going to Kingsbridge when you want to go to Dartmouth or vice versa people are marooned. This will impact the campsites and other holiday accommodation providers and businesses. Councillors wondered whether Tally Ho would ferry people in the empty school bus return journeys. Councillors are concerned about loneliness and isolation and the effect on local businesses of staff and customers. Cllr Osborne and Cllr Abbey will draft an email to explain why the bus service needs to be reinstated and locate the best recipients to act on their request. 

 b. Village road signage 

Future Client provided 40 signs for free to support the local community. Cllr Osborne proposed more signs for the village warning large vehicles where roads are unsuitable. Drafts of the proposed signs and costings were shared with councillors prior to this meeting. Councillors discussed the signs and potential sign locations. The yellow on black signs were agreed. Councillors discussed the value for money of the signs. Cllr Osborne proposed the purchase of the yellow signs 395+VAT, Cllr Lange seconded. All were in favour. 

Councillors discussed a resident’s request for a sign at Deer Bridge to warn motorists about wildlife in the road, councillors decided that in this instance they would not be able to purchase a sign but that the resident could make a sign, so long as it was positioned on private land, with the agreement of the landowner and did not obstruct the highway. 

c. Defibrillator training – councillors would prefer to hold the next training session on a weekend, but if this is not possible then one evening in the next month or two. Clerk to action 

d. Councillors sharing the load – since the line went the PC have been given the opportunity to demonstrate their value. The crisis has required additional work for the council. A lot of the work has fallen on Cllr Abbey and to a lesser extent Cllr Osborne. Cllr Abbey has expended a huge amount of effort. All councillors present agreed that this is a fair comment. Councillors working and other commitments should be considered but Cllr Osborne proposed that the workload should be divided more equally between councillors. Cllr Lange suggested councillors could take on specific roles, that would need to be considered to see how they could be made fair. Councillors agree that everyone should step in and ensure that not everything is left with Cllr Abbey. Councillors feel that they need more support in stepping in if they are not as familiar with an issue, it can be daunting to attend a meeting if you are not confident to participate. 

e. Contract renewal – councillors agreed to ask Nick Mathias via email to extend the current contract for three to four months while the council fulfil their obligation to seek additional quotes. 

Clerk to action 

 8:26 PROPOSALS RESOLUTION 

a. Purchase and installation of software for new Clerk and Chair laptops – Cllr Abbey proposed, Cllr Lange seconded and it was resolved unanimously that the PC agree to the purchase and installation of a Microsoft 365 business standard subscription to be supplied by Ian Tomlinson for the clerk’s laptop. 

Clerk to action 

b. Date for May’s PC meeting, the annual meeting of the parish council -To avoid the bank holiday Cllr Abbey proposed, Cllr Harris seconded and it was resolved unanimously that the PC agree to hold the May PC meeting and annual meeting of the full council on 6th May 2026. The clerk should contact the Village Hall to confirm the booking. 

Clerk to action 

c. Date for annual parish meeting Cllr Abbey proposed, Cllr Osborne seconded and it was resolved unanimously that the PC agree to hold the Annual Parish Meeting on 20th May at 6.30pm. The clerk should contact the Village Hall to confirm the booking. 

Clerk to action 

d. Year-end: Annual Governance Statement 25-26 – there was discussion and agreement about each of the statements and how to answer them. Cllr Osbsorne proposed, Cllr Abbey seconded and it was resolved unanimously that the PC should answer yes to all statements and that the Chair and Clerk should sign the completed Annual Governance Statement 25-26. 

e. Asset Register Cllr Abbey proposed, Cllr osborne seconded and it was resolved unanimously to approve the Asset Register.  

f. Year end: Bank Reconciliation 25-26 – Cllr Abbey proposed, Cllr Sutton seconded and it was resolved unanimously to approve the Bank Reconciliation 25-26. 

g. Year end: Year End Accounts Summary (Receipts and Payments) 25-26 – Cllr Lange proposed, Cllr Abbey seconded and it was resolved unanimously to approve the Year End Accounts Summary. 

h. Year end: Annual Accounting Statement 25-26 – Cllr Abbey proposed, Cllr Lange seconded and it was resolved unanimously to approve the Annual Accounting Statement 25-26 and that the Chair should sign the completed form. 

i. Year end: Explanation of variances 25-26. – Cllr Osborne proposed, Cllr Sutton seconded and it was resolved unanimously to approve the Explanation of Variances 25-26.  

j. Year end: Confirmation of the dates of the period for the exercise of public rights – Cllr osborne proposed, Cllr abbey seconded and it was resolved unanimously to approve the confirmation of the dates of the period of exercise of public rights as 3rd June 2026 to 14th July 2026. 

9:26 CLERK’S REPORT: There was no report from the clerk this month. 

10:26 CHAIR’S REPORT: Update from Chair on matters arising since March’s PC meeting. 

There has been no response from Tom Vaughan on bus stop risk assessment. Councillors will need to find their own surveyor. Cllr Lange agreed to look for a surveyor. The filing cabinet has been installed in the loft by Cllr Abbey and Bella Moor. There is no progress with the sewage being released in Slapton Ley despite the efforts of Cllr Fletcher and Cllr Abbey. South West Water has stated that it will now do more damage to rectify the spill than the sewage will do. There will be a film shown in Kingsbridge Cinema in May about SWW being sued. There have already been 156 spills to end of February this year, their target is 10 fro the entire year. DALC are running an AI training course if any councillors are interested.  

 Councillors thanked Cllr Abbey for the time and effort she has put into the Slapton Line. 

 11:26COUNCILLOR REPORTS: Update from Cllrs on matters arising since March’s PC meeting. 

Cllr Sutton – The PCC meeting took place at St James the Great church, the concerns about the back roads were discussed. They asked if they could be kept in the loop by the PC and noted that they are appreciative of the Slapton Live Facebook page updates. 

Cllr Osborne reported on the proposed gates at the line to prevent motorbikes on the road. The communication from the council and subsequent response demonstrate that the council’s voice is important. Slapton Live has requested more news and photos from the Parish Council. The traffic photos, signs and sewage need to be shared. 

 12:26 REVIEW OF ACTION LOG: Status update (see separate document 12) 

Cllr Lange obtained a quote for the scalpings to be delivered but it is more that the amount approved at the March PC meeting due to the high delivery cost. Cllr Harris will obtain an additional quote. 

Cllr Lange is having trouble logging in to his email account. 

Clerk to action. 

 13:26 FINANCIAL MATTERS  

a. Payments to approve: Cllr Abbey proposed, Cllr Mitchelmore seconded and it was resolved unanimously to approve the payments below, which have been examined, verified and certified by the clerk and RFO. Payment no 1 on the agenda, VC Warehouse invoice number 1016839 has already been approved at the March PC meeting and will not be included on the payments for 2026-7. A duplicate payment was made to Woolston Accounts in March, this was discovered when the bank account was reconciled against the cash book. Woolston Accounts agreed to allocate the additional payment against invoice no INV-1111, which was listed as payment number 5 on the agenda. The payment was included on the payments for 2026-7, payment no 129/25 This payment was approved by the council at this meeting but will not be included on the payments for 2026-7 as it has already been paid. 

The clerk and the chair to action the payments. 

 

Payment no	Details of payment	Amount GBP	Paid for noting
1	SHDC: Charge for emptying Dog Bin. Invoice no 22393891, dated 1st April 2026	156.00
2	Sullock Building & Maintenance: Bus Stop Repair. Invoice no INV-0025, dated 23rd March 2026	104.58
3	DALC: Being a Good Councillor Webinar. Invoice no 7514, dated 25th March 2026	18.00
4	Mathias Property Solutions: Grass cutting for March 2026. Invoice no 2239/26, dated 29th March 2026	371.46
5	Mathias Property Solutions: Road Warden for March 2026. Invoice no 2245/26, dated 11th April 2026	368.72
6	VC Warehouse: April phone. Invoice no 1016984, dated 1st April 2026	11.94
7	DALC: Membership Subscription. Invoice no 7538, dated 1st April 2026	218.56
8	B Moor: Clerk’s salary – payment in lieu of holiday plus £24 Expense reimbursement	£455.13
9	H Iles: Clerk’s salary Feb & Mar 2026, plus £26.00 WFH allowance	£666.67
10	DALC: Being a Good Councillor Webinar. Invoice no 7616, dated 8th March 2026	£18.00
11	Rural Services Partnership: Membership. Invoice no RVSG/26/27/34, dated 2nd April 2026	£66.16
12	HMRC: PAYE Income Tax. PAYE reference 120/LA58268	£160.00

 b. Balance at bank 

 

Balance as per bank statements on 31.03.26	Amount GBP
Community Account	7019.21
Commercial Instant Access Account	14,452.83
Total	25,946.19

 c. Receipts summary  

 

Receipts as per bank statements on 31.01.26	Amount GBP
Community Account	0.00
Commercial Instant Access Account   March interest 5.52	5.52
Total	5.52

 

The next Parish Council Meeting will be held on
Wednesday 6th May 2026 at 7.00 pm at Slapton Village Hall (main hall).  

 The meeting closed at 21.35