Council Meeting – 6th January 2025

IN THE COLERIDGE HUNDRED OF THE SOUTH HAMS OF DEVON

The following Councillors are summoned to attend:
Cllr J. Abbey (Chair), Cllr I. Mitchelmore (Vice Chair), Cllr C. Staines, Cllr M. Crowson, Cllr J. Waters, Cllr P. Osborne, Cllr S. Lange, Cllr I. Luscombe and Cllr G. Sutton.

The next meeting of the Parish Council held on Monday 6th January 2025, at Slapton Village Hall (main hall), at 7.00 pm.

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

If any parishioners wish to speak at the meeting, please submit your papers or questions by email to clerk@slaptonparishcouncil-devon.gov.uk 48 hours in advance of the meeting. The public comment section is 15 minutes in duration with 3 minutes allocated per person.

AGENDA

1) APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Does the PC resolve to accept the reasons for the 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) POLICE REPORT: None

5) COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS

a. Cllr J. Brazil

b. Cllr L. Lawford

6) MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 2nd December 2024, if agreed, to be signed by the Chair as a true and correct record. See separate document (6).

7) PLANNING

a. Applications

i. 3811/24/FUL Pittaford Farm, Slapton, TQ7 2QG
Provision of an agricultural building
Consultation date ended 02.01.25
PC comment submitted 01.01.25: Comment – The PC has no objections to this application, having reviewed available documents including responses from Highways, SWW and DCC’s ecologist and notes the conditions suggested in the Ecology Response

b. Decisions (for information only)

i. 3893/24/CCN Land at Deer Bridge, Slapton, TQ7 2QD
Caravan Club Notification of proposed exempted campsite to accommodate 5 caravans / campervan pitches & 5 tent pitches on site for the use of club members
PC comment submitted 16.12.24: Objection
SHDC Decision 19.12.24: Refused

c. Trees Works (for information only – Tree Wardens will assess and comment): None

d. Withdrawn (for information only)

i. 3064/24/PDM Land At Sx 804 470 Slapton
Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed change of use of agricultural building to 1 No dwelling house (class C3) & associated development (Class Q (a+b))

8) PROPOSALS FOR RESOLUTION

a) Internal Audit: Does the PC wish to use Devon Assurance (formerly Audit) Partnership to carry out the Internal Audit for year end 24-25 (2 days at £347 + VAT per day)?

b) Does the PC wish to submit a precept demand of £30,180.00 for year end 25-26 or would it like to adjust this figure? Clerk to present draft budget to PC before this motion is voted on. See separate document (8b)

9) MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION

a) Draft SPC Community Emergency Plan: Can Cllrs help to fill the gaps as per Cllrs Abbey and Osborne’s emails so the plan can be finalised asap? See separate documents (9a 1 and 9a 2)

10) MATTERS IN ABEYANCE: None

11) CLERK’S REPORT

a. Verbal update from Clerk on any matters arising since December’s PC meeting

12) CHAIR’S REPORT

a. Verbal update from Chair on any matters arising since December’s PC meeting

13) COUNCILLOR REPORTS

a. Verbal update from Cllr Sutton on OPCC
b. Any other reports

14) REVIEW OF ACTION LOG

a. Cllr and Clerk updates on any pending actions/actions requiring a status update in the action log – See separate document (14a).

15) 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 documents (15a).

Payment no	Details of payment	Amount GBP	Paid for noting
VISA116	Amazon Houseware Ltd, Deskit A4 Laminating Pouches. Invoice no: INV-GB-132371331-2024-85436	17.95 14.96 + 2.99 VAT	Paid
117	Village Hall: Community Café 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th November. Invoice no: C12928/24, dated 03.12.24	100.00
118	Village Hall: PC meeting 4th Nov 2024. Invoice no: C12929/24, dated 03.12.24	20.00
119	Filmbank Media Licence for 7th December Film (Community Cinema). Invoice no: 06330117, dated 16.12.24	104.40 87.00 + 17.40 VAT
120	Chris Hunt Bar (Community Cinema). Invoice no 6, dated 17.12.24	83.20
121	Nick Mathias December Road Warden. Invoice no: 1961/25, dated 20.12.24	366.02
122	Clerk’s salary December plus £24 WFH allowance	845.20
123	Cranheath: Village Clean on 10th and 11th December. Invoice no: INV-4466, dated 14.12.24	1,848.00 1,540.00 + 308.00 VAT

*Any additional invoices received before the meeting will be shared at the meeting.

 

b. Balance at bank

Balance as per bank statements on 31.12.24	Amount GBP
Events Treasurers Account	0
Treasurers Account	12,656.16
Instant Access Savings Account	12,874.83
Total	25,530.99

 

c. Receipts summary

Receipts as per bank statements on 31.12.24	Amount GBP
Events Treasurers Account (Card payments from Dec Community Cinema transferred to Treasurers Acct on 31.12.24)	201.41
Treasurers Account (Cash payments from Oct and Dec bar and Dec tickets at Community Cinema – transferred from B. Moor)	242.00
Instant Access Savings Account (December interest)	10.76
Total	454.17

 

d. 3rd quarter budget updates/forecasts and bank reconciliation

i. Does the PC approve the forecast variations, together with possible overspends in the following cost centres? See separate document (15d i) for full explanation
• Clerk’s remuneration -£120.00
• Hall hire -£31.50
• Office expenses -£154.15
• Mowing -£22.74

ii. Does the PC approve the following transfers from the Savings Account to the Treasurers Account? See separate document (15d ii) for reasons
• £565.68 of £1,565.68 from ringfenced Community Café
• £92.00 of £92.00 from ringfenced CSG Children, Young People and Families
• £500.00 of £500.00 from ringfenced Basketball Hoop

iii. Does the PC agree that the bank reconciliation can be signed by the Chair and another Cllr as correct? See separate documents (15d iii 1, 15d iii 2, 15d iii 3, 15d iii 4, 15d iii 5)

Next Parish Council meeting will be held on
Monday 10th February 2025 at 7.00 pm at Slapton Village Main Hall.

Signed: Bella Moor, Clerk

Date: 1st January 2025

MINUTES

Those in attendance: Cllr J. Abbey (Chair), Cllr I. Mitchelmore (Vice Chair), Cllr I. Luscombe, Cllr S. Lange, Cllr P. Osborne and Cllr G. Sutton. Cllr L. Lawford and Cllr J. Brazil (both left ~7.40 pm)

No members of the public were in attendance.

129:24 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: The PC resolved unanimously to accept the reasons for the apologies for absence from Cllr Staines and Cllr Crowson. Cllr Waters was not in attendance.

130:24 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

All Councillors have been granted a dispensation to discuss and vote on the precept demand for year end 2025-26.

131:24 PUBLIC COMMENT: None

132:24 POLICE REPORT: None

133:24 COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS

a. Cllr J. Brazil

i. Car park charges: The Ringo app will stop working on 11.01.25 and will be replaced by a new app, PayByPhone Parking.
ii. Woodland planting: The Woodland Trust are providing trees to create new woodlands. Cllr Brazil and Cllr Lawford have recently been involved in planting over 2,000 trees in South Brent. Cllr Brazil explained that DCC will acquire low grade arable land that is up for sale and work with the Woodland Trust to create woodlands for the future. They will then sell parcels of land off for biodiversity net gain credits. There is a new woodland being planted in Kingsbridge too and everyone is encouraged to come along and get involved with the planting. Cllrs can also let Cllr Brazil or Cllr Lawford know if they are aware of land that might be available for woodland creation.
iii. 3893/24/CCN Land at Deer Bridge, Slapton, TQ7 2QD: Following a request from Cllr Brazil, DCC Highways carried out a site visit and objected to the use of the site as a campsite as the access roads are unsuitable to accommodate the type of traffic associated with such a use. Cllr Brazil will forward their report to the Clerk.
iv. Unitary authorities: Cllr Brazil confirmed that the current Government is determined to move from district councils to unitary authorities in Devon and Cornwall. Each unitary authority will cover 500,000 + residents (except Plymouth that will become its own unitary authority if it can increase its area to encompass 300,000 + residents). Plymouth only has ~260,000 residents currently so boundaries will need to be redefined and some of South Hams incorporated into Plymouth for this to work. There was discussion about the fact that unitary authorities will have to cover much larger geographical areas (in rural areas), than the current district councils do, in order to meet the 500,000+ resident requirements and some concerns about this were shared. The process of moving from district councils to unitary authorities will be expensive.

b. Cllr L. Lawford

i. 3893/24/CCN Land at Deer Bridge, Slapton, TQ7 2QD. Cllr Lawford confirmed that she has followed up on the Clerk’s request to find out what might happen following SHDC’s refusal of the notification of exemption as it is not a planning application. Cllr Lawford will forward the information provided by the Planning Department to the Clerk.
ii. Unitary Authorities: Cllr Lawford confirmed that district councils had all expressed their concerns about the move to unitary authorities in the South West, especially given the large geographical areas that these will have to cover in rural counties like Devon.

134:24 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 2nd December 2024 were agreed unanimously and signed by the Chair as a true and correct record.

135:24 PLANNING
a. Applications

i. 3811/24/FUL Pittaford Farm, Slapton, TQ7 2QG
Provision of an agricultural building
Consultation date ended 02.01.25
PC comment submitted 01.01.25: Comment – The PC has no objections to this application, having reviewed available documents including responses from Highways, SWW and DCC’s ecologist and notes the conditions suggested in the Ecology Response

ii. 4120/24/HHO Carlane House Carr Lane Slapton TQ7 2PU
Householder application for demolition of existing extension, construction of new side/rear extension, front porch extension, rear glazed veranda, internal alterations & associated landscaping works.
PC to submit comment by 06.02.25
Following review of documents available on the planning portal and discussion, Cllr Abbey proposed, Cllr Mitchelmore seconded and it was resolved unanimously that the PC has no comment to make on this application. Clerk to submit no comment.

b. Decisions (for information only)

i. 3893/24/CCN Land at Deer Bridge, Slapton, TQ7 2QD
Caravan Club notification of proposed exempted campsite to accommodate 5 caravans / campervan pitches & 5 tent pitches on site for the use of club members
PC comment submitted 16.12.24: Objection
SHDC Decision 19.12.24: Refused

c. Tree Works (for information only – Tree Wardens will assess and comment): None

d. Withdrawn (for information only)

i. 3064/24/PDM Land At Sx 804 470 Slapton
Application to determine if prior approval is required for a proposed change of use of agricultural building to 1 No dwelling house (class C3) & associated development (Class Q (a+b))

136:24 PROPOSALS FOR RESOLUTION

a) Precept demand 2025-26: The Clerk shared the precept calculator and explained that an increase in tax base for 2025-26 (due to 7x more Band D properties and 31x properties being subject to second home premiums) would result in a decrease paid per household. The Clerk also explained the figures in the draft budget. There was discussion about possible ways of reducing the precept demand and it was agreed that £650.00 initially budgeted for a PC laptop for use by either the Chair or Clerk (who both currently use their own equipment) could be spread over three years, with £250.00 added in year one, as no purchase is necessary at present. This would reduce the precept demand initially recommended from £30,180.00 to £29,780.00. Cllr Osborne proposed, Cllr Lange seconded and it was resolved unanimously to submit a precept demand of £29,780.00. Clerk to action.

b) Internal audit: Cllr Osborne proposed, Cllr Lange seconded and it was resolved unanimously to appoint Devon Assurance (formerly Audit) Partnership to carry out the internal audit for year end 24-25. Clerk to action.

137:24 MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION

a) There was discussion about the PC’s Emergency Plan and Cllrs contributed to filling some of the gaps. The Clerk thanked Cllr Osborne and Cllr Mitchelmore for their support in identifying those who may need assistance in an emergency and properties that could be vulnerable to flooding. Clerk to update and recirculate as Cllrs still need to address some gaps.

138:24 MATTERS IN ABEYANCE: None

139:24 CLERK’S REPORT

Verbal update from Clerk on the following matters:
a. P3 Scheme: P3 payment for PRoW maintenance in 24-25 has still not been received.
b. VAT: VAT claim for ~£600.00 submitted.
c. Slapton Community Cinema: The PC is waiting for confirmation that the Cinema’s own bank account is set up and then will transfer funds across – likely to be in the region of £1,000.00. Clerk will confirm exact amount at time of transfer.
d. Broadband: Cllr P. Hales (Strete PC) sent a summary of his meeting with the CDS regarding the delayed rollout of broadband. A parishioner, Simon Adams, has asked whether he may be able to attend any future meetings on this subject (especially if Cllrs from Slapton are unable to attend) as he has expertise in this field, which may be of use, and the PC agreed that this would be a good idea.
e. Road Warden conditions report: Nick has completed the annual conditions report and there are a few sundry items that need to be purchased/replaced (e.g. broom and broom head, 4 x heavy duty garden waste sacks and 2x salt scoops). It was resolved unanimously that the Clerk could purchase these sundry items. Clerk to action.

140:24 CHAIR’S REPORT

Verbal update from Chair on the following matters:
a. SWW: Cllr Abbey has put Kimberley Nurseries in touch with Rob Redding, the Manager of Slapton’s Wastewater Treatment Works. The online meeting between the PC and the EA to discuss releases is scheduled for Wednesday 8th January.
b. Fire service: Cllr Abbey has been liaising with the Fire Service to ascertain whether they might be interested in visiting the Community Café.
c. Slapton Line Partnership: Cllr Abbey hopes to follow up with Cllr R. Clark (Strete PC) to follow up on his recent actions and next steps.

141:24 COUNCILLOR REPORTS

a. Cllr Sutton reported that there has been no update from the OPCC over the Christmas period and that he has followed up a query raised by Cllr Crowson (about how farmers can reduce possible thefts of equipment) with the Neighbourhood Police Team, who will provide further guidance in due course.
b. Cllr Mitchelmore reported that he has had enquiries about when the flooding issue between Alston and Dittiscombe will be addressed as the road is impassable and the flooding is causing the road and bank to erode. He also confirmed that Mr J. Harris has kindly confirmed that he would be willing to dig any trenches required free of charge (if the PC has the landowner’s permission to do so). Cllrs asked Cllr Mitchelmore to pass on their thanks to Mr J. Harris. Clerk to contact landowners again to rearrange site visit. Cllr Lange and Cllr Crowson to meet with landowner and Cllr Lange to liaise with Mr J. Harris if permission from landowner is granted.
c. Cllr Osborne reported the following:
i. Community Café: Given the lower number of visitors, especially in December, consideration will need to be given to the effort vs reward before deciding whether to run the Café in Winter 2025-26 and suggested this might happen following review of overall attendance at the end of February.
ii. Parking obstructions: The bin lorry was unable to access Carr Lane from Prospect Hill, due to two cars being parked on the corner. It can pass if one car is parked but not if a second car is parked too far back ‘into’ Carr Lane. He asked what can be done about it? The Clerk suggested that DCC Highways would not be helpful in this matter and that perhaps Cllrs could speak with those known to park there. No other suggestions were offered by Cllrs.
iii. Mud on paths: Cllr Osborne has noted that the path from the bus shelter down to the park and walk is muddy. Cllr Lange suggested that this was as a result of leaf fall, which hadn’t been blown off. The Clerk confirmed she would request that the Road Warden ensures this area is blown regularly next Autumn. There was also discussion about the possibility of laying new scalpings on this path and at the park and walk. Cllr Lange offered to investigate the possibility of accessing free scalpings and ways of carrying out the works free of charge or for a minimal cost because the Clerk advised that works on the footpaths in the village have not been budgeted for in the 2025-26 budget. Cllr Lange to action.
Cllr Osborne also noted mud on the path from the campsite to the beach. The Clerk advised that this was repaired 2 years ago and that works were costly (exact amount can be confirmed by reviewing previous year’s accounts).

142:24 REVIEW OF ACTION LOG

a. Cllr and Clerk updates on any pending actions/actions requiring a status update in the action log. There were no updates.

143:24 FINANCIAL MATTERS

a. Payments to approve: Cllr Abbey proposed, Cllr Osborne seconded and it was resolved unanimously to approve the following payments:

Payment no	Details of payment	Amount GBP	Paid for noting
VISA116	Amazon Houseware Ltd, Deskit A4 Laminating Pouches. Invoice no: INV-GB-132371331-2024-85436	17.95 14.96 + 2.99 VAT	Paid
117	Village Hall: Community Café 4th, 11th, 18th and 25th November. Invoice no: C12928/24, dated 03.12.24	100.00
118	Village Hall: PC meeting 4th Nov 2024. Invoice no: C12929/24, dated 03.12.24	20.00
119	Filmbank Media Licence for 7th December Film (Community Cinema). Invoice no: 06330117, dated 16.12.24	104.40 87.00 + 17.40 VAT
120	Chris Hunt Bar (Community Cinema). Invoice no 6, dated 17.12.24	83.20
121	Nick Mathias December Road Warden. Invoice no: 1961/25, dated 20.12.24	366.02
122	Clerk’s salary December plus £24 WFH allowance	845.20
123	Cranheath: Village Clean on 10th and 11th December. Invoice no: INV-4466, dated 14.12.24	1,848.00 1,540.00 + 308.00 VAT
DD124	VC Warehouse Jan phone. Invoice no: 1014884 , dated 01.01.25	11.94 9.95 + 1.99 VAT
125	Woolston Accounts December payroll. Invoice no: INV-0614 , dated 03.12.24	20.00
126	Dec 2024 hall hire: Community Café  2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30 Dec. Invoice no: C01943/25, dated 04.01.24	125.00
127	Dec 2024 hall hire: Slapton Community Cinema 2nd, 9th, 16th, 23rd and 30 Dec. Invoice no: C01944/25, dated 04.01.24	45.50
128	Dec 2024 hall hire: PC meeting 2nd Dec. Invoice no: C01947/25, dated 04.01.24	20.00

 

b.Balance at bank

Balance as per bank statements on 31.12.24	Amount GBP
Events Treasurers Account	0
Treasurers Account	12,656.16
Instant Access Savings Account	12,874.83
Total	25,530.99

 

c. Receipts summary

Receipts as per bank statements on 31.12.24	Amount GBP
Events Treasurers Account (Card payments from Dec Community Cinema transferred to Treasurers Acct on 31.12.24)	201.41
Treasurers Account (Cash payments from Oct and Dec bar and Dec tickets at Community Cinema – transferred from B. Moor)	242.00
Instant Access Savings Account (December interest)	10.76
Total	454.17

d. 3rd quarter budget updates/forecasts and bank reconciliation

i. Overspends: Cllr Osborne proposed, Cllr Lange seconded and it was unanimously resolved to approve the forecast variations, together with possible overspends in the following cost centres:
• Clerk’s remuneration -£120.00
• Hall hire -£31.50
• Office expenses -£154.15
• Mowing -£22.74

ii. Transfer of funds: Cllr Osborne proposed, Cllr Lange seconded and it was unanimously resolved to transfer from the Savings Account to the Treasurers Account the following amounts:
• £565.68 of £1,565.68 from ringfenced Community Café
• £92.00 of £92.00 from ringfenced CSG Children, Young People and Families
• £500.00 of £500.00 from ringfenced Basketball Hoop

iii. Bank reconciliation: Cllr Abbey proposed, Cllr Lange seconded and it was resolved unanimously that the Chair and another Cllr sign the bank reconciliation to confirm it is correct.

Next Parish Council meeting will be held on
Monday 10th February 2025 at 7.00 pm at Slapton Village Main Hall.

Signed:                                                                                                                            Date: