Council Meeting – 3rd March 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 M. Crowson, Cllr C. Staines, 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 3rd March 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 10th February 2025, if agreed, to be signed by the Chair as a true and correct record. See separate document (6).
7) PLANNING
a. Applications
i. 0344/25/HHO Maurleen House Brook Street Slapton TQ7 2PW
Householder application for new home office/ studio
PC comment: submit before 27th March
ii. 0380/25/HHO
Tithe Barn Garden, Sands Road, Slapton, TQ7 2QN
Householder application for replacement of existing windows, front door & secondary door
PC comment: submit before 27th March
b. Decisions (for information only): None
c. Trees Works (for information only – Tree Wardens will assess and comment): None
d. Withdrawn (for information only): None
8) PROPOSALS FOR RESOLUTION
a. PRoW: P3 Scheme: Would the PC like the Clerk to submit documentation (conditions reports, bid requests etc) to remain in the P3 Scheme? See separate document (8a).
b. Blocked drain at Townsend Cross: What would the PC like to do next? See separate document (11a) Clerk’s Report for latest update from DCC Highways?
9) MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
a. Bus shelter at Greenbanks: Does the PC wish to explore installation of a bus shelter further? See separate document (11a) Clerk’s Report.
b. Recreation field: Does the PC wish to explore any improvements to the recreation field further?
10) MATTERS IN ABEYANCE: None
11) CLERK’S REPORT
a. Update from Clerk on any matters arising since February’s PC meeting – see separate document (11a).
12) CHAIR’S REPORT
a. Verbal update from Chair on any matters arising since February’s PC meeting.
13) COUNCILLOR REPORTS (not for resolution)
.
a. Verbal updates from Cllrs on any matters arising since February’s PC meeting, including from Cllr Sutton on OPCC.
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 document (15a).
| Payment no | Details of payment | Amount GBP | Paid for noting |
| VISA142 | SHDC Planning Department ref 8797329 – telephone call with Duty Planner on 20.02.25 payment made 17.02.25, payment ref GE/25485-1. | 45.00 | Paid |
| 143 | Clerk’s salary February plus £24 WFH allowance | 845.20 |
*Any additional invoices received before the meeting will be shared at the meeting.
b. Balance at bank
| Balance as per bank statements on 25.02.25 | Amount GBP |
| Events Community Account | 0 |
| Community Account | 5,847.66 |
| Instant Access Community Account | 12,897.73 |
| Total | 18,745.39 |
c. Receipts summary
| Receipts as per bank statements on 25.02.25 | Amount GBP |
| Events Community Account | 0 |
| Community Account | 0 |
| Instant Access Savings Account (February interest) | 11.30 |
| Total | 11.30 |
Next Parish Council meeting will be held on
Monday 7th April 2025 at 7.00 pm at Slapton Village Main Hall.
Signed: Bella Moor, Clerk Date: 25th February
DRAFT MINUTES
Those in attendance: Cllr J. Abbey (Chair), Cllr I. Mitchelmore (Vice Chair), Cllr M. Crowson, Cllr P. Osborne, Cllr G. Sutton, Cllr I. Luscombe, Cllr L. Lawford and Cllr J. Brazil (left ~8.00 pm)
1 member of the public was in attendance.
159:24 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: The PC resolved unanimously to accept the reasons for the apologies for absence from Cllr C. Staines. Cllr S. Lange and J. Waters were not in attendance.
160:24 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST: None
161:24 PUBLIC COMMENT: A member of the public spoke about their planning application 0344/25/HHO Maurleen House Brook Street Slapton TQ7 2PW. They have been a resident in the village all their life and their family has been in Slapton for six generations. They provided useful information about the context to their application and detailed information about their plans. They explained how careful consideration had been given to flooding and surface water drainage (there will be no foul drainage) together with the aesthetics of the new building, which will be identical to their existing home. They also explained their reasoning behind the need for this additional home office/gym space. There is no intention that the space will be used for sleeping accommodation. The Cllrs thanked them for the comprehensive information that they had provided.
162:24 POLICE REPORT: None
163:24 COUNTY and DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS
a. Cllr J. Brazil
i. Budget: All budgets have now been agreed. There is still an overspend on special educational needs of approximately £44 million, which is unsustainable. There is concern that, if the Government adds the Operation Safety Valve debt to DCC’s balance sheet in 2026, it will bankrupt DCC. When Operation Safety Valve was agreed, the Government told DCC to reduce their overspend but DCC has not managed to do this. There is a backlog in the assessment of Education Health Care Plans for children with special needs. In the past, DCC has not met the timeframe of 20 weeks for these assessments and they are now catching up. Hence an increase in the predicted budget of £14 million to £44 million.
ii. Unitary authorities: There have been lots of meetings about possible boundaries for any new unitary authorities, with Plymouth needing to encompass areas of South Hams to meet the 500,000 people per authority requirement. County and District Cllrs have concerns about the Government pressing ahead with this even though the example shown by Somerset is that the savings promised are unlikely to happen and the costs involved in the transition to unitary authorities are high. Elections are still going ahead in May so Devon is not being fast tracked to unitary authorities like some other areas of the country. DCC are proposing to move slowly and complete the process over 4 to 5 years as there are already shared services across the County e.g. integrated waste services. DCC will submit a proposal to Government before the end of March, with several different options for how Devon could move ahead. The proposal includes South Hams, West Devon, Teignbridge and Torbay becoming one unitary authority with Exeter and Plymouth becoming their own unitary authorities.
iii. Cllr Osborne raised the PC’s concerns about communication with Highways as John Fewings has now retired and has not arranged a meeting with the Neighbourhood Highways Officer as promised. The Chair has contacted Stuart Hughes twice, who helped facilitate the meeting with John Fewings initially, but has received no response. Cllr Osborne advised that the PC may have to consider a formal complaint. Cllr Brazil was empathetic and agreed that County needed to work in partnership with Parish Councils.
b. Cllr L. Lawford
i. Slapton Line Partnership. Cllr Lawford is liaising with Dan Field regarding a date for the next Slapton Line Partnership meeting. The new Adaptation Manger is currently in Antarctica so will start the role in June. Cllr Osborne made Cllr Lawford aware of a local organisation called Save our Shoreline, who are looking at potential off-shore solutions, and shared a leaflet with her that they have produced. There was a discussion about harnessing this group’s enthusiasm.
ii. Removal of bottle banks: These have been removed from Strete and Stokeley. 13 will be removed across South Hams as it is now possible to recycle glass from home. There was a discussion about the possibility of temporary bottle banks for use by visitors in July and August.
iii. Memorial Car Park: Cllrs made Cllr Lawford aware that the Clerk has contacted Emma Widdecombe about the condition of the car park as advised to by Cllr Brazil but has received no reply. Cllr Lawford confirmed that she would follow this up and report back. Cllr Lawford to action. There was also a discussion about reminding SHDC to close the gate to large vehicles/camper vans during High Season. Clerk to action in May.
iv. Public toilets: South Hams is no longer charging for the use of public toilets – as repairs to doors etc being kicked down by those wanting free access cost more than the income generated from charging. Toilets in Kingsbridge are now free although the toilets in the Quay Car Park are closed currently.
v. Garden waste: The annual cost of garden waste collection will be going up. Residents will receive a £3.00 discount if they register before 1st April 2025.
vi. Council tax: SHDC will increase Council Tax by 2.99%.
164:24 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE PARISH COUNCIL HELD ON 10th February 2025 were agreed unanimously and signed by the Chair as a true and correct record.
165:24 PLANNING
a. Applications
i. 0344/25/HHO Maurleen House Brook Street Slapton TQ7 2PW
Householder application for new home office/ studio
PC comment: submit before 27th March
It was resolved unanimously that the PC has no objections or comment to make on this application.
ii. 0380/25/HHO
Tithe Barn Garden, Sands Road, Slapton, TQ7 2QN
Householder application for replacement of existing windows, front door & secondary door
PC comment: submit before 27th March
It was resolved unanimously that the PC has no objections or comment to make on this application.
b. Decisions (for information only): None
c. Trees Works (for information only – Tree Wardens will assess and comment): None
d. Withdrawn (for information only): None
166:24 PROPOSALS FOR RESOLUTION
a. PRoW: P3 Scheme: Would the PC like the Clerk to submit documentation (conditions reports, bid requests etc.) to remain in the P3 Scheme? There was discussion about the benefits of the scheme. The PC submitted a full conditions report (after walking all of the footpaths) together with a bid for funds in February 2024 and payment for year end 2024-25 has still not been received even though this has been promised by the PRoW team and chased by the Clerk repeatedly. Communication from the PRoW team is poor. All works on the footpaths in 2024 were carried out by the Clerk and Cllrs. The PC has also funded a full winter cut (Feb 2025) of Footpath 2 and spot strimming on Footpaths 5 and 1 by the lengthsman from its own reserves. The Clerk has spent many hours liaising with landowners, the FSC (who have been very helpful with matters relating to Footpath 11) and parishioners to resolve matters relating to the footpaths, yet the PC has received no funding. There was agreement that the costs (both time and financial) far outweigh the benefits that this scheme brings to the Parish. Cllr Osborne proposed, Cllr Abbey seconded and it was agreed unanimously that the PC would not remain in the P3 Scheme for year end 25-26, meaning that responsibility for all footpaths, bridleways and unmetalled roads will remain the full responsibility of Devon County Council. Clerk to action.
b. Blocked drain at Townsend Cross: What would the PC like to do next? There was discussion about the response received from the Neighbourhood Highways Officer stating that the blocked drain was the responsibility of the developers of a nearby house as there is a catchpit in the garden. Cllr Mitchelmore, who lived in that house from the 1960s, stated that the catchpit was installed long after the house was built so was not installed by the developers (who were indeed Devon County Council). He confirmed that the pipe from the gulley at Townsend Cross travels to a covered catchpit in the garden and from there a pipe crosses the road to a catchpit in Brandis Park. From Brandis Park the pipe travels further down Sands Road. Cllr Mitchelmore and Cllr Luscombe agreed to check and clear the catchpit (with the homeowner’s agreement), which is in the garden of the nearby house. Cllr Mitchelmore and Cllr Luscombe to action. Cllr Mitchelmore proposed, Cllr Luscombe seconded and it was resolved unanimously that the Clerk should share this information with the Neighbourhood Highways Officer and request again that Highways deal with the issue. Clerk to action.
167:24 MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
a. Bus shelter at Greenbanks: Does the PC wish to explore installation of a bus shelter further? Clerk’s Report. There was a discussion about the information already held by the PC, as the feasibility of a bus stop had been considered previously. The Clerk also provided additional details about the process. While Cllrs acknowledged that a covered area for children would be appreciated by residents, they noted that the likelihood of Highways approving any structure was very low due to the proposed location(s) and other constraints. Furthermore, the cost of such a project would be substantial and was unbudgeted. After revisiting the feasibility, Cllr Osborne proposed, Cllr Sutton seconded and it was unanimously resolved that regrettably this project would not be viable.
b. Recreation field: Does the PC wish to explore any improvements to the recreation field further? There was discussion about the feasibility of such a project. This included discussion about the number and type of users of the recreation field, the lack of footpath to the recreation field meaning it is not used by younger/unsupervised children and the terms of the lease agreement. Cllrs were agreed that, while carrying out earthworks to provide a level area and adding banks and hedging to offer protection from the wind could make the field more attractive to users, the scale and costs of such a project would not be viable. Cllr Crowson proposed, Cllr Sutton seconded and it was unanimously resolved that the PC would not explore this further at this time.
c. 168:24 MATTERS IN ABEYANCE: None
169:25 CLERK’S REPORT
a. Update from Clerk on any matters arising since February’s PC meeting – see separate document (11a). The Clerk added that a full winter cut of Footpath 2 has been completed. The Clerk also queried whether the PC would like to organise a litter pick. Cllr Osborne explained that his wife regularly litter picks along Five-Mile Lane and did a complete litter pick along Slapton Sands from Torcross to Strete Gate (3 miles) recently. The PC asked Cllr Osborne to pass on their appreciation and thanks. The PC has agreed to lend their litter picking equipment to Dartmouth Scouts on Saturday 8th March, who will be litter picking at Blackpool Sands.
170:24 CHAIR’S REPORT
a. Verbal update from Chair on any matters arising since February’s PC meeting.
i. Email from parishioner: Email asks what the Parish Council are going to do to stop large vehicles entering the village ahead of the holiday season. The Clerk has already advised the Road Warden that the yellow signs need reattached. There was a discussion about how the PC has approached DCC Highways, regarding additional signage, several times in the past and it has been declined. There was agreement that oversized vehicles remain a problem, especially during the holiday season. Cllr Abbey to reply.
ii. Logo: Cllr Abbey has secured two hours of free graphic design support (following her attendance at a volunteering event last year at Follaton House). Six different logo designs have been created and shared with the PC. There was agreement that ‘Design 3’ was the favourite and that the matter should be added to the next agenda for resolution. Clerk to action.
iii. Highways: Cllr Abbey has emailed Stuart Hughes (DCC Highways) again and has not received a response.
iv. Community café. Cllr Abbey explained that she had received lots of positive feedback and thanks to the PC at the last café session. There was discussion about numbers being considerably lower than previous years. It was agreed that attendance by the police and fire service did not generate more attendees. There was further discussion about the effort-reward and a need to establish whether volunteers might be willing to do it again before deciding whether to run it in winter 25-26. The PC expressed its thanks to all Cllrs and volunteers for their support during winter 24-25. Cllr Abbey to action.
v. Cllr Crowson: Cllr Abbey explained that she had received Cllr Crowson’s resignation and that this would be his last meeting. She thanked him, on behalf of the whole PC, for all his time and support, and particularly for his interest in the Slapton Line Partnership. Cllr Osborne echoed Cllr Abbey’s words and thanked Cllr Crowson for his valuable time and effort.
171:24 COUNCILLOR REPORTS (not for resolution)
.
a. Verbal updates from Cllrs on any matters arising since February’s PC meeting, including from Cllr Sutton on OPCC.
i. OPCC: Cllr Sutton explained that there was nothing of significance to report and that he would be attending an online conference next week.
ii. Cllr Crowson: Cllr Crowson explained that the main reason for stepping down from the Parish Council was that his hearing prohibits him from contributing to discussions, which is somewhat frustrating for him. He is still keenly interested in the Slapton Line Partnership and will support the PC to carry on the fight to save the line.
iii. Cllr Osborne: Cllr Osborne reminded the PC that the Environment Agency had assured the PC they would share their report on the SWW site visit by the end of February and explained that he had not yet received a report. He requested that the Clerk contact the EA to follow up. Clerk to action.
iv. Cllr Mitchelmore: Cllr Mitchelmore reported that a flick knife had been found at the children’s playground in Greenbanks. Cllr Sutton offered to report this to the Neighbourhood Police Team. Cllr Sutton to action.
172:24 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).
173:24 FINANCIAL MATTERS
a. Payments to approve: The PC approved the payments below.
| Payment no | Details of payment | Amount GBP | Paid for noting |
| VISA142 | SHDC Planning Department ref 8797329 – telephone call with Duty Planner on 20.02.25 payment made 17.02.25, payment ref GE/25485-1. | 45.00 | Paid |
| 143 | Clerk’s salary February plus £24 WFH allowance | 845.20 | |
| 144 | Woolston Accounts February payroll. Invoice no: INV-0680 , dated 28.02.25 | 20.00 | |
| 145 | Nick Mathias February Road Warden. Invoice no: 1976/25, dated 27.02.25 | 368.27 | |
| DD 146 | VC Warehouse March phone. Invoice no: 1015151, dated 01.03.25 | 11.94
9.95 + 1.99 VAT |
|
| 147 | Village Hall: Parish Council Meeting 10th February. Invoice no: C03975/25, dated 03.03.25 | 20.00 | |
| 148 | Village Hall: Community Café 3rd, 10th, 17th and 24th February. Invoice no: C03974/25, dated 03.03.25 | 100.00 | |
| 149 | Events Community (Treasurers) Acct: Reference: SERVICE CHARGESREF : 450128803. Transferred on 03.03.25 from Community Acct. | 4.25 | Transferred |
b. Balance at bank
| Balance as per bank statements on 25.02.25 | Amount GBP |
| Events Community Account | 0 |
| Community Account | 5,847.66 |
| Instant Access Community Account | 12,897.73 |
| Total | 18,745.39 |
c. Receipts summary
| Receipts as per bank statements on 25.02.25 | Amount GBP |
| Events Community Account | 0 |
| Community Account | 0 |
| Instant Access Community Account (February interest) | 11.30 |
| Total | 11.30 |
Next Parish Council meeting will be held on
Monday 7th April 2025 at 7.00 pm at Slapton Village Main Hall.
Signed: Date:
