Minutes 6th January 2026

Minutes of the Brampford Speke Parish Council Meeting
held on
Tuesday 6th January 2026
at 7.30pm at the Village Hall

Meeting commenced: 19:30pm

Present: Cllrs Stuart Luxton (Chair), Ian Bannister, Will Honan (Vice Chair), Allan Ferns and Richard Tillett. 1 member of the public and the Clerk.

1/26 Apologies – Cllr Elaine Hollingsworth sent her apologies. These were accepted.

2/26 Declarations of Interest Under the Code of Conduct
Councillors are reminded of the requirement to declare any interest, including the type of interest, and reason for that interest, either at this stage of the meeting or as soon as they become aware of that interest.
None were declared.

3/26 Minutes
The Minutes of the Ordinary Parish Council meeting on 4th November 2025 to be adopted and signed. The amended Minutes from 4th October and 2nd September were signed.

PROPOSED: Cllr S Luxton SECONDED: Cllr R Tillett. RESOLVED.

4/26 Public Question Time
Up to 5 minutes Public Question Time for members of the public to bring forward any issues not on the agenda (where a matter is already on the agenda members of the public will be given an opportunity to speak when that item is considered, within the framework of the
Council’s standing orders). Where a decision is required, the issue will be placed on the following agenda.
• Concerns raised about and time taken to resolve issues in the village with localised flooding. Will discuss again in the March meeting to see if this has been solved.
5/26 Affordable Housing
To receive any updates on potential housing initiatives within the Parish. Cllr Luxton declared his interest in both agenda points.
No updates at this time.
6/26 Planning

The following planning consultations have been received since the last meeting:
• 25/2474/CPL - Pippins, 2 The Orchard, Brampford Speke, Exeter, EX5 5HW – Lawful development certificate for installation of 2 new windows on the first floor of the property’s northern elevation. – NO OBJECTION.
• 25/2386/FUL – The Limes, Brampford Speke, EX5 5DW – Demolition of extension with construction of replacement single storey extension. – NO OBJECTION
• Building control process for the village hall is still on-going. Completion Certificate from Building Regs has been received. Cllr Honan has given the Clerk the relevant documents for safekeeping. RESOLVED.

Councillors have the option to discuss any applications received after the agenda has been published.
7/26 Lead Councillor Updates
To receive an update from the Lead Councillors on the following:

• Verges – Cllr Luxton – Nothing to report.
• Trees & Natural Environment – Cllr Hollingsworth – A member of the public has reported a problem with an oak tree in the village. They have been advised to contact EDDC.
• Failed to get any gritting done by DCC Highways. Cllr Tillett will contact the new highways officer.
• Communications – Cllr Ferns -Set up an Instagram and Facebook account for Brampford Speke Parish Council.
• Footpaths – Update from the Footpath Warden and Cllr Bannister – Tree on Church path, reported at the last meeting, has been cut down. Replaced planks on bridge to Upton Pyne. Red Rock lane to be cleared again in the Spring.
8/26 Village Hall
To receive an update from Councillors Tillett and Honan.
Meeting of BSVHT on 22nd January. Any updates from this meeting will be reported back in next meeting of the Parish Council in March.

9/26 Financial Items
To receive the accounts summary to 31st December 2025 (previously approved by Cllrs Luxton, Tillett and Honan).

To NOTE the following payments were approved remotely in accordance with Financial Regulations by Councillors S Luxton, W Honan and R Tillett in accordance with the Financial Regulations.:
2 x Payments to Tracy Watkins & HMRC (November and December salary and expenses).
3 x Payments to BT for Village Hall line rental of £12.09 (paid by DD on 29.11.2025)
1 x payment to Sowdens Farm of £403.20 for hedge trimming on 12.12.2025
1 x payment to Santander of £9.98 for bank charges on 20.12.2025

PROPOSED: Cllr Tillett SECONDED: Cllr Honan RESOLVED
The Clerk highlighted the sudden introduction of charges from Santander of £9.98 per month. This is unacceptable given the problems we have had with the account and therefore the Clerk has been asked to raise a formal complaint regarding the lack of notice.

Clerk to expedite the opening of the Lloyds account as soon as possible.

10/25 EDDC Update
Cllr King was not able to attend the meeting but his latest report has already been distributed to councillors.

11/26 DCC Update
Neither Cllr Nat Vanstone or Cllr Henry Gent, Devon County Council were at the meeting. Cllr Gent has sent a report which the Clerk has already distributed to Parish Councillors.

12/26 Other information/correspondence received for possible action/discussion

• Speke Up Submissions. Affordable Housing, gritting lack of. BT Kiosk. Parish Cllr vacancy.
• New contract for internal auditor needs to be signed. – PROPOSED: Cllr R Tillett
SECONDED: Cllr A Ferns RESOLVED
• BT Kiosk – A member of the public noticed a poster in the kiosk saying BT are looking to remove the phone due to lack of use. The Parish Council held a meeting to discuss with parishioners and some people would like to see it used for something else. The kiosk is listed and therefore would remain. Cllr Tillett has written to object to DCC and BT. Wait and see what happens. Discuss updates in March meeting.
13/26 Date of the next meeting(s)
• Next Meeting on Tuesday 3rd March 2026 @ 7.30pm in the Village Hall

Meeting closed 20:15