Minutes from February 2026 meeting
DRAFT
Newton St Cyres Parish Council
Minutes of Newton St Cyres Parish Council Meeting held in the Parish Hall Club Room on Thursday 5 February 2026
The meeting commenced at 7.00pm
Members present
Cllr L Ouldridge (Chair) Cllr D Harris
Cllr J Dean Cllr M Herpoldt-Bright
In attendance: D/Cllr C Chenore (left 7.45pm), C/Cllr S Keable (left 7.45pm) 8 member of public (3 stayed to end of meeting), J Hole Parish Clerk
Public Participation
Moonridge Farm gave an update on their plans for an agroforestly planting scheme which aims to plant approximately 3000 trees over the next few years.
Concern was expressed that there were still no school signs or markings in Station Road. C/Cllr S Keeble noted that he had two meetings coming up to try to further this issue. It was noted that the Parish Council had budgeted for a financial contribution towards signs.
Formal Business
01/02/26 Apologies
Cllr J Rimbon-Whittaker, D/Cllr M Binks
02/02/26 Declaration of Interest
None noted
03/02/26 Minutes of the last meeting held on Thursday 4 December 2025
Agreed and signed as a true record
Minuted here but taken after item 5
04/02/26 Newton St Cyres Parish Council Issues relevant to Mid Devon District Council
4.1 Planning Applications
25/01713/HOUSE - Installation of in-ground swimming pool and plant room at Newcombes Newton St Cyres Exeter Devon EX5 5AW – no comment submitted under delegated authority
4.2 Planning Decisions
25/01456/TPO - Application to fell 1 Copper Beech (T8) protected by Tree Preservation Order 22/00005/TPO at Lakeridge Newton St Cyres Exeter Devon – grant permission
25/01555/HOUSE- Erection of a single storey side extension and retention of glazed rear canopy at 4 Kingfisher Close Newton St Cyres Exeter Devon EX5 5DH – grant permission
4.3 Report from District Councillors on issues relevant to the parish and to consider suggestion from D/Cllr S Chenore re community awards
A newsletter from D/Cllr S Chenore had been circulated and the following items were highlighted:
Household batteries can be recycled with fortnightly recycling, but must be placed in a clear bag or container on top of the black box.
Green Enterprise Grants were available from March 2026 until 2028 (£20k per year), to help Mid Devon businesses reduce energy use and costs and Parish Halls were now eligible for funding.
MDDC were running a Town and Parish Planning update on the 26 March and there was a drop in workshop regarding business rates on the 17 February.
D/Cllr S Chenore had also circulated some ideas on how parishes across Yeo Ward might come together to recognise and celebrate volunteers and would be consulting with all parishes before coming up with a proposal.
Update on holiday lodges at Half Moon – Enforcement case. D/Cllr S Chenore had spoken to MDDC Enforcement team who confirmed that the enforcement case was ongoing.
Minuted here but taken after item 3
05/02/26 Newton St Cyres Parish Council issues relevant to Devon County Council
5.1 Report from County Councillor on issues relevant to the parish
C/Cllr S Keable had circulated a report and this was noted.
The recent bad weather had caused many road issues and due to the conditions only temporary patching was possible in many locations. However, the prompt response by DCC to the damage on Station Road was noted and Cllr L Ouldridge would send a thank you to DCC for their quick action. Road issues should be reported to DCC via their online reporting page.
It was noted that DCC ‘s cabinet had endorsed the Boniface Trail route to run adjacent to the A377 for most of the way between Crediton and Exeter, except for a section between Newton St Cyres and Langford where existing quiet lanes would be used.
5.2 Update on P3 footpaths. To consider annual return and grant application
The clerk reported that Graeme Barnell had resigned as Footpath Warden but had met with the Clerk and passed on the following information: details of the condition of each path to enable the annual P3 survey form to be completed; a list of paths that were cut by DCC (these would need to be monitored during the grass growing season to ensure cutting was carried out); details of various mud issues (to be reported to the landowner); missing footpaths signs and details of four paths identified by the footpath group as requiring improvement work. The Parish Council could consider bidding for additional money from DCC to fund these improvement works and bids needed to be costed and submitted to DCC by the end of February. Some Footpath volunteers would continue to walk their allocated paths twice yearly and report any issues.
After discussion it was resolved that:
- the post of Footpath Warden would remain vacant for the time being
- the Clerk would submit the annual P3 footpath survey form which should allow the annual maintenance grant to be claimed
- the Clerk would submit improvement bids for work to FP no. 6 and FP no 1. Work to FP no. 12 and 8 would be considered at a later stage
- Cllr J Dean had some spare footpath signs and would pass these to the Clerk
5.3 To note correspondence from DCC re new bus shelter at Half Moon and to consider request for improved bus stop at Langford Road
DCC had agreed to fund a new bus shelter for the Half Moon layby. A parishioner had raised the issue of the bus stop at Langford Road and DCC had confirmed that the verge on the Exeter to Crediton side was not owned by them. C/Cllr S Keable agreed to raise the issue with DCC to see what action could be taken.
5.4 Quarterly report – Travel and Road Safety – Cllr J Dean
A report had been circulated and was noted.
The report noted the difficulty of crossing the road at the Lanford Road junction and this will be added to the PC list of issues
06/02/26 Finance
6.1 To agree Payments and note Receipts
Payments were agreed as:
|
Expenditure – current account |
£ |
Receipts – current account |
£ |
|---|---|---|---|
|
MDDC – Litter bin emptying at Rec |
312.00 |
Station Garden donation |
265.00 |
|
N Gillon – RW expenses |
5.40 |
|
|
|
Parish Hall coffee morning x 2 |
20.00 |
Receipts Car Park Maint acct |
|
|
Church coffee morning x 5 |
50.00 |
Interest |
37.58 |
|
Arboretum coffee morning x2 |
20.00 |
Footpath Account |
|
|
Gardening club x 1 (reimburse clerk) |
10.00 |
Interest |
3.59 |
|
Permissive path signs (reimburse Clerk) |
28.35 |
|
|
|
Ground bolts/fixings for Rec (reimburse Clerk) |
100.30 |
|
|
|
J Hole – Salary December (expenses inc in Jan) |
388.44 |
|
|
|
HMRC – PAYE and emp’er NI December |
66.79 |
|
|
|
J Hole – Salary and expenses January |
456.10 |
|
|
|
HMRC – PAYE and emp’er NI January |
66.79 |
|
|
|
Screwfix drain rod set for RW (reimburse Clerk) |
180.99 |
|
|
|
Parish Hall room rent Nov/Dec/Feb |
45.00 |
|
|
|
N Gillon – RW expenses |
19.99 |
|
|
|
N Gillon – RW mileage |
40.50 |
|
|
6.2 To approve on-line authorisation for this month’s payments
Cllr J Dean and Cllr D Harris
6.3 Balances (after above transactions)
6.3.1 Parish Council Current Account balance: £8,811.60
6.3.2 Footpath Account: £655.17 (separate account)
6.3.3 Parish Hall Car Park maintenance fund balance: £6,856.58 (separate account)
6.4 Financial Statement and Budget Monitor
Noted
07/02/26 Other Parish Council Matters
7.1 Quarterly Report – Emergency and Resilience – Cllr L Ouldridge
Two reports from Cllr L Ouldridge had been circulated detailing the actions of the Snow Wardens during the recent cold spell and the flood wardens following the recent flooding. Group communication worked well using WhatsApp, although it was requested that discussions were kept civil and discussed action points only. It was noted that resilience volunteers were needed for Half Moon and Langford.
It was resolved:
- That the Clerk would apply for grant funding from the Community Resilience Forum for new warning signs saying road ahead flooded as three signs had gone missing
- To consider purchasing a water depth gauge for the back road to Crediton (maybe in the summer)
- That the Resilience Shed at the Rec may need to be replace next year.
- To try to recruit additional volunteers for Langford and Half Moon possible via leaflets in doors.
Item 7.2 minuted here but taken after item 4
7.2 To note response from NEW with regard to Village Green wildflower survey and agree further action
A response from NEW had been circulated and was noted. NEW proposed to cut back to ensure good visibility for the A377 and had sown additional wildflower seeds and rattle to ensure a better mix of wildflowers. After discussion it was resolved:
- to accept the actions identified in the report
- That the Clerk would arrange for the agreement to be re -signed.
7.3 Report from recent arboretum meeting
Cllr L Ouldridge had attended the recent meeting. Once the new noticeboards were purchased, a Code of Conduct would be displayed.
7.4 Update on allotments
Cllr D Harris requested consideration be given to better access at the allotments and a supply of water. These issues would require discussions with the landowner. It was noted that NEW had strimmed around the allotment paths and had agreed to lay the inside of the A377 hedge. The Clerk reported that an allotment holder was giving up 4 plots.
7.5 To consider membership (no cost) to North Devon Railway Development Alliance
Details had been circulated and after discussion it was resolved to join the alliance. The alliance had asked for Council’s view on future developments for the line and it was noted that our aim would be to get more trains to stop at Newton St Cyres. However, this appeared to be in conflict with the aim of reducing the travel time between Barnstaple and Exeter.
7.6 To agree rota for coffee mornings
The rota was agreed up to July as follows:
7 February – Cllr M Herpoldt-Bright
7 March – Cllr D Harris
9 May – Cllr L Ouldridge
11 July - Cllr M Herpoldt-Bright
7.7 To consider nominations to Buckingham Palace Garden Party
After discussion it was resolved to nominate Cllr Jocelyne Rimbon-Whittaker
7.8 Update on new play equipment – to circulate brochures. To agree use for remainder of Rec grant
The Clerk reported that there was approximately £850.00 left of this years grant to the Rec.
It was resolved to pay the balance to the Rec next month
There was approximately £7,700.00 in S106 monies to be spent on public open spaces. The Clerk circulated various play equipment brochures for Cllrs to view and come back with suggestions at the next meeting of possible play equipment with an emphasis on equipment suitable for older children.
08/02/26 Forward Agenda Planner/Minor Matters and Items for Future Agenda
8.1 Review of agenda planner for future meetings.
8.2 Miscellaneous correspondence
- There had been another complaint about inconsiderate parking at the Beer Engine. As previously noted the Neighbourhood Policing team had informed the Alcohol Licencing team who would liaise with the owners to express the concerns raised. In addition the Policing team would pay passing attention, however they no longer have powers to enforce double yellow lines as this is a civil enforcement matter. It was noted that a new sign at the Rec ground suggested that parking was not allowed unless attending an event at the Rec and Cllr D Harris would speak to the Rec about the sign.
- A thank you email from the Church and Rec had been received regarding next year’s grant
- Slow broadband speeds had been reported at Tytheing Close, but appeared to have been solved using a provider other than BT.
- A query had been raised about the Shuttern sign on the Village Green being in the wrong place, but it was felt no action could be taken by the Parish Council
- Recruitment of new Cllrs – Cllr J Dean suggested that adverts should give an indication of what was required time wise and possible areas of interest to be noted.
09/02/26 Date of next Parish Council meeting: Thursday 5 March 2026 at 7pm in the Club Room
End of Formal Business
Public Participation
A Tytheing Close resident had started a petition requesting a crossing at Tytheing Close
The meeting closed at 8.35pm