Minutes Council Meeting March 2025
Minutes of the Stoodleigh Parish Council Meeting held March 25th 2025 at 7.00pm in the Village Hall
Members present -: Chairman Cllr W Knowles Vice Chair Cllr J Widdowson Cllr J Mansfield Cllr G Parkman and Cllr D Wotton
District Cllr C Adcock
1. Apologies – these were received from Cllr C Payne. The council understood his current health issues and were happy to waive the 6 month rule. Hopefully he will feel able to attend the May meeting.
2. Declarations of Interest – none declared
3. The Public – there were 3 members of the public present. Diana Brice raised her extreme concerns about the planning application 25/00006/HOUSE which because of the proposed position and size would greatly affect her property and quality of everyday life. She was assured that when ever possible the Parish Council did try to arrange a site visit before submitting an official comment. The Chairman apologised that the time period for responding in this case had expired before any action was taken. Tim Hugill briefly explained his willingness to give a public presentation on the upgrades to broadband and digital communication
4. Minutes of the Meetings held January 28th and 12th February – these were approved and signed as a true record. Members of St Margaret’s Church had apparently been upset by the phraseology used under Item 10 with regard to taking their ownership of the boundary wall. Any apparent delay is purely due to financial restraints and the complications involved in the actual conveyancing and not through any unwillingness on their part.
5. Planning Applications and Outcomes –
24/00285/FULL Erection of 7 workshops (Use Class B) and café to serve development (Use Class E) following demolition of general industrial buildings, Shadow Ponds – still awaiting outcome of appeal
24/01786/PNCOU Change of use for 1 agricultural building to a dwelling under Class Q, NGR 294540 119596 Hazel’s Farm- approval of prior approval
25/0006/HOUSE Erection of a 1 and 2 storey extension, 3 Court Gardens – decision awaited. It is understood that modified plans are to be submitted and the council will then arrange a site visit
25/00080 Reduce from 20m to a monolith and primary crown break at 2-3m, 1 beech tree Stoodleigh Court – no objection
25/00149/HOUSE Erection of an open front garage and store, Moor Copse Barn – decision awaited
In the temporary absence of Cllr Payne, Cllrs Mansfield and Widdowson agreed to take on the responsibility for planning
6. Reports
The District Council had already circulated a report. Owing to time constraints Rachel Gilmour has resigned as a District Councillor but continues as an MP. The total Local Government Reorganisation continues but the final outcome is very much undecided, several alternative proposals are still under consideration. The final decision should be announced in November. MD is still looking for possible building sites, large and small in order to meet new government targets.
Cllr Widdowson reminded those present that weekly reminders are sent to those on the rota to check the defibrillator which now also includes the defibrillator at Stoodleigh Inn.
7. Councillor Vacancy
Becky Wotton was unanimously voted in to fill this post on co-option terms, Proposed by Cllr Knowles and seconded by Cllr Mansfield.
8. Highways and Byways –
Melanie McKenna DCC and Richard Chesterton are due to attend the March 26th meeting along with local parish councillors to identify and prioritize issues for urgent surface repairs. A circulated request for observation/information on such matters had had an exceptionally good response from residents.
Roadside hedge cutting on Warbrightleigh Hill is believed to the responsibility of the occupants of Aldridge Mill.
9. Broadband and Digital Upgrades
Tim Hugill who is much involved with this project had been awaiting a response from County Councillor Chesterton as to what progress had been made to date. The topic will be raised with him at the Highways Consultation 26th March. Washfield and Cove are also included in this group. Leaflets on the subject could be distributed at the Easter Market but walk in sessions or a formal presentation is the preferred method to disseminate information about future improvements.
10. Litter Pick
It was decided that an official litter pick was unnecessary this Spring. Cllr Wotton and several other individuals were collecting obvious rubbish as and when. Information that the quarry at Ford Barton which is sanctioned for the collection of garden waste is being abused as a number of non-compostable items are also being dumped there. Installation of a trail camera could identify any offenders
11. The Playground
Cllr Widdowson was present at the annual inspection. Pressure washing of equipment is easy to sort and no other serious defects were identified. The concrete area under the seesaw needs a soft landing surface and the frame of the multi swing needs some repair. Cllrs Widdowson and Mansfield will investigate further. It is acknowledged that some of the equipment will soon need replacing but the cost is immense.
12. The Parish/Neighbourhood Plan
The idea has not been shelved but to date no real progress has been made. It was hoped to involve Roger Hill who had much input into the last plan.
13. Village Fun Day/Dog Show
The Annual Parish Meeting on May 28th seemed to be the ideal time to raise the suggestion. Such a proposal can only be a success if there are sufficient volunteers and hopefully some new residents with fresh ideas and enthusiasm will contribute.
14. Landing Site Identification for Air Ambulance
Stoodleigh Barton air field has been identified by Devon Air Ambulance as an “adhoc” night time landing site, in addition to the official Community Landing Sites in the locality.
s in the locality
15. Swap Box
Painting and renovation are underway.
16. Finance
HSBC Current account as at 12/3/2025 £7960.45
The £2900.22 previously in a NS&I savings account has been transferred to a Unity Trust Account now paying 2.5% interest. The current account is still with HSBC as the Clerk wished to leave any change until the new financial year.
The request for donations from various charities was declined as the council felt that there was no value in one “charity” giving funds to another. St Margaret’s Church was the exception as it was felt that this was a significant contributor to the village as a whole, Proposed Cllr Knowles seconded Cllr Widdowson- £600 as per 2024.
Other payments were approved S Partridge (deposit for the notice board) Clerk £360
HMRC £90 Admin expenses £128.42 Playsafety £156 J Widdowson £49.81