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March 2025

UPLOWMAN PARISH COUNCIL: DRAFT MINUTES OF MEETING

Held on Thursday 20th March 2025 in Uplowman Village Hall, starting at 8.00pm.

Cllrs C Slade (DCC), J Lock (MDDC) and G Westcott present. Minutes by Mr R Hodgson, Clerk. Action points in bold. Approved on 15 May 2025

 

  1. MEMBERS PRESENT and PROCEDURAL MATTERS

1.1 Present: Cllrs M Moore (Chair), J Mayne, A McCombe, R Adcock, K Baugfh, and D Westerman.

  1. APOLOGIES AND REPORTS FROM MDDC & DCC

2.1 Councillor D Thomas, working, had tendered apologies for absence. Cllr Moore said she would contact Cllr Thomas (now absent from meetings for 6 months) and discuss his future role with UPC.

2.2 Cllr Slade had sent a report on DCC matters. He outlined the currect discussions to develop unitary authorities in Devon and said that none was likely to be in place before 2028. It was likely that the changes would result in more responsibility for Towns and Parishes but could not say in what ways this would be. DCC was improving local bus services and expenditure on Special Educational Needs and Disabilities was increased. Cllr Slade noted that 25 school breakfast clubs were now being funded in Devon, among the first of a new country-wide programme.

2.3 Cllr Lock said that the State of the District debate would be after the May elections. There had been much discussion of possible devolution arrangements. Cllr Westcott reported that the MDDC Scrutiny committee had questioned South West Water (SWW) about pollution and other issues. SWW said they would expand the Sewage Treatment Works to reduce outflows.

  1. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING (16th January 2025)

3.1 Draft Minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 16th January 2025 had been circulated. There were no changes requested and they were signed by the Chair as a true record of that meeting.

  1. FINANCES and PROCEDURES

4.1 Current Balance: £4035.18

      Income since last meeting (donation for trimtrail) :£20.00

4.2 The following payments were approved and cheques signed to effect the disbursements:

     AP Hayman, grass cutting, £30.00

     R Hodgson, Clerk’s salary & expenses, £804.50

     UHRA, 12 months hire of hall, £96.00

     Play Safety, annual inspection of Trim Trail, £96.00, to be paid on receipt of invoice.

4.3 Draft summary income and expenditure accounts had been circulated for any comment. There were no comments and final accounts would be prepared following the year end. It was agreed that the level of reserves required should be calculated by increasing the sum estimated in 2016 by 3% p.a. compounded. The Clerk would do this.

4.4 Mr Clark had again offered to act as Internal Auditor for this year, which offer was accepted by all members with gratitude.

4.5 The Chair role for 2025-6 was discussed. Cllr Westerman had been considering this and said he would be in a position to confirm during April if he could take it on.

  1. PLANNING APPLICATIONS

5.1 23/01916/FULL: Redwoods, Change of use to 3 dwellings. Appeal had been turned down.

5.2 24/01033/FULL: Hill Farm, revised catle shed layout. UPC had not objected and decision awaited.

5.3 24/01741/FULL: Sweetings, erect barn. A revised plan had been sum=bmitted. UPC had no objection.

5.4 25/00229/FULL: Lands Mill Lane, convert barn to holiday unit. Cllr Adcock had inspected the site and, after discussion, UPC had no objection and MDDC had been informed.

5.5 25/00348/HOUSE: Tiggs Oak, ancillary accommodation. This was apparently a retrospective application and UPC had no objection.

  1. VILLAGE IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

6.1 The Redwoods Pub project:There had been a laudable aim to support the publicans in achieving their wish to pass on an important village asset as a going concern bu the group was not now active. Cllr Moore asked what UPC might do to help this process. After some discussion, it was agreed that UPC would not take any action at this time.

6.2 Parish website: There had been no further communication from Mr Donald. The Clerk was asked to contact him and suggest that he outline progress at the May meeting, if possible. Cllr McCoombe was booked to attend a webinar about .gov.uk registration on 9th April.

6.3 The Clerk reported that there were no Saturdays when the Hall coud be used for first aid training until June, at least. It was agreed that Saturdays would be the best days for most people and the Clerk was asked to find out when the Hall might be available.

  1. SUSTAINABILITY AND HEALTHY LIVING

7.1 Nothing to report at this time.

  1. CORRESPONDENCE

A list of correspondence received and sent had been circulated. Attention was drawn to the following items of interest that were not covered elsewhere:

8.1 MDDC had circulated information about another Parish’s scheme to generate income by providing a collection point for scrap metal. After discussion, it was agreed that the suggestion had some merits but UPC would not take it up at this time.

8.2 Cllr Adcock had represented UPC at the installation of Rev Rachel Dunn as Team Rector and was thanked by Cllr Moore.

  1. HALL AND RECREATION ASSOCIATION

9.1 Cllr Adcock reported that quotes had been received for installing solar pannels on the Hall. He also said that the issue of dog mess on the playing field was becoming problematic and the committee wished to install a waste bin. The Clerk had already asked MDDC about this. Four Seasons (contractor) had started cutting the grass and the leat banks and were proving effective.

9.2 Cllr Westerman suggested that an anaphylactic response kit should be provided to go with the defibrillator and Cllr Adcock said this would be investigated.

  1. EMERGENCY PLANNING AND NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

10.1 Nothing to report.

  1. STATE OF ROADS IN PARISH

11.1 Whitnage Lane signage: The Clerk was asked to follow up with DCC to arrange a time to discuss options. He would also enquire again about the road resurfacing required on the Sampford Peverell Road. Cllr Slade had noted that half the problem area was outside his Ward and recommended contacting Cllr Radford as well as himself.

11.2 Flooding between the village and St Peter’s Church: A parishioner had proposed enlarging the ditch to reduce water ponding after floods. In discussion it was suggested that this might create a liability on the PC. Cllr Adcock said he would look into the matter.

11.3 Thanks were expressed to DCC Highways for replacing railings alongside the leat adjacent to Stonebridge.

  1. DATE OF NEXT MEETING

The next meeting was confirmed for Thursday15th May 2025, to be in the Hall at 7.30pm.

The meeting closed at 9.20pm

Public discussion:

Mr Jeffrey Curd of the Tiverton Harriers informed the PC that their annual 10km road run would again take place on the late May Bank Holiday, 26th May, starting from the Hall at around 10.30am. All would be welcome to participate or watch and there would be refreshments afterwards. It was noted that the A361 link road north-bound carriageway would be shut that weekend.

MINUTES OF 20 March 2025

Minutes of meetings held in 2025