ASHPRINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting Held Thursday 4th September 2025 @ Ashprington Village Hall – 7.30pm
1) Open Forum – no points raised.
2) Present Cllr R Rogers (Chairman), Cllr L Stocks, D Cllr J McKay, Cllr T Green.
Attended by – Ian Bentlett (Ashmeadow).
3) Apologies, Pam Macey (P3), Cllr K Throgmorton, C Cllr S Rake, Cllr P Thompson, Cllr S Paterson.
4) Declarations of Interest.
5) Previous Minutes
Minutes of the meeting held Thursday 3rd July 2025.
The minutes have been distributed and read. Proposed by Cllr L Stocks and seconded by Cllr T Green with all in agreement. Duly signed by the Chairman – Cllr R Rogers.
6) Matters Arising
a) Post Box at Bow Bridge – Cllr L Stocks reported – possibly the owner of the wall has been found and was disappointed that the box had been decommissioned, it will be down to the Parish Council to block it in if they wish. All in agreement to get this blocked in and stone faced.
b) Tuckenhay Bus Shelter – Cllr K Throgmorton reported by email – works have progressed on the bus shelter roof in Tuckenhay, a robust job was completed by me and Tony with some assistances from Jacob and Nick and indeed a visit from the Chairman – Robert Rogers. Works progressed well and surprisingly to plan, avoiding a multitude of heavy down pours along the way. We stripped off the old felt and decking including weathered roof joists, re-joisted and fixed a new ply deck and re-fashioned the front overhang. A new felt covering fixed, including a robust weathering detailed to the sides and rear. We currently have in place the start of a new weathering detail to the rear, we are going to affix a gutter which will sit on top of the existing wall and hopefully discharge to ground as per previous but mostly outside of the bus shelter and thus making the internal environment less damp than it is currently. Nick Carter kindly dropped in and weather sealed the new battens. We would suggest that further remedial works are completed to weather stain the external envelope and thus further extend the lifetime of the existing cladding (after a pre-wash off of the algae, as shown). Perhaps a village work party would be able to do this including new cork boards…. Could we note thanks to the following for their efforts:- Tony James, Nick Carter, Jacob T, Robert Rogers. Parish Council – many thanks to Cllr K Throgmorton – all in agreement for a £50 voucher from the Pub to be purchased for Tony James.
c) Cemetery Grass Cutting – Grass cutting in the seating area – quote from Jo Todd received £70 per cut twice a year, all Cllrs in agreement. The Clerk will email Joe to confirm and ask him to cut when convenient.
7) Reports.
a) County Councillor – S Rake reported by email as follows:- The first 100 days in review – It’s now been just over 100 days since the new administration at Devon County Council – began its work. It’s been a hectic start, but things are beginning to settle, and the feedback we’re hearing from both staff and residents is encouraging. Many people are telling us the council feels like a breath of fresh air — with councillors more engaged, passionate about their communities, and ambitious for Devon’s future. A Change in Culture – We want this to be a council that listens, works in partnership, and takes responsibility. For too long, the council has looked inward instead of reaching out. That has to change. We’re determined to build stronger relationships with local organisations and communities, and to find new, more sustainable ways of providing services. We also want to do politics differently. People often ask: why can’t councillors just work together for the good of residents? We agree. Of course, there will be disagreements at times, but good ideas should be welcomed wherever they come from. Key Priorities – Children’s Services Devon’s record on children’s services over the past decade has been deeply concerning. Recent inspections confirmed serious failings, and too many vulnerable children have been let down. Turning this around is our top priority. There are early signs of progress, and the whole council is committed to making sure children get the care and support they deserve. Adult Services – We spend more on adult services than anything else. We are about to begin our first Care Quality Commission inspection, and the team seem quietly confident… time will tell. The challenge is how to balance the books while still protecting the most vulnerable. We’re looking for better ways of working that improve services and value for money, while also making the case to government that rural areas like Devon need fairer support. Highways – Highways maintenance is another area where things must change. A review of contracts is underway after years of poor value and loss of local control. We’re also trialling a new approach to potholes — repairing clusters rather than only those meeting strict criteria. It’s common sense, and if it works, it will be extended across the county. Most importantly, we’re resetting relationships with town and parish councils so communities feel properly heard. Finances and the Strategic Plan – None of this can happen without a sound financial footing. Delivering services in a rural county is harder and more expensive than in urban areas, and we’ll keep making that case to government. Alongside this, our new Strategic Plan is due to be considered by Full Council on 4 September. This is a core document that combines realism and ambition, pragmatism and vision. It will set the direction for the council’s work in the years ahead and provide a framework for making the tough choices that we face. Local Government Reorganisation – On top of everything else, we are being asked to respond to government proposals for reorganising local government. This is not something we asked for, and it will take time, money, and energy. Whatever decisions are made, our focus will be on protecting the best interests of Devon and its communities. Rural Devon & Climate Action – We have created new roles to give a stronger voice to rural issues and to climate change. From transport and broadband to farming, fishing, and tackling rural isolation, Devon now has a dedicated champion. Alongside that, we’re making sure action on climate change and biodiversity is at the heart of our work.
Working for Devon – At the end of the day, everything comes back to the people we serve. Councillors don’t work for the County Council — we work for you, at the County Council. Thank you for your support as we build a council that is open, ambitious, and focused on improving lives across Devon.
b) District Councillor – Cllr John Mackay reported – LGR, several options being talked about at present, SHDC are still opting for the 4,5,1 option, main government have offered financial support to employ financial consultants to look at the costings. The uncertainly of what is going to happen is affecting SHDC recruitment as staff do not know what is going to happen to their jobs. New head of waste who wants to revise the street sweeping scheme.
c) Ash Meadow Recreation Ground – written report received from Ian Bentlett and circulated to Cllrs – key points from the report –
Next working party 13th September.
Donations offered – Current accounts show £12,675 of free funds. The funeral of David Phipps 50% of the donations are coming to Ashmeadow.
Arrangements for shredding of green waste has been changed by SHDC – however what they have done is of a high quality, we are looking at a way to make Parishioners aware that we are saving them money by taking in their waste.
Full electrics now installed in the container with extension to main meadow in place.
New box installed for Electrics mains entry.
New climbing frame plans have changed following climbing frame specific donation of £5000, so a larger climbing frame can be purchased which will be around the £10,000 mark, which will include a seesaw and chippings for the surface and a new frame for the swing. All Cllrs were in support of this to go ahead.
Requesting if the Parish Council would support a purchase of new mower for maintenance. Ashmeadow would save £1600 per year by purchasing a mower, would the PC support a loan in principle. The Parish Council confirmed that subject to figures they would support a loan in principle to be paid back over several years.
Apple pressing and bonfire party are next events.
d) Tree Warden – Tree Applications later in the Agenda, no objections.
e) P3 Co-Ordinator – Pam Macey reported by email – Ramblers reported a broken stile on Footpath 8, however when looking it cannot be located and all seems in order.
f) Defibrillator Group – Cllr L Stocks reported that the Watermans Arms have asked whether they could have a defib installed. The Pub is shortly to have new tenants so this will be looked at again once they have moved in.
Cllr S Paterson reported by email – I can report that we have a Defib group meeting planned for Wednesday 24th September. Community Heartbeat Trust appear not to have charged further support costs (as per their advice now that the defibs are out of warranty) which means we are on track to ‘save’ £350.00 annually going forward – ideally this will form an effective retainer towards future defib replacement.
g) Emergency Plan – nothing to report.
h) Village Hall – nothing to report.
i) Dart Harbour Commissioning Group – nothing to report.
j) Website and Cllrs e-mail addresses – carried forward to the next meeting – Cllr S Paterson to report.
8) Planning Applications / Matters.
Applications received from South Hams District Council –
a) Application no 2438/25/TCA – Dovecote Cottage, Ashprington TQ9 7UW – Trees T1, T2, T3 – Magnolias, various works Crown Lift and Thin. No objections.
b) Application no 2343/25/TCA – Quillet, Hill Park, Ashprington TQ9 7UX – T1 – Honey Locust – Crown lift and reduction to provide building clearance and maintain health and appearance. No objections.
Decisions received from South Hams District Council –
a) Tree Works no Objections – Application no 1952/25/TCA – The Roundhouse, 6 Frogmore Farm, Ashprington TQ9 7UL – T1 Sycamore – Fell one diseased Tree.
b) Tree Works no Objections – Application no 1884/25/TEX – The Hermitage, Ashprington TQ9 7UL – T1 – Remove Laburnum Tree.
c) Approval of Details Reserved by Conditions – Application no 2102/25/ARC – Ashprington Court TQ9 7UW – Approval of details Conditions 2 (Lighting) & 3 (Access) to planning consent 3768/24/FUL.
9) Correspondence –
10) Highways
a) Bow Creek – lots of mud and stone washed down and has blocked up the drains – Chairman confirmed that he has spoken to Lisa at DCC and asked them to come out and clear up this as its too much to clear by Parishioners.
b) Hedges from properties encroaching on the road, a list will be made and confirmed at the next meeting before writing to owners.
c) Japanese Knotweed possibly seen at Tuckenhay – Cllr Stocks will look into this.
11) Finances.
Payments
BACS – 30.6.25 – £18.70 (vat £3.12) – Alison Soper (Paint for Bench).
BACS – 30.6.25 – £40.00 – Ian Bentlett (Ashmeadow).
BACS – 30.6.25 – £25.00 – Lyn Paterson (Ashmeadow Apple Press).
BACS – 1.7.25 – £390.00 (vat £65.00) – Cuming Containers (Ashmeadow).
BACS – 12.8.25 – £228.00 (vat £38.00) – Shinners Bridge Machinery (Ashmeadow)
BACS – 19.8.25 – £2,200.20 (vat £290.88) – Kelvin Gitsham (Electric Works at Ashmeadow).
BACS – 3.9.25 – £1,251.12 – Sharon Raggett (Clerks Salary July, Aug & Sep)
Bank Balances September 2025
Treasurers Account = £29,593.49
Monies held within Parish Council Account
Cemetery Fund – £528.46
P3 – £530.54
Ash Meadow – £14,701.70
Defib – £3,991.94
12) Any Items to go onto the next Parish Council meeting Agenda.
a) Next Meeting Date – 2nd October 2025.
b) Tree on the Green next to the Coronation Plot.
c) Information Board at Tuckenhay.
d) The Clerk to write to Laurence Green to ask if he would please consult the Parish Council in future about the Plots in the Cemetery as recently a grave was dug in the wrong position.
There be no further business the meeting closed 9.00pm.
ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAS SPECIAL NEEDS AND REQUIRES A COPY OF THESE MINUTES SENT TO THEM – PLEASE CONTACT THE CLERK 01364 654607.
They can also be found on the Parish web site – ashpringtonandtuckenhay.co.uk
Download in pdf format: Minutes of the Meeting 4th September 2025