ASHPRINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting Held Thursday 2nd October 2025 @ Ashprington Village Hall – 7.30pm
1) Open Forum – no points raised.
2) Present Cllr R Rogers (Chairman), Cllr L Stocks, Cllr K Throgmorton, C Cllr S Rake, Cllr P Thompson, Cllr S Paterson, Cllr S Greaves.
Attended by – Ian Bentlett (Ashmeadow).
3) Apologies, Cllr T Green, D Cllr J McKay.
4) Declarations of Interest.
Item 8a – Cllr S Rogers has declared an interest.
5) Previous Minutes
Minutes of the meeting held Thursday 4th September 2025.
The minutes have been distributed and read. Proposed by Cllr L Stocks and seconded by Cllr K Throgmorton with all in agreement. Duly signed by the Chairman – Cllr R Rogers.
6) Matters Arising
a) Post Box at Bow Bridge – Cllr Rogers reported that if the hole in the wall is stoned up, the red piece of metal would still be visible. Cllr Paterson suggested that maybe making it a feature with a mosaic or flowers in it, she will speak to some people in the Village about this.
b) Oak Tree next to the Coronation Plot – the Tree is losing branches now and could be unsafe, its thought that the piece of land could be owned by SHDC. Cllr S Rake will look into this at SHDC, the Clerk will send him a map showing the area in question.
c) Information Board at Tuckenhay – Cllr P Thompson reported that the new board is completed and should last at least 10 years.
7) Reports.
a) County Councillor – Cllr S Rake reported – strategic plan has been decided and the next will be the delivery plan, Council undergoing a care quality commission assessment looking at provision of social care so far 100 councils have had assessments and only 2 so far have outstanding, this is a long process before a report is given. Schools run by DCC are to have proper controls on the use of mobile phones in schools. Potholes – new approach being trialled in 2 areas, contractors are doing any holes within 500 metres of any reported holes even if they have not been reported. LGR – Devon has gone public with a proposal for 3 – Plymouth, Torbay and the rest of Devon. Other proposals ie: the 4,5,1 are being worked on by Plymouth & Torbay. The proposals will be submitted to government and they will decide which proposal is the most appropriate for Devon.
b) District Councillor – no report given.
c) Ash Meadow Recreation Ground.
Loan proposal from the Parish Council for the purchase of new mower to use at Ashmeadow – Cllrs have been informed of the costings via email by Ian Bentlett, 3 quotes for mowers will be sought before a purchase goes ahead. In principle Ashmeadow would like to borrow up to £8,000 which would be payable over 5 years (£1,600 per year). There will be some good buys around at the moment because its the end of the season.
Insurance – the mower policy will be added onto the Parish Council Insurance. Precept – the Parish Council has enough funds in reserve to cover the initial cost which will be paid back each year, this would not affect the Parish Precept or leave the Parish Council short of funds over 5 years. All Cllrs in agreement in principle with a loan, the figures to follow once a mower has been decided on.
d) Tree Warden – no report given.
e) P3 Co-Ordinator – no report given.
f) Defibrillator Group – Cllr S Paterson reported – now using the circuit and webnos for the Defibs. The Cornworthy group has invited Ashprington & Tuckenhay Group to some training. The group is currently down to only 4 members, it would ne nice if some more Parishioners would join the group.
g) Emergency Plan Group – Cllr K Throgmorton reported – A revised plan being done and will be sent to the Devon Resilience Group, winter plan also to be updated, 8 more volunteers have joined the group, now coming into the season for cones to be put out and a letter drop to be done to remind Parishioners about the gritter route and parking.
h) Village Hall – nothing to report.
i) Dart Harbour Commissioning Group – nothing to report.
j) Website and Cllrs e-mail addresses – Cllrs dedicated email addresses have now been set up, cost £44 per year.
k) Cllr Greaves report on Remembrance Sunday and Church Flag.
Cllr Greaves reported – attendance at this years Remembrance Sunday is expected to be good with people representing all the services, there will be around 11 wreaths to be laid. The childrens poppy painting went very well at Tractorfest and some funds have been raised from this.
Stacey Gurr will be asked to lay the Wreath on behalf of the Parish Council.
£200 donation to the British Legion from the Parish Council – all Cllrs in agreement.
Parishioners have commented about the Ukranian flag which is still on the church after 3 years, this is not a Parish Council matter but a reply has been received from the Church to say it will come down on Friday 7th November in readiness for Remembrance Sunday.
8) Planning Applications / Matters.
Applications received from South Hams District Council –
a) Application no 1901/25/FUL – Bowden Woods Farm – Erection of agricultural workshop building. Cllr Rogers declared an interest and left the meeting. Support – all in agreement.
Decisions received from South Hams District Council –
a) Trees Works no objection raised – Application no 2343/25/TCA – Quillet, Hill Park TQ9 7UX – Works to T1 Honey Locust.
b) Tree Works no objection raised – Application no 2438/25/TCA – Dovecote Cottage TQ9 7UW – Works to Magnolias, T1, T2 & T3.
9) Correspondence –
10) Highways
a) Hedgecutting – some hedges in the Parish have been identified as encroaching onto the Highway, these will be checked and a general letter written to the Occupiers to ask them to attend to, a full list will be drawn up to be agreed at the next meeting.
b) Japanese Knotweed – several pieces have been identified on private land, the Parishioners will be spoken to by Cllr Rogers & Stocks.
c) Bow Creek debris – Cllr L Stocks reported that this came down from Cork Screw Hill in wet weather and has still not been cleared up despite DCC saying contractors will do by the 18th September, this has now blocked up all the drains and the mud on the road has compacted and will now need machinery to scrape it up. C Cllr S Rake has noted this and will chase up at DCC.
d) Cllr R Rogers – 12 months ago DCC did an excellent job of cleaning out all the Buddleholes in the Parish and cutting back the vegetation, could they possibly do this again as it kept them clear for the whole of the winter. C Cllr S Rake will also ask if this can be done.
11) Finances.
Payments
BACS – 1.9.25 – £213.67 (vat £35.61) – Marlands Consultancy (Materials for Bus Shelter).
BACS – 2.9.25 – £90.00 – Ian Judge (Web Hosting 12 months).
BACS – 10.9.25 – £106.26 (vat £21.25) – Mr R G Marsden (Ashmeadow Electrics Box).
BACS – 23.9.25 – £252.00 (vat £42.00) – PKF Littlejohn (External Audit).
BACS – 23.9.25 – £102.00 (vat £17.00) – D Signs (Information Board).
Bank Balances October 2025
Treasurers Account = £36,201.69
Monies held within Parish Council Account
Cemetery Fund – £1,728.46
P3 – £530.54
Ash Meadow – £16,032.87
Defib – £3,991.94
12) Any Items to go onto the next Parish Council meeting Agenda.
a) Next Meeting Date – 6th November 2025.
b) Xmas Tree & Lights.
There be no further business the meeting closed 8.50pm.
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 2nd October 2025