ASHPRINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING on Thursday December 1st, 2022 at 7.30 pm held in Ashprington Village Hall.
Present: Cllr Rogers {Chair}, Cllr L. Stocks. Cllr N. Paterson, Cllr K. Throgmorton, Cllr S. Greaves, Cllr T. Green, Cllr. Thompson
Also present: County Cllr J. Hawkins, Michael Read, Clerk. No members of the public.
- Declaration of interest in items on the agenda
Cllr Thompson – CAB Request for funding support. - Apologies
District Cllr McKay, M. Pearey, Tree Warden, P Macey, P3 Co Ordinator. - The minutes of the Parish Council meeting dated November 3rd, were approved and signed.
- Matters arising from the meeting November 3rd, 2022, not on the agenda;
Highways Grant
A grant application has been made to DCC Highways by Cllrs Thompson and Stocks, towards the cost of repairing the War Memorial. A decision is not expected before January.
2023/2024 Precept Process
The Chair, Vice Chair and the Clerk will meet shortly to assess the level of precept required for the next financial year. A proposal will then be put to the full council when it meets in January next.
War Memorial
Cllr Greaves gave an update on progress regarding raising funding for the repair of the War Memorial which it is expected will cost over £5000.00. £1000 has been pledged by DCC via Cllr McKay and £750 by DCC via Cllr Hawkins. Ian Bentlett has also secured funding of £200.00 from Rotary for which the Council is very grateful.
Further grant aid will be applied for, including the Big Lottery Fund. The Council also thanked Tony James and Sophie Paterson for their work to date on the digitisation project which is hoped to be ready by March 1st.
Stile at Lime Lane
The stile at the creek end of Lime Lane will be replaced by a new self- closing gate.
Resurfacing of Road/Footpath/Cycle way, Sharpham gates to St Davids Church
The Clerk reported that the work is scheduled to take place in January. Cllr Paterson is investigating if Sustrans might improve signage in the area.
- P3 Report.
Work remains to be done on the access gate to Crownley Woods, but there is a commitment to complete it. The fallen ash tree has now been removed. The parish footpath survey will be completed in the new year.
6.District and County Councillor Reports
District Councillor
Cll. McKay was unable to be present but reported that;
– The SHDC budget process was now underway
– The Follaton House reception will remain closed but may reopen in February 2023.
County Councillor Report
Cllr Hawkins has been away.
7.Tree Warden Report
Nothing to report this month.
- Planning
4092/22/ARC Steps Cottage. Approval of Details reserved by condition 10 of planning consent 4529/21/LBC. No Objection.
3556/22/NMM Hillside, Tuckenhay.
NMM to planning consent 2668/21/FUL Withdrawn.
- Correspondence
The Annual Citizens Advice Bureau report has been received by the Council. The Bureau is under pressure due to the problems with the economy and fuel crises. It was proposed and seconded and then unanimously voted in favour of awarding a grant of £200.00 to the CAB. Cllr Thomson declared an interest and did not participate.
- Finance
Treasurers Account -Balance £22.775.22. Cemetery Account – £353.84, P3 Account – £487.71. A/cs Approved and Payable, CAB Report & Request for Donation – £200 approved., Income- £1000.00 – SHDC Grant for War Memorial repairs.
- Ash Meadow Report
Chris Leigh has kindly provided the financial report below.
Financial update – End November 2022 balance = £12,052.56
During 2023 + £3,000.00 composing income = approx £15,000.00
less 2023 spend
- mowing and composting – £400.00
- ROSPA inspection. – £100.00
- Hedge cutting. – £100.00
- Brush cutter hire – £300.00
- Routine maintenance. – £300.00
Total outgoings. – £1,200.00
Balance expected @ end 2023 = £13,800
DAA sinking fund. – £500.00
Reserve – £1,500.00
Expected amount available for projects = £11,800.00
This shows a very healthy situation with sufficient provision for any unexpected expenditure. Whilst we have a good surplus it is entirely designated toward our plans to refurbish and improve the play area and recreation facilities as stated in our five-year plan. We have had another request for a memorial bench which is in hand. Currently should we proceed with estimates to provide new and replacement equipment we would be looking at a potential expenditure of approximately £20000. However, we have agreed to proceed with Stage One of our plans as soon as possible in providing a new long ((3.5mtrs) slide on a mound to be built using material donated by Nigel Dicken from the site of his new house. We may if neccessary do this without funding at a cost of circa £8K but see below. This may now be spring 2023 to avoid damage to the meadow.
However, we have also submitted two recent funding applications. The first is to the Big Lottery Community Fund which relates to the funding for the above slide as is for £8485 we should hear the result in about 6 weeks. Thanks to Sue an experienced funding journalist and friend of William who assisted with the application. We have also, with the support of Stuart Greaves, submitted a claim to the SHDC to assist with the improvement and equipment needs of the composting area. As the PC is aware, as a result of the ceasing of green waste collection by SHDC, it may become necessary to increase the size and facilities of our composting area. The application takes plans for two new compost bays and increased dry storage into account in addition to the provision of new equipment to improve our services and on site security. This funding request is for a total of £8250 which if successful will be utilised within the next 12 months and make our site much easier to manage.
We held an extremely well attended firework night where donations and soup sales ensured we more than covered our costs. Thanks to Simon Roberts for arranging. It has been mentioned however that the popularity of the event is now such that we created some parking issues where, had emergency vehicles been required, we may have had access issues within the village. It is an area we will need to address in the future.
Finally, we have renewed our contact with Orchard Link and Nigel is providing a report to them on our activities over the year in the Orchard. This will be a preliminary toward arranging a village apple pressing next year. More on that later.
- Councillors Areas of Responsibility/Other Business
Sustainable Ashprington
An energy saving meeting held on September 30th was well attended by 35 people. Energy saving ideas and grant information was shared. The Devon Carbon Plan was discussed. The next step is for Cllr Paterson and Emily Reed to put the Ashprington plan together.
Dart Harbour Group
Dart Harbour Group are working on their plan. Comments are invited either direct or to Cllr Thompson on the stakeholder element – there is a link on the website to facilitate comments.
Missing Post Box at Bow Bridge
The Clerk has been in touch with the Totnes Sorting Office – seemingly it’s not their responsibility but they have agreed to chase up regarding its return date.The meeting closed at 9pm.
Next Council meeting will be on Thursday January 5th, 2023 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Michael Read Ashprington Clerk spooks49@michaelread.plus.com. Tel. 01803 732047.
Download the meeting minutes in Microsoft Word format here: PC Minutes December 2022