ASHPRINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting Held Thursday 4th December 2025 @ Ashprington Village Hall – 7.30pm
1) Open Forum –
a) Cold Callers in the Village – Parishioner had reported a cold caller claiming to be collecting from a Charity, piece to go into the newsletter and on the website telling Parishioners to be vigilant.
b) Bernard Taylor – Chairman of SHDC was present, visiting as many Councils as he can during his time as Chairman. SHDC Awards coming up shortly if you want to put forward anyone from the Parish who has done work in the Community this year.
2) Present Cllr R Rogers (Chairman), C Cllr S Rake, Cllr P Thompson, Cllr K Throgmorton, Cllr L Stocks.
Attended by – Bernard Taylor (SHDC Chairman).
3) Apologies, Cllr S Paterson, Cllr T Green, D Cllr J McKay, Pam Macey (P3).
4) Declarations of Interest.
9c) Cllr P Thompson has declared an interest.
8b) Cllr R Rogers has declared an interest.
5) Previous Minutes
Minutes of the meeting held Thursday 6th November 2025.
The minutes have been distributed and read. Proposed by Cllr K Throgmorton and seconded by Cllr L Stocks with all in agreement. Duly signed by the Chairman – Cllr R Rogers.
6) Matters Arising
7) Reports.
a) County Councillor – C Cllr S Rake reported – DCC had an Ofstead inspection checkup further to being put into special measures, the recent report now confirms that the improvement programme is going well and this is good news. At the last meeting action was discussed on the protection of rivers, and also action on pavement parking. LGR submissions have now been made to the Secretary of State, we will now await the decision which comes back for consultation. Foster Care – this will be pushed throughout Devon as more carers are needed.
Cllr Rogers confirmed that the Buddleholes have not yet been cleared in the Parish – Cllr Rake confirmed he will chase this up with Highways.
b) District Councillor – no report given.
c) Ash Meadow Recreation Ground – report from Ian Bentlett circulated by email –
• Next working party 13th December.
• Collection of compost is improving again
• New budget discussions with Sharon requested before further expenditure.
• £8000 Loan offered by PC for mower was not fully utilised – Cost of mower was £5,318.
• New Mower and strimmer to be delivered mid December
• Storage of new equipment will be in current container once old one is installed in place.
• Quotes being obtained for new concrete green waste bays.
• Parishioners request change to football nets and Permissive path for dogs have been rejected
• Climbing frame official opening to be held Noon on 13th December opened by Alex.
• New funding application for 3 information boards and new siever being progressed though the Lottery.
• CIC should be finally closed by year-end. Paper docs just need signing
• Bonfire night was disappointing.
d) Tree Warden – nothing to report.
e) P3 Co-Ordinator – nothing to report.
f) Defibrillator Group – Cllr S Paterson reported by email – I am delighted to say that further to recent conversations with Parish Council Chair – Robert Rogers, myself and Jonny Gurr who has kindly offered to take on the role of Defib Group Chair. This is a positive development, Thank you, Jonny, for your willingness to step in.
g) Emergency Plan – Cllr K Throgmorton – new grit has been delivered, Maltsters have agreed to act as a refuse if needed in an emergency. Cones have been put out now for the gritter to come through if needed.
h) Village Hall – no meeting held.
i) Dart Harbour Commissioning Group – Cllr P Thompson reported – minutes have been circulated to Cllrs by email. The Registration of ancient and landscape trees will be brought to the attention of the Tree Wardens, also healthy hedgerows on land is being encouraged. Port Master plan presentation asked if they could come to a meeting next year to address the Parish Council. Pontoon at Stoke Gabriel has now moved to Duncannon, looking into opening up a ferry again from Ashprington to Stoke Gabriel. Water Quality – no swimming advised in the upper Dart Estuary.
8) Planning Applications / Matters.
Applications received from South Hams District Council –
a) 3291/25/TCA – Tuckenhay House, Tuckenhay TQ9 7EQ – Works to Trees in a Conservation Area – X1 Oak, X2 Cherry, X3 Yew. Noted this has been approved, no objection had been received from the Tree Warden.
b) 3278/25/VAR – Ashprington Court TQ9 7UW – Variation of Condition 7 (hours of operation) of planning consent 3768/24/FUL. Cllr R Rogers has declared an interest. No objection from the Parish Council.
Decisions received from South Hams District Council – none
9) Correspondence –
a) SHDC – Thermal Imaging Camera Loan – the scheme this year is done in conjunction with South Devon Community Energy. They would come an do a presentation. Results from the Camera would be followed up. The Clerk will ask if they could do a presentation on a Saturday morning in February.
b) Funding Request – Ashprington Childrens Xmas Party – all in agreement to Pay for the Bouncy Castle as a one off for this year cost of £205 + vat.
c) Funding Request – South Hams Citizens Advice – £200 proposed by Cllr L Stocks & seconded by Cllr K Throgmorton with all in agreement. Cllr P Thompson declared an interest and did not vote.
d) Damage to Jubilee Commemorative Oak Bench – damage will be inspected by Cllr K Throgmorton.
10) Highways
a) Hedgecutting in the Parish – Ashprington hedges which need cutting back have been identified and property owners will be written to along with Tuckenhay property owners in January 2026.
b) Street Sweeping – Cllr L Stocks requested if Ashprington & Tuckenhay can have the street sweeper. Cllr J McKay will be asked if he can request this at SHDC.
11) Finances.
Payments
BACS – 7.11.25 – £64.96 (vat £10.83) – Lights 4 Fun (Xmas Lights).
BACS – 11.11.25 – £22.50 (vat £3.75) – Sharon Raggett (Batteries for Xmas Lights).
BACS – 4.12.25 – £1,213.68 – Sharon Raggett (Clerks Salary Oct, Nov, Dec).
Bank Balances December 2025
Treasurers Account = £35,331.94
Monies held within Parish Council Account
Cemetery Fund – £2,283.46
P3 – £530.54
Ash Meadow – £6,340.27
Defib – £3,991.94
12) Any Items to go onto the next Parish Council meeting Agenda.
a) Next Meeting Date – 8th January 2026.
There be no further business the meeting closed 8.21pm.
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 December 2025