ASHPRINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING on Thursday 7th of July 2022 at 7.30 pm held in Ashprington Village Hall.
Present; Cllr Rogers {Chair}, Cllr T. Green, Cllr. Thomson, Vice Chair, Cllr L. Stocks. Cllr N. Paterson, Cllr K. Throgmorton, Cllr S. Greaves,
Also present, Michael Read, Clerk, County Cllr J. Hawkins, District Cllr McKay no members of the public.
1. Declaration of interest in items on the agenda. None
2. Apologies – M. Pearey, Tree Warden, P Macey, P3 Co Ordinator.
3. The minutes of the Parish Council meeting dated June 9th, were approved and signed.
4. Matters arising from the meeting June 9th, 2022, not on the agenda;
Speeding in Ashprington
Plans are in hand to repeat the “Twenty is Plenty” exercise in September and volunteers are sought to join in. Cllr Throgmorton will write out to councillors nearer the date.
Potholes
Potholes continue to be a concern for West Dart parishes but clearly there is some funding available in parts of Devon but little activity in our parish. There are other issues that concern Cllr Rogers and it was agreed that a meeting should be called to discuss a way forward with other parishes. Sadly no other parishes have opted to attend.
The pothole near to the Maltsters continues to cause concern and has been reported to DCC Highways multiple times. However, it does not seem to meet DCC’s criteria for repair.
War Memorial
There are signs of bare grass patches on the memorial. Seed will be applied and affected areas roped off to allow the new grass to sprout.
Proposed Parking Restriction in Ashprington
Cllr Stocks has responded on behalf of the Council to DCC regarding the proposed yellow lines {DYLs} for pinch points in Ashprington. The proposed lines are in fact less extensive than those illustrated by DCC and Cllr Stocks has asked that the original application be honoured. There has been very little response from residents. The application will be considered by HATOC {Highways and Traffic Order Committee} on July 8th but a decision may be deferred until November.
Community Event in Tuckenhay {known as Up the Creek}
An event on the river near the Maltsters has been arranged by a group of volunteers from Tuckenhay and will take place on July 23rd. The Chair and Vice Chair have met the organizers and whilst the event will be largely self-funding, a small donation will be made by Cllr Mckay’s SHDC fund {£200.00} – the total funding sought was £300.00 and the Council voted to make up the shortfall by donating £100.00.
Cemetery
Cllr Throgmorton talked through current and future maintenance plans for the Cemetery. A working party will be convened to amongst other work uprooting some of the bracken and to stop the rewilded area running wild and affecting the area of graves. Plans are not too rigid but wildflowers will be planted and separate “islands” maintained.
Tuckenhay Bus Shelter Roof
The roof is in need of repair. Two estimates for its refurbishment will be sought by Cllr Throgmorton and the Clerk and any remedial work commissioned.
Police Hubs
Cllr Greaves attended a meeting recently to explore the creation of Police Hubs in South Devon. The concept is at the exploratory stage and a further meeting is planned with Anthony Mangnall MP in September. It is hoped that this might lead to a more visible police presence in future.
P3 Report
The circular walk in Crownley Woods is incomplete and the woods still need to be trimmed.
6. District & County Councillor Reports
County Councillor
Cllr Hawkins will chair the HATOC committee meeting on July 8th when the Ashprington bid for yellow lines will be considered. Cllr Hawkins believes that that a project for the redevelopment of Totnes Leisure centre and Market Square will go ahead with £1.5m funding.
District Councillor
No news is yet available on attempts to improve the Recycling Service in the South Hams. The “Aldi Redevelopment” in Ivybridge has had its planning application turned down by SHDC.
Harbertonford Community Shop
A Community Share Offer started on June 10th in an attempt to raise £60000. It closes on July 25th. Progress has been encouraging with over £31000 raised with more to follow.
The reopening of Follaton House has been postponed from July to August or September. Cllr Thompson pointed out that the lack of at least a reception presence and access to toilets is regrettable.
7.Tree Warden Report
Nothing to report this month.
8. Planning
1593/22/TCA W. Dunlop. Myrtle Cottage. Various Tree Works. Approved SHDC.
1599/22/TCA K. Carr,1 Frogmore Farm. T1 Sycamore- Fell & remove to ground level. –
Approved SHDC.
9. Correspondence
Nothing to report.
10. Finance.
Treasurers Account -Balance £21.815.22. Cemetery Account – £353.84, P3 Account – £487.71. A/cs Approved and Payable – Clerks Salary, April 1st to June 30th – £823.80. Income tax -£549.20. Parish Expenses, April 1st to June 30th. 2022. £167.03, Website Domain fee – £28.78. Income – £40.00. -Allotment Rental.
11. Ash Meadow Report
AGM held last night. Disappointing that no members of the public attended apart from those on the committee, Mike Read and two apologies from Parisioners. Minutes of AGM will be published in due course. The five year plan now formally adopted. Both will be on the website. Request to Parish Council made to provide an Ash Meadow committee link on the PC website hopefully will be agreed. Financially we have finalised and agreed the end of year reports and show finance to be healthy. Received £3250 in grants applied for. Investigating options to replace climbing frame quotes have been received. Discussed at length in AGM. Maintenance is proceeding on track – next meeting of work party is Saturday 9th July. Some issues with green waste from outside the parish being left on our pile. The composting book has “disappeared” and we would like it back if possible as it is essential for our income. We have a new fixed rubbish bin provided by the council to replace the one that was broken
12. Ashprington Village Hall Report
To date expenditure has been slightly greater than income. Present daily running costs are to be assessed as a result of the rising cost of energy and oil. Hall bookings continue to be steady. The hall will be unavailable on 4th May 2023 as it will be used for local elections. At the “Sumptuous Afternoon Tea” that was provided as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations £310 was received in donations to the Disasters Emergency Committee Ukraine Appeal. The Winter Lunch will be returning in the Village Hall on 3rd December with a possible winter quiz to take place in late January.
13. Councillors Areas of Responsibility/Other Business
Sustainable Ashprington Group
This group is now established with eight initial members. It will be concerned not only the Climate Emergency but with many issues such as wildlife, developing community groups, mutual help and support, bartering/sharing. They will examine transport and energy matters. Cllr McKay offered to support financially. Parish Council “lead” is Cllr Paterson.
Small Parish Gritters
The Council is looking to “borrow” a small area where the small gritters can be stored. Please contact the Clerk if you can help.
The meeting closed at 9.15pm. There is no meeting in August unless a meeting needs to be convened to consider Planning Applications. Next full council meeting will be on Thursday September 1st, 2022 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall.
Michael Read Ashprington Clerk spooks49@michaelread.plus.com. Tel. 01803 732047.
Download the meeting minutes as a Mircosoft Word document here: PC Minutes July 2022