ASHPRINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting Held Thursday 8th May 2025 @ Ashprington Village Hall – 7.40pm following the Annual Meeting of the Council.
1) Open Forum –
a) Parishioner had asked about display of Agenda – it was confirmed that it can be found on the website and in the bus shelter and Parish Council noticeboards.
b) Many thanks to Rebecca Lee for organising the Easter Egg Hunt in the Village.
c) VE Day – Many thanks to Tony James for today at the War Memorial and also the organisers of todays coffee morning – Clare Grimshaw and her team, and the decorations in the Hall which were made by Jennifer Strickland and the Craft Club.
d) Remembrance Day – being organised already, stand at Tractor Fest to get children to paint their own poppies for a donation, bottles are being collected for the ends to be used for making poppies.
2) Present Cllr R Rogers (Chairman), Cllr S Paterson, Cllr S Greaves, Cllr L Stocks, Cllr K Throgmorton, D Cllr J McKay, C Cllr S Rake.
Attended by – Mr Ian Bentlett (Ash Meadow).
3) Apologies Cllr P Thompson, Cllr T Green, Pam Macey (P3).
4) Declarations of Interest.
5) Previous Minutes
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting – Thursday 3rd April 2025.
Minutes of the meeting held Thursday 3rd April 2025.
Proposed by Cllr K Throgmorton and seconded by Cllr S Greaves with all in agreement. Duly signed by the Chairman.
6) Matters Arising
a) Thermal Imaging Camera Loan update – Cllr L Stocks reported that the Parishioners interested would like to take up this offer again in the winter of 25/26. SHDC confirmed that it will be offering it again.
b) Post Box at Bow Bridge – carried forward to the next meeting, the Clerk to investigate further as calls to the central office of Royal Mail have not been helpful.
c) New Filing Cabinets for Paperwork in the Village Hall – carry forward to the next meeting.
d) Parish Clerk – Cllr Rogers confirmed that the Clerk had now been employed for 6 months. All Cllrs were happy and the Clerk confirmed she was happy to continue.
e) Information Map at Tuckenhay – carry forward to the next meeting.
f) Climate Emergency – Cllr S Greaves – Ashprington is classed as a climate emergency parish, what happens differently to acknowledge this.
Cllr Stocks confirmed that being a Climate Emergency Parish makes us more aware and helps us to consider actions and options to improve the environment we live in. Things such as the loan of the Thermal Imaging Camera, Community Composting & donating to Community Transport all can be an acknowledgement of the Climate Emergency. Cllr Greaves asked that the matter be placed on the next Agenda when all Cllrs are present so a vote can be taken on whether to continue as a Climate Emergency Parish.
7) Reports.
a) County Councillor – Cllr S Rake – firstly many thanks to my predecessor Johnathan Hawkins he served the area well for many years. I am currently Chairman of Blackawton Parish Council, community really matters to me and I would like to see them flourish, I have been a District Cllr since 2023. There are 27 Liberal Democrats elected on the County Council, it’s a 60 seat council so an agreement on administration will need to be reached. First council meeting on the 22nd May, Julian Brazil is leader, so its likely he will be elected as leader of the DCC. Local Government reorganisation is coming, this may mean that some services will be downgraded and that Parish Councils may need to step up and fill the gaps.
Cllrs asked that the Clerk send a letter of thanks to Johnathan Hawkins for all his years service, its been much appreciated.
b) District Councillor – Cllr J Mckay – Local Government Reorganisation – 1,4,5 option was being supported by the Liberal Democrats so this may well now be the preferred option. Rented accommodation leaflets have been produced by SHDC Housing, this will be displayed on the website and is offering help to any tenants in rented properties. Community Transport – forum to be organised with various organisations to see how they can help each other expand their services.
c) Ash Meadow Recreation Ground – Mr Ian Bentlett
Many thanks to Johnathan Hawkins he was a great help with the composting site at Ash Meadow.
Ashmeadow site – General maintenance tasks are proceeding as usual on second Saturday of each month. Eight to ten volunteers in attendance – I thank them for that effort. Next work party 10th May.
Safety inspection – resulted in climbing frame being condemned against any further use. Immediately roped off with warning signs. It was felt we may be able to save a considerable amount of funds by replacing as is using a local contact of Roberts. However whilst overall cost could be as little as £5000 compared to £20 K it is proving difficult to obtain the correct materials. The old frame is due to be taken down this weekend as part of the work party. Uprights may require assistance to take out as they are concreted in. Other issues with safety inspection include limited remaining time for the play hut usage. We also need new furniture. All is in hand and will be resolved in due course by funding and repair.
Composting area – Heavy depositing of green waste may prove problematical if SHDC cannot complete required shredding under the contract we have currently.
Extending the electricity supply from the current mains box and new concrete panels for green waste area are all in hand and under discussion with Robert. Chosen contractor for electric work has been advised but I am yet to receive a response and confirmation – will be chasing It is hoped work will be completed before the Tractor Fest
No progress on the issue mentioned last time associated with replacement of old sleepers enclosing shredded material. Funding will be required for this as mentioned in last report in the region of £3600.
Activity on the site – Easter egg hunt was enjoyed by all who attended.
Tractor fest on 19th July with a reserve date in the event of having to cancel the first due to weather of 13th September.
d) Tree Warden – nothing to report.
e) P3 Co-Ordinator – Pam Macey reported by e-mail – The permissive footpath has been strimmed by the owner Peter Mantle, it was very overgrown. He expressed his approval of the footbridge and sign. Also I just wanted to thank Robert for arranging the remedial work on the top steps and handrail.
f) Defibrillator Group – Cllr S Paterson – all well at present, looking at the encroachment of ivy into one of the boxes
g) Emergency Plan – nothing to report.
h) Village Hall – Summer Lunch on the 7th June – tickets available now.
i) Dart Harbour Commissioning Group – nothing to report.
8) Planning Applications / Matters.
Applications received from South Hams District Council –
a) Application no 0936/25/TCA – Ashprington House TQ9 7UW – Lawson Cypress Trees – Crown Height reduction of all trees to 4 meters in order to allow light into neighbouring properties. No objections – all in agreement.
b) Application no 1276/25/ARC – Tuckenhay House TQ9 7EQ – Application for approval of details reserved by condition 3 (stone wall) of planning Consent 2352/23/LBC. No objections all in agreement.
Decisions received from South Hams District Council – none.
9) Correspondence –
a) South Hams Way Launch – 14th September 2025 – noted by Cllrs. b) Upcoming events – Up the Creek -21st June 2.00pm start Maltsters quay. Organisers have asked if there can be suggestions where people can park, they are encouraging people to walk & cycle but some may drive.
10) Highways
a) Bow Bridge – Damage – the bridge has been damaged again, ask DCC whether they can again look at signage, weight limit and width restrictions – Cllr S Rake will raise this with Lisa Edmonds – DCC Highways Officer.
11) Finances.
Payments
BACS – 1.4.25 – £186.28 (vat £24.28) – DALC (Annual Sub).
BACS – 9.4.25 – £200.00 – Bob the Bus Community Transport (PC Donation).
BACS – 9.4.25 – £180.00 (vat £30.00) – ROSPA Play Safety (Ashmeadow Inspection).
BACS – 4.4.25 – £274.42 (vat £45.74) – Interline (Away Gardens Path).
DD – 16.4.25 – £0.75p – EDF (Ashmeadow Electric).
BACS – 17.4.25 – £150.00 (vat £25.00) – Robert Rogers Agriculture (Ashmeadow Hedges).
BACS – 17.4.25 – £90.00 (vat £15.00) – Robert Rogers Agriculture (Cemetery Hedges).
BACS – 25.4.25 – £611.02 – Clear Councils (Annual Insurance Policy).
Bank Balances May 2025
Treasurers Account = £32,628.85
Monies held within Parish Council Account
Cemetery Fund – £532.71
P3 – £239.22
Ash Meadow – £12,510.14
Defib – £3,957.74
12) Any Items to go onto the next Parish Council meeting Agenda.
a) Next Meeting Date – 5th June 2025
There be no further business the meeting closed 8.44pm
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 8th May 2025.doc