ASHPRINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting Held Thursday 6th November 2025 @ Ashprington Village Hall – 7.30pm
1) Open Forum – no points raised.
2) Present Cllr R Rogers (Chairman), C Cllr S Rake, Cllr P Thompson, Cllr S Paterson, Cllr T Green, D Cllr J McKay.
Attended by – no public present.
3) Apologies, Cllr S Greaves, Cllr L Stocks, Cllr K Throgmorton.
4) Declarations of Interest.
5) Previous Minutes
Minutes of the meeting held Thursday 2nd October 2025.
The minutes have been distributed and read. Proposed by Cllr S Paterson and seconded by Cllr T Green with all in agreement. Duly signed by the Chairman – Cllr R Rogers.
6) Matters Arising
a) Post Box at Bow Bridge – Cllr S Paterson reported that Ali Soper has installed a piece of art into the empty space.
b) Oak Tree next to the Coronation Plot – C Cllr Rake confirmed that this is on South Hams Land, the South Hams Tree Officer will be instructed to take a look at this, any necessary works will then be carried out by SHDC.
c) Xmas Tree & Lights – 2 sets of waterproof lights with timers to be purchased for the trees outside the Hall and the Hollytree next to the bus shelter at Tuckenhay, budget around £50.00.
7) Reports.
a) County Councillor – C Cllr S Rake reported – LGR all proposals to shortly go to the secretary of state, a decision will be made and then a proposal will come back out for consultation sometime next Spring. The possible outcome is that at least 2 of the proposals will come back for consultation.
DCC are having a push on Fostering.
The Care Quality Commission Inspection has now been completed – the results are being awaited.
Street Lighting Trials taking place – dimming of lights, turning off earlier and on later – reducing usage by two thirds.
Lengthsman is expected to come through the Village at some point.
Bow Creek Debris was reported and now has been cleared.
b) District Councillor – D Cllr J McKay reported – LGR proposals have been discussed at SHDC – who are supporting the 4,5,1 proposal. One suggestion coming from South Hams is to have a poll for the whole of Devon to get views from residents.
I am currently involved in a project encouraging people to buy local.
c) Ash Meadow Recreation Ground – proposal has been received from Ian Bentlett which has been circulated to Cllrs as follows:- We would appreciate the Parish Council agreement for our committee to investigate the opportunities to build a permissive fenced path along the Western Perimeter of the area known as Ashmeadow on the condition that we are able to identify a suitable funding source. Should we gain your agreement we will proceed by completing a full feasibility study including the following procedure.
• Agree the suitability of a path with the leaseholders Sharpham (without this we cannot proceed).
• Agree with the direct neighbours the intended route
• Request three quotes for construction of permissive path
• Investigate funding sources as that is essential to our views that we do not feel it appropriate to use our own funds
• Research appropriate signage
• Consider the need for a village meeting once plans are finalised All Cllrs in agreement that Ashmeadow carry on with the investigations into this, but the Parish Council cannot support this financially.
d) Tree Warden – nothing to report.
e) P3 Co-Ordinator.
f) Defibrillator Group – Cllr S Paterson confirmed that the quiz night at the Pub will be supporting the defib group. Checks on the defibs continue, using the new circuit system. Currently only 4 members in the Group, more would be welcomed, a piece will go into the Parish Magazine and on the website asking for more help. Cllr Paterson would like to step down from Chair of the group if a new chair could be found. Cllr P Thompson offered to help in Jan/Feb to organise a drop in session or something similar to drum up new support for the Group.
g) Emergency Plan Group.
h) Village Hall – written report received from Cllr L Stocks and circulated to Cllrs as
follows:-
The Village Hall remains a significant and valuable asset for the Parish community. Its continued use is evident in the steady flow of bookings, which in turn generate consistent income. This financial stability enables ongoing repairs and maintenance, ensuring the hall remains in good condition for all users.
Committee Review of Governance
Recently, the committee has undertaken a review of the governing arrangements originally established in the 1998 document. Through this process, it has become clear that the document requires updating to comply with current legislation. The committee is committed to revising and amending relevant policies and practices, and will produce an updated governance document to reflect these necessary changes.
Background and Trusteeship
The initial governance document notes that the land for the Village Hall was generously gifted by Oxley Durant Parker in 1927. Additionally, it identifies the Parish Council as the Holding Trustees, a role they have held since 1975.
Events and Future Plans
This year, there will be no Winter lunch; however, the committee is actively considering other events for the future. Ideas include a garden open event, as well as the installation of a Christmas tree and festive lights on the hall’s grass area. The next committee meeting is scheduled for February 12, 2026.
Land registry – The Parish Council agreed they may need to apply to Land registry as Trustees of the Land which the Hall stands on if its confirmed from old documents that this has not already been done.
i) Dart Harbour Commissioning Group – nothing to report.
k) Remembrance Sunday – Service taking place at 10.45am on Sunday 9th.
8) Planning Applications / Matters.
Applications received from South Hams District Council – none
Decisions received from South Hams District Council –
a) Conditional Approval – Application no 1901/25/FUL – Bowden Woods Farm – Erection of agricultural workshop building.
b) Discharge of Condition Approved – Application no 2102/25/ARC – Ashprington Court TQ9 7UW – Approval of details reserved by conditions 2 (lighting strategy) & 3 (access improvements) to planning consent 3768/24/FUL.
9) Correspondence –
a) SHDC – Thermal Imaging Camera Loan – carry forward to next meeting.
10) Highways
a) Hedgecutting in the Parish – a piece will be put in the Parish Magazine and on the website to remind Parishioners of their responsibility for hedgecutting.
b) Japanese Knotweed – Parishioners have been spoken to about this.
c) Bow Creek debris clearance – this has now been cleared by DCC.
d) Buddlehole Clearance – C Cllr S Rake confirmed that DCC will be visiting the Parish to do this.
11) Finances.
Payments
BACS – 26.9.25 – £24.95 (vat £4.16) – Sharon Raggett (Ink Carts for Printer).
BACS – 29.9.25 – £44.00 – Judges Web Design (Cllrs Mailboxes 12 months).
BACS – 2.10.25 – £10.59 (vat £1.77) – Sharon Raggett (Wood for Noticeboard).
BACS – 3.10.25 – £52.92 (vat £8.82) – Lynn Paterson (Bulbs for Ashmeadow).
BACS – 9.10.25 – £670.00 – Joe Todd (Grass Cutting 2025).
BACS – 9.10.25 – £200.00 – British Legion (PC Donation).
BACS – 9.10.25 – £696.00 (vat £116.00) – Jamie Rogers (Ashmeadow Compost Panel Works).
BACS – 15.10.25 – £6,752.40 (vat £1,125.40) – Earth Wrights (Ashmeadow Play Equipment).
BACS – 24.10.25 – £1,200.00 – Paul Van Den Elst (Ashmeadow Grass).
BACS – 28.10.25 – £2,329.20 (vat £388.20) – Earth Wrights (Ashmeadow Play Equipment).
BACS – 28.10.25 – £6,000.00 (vat £1,000.00) – Earth Wrights (Ashmeadow Play Equipment).
BACS -28.10.25 – £63.75 (vat £10.63) – Jill Davies (Paint for Ashmeadow).
BACS – 28.10.25 – £200.00 – Paul Van Den Elst (Ashmeadow Grass).
BACS – 28.10.25 – £15.00 – Ian Bentlett (Ashmeadow Expenses).
Bank Balances November 2025
Treasurers Account = £32,895.22
Monies held within Parish Council Account
Cemetery Fund – £1,728.46
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 – 4th December 2025.
There be no further business the meeting closed 8.45pm.
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 6th November 2025