ASHPRINGTON PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the PARISH COUNCIL MEETING on Thursday September 5th, 2024 at 7.30 pm held in Ashprington Village Hall.
Present; Cllr Rogers{Chair}, Cllr Greaves, Cllr Throgmorton, Cllr Green, Cllr Stocks, Cllr Paterson, County Cllr Hawkins, District Cllr McKay, Michal Read, Psrish Clerk,
P3 Co-ordinator Pam Macey, One member of the public.
1.Declaration of interest in items on the Agenda.
None
- Apologies M. Pearey, Tree Warden, Cllr Thompson.
- The minutes of the Parish Council meeting dated July 4th were approved.
- Matters arising from the meeting not on the agenda;
Highway Maintenance Community Fund.
Cllrs Stocks and Thompson have now submitted a claim to DCC
Letter from Meg Booth, Head of Highways at Devon County Council
Meg Booth wrote to the Parish Council concerning the withdrawal of the gritting service for the parish. The contents were discussed and it was agreed that the Clerk should respond pointing out the considerable amount of effort the parish has undertaken to try and keep access open to the gritter. She did offer to arrange for additional Civil Parking Enforcement in the autumn. Cllr Hawkins offered to write to Meg Booth on behalf of the parish asking that the service be resumed in the winter due to the efforts the parish has made.
VAT and Storage Container
The Clerk was asked whether VAT would be recoverable on the purchase of the container – the Clerk confirmed it would. The Ash Meadow group will have expenditure on new railway sleepers. It was suggested that Cllr. McKay might grant up to £500 towards the cost and that Ash Meadow could explore the possibility of funding from the Rural Income Prosperity Fund.
Gov.uk Domain.
Parish Councils have received advice that they should apply for Domain.uk status. Grants of £100 plus VAT might be available for until February 2025. Over 500 councils have already applied. The advantages are said to be Legitimacy, Cyber Security and control. Cllr Paterson agreed to look into it.
Repair/Remedial work to the Tuckenhay Bus Shelter and War Memorial
Cllr Stocks queried when the work on the above might be completed. The Chair confirmed that now that the summer is over, there will be time for the work to be completed under the direction of himself and Cllr. Throgmorton. It was not deemed necessary to employ contractors to carry out the work. The verge just above Crownley Woods needs attention and the Chair requested that Cllr Green and Cllr Greaves might help. Cllr Paterson was asked to check out whether Sustainable Ashprington
might assist with planting wild flowers.
Tree in The Cemetery
A tree in the cemetery planted in lieu of a headstone is causing concern due to the spread of its roots affecting nearby graves. It was agreed that the tree needed to be pruned to prevent any more damage.
P3 Report.
Pam Macey pointed out that the “bridge” in Crownley Woods needed some remedial work. Cllr Green offered to assist.
6 District Councillor Report
Cllr McKay reported on a number of initiatives undertaken by SHDC. These include;
- Attempts to take over the Cider Press Centre to turn it into a showcase for local produce.
- SHDC are supporting attempts to assist Schumacher College through its current problems.
- Attempts to create artisan workshops at the old Carpenter Oak Site.
- Supporting the South Hams Festival.
- Administering a Green Fund to help Biodiversity.
- NPPF Consultation . A statutory Government instruction to build 850 houses up from 550.
- Supporting South Brent Woodland Project funded by DEFRA.
- Housing Support Fund has been extended.
- Attempts made to revitalise the South Hams Markets including Totnes.
7.Tree Warden Report
Cllr Pearey will attend the Tree Warden AGM at Follaton House on September 9th.
- Planning
1915/24/HHO East Perchwood. Application for side and rear extension to existing
dwelling and alterations to parking area. Conditional Approval
1993/24/ARC Steps Cottage. Application for Removal of Details.Dischage of Condition Approved.
1822/24/CLE Coombe Park. Certificate of Lawfulness. Certificate of Lawfulness Approved.
- Correspondence
Email from Sustainable South Hams.
Email from SHDC on the proposed South Hams Festival
- Finance
Finance. Treasurers Account -Balance £32286.51, Cemetery Account – £353.84,P3 Account – £487.71 Attributable to Defibrillator Group – £3084.26. Attributable to Ash Meadow – £3600.00. Expenditure approved –£7.00 Defibrillator Supplies. Web hosting fee – £90.00.
11.Ash Meadow Report
Ash Meadow site.
General maintenance work parties are proceeding well, although we are getting potential issues coping with the amount of green waste being left on site.
Thanks to all volunteers who have attended. Tom Mathew Lee has shown interest in becoming a new committee member as has Roger Marston. They of course will be very welcome.
As mentioned before, the exercise equipment has now been serviced but it is thought we may have a bearing problem which may require further attention on the walker.
The new chips are now all in place on the climbing frame. Thanks to Chris and Barbara for completing this. As well as being required by the safety inspection they look much better. I do not know if we will be able to claim VAT relief on the £560 cost?
The suggestion that we close the CIC is still under discussion.
We have also now taken our own public liability insurance protection. I was advised by the PC’s current insurers when enquiring about fun day protection that work/ activity/events which were undertaken by the Ash meadow committee would not have Public liability protection. Despite our link with the PC we were not covered by the PC’s policy as volunteers as we were deemed independent due to having our own bank account and committee. This would also have applied to the work parties.
Reading the PC’s policy it was also noted that one of the conditions was to undertake a WEEKLY inspection of the play and other equipment. I enquired the need for this and it was confirmed so I now undertake a weekly check which I record.
The long grass, retained for wildlife protection in the orchard area, has been mowed by Nigel and other volunteers and more volunteers are required to help with raking up the grass.
Composting area:
Robert has been very busy of late so we have not been able to progress the building of our new concrete barriers for the green waste deposit area. It is in hand however and will take place as soon as possible.
We are proceeding to make arrangements to install the remaining items such as the new hard standing. The need for CCTV has become more acceptable now. This follows what appeared to be an attempted break in to the new container when the doors were found by me to be open with latches undone but fortunately the new lock held fast so they could not get in. No damage was done but it has highlighted the need to consider extra protection. .
Possible Issue one: As mentioned above we have had a huge amount of green waste deposited in the last two months which I believe was largely from our local contractors depositing waste collected from local gardens. If this amount of such waste continues we may have to consider restricting or charging for the use by contractors.
Possible Issue two: The very old sleepers holding the shredded compost bays are now disintegrating quite badly (Possibly because of the increased usage) and we may need to consider replacement quite soon. This would be an expensive task and also a considerable challenge. I would like to think, in view of the community benefit and environmental benefit this may be something the Parish council will consider funding. I estimate it to be in the region of £3500 if we were able to use concrete panels and posts, as it would be similar for sleepers.
I attended two site visits this last month from various groups and individuals who are considering building their own sites.
Locking up:
There are now several parishioners who are aware of the combination and some unfortunately who are being a bit irresponsible by leaving the gate open or locking it up afterwards at weekends. We have also hard core waste deposited by some individual and huge logs once again. We may need to consider changing the combination. We have also received one unjustified complaint which was resolved.
Activity on the site:
Kevans committee who arranged the Tractor Fest ensured it was a huge success despite the somewhat wet weather. It is being planned again for next year. They raised over £3000 and donated £800 each to Chernoble, Children, the village Difib fund and Ukraine Action Charity ( they also received other donations on the day including a generator ) and £500 to Ashmeadow for which we are extremely grateful. I have sent an email thanking the committee.
Bonfire night is being planned again details to follow This however will be a much reduced affair for the Parish residents only, as far as possible, and quite possibly may only be a bonfire but with BBQs and games for all the family.
The fun day is to take place on September 7th. Willing volunteers are always welcome Finances. Still a healthy situation with a further £3600 being held in the Parish council account which has been donated by SHDC. We also sent £2475 to the parish council which was used for the purchase of the container (owned by the PC) to enable the PC to reclaim VAT. We are working now on funding opportunities for the replacement of the climbing frame.
12 Other Business/Councillors Areas of Responsibility
Arrangements for Remembrance Sunday.
A green wreath will be supplied by Mike Pearey and thanks go to him. The Clerk was asked to provide a wreath for the children of the parish to lay. It was pointed out by Cllr Greaves that Ashprington has one of the largest turn out in the South Hams.
The Council agreed by a unanimous vote to donate £200.00 for the Poppy Appeal.
The meeting closed at 9.15pm.
Next Council meeting will be on Thursday October 3rd, 2024 at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Michael Read Ashprington Clerk spooks49@michaelread.plus.com.Tel. 732047
Download in Microsoft Word format: PC Minutes September 2024