IPPLEPEN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held at Ipplepen Millennium Centre
On Tuesday 4th February 2025 at 7.15pm
The following minutes will be considered for approval at the next Parish Council Meeting and may be subject to change until that time
In attendance:
Coun.Palethorpe (Chairman) Coun.Jerwood
Coun.Carnell (Vice Chair) Coun.Rattlidge
Coun.Latter Coun.Mrs.Calland
Coun.Burnham Coun.Smith e
Miss Cat Freston – Parish Clerk
Coun.Dewhirst – County Councillor
Six Members of the public present
143) APOLOGIES – Coun.Ranjit, Coun.Farrow (Apologies approved unanimously)
144) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – No declarations of Interest.
145) MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 7th January 2025, were approved and signed by the Chairman.
146) IPPLEPLANET – A briefing paper was sent by IpplePlanet to Parish Councillors. An orchard was initially discussed. Two trees were planted in the field behind the Skate Park, which have shown that planting is feasible and practical so a proposal was to extend this to the final 14 trees. The Parish Council have concerns about where the trees are going to be planted. Coun.Palethorpe took full responsibility for the breakdown in communication between the Parish Council and IpplePlanet. Coun.Carnell proposed that IpplePlanet attend the Amenities meeting regularly which is held monthly, and the Councillors agreed to delay planting anymore trees in the area for the time being until further discussions have taken place. Seconded by Coun.Smith All unanimous.
147) PUBLIC QUESTION TIME – No Comments
148) CORRESPONDENCE – Parish Clerk
- a) TDC have emailed a reminder about the Parish Planning Forums for February 2025, which are due to take place on Wednesday 5th February 2025, 2pm-4pm and Monday 10th February 2025 5pm-7pm at Teignbridge District Council.
- b) TDC have emailed about Carton Recycling Trial, Under the New Government ‘Simpler Recycling’ reforms, all English local authorities will be required to collect the same set of dry recyclables. The trial will be running from February 2025 to test the most efficient and cost-effective way to do this. Approximately 4,700 households have been selected to take part. Some streets from Ipplepen have been selected They will be contacted directly and given instructions and a pack of bags to collect their cartons.
- c) DALC have emailed about the Royal Garden Party 2025, they are welcoming nominations from council members. Action – Rattlidge would like to be nominated.
- d) A Parishioner has emailed about the Roundabout in Bowden Road. Recently one of the refuse lorries went over the corner, however the turf and grass were later replaced.
The same corner has been driven over many times by residents and the (grassed area) is now being used to park cars. Action – Coun.Palethorpe to draft a letter to send to the residents and Amenities to discuss at their Meeting..
- e) A Parishioner has called about Footpath 14, Orley Road. The stock fencing needs replacing inside the metal fencing and the gate access needs widening on the outer wall. The Parish Council have an agreement with the Land Owner. Action – Smith to write to land owner.
OUTSIDE BODIES
Any Councillors who would like to attend training to let the Clerk know. Coun.Palethorpe asked if anyone would like to attend a Chapter 8 course. Action – Clerk to find out about Chapter 8 courses coming up.
Coun.Burnham attended the Planning Enforcement, Appeals and Planning Obligations Webinar on 28th January 2025.
In the latest addition of the Parish Magazine there is an article about a Parish Councillor from another Ward who is opposing to Ipplepen’s Neighbourhood Plan and will be helping residents to fight against the development in Blackstone Road.
149) DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
Devolution and Local Government Reorganisation – White Paper
The Government pPublished the English Devolution White Paper in late December, outlining plans for the devolution of powers from Whitehall to Local Government. The proposed legislation aims to create new combined local authorities covering larger geographic areas than current District Councils, with the objective of establishing Unitary Authorities with populations of approximately 500,000 in the remaining 21 two-tier areas of England.
The Government’s intention is to implement these new unitary authorities by 2028, replacing existing County and District Councils. Over time, all strategic unitary authorities are expected to be led by an elected Mayor, governing areas with populations of approximately 1.5 million.
Council Leaders across Devon were required to decide by 10th January 2025 whether they wished to be prioritised for devolution or reorganisation, which would necessitate cancelling the County Council Elections scheduled for May 2025. Teignbridge District Council, alongside other Devon District Councils, has supported proceeding with the elections as planned.
The Government will formally invite District and County Councils to submit proposals for preferred unitary structures that ensure long-term sustainability. A common concern among the public has been the lack of consultation on these plans. However, this initiative is being driven by Whitehall and is not subject to local decision-making.
Weather & Health
Recent extreme weather conditions, including cold temperatures, high winds, and heavy rain, have caused disruption across Teignbridge. The District Council advises residents to take the following precautions:
- If traveling during severe weather, plan ahead and carry a fully charged phone, snacks, water, and warm clothing.
- Monitor UKHSA Weather Health Alerts and Met Office Weather Warnings.
- Ensure an adequate supply of food in case of travel disruptions.
- Use NHS 111 online or call 111 for medical advice before attending a hospital, as Devon hospitals are currently very busy.
- Keep homes warm and reduce draughts where possible.
- Check on vulnerable family members and neighbours.
Help & Assistance
The Household Support Fund continues to offer short-term financial aid for essential expenses such as food, energy, and water bills. Applications for additional essential support items are considered on a case-by-case basis.
All applications are treated in confidence, and there is no shame in applying for assistance, particularly for those facing unexpected financial difficulties. Residents can apply online, or the Customer Support Team can assist over the phone.
For more information, visit the Teignbridge District Council website.
Parish Council Impact of Unitary Authority Plans
The implications of a future combined unitary authority on town and parish councils remain uncertain. However, it is highly likely that parish councils will take on greater responsibilities, particularly for the delivery of some non-statutory services currently provided by district councils.
Councillor Community Fund Grants
The Teignbridge District Council Councillor Community Fund has now closed for this year. I am pleased to have awarded a grant of £450 towards the Hub Library and to confirm that the full £1000 available has been allocated to groups in Ipplepen.
TDC Budget Proposals 2025/2026
The consultation process for the 2025/2026 budget has concluded, and the final budget will be discussed at the Full Council meeting in February. Proposals include a 2.99% increase in council tax.
This increase is modest compared to some town and parish councils, which are raising their precepts by up to 20%. Ipplepen Parish Council has demonstrated financial responsibility by keeping its precept increase below the rate of inflation.
Economic Development & Green Business Grants
As the Executive Member for Economic Development, I am pleased to report that over £200,000 has been awarded in Green Business Grants to businesses and parish councils across the district. This includes a £10,000 grant to Ipplepen for the installation of solar panels on the Millennium Centre, which will provide power for both the preschool and the Recreation Ground toilet block.
Queen Street & Market Hall Developments
The Queen Street enhancement project has resumed following the festive break, with contractors now completing the crossing adjacent to the war memorial.
Major construction work on the Market Hall is set to commence in February, having been deferred to accommodate the December festive period and support businesses in the mini-market hall.
Bradley Lane Redevelopment
Significant progress is being made in clearing the Bradley Lane brownfield site to prepare for much-needed social and affordable housing in Newton Abbot and its surrounding areas.
David Palethorpe – Cllr for Ipplepen – Teignbridge District Council
County Report – Coun.Dewhirst
Devon County Council met in early January in response to the Government’s decision to implement a ‘top down’ devolution plan for Devon and Torbay which includes proposals for a Greater South West Mayoral Region. This will sweep away local government as we know it – County Councils and District Councils – and replace it with a Unitary Council for an area that has, as yet not been identified.
The recommendations to the Council were to support the Leader of the Council in submitting a letter of intent to Government committing to the Government’s programme. This would enable the Council to develop plans for local government reorganisation and deliver a Mayoral Strategic Authority. As a consequence the County Council will request Government to postpone the County Council elections due to take place in May 2025.
This is a hugely important issue – the system is clearly broken. The County Council is virtually bankrupt and people do not understand the different responsibilities of County, District, City, Borough, Parish and Town Councils. The government have said that they wish to see Unitary Councils, which do everything, covering areas of at least half a million people. There would be a larger Regional Council for the South West headed by a Mayor for strategic planning.
The Conservative administration at Devon wish to rush through the proposals – they have not consulted with anyone, let alone the District Councils -so that they will get an extra year in before an election for a massive Unitary Authority covering the whole of Devon and Torbay but not Plymouth.
Simply put, I think this is Democracy Denied and ill thought out. Clearly local government needs reform, and it is obvious that a single Council that does everything makes a lot of sense. However, rushing this through without first consulting voters is fundamentally wrong and I did not support this in Council.
New figures presented to Cabinet in the target Budget show a proposed 8.2% increase in the revenue budget for adult services with a 5.5% rise in children’s services and 3.4% for climate change, environment and transport. Full Council set to debate the budget in February.
Reductions in other departmental spending means an overall rise of 5.9% in the budget for next year with a total spend of over £784.1 million.
In a new report, Director of Finance, Angie Sinclair, says there has been a renewed drive across the council to cut costs. But she adds: “Inflationary pressures continue to be felt across the economy, local government and our partners, despite the rate of inflation reducing in the past two years from its peak.
“Social care is particularly impacted by increases to the national living wage which is again increased by above inflation and the increases to National Insurance announced in the Chancellor’s Budget.”
“This is reflected in the proposed target budgets with total investment of £31.9 million to cover inflation and national living wage plus £33.8 million to cover demand and other spending pressures and priorities. To enable the authority to set a balanced budget, savings, alternative funding and additional income of £21.7 million have been identified.
She says there are no plans to raid the council’s balances to boost spending.
“This reflects a strategy of ‘living within our means’ and as such to set service budgets that are affordable within anticipated income and funding totals for next year.”
Angie Sinclair will tell the Cabinet that the target budget includes the loss of £10.1 million in Government support to rural areas. The money is being re-directed to areas of deprivation and Devon will not receive any cash at all. It means Devon has the lowest settlement increase of any of the 21 county councils.
Alistair Dewhirst – alistair.dewhirst@devon.gov.uk
150) PLANNING – Coun.Farrow
District Councillor, Coun.Palethorpe is on the Planning Committee for TDC, so will not comment or vote on any Planning Applications discussed below.
To consider the following planning applications:
The Minutes of the Plans Meeting held on 22nd January 2025 were approved and taken as read.
To consider the following planning applications:
To consider the following planning applications:
25/00095/AGR – Roofing over existing silage pits at Crokers Grange Farm, Wrigwell Cross, Ipplepen.
Comment: The above Planning Application has been granted Prior Approval.
25/00137/CAN – T1 – Ash – Remove and T2 – Goat Willow – Reduce and leave as a pollard at Penlee, Fore Street.
Comment: The above Planning Application will be deferred to the Planning Committee meeting on Wednesday 19th February 2025.
151) AMENITIES – Coun.Carnell
The Minutes of the Amenities meeting held on 14th January 2025, were approved and taken as read.
- Mill Centre Solar panels – works will commence on Monday 17th February 2025.
- Inspection of Mill Centre – Coun.Burnham and Coun.Farrow will be carrying out an inspection of the building.
- Inspection of play equipment – Coun.Latter will liaise with Outdoor Play to determine condition of equipment and provide report.
- Quotes for cladding for toilet block at Rec Ground – One quote has been obtained, Coun.Carnell is waiting for another quote.
- The bus shelter seating at Caunters Close has been completed.
- A381 Tree works has been completed.
- The toilet cleaner has been unwell, but is now back.
- The fence along the footpath at the rear of the Primary School is rotting away. This is the responsibility of the school Action – Clerk to write to the Primary School.
152) SKATE PARK – Coun.Rattlidge
The survey for the Skate Park has been carried out and a Permitted Development Planning Application has been submitted to TDC.
153) FINANCE & PERSONNEL – Coun.Smith
Balance No. £ 13,212.78
MCMC – Reimbursement for electricity £ 40.32
Allotment Tenants – Rent £ 800.00
BoWLING Club – Rent £ 250.00
ICC – Rent £ 112.50
Balance £ 14,415.60
Invoices Received and Approved: £ 6,449.87
Balance: £ 7,965.73
Reserve Account Balance £ 195,767.54
£ 203,733.27
Items to discuss: Nothing to discuss
154) KERSWELLA CARE – Coun.Rattlidge
Kerswella – January report.
Kerswella volunteer drivers completed 15 individual transport requests for 9 Ipplepen residents.
The total transport requests for January were 84 – there were 7 we could not complete due to cancellations or lack of volunteer drivers.
In total we had 17 requests from Ipplepen residents. (7 Abbotskerswell, 3 Aller, 1 Broadhempston, 2 Coffinswell, 9 Denbury, 40 Kingskerswell, 5 Newton Abbot
The Ipplepen drivers also completed 7 transport requests for residents of surrounding villages.
The Grief Café, hosted at the Hub, with Celebrant Charles Russell taking over this month – begins this Wednesday.
The Digital Drop-In continues to provide a popular service. Several new people attended which also helped the Hub income. Two attendees linked up at the Drop-in – swapping contact details.
The Trailblazer numbers were down due to the change of date for the lunch group at St Andrew’s church hall. Due to the weather, the blood bikes speaker cancelled. Several members did come along after the lunch to show support and we had a good afternoon of chat, quizzes and conundrums.
The two smaller “lunch” trips to the Royal Hotel in Babbacombe went very well, with the Ipplepen guests asking for similar trips in the near future. We have two trips planned for March to Bovey Tracy.
There has been no uptake on volunteer drivers for the Ipplepen area.
We are currently down two at the moment and so will struggle to maintain transport levels in Ipplepen for 2025 if this continues.
There is no regular commitment required by the volunteers, they can do as much or as little as they want – we just need a few more.
155) HIGHWAYS & RIGHTS OF WAY – Coun.Smith
The Minutes of the Highways meeting held on 22nd January 2025, were approved and taken as read.
- The Footpath at the rear of Rose Gardens has been cleared and the trees have been pruned.
- VASS – the post for the Vehicle Activated Speed Sign will be installed once a suitable location has been agreed.
- The water that runs down the footpath at the rear of Luscombe Close (Footpath 8). It has been reported to the PROW Officer and it has been reported to SWW to investigate. The drain has been cleared and a broken pipe has been located. Coun.Smith has been approached about the step as it is large.
- Footpath 9 which runs across the field from Crokers Farm to Animals in Distress, looking to change the style to a gate.
- A Parishioner has called about Footpath 14, Orley Road. The stock fencing needs replacing inside the metal fencing and the gate access needs widening on the outer wall. The Parish Council have an agreement with the Land Owner.Coun.Smith will email the land owner and Coun.Palethorpe proposed to remove to stock fencing, Seconded by Coun.Smith All unanimous.
- Edgelands Lane sign opposite the Primary School, the sign is missing and the one at the bottom of Conniford Lane is missing. Coun.Smith will email Coun.Palethorpe with the missing signs.
- People can report cars being parked on the pavements, please take a photo of the vehicle and the number plate and report it to DCC at https://www.devon.gov.uk/roads-and-transport/report-a-problem/ if the vehicle is dangerously parked, call the Police or phone 0345 155 1015 Customer Service Centre.
156) PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
A member of the (public) spoke about reporting cars being parked on the pavement around the Village.
157) To note the date of the next PC meeting: Tuesday 4th March 2025 at 7.15pm
Meeting Closed at 21.15pm