IPPLEPEN PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of Parish Council Meeting held at Ipplepen Millennium Centre
On Tuesday 5th November 2024 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.Smith
Coun.Carnell (Vice Chair) Coun.Rattlidge
Coun.Farrow Coun.Latter
Coun.Jerwood Coun.Burnham
Coun.Mrs.Calland Coun.Ranjit
Miss Cat Freston – Parish Clerk
Coun.Dewhirst – County Councillor
Coun.Palethorpe District Councillor
No Members of the public present
97) APOLOGIES – No apologies
98) DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST – Coun.Ranjit and Coun.Carnell on Planning Application 24/01666/FUL, erection of replacement dwelling with garage at Littlemead, Marldon Road.
99) MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING
Minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 1st October 2024, were approved and signed by the Chairman.
100) PUBLIC QUESTION TIME
101) CORRESPONDENCE AND OUTSIDE BODIES – Parish Clerk
- An email has been received from Citizens Advice Teignbridge, who is a local independent charity that provides free, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities. The board would like to apply for a grant from Ipplepen Parish Council. Coun.Carnell proposed a grant of £100.00, Seconded by Coun.Mrs.Calland (All unanimous). Action – Clerk to reply.
- An email has been received from Ipplepen Primary School regarding the Grounds Maintenance of the Pre-School and have noted some areas need cutting back. They have also notified the Council that they would like to put an interactive whiteboard on the wall in the building. Action – Clerk to reply.
102) DISTRICT & COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT
There are several significant changes to the democratic make-up of TDC following the decision by the South Devon Alliance in what is an exceptional and unprecedented move deciding to disband the party and sit as separate Independents with a number of them requesting to now join the existing Independent Group on the Council and seeking to stand as Independents at the 2025 County Council Elections.
In Local News the Planning Committee approved the planning application of 93 homes to be built as the start of the NA3 Wolborough Hill Development.
The Queen Street enhancement scheme from the Courtney Street to Albany Street is substantially completed with some minor work remaining to be carried out including the tree/greening installations in surface planters which will take place in early spring.
The mini–Market Indoor Hall in the former Post Office has been opened and work will start before the end of the year on the refurbishment of the Market Hall and Market Square with the work on this major project expected to be completed by spring 2026.
In other news.
Household Support Fund now open
We know that many people across Teignbridge are struggling financially due to the cost of living, so we’re really pleased to be able to open the Household Support Fund again to help more families in need.
The fund provides short-term financial support to help afford food, energy and water bills, and other related essentials.
All applications are confidential, so if you have never needed help in the past there is no shame in applying for it now if your circumstances have changed.
Household Support Fund – Teignbridge District Council
Please also share this information with any friends and family who you think may benefit from this additional support.
If you are not able to complete the application online or have difficulty our Customer Support Team are able to help and can complete the form on behalf of residents whilst they are on the phone. You can speak to our Customer Support Team by calling 01626 361101 (Monday – Thursday 8.30am – 5pm, Friday 8.30am – 4.30pm
Police ask public to be vigilant after vehicle break ins and thefts
Devon & Cornwall Police are asking the public to be vigilant and take precautions to keep their vehicles safe after receiving reports of numerous vehicle break ins and thefts.
There have also been reports of hanoi burglaries, which involve offenders breaking into a home to steal keys to vehicles.
By following these steps, you can make it harder for criminals to target you and your property:
- Keep windows closed and doors locked, both in your house and vehicle
- Keep your keys away from the front door and store them out of sight
- Do not leave items or valuables in plain sight in your vehicle, even spare change or a coat can entice an opportune criminal
- If you have one, park your vehicle in a locked garage
- If you park on a street, always try and park near streetlights where possible
- If you have multiple vehicles, try to block them in with each other
- Try not to post on social media that you’re away or on holiday – don’t advertise an empty home!
Always remember to lock your vehicle, remove any valuables and keep your keys safe.
You can report crime and intelligence directly on the Devon & Cornwall website or by calling 101. If a crime is happening, call 999.
Information can also be passed completely anonymously to independent charity Crimestoppers, just call 0800 555111, or via their website.
Have your say about how much you pay
Every year Devon and Somerset Fire Service ask communities and businesses about the level of precept (council tax contribution) for the fire and rescue service.
They would like to hear from as many people as possible across Devon and Somerset to better understand residents’ views. Have your say by completing the online survey.
This consultation is now until midday on 26 November.
David Palethorpe
Cllr for Ipplepen – Teignbridge District Council
County Report – Coun.Dewhirst
Devon County Council has welcomed the sentence imposed by Barnstaple Magistrates on a man found guilty of assaulting a civil enforcement officer.
On 2 July 2023, one of our civil enforcement officers was physically harmed while carrying out their official duties in managing road restrictions and on-street parking in Barnstaple. The incident left the officer with injuries that required medical attention.
Following a thorough police investigation and subsequent legal proceedings, the defendant from Barnstaple, was found guilty of assault and assault by battery in May. Barnstaple Magistrates imposed a 12-month community order and he was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid work and to pay compensation and court fees amounting to £984.
Connecting Devon and Somerset (CDS) and Airband have announced that they have agreed to scale back Airband’s contract agreements to deliver full fibre to properties in the region.
Both CDS and Airband remain committed to finding possible alternative delivery solutions for those communities who were due to receive fibre broadband.
CDS contracted with broadband supplier Airband, initially in 2016 to deliver fixed wireless infrastructure and additionally in late 2020 to rollout fibre broadband networks to communities across Devon and Somerset, with four contracts originally due to conclude at the end of 2024.
In total, Airband is contracted to deliver 55,493 premises. To date the operator has delivered 18,794 premises in collaboration with CDS.
However, following Airband’s restructure earlier this year, the company is seeking to maximise take up across its existing network while slowing down on build activity which means it can no longer complete its contracted build for CDS in full. As a result, in April, Airband sought a change to its contract.
Detailed discussions have now concluded between CDS, Airband and Building Digital UK (BDUK) to resolve the situation and Airband has now committed to provide full fibre access to 8,377 more homes and businesses covered by the contracts, providing a total of 27,171 out of the 55,493 premises it was originally contracted to deliver. This additional build will further unlock fibre delivery by Airband to 10,997 non-contracted premises along the network build routes, giving an overall commitment to connect a further 19,834 premises in Devon and Somerset.
CDS is also discussing alternative options with BDUK, the Government’s national agency, responsible for the delivery of Gigabit Broadband.
CDS is urging BDUK to re-enable rural voucher applications to open promptly in communities where Airband will no longer be delivering. This should offer communities a potential alternative. At the same time CDS is seeking confirmation of the Devon and Somerset premises that will be connected under the nationally led contracts awarded to Openreach as part of the Government’s Project Gigabit programme.
A raft of environmental, cultural heritage and community improvements will be unveiled at Stover Country Park on Saturday 16th Novemebr, offering people the opportunity to be among the first to see the benefits of the Restoring Stover Park Project.
Visitors will be able to follow a two-hour trail that takes in all the varied aspects of the Restoring Stover Park Project, including a new community workshop and upgraded visitor centre.
The trail will also explore the conservation work which has been carried out to restore the gatehouse and there will be a chance to learn about the de-silting of Stover Lake.
The Restoring Stover Park Project has been made possible thanks to a grant of £2,084,600 from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, together with National Highways, Devon County Council, Devon Remembers, Teignbridge District Council, Bovey Tracey Town Council, Kingsteignton Town Council, and Friends of Stover Park.
In 2019, National Highways’ funding enabled Devon County Council and the Stover Country Park team to deliver a giant reedbed filtration system to help improve water quality and enhance biodiversity and wildlife habitats within the Nature Reserve bordering the A38.
Five years on, and further company funding has helped the Stover Park team to deliver the second phase of the environmental and biodiversity work, seeing the de-silting of Stover Lake – an initiative which is hoped to see white water-lilies return to the lake.
The Restoring Stover Park Project has also seen the restoration of the historic Grade II listed gatehouse, a newly built community workshop and an extended and upgraded visitor centre.
Numbers to the public opening event are limited and people have the chance to book a two-hour slot, on a first come, first served basis. Choose from either:
9.30am – 11.30am
12pm – 2pm
2.30pm – 4.30pm
Details at https://www.devon.gov.uk/stovercountrypark/events
Alistair Dewhirst – alistair.dewhirst@devon.gov.uk
103) BLACKSTONE CROSS
There was a presentation held in the Village Hall side room on Wednesday 23rd October 2024 by the developers. If you would like any further information on the proposed development please visit https://lrmplanning.com/consultation/blackstone-cross-ipplepen-2/
Under the key documents section anyone is free to download the consultation boards.
In terms of providing feedback this can be done by letter, e-mail or by filling in one of the feedback forms, which can be obtained from the Parish Clerk.
Once complete they should be sent via one of the following means:
Email: admin@lrmplanning.com
Address: LRM Planning, Winslade Manor, Manor Drive, Clyst St Mary, Exeter. EX5 1FY.
104) 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 16th October 2024 were approved and taken as read.
To consider the following planning applications:
24/01666/FUL – Erection of replacement dwelling with garage at Littlemead, Marldon Road.
Comment: Coun.Farrow proposed that Ipplepen Parish Council have no objection to this application, Seconded by Coun.Mrs.Calland (All unanimous).
105) AMENITIES – Coun.Carnell
The Minutes of the Amenities meeting held on 8th October 2024, were approved and taken as read.
- The verge and tree clearance on the A381 between Foredown Road and Moor Road.
will commence the week commencing 6th January 2025 Action – Clerk to contact agent of the field adjoining to notify them of when the works will be commencing.
- The Green Business Grant for the Solar Panels for the Millennium Centre has been submitted to TDC.
- The work at Clampitt Road toilets is on schedule.
- The road closure has been received for Remembrance Sunday, Coun.Palethorpe will put the road closure signs out and the wreath has been received.
- Emergency Plan meeting needs to be arranged.
- The grit bins have been checked. Both gritters need attention/servicing. Coun.Carnell has a pedestrian gritter that has never been used and is happy to sell to the Parish Council for £180. Coun.Palethorpe proposed the Parish Council purchase the gritter from Coun.Carnell for £180, seconded by Coun.Mrs.Calland (all unanimous).
- The boarding on the toilet block at the Recreation Grounds has shrunk due to the weather. Insulated composite steel sheeting would protect the toilet block, Coun.Carnell will obtain quotes for insulated composite steel sheeting to be put on both ends and the rear of the toilet block and also for new doors on the outside and automatic locks.
- The clerk has obtained a quote for the replacement bus shelter on Clampitt Road from Ace Shelters who replaced the bus shelter near Meadow Park.
RESOLUTION: Coun.Mrs.Calland proposed to accept the quote, Seconded by Coun.Farrow and agreed unanimously at £4,995.00 + VAT.
106) SKATE PARK
Five Councillors met to discuss the tender received for the Skate Park. They agreed it is a very large spend/commitment at this time. To update the current facilities in need of repairs/replacement (estimated £50k), there has been a lack of demand following the removal, so will look at it again in 12 months. Due to the needs and changes Coun.Rattlidge proposed to postpone the new skate park project for 12 months and use the funding put aside for the skate park to update the play equipment we already have. Seconded by Coun.Palethorpe (All unanimous).
The Skate park project is a postponement not a cancellation.
107) FINANCE & PERSONNEL – Parish Clerk
Balance No. £ 64,994.28
MCMC – Reimbursement for electricity £ 36.52
Mill Centre – Rent £ 55.00
TDC – CIL Payment £ 9,248.77
Football Club – Rent £ 150.00
ICC – Rent £ 112.50
Balance £ 74,597.07
Invoices Received and Approved: £ 23,336.48
Balance: £ 51,260.59
Reserve Account Balance £ 195,767.54
£ 247,028.13
Items to discuss:
- a) Arrange date for Precept Budget Meeting/Clerk’s Appraisal – Tuesday 10th December 2024.
108) KERSWELLA CARE
Kerswella volunteer drivers will have completed 20 individual transport requests for 10 Ipplepen residents.
The Ipplepen drivers also completed 2 transport requests for residents of Abbotskerswell and 2 for Denbury.
The total transport requests for September were 84 – completed 72.
The Grief Café continues to go well and hopefully will continue into the New Year
The Digital Drop-In was again non-stop from before the 10:30 start. Again it finished just after 12pm and saw at ;east 10 people.
The first Renegades meeting started last month – we had a talk about Scams and then it was Bingo, tea, cake and chat. We were surprised by the numbers attending – 28 – and the feedback was very encouraging. Next meeting on the 6th November – we have a Celebrant, Charles, talking to the group. We will be having a vote on the name for the group going forward as some felt “Renegades” was not suitable.
The first trip out from Ipplepen to the Moorland Hotel at Haytor went well, we did have one guest fall ill – not due to the food!
The trip this month to Dawlish was oversubscribed before the Magazine came out to advertise it. We have put on an extra mini-bus, someone is bringing their car and we have a reserve list.
We had the free lunch on Friday 25th October at the Hub – with the Benita Project. It went very well, not all the volunteers turned up but it ran very well. We have another on the 29th November – A Christmas lunch – bookings are required for this one.
As always, there is always a need for more volunteer drivers in the Ipplepen area.
Kerswella have received a grant of £2,500 from TDC to support the day trips.
109) HIGHWAYS & RIGHTS OF WAY
- To consider the quotes received for the VASS.
Three quotes had been received.
RESOLUTION: Coun.Smith proposed to accept Tender C, Seconded by Coun.Palethorpe and agreed unanimously at £4,538.59 including VAT.
The company is TWM Traffic Control Systems Ltd. Action – Clerk to notify the successful contractor.
110) PUBLIC QUESTION TIME – No comments
111) To note the date of the next PC meeting: Tuesday 3rd December 2024 at 7.15pm
Meeting Closed at 20.54pm
