Parish Council
Cllr Kevin Sales (Chair), Cllr Derek Moore (Vice-Chair), Cllr Kay Loram, Cllr Jacob Powell, Cllr Robert Sewell.
Sally Fullwood, Clerk.
It was agreed, by unanimous vote, that Robert Sewell should be co-opted to one of the vacant positions on Sticklepath Parish Council.
Cllr Sewell signed his acceptance of office form.
There were no declarations of interest.
Cllr Niki Wooldridge sent her apologies which were accepted.
There was no public participation.
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on Monday 2nd December 2024 were considered, agreed and signed as a correct record.
There had been no reports from the councillors.
Cllr Sales reported that a Facebook post put up by Cllr Moore of a 20 is Plenty sign with an elf, had received a lot of external interest. The post was taken down quickly to prevent inappropriate comments.
Cllr Sales also reported that there had been a small flood in Back Lane due to leaves in the gully, and that the dog poo bins had not been emptied over Christmas, and the Finch Foundry bin had been missed. The bins will be discussed further at the next meeting.
Cllr Loram reported that the Trim Trail had not been decommissioned as it was still insured as a medium risk. The fence and gate at the entrance to the field had been brought down in the storms. The Clerk has submitted an insurance claim but has been unable to follow it up. Emma Bell will be getting quotes.
The Clerk’s report, previously circulated, was noted. The full report is available on the website, or by application to the Clerk.
Cllr Powell reported that flooding problems are still occurring due to problems with the drains, which are only being fixed temporarily. These are the responsibility of South West Water.
Cllr Moore reported that Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) will pay for the reinstatement of the hole in the bridlepath. There are also problems with drainage further up the path, which Cllr Moore will report to Kit Hancock, Dartmoor Ranger.
There were no other reports.
Cllr Sales reported that the Neighbourhood Highways Officer had met with the Road Safety Team who had decided that the junction doesn’t warrant intervention. There have been no significant accidents.
It was agreed that the Parish Council should not take the matter further themselves, but will continue to monitor the situation. Proposed: Cllr Moore, Seconded: Cllr Sales.
Action: Cllr Sales’ December action to create an article for the Beacon publicising the dangers of parking near the shop and using the Willey Lane exit, a reduced version of which can be put in the Council Newsletter in February, will be actioned this month.
Cllr Loram reported that since the last meeting the Co-Ordinator, Jason White, had resigned. She believes that the plan needs more simplification, and to consider other problems such as lack of phone signal. It was agreed that the plan should be renamed Community Response Plan, and emphasis should be put on informing members of the public whom to contact to ask for help. A WhatsApp group could be used to disseminate information.
It was agreed that Mike Johns’ name should be taken off the current Emergency Plan, Action: Cllr Sales and Cllr Loram will re-write the plan and bring it back to the next meeting for consideration, when the role of Co-Ordinator and the Emergency Cards will also be re-considered.
Gritter/Salt Spreader – It was agreed that the Council did not want to buy the gritter from South Tawton Parish Council. Proposer: Cllr Powell, Seconder: Cllr Moore. Action: Clerk.
Cllr Moore reported that, although Drewsteignton Parish Council own the Mobile Vehicle Activated Sign (MVAS), they have not taken any action regarding it, or any decision as to whether to buy a new battery. It should be their turn to utilise it, but Cllr Moore has not had a response from them so will continue to use it in Sticklepath.
Two of the ‘20 is Plenty’ signs have been removed; one is missing. There are still four spare signs. Councillors should consider where they could now be put. Action: All.
DCC had thanked the Council for our detailed contribution to the Transport Plan.
There had been a meeting of the Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) on 6th December with representations from Moretonhampstead Parish Council regarding speeding and 20MPH limits. Cllr Moore was yet to hear any feedback.
It was agreed that a DNPA sign at the entrance to the village might emphasise the character of the village as part of Dartmoor. Action: Cllr Moore will request a sign from the Dartmoor Ranger.
The Clerk reported that Cllr Moore had emailed Devon County Council concerning the footbridge, but had not yet received a response.
Cllr Sewell had retrieved information regarding the Common Land status of the moor, and that it had no current owner. Action: Cllr Sewell will investigate what is involved to claim the site.
Cllr Sewell has also been in touch with the Devon Wildlife Trust who have extensive information regarding the moor. It’s status as a grassland will mean that there will be Natural England involvement. A representative of the trust will be conducting a site visit which Cllr Sewell and Cllr Moore hope to attend. Action: Cllr Sewell to arrange.
It was agreed that the next Village Work Day, when maintenance work is done on the moor, should be set for 23rd February. Action: Cllr Moore will liaise with the Dartmoor Ranger.
It was agreed that the Council Newsletter would be published in early February and advertise the work day. Action: Cllr Loram and Cllr Sales will get it ready before the next meeting. Cllr Loram will liaise with Emma Bell.
There was no update from Cllr Wooldridge in her absence. Cllr Loram had noticed that there is a deadline for the applications from the British Heart Foundation. Action: Cllr Loram will liaise with Cllr Wooldridge to ensure that she is aware of the deadline.
It was agreed that Cllr Sewell will be booked on the DALC online training, and that Cllr Loram and Cllr Powell will attend with him at his house. Action: Clerk
No applications for grants had been received.
It was agreed to award the following grant would be awarded:
Sticklepath & Okehampton Conservation Group (StOC) £100
The Council could still consider other allocations.
It was agreed to authorise the following payments:
| 542.10.1.1. | DALC | Councillor Training – will be invoiced after each session. | £72 |
| 542.10.1.2. | StOC | Donation agreed in 542.9 | £100 |
Action: Clerk to set up payments.
Action: Cllr Moore and Cllr Wooldridge will authorise the bank payments.
To note the receipt of the following payments.
542.10.2.1. |
Interest | December | £11.56 |
The following matters were noted:
542.10.3.1. Current Balance £15,211.62 (including £15,079.71 in savings) – £163.36 has been paid for the Road Warden training, but this should be reimbursed by Devon County Council soon.
542.10.3.2. The Clerk will transfer £1,000 from the savings account to the current account to cover expected expenditure in the next 3 months.
542.10.3.3. The Playground Equipment Fund is now £7,676.44 and is expecting further donations including a grant of £2,000 after the invoice.
It was agreed to submit the following comment to both of the planning applications:
“Sticklepath Parish Council support the work being carried out.” Action: Clerk.
542.11.1.1. 24/0078 Holmes View – Tree Conservation Consultation.
542.11.1.2. 24/0080 Brookside Cottage – Tree Conservation Consultation.
0448/24 Moss Cottage Chimney – Planning Permission – Granted
0449/24 Moss Cottage Chimney – Listed Building Consent – Granted
Cllr Powell reported that there had been some building work at Higher Coombehead which he would investigate.
Cllr Moore asked that his opposition to the ending of the Walks Leaflets should be recorded. It was agreed that the fund should remain open.
It was agreed to adopt the budget with the increase in the publicity budget of £100.
It was agreed to request the precept of £7,880, an increase for a household of 11.89%.
Action: Clerk.
The Councillor Responsibilities document was updated with new responsibilities and the Clerk will update the website and circulate the new version. Action: Clerk.
New responsibilities:
Cllr Sewell – Village Environmental Plan, Grass Cutting/Weeds, Beating the Bounds
Cllr Loram – Newsletter, Village Hall liaison
Cllr Moore – Website.
It was agreed that the Statement of Control document, requested by a previous auditor, added no value to the Council’s documentation and should be retired. Action: Clerk.
It was agreed to adopt the Road Warden Risk Assessment as assessed by Cllr Powell. Action: Clerk.
The next meeting will be held on Monday 3rd February 2025 at Sticklepath Village Hall, 7.30pm.
Items for agenda – Standing Orders, Walks Leaflets, Dog Poo Bins, Sticklepath Moor.
It was agreed that Cllr Sewell will review the Standing Orders. Action: Cllr Sewell.
The Meeting ended at 21:30