Parish Council
Parish Council Minutes January 2026
Minutes of the Meeting of Sticklepath Parish Council held on 15th January 2026 at 7.30 pm at Sticklepath Village Hall
PDF Downloadable Version of Parish Council Minutes January 2025
Councillors Present:
Cllr Derek Moore (Vice-Chair), Cllr Kay Loram and Cllr Rob Sewell.
Following Co-Option – Cllr Beth Hawking, Cllr Claire Hardy.
In Attendance:
Cllr Sue Davies – Devon County Council (DCC)
Sally Fullwood (Clerk)
Cllr Moore took the chair as Vice-Chair in the absence of the Chair.
554.1.Co-Option
It was agreed, by unanimous vote, that Beth Hawking and Claire Hardy should be co-opted to the two vacant positions on Sticklepath Parish Council.
Proposer: Cllr Moore, Seconder: Cllr Sewell.
Cllr Hawking and Cllr Hardy signed their acceptance of office forms.
554.2.Declarations of Interest
There were no declarations of interest.
554.3.Apologies for Absence
Apologies were received from Cllr Kevin Sales and Cllr Jacob Powell, and these were accepted.
554.4.Public Participation
There was no public participation.
554.5.Approval of the Minutes of the Meeting held 1st December 2025
The minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 1st December 2025 were considered, agreed and signed as a correct record.
554.6.Reports
554.6.1. West Devon Borough Council (WDBC) Report and Devon County Council (DCC)
There was no WDBC Report.
Cllr Davies welcomed the new councillors. She reported that DCC had agreed unanimously that elections should not be cancelled, however Exeter have requested that their election should be cancelled, even though the Local Government Re-organisation will not be taking place for some years.
554.6.2. Chair’s Report
Cllr Moore reported that residents had contacted Cllr Sales about some water across the road beyond The Rising Sun, which is in South Tawton parish.
554.6.3. The Playing Field Committee Report
Cllr Loram reported that the Playing Field committee were in the process of organising a meeting.
5546.4. Sticklepath Street Project Committee (SSPC) Report
Cllr Sewell reported that the SSPC had a meeting on Monday 12th January. Cllr Moore is now the Chair, and Cllr Sewell will be working on the report for distribution. Cllr Davies agreed to promote the ideas where she can, and to send Cllr Moore the contact details of Robert Richards the DCC Traffic Management Lead so that Cllr Moore can invite him for discussions. The non-councillor Committee members have been agreed as Lynn Daniel, Norman Dunn and Paul Grey
554.6.5. Clerk’s Report
The Clerk’s report, previously circulated, was noted. The full Clerk’s Report is available on the website, or by application to the Clerk.
The Clerk also reported that she will be on holiday 22nd-28th January and Cllr Loram will be covering the emails.
554.6.6. Road Warden’s Report
Cllr Moore reported on behalf of Cllr Powell, Road Warden, that Cllr Powell had suggested an alternate route for the Okehampton diversion, discussed it with Highways and it has now been implemented.
Concern was raised about the Skaigh Lane sink hole and requested that Cllr Powell should contact Highways again about this. The sink hole is in Belstone Parish. Action: Cllr Powell.
554.6.7. Any Other Reports
554.6.7.1. Wider Okehampton Cluster Group
Cllr Moore reported that there had been a meeting of the cluster group in Sampford Courtenay on 14th January. They had discussed the closure of Lloyds Bank. It was agreed that Cllr Moore should write to MP Mel Stride and the Banking Hub organisers on behalf of the Council. to express concern about the loss of banking facilities. Action: Cllr Moore. There is no outreach banking to Sticklepath. It is hoped that the group of councils can provide a louder voice for the area when discussing Local Government Reorganisation. All councillors are welcome to attend the meetings. The minutes will be circulated when they are received. Action: Clerk.
554.6.7.2. Work Day
It was agreed to advertise the Work Day in the Beacon. Action: Cllr Moore.
Cllr Davies suggested that the Road Wardens from Chagford should attend the Work Day. Action: Cllr Powell.
554.7.Items brought forward and actions from previous meeting
554.7.1. Sticklepath Moor Nature Reserve
Cllr Sewell reported that the first committee is going ahead on Monday 19th Jan, 10.30am at St. Mary’s Church.
He had obtained quotes for the Nature Reserve sign at £1,260 and £220.
It was agreed to buy the sign at £220 which Cllr Sewell will collect from Moretonhampstead. Action: Cllr Sewell
Proposer: Cllr Sewell, Seconder: Cllr Moore.
The Council has received an offer of a donation to cover the sign.
It was agreed in principle that Cllr Sewell should apply for FIPL funding, which has been extended for 3 years. The funding could provide up to £10,000, but the amount will depend on the Council being able to pay for items in advance and then claim it back. Action: Cllr Sewell.
554.7.2. Billy Green
Cllr Sewell reported that he had sent emails concerning Billy Green and the bridge to Dartmoor National Park Authority and DCC. DCC had replied that they could assist with the right of way. Cllr Sewell is still negotiating with National Trust regarding the Finch Foundry right of way. Action: Cllr Sewell.
It was agreed that Cllr Sewell should go ahead with researching the costs and procedures for registering Billy Green with the Land Registry, as requested by the public at last year’s Annual Parish Meeting. . Action: Cllr Sewell.
It was agreed that Cllr Sewell should make a direct approach to ask DCC if they take responsibility for the bridge, as they had constructed and had arranged for its recent inspection. Action: Cllr Sewell.
554.7.3. Oak Tree/Millenium Green
Cllr Sewell reported that 300 bulbs and some yellow rattle had successfully been planted on Boxing Day.
The snowdrops in the green will be delivered and planted soon.
Further plans for the land will be discussed at the APM. WDBC own the land.
554.7.4. Website Changes
The Clerk reported that Spencer Stallion had started the work on splitting the two websites. The Government Digital Service had emailed to say that he had redirected the .gov.uk domain to Sticklepath.org which was in contravention of the use of a .gov website, but he has fixed it. There had also been quite a number of undeliverable emails each time something was posted, which has been reported to Spencer.
554.7.5. Playing Field Wall
Cllr Loram reported that she had met with representatives from the Contractors (Oakway), Circet and Openreach on 7th January. They agreed that the wall had not been adequately reinstated and are deciding who will pay for the correction. They apologised that due process had not been followed in working on the land without any permission or notification. Action: Cllr Loram to chase for a resolution.
554.7.6. Village Newsletter
Cllr Loram reported that Cllr Moore had sent various reports on the day of the meeting, including one about the behaviour of dogs. She requested that Cllr Sewell should provide short articles about Sticklepath Moor and the Street Project, and that Cllr Sales should provide the Chair’s Letter. Action: Cllr Sales and Cllr Sewell.
The final version of the newsletter can be agreed at the next meeting on 9th February, but it needs to be printed soon after that so that the Work Day can be promoted. It was agreed to use yellow paper this year.
554.8.Finances
554.8.1. Payments
It was agreed to authorise the following payments:
554.8.1.1. |
Sticklepath Village Hall | Hall Rental Aug-Dec 2025 | £74.00 |
554.8.1.2. |
Lloyds Bank | Service Charges | £4.25 |
Action: Clerk to set up payment. Action: Cllr Sewell and Cllr Sales to approve payments.
554.8.2. Receipts
To note the receipt of the following payments:
554.8.2.1. |
Lloyds Bank | December Interest | £2.56 |
554.8.2.2. |
Anonymous | Donation to Playing field Fund | £100.00 |
554.8.2.3. |
Lloyds Bank | January Interest | £2.74 |
554.8.3. Other Financial Matters
The following matters were noted:
554.8.3.1. Current Balance £9,233.87 (including £5,384.51 in savings).
554.8.3.2. The Playing Field Equipment Fund now has £21.28 in it.
554.8.3.3. The interest rate on the Savings Account is going down from 0.6% to 0.5% from 20th January.
545.9.Planning
554.9.1. Planning Applications
It was agreed to send the following comments in response to the planning application consultations:
554.9.1.1. 25/0108 Trees (Conservation Area): Merrow Down, Sticklepath, Okehampton, EX20 2NJ
“The Parish Council have no comment on this application.” Proposer: Cllr Moore, Seconder: Cllr Loram
554.9.1.2. 0017/26 Extension to roof on south-west end of property, demolition of single storey rear extension and replacement with larger single storey extension with variation of Conditions 2, 6, 7 and 9 attached to planning permission ref: 0225/25 dated 20 August 2025 at Skaigh View, Sticklepath, Okehampton, Devon, EX20 2NH
“The Parish Council support the Skaigh View Application” Proposer: Cllr Loram, Seconder: Cllr Sewell
Action: Clerk.
554.9.2. Planning Decisions
The following planning decision was noted:
0364/25 Add first floor to rear extension at 1 Grove Meadow, Sticklepath, Okehampton, EX20 2NE – Rejected.
554.9.3. Planning Matters
The Clerk had not heard anything from the enforcement officers.
554.10. 2026/27 Budget
The following proposals were considered.
554.10.1. Level of Village Environment budget
It was agreed to set the Village Environment Budget at £2,000.
Proposer: Cllr Sewell, Seconder: Cllr Loram
554.10.2. How much to allow for the hall rental budget.
It was agreed to set the Hall Rental Budget at £186, to support the Village Hall.
Proposer: Cllr Loram, Seconder: Cllr Moore
554.10.3. Amount (if any) to take from reserves
It was agreed not to take anything from reserves.
Proposer: Cllr Sewell, Seconder: Cllr Moore
554.10.4. Whether to ‘back-load’ EMR payments
It was agreed to make the payments to the Wall Ear Marked Reserve of £350 in 2026/27 and £650 in 2027/28.Proposer: Cllr Moore, Seconder: Cllr Loram
554.10.5. Precept
It was agreed to request a precept of £8,840 for the financial year 2026/27. An increase of 9.16% or £4.51 on 2025/26 for the average household when changes in council tax collection are taken into account.
Proposer: Cllr Sewell, Seconder: Cllr Loram.
Action: Clerk to inform WDBC before 30th January.
554.11. Grant Awards
It was agreed to award a grant of £100 to Sticklepath and Okehampton Conservation Group (StOC)
It was agreed to give £50 to the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Proposer: Cllr Moore, Seconder: Cllr Sewell.
Action: Clerk to add to payments and email organisations.
554.12. Councillor Responsibilities
The discussion on the Councillor Responsibilities will be delayed until the next meeting. Cllr Moore will cover the roles left vacant by former Cllr Wooldridge until then.
554.13. Parking area behind Grove Meadow
Cllr Sales had asked Cllr Moore to report a problem with maintenance of trees in the parking area behind Grove Meadow. This is a WDBC responsibility.
554.14. Recording Policy
It was agreed to approve the Recording Policy unamended, apart from a change of “chairman” to “chair”.
Proposer: Cllr Moore, Seconder: Cllr Sewell.
The Recording policy is available on the website or by application to the Clerk.
554.15. Items for Next Meeting
The next meeting will be held on Monday 9th February 2026 at Sticklepath Village Hall, 7.30pm.
Items for agenda – Work Day, Publication Policy (Action: Cllrs Powell and Moore), Training & Development Policy (Action: Cllr Loram), Safeguarding Policy (Action: Cllrs Loram and Powell).
The Meeting ended at 21:30