Doddiscombsleigh Parish Council

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Tuesday 14 October 2025 at 7.30 pm at Woodah Farm

 

Present: Cllr A Newton-Humes (Chairman), Cllr R Crocker, Cllr J Sawyer, Cllr H Brook, Cllr C Wood, County Cllr R Keeling (during item 4) and District Cllr A Swain (during item 4)

Clerk: A Miller

1         Welcome and Apologies for Absence

Cllr Salter sent her apologies.

2         Declarations of Interest / Requests for Dispensations

None.

Open Forum

None.

3         To Discuss Parking Situation at the School

A need for a long-term solution was expressed. It was felt that a 20mph speed limit in the village might encourage parents to park further and to walk a small distance to the School.

The headteacher emailed the Parish Council expressing the School’s support for 20mph speed limit.

4         County and District Councillors’ and Police Reports

County Cllr Richard Keeling expressed his interest in the 20mph intentions of the village and asked for further details. He said that the 20 Is Plenty Campaign is supported by the County Council.

Change of policy regarding road defects – not only those potholes will be repaired by Devon Highways which meet the criteria but smaller potholes nearby, too. He expressed his support for pothole repairs in the village.

He gave an update about local government reorganization. He pointed out that parish councils can raise precepts and provide services in their area.

The Parish Council agreed to ask for a list of assets owned and services provided by the District and County Councils in the village before these councils are dissolved.

The Police Report was noted.

5         Ratification of Minutes of Previous Meeting

Resolved The Minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting of 9 September 2025 was unanimously accepted as a true record.

The Chair signed the Minutes.

6         Election of a Vice-Chairman

Resolved The Parish Council unanimously elected Cllr Cathrine Wood to the vice-chairman position.

7         Councillor Vacancy and Co-option

No applications were received.

8         To Discuss a Bus Shelter Incident and Its Implications

• The Clerk reported that the driver, who drove into the bus shelter on 20 September 2025, emailed the Parish Council with the necessary insurance details. The bus shelter was insured, with an excess of £100. The Parish Council’s insurance company (Zurich Municipal) has been contacted.
• The bus shelter was damaged by the impact and cracks appeared on two sides of the building. A quote for the repair work has been asked from a specialist cob builder, as it was requested by the insurance company.
• The solicitor of Zurich Municipal asked a Form of Authority to be signed by the Parish Council to allow the recovery of the policy excess of £100.

Resolved The Parish Council agreed to sign the Form of Authority and ask for the £100 excess to be recovered from the driver’s insurance.

The Chairman signed the Form of Authority.

• Waiting area for bus – a parent contacted the Parish Council asking where children can wait for the school bus now. The bus shelter remains closed until it can be ascertained that it is safe for the public to use.

9         To Receive an Update About Installing a Second Defibrillator in the Parish

The Clerk presented three quotes for the ZOLL AED 3 fully automatic defibrillator (and cabinet and sign) that was chosen at the last meeting.

Resolved The Parish Council agreed to order the ZOLL AED 3 fully automatic defibrillator, cabinet and sign from Defibshop.

Defibrillator training: a health professional from Dunsford agreed to hold a training session in Doddiscombsleigh. Cllr Brook agreed to contact the pub about advertising the training event and to ask for possible dates when the training might be held in the pub. It was also agreed to put a link on the website to a video showing what to do in an emergency.

10     To Discuss Highways Issues

10.1   Lengthsman’s Report

The lengthsman will send his invoice and report next month.

It was agreed to ask him to cut the grass at the Triangle before Remembrance Sunday and to check Rectory Lane. It was also agreed to ask him to check the drains regularly on Tick Lane, as the trees and hedges had been cut along a section of the road.

10.2   To Receive an Update Regarding Down Lane

A local contractor carried out the agreed drainage improvement work at Down Lane. Mr Crow, the expert who recommended the scheme to the Parish Council (item 6.2 of the minutes of 8 July 2025), was happy with the result.

Cllr Sawyer reported that he checked the work and recommended to the Council to pay the invoice. The Council agreed to ask the lengthsman to clear regularly the newly excavated ditch.

10.3   To Receive an Update about the Road Warden Scheme

The Parish Council’s tarmac application was successful, and a new pallet of tarmac has been delivered.

10.4   To Discuss the Possibility of a 20mph Scheme in the Parish

The Clerk asked Dunsford about their speed reduction efforts, as it was agreed at the last meeting. Dunsford is doing a 20 is plenty campaign with signs and banners, not a self-funded 20mph scheme.

Resolved The Parish Council agreed to ask for 20 is plenty signs and ask local landowners to display them on their properties.

The Parish Council received an email from the School, expressing their support for a 20mph speed limit. The Clerk asked Devon Highways about the cost of a self-funded 20mph scheme, but they have not replied yet.

10.5   To Discuss the Condition of Hedges and Gullies

It was discussed that previously reported overhanging hedges were not actioned by Devon Highways.

10.6   To Receive a Parish Path Partnership and Footpath Update

It was noted that the overhanging tree on footpath 5 has not been removed by the owner, as it was agreed in March.

10.7   To Discuss Other Highways Issues

The Parish Council previously asked for further information from Devon Highways about U1 licence, but there was no reply. Clerk to ask again.

11     To Discuss Finance

11.1   To Receive a Finance Report, Budget-Actual Comparison and To Approve the Bank Reconciliation

The total bank balance on 30 September 2025 was £21,966.59. After deducting the amount of earmarked funds and grants, the general reserve was £9,666.06.

The second part of the precept, £4,433.50 and an interest of £99.63 were credited to the bank account in September.

The Chairman checked the bank reconciliation, and it was in order.

Resolved The Parish Council approved the bank reconciliation for 30 September 2025.

The Parish Council noted the budget – actual comparison for 30 September 2025.

11.2   To Discuss Possible Ideas for the 2025/26 Budget

Lengthsman cost – can be higher than this year.

The Clerk indicated that there might be extra costs regarding data protection tasks. The Parish Council’s old gmail account needs to be deleted for data protection reasons. The still relevant and stored emails need to be saved. The Parish Council agreed to purchase an external hard drive as a storage – in the current financial year.

11.3   To Receive a Feedback About the Bank Mandate Update

Cllr Hole has been removed from the account, but Cllr Moorhouse has not, despite the relevant form having been submitted by the clerk. Clerk to chase Unity Trust Bank.

The update of the contact details has likewise not been carried out either.

11.4   Approval of Expenditure

Venue hire 14 October 2025 £10.00

Card monthly fee Sep 2025 £3.00

Unity Bank account fee Aug 2025 £6.00

Office mobile phone top up x2 £10.00

Clerk’s salary and expenses £1,192.52

Down Lane drainage works £408.00

Defibrillator, cabinet and sign £2,197.00

SLCC membership fee £110.00

Resolved The Council unanimously approved the expenditures.

12     To Discuss a Possible Comment on the Draft Teignbridge District Council Charter

No comment was made.

13     Clerk’s Correspondence

The Clerk informed the Council that there was a freedom of information request in September, and she answered the questions.

The Clerk asked if a councillor could help with publishing documents on the notice board. Cllr Brook offered help.

Citizens Advice sent a thank you email for the donation of £50, which was approved at the last meeting.

The Clerk reported that she looked at available printers to replace the current one. Tank printers seem to be cheaper to run in the long term, although they are more expensive to buy. The Council supported the idea of buying a tank printer.

14     Date of Next Meeting

11 November 2025

15     Chairman’s Remarks

The Chairman thanked everybody for their participation and closed the meeting at 9.26pm.

 

 

Signed…………………………………………………………

Chairman

Date