Doddiscombsleigh Parish Council

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Tuesday 9 September 2025 at 7.30 pm at Woodah Farm

 

 Present: Cllr A Newton-Humes (Chairman), R Crocker, Cllr K Salter, Cllr H Brook (until item 9.2), Cllr C Wood, Mrs R Davies Headteacher and one member of the public

Clerk: A Miller

1         Election of Chairperson

Following the July meeting, the Chairman of the Council, Cllr Hole resigned. The Parish Council needed to elect a new chairperson.

Resolved The Parish Council unanimously elected Cllr Newton-Humes as new chairman.

Cllr newton-Humes signed the Acceptance of Office Form.

He also agreed to check finance and admin as his responsibilities.

2         Welcome and Apologies for Absence

Cllr Sawyer sent his apologies.

3         Declarations of Interest / Requests for Dispensations

None.

Item 4 was discussed next, then the Council returned to the Open Forum.

Open Forum

The following points were raised:

• Condition of Rectory Lane.
• The lack of district and county councillors was noted.
• The Headteacher remarked that the school had been informed about a road closure between 9-15 October close to the school. Openreach will bring fibreoptic cables to the area.

4         To Discuss Parking Situation at the School

Mrs Davies, headteacher of Doddiscombsleigh School, attended the meeting to help explore solutions in order to reduce congestion at the School. Staff, parents and residents park at the school, which makes passing vehicles difficult at times, especially in the morning. There has been an incident when a child got injured.

The Headteacher informed the Council about some steps that she had already taken to improve the situation:

• The main priority is the safety of children.
• There can be regular reminders to parents to park considerately during drop off and pick up times.
• Three families signed up for school taxi service, reducing congestion.
• She agreed informally with the pub that parents can use the pub car park during events, e.g. school shows.
• She had concerns regarding the introduction of double yellow lines as proposed by the Police two years ago, as it might have a negative effect on the School.

The Parish Council appreciated her efforts to manage the problem and agreed to try the following steps:

• Contact the pub and ask if staff can use the pub car park. Ask if parents can use the car park in the morning for school drop off. Chairman agreed to do it.
• Explore the possibility for 20 mph speed limit in the centre of the village – Devon County Council expressed support for self-funded schemes. Lower speed limit might encourage parents to park at the pub during drop off and pick up times and walk the short distance to the school. Clerk to ask for further information about the costs and enquire if other parishes nearby are interested in the scheme.

5         County and District Councillors’ and Police Reports

County Cllr Keeling’s report and his email regarding the 20 is plenty scheme had been circulated prior to the meeting. The Police report has been noted. The 20-mph speed limit was discussed at item 4.

6         Ratification of Minutes of Previous Meeting

Resolved The Minutes of the Ordinary Council meeting of 8 July 2025 was unanimously accepted as a true record.

The Chair signed the Minutes.

7         Councillor Vacancy and Co-option

Following Cllr Hole resignation in July, the Notice of Casual Vacancy was published. The District Council informed the Parish that there was no request for a by-election, so the Parish Council can co-opt a candidate.

No applications were received.

8         To Discuss Planning a Possible Consultation Response to the Teignbridge Local Plan Modifications

The Parish Council reviewed the latest proposal. There were only two minor changes proposed for Doddiscombsleigh, affecting only terminology and correcting a typographic error – but the essence of the proposal remained the same.

The Parish Council did not wish to comment on the minor modifications.

9         To Discuss Highways Issues

9.1       Lengthsman’s Report

The lengthsman carried out grass cutting and drainage work in August. His invoice is listed at item 10.4.

The Council agreed to ask the lengthsman to assess Rectory Lane.

9.2       To Receive an Update Regarding Down Lane

The work was agreed with the contractor. Waiting for completion.

Cllr Brook left the meeting.

9.3       To Receive an Update about the Road Warden Scheme

Only two tubs of tarmac are left from those bought with the grant from Devon County Council. Clerk to apply for another pallet of tarmac once the stock runs out.

9.4       To Discuss a Possible Consultation Response Regarding a Road Closure Between Sexton’s Cross and Half Acre on 2-15 December 2025 for Broadband Works

After publishing the agenda, the Parish Council received an email with the traffic regulation order. The road closure will go ahead.

9.5       To Receive a Parish Path Partnership and Footpath Update

The owner of the field along footpath 6 cut the grass at the gateway. There is still overgrown vegetation along the path. It was agreed to ask the lengthsman to help with overgrown vegetation, as there is a general maintenance grant within the scheme for this type of work.

9.6       To Discuss Other Highways Issues

The 20-mph scheme was discussed at item 4.

10     To Discuss Finance

10.1   To Receive a Finance Report

The total bank balance on 31 August 2025 was £17,582.46. After deducting the amount of earmarked funds and grants, the general reserve was £5,281.93. The Council noted the report.

10.2   To Discuss a Possible Grant to Citizen Advice

Citizen Advice asked for a grant of £50 to help people in Teignbridge, including several residents of Doddiscombsleigh. It was discussed that the organization provides an important service.

Resolved The Parish Council agreed to give a grant of £50 to Teignbridge Citizen Advice.

10.3   To Update the Bank Mandate

Resolved The Parish Council agreed to remove William Hole as signatory and Michael Moorhouse as connected person from the bank account. The Council also agreed to write to Unity Trust Bank asking them to update contact details – email and phone number – regarding the MultiPay card and ask for the removal of outdated contact details from the bank’s systems.

10.4   Approval of Expenditure

Venue hire 9 September 2025 £10.00

Card monthly fee Jul – Aug 2025 £6.00

Unity Bank account fee Jun – Jul 2025 £12.00

Office mobile phone top up x2 £10.00

Lengthsman works £75.00

Citizen Advice grant £50.00

Resolved The Council unanimously approved the expenditures.

11     To Discuss a Possible Response to the District Council’s Consultation on Licencing Policy

Information about the proposal: https://www.teignbridge.gov.uk/draftreview

No comment was made.

12     To Discuss Positioning an Additional Defibrillator in the Village

The Clerk reported that there was feedback from the District Council regarding CIL funding for a new defibrillator. A second defibrillator to the north of the village centre can be funded from CIL money, as the new developments in the area have paid their CIL contributions.

A third defibrillator, to the south of the centre, can only be bought from CIL money after the approved developments in this area have paid their CIL contributions. If the approved developments do not take place or just with great delay, the Parish Council needs to pay back to the District Council the CIL money which was spent in the area.

Resolved The Parish Council agreed to order ZOLL AED 3 equipment to be installed at Middle Hills – subject to the approval of the ambulance service.

The Parish Council also agreed to explore options for training.

13     Clerk’s Correspondence

The Clerk informed the Council that the annual General Meeting of the Devon Association of Local Councils will be held on 1 October at Exeter Racecourse.

The office printer is not in a good condition. The Council agreed to apply for a grant from the Locality Budget for a new office printer.

14     Date of Next Meeting

14 October 2025

15     Chairman’s Remarks

The Chairman thanked everybody for their participation and closed the meeting at 9.24pm.

 

 

Signed…………………………………………………………

Chairman

 

Date