Cluster Group minutes 9/10/25
Minutes of a Wider Okehampton Cluster Group Meeting held on
Thursday 9th October at 11am in the Council Chamber
Town Hall, Fore Street, Okehampton
Present: Cllr Richard Colman, Mayor, Okehampton TC
Emma James, Clerk, Okehampton TC
Cllr Michelle Wilson, Sampford Courtenay PC
Abi Horn, Clerk, Sourton PC
Sally Fullwood, Clerk, Sticklepath PC
Cllr Derek Moore, Sticklepath PC
Alice Turner, Clerk, Exbourne with Jacobstowe PC
Cllr Steve Blackman, Exbourne with Jacobstowe PC
- Welcome
Cllr Colman explained the aim of the meetings and introductions were made. - Apologies
Bratton Clovelly PC
North Tawton TC - Local Government Reorganisation (LGA)
Cllr Moore had provided some notes he had made following a presentation by WDBC on
2
nd September, previously circulated, and expanded further on these explaining his thoughts
on the subject. Sticklepath PC had agreed a mandate for their stance which would be
circulated to the group.
Other potential area groupings were discussed. Current proposals throughout Devon were
not collaborative, a risk being that the government would add Devon to a ‘difficult to do’ pile.
How do we limit the impact?
The councils collaborating through this group could consider a collective response to the
proposals, however it may be too late for all those present to put this to their councils before
the submission date. Cllr Moore would circulate his Council’s response. - Closure of Lloyds Bank, Okehampton
Emma James had been in contact with Mel Stride, MP and the Head of Banking at LINK.
The recommendation of the Cash Access Assessment Outcome was that a service should
be provided prior to closure, the responses received from Mel Stride and LINK indicated that
the recommendation had to be complied.
Some services would be available through the Post Office, but not the paying in of cheques
to Lloyds after 31 December 2025.
Postal service not reliant in the area, internet in some areas is difficult which can affect
access to banking apps.
It was suggested that Councils and or councillors/clerks as individuals could all consider
objecting to the closure on the recommendation of the Assessment.
Emma, Okehampton TC to consider creating a template letter and circulating it along with
copies of other information received.
Wider Okehampton Cluster Group Meeting Page 2 of 2
9 October 2025 - Other Items for Information
Future Agenda items:
- Cllr Moore – Traffic and transport into Okehampton, access to the local business
centre, schools and other services with the aim of a co-ordinated view. Invite
someone to a meeting of the group to discuss the matter. - Alice Turner – DALC to talk about services they can offer and how they can support
the group. DALC have a small amount of funding for Cluster Groups. - LGA – Recognising services provided by DCC and WDBC that would go into unitary,
including the Records Offices/Heritage Centres - Library – Proposals for it to be run by volunteers, possibly discuss ways to prevent it
from closing
Assertion 10
.gov.uk emails/website discussion.
North Devon Health Initiative
Looking for support of the local councils to push for it to be reinstated as a working hospital.
Questionnaire.
- Arrangements for the next meeting
Sampford Courtenay offered to host the next meeting on Tuesday 13th January 2026 at a
time to be agreed.
Meeting closed at 12.40pm.