Parish Council Minutes July 2025

MINUTES

Belstone Parish Council meeting on 7th July 2025 at 7:30 pm (at Belstone Village Hall)

Councillors present – M Ash (Chair), P Cooper (Vice Chair), T Weaver, A Booth, D Hosegood, C Grubb & J Stevens. Also present – Sue Davies (DCC) and 3 members of the public including The Lord of the Manor

Apologies for absence 252622
None

Disclosure of Interests 252623
Councillor Grubb declared an interest in “parking matters 252630”

Approval of last Minutes 19/5/2025 252624
Approved by the Council and signed by the Chair as a correct record

Public Participation 252626
None during this section of the meeting

Borough & County Reports 252627 WDBC June ‘25 WDBC CLT’s
Cllr Sue Davies (DCC, Hatherleigh & Chagford Division), who replaced Cllr James McInnes, kindly attended our meeting advising she hopes to shortly meet all 22 PC’s in her Division. Two points of note were advised – 1) the phased cessation of the co-responding scheme (which currently sees local on-call fire fighters responding to medical emergencies as well as fires) and 2) the new pot-hole trial areas where all potholes would be filled, rather than dealing with just those with safety defects. Cllr Davies also stated that her email address is available to all to use () and that the previous member’s bulletin would no longer be shared, with Councils invited instead to subscribe to the DCC news update via the website.

Cllr Lynn Daniel’s (WDBC) reports were both noted with thanks

Chairman’s Announcements 252628
The Chair advised of an invitation received from Okehampton Town Council to create a “cluster group” of Councils in the area with the aim of collaboration and sharing ideas / local concerns around e.g. the upcoming Unitary / Local Government reorganisation. Quarterly meetings are suggested during a weekday at 11:00 am, with each Council taking turns to host and provide lunch. Meetings to be attended by Chair and / or Clerk with the hosting Council’s Clerk to gather ideas for the agenda and issue all paperwork. DECISION – It was agreed in line with feedback received thus far that whilst a good idea, weekday meetings and emphasis on individual small Council’s to host seemed too onerous and as such the Council will wait for more feedback before making formal comment. Clerk to keep Councillors posted.

Clerk’s Announcements 252629
None other than that covered elsewhere in the minutes

Planning Matters 252630
A. Applications – none
B. Decisions –
Skaigh Garden Cottage 0034/25 Granted conditionally
Town Living 0041/25 Awaited
Eastlake 0058/25 Awaited
Beacon View 0135/25 Granted conditionally

Positions noted

C. Other – anonymous letter received re advised breach in Skaigh Lane

In response to the anonymous letter received stating concerns over the barn now in construction between Windyridge and Skaigh Stables, such letter was forwarded to the DNPA Enforcement Officer who has subsequently advised that following a site visit, a planning application will be required and is shortly expected.

Highways 252631
A. Update re flooding, pinch point in Skaigh, gate, signage
Flooding – responses have been received from both Highways and SWWA following our concerns raised. In summary, SWWA have apologised and are now examining their processes and procedures to prevent this happening again by removing the operational equipment that led to the escape of water from the reservoir. Position to be regularly monitored at a local level.

Skaigh pinch point – Highways will re-visit this area (when able) to review the stones that have been built either side of the lane
Gate at Tor Down – we are advised that this broken gate was replaced albeit with a second-hand gate to save cost. Small sections of this re-used gate need repair, and a contractor has been employed to do so

Camp signage – (from east bound exit on A30) remains on order

B. Other (including stones on road)
Stones on lane (opposite Dartmoor House / The Barton) – whilst a Councillor previously requested these stones be removed, they continue to create an obstruction to the public highway raising safety concerns as a potential hazard to pedestrians / cyclists and possible damage to vehicles. DECISION – it was agreed that a letter should now be written, again requesting that the stones are permanently removed with a reminder that should an incident occur as a result, the party responsible for placing the stones could be held personally liable.

Speeding in the village – in response to an anonymous article in the Beacon followed and referred to by a specific request from a concerned resident, speeding was again discussed. Whilst concerns remain around the dangers of speeding in the village, Highways have previously advised us that a 20-mph speed limit in the village is unrealistic to achieve. DECISION – Highways to be chased to update us when the “slow” signs (x3) will be repainted on our roads to help deter inappropriate speeds.

Parking – review to include resident’s priority request 252632

Resident’s priority request – in liaison with The Lord of the Manor it was agreed that providing no transfer of legal rights of ownership or any future title claims were implied or created, signage could be erected to the right-hand section of the village car park as a designated area for the use of Parishioners only. DECISION – signage agreed to read “Private Parking” with a note underneath (exact wording to be agreed) to suggest designated / priority parking for Parishioners / Community. Draft to be agreed before final sign confirmed.

General village congestion whilst car park remains empty – a concerned resident kindly sent in photos showing congestion of parking along the stretch by Dartmoor House / The Barton / Beacon View, to include vans parked on the small triangle there, at a time when the village car park remained empty. DECISION – previous Public meeting on this matter ruled out any use of double yellows and whilst the Council has no jurisdiction to enforce inappropriate parking (which remains a matter for Highways / the Police), especially by visitors, the Council wishes to remind all concerned to park considerately ensuring that emergency vehicles can pass, houses and drives can be accessed, no lanes or corners are blocked and there is suitable visibility at all junctions.

Signage towards Birchy Lake – we were advised that the Lord of the Manor had previously given permission for the temporary & occasional placement of an A-frame style sign towards Birchy Lake during busy periods to prevent double parking and allow emergency access / suitable tuning space. DECISION – it was agreed that the Council’s own A-frame signage could be used for this purpose

Finance 252633
A. Balances (as at 23/6/2025) – current £403.51 / savings £6,652.75 (paying 0.7% gross)
B. Income – interest £7.39
C. Paid – P Cooper – £138 (stocks) / C Walpole £25 (audit) / Oke DC £50 (donation) / DALC £115.20 (sub) / Community insurance £208.07 / Bank charges £8.50
D. To be paid – Zoho – £86.40 + VAT (data storage and email accounts) SLCC (Society of Local Council Clerks) payment £190 (potentially now non-applicable / previously shared with Sticklepath PC)

All finances noted. SLCC payment is no longer considered required. Authority provided to pay Zoho invoice.

Documentation review 252633
A. Financial Regulations
B. Assets Register
C. Complaints Policy

All proposed documentation agreed / signed where appropriate

Assets 252634
A. Stocks repair – update
B. Seats – update re repair and dedication
Cllr Booth was thanked for his excellent work in replacing the oak for the village stocks. Thanks too to the resident who has repaired and replaced “Green No 2 seat” which is to be dedicated to Stella Hudson. Cllr Ash has separately sourced suitable wood to repair “Green No 7 seat” close to the entrance to Resugga Lodge.

Ice cream / vendors 252637
A request was received from a resident to trade an ice-cream trike from the car park. After discussion, it was agreed that the car park was an inappropriate and potentially dangerous location to undertake such trade, and the request was accordingly withdrawn with a suitable alternative position to be sought with the permission of the appropriate land-owner. It was also noted that following previous correspondence and communication, Frank’s Flakes has now also returned to the village

Items for next Agenda 252636
None additional at this time

The meeting closed at 21:00. The next meeting will be Monday 8th Sept at 19:30