Parish Council Draft Minutes November 2026
Draft MINUTES
Parish Council meeting on 9th Nov 2026 at 7:30 p.m. (Belstone Village Hall)
Councillors present: M Ash (Chair), P Cooper (VC), D Hosegood, C Grubb, J Stevens & M Butler (co-opted)
Also present: – 2 members of the public and Jon Pike (Parish Clerk)
Apologies for absence 262753
Cllr Weaver
Disclosure of Interests 262754
None
Approval of last Minutes 7/9/26 262755
Approved by the Council and signed by the Chair as a correct record
Public Participation 262756
None
Co-option of new Councillor following Cllr Booth resignation 15/9/26 262757
Mark Butler was unanimously voted in and accordingly co-opted as a new Councillor. The Chair welcomed Mark to the Council with acceptance papers signed.
Borough, County & Cluster Reports (if any) 262758
Cluster minutes duly noted
Chairman’s announcements 262759
The Chair noted the removal of the gate latch at Tor Down cattle grid – to be again reported
Clerk’s announcements & correspondence 262760
Dates for Councillors diaries were advised as: –
11th November – PC engagement session on new Dartmoor Plan 2027–32 02:00 pm Oke Town Hall
10th December – Okehampton Cluster Group social 07:00 pm Okehampton Town Hall
6th January – West Devon Matters Police drop in session 06:00 pm Okehampton Police Station
Donuts – a resident has advised us that late afternoon on Sunday 20th Sept, 3 x hatchbacks were seen doing donuts in the village car park. Whilst no photos or number plates were obtained, the matter is to be reported to the police to log such anti-social behaviour
New PC noticeboard – the Council were advised that as well as DCC’s offer to potentially fund 50% of the cost of our new noticeboard (once a decision is made), WDBC will also very kindly offer a £300 donation.
Planning Matters 262761
A. Applications – none
B. Decisions – none
C. Other – Tenacity Cottage – update
DNPA enforcement officer has advised the Council that the caravan at Tenacity Cottage is of a temporary nature and that the section of the stone wall removed to widen the entrance was done so to take the access back to its previous width. The hard surface is an accumulation of material from within the same site with no foundation or membrane – so will green up. As such, DNPA remain content.
Highways 262762 – general update
A. Noise from A30
An email had been drafted by a third party at the request of Cllr Weaver addressed to the Chief Highways Officer at National Highways raising a concern regarding the road traffic noise from the A30 stemming from the acoustic characteristics of the concrete carriageway. It was decided to defer a decision on taking forward such an email until January’s meeting
B. Other
Village drains – the Council were updated that the main village drain had last been “serviced” in July 26 and next scheduled for July 27 albeit our Highways Officer has been requested to seek further routine maintenance of not only the main but all other drains and gulleys in the village following the autumn leaf fall to prevent winter issues
Rubbish left in the pull-in on the B2360 to Sticklepath following the van fire – whilst recently coned off, this pile of household waste is still considered a danger and as such is to be reported to Highways and the Police
Heritage signpost – we have received correspondence from the Recreation & Access support officer of DNPA requesting the Council’s support to replace the old sign in Skaigh (on the sharp corner outside Skaigh House) with a permanent cast iron sign in the “Somerset style” albeit subject to funding, the bulk of which should be provided by the National Park. Decision was to support this initiative subject to a full understanding of the finances involved
Slow signs – the white painted slow signs on the road are to be chased once more
Parking 262763
A. Parking opposite Whitehouse Services
The general parking on the opposite side of the road to Whitehouse Services (considered to occur all year round), is considered a road hazard and as such is to be reported to Highways and the Police
B. Update to Watchett Hill parking / toileting issues in the village
Following concerns raised previously, input has been received from DNPA who has reminded us that under the camping byelaw, people should take a trowel and bury their human waste. The Commoners have suggested that the Church toilet could be better publicised (we are aware that the Church’s walking leaflets will be accordingly amended). We have also received the same suggestion from residents to re-open the debate for consideration to be given by the Village Hall to somehow make their toilets securely available to the public. This is to be taken forward at the next VH meeting.
As for parking difficulties at Watchett Hill, this will be taken forward at the next Commoners meeting this month.
C. Other
We are advised that the Duchy will soon be repairing the lane out to Taw Marsh from Birchy Gate and to do so will be phasing the temporary storage of stone in the village car park for up to a 2 week period around end Nov / early Dec. This will also lead to increased plant traffic in the village during this period.
Finance 262764
A. Half Year budget review
B. Precept 27/28 – first draft
C. Balances (as at 27/10/26) – current £374.61 / savings £10,363.41 (paying 0.5% gross)
D. Income – Precept (second installment) £2,030 / Interest £8.12
E. Paid – Clerks wages & HMRC (Q2 to 30/9) £654.14 / Bank charges £8.50
F. To be paid (on 31/12) – Clerks wages (Q3) £620.56
All finance positions noted and agreed with the suggestion to review higher interest (notice / fixed term) deposit accounts for a better interest rate and to amend the draft 27/28 budget to expect a government pay increase of 3.5 rather than 2.5%.
Village partners – updates if any 262765
The Village Hall will be applying for a capital grant for the provision of solar panels. As a community project they are seeking the PC’s support for such plans which the PC is delighted to provide.
Documentation review 262766
A. Privacy Policy
Reviewed, agreed and adopted.
Assets 262767
A. Damaged George V seat – repair update
The wooden slats and re-painted end supports are now with Cllr Cooper who will kindly pull the replacement seat together and site it on a new concrete base directly
B. Seat for Victoria – update
The positioning of this seat was previously agreed (at Birchy Lake) and will be taken forward in due course
Any items to be covered on next agenda 18th Jan 2027 262768
A. Finalisation of precept 27/28
B. Noise from A30 email
C. Final decision on new PC noticeboard – site and cost
D. Review of Standing Orders
E. Agree 27/28 PC diary
F. Public Seating policy review
The meeting ended at 8:30 pm. The next meeting will be Jan 18th 2027 at 7:30 pm
Michael Ash, Chair
18/1/27