WIDECOMBE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held in Church House, Widecombe on
Thursday 2 October 2025 at 7.30pm
Members present: Councillor Elliott (Chair), D Edwards and S Raynor
Also attending: District Cllr Rogers (from 7.40pm) and County Cllr Morgan
Members of the Public: Two
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
5169 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
- Cllr Bibby
- Cllr Fitzpatrick
- Cllr Guest
- Cllr Partridge
- Cllr Welby
- District Cllr Nutley
- District Cllr Major
5170 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST AND REQUESTS FOR DISPENSATIONS
Members were reminded of their responsibility to continually update their Notice of Registerable Interests and invited to state whether they have any interest in the items to be discussed during this meeting in accordance with the Council’s Code of Conduct.
Unforeseen requests for a Dispensation to be considered at this point only if there was no way a Councillor would have been aware of such before the meeting.
There were no declarations of interest or requests for dispensation.
5171 OPEN FORUM
A question was asked about Devon County Council’s financial position. County Cllr Morgan advised that the Council’s current priority is to reduce its deficit.
The Old Inn has a Christmas/pub lights switch-on planned for 29 November. A brass band will be playing and the school will be involved with carol singing.
5172 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Members received the minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 4 September 2025 which were approved
as a true and correct record.
5173 REPORTS
(a) County Councillor
As stated in the open forum, County Cllr Morgan advised that the priority for DCC is to reduce its deficit. They are having to manage reserves and make savings the best they can. To put this into context, it would cost £390m to put the roads right, £101m to stay as they are, but the County only has a budget of £58m. The County does not receive enough money to run the statutory services. It has also been revealed that Local Government Reorganisation will not save any money.
(b) District Councillors
Cllr Rogers has asked for a meeting to establish what ‘One Teignbridge’ means for the rural Dartmoor parishes. Within the 2026-27 budget, he has been told that ‘play’ will be a key priority. He is seeking clarity what that means for rural parishes. With regards to Widecombe Fair, he thanked Cllr Palethorpe for resolving the matters with the car park. He would clarify whether documents would need to be submitted next year and advise the Fair Committee accordingly. Kerbside collection of Tetra packs is on its way soon. In respect of the Household Support Fund, Cllr Rogers offered his help to those who are digitally excluded.
(c) DNPA Representative
No report.
(d) Police Report
During the period 1 – 30 September 2025, there were no crimes.
(e) Delegate Reports
It was noted that the phone mast is being put up.
5174 PROJECTS AND ESTATES
(Cllrs Raynor, Edwards and Fitzpatrick)
(a) Village Walkabout
Matters arising from the August walkabout:
- The History group are more than happy to take on the Parish chest for some of their archive material. This was going to be discussed directly with the Church House Committee about leaving it in situ rather than moving it elsewhere.
- The padlock in the Parish field is now easy to open after a generous application of WD40 and the code remains the same. The sheep are now out of the field.
- Cllr Raynor will circulate photos of neighbouring trees which are overhanging into the parish field and will require attention. There is also an ash tree belonging to the field which needs to come down.
- Cllr Raynor is in the process of sourcing the signs for the bins and sandbag store
- The fence behind telephone box has been reported to TDC.
- The sign that was blocking vehicle access onto the green has been sorted.
(b) Parish Council Logo
Members considered three options. The preferred design was the Saxon Well. Cllr Edwards will finalise the drawing for approval at the next meeting.
(c) Defibrillator Training
Members agreed to support a training event at Leusdon Memorial Hall; the hall will be made available free of charge and Leusdon have requested the Parish Council’s help to advertise it. The Parish Council agreed to seek some financial support from the District Councillors’ locality budget. Cllr Rogers offered to make a grant of £250 from his fund.
(d) Parish Field
No report
5175 PLANNING/LOCAL LIAISON
(Cllrs Bibby, Partridge, Guest & Welby)
- New planning applications/appeals
None
- Planning Decisions/Withdrawals
None
5176 FINANCE & GOVERNANCE
(Cllrs Bibby, Partridge, Guest & Welby)
- Cash Book & Parish Field
Members noted the income and expenditure to date.
(b) Payments
Members approved the following payments:
- Clerk’s salary & disbursements – £295.77 (Oct)
- Information Commissioners Officer – Data Protection Licence renewal – £47 (direct debit)
- Cllr S Raynor – reimbursement for bitumen sealer for Road Warden Scheme – £76.56 (payment to be held back until the amount has been confirmed)
- Budget 2026-27
The Finance Committee is to prepare a draft budget for the next meeting for initial review and discussion.
5177 HIGHWAYS
(a) Road Warden Scheme:
Cllr Raynor reported that the group will be meeting next Thursday. They will be looking at the road between the Rugglestone Inn and Shilstone Rocks to start with.
(b) There were no other matters.
Potholes and other highways maintenance issues can be reported direct to DCC:
Online: https://www.devon.gov.uk/roadsandtransport/report-a-problem/
Telephone: 0345 155 1004
Email: customer@devon.gov.uk
5178 CORRESPONDENCE
- Request for a family memorial
It was agreed that the clerk would supply contact details for St Pancras and the Community Hall so that the family can make direct contact with those organisations.
(b) Members noted a drop-in session at the Princetown visitors’ centre on 15 October about the digital voice changeover.
5179 MEMBERS’ ITEMS FOR INFORMATION OR GENERAL DISCUSSION, FOR INCLUSION ON FUTURE AGENDAS AND/OR ITEMS REQUIRING URGENT ATTENTION
Members are reminded that they have not received the statutory notice of this business to be transacted and should therefore recognise that any decision made may be taken to be unlawful if challenged in the future
None
5180 NEXT MEETING
It was confirmed that the next Parish Council meeting will be held on 6 November 2025 in Church House, Widecombe.
PART 2
Members resolved that in view of the confidential nature of the business about to be transacted (commercial sensitivity), it is advisable in the public interest, that the press and public be excluded and instructed to withdraw from the meeting.
5181 ASSET OVERVIEW
Members were advised that TDC is reviewing its assets and have invited the Parish Council to contribute their thoughts about the future of those assets. After discussion, it was agreed to seek further information from TDC before commenting further.
Signed ………………………………………….. Dated ………………………………………