Heanton Punchardon Parish Council
Minutes of the Annual Parish Council Meeting 20th May 2025
The Royal British Legion Hall, Wrafton
Present: Cllrs S Crowther, C Andrews, E Bond, M France, L Gilkes, G Millett, G Norman and J Turner
ln Attendance: Mrs Jane Mills Parish Clerk, County Cllr G Bell and District Cllr R Knight,
2505/19 Election of Chairman for 2025/26
It was resolved to elect Cllr Crowther as Chairman for 2025/26
Proposed: Cllr Turner, seconded: Cllr Norman, (all in favour)
2505/20 Declaration of Acceptance of Office
Cllr Crowther read and signed the prescribed Declaration of Office
2505/21 Election of Vice-Chairman for 2025/26
It was resolved to elect Cllr Turner as Vice-Chairman for 2025/26
Proposed: Cllr Crowther, seconded: Cllr Bond, (all in favour)
2505/22 Apologies All Members were present
2505/23 Declarations of Interest There were no declarations of interest.
2505/24 To agree the agenda as published, It was resolved to agree the agenda as published
Proposed: Cllr Norman, seconded: Cllr Millett, (all in favour).
2505/25 To confirm and sign the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held 15th
April 2025 It was resolved to confirm and sign the minutes of the Meeting of 15th 2025
Proposed: Cllr Bond, seconded: Cllr Andrews (all in favour)
2505/26 Public Participation No members of the public wished to speak
2505/27 County Councillor Report
The new County Cllr was welcomed to the meeting. He advised he will attend all meetings when he can, but he also works as an intensive care nurse. Please send him any questions by the 25th of the month. He will send out a monthly report. His group is the lead party, whilst not having a majority. They will collaborate with all parties, and appointments will be pro-rata. The A361 roadworks are being reviewed and scrutinised with Highways. The crossing should go ahead as soon as possible.
He also spoke about possible proposals for unitary authorities. There are projects in hand for white lining. He was asked to support the one-way system for Heanton Hill Lane.
2505/28 District Councillor Report
Cllr Knight advised that he is on both planning and HATOC. He confirmed that the Whitecross application was approved, it was most contentious, but officers had advised that voting against could prove very costly to defend because of its complexity. The NDC lottery has proved successful and £35,000 has been given out in grants to worthy causes.
The Leader and Deputy had both been re-elected. He recommended visiting the “have your say” North Devon website
2505/29 Review of Standing Orders
It was resolved to accept the amended Standing Orders
Proposed: Cllr Crowther, seconded: Cllr Norman (all in favour)
2505/30 Review of Financial Regulations
It was resolved to accept the revised Financial Regulations
Proposed: Cllr Bond, seconded: Cllr Andrews (all in favour)
2505/31 Members’ Code of Conduct (agreed at April 2025)
It was agreed to note the Code of Conduct as previously agreed
2505/32 Assets Register
It was resolved that an asset audit would be performed, aligned with the Parish Online register and this will be followed by a review of insurance. Insurance renewal at the current level will continue at present.
Proposed: Cllr Crowther, seconded: Cllr Norman (all in favour)
Action Point: Update Parish Online and audit assets, and review insurance
2505/33 Delegation Review
It was agreed to continue with this scheme (planning, agreed 2025)
2505/34 Review of policies and adopt (herewith)
- Freedom of Information (Reviewed 15/4/2025)
- Data Protection (herewith)
- General and Financial Risk Assessment (reviewed 15/4/2025)
- Internal Control (reviewed 15/4/2025)
- Complaints Procedure (herewith)
It was resolved to note previously agreed policies and adopt the others
Proposed: Cllr Crowther, seconded: Cllr Bond (all in favour)
2505/35 Calendar of Meetings
It was resolved to accept the proposed calendar of meetings
Proposed: Cllr Andrews, seconded: Cllr Bond (all in favour)
2505/36 Renewal of Insurance
See Minute 2505/32
2505/37 To reconfirm adoption of the General Power of Competence
It was resolved to reconfirm adoption of the General Power of Competence
Proposed: Cllr Bond, seconded: Cllr Andrews (all in favour)
2505/38 Annual Governance and Accountability Return 2024/2025
To receive the Internal Auditor’s Report and agree the Annual Governance
Statement 2024/2025
It was resolved to accept the Internal Auditor’s Report and agree the Annual
Governance Statement
Proposed: Cllr Bond, seconded: Cllr Millett (all in favour)
2505/39 To agree the Accounting Statements for 2024/2025
It was resolved to agree the Accounting Statements for 2024/2025
Proposed: Cllr Bond, seconded: Cllr Andrews (all in favour)
2505/40 To agree to Certify that Heanton and Punchardon Parish Council is Exempt
from a limited Assurance Review as gross income and expenditure is
under £25,000.
It was resolved to certify that Heanton and Punchardon Parish Council is Exempt from a limited Assurance Review as gross income and expenditure is
under £25,000.
Proposed: Cllr Crowther, seconded: Cllr France (all in favour)
Action Point: Submit Exemption Certificate to External Auditor
2505/41 Payment and Receipts
It was resolved to approve payments and receipts
| May | C Andrews | 400 |
| May | J Snooks | 110 |
| May | DALC | 670.15 |
| May | A Luxton | 99 |
| May | HMRC | 34.2 |
| May | Mrs Mills | 292.55 |
| May | Lloyds | 5.75 |
| 3362.93 |
Proposed: Cllr Norman, seconded: Cllr Millett (all in favour)
Action Point: Pay invoices
2505/42 To consider the Councils policy on criminal damage to Council property.
It was agreed that Members will advise the Clerk of any criminal damage in the Council area, this will be collated on a weekly basis and submitted to Devon and Cornwall Police. The Council will also request crime reports.
The Clerk will seek information on renewing the bus shelters.
Action Point: Seek information on bus shelter renewal options
2505/43 To consider possible non-notified development in the Parish.
There appears to be a significant development on the base at Chivenor,
Members asked if there had been a planning application received.
The District Councillor will make enquiries and also the Clerk
Action Point: seek information from planning.
2505/44 To consider
a) Provision of Allotments nothing further to report
b) P3, Survey has been completed by Cllr Turner and will be forwarded to the P3 co-ordinator
c) Community Emergency Plan in progress
d) Councillor Advocate Scheme The Cllr Advocate gave a brief update on policing hot spots and additional staff being employed
e) Update on Hart Manor signage (Cllr Turner) signage has been agreed and will be installed shortly
f) Ramp at pump track nothing further at present
2505/45 To consider Action Points (there were none from the last meeting)
2505/46 To confirm the date of the next meeting
The next meeting is scheduled for 17th June
.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.20 pm
Signed Chairman ………………………………………………… Date ……………..………….