Meeting date: Tuesday 13 October 2026
Present: Cllr Hulett (Chair), Cllrs Moyse, Gilpin, Robson, Lenton L, Lenton K, Purnell, Cllr Southcott (WDBC), one member of the parish.
- Public Session (15 minutes)
The council was informed that with effect from 31st October many planning applications will be considered solely by appointed officers and not by elected Members. This is expected to improve the time taken to respond to planning applications, but it is argued that it will remove one means by which the public can express their opinions on applications.
- Apologies for absence: Cllr Mott, Cllr Fife-Cook
- Declarations of Interest
Nil.
- Minutes of the monthly meeting 8th September 2026
After approval of an inclusion, the minutes were agreed.
- Matters arising from the meeting 8th September 2026 which are not part of the agenda items.
(See also Action Points from meeting).
VAS relocation – it was agreed that Councillors would propose more suitable location(s) for the sign, which could be forwarded to Highways for their consideration.(AP1)
Disabled parking bay opposite Lydford School – Cllrs Robson and K Lenton agreed to visit residents to discuss the removal of the collapsed planter, freeing up space within the bay. (AP2)
Migration of Lydford.co.uk website – It was agreed by a majority vote for the council to move its web-based presence to a .gov website. (AP3 – Clerk to seek further quotes).
Peoples’ Emergency briefing. – It was agreed that the council would support a screening of this briefing. Cllr Robson agreed to organise the event. (AP4)
- Urgent matters to report (For information)
Councillors noted the increased cost of emptying the dog waste bin with Sports Field Trustees.
- Matters previously agreed but have not been progressed
Installation of a handrail at the bus shelter. - Councillor Hewlett agreed to seek quotes (AP5)
Renewal or replacement of the sign at the eastern entry to the village – it was agreed that enquiries should continue to seek a replacement. (AP6 – Clerk to arrange quote)
- Items for Action (from Action Plan).
- Affordable Housing – As demand for such housing in the village was revealed to be very low, and given that after consultation with DNPA Planning no suitable site for even a small development could be found in the village, and because Community Land Trusts are only likely to want to build large numbers of houses rather than the few Lydford needs, Councillors decided that as a council pursuing the question was a waste of time and should be discontinued.
- Ancient Spring – Councillor Hewlett stated work will start towards the end of October on putting piping in to drain the site into a ditch.
- 20’s Plenty – Cllr K Lenton announced that seven locations for signs had been agreed. These are all on private property. (AP7 – Cllr Lenton to arrange distribution when printed)
- Planning
No requests for consultation received
- Finances
- Payments for approval:
- J. Bright £583.19 Salary October + back pay (national pay award)
- HMRC £173.58 PAYE & Employer’s NI October
- Steve Hulett £ 67.97 Sand for emergency provision
- Parish Online £ 48.00 Online mapping software
- Cormac £ 48.96 Road Warden Training S Hulett
- WDBC £109.20 Emptying of dog waste bin – Recreation Ground.
- Steve Hulett £ 66.05 Road Warden – required equipment
Payments were approved – proposed Cllr L Lenton, seconded Cllr Purnell. All in favour.
- Internal Auditor 2026-27
Councillors agreed to employ Penny Clapham as the council’s Internal Auditor for the present financial year.
- Clerk’s salary
Councillors agreed that the Clerk’s pay be upgraded from Scale Point 7 to Scale Point 13 with effect from 13th May 2026, being the anniversary of the Clerk’s employment. Proposed Cllr Hulett, seconded Cllr K Lenton. All in favour.
- Banking reconciliation for period 1.4.26 to 30.9.26
Councillors noted the reconciliation.
Opening balance 1.4.26 £12,942.21 Bank holdings at 30.9.26
Add receipts £11,133.49 Deposit Account £18,268.66
Less payments £5,787.49 Current Account £19.55
£18,288.21 £18,288.21
- Actions taken by the Clerk under the Scheme of Delegation
Nil
Meeting closed 20:30
Next meeting, Tuesday 10th November 2026