DRAFT Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held.
In Cornworthy Village Hall at 6.30pm on Monday 19th May 2025
Present: Cllr Tuppen (Chair), Cllr Bailey (Vice Chair), Cllr Hunt, Cllr Finn, Cllr Fowler, Cllr Thompson, and Cllr Hammond were present as was C Campos Parish Clerk.
1.Chairmans and Finance Report
Cllr Tuppen opened the meeting by thanking everyone for attending. He thanked the Clerk for all her work and noted that the CPC website was a great resource for residents, easy to use and with loads of useful information and very helpful advice so he encouraged everyone to try it out. CPC’s bank balance is looking healthy, there is a solid budget for the year, and the annual audit was signed off with minimal comment. The annual CPC “road sweep” took away four truckloads of leaves and rubbish. Andrew Best, the lengthsman, has done a great job and the village looks tidy. The SHDC road sweeper was persuaded to make a couple of visits. The Council sponsored a very successful scarecrow competition, produced an excellent village booklet, took part in a Keep Britain Tidy litter picking campaign, supported the Village Hall and the Citizens Advice Bureau with grants and will be the major sponsor for the forthcoming Cornworthy Pig Roast. The parish has lost some dear friends during the year, has supported those who have faced personal and family difficulties and has welcomed new families to the Village. A resident responded by thanking the Parish Council for all their hard work over the year.
2.Defibrillators and VETS
Cllr Fowler noted that Cornworthy Parish has 3 defibrillators, outside the Village Hall in Cornworthy, in East Cornworthy, and in Allaleigh. All defibs are fully functional and checked at least once a month. Over the last 2 years a process has been developed to ensure that faults are spotted and rectified, with regular monitoring and logging of issues at all the parish sites. In the last year we have had one issue that put the Cornworthy Defibrillator out of use. A battery failed without warning after half its expected lifespan. The battery has now been replaced under warranty.
The VETS (Volunteer Emergency Telephone System) is a scheme supported by the Community HeartBeat Trust which trains local responders to cardiac emergencies. There is a single local telephone number (01803 501019), advertised on all defibs, which contacts local volunteers who can assist. The local organiser is Bronwen Thompson. Two training sessions will take place this year, one hosted by Cornworthy VETS and the other by Ashprington VETS, which are open to both groups. Cllr Tuppen acknowledged the great job Cllr Fowler had done in managing the defibs and quickly resolving the issue of the faulty battery.
3. Wild About Cornworthy
Cllr Thompson noted that the organisation, commonly known at WAC, has been lobbying both SHDC and DCC to recycle blister packs which are recycled kerbside in North Devon and Exeter. Working with our MP, DCC Councillor and the Totnes Times WAC is hopeful that this will eventually be the case in Cornworthy. In the meantime, there will be a small grey bin in the newspaper shed where residents can deposit used blister packs. These will be taken to Superdrug in Newton Abbot and Torquay to be recycled. Volunteers will be needed to do the this. The Garden and Wildlife booklet will be delivered to all residents. WAC will have a stall at the Pig Roast with a variety of bird boxes which residents can duplicate at home. A resident noted that water hemlock has been found on the beach at Charleycombe Wood, and this has been notified to SHDC.
4. P3 Parish Paths
Cllr Finn reported that all footpaths have been surveyed and a grant application for this year has made to DCC. Andrew (Best) Parish Lengthsman will be undertaking the footpath repair work.
Concerns have been raised by the recent development of a driving range by the Dartmouth Golf and Country Club on a field that contains an element of footpath 9. The driving range has the potential to conflict with walkers as golfers are unable to see whether there are people on the path whilst playing. A joint inspection by Cllrs Finn and Bailey has taken place with DCC who will now take action directly with the Golf Club.
The paths have benefited from the volunteering efforts of two younger parishioners undertaking their Gold Duke of Edinburgh award. Two circular routes have been mapped and detailed by them and will soon shortly be available to view on the CPC website. The South Hams Ramblers Association is creating a 100-mile walking circuit of the South Hams, with an element through Cornworthy. This path, ‘The South Hams Way’, will have its own way-markers and is due to open in September. Cllr Tuppen noted it is the landowner’s responsibility to keep paths clear but also suggested walkers could cut back offending brambles during walks if they so wish.
5. Charleycombe Woods
Cllr Hunt reported that the trees that had fallen have been removed and that the broken stile on the path down to the beach will be repaired. She noted that since remedial work has been outsourced by the Woodland Trust tasks take longer to be done which means more chasing and reminding! She asked that if anyone has concerns to please contact her. Cllr Tuppen noted that she had successfully managed to postpone work that had been scheduled during bird nesting season.
6. Government Plans for Devolution
Cllr Hammond said that the current two-tier arrangement with SHDC looking after waste collection and other services while DCC looks after services such as road maintenance and adult social care will cease to exist. There are at present two Unitary authorities, Plymouth and Torbay, and Cornworthy is likely to be absorbed into one or the other. There will be a public consultation on the various options for the reorganisation of local government from January to April 2026. She stressed that it was very important that CPC was aware of the preferences and views of the residents so that CPC can represent them. The final decision will be made by the government with
a view to the new arrangements being in place by the start of 2028. She reiterated how important it is that people express their views. Cllr Hammond’s briefing notes will be available on the CPC website.
7.Cornworthy Village Hall
Cllr Bailey is now a Trustee of the Village Hall. Highlights for the Hall included successfully securing £20K through donations and grant applications to pay for the new barge boards, 2 new windows and work to stop water ingress. The committee continues to focus on income generation, including the annual craft fair and the recent dog show which were huge successes. Preparations are well underway for the Cornworthy Pig Roast at the end of June and Apple Day in September. These events should more than cover the running costs. The next big outlay will be the replacement of the roof and insulation which will need more funding through grants, fund raising and donations. The committee has established better connections with Dittisham and Ashprington to avoid event duplication and clashes.
In March the community was saddened by the death of David Carver who was a Hall trustee. David’s enormous contribution to the Hall and Cornworthy community generally over the many years was selfless and so generous. His wisdom and constant good humour will be sorely missed.
The committee is keen to recruit an additional trustee to replace David as well as other volunteers to support its activities, if you are interested, please contact the chairman Simon Baker or Hils Tuppen Secretary. Cllr Fowler noted that the Hall now has its own very good website which lists all upcoming events
8. Dame Elizabeth Harris and John Peter Charity Trustee
During the financial year to 31st March 2025, gifts were made to 32 parishioners at a cost of about £1,350. A meeting of the trustees took place on 21st February following the death of long serving trustee, Rose O’Brien and the Annual meeting was held on 6th November 2024 at which they approved the accounts to 31st March 2024. These show a total of £1,926 in the current bank account and in hand, and £1,544 in the deposit account. Total income in the year to 31st March 2024 was £2,200. This is an unusually high amount for the trust and due in part to a Compensation payment of £800 from the trust’s former bankers and an exceptional donation from Cornworthy Parish Council. The charity’s main source of revenue was rental income from land. The trustees intend to hold a further meeting in the autumn of 2025 following which it is expected a further distribution will be made. The trustees serving during the year to 31st March 2025 were M Hartnell (Chairman); R Keane; M Hasler (re appointed 6th November 2024); S Tucker; C A Hunt; S.Hunt (re appointed 6th November 2024).
9. River Dart (Dart Harbour Community Group)
Cllr Thompson explained that the Dart Harbour Community Group is a group of all the Parishes that border the River Dart and which meets three or four times a year with the Harbourmaster. Currently the group is looking at the 25-year Harbour Strategy Plan. This is open for consultation now and there is a link to it on the CPC website. Friends of the Dart can also be found on the website. He felt it was very important that residents have input into this Plan.
10. Challenges and objectives for 2025/26
Cllr Tuppen said he hoped the reports given in the meeting had given an insight into the work being done by CPC. He noted that in these uncertain times the Cornworthy Community is more important than ever. He urged everyone to do their best to get on, support each other, have some fun and honestly and amicably face up to any issues which they might find irritating. There have been issues with parking in the village, with ambulances unable to turn into Alexandra Place and a pinch point at the bottom of the village. A resident was also concerned about cars blocking the fire hydrant by the village hall. Cllr Hammond said further road markings and signage could be requested from DCC and it was agreed that CPC would approach DCC for further guidance. On a more positive note, Cllr Tuppen said Cornworthy was lucky to have such a fantastic band of people getting involved in organising events including this year’s long-awaited return of the wonderful Cornworthy Fete and Pig Roast, led by Heather Gitsham and her army of volunteers (more recruits required!). CPC has funding available to support village events, clubs, activities and good causes so, parishioners, please contact the Council if you have some great ideas that need support.
The next Parish Council Meeting is on Monday 21st July 2025 in the Village Hall at 7.30pm