Whitestone Parish Council
MINUTES OF WHITESTONE PARISH COUNCIL AT 7.30PM ON THURSDAY 9TH APRIL 2026
Attendance:- Chair – Cllr T Baird
Councillors: M Belt, M Frankum, C Lang, T Taylor
District Councillor J Parrott
Mr M Quinn
Apologies:- Councillor P Stott
Councillor Baird opened the meeting and Mr Quinn said that he was in attendance in order to raise some queries regarding the accounting procedure taken by the Council. The Chair and the Clerk went through various queries which he raised and Cllr Belt said that she would investigate the procedures which were in place with the Management Agents in charge of the income/rental of 1 and 2 School Houses. Mr Quinn indicated that he was satisfied with the explanations given by the meeting.
23. Minutes of the Council Meeting held on Thursday 12th March 2026 having been circulated were taken as read and signed by the Chair with the addition of the timing of 10am being added to item 20.8 to confirm the timing of the meeting on 18th April.
24. REPORT FROM DISTRICT COUNCILLOR
District Councillor Parrott reported that negotiations are still taking place regarding the reorganisation of Councils and in answer to a query from Councillor Baird he will keep in touch regarding the development at Atwells Farm.
25. MATTERS RAISED BY THE CHAIR
25.1 Councillor Baird reported on a meeting with the Highways regarding potholes and gutters within the Parish was positive and is pleased to report that most of the potholes in Hill Lane have been filled.
25.2 Mr Edward Purser has tendered his resignation as a Parish Councilor owing to work commitments and Cllr Baird expressed thanks for his input into the Council whilst he was in office. The following is a letter sent from Mr Purser:- “Dear Parishioners I hope this letter finds you well during this Easter period and that your are enjoying the springtime in the Parish. I am writing this letter (to be included in the April Meeting Minutes) to inform the Parish of my intention to resign from the Whitestone Parish Council. It has been a privilege to serve the Parish over the last year and a half, working with Parish Councillors and Parishioners to best address the needs of the community, improve village facilities, provide comment on planning applications and manage the Parish budget. However, over recent months, it has proven challenging to balance work for the Parish Council with full time employment and existing commitments to rowing and as a ringer at St Catherine Church. It is for this reason I have been unable to allocate the time required to the role. I would like to thank the Parish Council team, led by Tracey Baird and want to wish them the best for future work in the community. It serves as a source of pride being able to shape the community through my work on the Parish Council. This includes the new parcel locker at the village hall, new play park facilities and comment provided on planning applications. I encourage people to take up the role of Parish Councillor. With changes to local government, the Parish Council is to play an increasingly important role in representing the needs of the community within the County and the Parish Council requires a diverse group of individuals to speak up for the Parish. Yours sincerely, Edward Purser. MEng (Hons), GMICE”.
25.3 Cllr. Baird expressed thoughts regarding the rising prices of oil for many households within the Parish. It was suggested that forming a bulk-buying consortium could help secure more competitive rates and offer some relief to residents. If you would be interested in joining a collective purchasing group, please contact Cllr. Belt 01392 811374 or email Cllr Baird cllr.tbwpc@gmail.com to register your interest.
25.4 Cllr Baird said that following a report from Winkworths the fencing/gates and some steps around School Houses needed to be renewed it was also noted that the fence and gate to the Community garden was also in disrepair and three quotes are being sought.
26. PLANNING - Applications can be viewed on line by
going into the public access system at Teignbridge Planning following the directions giving the application reference. The following applications having been received from Teignbridge District Council with a request for comments were examined and responses will sent which can be viewed on Teignbridge District Council Planning site.
26.1 26/00413/FUL Extension to existing agricultural barn to provide covered dung storage at Cricket Field Barn.
The application was discussed and the Council wishes to raise the following concerns on behalf of the Council and members of the public. Firstly, the Council notes that existing bays are already attached to the recently constructed barn. These appear to provide a similar function to that now being proposed. It is therefore unclear why additional covered dung storage is required, and the application does not sufficiently justify this need.
Furthermore, within the earlier approved application (Ref: 24/00427/FUL), There was a clause put in on the planning to ensure compliance with the application and due to the proximity of nearby residential dwellings which would make the proposal unsuitable for livestock. The current proposal for covered dung storage raises questions as to whether the nature and use of the site has altered from that previously approved. Clarification is therefore requested as to how dung is being generated if livestock use was deemed inappropriate.
The Council is also concerned about the potential for increased traffic movements associated with this development. Additional agricultural activity, including the transport of waste materials, is likely to result in more frequent vehicle movements along local roads, which may not be suitable for increased use and could have an adverse impact on residential amenity and highway safety. In addition, it is understood that the dung storage bays referenced in this application may have already been constructed. If this is the case, the Council is concerned that development may have taken place prior to the granting of appropriate planning permission, and requests that this is investigated.
Given the above concerns, Whitestone Parish Council respectfully requests that the application is either refused or that further clarification and justification is provided before any decision is made.
26.2 26/00529/FUL Change of use of an existing single dwellinghouse (Use Class C3) to a residential children’s home (Use Class C2) for the care of up to 2 children at 1 Marylands. The application was discussed and supported.
26.3 Grant of Conditional Planning Permission
25/01986/FUL Retention of earth works at Stoodleys Farm, Six Mile Hill
26.4 25/00649/COND1 Discharge of conditions 2 (Hedgebank details) and 3 (stone & mortar details) on planning application 25/00649/FUL - retention of widening of existing access construction of entrance piers, and creation of a new access drive at Hackworthy Farm
26.5 Refusals of Certificate of Lawful Use or Development
26/00346/CLDP Certificate of Lawfuness for proposed replacement side porch at 15 Merrymeet.
26.6 Certificate of Lawful Use or Development
26/00543/CLDP Certificate of Lawfulness for proposed replacement rear extention at 2 Cleave Cottage, Corner.
26.7 26/00475/CLDP Certificate of Lawful Use of proposed use of the dwelling as a home for up to 2 children requiring care and support from 2 support workers operating a single household within Use Class C3. This would run like a conventional family of 4 home.
27. MATTERS FOR DISCUSSION
27.1 Request from the Hall Management Committee for a grant towards refurbishment of the Billiard Room which will cost £1,755.70. Discussion ensued and the Council felt unable to make a decision at the present time as it was believed that previous contributions had already being made to this project.
27.2 Council Surgeries
This will take place on Saturday 25th April from 11am to 1pm.
27.3 Parish Plan update
Awaiting a little more information.
27.4 Crossway Park & Community Garden
New fencing is being investigated and following the hoped for donation of topsoil being laid it was agreed that the purchase of grass seed up to £50.00 be authorised.
27.5 Annual Parish Meeting
This will take place at 7.30m on Thursday 23rd April at the Parish Hall.
28. FINANCE
Income
28.1 1 School Houses rental to 02/05/26 £950.00 - £114.00 (includes £19.00 VAT) = £836.00
28.2 2 School Houses rental to 07/05/26 £1100.00 - £132.00 (includes £22.00 VAT) = £968.00
Expenditure
The following expenditure was proposed and seconded for payment. All in favour and the cheques were signed by Councillors Baird and Frankum
28.3 L Blades – (Lengthsman £314.33 Grass cutting £170.00) – cheque no 856 £484.33
28.4 T W Woodley (Allsorts) (5 weeks cleaning of Whitestone Park Toilets) – cheque no 857 £80.00
28.5 Devon Association of Local Councils (includes £42.22 VAT) – cheque no 858 £323.22
28.6 Fry and Son (includes £3.11 VAT) - Cheque no 859 £18.66
The following payment was made through Winkworth Letting Agents
28.7 G P Roofing & Property Maintenance (1 School House) £85.00
29. CORRESPONDENCE
A complaint from a parishioner was discussed concerning snails in the post box situated outside the Parish Church which are damaging the mail posted therein. Cllr Baird said that she has reported this to our local postman and he had promised to pass the information to the appropriate authority and get all of the boxes sprayed and hopefully some brushes in the slots
30. REPORTS
Cllr Belt reported on the excess of weed at no 2 School Houses and said the School Houses needed painting. An arrangement was made for her to meet with Cllr Baird to take a look.
The meeting closed at 9.30pm.