RA Meeting Sept 2024

Tithebarn Residents Association meeting Minutes, 25^th September 2024

The Black Horse function room, 7pm to 9pm.

• Apologies:  Matt, Katie, Jess, Alwyn Joy, Anne and John, Jayne Hill,
• Present; Marc, Fran, Steve and Debra, Paula Fernley, Nigel CF, Cici Disney, Nikki Hall, Graham King, Jason Stephens John Rowe, Craig and Nancy,
• Invited Guest: Paul Osbourne (Green Infrastructure Project Manager,  East Devon District Council. )

Welcome from the Chair and apologies 

• Apologies from the secretary about the miscommunication on the website about the 7:30pm start.  Actually, all meetings are 7pm to 9pm.
• The chair thanked all involved in the Bank Holiday Story Telling event that accompanied the official opening of the Little Library.

Matters Arising and Approval Minutes of Previous Meeting 

• Draft minutes were made available on the website and circulated to all members via both email and WhatsApp group prior to the meeting.  Approved.
• The Chair announced that both Fran and Alwyn Joy had been co-opted onto the Broadclyst Parish Council (BPC).  Congratulations!

Traveller Site Proposal

It was recognised that this is a highly emotive issue and that was exacerbated by sensationalised reporting and comments on ‘news’ websites and social media which missed out key facts.

Paula Fernley (EDDC councillor) made a statement that outlined the position.

• The current local plan will be superseded by a new local plan over the next few years and the potential traveller site is included as an option for consideration in the next local plan.
• The proposal in the next local plan is for the site to be a static site meaning that if it goes ahead, people would reside there all the time, pay rates, have refuse services etc. It is not proposed to be a temporary traveller site.
• Fixed sites already exist in East Devon and do not correlate with the racially motivated behaviour and crime issues that might be stated online.
• The next local plan will be consulted on, probably before the end of 2024, and the public will be able to comment, support and object to various aspects of it including specifics such as the suitability of the location of the potential traveller site.
• It is a national policy that any traveller children that move into an area will be accepted into local education as a priority.
• EDDC do not own the site.  The actual purchaser is not known, and nor are their intentions.
• The current location currently has a bungalow and some outbuildings upon it and so some permitted development for like for like accommodation is likely. However, any change of use or substantial development would undergo the full scrutiny of the planning process including the need to meet noise, environmental standards, safety requirements, infrastructure approval, etc.
• The site also includes areas that are in the flood plain of the Pinn Brook. It sits within the Clyst Valley Regional Park area.
• Funding for any purchase or investment in infrastructure relating to the stie, has not been agreed.
• Everyone is encouraged to sign up for the EDDC residents update at East Devon District Council
• All residents can stay up to date using our growing portfolio of channels:
  • Websites – EDDC, Broadclyst Parish Council, Tithebarn Residents Association.
  • Social Media channels – Facebook, X, Instagram
  • Noticeboards – closest one is corner of Stone Barton Road and Tithebarn Way.
  • Posters at various locations around the village
  • Broadsheet newsletter from the Parish Council, with regular contributions from TRA, EDDC and DCC.

Q&A with Paul Osborne

• Paul’s role is focussed on the Clyst Valley Regional Park.  Website for the project is at Home | Clyst Valley Regional Park (clystvalleypark.org.uk) (CVRP)
• A map of Clyst Valley was provided showing the regional park proposals and potential new community.  The intention is to provide a network of off road /quiet road routes between Killerton, Broadclyst village, Polimore House, Minerva Country Park, Cranbook green spaces, Clyst St Mary, Darts Farm and linking to the existing cycle routes leading to Exmouth.
• The CVRP is an ambitious project that champions a common purpose across a range of ownership statuses. These include private land, National Trust grounds, tenanted farms, and EDDC acquired fields.
• The common objective is of coexisting with nature to improve access via walking and cycling, enable nature recovery and provide alternative spaces for leisure to the very sensitive biodiverse sites elsewhere in the district.
• National Trust, owners of Killerton, have their own nature recovery programme that includes planting trees whilst improving access to Ashclyst Forest and surrounding areas. For example, Caddihoe (a former Scout campsite of fields with a single property upon it) is currently being marketed for expressions oof interest in providing complimentary services to improved access.
• Some Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) money will be used to make purchases of land that will be owned and managed by EDDC. The decision to manage their own land has been made based on the judgement of being able to offer better value for money than buying services from land management companies.
• The Clyst Valley trail will be branded and act as a destination leisure activity for the area.
• Questions were raised about flooding in key areas such as Mosshayne Lane and this is being looked at as part of the overall flood risk management of the area.
• The new town that is proposed in the next local plan intends to learn lessons from Cranbook and Tithebarn planning and EDDC are aiming to get the infrastructure in early, even if it means borrowing money that would be returned later via the CIL funding.
• Within Tithebarn, there are plans for multiple sports pitches, with a sports pavilions to be built to service these. The building will be built and donated to BPC to manage.
• Access to leisure sites is widely promoted via https://www.devonlovesdogs.co.uk/ who say about themselves:
  • “Devon Loves Dogs is a free membership scheme for dog owners and dog walkers. Our aim is to protect our treasured countryside and encourage responsible dog ownership so that we can continue to enjoy our special wildlife sites now and in the future.” Membership is free and encouraged.

Report from the Parish Council: Meeting 2^nd September 2024

• At the last meeting an agenda item was the adoption of the Tithebarn open spaces, currently intended to be by a management company.  ‘Adoption’ is not great term, rather ‘Management’ conveys more accurately what is proposed.
• Paula and Fran outlined that BPC has now agreed to investigate the possibility of taking on management.  A paper will be presented in Nov with recommendations on how it could be taken forward.
• Even if we didn’t read the details too closely(!) we all agreed that a Management Company would take responsibility for the shared spaces, swales (channels for collecting rainwater that run along roads such as Elmores Well Avenue), actuation ponds, trees, hedges etc.
• So far, all residents have only paid initial cost with the purchase of their house and once the estate is ready for handover by the developers, pontentially charges will be levied against each house annually for the upkeep of these areas.
• Having BPC consider whether they would take over the management would move this into a much more accountable organisation, probably reduce costs and improve service delivery.
• However, as council tax must be the same for everyone within a parish, all parish residents would need to contribute and not just the Tithebarn residents.
• This proposal has complex legal issues as is breaking new ground. It has taken some time, effort and perseverance to get to this stage.  Thanks Paula, Henry Gent, Matt Lehnert, Fran Aggleton and others for their efforts.

Update on CIL policy 

• All houses purchased in Tithebarn have contributed to pot of money called the Community Infrastructure Levy.  This totals in the region of £600K and is held by EDDC for spending on Infrastructure and Neighbourhood projects.
• BPC receive the Neighbourhood CIL money and have spent the summer consulting about what to spend it on.  They have now appointed Jake Bonetta as the Community Connector to liaise with and champion projects that locals ask for.
• Currently EDDC are receiving bids for the Infrastructure money, and a bid for a school is going in from DCC who are responsible for delivering school buildings and places.
• There is also a bid for GP surgery being considered.
• At the last BPC council meeting, a poorly worded policy was challenged as it excluded the possibility of making contributions to large scale projects that would benefit this area. Gratefully the policy was rejected and a new policy will be considered in future.
• Guidelines already exist regarding what CIL can be spent on and these can be researched online.
• Additional information is available in the Broadsheet explaining terms such as CIL.

Preparation for AGM (21st Nov) and Leaflet Drop 

• The next meeting is the AGM of the TRA. The committee comprises Chair, Vice Chair, Secretary, Treasurer, plus up to 6 committee members.
• Anyone who is interested in contributing by volunteering to be on the TRA committee should submit their nominations to the secretary and be received by 18th Nov at 7pm.
• The secretary will then make a list of all received nominations and, should any position be contested, organise a vote to be held at the AGM.
• To maximise attendance, Craig and Fran will create a leaflet. Marc will ask our trusty bank of volunteers to deliver to every letterbox.

Christmas – Advent Windows 

• Katie and Jess are organising the Christmas advent windows again this year after such a success last time. Please volunteer your window to display a number.  All locations will be included on a map for families to visit and admire your creative skills.

Treasurer’s Report 

• Reported that we have been donated a picnic table.
• The funds from BPC will be spent this month on purchasing feather banners for promoting at events.
• The funding for printing leaflets to promote the AGM has been donated.
• Fran to look at other sources of funding now that BPC funds have been allocated.

AOB

•  Coffee morning to be held between 10am – 12 noon on 26^th Sept at the Science Park.  Cake will be available.
• There was a sewage leak in the park which resulted in a manhole cover being blown off at the Langston Lane end of park.  Sewer needed cleaning and it is now done.
• Persimmons are still working on fixing the actuation pond by Norrish Lane allotments.
• Paula meets with all developers, every other month.   It’s invitation only.  Paula will investigate whether Alwyn Joy (now BPC councillor) can attend as has expressed an interest.