Summary of Minutes – West Monkton Parish Council Meeting (26 May 2026)

Governance
 No apologies, declarations of interest unchanged, no dispensations.
 Minutes of 12 May 2026 approved.

Public Questions
 Update shared on a new waterways working group; Cllr Besley to attend.
 Broken glass in the Street telephone box noted—Lengthsman aware.
 Speeding tractors raised; contractor name needed to report.
 Traffic calming on Monkton Heathfield Road—update to be sought at MH2 meeting.

Planning
 48/26/0017 – Agricultural shed at Sidbrook: Supported with conditions on tree
screening, rainwater capture, and downlit LED lighting.
 48/26/0022 – Variation of conditions at Sweeting: Supported, provided original
hedging/landscaping is retained.

Projects
Poppy of Honour
 £1,000 raised at Devon Show.
 Summer events scheduled; volunteers to be recruited.
 Parish Council to determine pavilion design; site meeting requested before 11 June.

Hyde Park Sports Ground
 Utility connection issues escalated with Persimmon.
 Terms of use and commercial hire charges approved (£40/hr nets; £50/3hrs pitches).
 Pump Track Risk Assessment approved; track formally opened.
 Bicycle Chain to sponsor pump track (£160/year).
 Petrol hover mower purchase approved (Cobra Air Mower).
 Perimeter fencing approved up to £9,000 + VAT (Homestead Fencing).
 Rugby posts installation approved (£4,230 + VAT).
 Ball stop netting deferred.
 MOU with rugby club to be discussed further.

MH2
 Planning briefing delayed; decision unlikely in June.
 Meeting with Planning Officer still scheduled for 2 June.

Bridgwater Road Football Pitch
 Pitch marking arranged; posts to be installed once marked.
 Signage to be developed; reseeding likely needed in autumn.

Community
Community Groups & Initiatives
 Community Café steady; Repair Café active; Bereavement Café quieter.
 First Cuppa with a Cop held; next on 27 May (Cllr Ellis attending).
 Wellbeing Wednesdays running successfully.
 Pain Café being established for weekly Monday sessions starting June.
 NeuroConnect seeking to run summer and autumn programmes at BACH and Forest
School—free use approved.

Detached Youth Work
 8week programme approved (Tuesdays 7–9pm), costing £704.
 Actions include risk assessment, insurance checks, kit preparation, and training.

Youth Provision
 Youth Café busy; Y6s invited after half term—more volunteers needed.
 HYPE sessions continuing; TYCA to film Youth Café rap.

Events
 £2,591.46 from Shindig allocated to Poppy of Honour.
 £500 allocated to Country Park volunteers.
 2026 Funfest cancelled due to issues at Shindig; press release approved.
 Upcoming events: Artisan Market (30 May), Flower & Produce Show (1 Aug), Sports
Ground Opening (9 Aug), Dog Show (23 Aug).

Environment
 No update on 20mph extension.

Assets
Play Areas
 Baby swing at Hob Close approved (Darren’s Dens).
 Repairs needed at Central Park swings.

Country Park & Somerset Wood

 Ongoing maintenance: mowing, fencing, pond plants, stone movement.
 Beacon renovation pending scaffolding quote.
 Anti-social behaviour reported.
 New volunteer recruited.
 Lottery project update noted.

Allotments
 Shed request approved (max 4ft x 6ft).

BACH
 No updates.

Community Fridge
 Running well; new volunteer added.
 Area outside fridge needs resurfacing before Clothes Bank arrives.

Community Garden
 Garden in excellent condition; school visit supported.

Parish Council Administration
 Insurance renewal approved (£2,523.73).
 Cyber insurance quotes being obtained.

Next Meetings
 Business meetings: 9 Jun, 14 Jul, 11 Aug, 8 Sept, 13 Oct, 10 Nov, 8 Dec.
 Community/project meetings: 23 Jun, 28 Jul, 22 Sept, 27 Oct, 24 Nov.
 Other committee dates noted.

Note: This summary was produced by AI using the DRAFT minutes of the Parish Council
Meeting. The full minutes will be available on the parish council
website once they are approved at the next parish council meeting.