Below is the Chair’s Report read out at the Annual Parish Meeting, held on 9th May 2026 in the Parish Hall:
It’s particularly good to see such a strong turnout this evening, and to welcome not just residents but also the many local organisations who contribute so much to life in our Parish. As you will have seen, this year’s meeting is part of a wider Bere Community Celebration—an opportunity to showcase the remarkable range of groups, activities, and volunteers that make this such a vibrant place to live.
We begin this evening with the Chair’s Report. This will be followed by some musical entertainment, and then an opportunity to hear from a number of our local organisations, each giving a short introduction to what they do. I hope you will take the time this evening to meet some of those involved
There is also information available this evening about Tamar Energy Community, with flyers for anyone interested in finding out more about the support and initiatives they offer.
This is our opportunity to reflect on the work of your Parish Council over the past year, explain what we have been doing on your behalf, and look ahead.
Much of the Council’s work is carried out through its four standing committees, supported by Full Council where decisions are brought together and agreed. While not all of this work is highly visible, it underpins many of the services and facilities residents rely on.
Let me start with Open Spaces, which is perhaps the most visible part of what we do. Over the past year, we have continued to maintain and improve our recreation grounds, play parks, allotments and green spaces. This includes regular safety inspections, repairs, and responding to issues such as damaged equipment, fencing, and drainage.
We have also made progress on longer-term improvements. At Bere Ferrers Orchard, we have worked with the Tavy and Tamar Apple Group to bring the site back into active community use, supported by funding and volunteers.
At the same time, we continue to develop plans for the Recreation Ground Pavilion, a significant project that will require careful planning and funding over the coming years.
Turning to Finance and General Purposes, this is where the Council ensures public money is properly managed and plans responsibly for the future. Over the year, we have set the budget and precept, maintained oversight of our finances, and ensured appropriate reserves are in place.
The Council’s finances remain sound. During the past year, total income was around £98,000 and expenditure around £100,000, resulting in a small deficit of approximately £2,400. This was largely due to a number of unexpected one-off costs, including the replacement of a failed CCTV system and additional maintenance work, some of which was partly offset by an insurance claim. Despite this, the Council continues to hold adequate reserves and remains in a stable financial position.
A key focus has been the Parish Hall, which remains central to village life. It continues to be run by Beregen, who do an excellent job in keeping it active and well used. As owners, the Council has invested in its upkeep, including the replacement of the old wooden front doors with new automatically powered glass doors to improve both the appearance and accessibility of the building. The Council continues to explore funding opportunities.
We have also continued to address the long-standing issue of parking in the village centre. In particular, we have been pursuing the potential acquisition of land at Pilgrim Drive for additional parking. This has been a complex process, but we are hopeful of a positive outcome. If successful, the next step will be to secure funding to develop the site into a usable car park. More broadly, the Council continues to invest in its assets, improve systems and security, and seek external funding where possible.
The Planning and Highways Committee plays a different but equally important role. As a Parish Council, we are a statutory consultee on planning applications. We review and comment on proposals, although final decisions are made by West Devon Borough Council. Over the past year, we have continued to assess applications using the Bere Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan to ensure development reflects the character and needs of the community. A significant issue this year was the proposed retail development. While views were mixed locally, the application was refused on appeal, highlighting both the importance of planning policy and the limits of the Parish Council’s role. We have also engaged with changes to national planning policy and worked with other councils to ensure that local views continue to be represented. In addition, the Committee has raised highways and transport issues, including bus services. While these sit largely with Devon County Council, we continue to press for improvements.
The Footpaths and Environment Committee focuses on countryside access and environmental matters. Over the year, we have monitored and reported issues affecting footpaths and bridleways, working with Devon County Council to keep routes accessible. Through the Parish Paths Partnership Scheme, we have again secured funding for maintenance work, including summer grass cutting across a number of routes, carried out by our Parish Workman. We have also supported environmental initiatives, including the thermal imaging camera scheme to help residents improve energy efficiency, and worked with partner organisations on wider environmental issues.
All of this work is brought together through Full Council, where key decisions are made. This has included setting the budget and precept, progressing major projects such as the Pavilion and parking proposals, and responding to wider issues including planning policy changes and infrastructure concerns. The Council also continues to act as a voice for the Parish, raising issues such as transport, connectivity and local services with the relevant authorities.
Before I finish, I would like to recognise the effort behind all of this work. The Parish Council is made up entirely of volunteers, and we would like to thank all Councillors for their commitment over the past year.
We would also like to thank our Clerk for ensuring the Council operates effectively, and our Parish Workman for maintaining our open spaces and facilities.
We are also grateful to the many community groups and volunteers who work with the Council to support the life of the
Parish. In closing, while much of the Council’s work takes place behind the scenes, it is focused on maintaining what we have, improving where we can, and planning responsibly for the future. We remain committed to representing the interests of the Parish and ensuring that resources are used carefully and effectively for the benefit of the whole community.