Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 2 Feruary 2005 in Holne Village Hall
Present: Cllrs Paul Arrowsmith, Richard Copus (Chairman),
John Iles, Cynthia Irish, Michael Maddicks, Belinda Owen, Gill Simpson
Clerk: Joanna Radford
Members of the Public: Mr & Mrs J Walker, Mr K Evans,
Miss R Roberts, Mr R Gray (Tree Warden)
Public Forum : Mr Evans asked if the Parish
council is involved in water issues, as it appeared that SWWater was proposing
to work on pipelines locally, and there was a concern that this work needed
to be done quickly because water quality to many homes is at present poor.
Cllr Arrowsmith responded, suggesting that the Council should
write to ask SWWater for details of their programme, stating that water quality
is low, and also asked that this discussion be minuted to suggest to residents
that they should write individually to the water authority to complain about
water quality.
Mr Walker spoke briefly about his planning application.
Miss Roberts told the meeting that she had heard from Graham
Wall of DNPA stating that he had been surprised she and other parishioners
did not know they could contact any senior planning officer, or member, of
DNPA with regard to planning applications at any time. She would now do this,
but felt it would be much more time consuming than the old system where members
were formally consulted on all applications.
Mr Gray reported that two trees opposite Pixie's Hill had
been cut back for safety reasons. He also told the meeting that there had
been progress in the matter of felling the copse at Play Cross. This would
be done within the next few weeks or after the bird nesting season. Replanting
would take place, and he had advised a mixture of shrubs and trees, the latter
not to be of large-growing species. Discussion showed a concern that the site
should be managed in the future. The Clerk reported that Parish Councils were
to have new powers to take over management of neglected sites in their Parish.
0502.01 Apologies for Absence None had been received, but District and County Councillors attend Holne and Staverton on alternate months.
0502.02 Minutes of the Meeting of 5 January The Clerk reported that Mr Wall of DNPA had requested alteration of one sentence, and the Minutes were approved and signed with the following alteration to the last sentence of the first paragraph of the Public Forum report: "On the question of officers "encouraging" applicants then recommending refusal, he said that measures were being taken to ensure that officers' advice to applicants was accurate and was reflected in the decision for recommendation to the Planning Committee."
0502.03 Planning Matters 0998/04 Conservatory at Courts
Close for Mr & Mrs J Walker: no objections
0029/05 Single storey lounge and study extension at Riversmead, Newbridge
for Mrs J Hasler:
After discussion when views were expressed that this is a very visible site,
Cllr Owen proposed that the Council express concern at the landscape impact
of this proposal as the house had already been extended, and recommend a site
inspection by the DNPA Planning Committee. Agreed.
0116/01 Cllr Copus declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the following
item, signed the register and left the meeting for its duration. Letter received
from DNPA Monitoring and Enforcement Officer asking for its views on the fact
that the old barn at Stoodley was not demolished, as it had been understood
by the planners it would be, after the new stable was built there as a result
of planning permission given in April 2001: Agreed to make no comment and
to stand by the recommendation made to the original application.
Unauthorised development at Michelcombe House: The Planning Committee reported
that development was being undertaken here, a listed building. The Clerk had
checked with the Planning Authority that no permission existed since 1988,
and no preliminary inquiries had been made. Agreed to report the matter to
DNPA.
The following planning decision was reported: permission for amended plans
for house adjacent to Holne Court.
0502.04 Accounts for the Month The following payment was
approved:
Mr R Gray for work to roadside hedge, Play Park £138.00
This cheque being cleared, balances at the Bank would be: Current Account
£78.25, Savings Account £1225.13; (Jubilee Account, being closed
at present) £100.53
0502.05 Closure of Old Churchyard A letter from the Chairman of serving notice on the Parish Council to take over maintenance of this area was noted. The Parish Council will now apply to the District Council for it to undertake this maintenance. It is understood that a local contractor, who has proved his ability to manage the area, will be asked to continue in this work.
0502.06 Rediscussion of Grant to PCC for 2005/6 Cllr Arrowsmith reported that he had been unable, through absence at the December meeting, to press as he wished for a greater increase than agreed to the annual grant. Cllr Simpson for the Finance Committee confirmed that the size of the grant had been carefully considered and the Committee had proposed £200, which had been approved in full Council. As the precept had now been set to a lower figure than the budget for the year, it would not be possible to increase the grant this year. It was suggested that this be looked at again at the November meeting. Agreed
0502.07 Village Hall Car Park Letters from the Secretary
and from the Chairman of the VHMC were noted in particular a request that
the Council consider making a grant for resurfacing and maintenance of the
car park which is used by the public more than by users of the Village Hall.
Agreed after discussion that the VHMC be asked for a formal application for
grant aid supported by annual accounts to be produced for the Parish Council
to discuss at its November meeting.
Cllr Maddicks left the meeting after this item.
0502.08 Heating of Village Hall for Council Meetings Agreed to ask the VHMC for two hours' heating to be provided, but to start one hour before the meeting, switching off at 9 pm.
0502.09 District Council Grant to Village in Action Agreed to write to South Hams urging that the grant be maintained as this organisation does so much to combat rural isolation in this and neighbouring parishes.
0502.10 Beating the Parish Bounds with Buckfastleigh West Parish: Agreed that it would be a good idea to undertake this again this year.
0502.11 Website Cllr Arrowsmith reported that this, "Holneparishcouncil.co.uk" had gone live. Each councillor has an e-mail address attached to it which would link to their personal address where they have one. The Clerk would be authorised/able to load Minutes, Agenda and news items. The Chairman asked that thanks to Cllr Arrowsmith for his work in setting this up be minuted. Agreed. Cllr Arrowsmith asked that a letter of thanks be sent to Mr Roger Shezall who had provided most of the photographs for this site. Agreed.
502.12 Correspondence:
Letter re new Waste Collection systems in South Hams was noted and
placed in the Circulation File.
A Letter from the Countryside Agency on Consultation on National
Park Boundary Change Criteria was similarly noted.
South Hams District Council letter with information on safety
repairs in the playground at Play Park was noted and placed in the Circulation
file.
Letter from Dr N Atkinson, DNPA, addressing concerns brought
up at January meeting was noted and placed in the Circulation file.
0502.13 Bollards on Roadside Agreed that an item to request
their replacement from Highways Department of DCC be on the next Agenda
0502.14 Strip of Land at Holne Cattle Grid Cllr Arrowsmith
asked that an item authorising research on who may own this be on the next
Agenda as there had been a recent problem of a tree blocking access through
the gate.
0502.15 Van near Langaford being used as a field shelter for pigs
Agreed this was probably a welfare matter but might have planning implications.
Clerk to research and add to Agenda if needed.
0502.16 Condition of Trees/track/fencing at Venford Reservoir
a proposal to contact SWLakes Trust to be on the next Agenda.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.40 pm. The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Wednesday 2 March.
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