Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 2 March 2005 in Holne Village Hall

Present: Cllrs Paul Arrowsmith,  Richard Copus (Chairman), John Iles, Gill Simpson

Clerk:  Joanna Radford

Members of the Public: Miss Ru Roberts

In the absence (having telephoned to say he would be late)  of the Chalrman, Cllr Iles, Deputy Chairman, took the Chair and retained it even after Cllr Copus's arrival at 8:45 pm. 

Public Forum :   Miss Roberts spoke about the Minutes of the last meeting which intimated that the DNPA would seek to advise their members more accurately on planning applications, but as she stated, 90% of these applications are actually decided under delegated powers and never go near the members.   She also reported that she had heard, in response to her letter, from the Chairman of DNPA expressing surprise that she had not contacted senior officers or Mr Michael French on her application.  She felt that the possibility of so doing should be made clear in the "applicant's pack".  Cllr Arrowsmith suggested this might be discussed under Item 3 of this Agenda so a resolution for action by the Council could be made. 

0503.01 Apologies for Absence  were received and accepted from Cllrs Irish, Maddicks & Owen, and from County Cllr Date and District Cllr Ramsay who were both at Staverton PC meeting.

0503.02 Minutes of the Meeting of 2 February 2005 were approved and signed

0503.03 Planning Matters 

0098/05 Renewal of permission 0055/00 at Stonehanger, Holne: recommend approval with conditions as original permission

0135/05 Renewal of permission 0136/00 for the conversion and change of use of existing structure to residential at Hazelwood, Holne:  this application had just been received, and comments were made subject to any by the public:  recommend approval with conditions as original permission.

0301/04 Receipt of amended plans (new window in east elevation) for house adjacent to Holne Court Farm was noted and it was  reported  that on the advice of the Planning Committee the Council did not comment on the amendment. 

Jon Holmes of DNPA having confirmed that a white van used as a feed store/field shelter would require planning permission, it was resolved that the Council should inform the Planning Authority of such a van being used for this purpose in the Parish, pointing out also the risk of leakage of fluids from the van as it disintegrates, with environmental consequences to the land on which it stands.  

It was reported that work being undertaken at Michelcombe House is authorised as it was approved in 1988 and work not started for some time, though within the time limit, which is therefore still extant.

Following the discussion during the public forum, it was agreed that a letter be sent to the Planning Authority asking that the advice that applicants under planning regulations could contact a senior officer of DNPA or any member about their application should be added to the guidance notes sent out with planning forms.

The following planning decision was reported:  0998/04 Permission for a conservatory at Courts Close for Mr & Mrs J Walker.

0503.04 Accounts for the Month  The following payments were approved:

a)  Mrs J M Radford salary for January-March incl                                     £185.00

b)      Mrs J M Radford expenses for the same period (Internet access

£15.00, Telephone £14.18 (inc £2.11 VAT), Stationery

£16.00)                                                                                                              £45.18

c)  Post Office Counters for stamps                                                                         £21.00

d) DAPC for Planning Masterclass 13/4/5 course (one place available)                 £45.00

The Clerk informed the Council that from the beginning of the next financial year she would be charging £1 per hour (£96 per annum for 2 hours work a week for 48 weeks) for use of her home and equipment for parish council work.  This was in line with new terms and conditions for Clerks issued by the Society of Local Council Clerks and National Association of Local Councils.   Agreed that the Finance Committee should meet before the next meeting to review the Council's finances.

0503.05 Holne Moor Cattle Grid   Cllr Arrowsmith reported that branches of a tree overhanging the gate here had needed cutting to allow passage by John Arden's carriage.  Agreed to contact DCC Highways to ask for work to be done here. 

0503.06 Roadside Bollards  Agreed after discussion to approach the Highways department to point out that many of those in the parish require attention, and to ask if it would be possible to substitute them for a more substantial and attractive design. 

0503.07 Venford Wood and and Track      Cllr Arrowsmith proposed that this should be put on the next Agenda for further discussion as a programme for work had been agreed with South West Water.

0503.08 Gritting of road between B3357 and Holne village   It was noted that the map sent by DCC on winter gritting plans did not include this, and agreed that the County Council should be approached to ask if  it would be possible to add this road to the programme, as a number of parishioners use the road to go to and from work. 

0503.09 Annual Parish Meeting  Agreed to hold this on Wednesday 27 April and to invite a spokesperson from the Pensions Service to address the meeting.  Invitations would also as usual be sent to the various organisations in the Parish for a report of their activities.

0503.10 Housing Survey  An initial report had been received by e-mail from Community Council of Devon which showed that 90 of 130 forms had been returned, that 24 households would require alternative housing though not immediately, with 9 "hidden" households also needing to move, and that further details needed confirming with the District Council before a full report could be issued.  Agreed to put on the next agenda an item to discuss how the Council wishes to move forward in the matter of providing affordable housing in the Parish. 

0503.11 New Waste Collection   Cllr Copus reported that he had learnt that South Hams DC were to research the means of collection during the next month, with those with difficult access being offered different containers (plastic bags rather than bins). 

0503.12 Road Gritting  to be on the next Agenda for a report from Cllr Copus.

0503.13 Broadband Access  to be on the next Agenda (no reply having yet been received to the Clerk's letter on this matter).

0503.14 "Action/Resolved" Matters  Cllr Arrowsmith requested that some way of ensuring how matters authorised at Council Meetings were resolved should be devised.  Agreed to discuss at the next meeting. 

0503.15 Leat Repair  to be on the next Agenda (After meeting note:  Mr T Halse of DNPA was to be asked to look at the leat to see how it could be repaired, as Richard Brooks had said he did not have the expertise to do so.  Nothing has yet been heard from Mr Halse.)

 There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30 pm.  The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Wednesday 6 April.