Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 2 November 2005 in Holne Village Hall
Present: Cllrs Richard Copus, Cynthia Irish, Michael Maddicks (Vice-Chairman, Pam Melville, Gill Simpson
Clerk: Joanna Radford
Members of the Public: Messrs Keith Evans, Paul Arrowsmith, Ross Gray, Miss Ru Roberts, District Cllr C Ramsay
Public Forum : Cllr Maddicks, acting chairman, opened the meeting. Mr Arrowsmith asked the Council to research what South West Water/South West Lakes Trust was doing with the ESA money it was taking from the Common "pot". He also questioned what was happening at the new shop where it appeared that the new owner had no intention of opening it for the foreseeable future.
Cllr Ramsay made a report on the district council, in particular on a project to involve young people in political/community awareness, on licensing in the District (no premises requiring 24-hour licences) and on the plans of the District Council to administer the registration of single-sex unions.
Miss Roberts spoke about her planning application and asked the Council to note that DNPA review of delegation in planning applications was disappointing, as was the fact that the only renewable energy mentioned in the Local Development Framework consultation was wind energy with no mention of solar panels. Mr Gray asked that the Minutes of the previous meeting be altered in accordance with his report on the TPO application. He also reported on work done at Venford reservoir to repair the fencing, and on problems experienced with flooding in the recent bad weather, caused by neglect of maintenance by the Highways Department. He asked that the Council discuss requesting the DCC take on the maintenance of the road between Holne Cattle Grid and Venford.
0511.01 Apologies for Absence were accepted from Cllrs Iles and Owen.
0511.02 Minutes of the Meeting of 5 October were approved and signed after the insertion of the date and the alteration of Minute 0510.04 so that it reads " that similar necessary work to lift the canopy be allowed in the future whenever necessary without the need for reapplication for permission".
0511.03 Minutes of the Meeting of 6 July were approved by those eligible and signed.
0511.04 Planning Matters 0799/05 White UPVC Conservatory to rear of dwelling at Middle Leat for Miss R Roberts: Cllr Simpson, reporting, proposed that the Council recommend approval. Cllr Melville opposed the recommendation on the grounds that the current Local Plan contains a presumption that conservatories were extensions that are not to be permitted in rural areas. Ensuing discussion showed that although Holne is not a "local settlement" it is however regarded as a village, not rural, area where such development is permitted. Agreed by 3 votes to 1 to recommend approval on the grounds that the proposed development is in keeping with the existing building, and that UpvC should be used as this too was suitable for the existing building.
0817/05 Visitor Facilities (Toilet Block) in Picnic meadow, River Dart Country Park Ltd: Cllr Simpson made a report on this restrospective application and made a proposal that the Council recommend approval but express some concern as to the proximity of a water course to the building. Agreed.
The following planning approval was reported: approval of minor amendment (position of window) at Riversmead, New Bridge.
0511.05 Village Shop and associated site Agreed that it appears that the new build on land adjoining the village shop structure is being made in accordance with planning permission. Agreed after discussion to write to Mr P Joyce of the DNPA Sustainability Fund to express concern that the shop has not yet opened, in spite of receiving £20,000 of funding from the Fund, and also to write to the owner of the shop and site to ask him what he is doing tomarket the shop and to express concern that it is still empty as the village has now not had a shop for two years.
0511.06 Accounts for the Month The following payments were approved:
a) Moorland Team Ministry (2 nd half of grant for Churchyard) £100.00
b) Public Works Loan Board £574.43
d) Mr Ross Gray for attendance at SW Regional Tree Warden Forum £13.50
An invoice from Project Cosmic for hosting the website was discussed, and it was agreed to question the amount of £125 as Mr Arrowsmith, when setting up the site with Project Cosmic, had been quoted a sum of £25 to £50 for annual hosting.
The following payments having been made, the Council's accounts would be as follows:
Savings Account £1171.96
Current Account £127.37
0511.07 Housing Needs Committee Report Cllr Simpson reported that there had been no public meetings of the Committee in the past month but that members had attended a meeting organised by the Rural Housing Commission which had been useful, that a visit to the Widecombe development was planned, and that a meeting would be called in the near future to be attended by Sue Southwell of Community Council of Devon and to discuss a letter to be written to the Rural Housing Commission on Holne's needs and aspirations. Discussion followed with Cllr Melville expressing concern that Holne might in the future be given sustainable local settlement status while she felt that it should be protected from any development except under very special circumstances. Cllr Copus spoke about the history of the project to provide affordable social housing where local consultation over the past few years had shown a need for this, and Cllr Simpson confirmed that the project would ensure that every applicant for such housing would be considered by the Parish Council for suitability. Cllr Melville asked for her objection to the project to be recorded.
0511.08 Honorarium for Website Management Agreed after discussion to make a payment of £50 to Mr Mik Wells for his help in putting material on the Website for the Council this year.
0511.09 Churchyard Maintenance The Clerk read letters from Mr P Cooper on behalf of the Parochial Church Council setting out costs of £1500 for next year for maintenance of the new churchyard and unconsecrated ground in front of the Church. Agreed after discussion that the two figures tabled, of £400 and £750, be passed to the Finance Committee when the budget for next year was set. Agreed also that the PCC be asked for its most recent accounts to enable the Finance Committee to make an informed decision on a proposed grant. The meeting closed for Mr K Evans, its internal auditor, to remind the Council that it is required to precept to increase its reserves which will fall well below the recommended amount by the end of this financial year.
0511.10 Holiday Accommodation Conversions to Full Residential Use Discussion of this subject began after Cllr Melville, at the request of Cllr Copus, confirmed that the permission for full residential use of the barn conversion she lived in was current only for her and her husband's ownership of it, and that it would revert to holiday permission on sale or their departure, so she felt she did not have a personal or prejudicial interest in this Agenda item. After discussion, the following proposal was put to the meeting: "That holiday cottages/accommodation should be converted, where wished by their owners, to permanent residential use". This proposal was unanimously approved.
Cllr Melville proposed an amendment so that the proposed resolution should read "That holiday cottages/accommodation, including farm diversifications, should be converted, where wished by their owners, to permanent residential use." A vote on the amendment resulted in one vote for, 3 against. The amendment was therefore not approved. Agreed also that the approved resolution be considered when the Council comments on the Local Development Framework consultation at its next meeting.
0511.11 Finance Committee Agreed that the Clerk find a suitable date with Cllrs Iles and Owen.
0511.12 Christmas Tree Agreed to ask Mr David Powell if he could provide a tree, to ask the Church House Inn if the lights could be run from there, and to seek the assistance of volunteers to put it up.
0511.13 Correspondence Receipt of the following was noted: Ofcom on Broadband Access; South Hams DC on Statement of Community Involvement in Local Development Framework; DNPA Local Development Framework: Issues and Options Report for Core Strategy (two paper copies handed to Cllrs Irish and Melville, other councillors asked to look at the document on-line). A questionnaire related to this was put in the circulation file, as were other information documents.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.40 pm. The next meeting of the Parish Council will be held on Wednesday 7 December.
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