Public Forum  Mrs Melville asked if those requiring housing had been personally identified.  Cllr Owen told her that the Committee had now asked for this information through the letter recently circulated. Mr Evans said the survey had shown the demand, not the need for housing.  The Chairman then opened the meeting by informing those present that it was an open meeting and contributions from the floor would be welcomed.

Report of the meeting 21 June  was approved.

Contact with Buckfastleigh West Parish Council  No representative was present, but the Clerk reported that she had spoken with the Clerk of Buckfastleigh West who had indicated there was interest in a joint scheme.  She would arrange to have the subject formally discussed at a Council meeting and representatives nominated to attend this Committee. Agreed that such representatives should be invited to join the Committee.

 6 Bakers Park  District Cllr Ramsay reported that she had been trying to contact Tor Homes on this matter.   She then told the meeting that she had discussed the need for affordable housing for Holne with Andrew Fisk, Housing Officer for South Hams, who had indicated that funding would not be forthcoming from South Hams as priority had to be given to more sustainable communities. 

Barn Conversions and Private Landlords  Discussion showed there was support for allowing farms and similar premises to convert barns for letting on a permanent rather than holiday basis as at present generally advised.  However, private rents tend to be too high for those in need of affordable housing, and owners needed to be able to justify capital expenses of such conversions by charging market rents.  (This is a summary of views put throughout the meeting). 

Advice from Widecombe Parish Council  The Clerk reported that Mrs Margaret Phipps could not attend this meeting but had offered to come to one in September to answer questions.  This offer was accepted. 

Rural Housing Trust  Three information booklets had been received and were distributed.  Agreed that they should be read and a representative invited to speak, perhaps at the September meeting. Committee members would arrange for this invitation to be issued on the form at the back of the booklet. 

Administration of the Committee  Agreed that it would be appropriate to seek funding for this which could not be included in the Clerk's hours.  Mrs Gill Gray would research whether the Dartmoor Sustainability Fund might provide funding .  In the meantime tasks would be shared by Committee members and publicity given to the project through the Parish Link.   Letters would be drafted and sent to the District and County Councils, to the DNPA officers and members and to the MP with information and requests for help with the project.   

Funding of Housing  Mr Bonney suggested that funding might be achievable by producing a project of environmentally friendly housing.  Jackie Parsons's name was mentioned as someone who could give advice on this.  

Sites for Housing  Mrs Gray suggested that Scorriton might have more acceptable sites for such a project than Holne.  A suggestion of land that might be available had been received from Miss Ru Roberts and the relevant papers were handed to Mrs Gray as Chairman. 
Registration Secretary  Mr Arrowsmith suggested that someone be appointed to take enquiries from parishioners requesting affordable housing.  He was proposed and agreed to act as such.  His telephone number for such requests is 631594.  He took the names and addresses of those who had already indicated interest. 

Housing Survey  Paper copies were requested by four of those attending the meeting, whose names the Clerk took to arrange this.