Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 7 June 2006 in Holne Village Hall
Present: Cllrs Paul Arrowsmith, Michael Maddicks (Chairman), Belinda Owen, Gill Simpson
Clerk: Joanna Radford
Members of the Public included Messrs B Challacombe and J Mann, BTOpenreach, Mr J Horne, Broadband4Devon, Mr M French, Mr K Evans, Mrs M Arden, Mr C Jones, Mr D Mudge, Mr R Gray
Public Forum : Mr Challacombe made a presentation on Broadband
access in the Parish, followed by Mr Horne whose organisation could help local businesses
access Broadband in different ways. Both gave contact details to those present and
to the Clerk (parishioners not present who would like these are invited to contact
the Clerk for information). Both answered questions from the floor.
Mr Evans told the meeting that the Fete Committee had applied to
close the road for the evening celebration on the day of the Fete. He also put his
view that he opposed the idea of planting a tree on the Village Green.
Mr Gray spoke about the Agenda item relating to the hedge recently
cut at Priddons, stating that this was part of the existing ESA agreement for the
farm, and that the Planning Authority was aware of the terms of this.
Mr French reported on the DNPA Annual Meeting and on recent planning
decisions by the Authority.
Mr Jones drew the Council's attention to the Regional Spatial Strategy
which considered affordable housing. District Councillor Ramsay
had prepared a written report which was circulated to Councillors and some of those
present in the public gallery.
0606.01 Apologies for Absence were accepted from Cllrs Copus, Irish and Roberts, as well as District Cllr Ramsay.
0606.02 Minutes of the Meeting of 3 May 2006 were approved after the insertion of Cllr Roberts's name in the list of those present.
0606.03 Declarations of Interest Councillors considered whether they should declare personal interests in the planning application by Cllr Irish, but agreed that they had no greater interest in the matter than any other parishioner.
0606.04 Planning Matters 0355/05-06 Listed Building and Planning consent for first floor extension over existing kitchen at Pixie Cottage, Michelcombe, Holne: the Planning Committee made a report. Cllr Simpson proposed that the Council recommend a site meeting for the Planning Authority to consider properly the implications of such an alteration to a listed building. This was agreed, the view also being agreed that the Council would like to recommend approval for social reasons, but accepted that this was not a planning consideration. Cllr Arrowsmith abstained from discussion and wished his abstention to be minuted. Amended plans re Agricultural Residence at Gallant le Bower (amendments to number of chimney pots and design of French windows) were noted. Arrangements for the meeting with Mr Chris France: A list of items to be discussed produced by Cllr Roberts was considered and it was agreed to put these forward at the meeting. Mr & Mrs D Melville had provided a further list, some items of which were on Miss Roberts's. Others were felt not to provide true parallels and would not be raised. Hedge at Priddons: Agreed to take not action on this matter, views having been expressed that the cutting should have taken place during the recommended period (for preservation of wildlife) which ends at the latest on 15 April, but that it would re-grow in time and would therefore not contravene planning conditions for the farm.
0606.05 Accounts for the Month The following payments were approved:
a) Holne Church Charity rent for Play Park £20.00
b) Holne Village Hall Management Committee £21.00
The Council completed the Auditor's Annual Return in preparation for passing this
and related papers to the internal auditor.
0606.06 Start Time for Council Meetings Agreed to return this to 8 pm.
0606.07 Tree Planting on the Village Green Agreed after discussion to take this no further. The Chairman told the meeting that he had consulted other parishioners who were against the project, and it was agreed that the site should be left free for the traditional Christmas Tree, with a safe electric connection for lights installed. It was also agreed to discuss further the planting of trees in other parts of the parish. The Clerk reported that SEARCH would hold a committee meeting to discuss the Council's suggestions for spending the money available.
0606.08 Affordable Housing Advisory Committee Cllr Simpson reported on the recent visit to Widecombe and informed the meeting of the next committee meeting on 15 June.
0606.09 Condition/Restoration of Seats Cllr Arrowsmith made a report. Two battens of the seat at Vicarage Cross need repair. The seat at Green Down is in good condition but needs careful cleaning/treatment with wood preserver of some kind. Agreed to research the ownership of the seat outside the Village Hall. The millenium seats in Play Park are in good condition.
0606.10 DNPA Communities Forum Cllr Arrowsmith made a report.
0606.11Correspondence Receipt of the following was noted: DNPA Agendas (to note Item 10.8 on DNPA Development Control Committee Meeting Agenda for item requested by Cllr Roberts to be on Agenda of this Council's July meeting); Holne PCC re grant for Churchyard maintenance; BT Complaint Review Service re Broadband availability; South Hams DC Sustainable Community Strategy Consultation (deadline requires individual responses by councillors, forms are included in the pack, and available online); Draft Regional Spatial Strategy (for response by 30 August, will be on July Agenda); South Hams Request for temporary road closure order for Fete; Notice of Inquiry on failure of councillor to declare a prejudicial interest on 16 June (to be attended by the Clerk and by Cllr Arrowsmith). 0606.12 Items for next meeting A proposal to apply for ownership of Vicarage Cross; a proposal to institute an annual walk around the Parish to consider action on Parish amenities. 0606.13 Action by Clerk to report potholes on the Holne/Buckfast road and to chase action on the leat opposite the Tithe Barn and replacement of plastic bollards with wood throughout the Parish. There being no further business the meeting closed at 9:30 pm.
The next meeting of the Parish Council will be on Wednesday 5 July at 8 pm.
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