Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 4 October 2006 in Holne
Village Hall Present: Cllrs Paul Arrowsmith, Richard Copus, Cynthia
Irish, Michael Maddicks (Chairman), Ru Roberts, Gill Simpson Clerk:
Joanna Radford
Members of the Public: Mr M French, District Cllr Ramsay, Mr R
Gray
Public Forum : Cllr Ramsay reminded the meeting
about the South Hams Community Grant Fund ? 50% grants were available for community
projects: applicants should ask for the community development team at South Hams
DC . She also asked the Council to give publicity to the fact that 30% S Hams inhabitants
have not responded re electoral roll: the deadline for this is 15 October. She then
spoke about the SPARSE report ? G Simpson asked why education amount so much less
here than in SE Mr French reported on a joint meeting with other
southern National Parks ? (Exmoor, Dartmoor and New Forest) which was held on the
northern Moor with particular reference to the military use of the Moor. He had
also attended the DAPC AGM (going as a representative of the National Park Authority.
The new Local Government White Paper had been discussed. He spoke about the Dartmoor
Society Debate on future of moorland landscape. Mr R Gray had provided
a report re his meeting with Jo Rumble on work needed to the Leat by the Vilalge
Green. This would be discussed later in the meeting. As Tree Warden he reminded
the meeting that the role has no official status in law but that it is a liaison
between officialdom and the public where the tree warden can advise if work needed
and would not involve officials unless could not achieve what needed by personal
contact. Cllr Pennington had sent a brief written report on a Plymouth
University assessment on travellers? sites. Cllr Roberts commented
that District Councils should provide sites ? and that this Council should help
provide sites if needed ? travellers should be allowed to have good places to stay.
Agreed that the subject should be on a future Agenda after checking DNPA responsibility.
0610.01 Apologies for absence Cllr Owen and Cllr Pennington
0610.02 Minutes of the meetings of 16 August, 6 & 13 September:
approved and signed. Cllr Roberts wished to emphasise the phraseology of 0609.05b
and the word "parish" was underlined in this Minute.
0610.03 Declarations of Interest: Cllr Irish declared a personal
and prejudicial interest in the amended plans at The Brookings. Cllr Arrowsmith
would declare a personal interest in certificate of lawfulness application if discussed
0610.04 Planning matters 0523/06 Amended plans for pole barn at
the Brookings for Mr & Mrs J Arden (amendment relates to removal from the proposal
of small store shed for ancillary equestrian use). Cllr Simpson reported that Cllr
Owen had declared an interest, Chairman unable to attend, so Cllr Simpson visited
site. Removed as result of planning officer?s opinion that too urban! Cllr Roberts
commented that original enforcement notice should not have been made to DNPA-aware
that cannot do anything now, but would like in future to be aware that council should
make its comment in relation to what is benefit of parish. Discussion followed as
to the legality. No objections on this case.
0693/06 Certificate of lawfulness for an existing use of holiday let as permanent
residential accommodation at The Loft, The Old Farmhouse Fore Stoke for Miss M West:
Cllr P Arrowsmith declared a personal interest and took no part in the discussion.
Agreed to discuss at this meeting, and Cllr Copus proposed that the Council should
recommend approval, Cllr Roberts proposed an amendment that the flat should be ancillary
to main dwelling. Agreed
Letter from N Sowman and O Thomas re development at Wootton: Receipt noted and the
subject would be on the next Agenda copies having been sent to councillors
Planning Report: 0587/06 Building to house compressors for aeration f reservoir
to improve drinking water quality at Venford Water Treatment Works, Holne for South
West water: conditional approval - slate roof, approved external facing, timber
doors and estrnal louvres and ductwork to be matt grey.
0610.05 Accounts for the Month The following payments were approved:
a) Mrs J M Radford salary June to September inclusive £210.00
b) Mrs J M Radford expenses for the same period: Internet access @ £5 per month
£15, Telephone £10 + £1.73 VAT Mileage for extra meeting in September £2 £28.73
c) Society of Local Council Clerks for update to Clerk's Manual £10.00
d) Project Cosmic for website training (half course fee) for Clerk £40.00
e) Public Works Loan Board - loan repayment due 30/10/06 £574.43
f) Holne VHMC for rent - 3 months £13.00
The Clerk reported that the External Auditor had approved the Accounts for 2005/6
with no matters arising. It was noted also that the Bank Account signatories were
now up to date.
0610.06 Rubbish collection in the Parish (postponed from last meeting
and re new collection days): Cllr Copus reported problems in the summer for those
without wheelie bins that plastic bags are inadequate as containers of rubbish for
a full fortnight.
0610.07 Cllr Roberts's comments on the DNPA Local Development Framework
Cllr Roberts explained that her motives in requesting that complainants should not
be allowed to speak at DNPA meetings as they might have undue influence on the decision
reached. Discussion indicated that Councillors feared this might result in more
delegated decisions. Agreed this might be an item for discussion at the 7th November
meeting organised in the Village Hall.
0610.08 Council's comments on the current LDF consultation, it
was agreed that the Council would comment as stated in Minute 0609b.06 (Cllr Arrowsmith
introduced this item so that the Council could formulate a policy on a subject which
is becoming of great importance in an era of environmental change. Cllr Roberts
proposed that the Council should support all solar panel applications. Agreed)
Agreed that the following should attend the meeting on 7 November:Cllr Simpson,
Arrowsmith, Owen, Irish and Copus 0610.09 The Website The Clerk
reported that attendance at course would give her ability to update site, but would
still need software to do this with, which is very expensive. Agreed that it might
be possible to rent time/share software/apply for sustainibility grant for software
with training for local people. Agree that should write to Mik Wells to thank for
work and Clerk to take over and put a request in the Parish Link for new material
for the website 0610.10 Circulation File and how to make sure it
gets round all councillors each month- system seems to work at present.
0610.11 Council's role in relation to hedges in the Parish. ? Cllr
Roberts as tree warden supported Ross Gray on whathe had said. Existing procedure
makes adequate provision. Cllr Arrowsmith was worried that parish council wrongly
concerned about particular hedges but need to keep to procedure.
Both the Chairman and Cllr Copus then left the meeting. As there was unfinished
business to be concluded, Cllr Simpson proposed Cllr Roberts as Chairman. Agreed.
0610.12 Holne Leat ? Mr Gray?s letter was placed in the Circulation
File. No action had been taken as yet. 0610.13 DAPC AGM 30 September - Cllr Roberts
had provided a written report which had been handed to each Councillor. 0610.14
Correspondence Receipt of letters from the following was noted: Black
& Veatch re road closure at Venford Reservoir; DCC re Highways and in particular
the promised repair of the leat bank outside the Tithe Barn. There being no
further business the meeting closed at 10:05 pm. The next meeting of the Parish
Council will be held on Wednesday 1 November at 8 pm.
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