Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 2nd July 2008 in Holne Village Hall
Present ; Cllrs Paul Arrowsmith ,Gill Simpson , Cynthia Irish , Liz Ross, Belinda Owen
Clerk ; Karen Gilbert
Members of the Public ; Mr & Mrs Mudge , Terry Howard and Mike Bonney
Public Forum
It was reported by Mr Bonney that several incidents had taken place against the present owners of the Church House Inn . It was suggested that a message of support be sent to the landlords which in turn would demonstrate that such pettiness and acts of vandalism would not be tolerated in Holne. As this topic did not appear on the agenda , the Council felt unable to discuss the matter at length and arrangements were made for an extraordinary meeting to be held on 9th July 2008 at 7.30pm to facilitate further discussion
The Chairman advised that she intended to close the meeting during the discussion regarding Planning Application 0384/08 in order that concerns could be raised from members of the public.
08.07.01 Apologies for absence
Cllr Jones had emailed to advise of work commitments . Cllr Copus advised he was away.
08.07.02 Minutes of the Meetings
The minutes of the meetings held on 4th June were agreed by the Council and duly signed
08.07.03 Declaration of Interest -
Cllr Ross declared a personal interest in Planning application 0384/08 - Venford Resevoir as she is a minor shareholder in May Gurney - contractors at Venford
08.07.04 Planning
The chairman proposed that a chair of the Planning Committee be elected . Cllr Ross proposed Cllr Owen . This was seconded by Cllr Arrowsmith.
The Chairman also suggested that Councillors should fully acquaint themselves with the Planning applications prior to the Meeting in order that dicussion in Council becomes more focused.
It was therefore agreed that the relevant documention for any applications be displayed on a separate table before the Meetings commence . The documents and drawings would also then be available for examination by the General Public.
4. Planning Application 0384/08 - VENFORD DAM & RESERVOIR , HOLNE for South West Water
Construction of new spillway , new weir and collector channel to go to buried culvert , all for safety of existing dam during flood events
Cllrs Owen and Ross attended the site and were advised that the above mentioned works were necessary to protect the environment during episodes of flood/excessive rainfall and that the existing spillways are over 100 years old . They were also advised that two pine trees may have to be removed as their falling could block the new spillway causing a potential overspill and associated damage downstream . Cllrs Owen and Ross felt that the main problems would arise from the proposed closure of the road across Holne Moor which may last 3 months.
THE MEETING WAS THEN CLOSED TO ENABLE PUBLIC COMMENT
Mrs Mudge expressed her concern that Dartmoor Forest Parish Council which covers Hexworthy and on which she is a Councillor , had heard very little about the proposed works . She had heard that a temporary bridge may be set up only usable in special cases and by prior appointment
Mike Bonney was concerned about the economic impact on all local businesses but cited TheForest Inn , Church House and Holne shop as examples . He was also worried about the quantity of heavy construction traffic using the lanes around Holne.
Mike Mudge raised the matter of Newbridge and the possible alterations being considered by Devon County Council . He suggested that Holne Parish Council ensure that the two sets of works do not clash.
THE MEETING WAS RE-OPENED
It was agreed by the Council that the Clerk write to Devon County Council to point out that it is imperative that Newbridge remains operational during the road closure across Holne Moor
It was agreed that a Public Meeting be arranged before the next regular Holne Parish Council meeting in September The meeting should include Dartmoor National Park Authority , SW Lakes Trust , South West Water and Dartmoor Commoners.
The Clerk was instructed in the first instance to contact South West Water to obtain possible dates
The Clerk was also to contact the Clerks of Dartmoor Forest and Buckfastleigh West Parish Councils in order that they can advise their parishioners accordingly
IF time allows , a notice should be placed in the Parish Link
0384/08
Cllr Arrowsmith commented that Venford was constructed over 100 years ago and that the proposed works must be carried out . He was most concerned about economic losses and disturbance to local businesses and also stressed that the issue regarding the accessibilty of Emergency vehicles must be a serious consideration.
In summary , the Council feel that there is an obligation by SWW to protect the environment , The application is accompanied by a comprehensive design and access statement and that the two trees which may require felling do not represent specimen trees.
The Council ageed to support the Application but wished it made clear to DNPA that the issue of the road closure caused sufficient concern for a Public Meeting to be called
The results of previous applications were read out
A letter from Colin Jarvis , DNPA regarding the recent Planning Issues at Catkin Cottage/Hazelwood was read out . It was agreed that the matter should now be considered as closed.
08.07.05 Finance
The following payments were agreed
Karen Gilbert - salary for June 2008 £104.52
Karen Gilbert - expenses - internet £5 , use of home/equipment £8, = £13.00
Karen Gilbert - June mileage 36 miles at 40p per mile = £14.40
Holne Village Hall - 25/4 , 30/4 , 7/5 , 21/5, 4/6 - £37.50.
The Councillors were advised that the Accounts for the year ending 31st March 2008 had been forwarded to the External Auditors
The Clerk explained to the Council that , although the Public Works Loan Board would be prepared to re-negotiate the interest rate on the Loan , the penalty charged for such alteration exceded the saving in interest . It was therefore agreed that no further action be taken.
08.07.06 Parish Councillor vacancy
The Clerk advised the Councillors that as South Hams had not received the required ten electors requests for an election , the vacancy can be filled by Co-option . The relevant notices have been placed on the Holne and Michelcombe notice boards and also on the Holybrook Exchange . The Chairman asked each Councillor to encourage suitable candidates to contact either the Clerk or Chairman in due course
08.07.07 . Playpark
a) The Council was informed that Mr Niering did not personally manufacture signs but that he would advise the Clerk of the details of the manufacturer of the wooden signs used in Holne.
b) The Council was in full agreement that the Playpark be used in connection with Holne Village Fete but asked the Clerk , when advising The Village Fete Committee as such , to also advise that the recently imposed Dog Ban in Playpark would be lifted for the day of the Fete only .
c) The reply from Wetern Power was read out . Following The Council's enquiry about a possible Grant towards hedgelaying around Playpark , Western Power advised that the Silvanus Trust handled such requests and that the Trust would be in contact , probably in the Autumn. Cllr Arrowsmith stated that , in his opinion , the Silvanus Trust had been approached before and that The Council appeared to be back where it started . In addition he commented that the Silvanus Trust did not seem to be competant at hedgelaying.
Cllr Simpson suggested that the Clerk should contact the South Hams Community Grant Fund before the closing date of 29th August to determine whether this project falls within the Criteria for financial assistance
08.07.08 Holne and Scorriton Local Housing Group
Cllr Simpson advised the Council that the Housing Group are continuing to investigate the merits of possible sites available for Local Housing.
08.07.09 Clerk's and Councillor's Reports
The Clerk was asked to obtain eight copies of the Dartmoor National Park Authority Local Development Framework Core Strategy Development Plan 2006 - 2026
Cllr Owen reported that Ru Roberts had asked her to raise the matter of a car sharing scheme within Holne . It was agreed that the matter be discussed at the September meeting
08.07.10 Correspondence
a) Email from David Davies , Parish Link , thanking Holne PC for donation
b) Digital Switchover Roadshow
c) Tor Homes - dates of estate walks
d) Dartmoor Commoners' Council - Election results
e)Age concern - Community Mentoring Project
f) South Hams Carers Forum 10/07/08
g) Survey for completion from University student re Affordable Housing
h) County Councillor locality grants - Proceeds from Exeter Airport and Youth Opportunities Fund/Capital Fund
These items were brought to the attention of the Council. Item g was taken by the Chairman for completion by the Holne and Scoriton Housing Group
08.07.11 The Chairman had nothing to report
There being no further business , the Meeting was closed at 9.30pm
[ Back ]