Minutes of an Extraordinary Meeting of Holne Parish Council held on Wednesday 9th July 2008 in Holne Village Hall
PRESENT; Cllrs Simpson , Arrowsmith , Belinda Owen , Liz Ross , Richard Copus and Cynthia Irish
CLERK; Karen Gilbert
PUBLIC; Colin Jones , Gill Gray , Paul Arrowsmith , Frank Niering , Ru Roberts , Fred Carrp . Caroline Carro , Jim Crutchley , Anne Crutchley , Keith Evans , Paul Cooper , Corrynne Cooper and Michael French
PUBLIC FORUM
Cllr Jones reported that the Boundary Committee had recommended a single Unitary council for Devon as its preferred option with the boundaries of Plymouth and Torbay remaining unchanged .The Boundary Committee consider that this option would best serve the people of Devon and aid cost cutting , delivery of value for money and the reduction of the burden of Council Tax. A second option which excludes Exeter and Exmouth from the single Unitary Council has also been suggested.
Cllr Jones stated that whilst the option is not that favoured by South Hams , it represents a workable solution , although he feared that small parish concerns may be overlooked . In addition to the single Unitary Council . 28 community boards will be created each comprising a market/seaside town and surrounding Parishes . Cllr Jones stressed the importance that Holne Parish Council fully considers the outlined preferred option and its implications and send any constructive comment to the Boundary Committee by 26th September 2008 .
The Chairman then invited comments from public the regarding the agenda item 08.07.03a - incidents at the Church House , Holne but added that this EGM had been called to discuss the issue of vandalism in Holne and did not wish any personal issues to be discussed
Mr Paul Arrowsmith spoke as a member of the Public.He urged the Council not to issue a statement regarding the incidents of vandalism at the Church House as suggested by Mr Bonney at the Holne Parish Council Meeting on 2 July 2008 but to comment through the Minutes , on general matters of vandalsim in Holne . He added that the specific incidents at the Church House Inn had occured several months ago and further discussion serves no purpose other than to ressurect a matter that many consider closed . Paul Cooper agreed with Mr Arrowsmith but mentioned that , in his opinion , the agenda item had been badly worded with its reference to "incidents" .
Ru Roberts was uncertain of the background of this matter and the meeting was reminded that Mr Bonney had requested a statement from the Parish Council comdemning recent acts of vandalism at the Church House Inn;. the incidents being the throwing of eggs at the car belonging to the Landlords of the Inn , the destruction of party decorations and the tampering of wheel nutson the previous Landlord's car
Whilst it was the opinion of some that the the matter is a personal one and not for the Parish Council debate , Ru Roberts added that , as some of the incidents took place on the Village Green ( an area owned by the Parish Council) , the Parish Council hold the powers to uphold the interests of the Village.
Mr Niering felt that nothing was to be gained by further discussion.
Ru Roberts commented that , with the Boundary Committee's changes and proposed formation of Community Boards , the only elected body would be the Parish Council and subsequently stressed the importance of its existance..
Gill Gray raised the subject of potholes and commented that the roads are a disgrace with any repairs being badly made. She suggested a 'Neighbourhood pothole watch' scheme be set up to ensure that potholes are monitored.
She was reminded that Devon CC - Highways website operates a pothole/road condition reporting facility and that , perhaps , this is the preferrable option . However , the matter will be included on the Septmber agenda
Paul Arrowsmith joined the Council.
08.07.01a No apologies Received
08.07.02a No declaration of interest was made.
08.07.03a Incidents of vandalism in Holne
Cllr Copus Started to make a proposal but felt unable to word it correctly. Cllr Ross read out a draft statement for comment.
Cllr Owen stated she had reflected on the matter during the week and had wondered whether it was just a personal matter . In any event , she felt the word vandalism should be replaced with anti-social behaviour . Cllr Irish considered the matter private and that the Parish Council should not be involved.. Cllr Arrowsmith considered the matter personal and wished no statement to be issued but the thoughts of the Council should be recorded in the Minutes. Cllr Owen agreed.
Cllr Ross proposed that the following be recorded in the minutes, seconded by Cllr Copus
Any incidence of anti-social behaviour in Holne is deplored by the Parish Council especially if constituting a danger to the General Public
All agreed
08.07.04a Works at Venford
The Clerk advised the Council that she was awaiting possible dates from South West Water before arranging a Public Meeting to discuss the three month road closure at Venford which will be implemented should Planning Approval be obtained from Dartmoor National Park Authority for works on the dam . It was noted that the number of heavy lorries using the lanes around Holne had already increased.
08.07.05 Potholes
The Chairman urged both members of the Public and Councillors to use the Highways website to report potholes/road defects
Cllr Arrowsmith raised concerns over the quality of repairs and lack of response from Highways when previous letters had been sent . He suggested that any letter sent be sent to the Director of Services
Cllr Owen agreed also reporting the issue of blocked buddle holes . Cllr Ross suggested copying the letter to the County Councillor.
Cllr Copus queried why no surface dressing had been applied to the Parish Roads recently , a comment Cllr Ross agreed with also stating that the type of tarmac used in recent years is extremely slippery for horses. She stressed that there are many racing stables and commercial enterprises whose horses use the roads as well as recreational users and that therefore their interests should be represented when writing.
It was also mentioned that the additional works traffic from the Venford works will , undoubtedly , increase the rate of deterioration of the roads around Holne .
It was , therefore , resolved that the Clerk write to Devon County Council - Highways to express the views of the Council.
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There being no further business , the meeting was closed at 8.30pm
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