HOLNE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 3rd September 2008 in Holne Village Hall

Present ; Cllrs Paul Arrowsmith ,Gill Simpson , Cynthia Irish , Liz Ross, Belinda Owen , Richard Copus

Clerk ; Karen Gilbert

Members of the Public ; Mr & Mrs Mudge , Cllr Colin Jones , Fleur Powell , Maggie Arden , Ross Gray and Ru Roberts

Public Forum

Fleur Powell and Maggie Arden , who had each expressed an interest in the Parish Councillor Vacancy , were asked by the Chairman if they would care to introduce themselves and add any further comments to those previously sent to the Council

In response , Fleur Powell read out the letter she had sent in support of her application

Ru Roberts referred to the agenda item 11- Car sharing and advised that her original request was to ascertain whether the Parish Council would support such a scheme rather than involve the Council in discussion over its viability . She added that such a scheme would enhance community spirit as well as save petrol costs and greatly aid those without cars.

Ms Roberts , in her capacity as Tree warden , raised the subject of Tree Preservation Orders in Holne and suggested that the Copper Beech tree near Holne Court Farm may be worthy of an order being placed upon it . The Councillors added that , to their knowledge , there were no other trees that warranted such an order. Mr Mudge commented that many beech trees in the area had suffered from the sudden loss of large limbs and that a preservation order on beech trees may not be maintainable.It was decided that Tree Preservation be put included in the next agenda

Cllr Ross asked whether the position of Tree Warden was one which was reviewed on a regular basis to which the reply was that Ms Roberts and Ross Gray had continued in the role for some considerable time , there being no other candidates .

Rosemary Mudge thanked the Chairman , Cllr Simpson and the Clerk for the efforts made in the preparation of the Public Meeting held on 2nd September re The road closure at Venford and added that she felt the meeting addressed many of the queries and was a worthy exercise

Ross Gray raised the matter of the Venford Resevoir Management Plan which had recently been prepared by SW Lakes Trust . He advised the Council that he had met with a representaive of the Trust and had toured the vicinity to inspect the Trees . Cllr Arrowsmith asked that discussion be deferred until the matter was raised under 13 . Correspondence

Ross Gray then went on to advise the Council , that in his opinion , the funds available from the Holne Church were insufficient to allow for payment of the number of grass cuttings required to correctly maintain the Churchyard . He added that it would be helpful if this were taken into consideration when the Precept is next set and also asked that the contribution made by the Parish Council could be sent in one lump sum at the beginning of theyear rather than in two half yearly sums . Cllr Arrowsmith agreed that the Churchyard is expensive and dificult to maintain but suggested that the grass cutting contract was a private business matter between Mr Gray and the Holne Church and that any additional funding could be supplied by the Church

Cllr Copus raised the matter of protection of the BT Phonebox at Holne and was advised that this would be dealt with later in the meeting.

Disrict Cllr Colin Jones addressed the meeting with regard the the Local Government Review , the final comments on which were to reach the Boundary Committee by 26th September. The option put forward by the Boundary Committee was for a single Unitary Authority for Devon exluding Torbay and Plymouth . Cllr Jones advised that a similar exercise was taking place in Norfolk and Sufflolk where the Process and speed of decision required had been questioned . This appeared to have weakened the credibility which resulted in the Government advising the Boundary Committee that the existing system of local government could be put forward as a option to be considered. .

Cllr Jones also advised that should the Unitary Authority for Devon option prove successful , the question would be raised as to whether this Authority is a new Authority or a continuation of the old one . If it were deemed to be a continuing Authority , it has been suggested that Devon County Council could take over the role with its existing Councillors and staff. which would remain in office until 2011 ( the first opportunity for elections) . He added that 8-10 members of the Executive would be responsible for decision making which he considered would not benefit the whole of Devon Authority . He felt that insufficient time had been allowed for consultation and no cost implications had been presented.Cllr Owen stated that the cost of the process had already been a waste of public money

Mrs Rosemary Mudge , a parish councillor from Dartmoor Forest advised that her Council had written to the Boundary Committee favouring the status quo.

08.09.01 Apologies for absence

Cllr Pennington advised of other work commitments.

08.09.02 Minutes of the Meetings

The minutes of the meetings held on 2nd July and 9th July 2008 were agreed by the Council and duly signed

08.09.03 Declaration of Interest -

There were none

THE FOLLOWING ITEMS WERE NOT DISCUSSED IN THIS ORDER BUT ARE MINUTED IN ACCCORDANCE WITH THE AGENDA

08.09.04 Planning

Planning Application 0685/07 - Amendement to approved scheme - Removal of existing static caravan, formation of new access drive and extension to provide new entrance, study and improved kitchen area

Hazelwood - Holne

Cllr Ross felt that the approved scheme was very messy and untidy and had given the plot a suburban look . Although the amendments would tidy up the driveway and garden , the extended driveway and associated extra gravel would further suburbanise the plot . It was generally thought that any increase in the gravel driveway would be detrimental. Cllr Arrowsmith added that alterations of this nature should be subject to a full planning application rather than be treated as an amendment to an approved scheme . He also stated that the planting of the native hedge - a condition of Planning - should be vigourously encouraged.

It was therefore resolved that the Clerk write to Dartmoor National Park Authority to advise that Holne Parish Council do not approve the amendments , suggest that a full application be sought for any alterations and to ask for the native hedge to be planted

08.09.05 Finance

The following payments were agreed

Karen Gilbert - salary for July and August 2008 £209.04

Karen Gilbert - expenses - internet £5 , use of home/equipment £8, July and August 2008 = £26.00

Karen Gilbert - July/August mileage 40 miles at 55.8p per mile = £22.32

Karen Gilbert - stationery £3.97

Project Cosmic - Domain Name renewal for 2 years = £29.38

Contribution to Holne Churchyard maintenance - St Mary the Virgin PCC = £200.00

Holne Church Charity - Rent for Playpark = £20.00

The Council were advised that the mileage rate was in accordance with the rates authorised by the NALC , and consequently the rate referred to in the Clerk's contract signed on 2nd April 2008

The Council agreed the payment for £54.08 for the Playpark dog sign

The Council agreed for the Clerk to keep a float of £50.00 to cover incidental costs as long as all expenditure is carefully recorded

The Chairman advised the Council of the reply from the Village Hall Committee to the question raised regarding the payment of rent when the Parish Council fund the repayment of the loan for its renovation.

Mr Bonney advised that the payment of rent for the hall for Parish Council meetings was justified as it was paid from the Precept and therefore Public money...

The matter of the Clerk's salary and expenses was deferred until the end of the Meeting

08.09.06 Local Government Review

Having listened to Cllr Jones' review of the current situation , the Councillors put forward their comments

Cllr Copus felt that the whole process was not necessary and that the existing system of Local Government should remain with perhaps greater co-operation from South Hams . He also questioned whether it may be possible to change authorities from South Hams as he felt that , at times , Holne was overlooked being on the very edge of the Borough

Cllr Irish stated that the process was a waste of money and agreed with Cllr Copus comments

Cllr Owen complained that the consultation had been mismanaged leaving many questions unanswered . She preferred the status quo although even that system was not perfect.

Cllr Ross opted for the status quo as did Cllr Powell

Cllr Arrowsmith felt that the review had been too rushed and cost too much money . He added that South Hams , whilst not perfect as he also considered that Holne was often forgotten , was preferrable.

He also said that there was a time for a change in Local Government but not now

It was resolved that the Clerk write to the Boundary Committee to opt for the status quo but to advise that in the event of one Unitary Authority for Devon ( less Torbay and Plymouth ) , Exeter should remain within that Authority

08.09.07 Venford Resevoir/Road Closure

It was felt that this item should remain an agenda item during the progress of the works

Cllrs Arrowsmith , Copus and Irish were surprised that the issues regarding the Emergency Services access to Hexworthy had not been addressed by SWW and May Gurney at an earlier date.

Cllr Owen felt that the majority of questions had been answered but expressed her surprise that any investigation into the matter of hydro electricity systems had been so readily dismissed when a successful operation had been completed in Holne Country Park Cllr Ross was encouraged that SWW appeared keen for the project to run smoothly with regard to the residents of Holne and Hexworthy

The Chairman read out a draft of an article for inclusion in the Parish Link, Holybrook/noticeboards

08.09.08 Parish Councillor vacancy

This item was dealt with at the beginning of the Meeting to ensure that the new Councillor could join the meeeting at an early stage

Cllr Ross commented that the Parish Council were fortunate to have two worthy candidates and that it would be a difficult choice between them

A vote was taken . Five Councillors voted for Fleur Powell and one for Maggie Arden

Fleur Powell signed the form of acceptance and joined the Council . The Chairman thanked Maggie Arden for her interest

08.09.09 . Playpark

The Chairman read out a letter from Gill Gray cocerning the state of Playpark . Cllr Arrowsmith commented that he agreed but that the weather had not helped this year. He also stated that this is just a field for play and that £2500 was spent some years ago and that further improvements are in hand

Cllr Ross felt that the area is depressing and requires benches and planting to create a pleasing environment . She suggested that a working party be set up to faciltate this Cllr Simpson suggested that the young people of Holne/Michelcombe be consulted.

Two estimates have been received with regard to the hedgelaying although the fact the the right hand hedge is to be laid in conjunction with DNPA by David Hannaford and a team of students , had not been taken into consideration . This work was scheduled for 4 days in January 2009 . There was also discussion as to whether the existing fence could remain / be replaced or left out altogether.

The matter is to be included in the next agenda.

08.09.10 Holne and Scorriton Local Housing Group

This item was deferrd until October 2008

08.09.11 Holne car sharing scheme

This item was deferred until October 2008

08.09.11a Potholes/Highwats

This item was deferred until October 2008

The Councillors decided that discussion regarding the Clerk's salary and contract should be deferred until the end of the October 2008 meeting

08.09.12 Clerk's and Councillor's Reports

Cllr Copus raised the matter of protecting the telephone kiosk in Holne . He had read articles in the Press stating that BT would ensure that the booth would remain either as an architectural feature or as a working phone box for the payment of £1 or £500 respectively ( applications to reach BT by 1st October 2008) . Although the box in question does not appear on the list for removal received from BT or the list of threatened kiosks prepared by South Hams , Cllr Copus asked the Clerk to write to BT to confirm that the phonebox is not going to be removed . He also instructed the Clerk to write to DNPA to discover whether the box is listed. It was then decided to arrange an extraordinary meeting to discuss the matter in more depth that the time constraints of this meeting would allow and the Clerk was asked to arrange a suitable date with the Councillors and set and advertise the necessary agenda.

The Clerk handed to Cllr Copus copies of the contracts prepared by BT ( downloaded from the website) for each case mentioned above in order that he could fully acquaint himself with the implications as the contract had to returned duly signed and adhered to when an application to save the phonebox is made even though there do not appear to be any plans in place for its removal.

08.09.13 Correspondence

a) South Hams Tree Planting Scheme - Applications by October 3rd 2008

b) Devon CC - Revised entries to Commons Register - Seals Stoke

c) Devon CC - Plastic packaging Conference - Exeter 28/11/08

d) SW Lakes Trust - CD of Venford Resevoir Mang't Plan - comments by end of Sept 2008 - Tree Warden to attend meeting & report

e) Devon Ass Parish Councils AGM - Exeter Sat 27th Sept 2008

f) DAPC - Consultationfrom Defra via DAPC - to replace Parish Council element with directly elected reps on National Park Authorities

g) Dartmoor NPA PLANNING IN YOUR PARISH CONFERENCE 2008 15TH OCTOBER 2008 7pm AT PARKE ( CLERK TO RSVP - MAX 2 REPS )

h) Local food and drink - 24th September 2008 - Brimpts Farm

i) CCD Rural Health Conference - 22/10/08 Bridestowe Village Hall

j) CCD Community Buildings Training Programme

None of these items was read out or discussed . Although the Clerk pointed out that some deadlines would have passed , it was decided to deal with this correspondence at the October meeting

One exception was item d) which , it was agreed , would be included in the EGM yet to be arranged when the BT PHonebox issue was to be discussed

08.07.11 The Chairman had nothing to report

There being no further business , the Meeting was closed at 10.20pm

RETURN TO HOME