Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on Wednesday 1 st October 2008 in Holne Village Hall
Meeting commenced at 8.00pm
Present Chair - Cllr Mrs G Simpson, Vice-Chair - Cllr Mrs B Owen, Cllr Mrs L Ross, Cllr Mrs C Irish, Cllr Mrs F Powell, Cllr P Arrowsmith,
Attended by - 2 members of the public.
Apologies - D Cllr C Jones, Cllr R Copus.
Public Forum No points raised.
Reports D Cllr C Jones - was not in attendance but submitted a written report as follows - Local Government Review - The consultation on the Boundary Committee's draft proposals for Devon expired on Friday 26 September. Although the BC's website was not up-to-date when I last looked, a considerable number of representations had been received, from Councils large and small, various organisations and members of the public. It seemed clear to me that the vast majority of respondents were not in favour of the main proposal for a Devon-wide unitary authority and most were also against the other option' for a big Devon' plus an Exeter and Exmouth' unitary authority. There was a general desire to keep the status quo in preference to the proposed option(s), though a number of respondents regretted that other unitary options, such as the Rural South Devon and Dartmoor' concept (also involving the creation of new unitaries in northern and eastern Devon) were not consulted upon. South Hams DC's submission which is available on its website highlighted the many flaws in both the BC's proposals and the consultation process, and I was pleased to sit on the member working group which helped to shape the submission. The Council concluded that in the absence of a clear case for a unitary Devon and the BC's reluctance to consider other unitary options, it recommended retention of the status quo, with authorities at all three tiers (county/district/parish) increasingly working together to improve services and reduce costs. The Council wishes to thank those Parish Councils, organisations and individuals who supported the Council's stance and expressed their views to the Boundary Committee. We now await the BC's consideration of all the representations. A final recommendation from the BC to government is expected just before Christmas.
Full Council Meeting 25/9/08 - a) Affordable Housing (AH) Council formally adopted both the AH Development Plan Document and the AH Supplementary Planning Document, which should make it easier to secure more affordable housing through the planning process. However, the serious downturn in housebuilding will slow the whole process, and lower profit margins will make developers less willing to negotiate the percentages of AH which the Council is seeking in new developments
b) Concessionary car parking for residents - Council agreed to progress a concessionary scheme to give each household in the District in return for a £10 charge the opportunity to obtain one permit to park free in Council car parks before 10.00am and after 4.00pm . The scheme would be introduced for a trial period of 12 months.
c) Free swimming for Over 60s - The Council's Executive agreed the Council's participation in the Government's free swimming offer for 2009/10 and 2010/11 subject to satisfying the grant conditions.
09.10.01 - Minutes of the meeting of 3 rd September 2008 and Minutes of the Public Meeeting of September 2 nd 2008 . These have been circulated and read - Proposed by Cllr Mrs L Ross and seconded by Cllr Mrs C Irish with all in agreement. Duly signed by the Chair Cllr Mrs G Simpson.
09.10.02 - Declarations of Interest - Members are invited to declare any personal or prejudicial interest relating to any agenda item at this stage in the meeting , but may also do so at any time during the meeting , should they become aware that they may have such as interest in a subject being discussed. Cllr Mrs F Powell declared a personal interest on item 11 Suggested TPO on Copper Beech near Holne Court Farm.
09.10.03 - Temporary Locum Clerk: Chair Cllr Mrs G Simpson - Welcome our Locum Clerk
Sharon Raggett who is going to sign a temporary contract. Many thanks to Karen Gilbert our
outgoing Clerk who resigned after the last PC meeting in September 08.
09.10.04 - Public forum: Future format - Chair - Cllr Mrs G Simpson - Last months meeting did not go well, the public forum over ran and some changes need to be made . A 4 minute rule will now be inforced to enable each member of the Public to speak. If a member of the Public wishes to speak about something in length would they please submit it in writing to the Clerk. The 4 minutes per item will be at the Chair's discression. Please can members of the Public contact Cllrs before the meeting if they feel that they need more information about agenda items.
09.10.05 - Planning Matters including any applications received in time for the meeting and
decision notices/conditions None have been received.
DNPA Planning Conference on October 15 th 2008 Cllr Mrs F Powell and Cllr Mrs L Ross will attend.
09.10.06 - Clerk's financial report & to approve the following payments
Karen Gilbert - salary for September 2008 £104.52
Karen Gilbert - expenses £13
Karen Gilbert - September mileage 30 miles at 55.8p per mile = £16.74
As per invoice from Karen Gilbert. Total: £134.26
Petty cash float; to confirm position until new Clerk is appointed.
Cheque no 520 - £134.26 - Karen Gilbert.
Cheque no 521 - £20.00 - Petty Cash for Stamps.
Proposed by Cllr P Arrowsmith and seconded by Vice-Chair - Cllr Mrs B Owen - note that the milage rate for the outgoing Clerk at 55.8p per mile was more than the Parish Council had expected but is as set out in NALC guidelines.
09.10.07 - Finance Committee to discuss the precept for 2009/2010 - Date to be set for this.
09.10.08 - Venford Reservoir Management Plan: To receive the written report from Ross Gray and Ru Roberts in reponse to the Management Review and to formulate the Council's response. The Comments made were read by Chair Cllr Mrs G Simpson and are now to go to South West Lakes Trust - proposed by Cllr P Arrowsmith that the Tree Wardens report is adopted seconded by Cllr Mrs L Ross and noted that further comments may wish to be made when the report had been read fully. Chair - Cllr Mrs G Simpson - Many thanks to the Tree Wardens for doing the report.
09.10.09 - Venford Dam Closure: to hear an update, including receipt, if any, of a letter from SWWA- re emergency services during the closure. Chair - Cllr Mrs G Simpson confirmed that she has contacted Ken Prince but he has not yet come back to her. Posters have been put up and notices in the newsletters locally to inform people in advance of the pending closures.
09.10.10 - Tree wardens:
i) Tree TPOs: to discuss the suggestion from Ru Roberts, Deputy Tree Warden that a TPO be placed on a copper beech near Holne Court Farm - Chairman Cllr Mrs G Simpson confirmed that she had spoken to Mr Ross Gray and he could not see why a TPO is needed on this Tree, it is not in danger and very healthy at present. Cllr Mrs F Powell confirmed - DNPA - Brian Beasley has looked at the Tree and a tree warden attended to the tree and carried out what needed to be done. All were in agreement no further action needed as the tree is being very well looked after.
ii) To discuss the position of Tree Wardens for Holne - Cllr Mrs L Ross - The position of Tree Wardens could be reviewed annually at the AGM - Cllr P Arrow smith suggested that he would like to see this done every 4 years at election time Chair Cllr Mrs G Simpson confirmed that it should be reviewed at the AGM next May 2009 as it has not been done for a number of years.
09.10.11 - Playpark: To discuss the setting up of a Working Party - DNPA - Sue Halse e-mail has been received to confirm hedge laying courses in January 09. Cllr P Arrowsmith noted that the fence that is to be taken down does not need replacing. Contact - Mr & Mrs Iles and Sue Eberle to confirm that the hedge is to be laid. Clerk to write to - Ross Kennerley - Landscape and Leisure at SHDC - funds towards the improvement of the play park. Chair Cllr Mrs G Simpson - do we still want a working party to discuss the remaining hedges and other improvements.
Cllr P Arrowsmith the working party remit should be maintenance of the play park and the leat which needs to be cleared out within the next 8 weeks. Cllr Mrs F Powell, Cllr Mrs L Ross , Vice-Chair - Cllr Mrs B Owen will be prepared to take this on.
09.10.12 - Holne and Scoriton Housing Group report Chair Cllr Mrs G Simpson reported - have been having regular meetings with Sue Hitchcock and Phil Markham from DNPA was at the last meeting. Looking now at land sites and DNPA are coming back with comments to enable a short list to be drawn up. Phillip Vogel has been in consultation with regards to community land trusts. Chudleigh are setting up a land trust which will set up an umbrella for various other villages who wish to join. The land trust would enable more control by the Parish over who rents the houses when they are eventually built. Entrance splays were also discussed and they might not have to be so extensive in size for rural areas-Phil Markham is contacting highways.
09.10.13 - To confirm the Council's support for a car sharing scheme for Holne Chair Cllr Mrs G Simpson confirmed I letter has been received from Ru Roberts regards a Car Sharing Scheme. The Parish Council are in support of this - letter to Ru Roberts - would like to extend the use of the Holne PC notice board to you to advertise and help get people to run it. Suggest that something also goes into the Parish Link.
09.10.14 - Potholes: to receive correspondence Re - pot holes
a)Gill Gray - Volunteer as a local contact for potholes if needed - in agreement with this - letter to Gill Gray the Parish Council will be happy to take up her offer.
b) Highways - e-mail from Bob Jones DCC Read by Chair Cllr Mrs G Simpson.
09.10.15 - Clerk's or Councillor's reports on matters authorised by the Council at previous meetings not otherwise on this Agenda nothing to report.
09.10.16 - Correspondence not otherwise listed on this Agenda for information or inclusion on the Agenda of the next meeting.
a) South Hams Tree Planting Scheme - Applications by October 3rd 2008 .
b) Devon CC - Revised entries to Commons Register Sealstoke for information only.
c) Devon CC - Plastic packaging Conference - Exeter 28/11/08 .
d) DAPC Consultation from Defra via DAPC - to replace Parish Council element
with directly elected reps on National Park Authorities - on next Agenda.
e) CCD Rural Health Conference - 22/10/08 Bridestowe Village Hall.
f) CCD Community Buildings Training Programme various content, dates and venues.
g) CCD Powering up Communities - various content, dates and venues.
h) South Hams Young Sports Person 2008- Nominees by 26/11/08 - on next Agenda.
i) Police Liason meeting 1/12/08 Yealmpton.
j) SHDC LDF-Planning Obligations (draft)-comments by 10/10/08 .
k) Adopt a payphone applications preferably by 1/10/08 (in case nominated box already
removed, which we already aware is not the case).
l) DAPC - Managing Playgrounds course 6/10/08 -Torridge.
m) South Devon Walking festival 26/9-5/10-Note poster already up on PC noticeboard due to
immediacy of the dates.
n) To note new clerks course 6/11/08 Exeter .
o) DAPC Submission to the Boundary Committee.
p) CCD Recycling News.
q) DNPA - Validation on Planning Applications - proposed checklist and explanatory
document - into folder for circulation.
r) Ranger Service stakeholder survey - Cllr Mrs L Ross & Cllr P Arrowsmith for completion.
09.10.17 - Chairman's Urgent Business for action by the Clerk if covered by delegated powers or for inclusion on the Agenda of the next meeting.
a) Langaford Meadows - works currently going on.
b) Entrance Splay at Brackenwood.
There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.38 to be followed by Part 2 Private and Confidential.
09.10.18 - Recruitment of new Clerk: Confidential Part ii) item without the public.
To discuss the recruitment of a future Clerk and to note the discussions at a recent
working session of the Council.
Next Parish Council Meeting - Holne Village Hall - Wednesday 5 th November 2008 at 8.00pm .
ANY MEMBER OF THE PUBLIC WHO HAS SPECIAL NEEDS AND REQUIRES A COPY OF THESE MINUTES SENT TO THEM PLEASE CONTACT THE CLERK 01364 644109.
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