HOLNE PARISH COUNCIL
DRAFT MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
7 APRIL 2009
The meeting commenced at 8.00pm.
Present: Councillors Simpson (Chairman), Owen (Vice Chairman), Arrowsmith, Irish and Powell.
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
Members of the Public: 6 parishioners present
OPEN FORUM
District Councillor Jones
1. Sustainable Community Locality Fund
From 1st April, District Councillors have each been allocated £1,000 to spend on community projects and initiative within their wards. The grants will be awarded to local voluntary organisations and groups whose projects contribute to meeting local priorities and improve the well-being of people in the area. The grant fund is easily accessible to voluntary and community groups and aims to support small, grass roots, volunteer-based groups which deliver long term benefits to local communities. Cllr Jones advised the council to start thinking about what it would like to do in Holne parish over the next year that could benefit from a share of this fund. More details will be forwarded to the clerk shortly.
2. Local Government Review in Devon
Despite much criticism, a distinct lack of public support for their draft proposals and successful legal challenges to their flawed processes, particularly over their consultation methods, the Boundary Committee has recently come up with a revised draft recommendation, except it is not really revised. It once again advocates a big Devon unitary council thereby abolishing all district and borough councils, but now gives equal weight to its second idea – the two unitary option including Exeter and Exmouth as a second unitary authority. The Boundary Committee once again ignores the option of maintaining the current county and district arrangements (the ‘status quo’) despite the government having to advise the Committee that the status quo was a relevant option to consider. All in all, a right mess – so much so that South Hams District Council last month unanimously passed a vote of no confidence in the Boundary Committee – and pledged to fight to keep us all from the drastic consequences of a badly botched and wickedly wasteful reorganisation of local government. Gross costs of the reorganisation are already estimated as more than £70m. The Boundary Committee still believes that these start-up costs will be paid back within 5 years with either of their preferred options.
Whatever the Boundary Committee comes up with as its final recommendation – expected in July – it will be a government decision as to what actually happens. For that reason it is vital not only that individuals, groups and parish councils give their views to the Boundary Committee during its current consultation lasting to mid-May, but also that people get ready to lobby their MPs and the government directly if the Committee persists with its current undemocratic recommendations. The support of this parish council and the residents of this parish will be important along with many others in getting a sensible outcome to this process.
County Councillor Pennington
Members of the public
1. The owners of Hill Top, Holne were present at the meeting in support of their planning application which is being discussed later in the meeting. He commented that their plans were an enhancement of what they already have and very much hope that the Parish Council will support it.
2. Bridgette Mills commented about how, at the previous meeting, her behaviour had been referred to as anti-
social. She believes that she is a responsible dog owner and her behaviour is therefore socially acceptable. It is those who let their dogs out and do not clear up after them who are anti-social. She also informed the council that children are damming up the leat with stones and earth etc and suggests that the Parish Council put up a sign as this will effect the flow of the water further down.
3. Mike Mudge commented on the format of the meeting and reminded the Parish Council that it had agreed to have a public session at the end of the meeting as well as at the start. This was also supported by Keith Evans. Cllr Arrowsmith explained that it used to happen but time was an issue and people were not really using the opportunity. It was suggested that people should make their comments about it at the Annual Parish Meeting.
4. The council was reminded that there was a second hand book sale over the Easter weekend which will run on Saturday, Sunday and Monday in the village hall from 10.00 - 4.30. The clerk agreed to add this on the Holybrook Exchange.
070409.01 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Received from Cllrs Copus and Ross.
070409.02 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES OF 3 MARCH 2009
These were signed and agreed without amendment.
070409.03 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Cllr Powell declared her interest in item 4 (i).
070409.04 PLANNING
(i) Hill Top, Holne
Having declared in interest in this item, Cllr Powell left the room.
Cllr Owen explained that this application was to replace a dilapidated lean-to with a more permanent construction which would be more water and wind tight. Cllr Owen believed that the work would improve the property and therefore proposed that the Parish Council supports the application. All were in agreement.
(ii) Priddons Farm
Cllr Simpson reminded the council that a certificate of lawfulness was granted for a mobile home. This was now being replaced with a mobile log cabin (although it doesn’t look like a mobile home, which is why a parishioner was prompted to contact Cllr Ross). The company building it are very experienced and the DNPA have seen it and agreed with what is being built. They will have another look at it when it is finished and make a final decision. Cllr Arrowsmith believes that unless the Park has put this matter before the Parish Council then it is not for the council to comment. It was agreed that the council would leave the matter there.
(iii) Cllr Simpson alerted the council that two planning applications had been received for Holne Chase Hotel and comments would need to be submitted prior to the date of the next Parish Council meeting. A planning meeting was therefore agreed for Wednesday 22nd April at 7.30pm.
Cllr Simpson closed the meeting at this point to welcome County Cllr Trevor Pennington and Cllr Basil Cane, Leader, SHDC and invited Cllr Pennington to make his report at the end of the meeting.
The meeting re-opened:
070409.05 FINANCE
(i) Payment of clerk’s wages and expenses for March 2009 to Suzanna Hughes for £126.12 was agreed. The clerk explained that this would be paid by standing order on the 1st of each month. Cllr Simpson reported that the new NALC rates for clerks had now been confirmed and this would take immediate effect.
(ii) Whilst not on the agenda, payment of £574.39 to the Public Loans Board was agreed.
(iii) The clerk notified the council that the insurance renewal had been received (£210.25). It was agreed that this would be discussed in May’s meeting.
(iv) The monthly bank reconciliation was noted.
070409.06 PLAYPARK
(i) Cllr Powell reported that she had been trying to speak with Alex Whish but he has no time to see her in April. She will therefore send another letter and await further detail. A meeting of the playpark committee is being proposed for 16th April at 7.30pm in Church House but is not yet confirmed.
(ii) Cllr Powell reported that the DNPA can provide Parish Council’s with OS maps for free. We have therefore received a hard copy and a PDF. There are conditions of use which the Parish Council must agree to and schedule 7 of the licence must be signed by the Parish Council. It was agreed that it would be a good idea to display the map in the village hall – the clerk would check whether it was acceptable to display the map in a public place. Cllr Arrowsmith asked if the playpark committee were aware of the leat being blocked (as reported by Bridgette Mills). They were not but Cllr Owen agreed to have a look.
(iii) A quote for £50.36 + VAT + delivery had been received from Pluss for the dog sign. The wording was further discussed and it was agreed by a majority that it would read ‘No dogs please – except dogs for disabled users’.
070409.07 HOLNE AND SCORITON HOUSING GROUP REPORT
Cllr Simpson reported that the four sites initially identified have now become two (Holne and Scoriton). Another possible site had been identified in Holne but development control were not happy. She reported that the group were hoping to have a meeting with Holne Church Charity as one of these potential sites is playpark and Little Bewden. However, the Church Charity believe that the Housing Group are not far enough forward with their plans to warrant another meeting. The group now therefore needs to discuss it next move but still favour a presence from a member of the Church Charity.
070409.08 POTHOLES AND HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE REPORTS AND OTHER HIGHWAYS ISSUES
Cllr Simpson reported that she and Gill Gray had met with Gerry King, Highways Engineer, DCC.
Despite 6% increase in highways revenue in 2009/10 from DCC, in real terms it is a minus budget in
relation to the increased costs of work to be done. Devon is the largest county with more roads but
receives less money for highways from the government.
Contacts to report potholes are:
01392 380160 – Gerry King/Allan Cash’s office or email southareahm@devon.gov.uk which is
checked every hour.
On a more positive note, in monetary terms the parish is getting a bigger slice of the money for
surface dressing than elsewhere. (a) Hembury Woods, £37,000, (b) Newbridge to Knowles Cross
£52,000 (c) Bears Wood to Saddle Bridge will be surface dressed in 2010 therefore patching will be
done in 2009. Have also asked that Holne Turn to Stokes Lane be prioritised which Gerry King
agrees is at the end of its life.
The lengthsman service should improve now that new maps have been made with all the buddle
holes on them.
Other issues discussed were storm code – problem sites for flooding will be looked at immediately (these were marked on Gerry’s map). Patching training would be taking place for contractors and DCC to improve the quality of patching will happen in the next four weeks.
Gerry King proposed that a letter be sent to higher levels (ie central government) about funding etc
and Cllr Simpson, Gill Gray and the clerk would liaise re content and structure etc.
It was noted that repairs to potholes had been done in Michelcombe.
Cllr Simpson closed the meeting whilst a general discussion was had about the quality of the work
by DCC highways.
070409.09 LEAT WALK
Councillors discussed whether they should continue with their plans for organising a walk around the leats. On reflection, Cllr Simpson proposed that it was cancelled and all agreed.
070409.10 FLY POSTING
Concerns had been expressed about boards going up advertising The Tradesmans Arms and not being taken down. It was agreed that the Parish Council would monitor the situation regarding all signs put up in the Parish and encourage people to take down their posters after the event date.
070409.11 DOGS FOULING ON VILLAGE GREEN
Cllr Arrowsmith reported that the proprietors of the Church House had reported dog fouling on the village green. They know whose dogs are doing it and Cllr Arrowsmith advised that they should knock on their door and speak to them about it. Cllr Owen supported Cllr Arrowsmith’s proposal to deal with it direct. Cllr Simpson advised the council that the parish could go down the more formal route of ‘Dog-control orders’. It was agreed that the clerk would seek the advice of SHDC.
070409.12 NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
It was agreed that this would be raised at the Annual Parish Meeting.
070409.13 CLERK’S OR COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS ON MATTERS AUTHORISED BY THE COUNCIL AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS NOT OTHERWISE ON THIS AGENDA
None.
070409.14 CHAIRMAN’S URGENT BUSINESS FOR ACTION BY THE CLERK IF COVERED BY DELEGATED POWERS OR FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA OF THE NEXT MEETING
None.
070409.15 CORRESPONDENCE FOR ATTENTION
The following correspondence was noted:
(i) South Hams tree planting year 2009
(ii) Summer bus service – no funding available for service to run during the week.
(iii) Boundary Review – comments required. This would be discussed in the May meeting.
(iv) Parish Cluster Meeting – 20th April
(v) SHDC – National Litter Campaign
(vi) Parish Planning drop-in surgery
(vii) The Dartmoor ‘Discovery’ 32 mile Ultra Marathon – 6th June
(viii) Dartmoor National Park Local Development Framework: Development Management and Delivery Development Plan Document. Comments would be discussed in May’s meeting.
070409.16 DATE OF NEXT MEETINGS
Planning meeting - 22nd April – 7.30pm
Annual Parish Meeting – 29th April – 7.30pm
Annual General Meeting – 5th May – 8.00pm
Matters not requiring discussion and placed into the folder for circulation and perusal by Councillors.
(Please ensure that you have informed the Clerk if any need attention at the next Parish Council meeting).
(i) Devon Talk – Spring 2009
(ii) DAPC Newsletter – March/April 2009
(iii) South Hams magazine – Spring 2009
(iv) Village Green – March 2009
(v) RD & Express
(vi) DCC leaflets (Drainage, Council contacts)
(vii) Senior Council for Devon – Issue 2
(viii) LCR (March 2009)
(ix) The Flyer
(x) Town and Parish Standard
(xi) SHDC – Agenda & Minutes of the Council and its Bodies
Before closing the meeting, Cllr Simpson invited Cllr Pennington to speak. He introduced Cllr Basil Cane, leader of SHDC who thanked all councillors for their commitment and all that they do for their community.
Cllr Pennington made further comment about Local Government Review.
The meeting closed at 9.55pm.
Cllr Simpson Mrs S Hughes
Chairman Clerk
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