DRAFT MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING
ON 2nd JUNE 2009
IN HOLNE VILLAGE HALL AT 8.00pm
The meeting commenced at 8.00pm.
Present: Councillors Simpson (Chairman), Owen (Vice Chairman), Arrowsmith, Copus (arrived at 8.15pm), Irish, Powell and Ross.
In attendance: Jonathan Stones, Cllr Jones (arrived at 9.00pm)
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
Members of the Public: 1 parishioner present
OPEN FORUM
Jonathan Stones – DNPA Ranger
Following the annual parish meeting, Jonathan wished to address issues of concern for councillors, including:-
(i) Attendance at meetings – Jonathan explained that he was responsible for 5 parishes and was contracted to attend a minimum of one Parish Council meeting (for each council) per year. This would increase if any parishes had any particular concerns which required a more frequent presence. Councillors have his business card so that they can contact him directly.
(ii) Presence in the village – Jonathan reported that he regularly visits the village (on average three times a week)
frequenting the village shop most times.
(iii) Holne Moor - tries to visit once a day, twice at weekends although this will change when path trimming commences in July. Is regularly dealing with campers on Holne Moor and supplied the council with leaflets and maps outlining where camping was permissible. It is prohibited across Holne Moor.
(iv) Patrols – Jonathan outlined his area of coverage and the routes that he often takes. He explained that in previous years there would also have been seasonal coverage, thus doubling the number of patrols, however, this is now not the case.
(v) Litter clearance– this is an ongoing issue particular around Spitchwick. Have been educating school leavers about litter and respect for the environment etc.
(vi) Parking and traffic – a difficult issue as it is no longer police matters. Now the responsibility of local council enforcement teams (unless the parking is causing an obstruction).
(vii) Public rights of way – Watery Lane is notoriously difficult. Cumberstone Path – ongoing issues particularly with the gradient, vegetation, erosion etc making it very difficult. There is no timetable for this as yet. Cllrs Ross and Arrowsmith both expressed their disappointment about this.
Cllr Simpson thanked Jonathan for coming and stressed the importance of communication with each other.
Jonathan’s contact numbers are - 01822 890414 or 07711 104547
Bridgette Mills
Wished to applaud the playpark committee for their plans for tidying up and improving the area. However, she doubted that the barbecue and picnic area would be an area which would be used by parishioners. In response, the playpark committee confirmed that no ideas have been finalized – the committee are currently trying to seek the views of the village and will take on board everyone’s opinions, including Bridgette’s.
Colin Jones
Cllr Jones reported that a new chairman of SHDC had been elected at the recent AGM. Cllr Basil Cane has now been replaced by Cllr Melvin Stone.
He also referred to the results of a survey recently conducted by SHDC relating to public satisfaction with SHDC. Overall the feedback was more positive than negative. The survey also looked at whether SHDC offered good value for money and again feedback was more positive than negative Cllr Jones also reported on a recent place survey which identified areas of importance when defining a ‘good place to live’. Most important was health services followed by the level of crime, affordable housing, access to nature and public transport.
020609.01 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
None received. Apologies received for Cllr Jones’ late arrival.
020609.02 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
None declared.
020609.03 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES – 5 MAY (AGM) & 19 MAY (PLANNING)
One minor amendment to the minutes of 5 May after which both sets were approved and signed as true records of the meetings
020609.04 PLANNING
a. NEW APPLCATIONS/APPEALS RECEIVED
None
b. DECISIONS
(i) Holne Chase Hotel – Grant conditionally.
(ii) Hill Top – Grant conditionally.
020609.05 FINANCE
(i) Lesley Smith had advised that the premium for early repayment could not be avoided and unfortunately it was a condition that was originally agreed to when the loan was taken out. Cllr Ross reported that she had looked more closely at the figures and unless the Parish Council could obtain a loan at 0% interest, there would be no advantage in transferring the loan elsewhere.
(ii) It was agreed that the chairman could purchase paper and ink for Parish Council use and that a chairman’s allowance would be discussed at the next meeting.
(iii) Payment of £11.20 to clerk for additional mileage was agreed.
(iv) Payment of £65.96 to Pluss for the dog sign was agreed.
(v) Payment of 28.00 for the hire of the village hall was agreed.
(vi) The monthly bank reconciliation was noted.
020609.06 PLAYPARK REPORT
Cllr Powell reported that the signs identifying the committee’s plans for playpark have been published for public comment after which a meeting would be scheduled to discuss their views.
Ross Gray had reported to the committee that children have damaged the hedge at playpark (whilst playing) and it was agreed that the situation would be monitored.
020609.07 HOLNE AND SCORITON HOUSING GROUP REPORT
Cllr Simpson reported that a meeting was held on 27 May at which they discussed the possible sites. At the meeting they confirmed the site at playpark/Little Bewdon in Holne as a firm option. Two further sites are being looked at in Scoriton and a site which has been looked at previously was also being further investigated although its locations could not yet be revealed. Presentations to the public will take place all day on 4 August in Holne Village Hall and display boards will go to the fete on the following Saturday and then on to the Scoriton Flower show, giving as many people as possible the option to comment. It has been agreed that the group would apply to Cllr Jones for a sum of money from his locality fund to help with cost of the presentations.
020609.08 POTHOLES AND HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE REPORTS AND OTHER HIGHWAYS ISSUES
Clerk to chase response from previous correspondence sent.
020609.09 DOG FOULING
SHDC has supplied the clerk with leaflets, posters and stickers which were given to Cllr Arrowsmith to distribute.
020609.10 CLERK’S OR COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS ON MATTERS AUTHORISED BY THE COUNCIL AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS NOT OTHERWISE ON THIS AGENDA
(i) Parishioner’s request for street lights
Cllr Simpson reported that she had spoken to a parishioner who had requested that a street light be put up outside the village hall. As this wouldn’t be an option, Cllr Simpson offered to escort her to a meeting they would be both regularly attending and suggested that we should help other elderly people in the same way where we can.
(ii) Change of membership of committees
It was decided that it was likely that Cllr Powell would have a regular conflict of interests in local planning issues and it was therefore agreed that she would be replaced on the planning committee by Cllr Ross who would come off the village hall committee.
(iii) Annual Parish Meeting follow-up – report from Sue Goodfellow
a. Holne Moor trees marked by Ross Grey - Principal Ecologist, Norman Baldock is aware of these areas and they are marked on a map. Obviously Ross will be protecting the area through the Commoners association.
b. Holne Town Gutter outside the Church House Inn – Sue has spoken to Tony Halse, Head of Conservation Work Service, who will scope the work in the next few weeks to see what would be involved in terms of time, materials, etc. It is likely to be quite a substantial job and the DNPA would be looking to work in partnership with the Parish Council including a financial contribution. Sue will forward the outcome to the Parish Council for a view on its priority. The proposed Conservation Area status for Holne is also a factor to consider.
c. DNPA Ranger Service – Sue has spoken to Jon Stones and read Holne Parish Council's response to our Ranger Review. Jon will contact the Parish Council shortly to discuss how we can jointly develop existing links. He would also be happy to attend a future Parish Council meeting so that you can look together at how the significant pressures in the Dart Valley can be addressed, particularly in the summer months.
Cllr Arrowsmith asked whether councillors were happy with Jon Stones’ response. With the exception of Cllr Ross, they were. It was agreed that Cllr Ross would take up her concerns with Jonathan Stones directly.
(iv) Publication of the minutes
Cllr Simpson has spoken to Annette in the shop who is happy to publicise the minutes and agenda in the shop.
020609.11 CHAIRMAN’S URGENT BUSINESS FOR ACTION BY THE CLERK IF COVERED BY DELEGATED POWERS OR FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA OF THE NEXT MEETING
(i) Cllr Ross reported that she had attended the DNPA forum – very interesting and well worth attending.
(ii) Cllr Powell – has received a quote for framing the OS parish map. It was agreed to discuss this at the next meeting.
020609.12 CORRESPONDENCE
(i) Meeting the funding challenge event – Cllr Simpson and Cllr Ross to attend on 17th June in
Ivybridge.
(v) DPFA Annual Conference – 2nd July – date noted.
(vi) Local Development Framework – comments to be discussed next month
(vii) Shoreline Management meeting on 5th June – nobody wished to attend.
020609.13 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
The date of the next meeting is Tuesday 7th July 2009.
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) SHDC – Agenda & Minutes of the Council – 14th May
(ii) SHDC - Executive Forward Plan
(iii) Dartmoor National Park Forum Bulletin – May 2009
(iv) Dartmoor National Park Authority Business Plan 2009/10
(v) DNPA – Minutes & Agendas
(vi) SHDC magazine – Summer 2009
(vii) South Devon & Dartmoor CDRP Newsletter – Spring 2009
The meeting closed at 9.40pm.
Cllr Gill Simpson Suzanna Hughes
Chairman Clerk
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