Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
on 1st December 2009
in Holne Village Hall at 8.00pm
The meeting commenced at 8.00pm.
Present: Councillors Simpson (Chairman), Owen (Vice Chairman), Arrowsmith, Irish, Powell and Ross.
In attendance: District Cllr Jones
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
Members of the Public: 1
OPEN FORUM
District Cllr Jones
Cllr Jones reported that he had attended the SHDC Public Spaces Working Group on 4th November. He reported that there had been a reasonably sensible discussion about the rural areas and the help and support that they might need. It was agreed that support should be given by the officers who have the expertise to help rural parishes either developing new ideas or sourcing funding etc.
He has not yet established which Parish Councils have agreed to contribute £100 but intends to find out. If councils are not agreeing to the contribution then it will give him the ammunition to go back to SHDC.
SHDC has ongoing budgeting issues and are now trying to cut costs by sharing services with West Devon Council.
Speaking as a parishioner, Cllr Jones reported on the recent flooding at Wooton, on the road to Stoodley, where his car became stuck in 12-15 inches of flood water. The road is incapable of dealing with such levels of recent rainwater and suggested that DCC be contacted and made aware of the situation. There could be an issue with blocked drains or it was mooted that the resurfacing of the road may have effected its height and the direction of the water flow which is now missing the buddle holes.
011209.01 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr Copus, County Cllr Pennington and Ross Gray.
It was agreed that a letter of condolence would be sent to Cllr Pennington for his recent close family bereavement.
011209.02 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were reminded of their responsibility to continually update their Notice of Registerable Interests and invited to state whether they had a personal or prejudicial interest in any matter to be discussed during this meeting.
None declared.
011209.03 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
Two minor amendments were made to the minutes of the meeting dated 3rd November 2009 after which they were approved by all present and duly signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
011209.04 PLANNING
a. NEW APPLICATIONS/APPEALS RECEIVED
(i) 0502/09 – Leat Cottage, Holne
Replacement double garage
Concerns were voiced about the height of the building which is in excess of the height of the dwelling itself. After discussion, however, Cllr Ross proposed that the Parish Council should not object to the application provided that the garage is not occupied other than for purposes ancillary to the main dwelling and should not be sold as a separate unit of accommodation. This was put to the vote where 3 were in favour, 2 were against and 1 abstained.
b. DECISIONS
(i) 0490/09 - 4 The Village, Holne
Replacement front door
Granted conditionally.
c. PLANNING MEETING
The clerk advised members that a planning meeting would be required to consider a recently received application at Gallant Le Bower Farm. A date was set for 8th December at 7.00pm in Holne Village Hall.
011209.05 FINANCE
(i) There were no cheques for payment.
(ii) Account balances:
Current – £1,454.94
Reserve - £3,539.23
(iii) The clerk reported that she had received a letter from the Village Hall Management Committee in response to the Parish Council’s request for assistance in funding repayments of the Public Works Loan. The letter sought more information about the loan which the clerk will provide. The clerk was also asked to seek clarification as to the meaning of the third paragraph which read ‘We also take this opportunity to remind the Holne Parish Council that the Holne Village Hall Management Committee is a registered charity and as such abides by the rules of the Charity Deed.’
011209.06 MAINTENANCE OF BENCHES & LAND AT BEARWOOD
The clerk reported that SHDC has no record of owning these benches. The responsibility of maintenance therefore rests with the Parish Council. After discussion, it was agreed to source quotations for repairs to the benches, wood treatment of both and cutting the grass which immediately surrounds the bench at Bearwood.
011209.07 PLAYPARK REPORT
It was confirmed that SHDC had not yet responded to the Parish Council’s letter in respect of the Play Area Audit 2008. The clerk agreed to chase this up. Confirmation had been received from SHDC, however, that according to the Heads of Agreement the District Council’s works in respect of this play area include only the specified items of equipment, safety surfacing and grass cutting. This means that the hedge overhanging the swings is the responsibility of the Parish Council. It was agreed, therefore, that quotations would be sought for the work.
Cllr Powell reported that the committee is still awaiting an update from the play design companies. Cllr Ross suggested that a meeting was required with the Holne Church Charity Trustees in the New Year to discuss the future responsibility of the play area. She suggested that there may be benefits in stopping renting it from HCCT and passing it back to them. As a registered charity, it could be easier for them to obtain funding. It was agreed to discuss this further in January. It was also suggested that the other 40 parishes be contacted to establish their stance. A meeting of the Playpark Committee had been arranged for 3rd December at which this would be discussed.
011209.08 HOLNE AND SCORITON HOUSING GROUP REPORT
(i) Cllrs Owen and Arrowsmith had met with another potential Housing Association to investigate options if this project progressed to such a point. Decisions will also need to be made in respect of the Community Land Trust. Scoriton land is yet to be finalised.
(ii) The flyers have been distributed equally amongst members and are ready to be delivered.
(iii) Devon Home Choice - this should not have any effect as one would still need to abide by the Housing Group’s/Parish Council’s criteria. However, Cllr Jones stressed that Local Authority housing lists will disappear when Devon Homes Choice comes into effect. Those on the list will need to re-register with Devon Homes Choice.
011209.09 POTHOLES AND HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE REPORTS AND OTHER HIGHWAYS ISSUES
It was agreed that the clerk would write to DCC about the recent flooding as reported by Cllr Jones in the Open Forum.
011209.10 CLERK’S OR COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS ON MATTERS AUTHORISED BY THE COUNCIL AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS NOT OTHERWISE ON THIS AGENDA
Cllr Arrowsmith explained that David Mudge had supplied the Christmas tree in the last two years and would be happy to do so again. With the pub changing hands, it would be difficult to obtain a contribution to the cost of the tree although they were happy to supply the electricity. It was agreed that Cllr Arrowsmith would source a new set of heavy duty lights and the Parish Council would pay for the tree.
011209.11 CHAIRMAN’S URGENT BUSINESS FOR ACTION BY THE CLERK IF COVERED BY DELEGATED POWERS OR FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA OF THE NEXT MEETING
None.
011209.12 CORRESPONDENCE
No other correspondence.
011209.13 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was confirmed that the date of the next meeting will be Tuesday 5th January 2010 at 8.00pm in Holne Village Hall.
Matters not requiring discussion and placed into the folder for circulation and perusal by Councillors included:
(Please ensure that you have informed the Clerk if any need attention at the next Parish Council meeting).
(i) Open Door – newsletter for Tor Homes residents
(ii) Empowering Communities in Devon – Conference report
(iii) Vanguard Review of Development Management Service
(iv) SHDC - Minutes of the Executive Meeting – 8th October
(v) SHDC - Agenda and Minutes of the Council – 29th October
(vi) Aspirant Foundation Trust Consultation
The meeting closed at 9.40pm.
Cllr Gill Simpson, Chairman
Suzanna Hughes, Clerk
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