Draft Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
on 5th January 2010 2009
in Holne Village Hall at 8.00pm
The meeting commenced at 8.00pm.
Present: Councillors Simpson (Chairman), Owen (Vice Chairman), Arrowsmith, Copus, Powell and Ross.
In attendance: District Cllr Jones
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
Members of the Public: 6
OPEN FORUM
District Cllr Jones
Reported that the Boundary Committee has persisted in its misguided and unsubstantiated view that a Devon unitary authority would work so has recommended this to the government which has given people until the 19th January to express their views on this final recommendation before taking a decision.
As the recent letter from SHDC to all town and parish council points out, the Boundary Committee is making some huge and dangerous assumptions, for example, that the financial model predicting savings is sound (despite its spectacular inaccuracy in forecasting what’s now happening in Cornwall), that the proposal has a broad cross-section of support (despite all the consultation evidence to the contrary) and the suggested Community Boards will actually solve the problem of most communities feeling too remote and powerless to influence the huge new authority (despite no evidence of such structures achieving this anywhere else in the country where smaller county unitary authorities have been created and district councils swept away).
All in all, it’s a poorly argued and shoddy piece of work proposing a huge and very expensive gamble on the basis of very little evidence or support. Although his gut feeling it that government will shelve the proposal simply because we are so near a general election, politics is a strange business and it would be dangerous to assume that will happen and that we can just not bother to submit our views this time around. For those who share his view, he encourages people to write to the government and tell them so and why before 19th January.
Turning to SHDC budget 2010-11, still in the melting pot but difficult decisions and times ahead, a rise in the Council tax and some changes/reductions in services provided is inevitable. By February, he will be able to tell us much more but he promises to fight for fair treatment of the rural parishes such as Holne.
Cllr Jones reported that he is continuing his battle relating to the new arrangements proposed by SHDC for the management of the play areas and will be attending an Open Spaces Forum to discuss the proposals.
Bridgette Mills
Concerns have been raised about large boulders which have been placed on the grass verge adjacent to the Vickery’s property to stop lorries from driving on the grass. One of the boulders has been hit by a vehicle. If they are to stay, could they be painted white so that they are more visible. Cllr Owen reported that the boulders had always been there (they belong to the Vickerys) and they were moved to protect the bank as people were driving on it to avoid parked cars on the other side of the road. Cllr Simpson suggested that the situation is monitored.
Mike Cunniam
Following the distribution of the affordable homes flyer, Mr Cunniam made plea for more openness re the affordable housing project. Cllr Arrowsmith objected to this stating that the Affordable Housing Group had been an open as it could feasibly be. Cllr Simpson clarified that everyone who had an appreciable piece of land had been written to. The Housing Group then followed it up with those who expressed an interest. The Group walked the village with DNPA and, with their help, assessed the land and decided whether it was suitable. There was a public consultation in August displaying Little Bewden and Playpark so that the public could look at and discuss the sites. Cllr Simpson also stressed that the Group also had to respect the confidentiality of the landowners. Cllr Powell reminded members of the public that anybody is welcome to attend the meetings of the Affordable Housing Group.
Keith Evans
Respects the work that the committee has done and continues to do but there should be regular involvement with the public and more communication. When Little Bewden was established as the preferred site, members of the public adjacent to the site were not contacted. Cllr Simpson reported that this was still a possible site but there was still a lot of work to do before the Group can proceed further with the project.
Mr Kent
Disputed that Little Bewden was the DNPA’s preferred site. Chris France had written to him stating that the preferred site was Playpark. He summarised the content of this letter and the criteria for a preferred site. He also discussed the criteria for an exception site stating that in his opinion Little Bewden is not an exception site. This was challenged by Cllr Copus who stressed that the law was different for social and affordable housing. He also highlighted that Holne did not had a village envelope and therefore the exception site rule did not apply. This was disputed by Mr Kent.
Ru Roberts
Thanked the Parish Council for the work they have done in respect of their efforts to clear the leats. The leat running through the village is still deliberately blocked at the Wright’s. At the first barification, the owners Mr & Mrs Wild are elderly and disabled and unable to clear the leat themselves. Ru still intends to help them in this respect but hasn’t done so yet. However, efforts have been made to clear the leat running through the churchyard and upon doing so a drain cover was unblocked allowing the water to start flowing freely again. Ru suggested that the Parish Council thanked those who had helped namely Jim Powell, Margie Powell, Rev’d Corynne Cooper and Carol Harper.
050110.01 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr Irish.
050110.02 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.
050110.03 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
One minor amendment was made to the minutes of the meeting dated 1st December 2009 after which they were approved by all present and duly signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
The minutes of the Planning meeting held on 8th December 2009 were approved by all present and duly signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
050110.04 PLANNING
a. Applications
Catkin Cottage
To confirm Parish Council’s view following amendments to plans relating to the position of the sky light.
Cllr Simpson explained that she and the clerk had received a telephone call from the planning officer at DNPA who is dealing with this application asking if the Parish Council had any objections to this application since amendments had been made in February. The clerk notified the officer that when the Parish Council considered the amendment in February, its view remained unchanged. The officer explained that he had no objections to the application as the skylight no longer overlooked neighbouring properties, however as the Parish Council had objected to it he would have to refer the application to committee. He admitted that the delay in making a decision had been an oversight on his part and he would respect the decision of the Parish Council once it had considered the facts for a final time. After discussion, the Parish Council agreed that it would like its original objection to stand and let the planning department make the final decision.
b. Decisions
(i) 0502/09 – Leat Cottage, Holne
Replacement double garage.
Granted conditionally.
050110.05 FINANCE
(i) Payment of £16.00 (cheque 565) for the hire of the village hall was agreed.
(ii) The account balances were noted:
Current – £1,307
Reserve - £3,539
As a comparison, the clerk reported that at the same point last year the balances were £774 and £2,631 respectively.
050110.06 SERVING NOTICE OF MEETINGS BY EMAIL
It was resolved that service of notice of meetings and supporting documents could be emailed if councillors so chose. The clerk proposed the following wording to be added to the council’s standing orders:
1. (c) Notice of all meetings of the Council must be given at least three clear working days prior to the meeting, not including the day of publication or the day of the meeting
(d) Notices of such meetings are to be affixed to the various Parish Council notice boards in the Parish and a summons to attend delivered to every Member of the Council. Councillors who have email facilities may receive notice of meetings and agendas by that method if they choose.
This was agreed.
050110.07 STRUCTURAL REVIEW OF DEVON
Councillors had been made aware of the Boundary Committee’s proposal for Devon and its recommendation for unitary status. The Parish Council agreed to write making reference to the comments contained in previous correspondence and expressing surprise and disappointment at how little the opinions of local councils had been taken into account.
050110.08 PLAYPARK REPORT
(i) Management of play area and correspondence from SHDC:
Cllr Powell reported that a response had been received from Alex Whish, SHDC, about the Play Area Audit stating that the parish has to replace the equipment and that SHDC is not going to replace any of it. Cllr Owen suggested that the Playpark Committee meet to discuss its options and present ideas to the Parish Council in February’s meeting.
Whilst expressing her reluctance, Cllr Ross proposed that the Parish Council agrees to pay £100 to SHDC to cover the insurance, inspection and maintenance of playpark for 2010/11. However, it should make no commitment beyond next year until a more detailed analysis of the cost implications had been made. Reluctantly this was agreed.
As the owners of the playpark, it was agreed to write to Holne Church Charity Trust to suggest a meeting to discuss the new proposals.
(ii) Approach of other parish councils:
It was noted that Staverton Parish Council had agreed to pay £100 for 2010/11 but no commitment had been made for the following year as yet. In order to establish the position of the 40 other parishes in the district, it was proposed to send an email to the clerks of those parishes. This was agreed.
(iii) Feedback from flyers:
Two letters and three emails have been received objecting to SHDC’s proposals.
050110.09 HOLNE AND SCORITON HOUSING GROUP REPORT
(i) Cllr Simpson reported that a meeting had taken place on 8th December which was attended by Phil Vogel (Land in Hand Trust), Sue Hitchcock and Phil Markham, DNPA. The Group has been speaking to a Housing Association and Sue Hitchcock will be contacting other Housing Associations to gain information should the housing project proceed further. The Group would also like the clerk to contact Barley Manor Properties and ask for a meeting. The Group received a long report from Phil Vogel about Community Land Trusts and the Group is hoping to visit one in Cornwall to gather further information. The Group have also had a meeting with Debbie Holloway about housing lists and hope to meet again to clarify the position. The Group would also like more involvement from Buckfastleigh West Parish Council and would like the clerk to write to its members accordingly. Phil Markham gave his comments about land sites in Buckfastleigh West. The landowners have been contacted and the Group await their response.
(ii) Feedback from flyers:
Three responses had been received - a detailed letter from Keith Evans along with reports given by Mike Cunniam and Steve Kent during the open forum.
Cllr Ross asked could the Parish Council impress on the Housing Group to be as communicative as possible with parishioners so that they are kept fully informed of the process.
Cllr Simpson asked members how Mr Evans’ letter should be answered. As it required detailed information, Cllr Arrowsmith proposed that the letter be passed to the Housing Group for them to answer to the Parish Council. This was agreed with Cllr Powell adding that all the members of the group should be given the opportunity to comment.
050110.10 POTHOLES AND HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE REPORTS AND OTHER HIGHWAYS ISSUES
The clerk notified members of the closure of Dartmeet Bridge from 1st -5th March with a signed diversion route in place. It was agreed that this would be advertised on the noticeboards, in the Parish Link, on the Holybrook Exchange, in the Buckfastleigh Newsheet and on the website.
Cllr Ross requested that the clerk contact DCC for more grit on the road Michelcombe and up to the quarry. Cllr Arrowsmith also reported that South West Water had also been struggling to access roads and suggested that we mention this within our letter to DCC.
050110.11 CLERK’S OR COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS ON MATTERS AUTHORISED BY THE COUNCIL AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS NOT OTHERWISE ON THIS AGENDA
None.
050110.12 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.
050110.13 CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk to notify councillors of relevant correspondence received during the month not otherwise dealt with above, to include:
(i) Home Grown Community Owned
This is a project which involves the community growing its own produce. Cllr Arrowsmith agreed to look into this as an option for Holne.
(ii) Budget Meeting – SHDC – 14th January 2010
Cllrs Ross and Simpson offered to attend the meeting, weather permitting.
050110.14 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was confirmed that the date of the next meeting will be Tuesday 2nd February 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) South Hams – magazine from SHDC
(ii) Delivering for Dartmoor 2010 – DNPA
(iii) Emergency Planning Advice – DCC
(iv) SHDC - Agenda & Minutes – 17 December 2009
(v) Minutes of the Executive Meeting – 3 December 2009
(vi) LCR – Winter 2009
(vii) Village Green – December 2009
(viii) South Hams Society Bulletin – Dec 2009
The meeting closed at 9.40pm.
Cllr Gill Simpson, Chairman
Suzanna Hughes, Clerk
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