Holne Parish Council
Draft minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
on 2nd February 2010
in Holne Village Hall at 8.00pm
The meeting commenced at 8.00pm.
Present: Councillors Simpson (Chairman), Owen (Vice Chairman), Arrowsmith, Copus, Irish and Ross.
In attendance: District Cllr Jones
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
Members of the Public: 5
OPEN FORUM
Colin Jones
Apologised for his late arrival due to his attendance at Rattery’s Parish Council meeting. He also apologised on behalf of Cllr Pennington who was also attending Rattery Parish Council. Cllr Pennington wished to thank the Parish Council for its letter of condolence for his recent loss. He would also like the Parish Council to give him feedback about the recent performance of the Highways department in respect of the bad weather etc. If needed, he is able to get additional gritting bins installed – the Parish Council just needs to tell him where and how many. It was agreed that they are needed in Michelcombe but painted green not yellow.
Cllr Jones reported that the Local Government Review consultation period has now closed with the Boundary Committee recommending a Unitary Devon. The decision now lies with the Secretary of State.
SHDC need to make savings of £800,000 to meet its budget. The fear is that if budgets are cut, can services be maintained.
In terms of local issues, Cllr Jones reported that he had liaised with SHDC in order to bring the recycling collection forward a couple of days following the severe weather which had prevented the lorries coming to the village.
He will be attending a Public Spaces working group at which he hopes to find out more about what is happening with the play areas. He will also request details of those councils taking up the offer of SHDC in respect of the new maintenance arrangements and will report further at the next meeting.
Keith Evans
Sought confirmation of the Housing Group members. The Chairman confirmed these as Liz Ross, Belinda Owen, Paul Arrowsmith, Gill Simpson, Sue Colwill, Mike Bonney, Colin Jones and Gill Gray.
Michael French
Reported a problem at Michelcombe with a derelict trailer which he considers an eyesore. It is parked on the junction as you go up to Lane Head on the bridleway. He said that he mentioned it to the DNPA Ranger some months ago but not sure if anyone has come to look at it. Cllr Ross suggested that the clerk write to DNPA. This was agreed.
Mr French also commented about the lack of salt in Michelcombe during the bad weather in December and January. The clerk confirmed that DCC had acknowledged receipt of the letter sent last month and apologised for the delay in responding and confirming that the matter was still being investigated. The Chairman asked whether he would favour a salt bin. He agreed that salt and/or grit was needed in Michelcombe.
Derek Mottershaw
Supported the need for grit bins. Cllr Arrowsmith reported that the DNPA are not keen on them as they can be used as litter bins or by ponies and after a while the salt goes off and is therefore ineffective.
Cllr Copus questioned why the parish had not received grey bags this year.
The Chairman made reference to a meeting she has had with Gerry King in the past and whilst we have spoken to them regularly about these ongoing issues it often comes down to finance. The Chairman reported that she and Gill Gray are currently trying to arrange a further meeting with Highways.
Mr Mottershaw continued to report that he has lived in the parish for 12 months but was unaware of the activities of the Housing Group. In particular, he was concerned that he had not received either a Housing Group flyer or a Playpark flyer which were distributed before Christmas. He wished to register his antipathy towards affordable housing which he considers inappropriate for a small village which has no infrastructure to cope with additional housing. The Chairman responded that there will be set criteria should the project go ahead and they will be very much for local people.
He also commented that the website was not up to date. The clerk referred him to a telephone conversation she had had with him the previous evening explaining why this was so.
He questioned why dogs are prohibited from the play area. The Chairman explained that the Parish Council has the lease of the playpark and it took the decision to exclude dogs for health and safety reasons as the whole area is used by children. However, the playpark committee is looking at the possibility of creating an area for dog walking. The Chairman also explained to Mr Mottershaw the district council’s proposed new arrangements in terms of management of the play area.
Mr Mottershaw noticed that a PCSO officer had been invited to the meeting but had not attended. He commented that he rarely saw any police representation in the village. The Chairman confirmed that whilst not attending each meeting, police representation is made at meetings proportionate to the level of crime in Holne - which is low.
Julia Biddell
Asked why is Holne the only village in the area that excludes dogs. Whilst not relevant to the decision taken by the Parish Council, the Chairman confirmed that there are a number of villages where dogs are excluded. The Parish Council wants the children to be safe and encourage use of the area. Whist the decision is not enforceable, the Parish Council encourages people to respect the decision of the council for the benefit of the children in the parish.
Cllr Arrowsmith commented that the decision to prohibit dogs from playpark was not a unanimous one. However, there is evidence that some dog owners are not responsible as dog faeces can be found on the green, in the cemetery and in playpark. He emphasised that if anyone sees a dog making a mess they should speak to the owner.
Ru Roberts
Firstly, commented that she had the utmost respect for the decisions of the Parish Council.
She reported that she had done a more detailed map of the leats including Holne Town Gutter. She noted that all parts of the village have been catered for by the leats. At the first barrification, would the Parish Council consider clearing the part of the leat going through the Wilde’s property. Cllr Owen replied that it was already in hand.
020210.01 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
Apologies were received from Cllr Powell, Cllr Pennington and Ross Gray. Cllr Jones sent his apologies that he would be arriving later due to his attendance at Rattery Parish Council.
020210.02 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.
020210.03 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting dated 5th January 2010 were approved by all present and duly signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
020210.04 PLANNING - Decisions
- 0444/09 and 0445/09 – Long Barn, Ingletts Farmhouse, Holne
Granted, subject to conditions.
(ii) 0542/09 – Gallant Le Bower Farm, Holne
Granted, subject to conditions.
020210.05 FINANCE
Account balances were noted:
Current account - £1164.54
Reserve account – £3539.54
020210.06 WINTER MAINTENANCE OF LEATS
The Chairman wanted to take this opportunity to remind all parishioners of their responsibility to keep their leats clear.
Cllr Owen bumped into Holne’s DNPA Ranger Jon Stones who suggested that the Parish Council makes a note of all the leats and buddle holes of the parish so that everyone know about their individual responsibility to ensure they are cleared. It was suggested that the clerk should contact Highways and ask for a copy of their buddle hole map.
Members also sought confirmation about the role of the lengthsman. The Chairman confirmed that when he went off sick, there was a temporary lengthsman who upon speaking with him about a flooding issue at Langaford, responded that he could not go and sort it out as he didn’t have any Wellington boots. The flood then cleared but it is believed that this was done by Frank Niering. Members asked the clerk to write to Highways to find out why Holne is not getting the service it is entitled to and that its lengthsman should be appropriately dressed.
020210.07 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
It was agreed that the Annual Parish Meeting would be held on Wednesday 28th April subject to the availability of the Village Hall. The Chairman asked members to give consideration to a possible speaker.
020210.08 BENCHES AND OTHER VILLAGE MAINTENANCE
Having sought three quotations for work to the benches and the hedge at playpark, one quotation has been returned. Cllr Ross urged that the hedge be trimmed as soon as possible to make the area safe and has obtained a competitive quote for the work. Cllr Owen proposed that the council go with the quote, this was seconded by Cllr Irish with all in agreement.
The clerk would continue to chase the outstanding quotations for the benches. Depending on those quotations, consideration may also be given to replacement benches.
020210.09 PLAYPARK
Update from the working party, to include:
(i) Response to letter from Holne Church Charity Trustees
Members were disappointed with the response from the Trustees which declined an offer to meet to discuss the future arrangements of play park. It was agreed that the response, drafted by the Playpark Committee, be sent to Rev’d Cooper copying in the other trustees.
- Future management of play park and views of other parish councils
The clerk had received some responses from other Parish and Town Councils in the district which had been forwarded to members. It was agreed that the responses were encouraging and the Parish Council will await SHDC’s next step.
It was agreed that in the longer term it would be beneficial to secure, with representatives from other councils, ‘deals’ for insurance and maintenance etc.
Cllr Ross urged that it is still important that the Playpark Committee meets with the Holne Church Charity Trustees.
Cllr Owen asked about procedure for letters being sent out. It was confirmed that an officer of the council can be delegated to send out letters (i.e. the clerk) but that letters drafted by committees of the council should be approved by the Parish Council before sending.
020210.10 HOLNE AND SCORITON HOUSING GROUP REPORT
- To receive update report
Nothing to update.
(ii) Response to Keith Evans’ letter re flyer
A response has been drafted by Colin Jones. The Chairman proposes that it is sent, with all in agreement.
(iii) Response to comments by Steve Kent
The Chairman reminded members that Steve Kent spoke in the public forum at the last meeting disputing 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. Cllr Copus researched the point and found that the Rural Housing Trust sets out clearly the conditions for exception sites. This confirms the Parish Council’s belief that Little Bewden can be counted as an exception site. The Chairman proposed that a letter is sent to Mr Kent to confirm the points with Cllr Arrowsmith suggesting that he contact the DNPA who are experts in this field to verify these points. This was agreed.
020210.11 POTHOLES AND HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE REPORTS AND OTHER HIGHWAYS ISSUES
Cllr Owen expressed concern about the overgrown hedge at 1 The Village. It was agreed that the clerk should contact the owner.
Concern was also expressed about a car (red, Toyota Landcruiser) parked on the road close to the junction approaching Holne from Ashburton opposite Church House Inn. It was agreed that the clerk contact the PCSO.
020210.12 CLERK’S OR COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS ON MATTERS AUTHORISED BY THE COUNCIL AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS NOT OTHERWISE ON THIS AGENDA
Due to the weather, Cllrs Ross and Simpson did not attend the budget meeting at SHDC.
Cllr Arrowsmith reported that he was progressing the home grown/allotment project with the Community Council of Devon.
Cllr Ross proposed that the council send a letter of thanks to Justin and Steve at the Church House Inn for supplying the electricity for the Christmas tree lights.
Cllr Arrowsmith also reminded members that he had a bill for the lights and was awaiting an invoice for the tree itself.
020210.13 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.
020210.14 CORRESPONDENCE
Clerk to notify councillors of relevant correspondence received during the month not otherwise dealt with above, to include:
(i) DNPA – Annual Parish Council Conference – Parke, 10 February 2010 – no members wished to attend.
(ii) Wren – The Dartmoor Folk Map Project - Members agreed to support the project in principle but felt that the council would be unable to offer funding.
- Nominations for Royal Garden Party - the Chairman would be on holiday and no other interest to attend was expressed.
(iv) Mobile Library Service survey – members agreed that the biggest problem was lack of promotion.
020210.15 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was confirmed that the next meeting will be held on Tuesday 2nd March 2010 at 8.00pm in Holne Village Hall.
Matters not requiring discussion and placed into the folder for circulation and perusal by Councillors and will include:
(Please ensure that you have informed the Clerk if any need attention at the next Parish Council meeting).
- SHDC – Minutes of the Executive meeting , 25th January 2010
- Senior Council for Devon - Everyone’s Tomorrow – January 2010
- DAPC Newsletter – Jan/Feb 2010
The meeting closed at 9.50pm.
Cllr Gill Simpson Suzanna Hughes
Chairman Clerk
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