Holne Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
on 6th April 2010
in Holne Village Hall at 8.00pm
The meeting commenced at 8.00pm.
Present: Councillors Simpson (Chairman), Owen (Vice Chairman), Arrowsmith, Irish and Powell.
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
Members of the Public: 3
OPEN FORUM
The Chairman reminded members of the public that if they were unable to hear what was being discussed my members they should alert the Chairman by raising their hand. It was also explained that seating for members of the public had been brought further forward to assist with hearing what councillors were discussing.
Bridgette Mills
Raised a query about the dog sign at Playpark questioning whether it was different to the sign which was approved at a previous meeting. Councillors confirmed that it was the same sign. She also asked for an explanation as to the difference between ‘social housing’ and ‘affordable housing’ and what Holne was expecting to have. It was thought that principle for both is the same. It is generally considered that social housing is an umbrella term referring to rental housing which may be owned and managed by the state, by not-for-profit organisations, or by a combination of the two, usually with the aim of providing affordable housing. Either way, it is housing for those who can’t afford to buy their own home.
Ross Gray
Our tree warden reported, with regret, that one of the experimental areas of scrub has been deliberately burnt and the protected tags have now gone. Ross expressed his disgust as a lot of work had gone into this area and hopes that the other areas are left untouched.
060410.01 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
- Cllr Ross
- Cllr Copus
- County Cllr Pennington
- District Cllr Jones
060410.02 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members are reminded of their responsibility to continually update their Notice of Registerable Interests and invited to state whether they have a personal or prejudicial interest in any matter to be discussed during this meeting.
Cllr Arrowsmith declared an interest in item 060410.10 (i).
060410.03 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting dated 2nd March 2010 were approved by all present and duly signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
060410.04 PLANNING
(i) New application 0138/10 – Extension to side and rear of dwelling – Darryn Bank, Holne
No objections were raised.
(ii) Decision 0052/10 – Alterations to the roof to make a flat roof into a pitched tiled
roof – Middle Leat, Holne
Granted conditionally
(iii) The Chairman reported that Chris France has left the DNPA and has now moved to Yorkshire. For the moment, he is not being replaced.
060410.05 FINANCE
(i) The following payments were agreed:
- Cheque no 566 - £574.39 to the Public Works Loans Board.
- Cheque no 567 - £27.41 to the clerk (stamps, stationery and Model Standing Orders Part I).
- Cheque no 568 - £20.00 - Hire of Village Hall - Jan, Feb & March
- Cheque no 569 - £82.25 – R Wrayford - Cutting and clearing of hedge in playpark
- Cheque no 570 - £35.00 – DPFA Membership fees 2010/11
- Following Keith Evans’ decision to stand down from undertaking the internal audit, it was suggested that the Parish Council use Ken Abraham who specialises in auditing Parish Council accounts. The fee would be £44. After discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Irish and seconded by Cllr Own with all in agreement that he would audit this year’s accounts and a further discussion about longer-term arrangements would take place at a future meeting of the Parish Council.
- The year end bank reconciliation was noted. The clerk advised members that a more detailed finance report would be given at the Annual Parish Meeting.
060410.06 ANNUAL PARISH MEETING
It was confirmed that the Annual Parish Meeting would take place on Wednesday 28th April at 7.30pm and would be attended by Liam Reading, Housing Manager, SHDC. The chairman advised that Sue Hitchcock, Rural Housing Enabler, CCD has also agreed to attend as a second speaker if members were in agreement. This was confirmed as a good idea. The clerk also to invite representatives from community groups to give a short report about their activities.
Cllr Arrowsmith suggested that the speakers concentrate on the hard work of the Housing Group for the last 3 years and a comparison with what the whole of the country is going through. There should also be time for questions and answers.
060410.07 HOLNE VILLAGE FETE
Members agreed to the request of the Fete Committee to use Playpark as the site for this event to be held on Saturday 14th August.
060410.08 MAINTENANCE OF BENCHES
The clerk was still awaiting one more quote. In the meantime, the clerk would make enquiries about grants for repairs/replacement. Cllr Arrowsmith reminded members that there was also the bench on the Village Green which should also considered along with those at Greendown and Bearwood.
060410.09 PLAYPARK
(i) Insurance, Inspection and Maintenance Agreements – Heads of Terms
Cllr Powell referred to the agreement sent by SHDC which required Council’s agreement. Members agreed that the following amendments are made:
Paragraph 1 - Ownership
The Hexworthy Road Play Area is owned by Holne Church Charity Trust (and not Holne Parish Council as stated in the agreement).
Paragraph 4 - Repairs
The Parish Council would like to be contacted about repairs estimated at more than £20 prior to those repairs being carried out. It therefore proposes that paragraph 4 (2) is deleted. Paragraph 3 (which will become paragraph 2) should therefore read:
‘Contact Holne Parish Council where repairs are estimated at more than £20 and seek instruction from Holne Parish Council as to what action should be taken’.
Cllr Powell also considered that the Parish Council should check its insurance to ensure that it is covered should anyone fall into the leat. This was agreed.
- A meeting with some of the Trustees of Holne Church Charity Trust has now been arranged and will take place on Tuesday 13th April at 7.30pm in the Village Hall. Cllr Powell ran through the proposed agenda and invited comments. Cllr Arrowsmith suggested that the Trustees are asked about funding and how they can explore avenues for funding.
(iii) Cllr Owen reported that the leat at Church Park/Playpark is leaking although it is difficult to pin point exactly where it is leaking as it is under the hedge. It is therefore difficult to establish responsibility. It was agreed that the Playpark Committee would look at it to establish where it is leaking.
060410.10 HOLNE AND SCORITON HOUSING GROUP REPORT
(i) The Chairman reported that the working party had proposed that an approach is made to two housing associations, Hastoe and South Devon Rural, to work with them to secure affordable housing for the communities of Holne and Buckfastleigh West. They had agreed not to go down the Community Land Trust route. The proposal is to approach the two housing associations to start formal discussions to secure affordable housing for the communities. They will meet with both and then make a final decision. Members agreed although felt that it would be most appropriate to meet on the same evening if possible. It was agreed that the Chairman would liaise with the Housing Group suggesting 27th April as the date for the meeting.
(ii) As agreed above, it was agreed to invite Sue Hitchcock, Rural Housing Enabler, CCD, to join Liam Reading for the Annual Parish Meeting.
060410.11 POTHOLES AND HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE REPORTS AND OTHER HIGHWAYS ISSUES
No particular issues were raised. The Chairman had received an email from highways about potholes. It was also reported that all necessary patching will be done and resurfacing is scheduled.
060410.12 CLERK’S OR COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS ON MATTERS AUTHORISED BY THE COUNCIL AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS NOT OTHERWISE ON THIS AGENDA
The Chairman reported that she had visited the owner of 1 The Village and the hedge has now been
trimmed.
060410.13 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.
060410.14 CORRESPONDENCE
(i) SHDC – Executive Forward Plan – details to be circulated
060410.15 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
- Annual Parish Meeting – 28th April at 7.30pm
- Annual General Meeting – 4th May at 8.00pm
Finally, before closing the meeting, the Chairman thanked Cllr Powell for everything she had done whilst sitting on the Parish Council and is glad that she has agreed to continue on the Playpark Committee.
Matters not requiring discussion and placed into the folder for circulation and perusal by Councillors and included:
- RD & Express - March 2010
- SHDC – Agenda and Minutes of the Council – 25th March
- South Hams Society Bulletin - March 2010
- Devon Talk – Spring 2010
- SHDC – Minutes of the Executive Meeting – 4th March 2010
- South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty – 50th Anniversary Photo Competition
- Energy Saving Trust – Green Communities
- Duty of Regard – England’s statutory landscape designations
- DAPC Newsletter – March/April 2010
- Village Green – March 2010
Part 2
(In accordance with LGA 1972, members of the press and public are excluded from this item)
The clerk was not in attendance for Part 2.
1. CLERK’S SALARY REVIEW
It was agreed that the clerk’s salary would be raised by one spinal column point to SCP 20. It was also agreed that due to the clerk’s increased workload of writing the article for the Parish Magazine and updating the website, the number of hours per month for which she is paid will increase to 14.5 hours. This to be reviewed in 6 months.
2. COMMUNICATION
The Chairman confirmed the legal position in terms of email communication.
Cllr Gill Simpson Suzanna Hughes
Chairman Clerk
[ Back ]