Holne Parish Council
Minutes of the Annual General Meeting
on 4th May 2010
in Holne Village Hall at 8.00pm
The meeting commenced at 8.00pm.
Present: Councillors Simpson (Chairman), Owen (Vice Chairman), Arrowsmith, Copus (arrived at 8.30pm), Irish and Ross.
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
Members of the Public: 4
OPEN FORUM
Mike Mudge
Spoke about the poor condition of the road from the corner of Ridge Cross to Shuttleford.
A general discussion ensued about the general road conditions in the parish. Cllr Irish commented that nothing has been done about the hump back bridge at Mitchelcombe despite numerous complaints to DCC. Cllr Arrowsmith asked about Holne Cross and Cllr Owen advised that it has been done but it has all lifted again.
All highways matters were referred to Cllr Pennington for urgent attention.
Cllr Pennington
DCC budget for 2010/11 has increased by 1.89% - the lowest increase in 30 years.
County Highways budget is £62.8million – an increase of £3.9million on last year. DCC Highways Superintendents are now carrying out programmed safety inspections across the entire road and footway network over the next 6 months and orders for repairs of safety defects are to be carried out by South West Highways. Pothole repair gangs will scout the network on a rolling programme two weeks in advance of safety inspections. A further Government grant of £3.63 million for road and repairs has been made. Brian George, Chief Area Highways Officer South, has reported that because highway budgets have been underfunded for 20 years, bitumen begins to oxidise and becomes ‘friable’ which then causes problems when repairing potholes.
Following the Annual Parish Meeting, Cllr Pennington advised that he has reported that the cattle grid needs replacing and is awaiting a reply.
He has also requested two grit bins for the road up to the cattle grid – one at Bearwood at the bottom of the hill and one at the top near the cattle grid. The Chairman requested that one is also needed outside Dodbrook.
Other budget details - £250,000 support for flood prevention, £20,000 further support for CAB.
Maggie Arden
When the roads are resurfaced, can consideration be given to the horses. The surface can be very slippery. Highways can use a special tarmac which is more ‘horse-friendly’. This was noted by County Cllr Pennington.
040510.01 ELECTION OF OFFICERS AND DELEGATES
Chairman
Cllr Owen proposed Cllr Simpson. This was seconded by Cllr Ross with all in agreement.
Cllr Simpson agreed to accept the office but wished members to be aware that her holidays would take precedence. All were happy with this.
Vice-chairman
Cllr Simpson proposed Cllr Owen. This was seconded by Cllr Irish with all in agreement.
Planning Committee
Cllr Owen, Cllr Irish and Cllr Ross with Cllrs Simpson and Arrowsmith happy to step in where necessary.
Finance Committee
Cllr Ross and Cllr Irish with possibly another member to become involved.
Affordable Housing
Cllr Simpson, Cllr Ross, Cllr Arrowsmith and Cllr Owen
Playpark Committee
Cllr Owen and Cllr Ross (for the meantime).
Village Hall Management Committee
Cllr Simpson
Cllr Arrowsmith asked how the Committee was made up. The current committee (although the AGM is next week) is: Mike Barkas (Chair) no Vice-Chair, Keith Evans (book-keeper), Gill Simpson (Secretary), Yvonne Jefferson (Honorary Secretary), Margie Powell (Booking Secretary) plus members.
Tree Wardens
Ross Gray and Ru Roberts.
040510.02 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
- Ross Gray
- Cllr Jones
- Cllr Copus hoped to arrive later in the meeting.
040510.03 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST
Members were 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 9.
040510.04 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
A minor amendment was made to the minutes of the meeting dated 6th April 2010 after which they were approved by all present and duly signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
Cllr Copus arrived at 8.30pm.
040510.05 PLANNING
(i) New application 0175/10 – Two-storey side extension and single storey rear extension
4 Bakers Park, Holne
Cllr Owen proposed that members should support the application. This was agreed by majority.
(ii) Decisions None to report.
040510.06 FINANCE
(i) The following payments were agreed:
- £11.20 - Clerk’s expenses (additional mileage)
- £38.00 - Hire of Village Hall - April and May
- The accounts for year ending March 2010 were agreed and sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Return were both agreed and signed.
- The clerk indicated to the council that Commercial Legal Expenses had been automatically added to this year’s insurance policy at a cost of £21.00. Whilst this is optional, after discussion, it was agreed that the insurance with Community First would be renewed to include the Commercial Legal Expenses element. The total cost for renewal is therefore £244.77.
- The first instalment of the precept less the DALC subscription (£54.21) - £ 2,585.79 – was noted.
040510.07 CASUAL VACANCY
The Chairman advised members that there had been one application to fill the casual vacancy. Details had been circulated to members prior to the meeting. The application from Maggie Arden was accepted and it was agreed that she would be co-opted onto the Council from the date of the next meeting on 1st June.
040510.08 PLAYPARK
Update from the working party, which included:
- Report on meeting with HCCT
Cllr Owen reported that the Committee had had a good meeting with HCCT about the change in SHDC’s management of its play areas. HCCT were very supportive of their thoughts and as a result, various action points have been agreed. These include looking at costs and looking at the possibility of an independent trust making it eligible for other funds or including it within the remit of the Village Hall Management Committee. The Playpark Committee will be attending the VHMC meeting on 12th May to put that forward as a proposal. It was agreed that the clerk would write to the secretary to formalise this request.
HCCT are also going to make their own enquiries about matters such as the cost of maintenance, the number of children living in the village and the lease.
Cllr Owen concluded that it was a productive meeting.
Cllr Arrowsmith advised that the Playpark rent is due in June.
- Insurance, Inspection and Maintenance Agreements – Heads of Terms
The clerk advised that despite chasing SHDC for a revised copy of the Heads of Terms, nothing yet has been received from SHDC. There was therefore nothing to sign.
040510.09 HOLNE AND SCORITON HOUSING GROUP REPORT
- The Chairman reported that the Housing Group had met with Hastoe Housing Association and South Devon Rural Housing Association. As yet the group have not been able to make a decision about who to work with and are seeking further advice from Phil Markham, Liam Reading and Sue Hitchcock.
Cllr Arrowsmith urged that a decision be made as soon as possible so that the project can move forward and therefore suggested that the group met as soon as possible so that answers to any outstanding issues/questions could be provided.
Cllr Simpson emphasised that everyone is working very hard and the group is now close to making a decision.
040510.10 POTHOLES AND HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE REPORTS AND OTHER HIGHWAYS ISSUES
Highways issues had been addressed at the start of the meeting during the open forum.
Cllr Copus expressed his hope that the two top roads will be surface dressed. It was confirmed that they would be.
040510.11 CLERK’S OR COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS ON MATTERS AUTHORISED BY THE COUNCIL AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS NOT OTHERWISE ON THIS AGENDA
None.
040510.12 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.
040510.13 CORRESPONDENCE
The Clerk notified councillors of relevant correspondence received during the month not otherwise dealt with above, which included:
- South Hams Local Development Framework – Consultation on Development Plan Documents
This would be circulated and comments made next month.
(ii) DNPA Forum – Friday 28th May at 2.15pm (Meeting Room, Parke) – this was noted.
040510.13 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
It was confirmed that the date of the next meeting will be Tuesday 1st June 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
- Kompan Playgrounds catalogue
- Dartmoor Access Forum – Annual Report 2009
- Open Door – The newsletter for Tor Homes residents
Cllr Gill Simpson Suzanna Hughes
Chairman Clerk
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