Holne Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
on 1 March 2011
in Holne Village Hall at 8.00pm
The meeting commenced at 8.00pm.
Present: Councillors Simpson (Chairman), Arrowsmith, Copus and Ross.
In attendance: District Cllr Jones, County Cllr Pennington
Clerk: Suzanna Hughes
Members of the Public: 2
OPEN FORUM
District Cllr Jones
The SHDC budget was confirmed as expected. Reorganisation will be going ahead in senior management.
DNPA governance consultation – the discussion was wide-ranging. The DNPA have now produced a document which, in Cllr Jones’ opinion, is a rather conservative response.
Cllr Jones recently attended a training workshop for members on Affordable Housing. It was made clear that our current government’s view is that there should be a lot less public subsidy for Affordable Homes. The only type they want - Affordable Rental model – where rent should be 80% of market value. This will make a fundamental difference on how it is funded, built and afforded.
Concern that this model does not have enough flexibility for local people – will have to go further afield (ie outside the parish) until they can get someone who can pay 80%.
County Cllr Pennington
DCC Budget has now been fixed. There will be no increase in council tax. £58 million has been lost in government grants and therefore savings have had to be made. Redundancies will be taking place. Highways maintenance has been reduced by £8m and the bus support has been considerably reduced. The Education grant has been marginally increased by 0.3%.
Has received a letter from John Flint who is seeking financial assistance for the proposed Community Shop. Cllr Pennington will contact him about his locality budget (£15,000) and– capital budget (£25,000), which is available to all of his parishes to apply for.
After brief discussion, Cllr Pennington agreed to finance two grit bins the village centre. (£600)
He was also informed of potholes through the village main street (Butts Leat to Playcross) and the fallen sign signpost at Holne Chase.
Michael French
Commented about the reduction of the bus service and confirmed that his service has now been reduced to one day a week (Wednesdays).
010311.01 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
- Cllr Arden
010301.02 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.
No declarations.
010311.03 RATIFICATION OF MINUTES
The minutes of the meeting held on 1 February 2011 were approved by all present and duly signed by the Chairman as a true and correct record.
010311.04 PLANNING
a. New applications/amendments/appeals
None
b. Decisions
(i) 0616/10 - Remove existing agricultural barn and replace with smaller domestic wood store at Holne Court Farm, Holne
Granted conditionally.
(ii) 0029/11 - Extension to existing garage at Brackenwood, Holne
Granted conditionally.
- Any other planning issues
For information only, an amended drawing has been received for Catkin Cottage, removing all reference to the additional rooflight.
010311.05 FINANCE
- The following payments were agreed and cheques signed:
- 000603 – Village Hall Management Committee - £12.00
- 000604 – Edwin Tucker & Sons Ltd - £269.90
- HMRC – employment status of clerks:
From 6th April 2011, Parish Councils must register as an employer with HMRC and operate PAYE on the income the clerk earns. The clerk reported that she has been looking into how this can be done. It could be outsourced to an ‘agent’ or the clerk could do it herself. She would continue to look into it and would liaise with the Chairman if necessary.
(iii) The monthly bank reconciliation was noted.
010311.06 VILLAGE BENCHES
(i) The Chairman reported that ‘Hewitt’s’ bench had been seen in the area at the front of the shop. It was unknown why it was there and suggested that it should be relocated back into the village. It was agreed that it should be sited at Playpark and Cllr Arrowsmith agreed to arrange this.
With the surplus funds granted by Cllrs Pennington and Jones, it was suggested and agreed that purchasing and siting a bench at Langaford should be explored with DNPA. The clerk will make enquiries as to whether planning permission would be required.
The clerk was also asked to remind DNPA about repairs to Dot Hills’ bench on Village Green which the DNPA had promised.
- Reallocation of funds received from Cllr Jones/Pennington: It was agreed to keep funds aside for the potential purchase and fixing of the bench at Langaford, as agreed in the previous item.
010311.07 TROUGH AT VILLAGE FARM
The Chairman confirmed that Ugbrooke Environmental Ltd had approved the Parish Council’s request for funding towards the repair to the trough at Village Farm. A sum of £875 was agreed.
010311.08 BETTER BROADBAND PROVISION – FUNDING BY DCLG
Cllr Arrowsmith reported that a parishioner had asked him to brief the Parish Council on funding available to the County Council from Government to improve broadband provision. Devon County Council intends to apply for some of the £530m from BDUK by way of a ‘Local Broadband Plan’ with a probable trade off between speed and coverage. There is soon to be launched a second wave of funding. Cllr Arrowsmith suggested that the clerk contact Keri Denton at DCC to establish the County’s position.
010311.09 COMMUNITY EMERGENCY PLANNING PACK
This had been sent from DCC with a view to encouraging parishes to produce their own
‘Emergency Plans’. Cllr Copus agreed to have a look at it.
010311.10 LOCAL ELECTIONS – MAY 2011
The clerk distributed nomination papers to each of the members present and highlighted that the deadline for submission is Monday 4th April at noon.
010311.11 SALE OF VILLAGE SHOP
The Chairman reported that there is no outside buyer at the moment. A Steering Committee of 12 people has been formed with a view to meeting every 2 weeks. The Committee has formed a constitution and are in the process of forming a business plan and IPS. The Committee will remain in constant contact with the owner.
010311.12 PLAYPARK
There was a meeting last week to agree that there would be a Friends of Playpark charity set up. Cllr Owen will be the Parish Council’s representation.
010311.13 HOLNE AND SCORITON HOUSING GROUP REPORT
Hastoe Housing Association is progressing the planning approval with DNPA for the Little Bewden site. Their main thrust is the financial bid which has to be with the HCA by May. Holne is part of that bid.
010211.14 POTHOLES AND HIGHWAY MAINTENANCE REPORTS AND OTHER HIGHWAYS ISSUES
- DCC Highways have noted issues raised at the last meeting and will action.
(ii) ‘Snowman’s’ report:
Cllr Arrowsmith reported that he had attended a workshop in Totnes about the self-help scheme which DCC are encouraging parishes to be part of. At the meeting, DCC Highways reported that they have simply not got the staff to deal with white outs effectively hence the importance of having a bank of volunteers locally. If volunteers are registered, they will be covered by DCC’s insurance. Cllr Arrowsmith has been given an emergency number and website. It is likely that the parish will be charged for salt - grit bins cost £150 to fill up. Salt is available in 1 tonne bags at £30 per tonne. It was agreed that the Parish Council should ask Cllr Pennington for an additional £200 from his community budget so that 5 tonnes of salt can be purchased for next winter. The clerk will advertise for volunteers in the Parish Link and on the Holybrook Exchange.
010211.15 CLERK’S OR COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS ON MATTERS AUTHORISED BY THE COUNCIL AT PREVIOUS MEETINGS NOT OTHERWISE ON THIS AGENDA
Electricity supply for Christmas tree lights - Cllr Arrowsmtih reported that Holne Church Charity Trustees and the tenants are happy with the proposal. The Chairman advised that the tenants suggested that there ought to be a timer on the system. Cllr Arrowsmith will now obtain three quotations for the work.
010211.16 CHAIRMAN’S URGENT BUSINESS FOR ACTION BY THE CLERK IF COVERED BY DELEGATED POWERS OR FOR INCLUSION ON THE AGENDA OF THE NEXT MEETING
It was agreed to defer discussion about the Community Right to Buy/Challenge consultation until
April’s meeting.
010211.17 CORRESPONDENCE
The clerk notified councillors of relevant correspondence received during the month not otherwise dealt with above, including:
- ‘Making it work locally’ event – 15th March 2011 – date noted.
- DNPA – Draft Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document – consultation – to be put in the circulation folder and added to April’s agenda.
Matters not requiring discussion will be placed into the folder for circulation and perusal by Councillors and will include:
- SHDC – Important changes to Housing Benefit
- DNPA – Delivering for Dartmoor 2011
- DNPA – Agenda/Minutes (including Budget 2011/12)
- DNPA – Development Management Committee
- DALC Newsletter- Mar/April 2011
- Clerk and Councils Direct
- Parish Matters (Came & Company)
- DCC – Social Care for Adults booklet
010211.18 DATE OF NEXT MEETING
- The Annual Parish Meeting will be held on Wednesday 23rd March at 7.30pm in Holne Village Hall
- The next meeting of the Parish Council will be Tuesday 5th April at 8.00pm in Holne Village Hall.
The meeting closed at 9.40pm.
…………………………………………………… ……………………………………………………………
Cllr Gill Simpson Suzanna Hughes
Chairman Clerk
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