Holcombe Rogus Parish Council FebruaryMinutes 2018
HOLCOMBE ROGUS PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of
February Meeting
Held in the King George V Memorial Hall on Thursday 22nd February 2018at 7.30pm
APPROVED
2.1 / Present:Councillors: Stephen Hasell ( Chairman), Sheila Muir, Nikki Orchard,Rupert Snook,Adam Pilgrim, John Butler , Pete Davies and Dave Authers
District Councillor: Heather Bainbridge
County Councillor Ray Radford
Leslie Findlay (Clerk/RFO) / ACTION
TO BE TAKEN
Apologies:Councillor Katie Smith and District Councillor Christine Collis
2.2 / Declaration of Interests:
Cllr Hasell declared a personal interest in item 2.5.1.4.
2.3
2.3.1
2.3.1.1
2.3.1.2
2.3.1.3 / Minutes of Previous Meetings and Matters arising
The Minutes were amended and signed as a true and correct record and unanimously approved by all Councillors.
Matters arising:
Post Office update.
On behalf of HRPC, Cllr Butler has sent a letter to the management of the Post Office in response to the local public consultation currently being undertaken by Post Office Ltd, as the Council considers Post Office Ltd has not acted openly and fairly, or in accordance with its own Code of Practice.
Cllr Radford (DCC) and Cllr Bainbridge (MDDC) were requested to respond to Post Office Ltd in support of HRPC. Our MP Neil Parish has also written to the Chief Executive of the Post Office.
A formal vote of thanks was given to Cllr Butler for the tremendous effort he has made to try to save the HR Post Office with its extended opening hours. It was very much appreciated and now the Post Office must have an increased footfall to prove that the extended hours are required. The Council also very much appreciated the valuable help provided by Cllr Pilgrim, Sally Barker (Editor of the Parish Magazine) and Louise Webber of Hockworthy.
Village Hall update
It would appear the Charity Commission had not appreciated the situation of the Trust as their response to the email sent by Cllr Butler was a standard reply which did not apply in this instance. Cllr Butler has responded to the Commission explaining the Trust currently do not have any legitimate Trustees and is awaiting a further response.
Defibrillator update
Cllr Snook has purchased a light to go above the cabinet in order that it is illuminated at night. Cllr Orchard informed the Council that the cabinet door had become jammed and would not open. The authorities have been informed that this defibrillator is out of commission and a new door is being purchased by the Village Hall. / RR
HB
2.4
2.4.1
2.4.2
2.4.3 / Highways
Work carried out:
Cllr Snook reported that neither the drain on the Wiseburrow road or the potholes at Knowle Farm have been repaired. Cllr Radford agreed to take this up with Highways.
The blocked drain near Orchard Bungalow is also waiting for a jetter.
Repairs to be reported:
Cllr Muir reported that a drain at the top of South Street has become blocked and Cllr Davis reported the blocked drain in a field next to the Ford road which is causing the road to flood when it rains. Clerk to report and copy to Cllr Radford.
Weed Spraying
The following quote was received from MG Groundcare and discussed by Councillors.
Quote 1 - Weed spraying from pound Hill up to the court.
- To spray the pavement road edge and wall/building edge from where the pavement begins at Holcombe Barton to the Court to stop weeds growing on pavement.
- This will be sprayed twice a year when necessary.
- The price is per spray application and will be invoiced after each visit.
Quote 2 - Strim weeds along stream at the bottom of South street.
- To strim vegetation along the stream at the bottom of South street as discussed.
- This will be cut 4 times a year.
- The price is per cut and invoiced after each cut.
The two quotes were accepted with the change to only have 3 cuts on the second quote. Clerk to inform Mr Gabriel. / RR
LF
LF
2.5
2.5.1
2.5.1.1
2.5.1.2
2.5.1.3
2.5.1.4
2.5.2
2.5.3 / Planning
The following applications were discussed:
18/00211/HOUSE Erection of first floor extension above garage/utility room and erection of single storey to south elevation at Riley’s House. Councillors had no objections to this application.
18/00089/FULL Erection of an agricultural storage building at Steepholding, Greenham Reach.The documents pertaining to this application had not been posted on the MDDC website so Councillors have delegated Cllr Butler to respond on their behalf, once the documents have been viewed.
To confirm the response to: DCC/4007/2017 Additional information regarding Section 73 application to vary the approved working scheme to extract an additional 600,000 tonnes at Westleigh Quarry. Cllrs Hasell, Butler and Pilgrim had attended the Planning Meeting at Burlescombe which was attended by Clive Tompkins representing Aggregate Industries. Councillors were in agreement that this application should be refused in order to enable the ROMP application to be proceed... If, the current application were to be approved it is understood that this would mean that the opportunity to change the current planning conditions would be lost for a further 15 years. Councillors agreed that Cllrs Butler and Pilgrim should settle the response of the Council to DCC.
17/01900/FULL Conversion of redundant piggery/store to dwelling and double garage at Ridgeway Farm. Councillors had no objections to this application on the basis that it is in accordance with current planning policies. It was requested that conditions should be imposed to ensure appropriate materials are used which are sympathetic to surroundings in the Conservation Area.
MDDC Decisions:
17/00628/FULL Erection of a 1kW wind turbine with a maximum blade tip of 9.8m at Elder Farm Greenham Reach – granted full planning permission with conditions
Appeals
17/01279/FULL Removal of condition 2 of planning permission 09/01028/FULL pertaining to removal of agricultural building within 3 years of cessation of use at land North of Wardmoor Appeal reference APP/Y1138/W/17/3190935. Cllr to check that the Inspector has a copy of the Council’s letter of objection to the grant of planning permission. / JHB
JHB
AP
2.6
2.6.1
2.6.1.1
2.6.1.2
2.6.1.3
2.6.2
2.6.3
2.6.4 / Clerk/Finance
Councillors approved the following expenditure:
DALC New Councillors Course (Cllr Smith ) £30
MG Groundcare £130 for weed spraying
MG Groundcare £135 for strimming in South Street.
Groundcare will invoice after each application which the Clerk was given authority to pay by BACS.
Councillors voted unanimously to support the TAP Fund application from Burlescombe Primary School for a sensory path in the School grounds. Clerk to inform Richard Webber.
Removal and addition of Signatories on the account
It was resolved that;
The authorised signatories in the current mandate, for the Holcombe Rogus Parish Council accounts are to be amended as follows:
Removal of Signatories – Stephen Hasell and Sheila Muir
Addition of Signatories – Katie Smith, Rupert Snook and Adam Pilgrim
The appropriate forms were signed by two existing signatories John Butler and Pete Davies.
Clerk Wages
Councillors discussed increasing the wages of the Parish Clerk and approved the wages to be increased to £2,200 for the next financial year. / LF
AP
RS
KS
2.6.5 / Police Report
There were no incidents reported in February.
2.6
2.6.1
2.6.2 / Environment
Canal Report
The GWAC will meet on Tuesday 6th March. The recent reconstruction of the stone wall at Tiverton Basin and new children’s play area will be formally opened on 11th April.
Footpaths.
The request for a grant has been submitted. / ALL
2.6.3 / Correspondence
All correspondence had been circulated to all Councillors
2.6.4
2.6.4.1
2.6.4.2
2.6.4.3
2.6.4.4 / Matters brought forward for information or future agenda.
There will be a consultation on the 10th May at the Community Hall, Burlescombe to discuss the possibility of re-routing the HGV lorries from the Quarry through Longwood Lane. Councillors are strongly encouraged to attend. It is very important that the Community make their views known as this will form the basis for the report.
Cllr Butler raised concerns that it is difficult to communicate with all the residents in the Parish to keep them informed of developments within the Parish. A group email was suggested or possibly using the village website more.
Play Area Clerk to enquire who has taken on the responsibility of the Play Areas within MDDC as the issue of a contract has not been resolved.
Cllr Bainbridge informed Cllrs that the Council tax will increase by 2.998% in MDDC and Cllr Radford confirmed that DCC have increased their Council tax by 2.9%. / ALL
LF
There being no further business the meeting closed at 8.45hrs. The next Council Meeting will beon Thursday22nd March 2018at 7.30pm.
Stephen Hasell
Chairman
Holcombe Rogus Parish Council
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