RIVER YEALM & DISTRICT ASSOCIATION

Registered Charity No 262929.

 

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

HELD ON Wednesday 9th April 2008

At the Village Hall, Noss Mayo.

 

The Chair was taken by the Chairman, Robin Hogg.

 

1.                 Apologies for absence.

 

Jeremy Spooner                    Jean Ellis                Mel Ellis Suzanne Sparrow

Sally Spooner                       John Crawford      Anne Crawford     Cynthia Tarrant

Jill Richardson                      Jenny Powlett       Christopher Powlett.

 

 

2.             Minutes of the 2007 Annual General Meeting held on Wednesday 11th April 2007.

 

The Chairman reminded the meeting that the last AGM had been dominated by the issue of Affordable Housing and the new Village Directory..

 

The Minutes were taken as read and signed by the Chairman

 

3.             The Chairman’s address.

 

The Chairman did not wish to repeat the contents of the 2008 RYDA Newsletter, sent out with the Agenda, though this Newsletter would be attached to these Minutes as a matter of record.

 

He then made a series of points:-

 

*              The New Village Directory.              The present Editor, Christopher Powlett, wishes to relinquish his responsibility for the “Blue Book” and deserves our thanks for a job well done. A member of the RYDA Committee, Eric Rodmell, is happy to take on this work and an announcement to this effect will appear in the Parish Magazine.

 

*              Affordable Housing.            The Chairman reviewed progress made since the last AGM.

 

                All those potential sites identified by the Community Housing group are still “notionally” in play. In summary:-

 

Briar Hill Farm.   The owner of the Site has been in discussions with the SHDC, Midas Homes and others. The RYDA would wait for a formal planning application to come forward before consulting with the membership as to what action, if any, to take.

Newton Downs.    This might become a Rural Exception Site (RES) of some 10 –15 Affordable Homes (Social Housing) incorporating an environmentally neutral sewage system and other advances. It was hoped that the SHDC would now offer their support for this project.

The Fairway.        There was a possibility that a modest proposal for a small group of mixed  housing might come forward in due course.

Other Sites.           No progress thus far.

 

*              Planning Matters.               The Chairman then went on to make some general points:-

 

The Way the RYDA Operates.            The Committee reviews all Planning Applications that come in and tries to support local individuals and other groups where our general aims as an Association require. Where there are major contentious issues; The Boundary Commission Proposals, Affordable Housing etc we publish “Draft Documents” on the RYDA Web Page and on the Notice Boards. We welcome any contributions to the debate but take action within 7 days on your behalf.

 

We have recently supported letters criticising the SHDC for allowing “over-sized Buildings to replace modest dwellings” in the Parish and are currently opposing two inappropriate planning applications at Bridgend. The RYDA letter of opposition to these proposals was shown to those attending the AGM.

 

The Chairman reminded the meeting that each letter counts as only “one opinion” at the SHDC. This would apply to any round-robin letter with many signatures. It was, therefore, very important that anyone with views on any planning application should write in personally to make their view count. This could now be done electronically by visiting the excellent South Hams District Council website at www.southhams.gov.uk and going to “Planning (search for applications)”.  By inserting the Planning Application Number, an address or a Post Code, all the details of the application can be seen. There is also space for your opinion to be submitted on line.

 

*              The Local Development Framework. (LDF)   This is now being rolled out across the South Hams, indeed, the SHDC is further advanced in this process than any other Devon District Council. The Chairman rehearsed some Key Points:-

               

The LDF in 2004 “Allocated” 25 dwellings for Newton & Noss. Any of the sites  selected would be for “Mixed Housing”.

 

Newton Downs would be a Rural Exception Site (RES). RES’s are exempt from the Right-To-Buy legislation and would, therefore, be 100% Affordable Housing.

 

There seemed to be general agreement around the community that we all want a rolling programme of “small groups of mixed housing”, since these are easier to integrate, better for the Landlord and help pay for development. The “Affordable Housing Element” would need to be covered by some sort of “in perpetuity covenant” to guarantee their status for the future. It might be that a Community Land Trust could be created to handle any such build.

 

Unfortunately, the “Housing Needs Survey” conducted some years ago is now “Time Expired” and will have to be redone. This will be the opportunity for everyone to have their say.

 

The Chairman went on to make the point that, unless those looking for Affordable Housing were on the SHDC Housing Register, they would not be allocated to any such housing that came up. He exhorted the audience to make sure that any such people known to them should be encouraged to make the necessary application. This was particularly important for those born and brought up in the Parish, since they would have priority for any local social housing built in this Parish.               

 

·                     Sherford New Community.                A film on the Sherford New Community was to be the main focus of the AGM and the Chairman expressed his gratitude to Rebecca Sturge, the REDTREE Project Officer and Stephen Munday, the Head of Planning and Development Control at the SHDC, for coming to the AGM to answer any questions that came up.

 

*              The Village Post Office.    Roger Hallett briefed the AGM on the current situation. Post Office Ltd’s decision would be announced on 19th May and would be followed by a short period of “Consultation”. Once the outcome was known, the RYDA and other groups would have to be prepared to defend our local interests. In the meantime, an analysis of the retail side of the business was being undertaken to see how we could further improve non-post office services.

 

·                     The Rural Spatial Strategy for the South West.           The Examination in Public (EIP) had completed in 2007 and the interim Inspector’s report had made a number of recommendations, most notably the addition of another 800 houses to be built in the South Hams. There will be a further opportunity for comment in July and we can expect a decision in the New Year of 2009.

 

*              The Local Government Review.        The RYDA Web Page, the Notice Boards and all those present had a draft letter to the Government’s Boundary Committee in answer to proposals to look at new Local Government arrangements for Devon. It was agreed that the Chairman could go forward with this letter on 10th April to meet the very short deadline set for comment.

 

·                     The Harbour Clean-Up.      Chris Bradley outlined plans for this annual event on Saturday 19th April.  This year it was coinciding with large national campaigns on litter and beach clearance.

 

*              Benches at Noss Green.     The Chairman reminded those present that the 5 benches were now in position at Noss Green and were a very popular addition to the village.

 

4.             Adoption of the Accounts.  The Chairman reminded the audience that they had all had an opportunity to scrutinize  the accounts which had been circulated with the Agenda. He asked whether anyone had any questions for the Treasurer, Mr Alan Lomax. There being no questions, the accounts were duly adopted with an appreciation for all the work undertaken by Alan Lomax.

 

Proposed by Mr Mike Steward.

Seconded by Mr Colin Drew

 

5.             Appointment of an Honorary Auditor.             The Honorary Auditor, Mr John Wilson, had kindly agreed to continue in this position for the years 2008-2009. His appointment was warmly welcomed and approved.

 

6.             The Election of Officers and Committee Members.     

 

The Chairman then reminded those present of the “three year-rule” that applied to all Chairman of the RYDA. He was, therefore, stepping down. The committee had proposed that His Honour Judge William Taylor should be recommended for the post. In accepting, he did so on condition that Robin Hogg would remain on as Honorary Secretary for a year, an arrangement he was delighted to agree to.

 

The Chairman then moved to have the new committee elected en bloc, a proposal that was accepted unanimously.

 

Chairman                                                               Bill Taylor

Hon Secretary                                                       Robin Hogg

                Treasurer & Membership Secretary                  Alan Lomax

                                Members                                                               Christopher Bradley

                                                                                                                Rod Carter

                                                                                                                Eric Rodmell

                                                                                                                Kate Wood

 

Robin Hogg, in introducing Bill Taylor as the new Chairman elect, also paid tribute to the whole committee, without whose support the work of the RYDA could never be effective.           

                               

7.             Any Other Business.          Mr Roger Hallett, himself a previous Chairman of the RYDA, paid tribute to the Chairman’s time in post.               

 

8.             Date of the next Annual General Meeting.                     The Chairman announced that the choice of a suitable date in April 2009 would be left until nearer the time.

 

Following a short break there were two Presentations:

 

*              Brookings Down Wood.     Christopher Woodd-Walker spoke of the year’s progress and made the following points:-

 

·                     The finances of the Brookings Down Wood Trust, of which the RYDA is Head Lessee, were in a very healthy state.

·                     The wood itself was in a very satisfactory condition and about to be full of bluebells and red campion. All were invited to have a look around over the next few weeks.

·                     There was a programme of general maintenance and some minor replanting in hand.

 

*             Film & Discussion of the Sherford New Community.  A short film, made by the Developers REDTREE to explain how the new community would look, opened the discussion that followed.     Rebecca Sturge (REDTREE) and Stephen Munday (SHDC) took the floor and answered a very wide-ranging set of questions from the audience.          All agreed that this had been a most worthwhile event .

 

Following a round of thanks and generous applause and there being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9,40pm

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robin Hogg, Chairman.