Parish Council AGM minutes 18 May 2004

These minutes are published for information purposes only, and are not an official record of the meeting.

Present:

Apologies:
Received from Cllrs Green and Wood

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting of the Barton Stacey Parish Council held on Tuesday 18th May 2004 at 7.00 p.m.

1. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Cllr Lovell took the Chair for the period of Chairman’s election. Cllr Mrs Prideaux proposed Cllr Mrs Merison. There was no seconder. Cllr Lovell asked for any other nomination but none was forthcoming. He then called for a vote for Cllr Mrs Merison, with one vote for and on which Cllrs Glenister, Hearn, Lovell, Rippon and Sherwood abstained from voting. Cllr Mrs Merison agreed to take the Chair for the rest of the meeting and the following Parish Council meeting, but stated she could not continue in office in light of obvious lack of confidence and announced her decision to resign after the proceedings concluded.

2. ELECTION OF VICE CHAIRMAN

Cllr Mrs Merison proposed Cllr Lovell, he was seconded by Cllr Sherwood and elected on a vote of 5 in favour and 1 abstention.

3. MINUTES OF PREVIOUS AGM

Minutes of the meeting held Tuesday 8th May 2003 and approved and signed 20th June 2003 were considered. Following discussion and comment from the Clerk that it was not usual practice, it was agreed as in the previous year that the minutes of the current meeting would be approved at the Council Meeting on June 15th 2004.

4. APPOINTMENT OF PANELS/COMMITTEES

On discussion regarding the Strategy Panel, it was noted that that on election it had been proposed that it was for a period of two years which would expire in 2005.

Individual Councillor’s responsibilities were as already agreed.

In addition Cllr Mrs Merison proposed Cllr A Prideaux should continue to have responsibility for Newton Stacey in absence of a representative from that area. This was seconded by Cllr Lovell and agreed unanimously. Following discussion on a Planning Sub-Committee Cllr Lovell agreed to draft brief Terms of Reference to be put forward at the June Parish Council meeting, on adoption of which volunteers would be asked to serve on that committee.

It was proposed by Cllr Lovell land seconded by Cllr Prideaux that Mr Dennis Dewey be asked to continue as Tree Warden and Mr Terry Dewey to continue with Transport Liaison.

5. CHARITIES REPORT

It was agreed to accept the Charities Report as presented by Mr Dennis Dewey at the Annual Parish Meeting held April 20th 2004.

6. POLICE REPORT

The Chairman welcomed Sgt Ian Ashbolt , and asked him to make his report. offering a thank you for all the work which the police have done in the area in the past twelve months

He stated that due to reorganisation there was a new boss in charge of the area, based at Eastleigh, Supt Ann Wakefield, but that there would be no change locally. He was still based at Stockbridge Police Station and Sian Newland was based in Barton Stacey. Traffic patrols would operate as before and back-up was available from Andover if needed. He reminded the meeting that general contact with the police, including himself, should be through 0845 045 4545 number.-

Crime figures had altered little, with 29 reported in period 1 April 2002/2003 and 30 in period 1 April 2003/2004 of which 5 were at Barton Stacey Garage, all of which were detected and cleared. There were a couple of burglaries in Roberts Road, including a car which turned up in Reading, a burglary in Bransbury, undetected to date, some incidents at the local pub and at Kings Elms. Neighbourhood Watch in the area did not operate at its full potential, but that with four police officers did live in the village. The area he was reporting on covered Barton Stacey, Bransbury, Newton Stacey and out to Cocum, and the figures were low compared to 300 reported crimes in Stockbridge area over the same period.

He reminded those present that the Solstice was coming soon and that plans were well in hand to avoid any problems at that time. He mentioned the travellers who had arrived and camped on MOD Land just off the A303, details had been passed to MOD Police who took immediate action and serving notices on Monday a.m. and turning up in force next morning to ensure they left. The horrendous mess which had been left had been cleared by the MOD.

He offered his congratulation on formation of the Youth Council, highlighting funds which could be available to them from police sources and offered to advise on completion of an application. He also reported on funding which had been granted to the police totalling £500 to buy battery powered burglar alarms for sheds and outhouses, which would be fitted free by the Neighbourhood Watch to premises owned by elderly residents.

He closed his report by mentioning the speeding in the village, stating that this was an issue the police will address as traffic calming measures do not appear to have worked. The Chairman repeated her thanks to Sgt Ashbolt and the Stockbridge team.

7. TREE WARDENS REPORT

Mr Dennis Dewey gave a comprehensive summary of the work which had been carried out in the village over the past 25 years, with up to 100 trees planted of which 90% were maturing well. He went on to detail the planting which had occurred and noted that there was very little damage from vandalism, and that in the main trees throughout the village were healthy and maturing well.

He concluded by offering his resignation as Tree Warden, after many years he felt that someone should take over this post. The Chairman noted her appreciation of his management of the trees in the parish, noting that he will be difficult to replace.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 19.40 p.m.