Parish Council minutes 15 February 2005

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

Present:

Minutes of a meeting of Barton Stacey Parish Council held on Tuesday 15th February 2005 at Barton Stacey Village Hall

Affordable housing presentation

At 7.00 p.m. Mr John Lancaster, Rural Housing Enabler, Community Action, spoke to the Parish Council and with aid of DVD outlined the use of Housing Needs Survey, the choice of Housing Association, affordable housing to rent or for shared purchase etc. He noted the Housing Needs Survey carried out in 2003 was still valid, though might benefit from an update; he explained the role of the Parish Council in this matter, in particular in identifying suitable sites that could be classified as Rural Exception Sites which were acceptable to the planners, and in ensuring the support of the local community. At the conclusion Cllr Lovell proposed that this matter should be moved forward, with full support of the Parish Council. Mr Lancaster to ask about a second stage survey and the Parish Council to actively identify likely sites for consideration.

Public Participation

None.

1. APOLOGIES

Cllrs Oliver, Mrs Sherwood and Slaughter.

2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of 18th January 2005 were approved. Proposed Cllr Dewey, seconded Cllr Glenister and agreed unanimously following amendment of Secretary to Clerk in Item 4b.

3. ROLLING ACTION PLAN

Items were discussed as detailed.

During discussion on Item 36 there was an extended discussion on the signs which ask dog owners to please clean up after their pets. Consideration was given, now the Parish Council have the power, as to whether it would be of benefit to put fixed penalties in place for those who did not clear up after their dogs. Cllr Lovell, expressed deep concern that dogs were allowed to walk where children could play, and proposed that the signs in use should be changed to ‘No dogs allowed’. This was voted on and the suggestion defeated by a vote of 5 to one.

4. FINANCE

(a) The monthly financial report was presented. Starting with a balance of £10,990.06 and cheques had been written for Audit Commission (141.00), Parish Plan expenses (379.00) as agreed, and approval was given for Village Hall rental (60.00), Strimmer Man (299.00), Southern Electric (91.20), Test Valley Community Service (20.00), Chubbs Fire Ltd (59.83) A. Wilson (535.27) HAPTC affiliation fees (177.00) plus additional bank charge of 4.50. This left a balance of £9,223.26. The Clerk to write to Strimmer Man in appreciation of work carried out and efforts to be made to find a replacement. Advert on web site, in local shop and village magazine, and quotation sought from Test Valley Garden Care.

(b) Clerk’s invoice was approved.

(c) The setting up of an internet bank account to simplify movement of money from Deposit account to Current account was further debated, with consideration to managing risk. It was agreed that the account should be set up, with the Clerk to access for information and movement of funds between accounts only, copies of monthly bank statements to be passed to Chairman and Cllr Gibson, Cllr Gibson to initial and date statement when seen.

(d) Chairman raised the question of salary review for Clerk. Details to be circulated to members and considered as agenda item at next meeting.

(e) Consideration to Insurance Policy was given, in advance of future renewal. Clerk reported excess payment listed was standard, as was figure noted for loss of non-negotiable money. However, Employers Liability was irrelevant as Clerk was self-employed, and cleaner for village hall covered by Village Hall committee, as was Personal Accident for Employees (Clerk covered under Members listing), and both these would be deleted.

5. COUNCILLOR’S ISSUES

Cllr Mrs Hebden raised the question of Notices posted on RUPPs by Trail Riders Fellowship (Southern) who have applied to have them upgraded to Byways open to all traffic. New future regulations would downgrade these to footpaths to restricted byways, open to horse riders, horse drawn vehicles and walkers only. Trailriders were making application for change to Byways prior to legislation coming into force but in light of the vast number of appeals in hand, it would be a long while before Barton Stacey paths were considered. Parish Council and owners of the land will be notified prior to any action so they can make their views known but decisions would be made on research into historic maps etc.

Cllr Dewey spoke on behalf of residents of Newlands regarding tarmac on the rough road leading to The Drove and asked if the Parish Council would have an objection. There were no objections but residents were advised to speak with HCC Rights of Way Department.

No further issues reported.

6. PAVILION

(a) Cllrs Gibson and Goodall had listed necessary alterations/repairs and were preparing a schedule to go out to tender. Time was short as grant application should be submitted early in March.

(b) Following a brief discussion on Administrative Management of the Pavilion, it was agreed that this should fully considered as an Agenda item for the next meeting

7. PLAYGROUND

(a) The Annual Inspection report had just been received following a number of reminders, carried out by AF Inspections and Safety Ltd on behalf of RSS. The covering letter noted that once more there were problems with gates and that arrangements were in hand for engineers to visit the site and carry out necessary work free of charge. A copy of the report to go to Cllr Oliver for discussion at next meeting

(b) Ongoing inspections were discussed, alternative quotations had been obtained for quarterly and Annual inspection and the Clerk was instructed to write to Zurich Municipal to ensure that new arrangements would meet their requirements.

8. PLANNING

(a) The erection of 2 x 2bedroom flats and 2 x 1 bedroom flats on site of 1 Roman Road (TVN 09115/1) was discussed. Clerk to return to TVBC with comment that this constituted over-development and would set a precedent.

(b) Details of replacement light columns on The Green and Pheasant Close had been circulated to those concerned. Clerk to notify HCC that residents in Pheasant Close would prefer one light column sited adjacent to the footpath.

9. PARISH PLAN

Following discussion it was agreed that the Parish Council and the Parish Plan Committee would meet to evaluate and discuss the findings reported in the Parish Plan Summary. Cllr Goodall to liaise regarding suitable dates.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.00 p.m.

The next Parish Council meeting would be held on Tuesday 15th March, 2005 commencing at 7.30 p.m.