Parish Council minutes 17 May 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 17th May 2005 at Barton Stacey Village Hall

Public Participation

Mr Stuart Rippon addressed the meeting over the repairs being made to Bullington Lane, where tarmac was being laid to repair damaged edges of the road. He felt verges should have been reinstated, rather than the present repair which had widened the roadway, would encourage more and faster traffic and would make it dangerous for children who walked that way to school. He had contacted TVBC and had been told that it was not policy to re-instate verges, and asked if arrangements could be made to paint white lines along the widened edge to deter traffic, making a safe area for young people, and if an approach could be made to TVBC to persuade them to change their policy. Cllr Neal did make the observation that it was the responsibility of Hampshire Highways and not TVBC.

1. APOLOGIES

Cllr Slaughter

2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of 19th April 2005 were approved: Proposed Cllr Glenister, seconded Cllr Lovell and agreed unanimously.

3. ROLLING ACTION PLAN

Items were discussed as detailed.

4. FINANCE

The monthly financial report and statement of Income and Expenditure were presented and approved. A cheque for £103 from the Football Club in part payment of treatment of grass together with interest of £32.50 were added to the balance carried forward. Cheques for £206 for grass treatment, and £20 for refreshments at the Annual Parish Meeting had been written, and cheques were required for S Electricity (129.30 and Test Valley Gardencare (463.20).

5. The specification of grasscutting was queried and the clerk was requested to copy details of this to all councillors.

6. COUNCILLORS ISSUES

Cllr Lovell (i) supported the proposal for white lines to be painted on the repaired area of Bullington Lane as a safety measure. This led to the use of posts and granite sets as a means of preventing further damage to property, verges and banks, and the Clerk was asked to contact the Highway Engineer and invite him to meet with parish councillors to discuss the ongoing problems in this area.

(ii) He asked if Cllr Gibson could report on the Village Hall as an agenda item at the next meeting, giving a background to comments made at the Annual Parish meeting.

Cllr Mrs Sherwood (i) raised the question of visiting youth football teams making use of the children’s playground and the damage which arose – following a complain from a parishioner who also was unhappy with the language being used. Cllr Gibson noted the complaint and would follow up.

(ii) Had also received complaints over the noise of Go-carting over two consecutive days at the week end. Apparently it was unusual as it was only allowed on 1 Sunday in the month, and on this occasion there was a North wind which carried the sound to Barton Stacey. Cllr Neal noted the comments and the Clerk was to write to Planning to ask if bunding could be erected in order to lessen the sound.

Cllr Gibson (i) had a copy of the receipt from S. Electric for work carried out on the pavilion which the Clerk required.

(ii) He had spoken to Robert Walker of Test Valley Gardencare regarding the twice monthly grass cutting at the recreation ground and the extra growth following on addition of fertiliser which required an added cut to keep in order. This would cost £60.90. Following discussion Cllr Gibson was to contact Mr Walker to say this was not required. He also reported that substantial damage had been done to the mower being used at Roberts Road when it hit a hidden angle iron sunk into the ground in the field behind the school.

(iii) He asked if additional wheelie bins could be ordered for the recreation ground to help keep clean and tidy – these would be placed at the Pavilion on collections days. Cllr Glenister to pass contact name at TVBC to the Clerk.

(iv) Les Goddard maintained the pavilion and kept the recreation ground clean and tidy and had asked if the Parish Council would issue a letter authorising his presence there. The Councillors did not think that they could issue such a letter at this point and Cllr Gibson will speak to Sgt Ashbolt in light of the present restriction imposed upon Les.

(v) It was reported that the Electric Inspection had been successfully carried out at the Pavilion at a cost of £100 plus VAT. It was decided that this should be entered into the Income and Expenditure as a separate budget item.

7. AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Mr Lancaster, Rural Housing Enabler has looked at the recommended sites, was writing an assessment to pass on to Planning at TVBC and would also contact the Land Agent at MOD to make initial enquiries. It was requested that Councillors should also receive a copy of his assessment.

8. PAVILION

A second quotation for roof repair at the Pavilion had been obtained but as yet only one quotation was available for internal repairs/alterations and more were being sought. The Clerk passed around details of metal buildings which could be erected on own concrete base and then adapted. If this was of interest for the future, then what repairs were necessary at this time? Cllr Lovell stated that he did not feel disabled access was necessary, even with the firework display and summer ball being held on the recreation ground. It was agreed that this was an occasion when a Strategy Group be formed to look into the options of future use, and necessary repairs, to be reported back to the Parish Council at the next meeting.. Appointees were Cllrs Gibson, Goodall, Lovell and Mrs Sherwood.

9. VILLAGE HALL

One quotation had been obtained for external painting and a second had been promised. Cllr Gibson to follow up. On receipt, a quorum to meet to select best quote which would be passed to the Clerk asap for submission for a grant, along with accepted quotation for pvc.

10. PLAYGROUND

(a) Cllr Goodall reported on prices of various ready made notice boards averaging around £500 which was deemed too expensive. He would pursue local carpenters to ascertain cost of making and supplying. Also Clerk to price a signwritten board for the Playground, advising users to go to the shop to report problems with equipment.

(b) A quarterly inspection report had been received from RSS and was passed to Cllr Oliver to study. The Council considered prices of annual and quarterly inspections, including one from Digley Associates based at Everleigh who currently undertake inspection at Thruxton and offer an annual inspection with written report and photos at £45 and a quarterly inspection with written report but NO photos at £25. Clerk to approach Thruxton for comments, and then pass details of company to Cllr Oliver to speak with them further.

11. PLANNING

Nothing to report.

12. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

The new style was considered a success, a greater number of attendees had been attracted and views exchanged, and it should be built on in the future.

It was noted that following discussion, Cllr Woodall had suggested that the County Highways Engineer should visit the village to advise on possible was of stopping speeding and this was awaited. Cllr Glenister volunteered to write to the Parish Magazine highlighting two issue which had arisen, speeding and dog fouling, asking that those who see offences being committed should report them. This offer was accepted with thanks.

13. CHAIRMAN’S INITIATIVES AND CORRESPONDENCE

(The Clerk had received a requested quotation for dragon’s teeth to be inserted at The Green, Roberts Road for £750 plus VAT. It was noted that these were not required to be set in concrete and Cllr Goodall to enquire if this was included in the quotation and to seek an alternative.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.45 p.m.

The next Parish Council meeting would be held on Tuesday 21st June, 2005 commencing at 7.30 p.m.