Parish Council minutes 21 June 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 21st June 2005 at Barton Stacey Village Hall

Public Participation

Mr Peter Woods addressed the Parish Council regarding the state of Footpath No 19 from Difford to Bransbury which was overgrown and also expressing concern over the ongoing use of barbed wire over gates adjacent to footpaths and alongside the paths.

1. APOLOGIES

Cllrs Lovell, Neal and Oliver.

2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting and the meeting of 17th May 2005 were both approved: Proposed Cllr Glenister, seconded Cllr Gibson and agreed unanimously.

3. ROLLING ACTION PLAN

Items were discussed as detailed.

4. FINANCE

(a) The monthly financial report and statement of Income and Expenditure to date were presented and approved. A contribution of £262 had been received following the Garden Walk in the village, to be spent on work in the village, together with monthly bank interest of £41.81. A cheque for £117.50 covering the annual inspection of electricity installation at the pavilion had been written, and cheques were due for 117.50 for playground inspection to RSS Ltd, 463.20 to Test Valley Gardencare for grass cutting and 363.65 to the clerk for two months remuneration and expenses. Having started with a balance of £13,980.33, this left the sum of £13,222.29 as at today’s date.

A thank you letter to be send to Mrs Prideaux in acknowledgement of the donation from the Garden Walk which is to be used for village projects.

(b) The Question of Insurance renewal was discussed and the question of insurance of car park railings was raised. The Clerk to enquire if the figure quoted was for repair and replacement and if so to have this sum removed from the insurance, presuming that any accident attributable to the railings would be covered by Public Liability. Unanimously agreed that the insurance should be renewed following amendment if relevant.

5. PAVILION

The sub-committee to consider the future of the Pavilion had not yet met and a report would be submitted in due course.

6. ADDITION TO RECREATION GROUND

Consideration was given to the small area of countryside land which could be available now that probate on the estate to which it belongs is at an end. It totals an area of some 1300 sq metres and would give access to part of the ditch which cause problems over flooding on the Recreation Ground if not kept clear. Cllr Neal had intimated that it may be possible for Estates Department at TVBC to put a valuation on it. Clerk to contact.

7. COUNCILLORS ISSUES

Cllr Glenister reported it was good to see the village drainage work underway but noted that it had not included the ditch behind Greenacres He had spoken to the contractors and hopefully this would be remedied by being dug out.

Cllr Hebden had placed a notice received regarding the temporary closure of Bullington Road in the village shop for general information.

She had also received a letter asking the Parish Council to publicise the visits of the Mobile Library.

Cllr Dewey raised the question of grasscutting at Recreation ground, asking if 2 automatic cuts a month were made even in hot dry weather when perhaps it was not needed and if the specified strimming was being carried out. Cllr Gibson to monitor.

Cllr Goodall noted that much of the barbed wire was due to concern by landowners to prevent travellers from gaining entry. He also raised the question of overgrown verges which at this time of year reduced visibility on roads. The Clerk to write to ask if a first cut could not be made later and the final cut a little earlier to avoid the problem.

Cllr Gibson reported that Postmans Walk was very overgrown. The Clerk to report to HCC.

He raised awareness of the recent reports on past proposals regarding the dumping of radioactive nuclear waste on the ex army site.

He enquired as to the time scale for supply of wheelie bins at the Recreation Ground.

He passed to the Clerk for Parish records a copy of the Electrical Inspection certificate.

Cllr Slaughter reported that the minibus which picks up staff at Sutton Scotney Services speeds down Roberts Road. He would speak to Sgt Ashbolt about this problem.

8. AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Mr Lancaster, Rural Housing Enabler had written an appraisal to TVBC planning outlining preferred sites, copied to the Parish Council and a response was awaited.

9. VILLAGE HALL

Cllr Paul Gibson, Chairman of the Village Hall Committee made a brief report to the Parish Council, presenting current accounts for the files. It was possible that a small increase in hire charges would be necessary to keep up with inflation, the hall had been decorated and they were in the process of re-licensing the premises, completing 120 sheets of A4 - to include a full time bar licence to cover any occasional use. A meeting of the Village Hall Committee would take place in the not too distant future.

External Painting Estimates for external painting had now been received from Clive Higgs for £385 and GP Jenkins for £380, which was the accepted quote. Clerk to now apply for relevant grant covering provision of new pvc, new door and external painting.

10. PLAYGROUND

In the absence of Cllr Oliver the latest Playground Inspection report to be considered at the next meeting.

Only Cllr Mrs Hebden and Cllr Oliver had turned up for the spring clean scheduled on Sunday 5th June but they had cleaned and tidied up to the best of their ability, and Cllr Oliver would present a report at the next meeting.

11. PLANNING

Planning application had been received for an extension at Branben House and at 42 Roberts Road. The Branben House extension was considered to be too large for the village frontage and the Parish Council wished to have their objection submitted. 42 Roberts Road was passed without comment.

A letter had been received from Planning at TVBC regarding enforcement at Dever Springs.

12. CHAIRMAN’S INITIATIVES AND CORRESPONDENCE

A letter from Barton Stacey Football Club was read out asking permission to use the Recreation Ground for the coming season. It was proposed by Cllr Hebden and seconded by Cllr Glenister that the request be accepted and agreed by everyone bar Cllr Gibson who abstained.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.30 p.m

The next Parish Council meeting would be held on Tuesday 18th July, 2005 commencing at 7.30 p.m.