Parish Council minutes 19 July 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 19th July 2005 at Barton Stacey Village Hall

Affordable Housing

Mr John Lancaster, Rural Housing Enabler, presented to the Parish Council the response received from TVBC Planning to his letter outlining the three preferred sites in order of preference, with his assessment of them. The need in the village for affordable housing was accepted in principle and of the sites submitted that listed first (on the right of Bullington Lane beyond the present houses)was noted as the most preferable. However, a further four sites had been identified, all around Roberts Road/West Road and the parish councillors were asked to just provide justification as to why one of these should not be chosen.

Apart from lack of space for housing required on sites listed, it would require the demolition of garages which are well used, as are the forecourts, leading to a loss of parking space on Roberts Road and at the same time increasing the demand. Because the land noted were garage sites, it would be expensive to purchase and not meet the criteria of Exception Sites. In addition one site was listed as a green space on the emerging local plan. Mr Lancaster would write a response to TVBC and Cllr Neal would talk to planning in an effort to further this matter.

The possible use of the farm yard at Wades Farm was noted, as was the lack of reply from MOD in answer to a preliminary enquiry about use of MOD land, and that Hyde Housing Association was the chosen provider of affordable housing in rural areas.

Public Participation

None

1. APOLOGIES

Cllrs Dewey, Gibson, Glenister and Oliver

2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of 21st June 2005 were approved: Proposed Cllr Slaughter, seconded Cllr Goodall and agreed unanimously.

3. ROLLING ACTION PLAN

Items were discussed as detailed.

Proposed by Cllr Sherwood, seconded Cllr Slaughter that Dragon’s Teeth be put in place by Dever Contracts on The Green as per quotation.

4. FINANCE

(a) The monthly financial report and statement of Income and Expenditure to date were presented and approved. A further contribution of £20 had been received from the Garden Walk and it was agreed that the total shouldbe listed separately under donation to ensure it was spent on village enhancement. Monthly bank interest was £38.95, the insurance had been paid at £1,958.72 and a cheque was required for Test Valley Gardencare for £524.10, inclusive of one additional cut. This left a total balance of £10,798.42.

(b) The Clerk had checked the cost of insuring railing, and this accounted for a sum of around £40. However it was possible that a retrospective claim could be made with regard to repairs to the railings carried out early in the year and she had submitted a claim form.

(c) The councillors agreed that Martin Bearpark should again be asked to carry out the Internal Audit for this year.

5. PAVILION

No meeting of the sub-committee to consider the future of the Pavilion had yet taken place and it was agreed that Cllrs Lovell, Goodall, Slaughter and Sherwood would meet in the Pavilion at 7 p.m. on Tuesday 26th July for a strategy meeting. It was hoped Cllr Gibson could attend.

If unanimously agreed at the meeting that the repair to the roof should not be left until next year the Clerk would submit a grant application in an endeavour to meet the 2nd August deadline. If necessary the findings of the sub-committee should form a one item agenda for a special meeting in August.

6. ACQUISITION OF LAND ADJACENT TO RECREATION GROUND

A letter in response had been received noting the sum offered was far below the valuation placed on the land by The District Valuer/Capital Taxes office. Clerk to write to ask what this figure was to determine future action.

7. COUNCILLORS ISSUES

Cllr Lovell had received a quotation for a Notice Boards similar to that on The Green for around £100, which included materials and a donation to Rotary. Proposed Cllr Slaughter and seconded Cllr Sherwood that two be ordered 1 4xA4 for Bransbury and one 4 x A4 to go in the Car Park and agreed unanimously. It was also decided that for the present the board at Newton Stacey should not be replaced.

Cllr Sherwood reported compliments received on the care and upkeep of The Green and playing fields at Roberts Road.

Cllr Slaughter noted that the footpath (19) from Bransbury to the Kennels had been cut as had No 9 (Moonlight).

Cllr Goodall circulated a brief report on the activities of the Parish Plan committee to be discussed as an agenda item at the September meeting

8. VILLAGE HALL

A grant application to be submitted for consideration in August.

9. PLAYGROUND

To be discussed at the September meeting

The Clerk advised the meeting of quotations received for an A3 board to be erected on the railings of the playground noting that problems should be logged in the book held at the village shop.

10. PLANNING

Discussed prior to Cllr Neal leaving, it was agreed that while there was no objection to replacing the existing garage with something the same size and more sympathetic to Bransbury, the current planning application for erection of a building on the site was too high and would intrude on both a pretty village and countryside designated at SSSI. Also if approved, it was asked that it be tied to Riverside Cottage as garage and storage only in perpetuity. Enquiries to be made as to the ownership of the hatched area. Proposed by Cllr Hebden and seconded Cllr Lovel that the Clerk should respond accordingly.

11. CHAIRMAN’S INITIATIVES AND CORRESPONDENCE

(a) The Chairman had received a letter noting that kerbside collections was overtaking re-cycling sites.

(b) Approval was given for a bouncy castle to be erected on grass at rear of 18 Roberts Road for use for a children’s birthday party.

(c) Cllr Slaughter raised the question of Parish Council meetings in the Village Hall once it was licensed and the Clerk noted that this matter had already been taken up with TVBC and as no other free or reasonable premises were available, there was no problem.

(d) It was agreed that a letter be sent to Star Energy to say thank you to those working at the temporary pipe dump site for their good behaviour and lack of nuisance whilst on site and in the village.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.00.30 p.m.

The next Parish Council meeting would be held on Tuesday 20th September 2005 commencing at 7.30 p.m.