Parish Council minutes 15 November 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 November 2005 at Barton Stacey Village Hall

Public Participation

None

1. APOLOGIES

Cllrs Hebden, Neal, and Sherwood

2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of 18th October 2005 were approved: Proposed Cllr Glenister, seconded Cllr Dewey 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 to the Council and approved. There had been no receipts, cheques had been written for Cruse Bereavement Care (25.00) for which thanks were received by phone, and for Southern Electric (139.20). Cheques were required for Audit Commission (141.00), A. Wilson, clerk’s remuneration and expenses (344.76), and Abbotts Ann Property Maintenance (2835.00) for repairs on Village Hall, leaving a balance of £11,491.89. Funds due include bank interest, VAT refund and TVBC grant.

The meeting considered the budget proposals put forward for 2006/2007. Cllr Glenister proposed acceptance of the figures, seconded by Cllr Gibson and agreed unanimously.

Cllr Glenister proposed that in view of the budget figures, the precept for 2006/2007 should remain unchanged at £15,000.00. Seconded by Cllr Dewey and agreed unanimously.

5. COUNCILLORS ISSUES

Cllr Glenister: (a) Noted he was in receipt of the initial figures from the speed trap in the village (southern approach) which showed that 30% of cars entering the village were speeding. A report and recommendations from HCC were awaited.

(b) Regarding the email received from the Cllr Hebden re grass cuttings left in the drainage ditch, he noted this was flytipping and anyone seen carrying out this act should be reported.

Cllr Oliver: Notified the clerk of his new email address.

Cllr Dewey: Spoke about the layby on the flyover where holes had been filled by tarmac. Due to lack of edging stones at the back there was mud everywhere but as this was a unofficial layby he did not feel any action could be taken.

Cllr. Gibson: (a) He had been in conversation with Mike Oxlade regarding a possible covenant on the graveyard extension preventing its use for any other purpose.

(b) He proposed that £100 was donated to the Firework Fund in the village in retrospect for 2005. Seconded by Cllr Dewey and unanimously agreed. It was also agreed that future consideration be given to setting up a Community Fund, at an amount to be agreed, for which community groups in the village can bid and that this should be an agenda item in January 2006.

Cllr Goodall: (a) enquired if there was any further information available on ownership of fenced land at Riverside Cottage, Bransbury. Cllr Glenister to try to trace through website.

(b) He noted that all the hedges in Bransbury Lane had now been very well trimmed and visibility was unimpaired. However, possibly due to a new contractor, some damage had been done to Cllr Gibson’s hedge.

(c) He expressed concern over problems of access to the school caused by the narrow road. Clerk to write to HCC expressing concern over safety and asking for help/suggestions of action to be carried out.

Cllr Lovell: had received a complaint from the local police regarding the broken glass around the bottle bank, placing children at risk. The Clerk to write to Refuse Contractors to ask for their assistance/action on this matter.

Cllr Hebden: On her behalf, the Clerk raised a question on the present status and activity of the Youth Council. Clerk to contact Cllr Sherwood and request a report at the next meeting.

6. PAVILION/RECREATION GROUND

(a) A meeting was arranged for Thursday 1st December for a meeting of Strategic Committee to agree on content of a report to be put to the Parish Council on future use, maintenance and management.

(b) Replacement roofing should take place later in November. A quotation had been received from Test Valley Gardencare for further two years grass cutting at the Recreation Ground and Children’s Playground. In the interest of good practice, alternative quotes had been requested and a decision would be made at the January meeting. It was also agreed that grass cutting around the dragon’s teeth on The Green should initially be undertaken three time through the year.

(c) Following a communication from Test Valley Gardencare over problems with trees on the Recreation Ground, Cllr Dewey would inspect these, and would then meet with Mr Walker to discuss future necessary action.

7. VILLAGE HALL

Repairs and renovations had been carried out and it was agreed that payment should be made, on the understanding that if there were any future problems these would be put right.

8. PLAYGROUND

(a) Excellent references had been received on behalf of Digley Associates and it was proposed by Cllr Goodall and seconded by Cllr Oliver that the Clerk should make arrangements for them to take over the Annual and quarterly inspection of the Children’s Playground. Agreed unanimously. The Clerk also instructed to write to Zurich Insurance to notify them of change of arrangements.

(b) Cllr Hebden had notified the Clerk of a problem on the children’s playground caused by moles. She had noted that she could tackle this on her return, but that it would mean the playground being shut for a period of time. There was concern expressed over the safety of setting traps in this area and how the playground could be shut off effectively and the Clerk was asked to contact the Rodent Officer TVBC to see if he could help. Once the problem was cured it was noted that the grass would have to be replaced by seed or by turf.

9. FOOTPATHS

(a) Mr Alborough of TVBC Tech Services had visited The Drove and suggested that in light of signage already in place, traffic bump(s) might assist with the problem. He had copied his letter to HCC Highways to see if funding was available. Clerk to write to thank him and to say the Parish Council look forward to further action.

(b) The proposed addition of a section of BW4 to be made retrospectively to the Definitive Map was discussed. There were no objection, but concerns were strongly expressed with regard to sight lines, as traffic would be exiting onto a de-restricted road at a junction where accidents had already occurred.

(c)The notice displayed by the Trail Riders Association with regard to upgrading the RUPP from Difford Kennels to Bransbury was discussed. Cllr Goodall, as a private individual. Had circulated brief explanation to all residents in Bransbury noting it would be most effective to work as a cohesive body. A copy of an objection written by Mr and Mrs Moon of Difford Kennels had been received.

10. PLANNING

(a) Dever Springs Fishery was going to appeal and the original objections submitted by the Parish Council would be put forward.

(b) A planning application has been received for an internally illuminated sign at the Travel Lodge. There were no objections.

11. CHAIRMAN’S INITIATIVES AND CORRESPONDENCE

a. Cllr Hebden had raised the issue of Neighbourhood Watch and the present lack of action and suggested that she as the Parish Council set up a meeting of all co-ordinators with the village policewoman in attendance. It was suggested that the police be approached and asked what value they currently get from co-ordinators. It was then proposed by Cllr Lovell and seconded by Cllr Glenister that this was not the role of the Parish Council but that Cllr Hebden acting as co-ordinator could set up the meeting. However the Parish Council were happy to support the Neighbourhood Watch Scheme. Agreed.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 21.30 p.m.

The next Parish Council meeting would be held on Tuesday 17th January 2006 commencing at 7.30 p.m.