Parish Council minutes 18 July 2006

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 18th July 2006 at Barton Stacey Village Hall

Public Participation

Out of an attendance of 55+

(a) Mr Peter Wood spoke on the subject of affordable housing, expressing support in principal, but asking that two existing brownfield sites be considered rather than two greenfield sites owned by the MOD which are under consideration and which could open floodgates to further development in the future.

(b) Mr Stuart Rippon added his support to what had been said, but regretted that a decision was to be made without full consultation with the residents of the village so that the choice was theirs.

(c) Mrs Sally Merison regretted the apparent lack of confidence in the parish council whose sole concern was to benefit the village. She noted that affordable housing had been under discussion for the past ten years without coming to a conclusion and deplored both the anonymous and inaccurate communication which had been distributed around the village by “a friend in Roberts Road” and the cost of what she considered to be an unnecessary election.

1. APOLOGIES

Cllrs Gibson and Goodall.

2.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of the Parish Council on 3rd July were approved by Cllr Oliver and seconded by Cllr Slaughter, though it was noted that the public were not made aware of that meeting, and the minutes of the meeting both held on 20th June were approved, proposed by Cllr Sherwood and seconded by Cllr Hebden following the addition of the words 'as Cllr Neal explained' to be added to Item 12(a).

Cllr Glenister then proposed that in light of the interest being shown, Item 7 on the agenda should be brought forward for immediate consideration by the council and this was agreed unanimously.

3. AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The Chairman opened the discussion by noting that the 6 – 8 affordable houses being considered could only be built on ‘exception sites’ which were Greenfield sites that would otherwise not be available for development and that the parish council had been assured that this would not create a precedent for commercial development. However recent discussion has been held about Wades Farm, but that land would not be made available for administration of such houses by a Housing Association and whilst the old NAAFI site had been considered, it was felt unfair to build further housing in such close proximity to Roberts Road.

Cllr Hebden further outlined the meeting held by the parish council in April with MOD Defence Estates, the Housing Association, TVBC Planning and Senior Rural Housing Enabler from Community Action at which affordable housing and possible sites in Barton Stacey was discussed. At this time it was discovered that funding has been allocated for 6-8 properties in the village, which had to be taken up within two years or it would be re-allocated elsewhere. Also it became apparent that the preferred site, beyond existing houses in Bullington Lane, would not be made available by the Defence Estates as it was part of the military training ground, which left three other sites for consideration and a special parish council meeting had been held on 3rd July to determine which site was preferred by members of the Parish Council so that a recommendation could be brought to this meeting, following which it was agreed that an open meeting would be held in the village at a suitable date. The site universally designated was 2a.

Following this meeting the five councillors present walked each site and a summary of sites was made: Site 1 (the original preferred site) had been indicated as ‘not available’, although Cllr Lovell felt that a planning application might bring about a change of mind. However the Housing Association were not prepared to follow that route. Site 2, (left of Bullington Lane by School path) was steep, too close to entrance of Gravel Lane and access would be dangerous. Site 2a, an additional site offered by the MOD after refusal to consider Site 1) was a smaller site, access and visibility good and the least number of existing houses were affected. Site 3, at the end of Gravel Lane, had poor road access, it would extend the boundary of the village and it was considered that the adjoining countryside could then be open to future development. Cllr Lovell noted he was prepared to accept this site as an alternative to Site 1.

A vote was taken, with 5 votes for Site 2a and 1 for Site 3. Following this Cllr Oliver proposed that Site 2a be noted as the preferred site for the Parish Council and that a public meeting be called for residents to attend and give their views. Seconded by Cllr Slaughter and agreed. The Clerk to write to Chief Planning Officer, TVBC to ask for an assurance that this site would be classified as an exception site and that building of affordable housing would not set a precedence.

A date to be set and notified for an open meeting and a pack of information made available for interested residents prior to that meeting.

4. ROLLING ACTION PLAN

Items were discussed as detailed.

Matters arising.

(a) It was decided not to appoint a tree warden at this time, all councillors to report possible problems and parish council to seek advice from professionals as necessary.

(b) Goal posts on Recreation Ground for children to play/practice. Cllr Oliver to consult with Cllr Gibson and costs to be presented to parish council for new nets at Roberts Road and cost of provision of posts and net for Recreation Ground. It might be possible to obtain a grant to assist in this matter.

(c) Message had been left for Neighbourhood Watch regarding the new 101 number.

(d) The removal of the bus shelter to be investigated. Cllr Slaughter was of the opinion that the posts were concreted into the ground – if it cannot be moved it should be dismantled.

(e) There was no further news on the potholes in Newton Road

(f) The letter to NALC re. councillors resignation had asked that the ruling relating to written resignations was brought to the attention of all parish councillors, and hopefully this would be done.

5. FINANCE

The monthly financial report was presented to the Council and approved. It was noted that the previous month receipts had not been added to balance carried forward before calculation, and the carry forward figure had been incorrect. This was amended to £13,576.62 with Bank interest of £46.20. A cheque was required for Test Valley Gardencare for £318.00 which included cost of strimming dragon’s teeth leaving a balance of £13,304.82 as at 18th July 2006.

An income and expenditure statement to date was also presented, and it was noted by Cllr Sherwood that it had been suggested that small plaques in recognition be placed on the notice boards bought from funds donated in 2005 from the Garden Walk, funded by the small surplus of funds remaining. Clerk to explore.

The Clerk presented copies of Statement of Accounts compiled from approved End of Year Accounts, with Statement of Assurance as completed for the Annual Return. These were considered and acceptance was proposed by Cllr Hebden, seconded by Cllr Lovell and agreed unanimously. The Clerk also noted that the internal audit had been completed without any queries, and that at the end of the public consultation period, the Return would be forwarded to the Audit Commission for external audit.

6. COUNCILLORS ISSUES

Cllr Hebden: had been notified by Mr Wills that the grain store at Wades Farm would be moved, and log cabins stored in that area until Christmas. Also he was putting in a further planning application for Church Farm Buildings.

Cllr Sherwood: reported that building of the flats in Roberts Road had ceased which could be due to issues to be resolved regarding MOD covenant. There was also a query raised that they were not being built within correct building lines as per planning permission. Clerk to write to TVBC to request inspection.

Cllr Glenister: had received a complaint from a resident at Greenacres regarding the siting of the flag pole on the shooting range. MOD had agreed to move it but required consultation with Middleton Estates regarding re-location and had been unable to make contact. Clerk to write and request that Middleton Estates resolve this matter. Cllr. Glenister to provide copies of previous correspondence.

He had also received complaints regarding a number of low flying aircraft believed to be Chinooks at 2 am in the morning. Clerk to write in first instance to Middle Wallop to ask if it was necessary to fly that low, that late requesting that they forward correspondence if appropriate. Night shooting is also taking place – Clerk to request a shooting schedule from Army Training Regiment.

Cllr Slaughter: Undertook path survey as requested and in 5 hours only saw 1 person with dog. Chairman thanked him for his efforts. No return to be submitted.

Cllr Lovell: having been absent on holiday for the previous meeting, he noted that a number of points had been missed from the minutes of 16th May 2006: These were not clearly heard, and although they were subsequently passed in writing to the Clerk it is recommended that they be read to members at the next meeting to approve inclusion in the minutes. He also asked that the Clerk contact TVBC Legal Department for advice on Declaration of Interests and following actions, and that this be listed as an agenda item for the September meeting.

7. AMENDED CONDITION OF HIRE OF RECREATION GROUND

These were circulated at the meeting and Cllr Glenister was thanked for all the work he had undertaken. Following discussion it was agreed that a sectioned plan be appended for to clarify parts of recreation ground included in permission, that it should be noted that only floodlighting on the pavilion was included and not that around the field, and that the fee paid was non-refundable. It was also noted that this was a benefit for parishioners only. Subject to these amendments it was proposed by Cllr Hebden that the document be accepted, seconded by Cllr Lovell and agreed unanimously.

8. PARISH MATTERS

Youth Group.

There would be no further action until after the summer.

Parish Plan Working Group

A further update had been received and was considered. It concluded there was a need for development of a new Sports Pavilion, that in the interim part of the present facility be insulated and heated for limited winter use. A business plan for Pavilion Project to be developed and published with Parish Plan document 2006, and work on design, costing and funding to begin.

It was suggested that it would be useful if the future of the Village Hall was also taken into consideration alongside suggestions for the pavilion and the Clerk to write to Mr Wregglesworth to ask if this was possible.

9. PLANNING MATTERS

(a) No objection to plans for 2 Police Houses, Cocum Road.

(b) No further comments for appeal regarding erection of fisherman’s hut and retention of conversion of fisherman’s dwelling. Past comments still stand.

10. CHAIRMAN’S INITIATIVES AND CORRESPONDENCE

(a) A communication had been received from Ian Ashbolt regarding his pending retirement. Unfortunately due to an accident he would not be returning to duty and wrote to introduce his successor, Sgt Glen Curtis. Clerk to write to welcome and suggest he attends future meeting to introduce himself.

(b) Request for topics for discussion at Annual Meeting of Test Valley Association of Parish Councils.

(c) Noted new refuse and recycling service would start in September.

(d) Noted Phase 2 of Breathing Spaces programme opens in October

(e) Received copy of proposed Dog Control Order for administrative area of TVBC.

(f) Reported proposed new National Grid Pipeline (2008) from Lockerly to Barton Stacey.

(g) Report on Conservation Area Review Survey Work

There being no further business the meeting closed at 22.00 hrs.

The next Parish Council meeting would be held on Tuesday 19th September 2006 commencing at 7.30 pm