Parish Council minutes 21 November 2006

These minutes are published for information purposes only, and are not an official record of the meeting.

Status:

Approved

Present:

Minutes of a meeting of Barton Stacey Parish Council held on Tuesday 21st November 2006 at Barton Stacey Village Hall.

Public Participation

None.

APOLOGIES

Borough Cllr J Neal

1.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

It was proposed by Cllr Gibson and seconded by Cllr James that the minutes be accepted.

2. BARTON STACEY PARISH COUNCIL

(a) Cllr Glenister proposed a Vote of Thanks for all the work undertaken by Cllr Lovell over the past nine years. Seconded by Cllr Slaughter and agreed unanimously.

(b) Casual vacancy - Notices of a vacancy had been posted throughout the village and TVBC would notify the clerk that either an election had been called or that the post should be filled by co-option on expiry of the 14 working days necessary for display (up to and including 24/11). It was agreed that any decision would now be held over until the next Parish Council meeting in January.

3. ROLLING ACTION PLAN

Items were discussed as detailed.

4. FINANCE

The monthly financial report was presented. and approved. Interest of £56.24 had been received, an account for S Electric paid (£48.37) a BACS payment made to Test Valley Gardencare for £30 for late payment, and cheques were required for Tree Technique for tree maintenance for £1927.00. Audit Commission for £141.00. TVBC for election costs £1,246.38. A Wilson, remuneration £372.02, Hicks and Hicks for notice board plaques £17.25, and TVBC for ground maintenance £686.29.

It was noted that a VAT claim for £771.11 had been submitted .

Cllr Glenister questioned payment of £30 to Gardencare, noting it was in excess of the terms stated on invoice, and that payment was made without approval of full council despite statement in minutes 17th October stating that terms and summary of payment were required before authorisation.

5. COUNCILLORS ISSUES

Cllr Goodall

asked if a formal request had been made regarding availability of additional land in the vicinity of Affordable Housing for future parish use. He also highlighted again the possible danger to motorists of the larger posts which were now being used for the Bransbury sign off A 303. and asked if there had been any response to previous comments, citing a recent accident at a similar sign at Longparish junction.

He also noted that the uncertainty of ownership of the land adjacent to Bransbury Bridge was still on-going, and that the play area looked much neater under the auspices of the new contractor

Cllr Hebden

added that as the moles were pack in the playground it could be necessary to close the playground, posting notices as necessary, whilst she took the necessary action.

Cllr Slaughter

suggested that a letter be sent to the occupants of No 2 Roberts Road, in view of their proximity, notifying them of planning action over removal of bus shelter.

Cllr James

notified the parish council of the car crimes which had taken place at Kings Elms on Sunday night. He also passed on thanks of Firework committee for donation made to Firework funds.

He noted that the edges of Bullington Lane were like a ploughed field due to the electrical contracters who had been at work there and it was agreed that the Clerk should draw attention of Bullington PC to the damage within their boundary

6. RECREATION GROUND – Tree Surgery

(a) It was reported that required tree surgery had been carried out but a 3ft stump of the sycamore had been left creating a danger for children. In light of its proximity to the playground it would be a prime target for climbing with the danger of an overall 12 ft drop to the road. Trees around the playground ground had only been crown raised on the playground side, but the clerk noted that this was as requested. A willow tree was still touching the ground and some trees had been cleared of ivy and not others. Cllr James to examine work carried out in detail and inform the clerk of anything in addition to the tree stump which still needed to be done, hopefully by Sunday, in the meantime a cheque for £1000 to be paid to the company and a letter sent asking that the tree stump remaining should be cut to the ground and noting that there could be other work required.

(b) Tender for grass cutting - Roberts Road, 2007 – 2009. Clerk to send out tenders to Contract Services, Test Valley Gardencare and A D Clark requesting quotations for necessary work. In addition to twice monthly cut of grass, tender to include strimming of dragon’s teeth monthly, and to make clear that the roadside verge was included. Quote to be requested for consideration at the January meeting.

7. AFFORDABLE HOUSING

The Clerk reported that there had been no further action as the Hyde Housing Association were awaiting the result of the Crichel Down Notice which had been published and which expired in 2-3 weeks time. There would hopefully be more information available prior to the January meeting and Mr Buchan-Hepburn of Hyde Housing had offered to attend the January meeting to update the Parish Council. Clerk to make arrangements for 7.30 on 16th January 2007 prior to start of Parish Council meeting. and Cllr Glenister to forward details of queries for clarification at that time.

8. PARISH MATTERS

(a)Parish Plan

An update on the progress of the Parish Plan had been received together with a paper for the consideration of the Parish Council on suggestions and proposals which had arisen as a result of consultation with residents of Barton Stacey. Publication was scheduled for January 2007. The Parish Council had been asked to make a grant of £400 to the Pparish Plan Group to make up the shortfall in estimated production and printing shortfall for the final document. Proposed by Cllr Hebden and seconded by Cllr Gibson that this money be granted. As a member of Parish Plan Group Cllr Goodall abstained, but the proposal was passed with everyone else in agreement. Cllr Goodall was asked to pass on the thanks of the Parish Council to the Parish Plan Group for all their hard work on this matter. It was hoped that the Parish Plan could be made available on the village website in due course. A check was to be made to ascertain if a Village Design Statement was to be included in the Parish Plan.

(b) Land adjacent to the Recreation Ground

It was noted that consideration for a planning application for the siting of two permanent mobile homes was being made by a potential purchaser of this land – but no further action can be taken until a positive planning application is made.

(c) Street Cleaning Service Review

A request had been made for completion of a questionnaire on street cleaning etc in the village and in Test Valley. It was completed taking into account majority views of parish councillors.

(d)Speeding in Barton Stacey

Traffic Speeding was the subject of Public Participation at the last meeting, and as a result it was agreed that (a) a request be made for the 30mph signs to be removed from the west end of Roberts Road and the north of the village and re-sited to the north of the Difford Bridge. This would produce a 30 mph speed limit throughout the village and would hopefully discourage speeding. (b) Clerk to contact the Police to request occasional speed traps in Roberts Road, to take place early morning between 7a.m. and 9 a.m. and during term time. Once the results were available the situation would be reviewed

9. PLANNING MATTERS

(a) Waste Recycling Unit. Clerk had written to HCC highlighting the dangers of additional traffic through the village and requesting further detail on present usage, possible future site growth and noise pollution. It was noted that TVBC had objected to the plans.

(b)2 Police House, Cocum Road. No objection.

(c) The Cottage, Barton Stacey. The Chairman declared an interest in this matter, noting she had submitted her own objection. Following discussion it was agreed that whilst there was no objection to structural alteration, in view of its position within a conservation area, the proposed tile hanging at side and rear was out of keeping , not only with adjacent houses but with the rest of the village.

(d) It was noted that planning permission had been granted for Church Farm Buildings to be converted to a single dwelling with ancillary office accommodation.

(e) Clerk to enquire as to progress of appeal regarding Fishing Hut and retention of conversion of dwelling at Dever Springs Fishery.

10. CORRESPONDENCE

a) A Thank You card had been received from Mrs Lovell in acknowledgement of the two minute silence paid in tribute to Cllr Lovell at the previous meeting.

b) A communication from HAPTC noted that an approach was being made to Norwich Union with regard to providing an alternative competitive service for local council insurance. Clerk to keep under review.

c) The Clerk noted that a paper on Core Strategy Issues and Option regarding Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 were in the correspondence file to be circulated and asked for comments to be directed to her.

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

The next parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 16th January 2007 commencing at 7.30 p.m.