Parish Council minutes 16 January 2007

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 16th January 2007 at Barton Stacey Village Hall.

Public Participation

None.

APOLOGIES

Cllr A Glenister

The meeting commenced with an informal presentation by Mr Chris Buchan-Hepburn of Hyde Housing with regard to the progress of Affordable Housing in Barton Stacey. Reporting that it was moving forward, he touched on land valuation, the need to determine the number, style, and size of properties involved, and the proportion for rent as against shared ownership, access to site, eligibility and criteria for management and involvement of Parish Council. It was agreed that on receipt of further paperwork from Hyde Housing, a Parish Council meeting dedicated solely to Affordable Housing would be held very shortly at which the mix of housing would be agreed, the outcome of which would be passed directly to Hyde Housing, enabling them to progress and hopefully within two months be in the position to forward initial plans to Test Valley for comment and/or approval

1.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes which had been amended in line with a written request from Cllr Glenister noting his comments with regard to a payment made to Test Valley Gardencare were presented to the Council. Approval was proposed by Cllr Goodall and seconded by Cllr Gibson and agreed unanimously.

2. CO-OPTION TO BARTON STACEY PARISH COUNCIL

Letters of Application for co-option to the from Mrs Jan Lovell and Mr Samantha Drinkwater were read to the Council by the Chairman. She then called for proposers and seconders and the number of votes for each candidate as a result of which Mrs Drinkwater was co-opted and would attend the next Parish Council meeting.

3. CONSULTATION ON DOG CONTROL

Borough Councillor Jim Neal explained the benefits of determining which areas within the parish boundary should be out of bounds to dogs, such as children’s playground, those areas where they should be kept on a lead (possible consideration to Churchyard) and those where there were no such restriction. These decisions, to be made at the February meeting when all councillors have had an opportunity to consider this question, would then be incorporated in the further Dog Control orders being considered by Test Valley Borough Council. It was noted that whatever decision was made it was already an offence at any time not to clean up after a dog had fouled in a public place and agreed that this should be inserted for general notice in the Parish magazine

4. PLANNING

(a) The Waste recycling facility off the A303 at Longparish had been approved by the HCC subject to an agreement being signed on lorry routing to ensure that these kept to an approach along the A303.

(b) Planning Approval for The Cottage, Barton Stacey had been granted subject to conditions.

(c) It had been learned that the appeal for building works which had taken place at Dever Spring Trout Fishery had been won, and the clerk had written to TVBC to ask why the Parish Council had not been notified, to note that apparently previous objections had not been carried forward and were unmentioned and why a request that any development be tied to the main house and fishing lake had not been discussed.

(d) An application to pollard the a horse chestnut and to prune a yew and a sycamore tree at Chestnut Cottage had been received. There were no objections and the work in particular on the Chestnut tree would be welcomed.

5. ROLLING ACTION PLAN

Items were discussed as detailed.

6. FINANCE

The monthly financial report was presented and approved.. Total Interest of £99.25 had been received, together with a VAT refund of £773.68, the balance of payment for tree work to Tree Technique (£927) had been paid together with £400 for assistance with printing of Parish Plan, and cheques were required for £150 for rental of the village hall Jan-Aug 06 and £181.04 to TVBC for emptying the Dog Bins. This left a balance of £13,531.50.

Following consideration of budget projections for 2007/2008, taking into consideration possible election costs of £1500.00 it was proposed by Cllr Gibson and seconded by Cllr Oliver that the precept for the coming year should be increased slightly to £15,750.00. Agreed unanimously.

7. COUNCILLORS ISSUES

Cllr Hebden

read out a communication received from Mrs Lovell regarding provision of a flower box and planting of more bulbs on the green at Roberts Road, and thanked Mrs Lovell for her efforts.

Cllr Goodall

Apologised for lack of progress regarding the bus shelter but this was a matter in hand. He also noted that the plaques for the notice boards were not yet in place. The Chairman then thanked him for the moving of a rubbish bin up to the car park which she noted had made a great difference.

Cllr Slaughter

also confirmed that the necessary work for removal of the bus stop would be undertaken shortly.

Cllr Sherwood

reported that the green bin at the recycling point had again been removed and noted that one of the wooden poles to prevent access to The Green were missing and one knocked over – possibly due to coming and going of refuse lorries. She also enquired if permission had been granted for installation of pole with mirror on the Bullington Lane. Clerk to enquire.

Cllr Gibson

He noted that the green wheelie bin by the pavilion was currently missing. And that there was a caravan parked on the Bullington Lane by the Bus Stop. Clerk to write to request it only remains in place for a short time

8. RECREATION GROUND

a) Cllr James remarked that the springs were flowing once more at Spring Bottom ,that the ditch was not clear and could cause unwanted flooding to the football pitch. Suggested contact with the Environment Agency and also asked about proposed work to raise the road which had not yet taken place.

b) Tenders for grass cutting - Roberts Road, 2007 – 2009 had been sent out to four organisations Clerk to send out tenders to four organisations, one of whom were uninterested in tendering, one who were uncontactable, and two tenders were received. One for £960 from Commercial Services and one for £2064 from AD Clark.. It was proposed by Cllr Gibson that the quotation from Commercial Services be accepted, seconded by Cllr Oliver and agreed unanimously.

9. PARISH MATTERS

a) Parish Plan No further update received. It was agreed that a draft should be available for consideration by the Parish Council prior to publication.

b) In response to a request from the Parish Council the police had carried out speed tests on Roberts Road at different times and days which had proved to be negative.

c) A request for the movement of 30 m.p.h. sign to the north of Difford Bridge to extend the 30 m.p.h. limit in the village. Speed checks and road safety checks to be made to as ascertain possible benefits and a decision made at a meeting in March.

10. CORRESPONDENCE

a) Notification of a Test Valley Rural mentoring and Parish Plan conference to be held on 28th March was passed to Cllr Goodall for discussion with Parish Plan Committee.

b) Notification of work to be carried out to repair and haunching of 265 metres of road from Difford Kennels to Difford Bridge had been received. This would take place in March of this year.

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

The next monthly parish Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 20th February 2007 commencing at 7.30 p.m..