Parish Council minutes 17 April 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 17th April 2007 at Barton Stacey Village Hall.

Public Participation: Mr Dennis Dewey spoke on the state of the surface of the road running alongside the parish church and the proposed tree surgery required in the churchyard.

APOLOGIES

Cllrs Glenister

1.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting of 20th March were approved unanimously following a proposal by Cllr Oliver. Cllr Gibson seconded.

2. ROLLING ACTION PLAN

Items were discussed as detailed.

3. FINANCE

a. End of Year accounts were submitted, noting carry forward sum of £8,310.05 together with ring fenced sum of £3,600. These were scrutinised by the parish council with acceptance proposed by Cllr Slaughter. Seconded by Cllr Drinkwater and agreed unanimously.

b. The monthly financial report was presented, noting receipts of £43.69 bank interest and £7,875 for 1st half of precept, which added to sums carried forward at year end totalled £19,828.74. Cheques were required for £27.00 HAPTC for two Parish Councillors Guides and £70.50 payment for MOD licence fee, leaving a balance of £19,731.24. Acceptance proposed by Cllr Drinkwater, seconded by Cllr James and agreed unanimously.

c. The clerk summarised an offer (closing date 31 July 20007) made to member councils of HAPTC for banking facilities by Unity Trust Bank. To be considered at next meeting.

4. COUNCILLORS ISSUES

Cllr Sherwood

had informed the Clerk that grassed areas at Roberts Road had not been cut so far this year but confirmed that cut was made that day. It was noted that the key to the gate into the recreation ground was missing from the shop and Cllr Gibson had to travel back to the village to let grass cutting machinery in. Arrangement now in hand to supply team with own key. Cllr Sherwood suggested that a signing in and out book be retained in the shop and Cllr Gibson to look into. Also note to be made that there had been no March cuts at Roberts Road, to ensure charges not made.

Cllr Gibson

noted speed checks had been held in village and asked if results had been reported. Clerk to chase up.

Cllr Slaughter

reported that a vehicle was parked evenings and weekends, sometimes with a trailer, on grass behind garages in East Road constituting a safety hazard and an obstacle to grass cutting. Children played there and were climbing over trailer. Enquiries to be made re address of owner and Clerk to write to request they find alternative parking.

5. ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

Letter had gone out to likely speakers, apologies having been received from Mr Wreglesworth. Mr Dennis Dewey to report on Barton Stacey United Charities, Mr Terry Dewey hoped to be present to report on transport, and confirmation awaited from the police and playgroup. Borough Cllr Neal and HCC Cllr Woodhall were also expected to attend. Posters were distributed for posting on notice boards and would also be posted on the website.

6. PARISH COUNCIL ELECTIONS

12 nominations had been approved, lists were to be posted on notice boards and formal notices of Poll would be received and posted on 25th April 2007.

7. VILLAGE CAR PARK

Cllr Slaughter had encountered difficulty in determining definitive size of parking bays, and noted that there would be a requirement, if bays were marked to make allowance for disabled parking – which would all reduce limited parking already available. The removal of the grass bank in front of the car park was briefly considered but trees growing on site could be an obstacle. In the interim, whilst other solutions were sought Cllr Gibson to approach Goldings to ask if their car park could be made available for Sunday parking. In response to Cllr Sherwood it was noted that there was no further detail available on site alongside the recreation ground on which the parish council had put in an offer.

8. PARISH MATTERS

Parish Plan.

The Chairman noted that the Parish Plan Committee had been formed by the village to produce a parish plan, and were outside the jurisdiction of the Parish Council. The draft plan had been circulated to members of the parish council as a matter of courtesy and errors spotted and reported had been corrected, as well as taking aboard some feasible suggestions that had been made. Cllr Goodall noted that the final content outlined the wishes and ideas of parishioners on which future action in the village could be based. It was hoped that final copies might be available for distribution at the Annual Parish meeting.

Affordable Housing.

Nothing further to report.

Annual MOD Licence.

This had now been received and it was agreed unanimously that it should be signed by the Chairman and Clerk and accepted.

Recycling.

The Clerk would pursue detail of usage of paper and tin/can recycling banks now that the ABC collection was underway – and if little use was being made of the containers, would request their removal to allow more room on site. The clothing bin in aid of Air Ambulance was now in situ – it was noted that a plain white van had been seen to empty the container late one evening – Clerk to confirm that a) the bank was locked and b) that it was an official visit.

Tree Planting.

The Chairman acknowledge the offer from Mrs Lovell to fund a chosen tree on The Green. Cllrs Goodall and Sherwood had made initial survey – and it was agreed that what was needed was something to enhance the area through the year, possibly differing species or trees with underplanting. It was acknowledge that this would now be an autumn project and they would, in consultation with Mr Dewey, carry out research and report back to the parish council with costs and ideas.

Playground Inspection.

It was noted that a report was expected in the next few days and would be forwarded to Cllr Goodall who was requested to also check which apparatus needed painting. Proposed Cllr Hebden and seconded Cllr Drinkwater and unanimously agreed that Paul Jenkins should be asked for a quotation to carry out this work.

9. PLANNING ISSUES

a. 07/00888/TREEN All Saints Church, Cocum Road. Removal and crown clean trees. This had been studied by the majority of the parish council and there were no objections.

b. 07/00868/FULLN, 3 storey side/rear extension 3 East Road. No objection to extension in principal but height and design of front projection was considered out of keeping and beyond building line, and long narrow windows we also out of keeping.

10. CHAIRMAN’S INITIATIVES/CORRESPONDENCE

(a) Letter received from Football Club requesting permission to hold a Fun Day on the Recreation Ground on 5th August. Cllrs Gibson and James declared an interest in this matter and did not vote. Proposed by Cllr Oliver, Seconded Cllr Sherwood and agreed unanimously by all others that permission be granted.

(b) Permission also requested for continued use of Recreation Ground for Senior and Junior Matches in the 2007/8 season. Agreement Proposed Cllr Hebden, seconded Cllr Slaughter and agreed. (Again Cllrs Gibson and James abstained due to Declaration of Interest.)

Cllr Sherwood also asked for clarification of the Parish Council Agreement for use of facilities and had it been necessary to use it. It appeared that the final copy had not been circulated to all members of the Parish Council and the Clerk was requested to rectify this, for final approval at the next meeting as well as consideration of any necessary work required on the pavilion for continued use.

(c) No comments on Review of Test Valley Community Plan.

(d) More for Less Material Flow Planning Workshop on 8th May would not be attended but information requested. Clerk to write to HCC noting lack of facilities in Test Valley for recycling of general plastic matter.

(e) Letter from Amport Parish Council re proposed Tesco Distribution Centre was considered. It was agreed unanimously that there would be no support for funding a Senior Planning Consultant as it was considered that the normal planning process would suffice, and that it was not felt that a steering committee representing all parishes would be appropriate.

(f) No evidence to be submitted to HCC on climate change.

(g) For future reference, Clerk to register interest in possible reduction of 30 mph speed limit in village, particularly in the vicinity of the school and of the village hall as venue for playgroup. Proposed Cllr Hebden, seconded Cllr Sherwood and agreed with one abstention.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 9.10 p.m.

Following closure of the meeting, Cllr Gibson addressed those assembled to thank Cllr Hebden, who is not standing for re-election, for her past service to the village over many years and to present her with a bouquet of flowers on behalf of the parish council.

The date of the next Parish Council AGM and General Meeting – Tuesday 15th May 2007