Parish Council minutes 19 June 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 19th June 2007 at Barton Stacey Village Hall.

Affordable Housing

Prior to the meeting Chris Buchan-Hepburn of Hyde Housing Association made a presentation to the parish council first outlining events to date for the benefit of new councillors, together with the history of HARAH, explaining that Hyde were working to a brief arising from initial Housing Needs Survey and the more recent update. He presented initial draft plans which were forming the basis of a confidential pre-application enquiry which included 4 2-bed houses and 2 3-bed houses for rent and 2 2bed houses for shared ownership. Queries were raised which would also be conveyed to Hyde Housing in writing regarding MOD requirement for planned access to field and area of open space and sight line and frontage screening. The latter would be decided following consultation with Hampshire Highways, and Cllr Neal noted he would attend any viewing.

All correspondence, meeting minutes and future plans to be copied to parish council to ensure they were kept in the picture and it was noted that and formal submission would be subject to the normal planning process.

1. Public Participation: None

2. APOLOGIES

Cllrs Drinkwater and Goodall (who could attend later)

3.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the AGM 15th May 2007 were approved. Proposed Cllr Connor, seconded Cllr James and agreed unanimously. Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting of 15th May 2007 were also approved. Proposed Cllr Lovell. seconded Cllr James and unanimously agreed.

4. COUNCIL ADMINISTRATION

(a) Format of Future Minutes.

To follow suggested amendments put forward by Cllr Connor, clearly showing actions to be carried out to be highlighted in bold type. Actions also listed in RAP to include, in brackets, RAP reference number. Also proposed by Cllr Lovell that minutes include number of public attending and finishing time. All agreed. Clerk to note.

(b) Review of Business Calendar

Clerk noted that playground maintenance should be amended to playground inspection and Cllr Lovell noted that agendas and paperwork should be circulated and be displayed no less that 3 clear working days prior to meeting. Clerk to amend and circulate.

(c) Adoption of new Model Code of Conduct

Proposed by Cllr Gibson and seconded by Cllr Wreglesworth that new Model Code of Conduct be adopted, excluding para 7 and para 11 as circulated by TVBC Legal Department. Agreed unanimously.

(d) Communication with the Parish

It was agreed that a ‘Parish Council’ dedicated notice board be sited on the wall of the shop, for display of Parish Council items only including a list of Councillors contact details, and that additional notice boards be erected at Kings Elms and Newton Stacey. (1) Cllr Gibson to take measurements and pass detail to Cllr Lovell, who will obtain quotation for these boards. (2) Cllrs Connor and Wreglesworth to form working group to assess other means of communication and to consult with parishioners (3) Cllr Connor to write article for Dever News on frequency of meetings and public participation, and (4) Clerk to ensure notice of meetings appears on Diary Page of Andover Advertiser

5. ROLLING ACTION PLAN

Items were discussed as detailed.

6. FINANCE

(a) Monthly Financial Report

This was presented showing a balance brought forward of £19,596.38 to which was added bank interest of 73.40. Cheques had been written for £30.80 to Football Club for wine etc for Annual Parish meeting, for £80 and £20 covering councillor training and 1,594.10 to Norwich Union for annual insurance. Cheques were also required for 52.88 for Digley Associates (playground inspection) and A Wilson, Clerk’s remuneration of 647.23, leaving a balance of £17,244.77. Acceptance was proposed by Cllr Wreglesworth and seconded by Cllr James. Approved unanimously.

(b) Alternative Bank Accou

Following a brief discussion proposed by Cllr Gibson,seconded Cllr Wreglesworth that the account be moved from Alliance and Leicester to Unity Trust bank. Cllr Lovell disagreed. She felt that links with Alliance and Leicester showed support for the local Post Office as designated branch, although no payments or withdrawals were made there. The proposal was agreed on a vote of 6 to 1. Cllr Connor to liaise with Clerk over setting up new account.

(c) Confirmation of Parish Council Insurance

The members were informed that following the evaluation and information circulated and the email poll taken, the Parish Council insurance had been moved from Zurich to Norwich Union.

(d) Internal Audit update

The Clerk confirmed that all paperwork for the internal audit was lodged with Martin Bearpark and this should be completed for presentation at the July meeting.

7. COUNCILLORS ISSUES

Outstanding from the previous meeting

(a) Damaged road surfaces had been reported and the outcome was awaited.

(b) The footpath from the tennis court to West Road was now clear and letters of thanks from the Chairman were being sent to Mr Scoble at 8 West Road and Maj Cansdale at 6 West Road.

(c) Branches over Difford Bridge had been reported and action was awaited.

(d) The Caravan in Bullington Lane which had been causing concern was now parked closer to the hedge – and a sale was imminent.

In addition:

Cllr Wreglesworth. He had circulated, as requested by a resident, details of plastic sheeting on the rear of the hedge of a house backing onto the footpath behind West Road which was an eyesore. Following discussions it was agreed that as it was leased MOD property and the footpath was MOD land, this was not a council issue and the MOD should be approached.

Cllr Eastman had asked about local access to the riverbank and also action to be taken if poachers or fly tippers were seen In either case, if possible car registration and details should be noted and a description of those involved, but at no time should anyone be approached. If poaching is involved the police should be informed and if it is fly tipped, details passed on the Test Valley Borough Council who would take the necessary action.

Cllr Lovell had been asked that long grass behind recycling bins on The Green be cut and area cleaned up to deter gathering of young people and to open up school fence to view in that area. Clerk to contact Commercial Services. She also raised the question of the old den and general state of woodland by the Sewage station on Roberts Road and the nearby manhole cover which had recently blown off due to pressure which could not be access as the grass had not been cut. It was noted that this was all MOD land and their responsibility. Clerk to notify having checked that Water Board had not already done so. She then noted that storm drains in Roberts Road were blocked. Clerk to report.

Cllr Coetzee asked if there was a schedule available regarding night time overflying of the village. Clerk to write to RAF Odiham to request a copy.

Cllr James noted that the motorised gulley cleaner only visited the village early when cars were parked along the main street which stopped effective operation. Clerk to request later visits. He expressed concern at the HGV usage of Bullington Lane, despite the notice in place, and the damage it was sustaining. He noted that 15’ gates had been put into position across the Byway on the other side of the A30 from C87 due to installation of new gas pipe line.Clerk to check with ROW HCC. He noted that grass outside No’s 16 and 9 Kings Elms was now detrimentally being cut by roadside crass cutter and not mowed. Clerk to pursue. He finally noted he had been cutting grass along footpath leading to Gravel Lane and that Chris de CAni would be doing it in future.

8. CHILDREN’S PLAYGROUNDT

All issues deferred until next meeting. .

9. PARISH MATTERS

(a) Future of Parish Plan discussion deferred to July meeting.

(b) Tree planting at The Green – item deferred

(c) Street Lighting in Gravel Lane. The quotation had been accepted and there was discussion regarding clearing undergrowth to allow access . Cllr James to ask Chris de Cani to clear in readiness.

10. PLANNING MATTERS

(a) No objection to felling of cypress trees at The Cottage, Cocum Road

(b) No papers to hand re Retention of Shed, Riverside Cottage. No change of use involved and details to be circulated by email and opinion gauged Clerk to confirm decision.

(c) Clerk noted permission granted for Waste recycling facility off A303 for next five years.

10. CHAIRMAN’S INITIATIVES/CORRESPONDENCE

The Chairman was in receipt of 2006/2007 accounts for the Village Hall and reported a net profit of £79 for the year.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.20

The date of the next parish Council meeting will be Tuesday 17th July 2007.