Parish Council minutes 17 July 2007

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

Status:

Draft - Subject to approval

Present:

Minutes of a meeting of Barton Stacey Parish Council held on Tuesday 17th July 2007 at Barton Stacey Village Hall.

1. Public Participation: None

2. APOLOGIES

Cllrs Coetzee, Connor, Gibson, Neal(TVBC) and Wreglesworth.

3.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the previous meeting were considered and it was agreed that the wording ‘Purchase of land as an exception site still being negotiated’ be added to comments on Affordable Housing, and that Para 6b be amended to read ‘Cllr Lovell felt she could not support the proposal as the Post Office had been identified in the Parish Plan as one of the most valued provision in the village and this account has been set up to show support.’ Subject to alterations, minutes were approved, Proposed by Cllr Lovell, seconded by Cllr Drinkwater and agreed unanimously. Amended copy to be signed at next meeting. Clerk to make the alterations and copy amended minutes to all councillors and website

4. ROLLING ACTION PLAN AND MATTERS ARISING

Items discussed as detailed together with following matters arising:a) Communication with Parish to form Agenda item at next meeting, noting that Cllr Connor had written article and submitted it to Dever News and dates of Parish Council meetings no longer appeared under Diary Dates in the local press.

b) Clerk had advised MOD of need to cut grass each side of Sewage Station in Roberts Road, to allow clear access to manhole cover and drawn their attention to the old den and general state of woodland in the same area.

c) Clerk had advised authorities of problems with blocked storm drains in Roberts Road.

d) In response to latest query over availability of flying schedule, the relevant website linked to RAF Odiham had been noted. Articles relating to this subject would be made available for publication locally. Clerk to facilitate.

e) Later visits of gulley cleaner had been requested, also return to mowing of grass outside 9 and 16 Kings Elms.

f) Clerk to check whether plans for Affordable Housing which had been circulated to councillors were deemed confidential by Hyde Housing, or whether they could be shared with interested parishioners. A response from Hyde Housing reported on a constructive Planning pre-application meeting and the response of the planners. Reported request that some of the houses were turned through 90 degrees to face down field was questioned, the possible retention of most of the roadside hedge was welcomed, and it was agreed that further community involvement should take place following a firm application. In the meantime Clerk to request an early meeting between councillors, Chris Buchan-Hepburn, an involved architect , and a Planning Officer to meet a need for greater understanding of requirements and amendments to plans.

Further agenda item at next meeting.

g) Chairman commented that action list was confusing by being split between RAP’s and minutes, if actions remain on minutes only our follow ups and trail of actions/events will be lost. Suggest all actions are recorded on RAP’s.

5. FINANCE

a) Monthly Financial Report was presented, showing a final balance of £16,731.11 following receipt of bank interest of £67.33, and cheques required for Southern Water (16.99) and TVBC Grass cutting (Roberts Road) (564.00). Acceptance proposed Cllr James and seconded Cllr Drinkwater and agreed unanimously.

b) It was agreed that signatories on the Unity Trust Bank account should be Cllrs Gibson, Connor, Goodall and Drinkwater, together with the Parish Clerk. Cheques would then be signed by any two of those listed.

c) Clerk reported that the Internal Audit had been completed successfully and it was agreed that Martin Bearpark should be presented with a small gift in recognition for his ongoing assistance. The Annual Return was presented for approval, including the questions contained in Annual Governance Statement. Subject to confirmation of review of the financial controls and procedures which it was suggested Mr Bearpark be requested to fulfill, this was approved unanimously. Proposed Cllr Drinkwater and seconded Cllr James

7. COUNCILLORS ISSUES

Cllr Lovell:

reported that Ian Ashbolt has taken on the post of Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator, and he had reported that 1) the police were aware that the container on land adjacent to the Recreation Ground was being used as a centre for cannabis smoking and were monitoring the situation and 2) there was still glass to be found around the recycling bins on Roberts Road.

She further reported that Dennis Dewey had expressed concern that ash suckers were rubbing against slate tiles on the Old School building in Bullington Lane, causing them to come loose and they were in danger of falling onto the public footpath, creating a Health and Safety hazard. Clerk to contact Goldings to make them aware.

Finally a deer had been killed at the bottom of Robert Road and the carcass which was moved onto the grass duly started to rot. On this being reported to TVBC, they responded speedily within 1 ½ hours, and the carcass was removed.

Cllr Drinkwater:

had received a complaint regarding the hole in the Lionel Hitchen fence along Gravel Lane which was filled in with rusty corrugated iron. Clerk to talk to the company.

Cllr Coetzee:

had contacted the Clerk to enquire into the status of residential layby parking in Roberts Road opposite The Green. It transpired that despite information contained in purchase deeds, the pavements, laybys and road had been adopted by TVBC, were maintained by them, and were for general public use.

Following discussion it was agreed that Village Car Parking should be an Agenda item.

7. PLAYGROUND

(a) To date there had been no further action regarding painting of equipment.

(b) Cllr Goodall had received the price list but no literature regarding the bins. To be discussed at the next meeting

(c) Cllr Lovell expressed concern over the unavoidable lack of time to fully discuss the implication of provision of additional equipment in the playground by the Cygnet Playgroup and asked if there were any conditions relating to the grant of which the Parish Council should be aware. Other than insurance cover and ongoing inspection which would be provided by the Parish Council, there were none. Realising that approval had been received from a majority of councillors, this matter had not been raised previously. The Chairman requested that in future all councillors should share any concerns at the earliest opportunity to ensure that balanced and informed decision were made.

(d) Concern was expressed by about ease of access to the car park from the play area and the need to consider raising the fence in that area, which was an issue which was on hold but would be considered in the future.

8. IMPROVING COMMUNICATION

An agenda item for next meeting, covering all aspects of communication with regards to councillors and parishioners.

9. PARISH MATTERS

(a) Parish Plan. Cllr Goodall to speak with Cllr Wreglesworth regarding a separate meeting to discuss this issue.

(b) Tree planting. In hand

(c) Street Lighting in Gravel Lane - see Rolling Action Plan.

(d) Traffic calming. Clerk reported Longparish decision to purchase flashing 30 mph sign and request for partners to share cost and usage. To be discussed further when Clerk has details.

(e) Test Valley Transport Forum - report not made. Circulated by email.

10. PLANNING MATTERS

(a) O7/01783/Treen Fell Lime Tree, The Granary House, Cocum Road, Barton Stacey. No objection.

(b) 07/1781.FULLN Conservatory at rear of 6 Roman Way, Barton Stacey. No objections.

(c) 07/01747/FULLN Front porch and 3 storey side extn, with rear conservatory. 3 East Road, Barton Stacey. Supported.

It was agreed that circulation of planning matters in future should be discussed under ‘Improving Communication’.

11. CHAIRMAN’S INITIATIVES/CORRESPONDENCE

(a) Intended purchase and provision of Goal posts on Recreation Ground.by Football Club. Further discussion needed on possible purchase by Parish Council to facilitate reclaiming of VAT element and repayment of balance by Football Club.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.25 pm

The date of the next parish Council meeting will be Tuesday 18th September 2007.