Parish Council minutes 20 November 2007

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

Status:

Draft

Present:

Minutes of a meeting of Barton Stacey Parish Council held on Tuesday 20th November 2007 at Barton Stacey Village Hall.

1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

None.

2. APOLOGIES

Received from Cllrs Coetzee, Eastman and Wreglesworth.

3.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of September 18th 2007 had been amended as agreed at October meeting and were duly signed. An addition was made to the minutes of meeting of 16th October 2007: Item 6 Cllr Lovell as follows: “She asked that the parish council formally acknowledged the difficulties being experienced by the farming community and offered support where and when it was able.”

The minutes were then approved unanimously and duly signed.

4. ROLLING ACTION PLAN AND MATTERS ARISING

Items discussed as detailed.

5. FINANCE

a) Monthly Financial Report presented showing final balance of £21,040.88 following receipt of Bank Interest (44.79) and payments made to Barton Stacey Village Hall (47.60) Southern Electric (70.41) and A Wilson, clerk’s remuneration (452.68). Acceptance proposed by Cllr Gibson, seconded by Cllr Drinkwater and approved unanimously.

b) Amended proposed budget as discussed at October meeting was considered and approved. Once figures are received regarding cost of upkeep of street lighting, further consideration to be given to additional ring-fenced funds. Proposed by Cllr Gibson and seconded by Cllr Drinkwater that 2008/2009 precept should be remain at £15,750 and agreed unanimously.

c) It was reported that the 2006/7 Annual Return had been approved by the Audit Commission, it having been noted that a review of effectiveness would be undertaken in 2007/8. Conclusion of Audit notices prepared for display.

6. COUNCILLORS ISSUES

Cllr Drinkwater

had spoken to the officers on duty at the Mobile Police Office. The regular presence of the unit was much appreciated and the Clerk to write to Hampshire Constabulary expressing satisfaction, and at the same time suggesting that a trial be undertaken with attendance at Car Park opposite Post Office one month and by The Green, Roberts Road the next.

Cllr Lovell

had received a report from Dennis Dewey regarding the moribund chestnut tree in field next to tennis court which in light of unrestricted public access posed a safety hazard. Clerk to inform MOD.

She had attended the recent Creating a Sustainable Village Event, partaking in the BUILT environment and Traffic Workshop.

Suggested that someone in the village be nominated for role of Champion of green issues.

She had also attended the E-Planning presentation – a government initiative, and the SE Agricultural Society Conference ‘Farming in a changing society’. She would be happy to discuss any of these with interested parties. Her name had been proposed and seconded at HAPTC AGM as TV Community Safety Partnership member.

Cllr Gibson

proposed a retrospective donation to the Firework fund of £50 and this was unanimously agreed.

7. CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND

a) Painting of equipment. A verbal quotation had been received from Paul Jenkins of £100 plus materials, and written confirmation awaited. He would paint items one at a time, marking them appropriately so that the playground could be continued to be used. This was approved unanimously.

b) Replacement of Waste Bins. Following report from Cllr Goodall this was put on hold for the present as bins in situ were effective provided they were emptied regularly.

c) Annual Playground Report had been studied, and no serious issues had been reported. Cllr Goodall report that as a result moss had been treated, but due to heavy rain would require further treatment, the sign had been refixed, and bolts tightened on rocking dog. In addition a split in the rubber covering on a flat swing had been noted, but as this was on an aluminium base it was not a safety issue. He also reported that black and white marking tape had been tied around the lowest bar of the climbing frame but had been removed and plans were in hand to permanently mark it with paintwork.

d) Installation of new equipment. Cllr Goodall would ensure that paperwork regarding the commissioning of this equipment was forwarded to the Clerk for filing for future reference if required.

e) Details of a 2 day seminar on Care of Playgrounds were noted.

8. ANDOVER AIRFIELD DEVELOPMENT

It was noted that planning consideration had been delayed until further reports were submitted.

The parish council were advised of an exchange of emails between the clerk and Peter Jopling, who was heading up the group opposed to the development, during which she stated that the parish council did not wish to be involved in the objections raised over this issue, as detailed in minutes of 17th April when the view was expressed that the normal planning process should suffice.

Cllr Lovell noted that as outlined in her email circulated after the last meeting , as a member of the Northern Area Planning Committee who would be considering this matter, she could not predetermine whether her stance would be for or against.

It was agreed that the comments made by the parish council in April were still appropriate.

9. BUSINESS AND LEISURE MAP

In Cllr Wregglesworth’s absence, to be considered at the next meeting.

10. IMPROVING COMMUNICATION

The paper submitted for consideration by Cllr Connor was commended by all as the way forward for good practice. It was felt that a matter as important as this should be agreed if possible by a full council and that the paper be read and digested by all, and called forward for consideration at the next meeting.

11.PARISH MATTERS

a)Tree planting on The Green

Following consultation it was suggested that the trees should consist of paper bark birch, Amelanchier which provided both spring flowering and autumn colour and crab apple. Cllr Lovell confirmed her intention to sponsor planting to a sum of £300 and Cllr Goodall would price up the overall cost to see whether it was worth while pursuing a grant to cover any additional cost. It was noted that the planting would cover an area of 10 m. square and that its position at the end of the dragons teeth would be determined for the greatest protection of The Green.

b) Village Car Parking

It was noted that use of land for car parking for no more than 28 days in one year could be undertaken without planning permission – however, if hardcore is used to compact the surface, this is then liable to planning. Further approach to be made to ask permission to make temporary use of graveyard extension until required for its designated use. If permission refused, alternative site to be sought.

It was noted that parking during the Firework event caused a problem this year and consideration will be given to requesting assistance in control from the local police.

c) Recycling

As the panhandle was unadopted, it was assumed that TVBC had permission from the MOD for a recycling site.

d) Pavilion Floor

A quotation from AC Building for the necessary repair work for the sum of £235 had been received. Despite making contact with another company for a quotation, this had not been forthcoming. Accordingly it was proposed by Cllr Goodall and seconded by Cllr Connor and agreed unanimously that AC Building be instructed to carry out repairs.

12.AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Copies of plans still awaited - expected to be received once registration of application had been completed. Purchase of land in progress and details of water main route and potential easement awaited. Cllr Gibson reported that plans were available on TVBC website and could be viewed there by all.

13. PLANNING MATTERS

a) As noted earlier in the meeting gravel extraction was being proposed at Cutty Brow, Longparish. 1,000,000 tons to be extracted from 20 hectares over a 10 year period. Lorry access to be directly to and from A303. Filling of hole to make use of inert materials only so as not to affect the acquifer. Being closely monitored by Cllr Neal and by Longparish Parish Council.

b) The retention of the shed at Riverside Cottage to come back before committee and was being recommended for permission. Parish Council noted that it should have to remain within the given parameters as a store and a garage.

c) The planning consent for rebuilding of two houses on site of Avoco had been turned down as had the proposed garage at 3 Newlands.

d) Formation of a planning committee to be considered at next meeting – in the meantime Cllr Lovell to speak with Cllrs Goodall and Connor.

e) It was reported that noted changes of use in the village should be brought to the attention of the Authorities, backed by diaried evidence, the department approached to depend on the use being reported.

f) Planning submission received for erection of fence down centre of drive between The Stone Roses and Fitzhead. After discussion it was determined that the parish council response should be ‘No Comment’.

14. CHAIRMAN’S INITIATIVES/CORRESPONDENCE

a) Changes to local subsidised bus services had been received and s included in the pack of correspondence being circulated.

b) Following correspondence, it was noted that the revision of the Barton Stacey Conservation Area would take place next April/May 2008.

c) Cllr Goodall noted that approval for the spending of £250 for materials to improve the fence between the play park and the car park and to replace the wire fencing in front of the Guildhall had not been recorded. It was agreed by all – Cllr Goodall having volunteered to carry out the necessary work.

There being no further business, the meeting closed at 10.00 pm

The date of the next Parish Council meeting will be Tuesday 16th January 2008.