Parish Council minutes 15 January 2008

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 15th January 2008 at Barton Stacey Village Hall

1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Nicholas Prideaux spoke on the proposed development of Andover Airfield, particularly the Distribution Warehouse for TESCO’s., highlighting once more the traffic problems which could affect the village, should there be a problem on the A303.and asked that these concerns were presented formally to the Planning Officer at TVBC.

2. APOLOGIES

Received from Cllrs Coetzee, Drinkwater and Gibson.

3.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Minutes of the meeting held on 20th November were approved subject to the amendment in Item 6, Councillor’s Issues, of Guildhall to Village Hall, and to amendment regarding Cllr Lovell’s appointment to Test Valley Community Safety Partnership. Proposed Cllr Lovell, seconded Cllr James and approved unanimously.

4. ROLLING ACTION PLAN AND MATTERS ARISING

Items discussed as detailed.

5. BARTON STACEY CRIME FIGURES

Pc Richard Jewell reported on the very good crime figures for Barton Stacey area for 2007. Throughout the year there had only been a total of 7 serious crimes (i.e. burglary/ attempted burglary/criminal damage /etc) throughout the area over this period.

6. FINANCE

a. Monthly Financial Report was presented showing £21,040.88 brought forward from 20th November 2007 to which was added £210 received for hire of Recreation Ground and £258.49 bank interest. Cheques had been written for £50 for donation to Firework Fund, £158.63 for Audit Commission, £235 to AC Building for pavilion repairs. A further cheque required for S Water for £14.13 left a total of £21,051.61. Proposed by Cllr Connor and seconded by Cllr Wreglesworth that the report be accepted. Agreed unanimously.

b. The quotations received for 2008/2009 grass cutting on the Recreation Ground and Children’s playground were considered. Proposed by Cllr Goodall and seconded by Cllr Wreglesworth that the quotation from Commercial Services be accepted. Agreed unanimously.

6. COUNCILLORS ISSUES

Cllr Wreglesworth

reported that the young people in the village had made a bid for £5000 for the benefit of Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme and Junior VIP’s to Youth Opportunity Fund. If successful it will be used to develop an active Youth Group over the next 3 years in which all youth groups in the village can participate.

Cllr Connor

raised the question of the pipe storage site. He had been approached about the intrusive nature of the bright lights on site and wondered if a site visit by councillors would be useful, in order to gain information on plans for future working, and to open a dialogue to aid future liaison over problems which might arise. Clerk to make contact and arrange for liaison with Cllr Connor over suitable time and date. Cllr James added that workers travelling through the village daily were making good use of the village shop.

Cllr Lovell

passed on concerns expressed to her over the amount of work being carried out at Sewage Depot, at the same time highlighting an article published in the Hampshire Chronicle which had suggested that MOD land at Drayton Down could be considered as an alternative site for major housing development. Although this was not an option in the current Borough Plan, it was noted that a new planning document would shortly be out for consultation.

She also brought the BOAZ project to the attention of the parish council. Operating at Hill Side Farm it provides opportunities for people with learning difficulties to participate and learn new skills and was something to e proud of. She would liaise with the organisation about a possible visit for parish councillors to the site one Tuesday pm.

Cllr Goodall

mentioned the increasing problem over rubbish on the A303. He also suggested that although the parish council were no longer considering replacing bins at the children’s playground, it might be possible to arrange manufacture of hinged lids to fit existing bins. Cllr Eastman said he could possibly help and if so would be prepared to donate the lids.

Cllr Coetzee

in her absence had raised the siting of the ‘Narrow Road with Passing Place’ sign at the bottom of Bullington Lane. She had received comments asking if it could be moved to the railings by the footpath as it was not in keeping with its surroundings at present. It was agreed that it was incorrectly sited, but felt it was done for economy.

The Clerk had received a complaint about the Postman’s Walk footpath which had not been re-instated following ploughing. Clerk to write to Middleton Estate and ask them to rectify.

8. CHILDREN'S PLAYGROUND

a. Painting of equipment would take place when weather was more suitable at a cost of £100 plus cost of materials.

b. It was reported that one of the sprngers were loose. Cllr Goodall to check.

c. Cllr Goodall reported that a fence had now been erected to prevent easy access from the playground to the car park,and following discussion noted this could be extended if required. The Cygnets to be asked their opinion and the situation to be monitored. It was agreed that invoice for the cost of materials should be met by the parish council.

9. ANDOVER AIRFIELD DEVELOPMENT

Cllr Goodall reported that he had spent the past 2 weeks endeavouring to get answers to a range of questions regarding the current level of usage of A303 and future projected increase in light of various proposed developments, but had been unsuccessful, and was still awaiting an uplift forecast

At this point Cllr Lovell declared an interest in light of her membership of Northern Area Planning Committee, noting she could make no comment at this stage.

Discussion highlighted major concerns over additional usage of roads through the village, particularly following any problems on the A303 and approach roads, the width restriction signs, particularly from Cocum end were unclear, there was a road safety issue and questions regarding contingency for stacking up vehicles in event of a major emergency.. It was agreed that Cllr Connor list comments to be made to TVBC expressing concerns and pass to clerk to forward to local authority for consideration.

10. BUSINESS AND LEISURE MAP

To be carried forward to next meeting.

11. IMPROVING COMMUNICATION

It was agreed that consideration of the paper submitted should be held over to next meeting as this important subject required attention of full council. Additional paper to be circulated prior to next meeting.

12.PARISH MATTERS

i Tree Planting

Costing as follows: Multi-stem paper bark birch, 3 metre at £40-50 each, Amelanchier at a similar cost and white beam at £25 per tree, root stock. Prior to next meeting, Clls Goodall and Lovell to meet to plan requirement, so final costing can be made and a grant application submitted if necessary.

ii. Village Car Park Update

Cllr Gibson to approach Mike Oxlade re occasional parking on graveyard extension on special occasions. No news to date.

iii. Recycling

Rationalisation of bins in light of present refuse collection will lead to removal of bins for cans and for cardboard/paper in due course. In the meantime it was noted that there was no lock on the bin for cans. Following discussion it was agreed that the parish council would continue to seek an alternative recycling site for the village

iv. Pavilion Floor

Satisfactorily repaired and account paid.

13.AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Following consideration of the contents of notice of meeting for Northern Planning Committee at which the Barton Stacey Affordable Housing was to be considered, concern was expressed at the interpretation of the comments made by the parish council and the Clerk to write to Planning Officer, Jason Owen, requesting that the two documents sent in be made available to all members of the Planning Committee

An email had been received from Chris Buchan-Hepburn expressing the view that a member of the PC should attend and speak at the planning meeting. In his absence, it was agreed that Cllr Gibson should attend if possible, and if not Cllr Wreglesworth volunteered.

14. PLANNING MATTERS

i. Cllr Lovell had started to draw up Term of Reference for a new Planning Committee but in light of the new Audit Procedures awaited from HAPTC, this was to be held in abeyance. Cllr Lovell asked that those subsequently elected to serve should attend/have attended planning training.

ii. No objections had been submitted regarding the erection of a wooden outbuilding as a stable in place of current garage.

iii. Application to reduce in half ash trees in the grounds of Street Farm Cottage had been received and there were no objections

iv. There were no objects to an extension for erection at 16 Kings Elms , provided that the annex was not sited too close to the line of the footpath, as designated in the Borough Plan.

15. CHAIRMAN’S INITIATIVES/CORRESPONDENCE

The Chairman asked that all paperwork with regard to Business and Leisure Map, Communications and Planning Committee be circulated prior to the next meeting to ensure that these matters received sue consideration.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 10.30 p.m

The date of the next Parish Council meeting will be Tuesday 19th February 2008.