Parish Council minutes 19 February 2008

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 19th February 2008 at All Saints Church, Barton Stacey.

1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr Peter Wood brought to the attention of the Parish Council comments regarding a footpath in the North East of the parish, leading off the Longparish/Barton Stacey road just north of A303 and posed several questions. These will be addressed and the matter will be dealt with as an agenda item at the March meeting.

2. APOLOGIES

Received from Cllr Goodall, who hoped to arrive later.

3.APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Cllr Lovell noted that Public Participation was Item 1 on Agenda and should be shown as such in the minutes. To be amended.

She also asked that her comments under Item 6 be amended to read “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.” Subject to these amendments it was agreed that the minutes were accepted, and an amended copy would be signed at the next meeting.

4. ROLLING ACTION PLAN AND MATTERS ARISING

Items discussed as detailed.

5. FINANCE

(a) Monthly Financial Report was presented verbally. B/f balance of £21,051.61, cheques written for TVBC Commercial Services £1250.29, S.Electric 149.83 and required for HALC £206.00, Chubb Fire Ltd £81.12, Digley Assoc £52.88 and TVBC (Dog Bins) £189.08, leaving balance of £19,122.41. Clerk apologised copies of accounts left at home and these would be circulated for information.

(b) Following discussion it was proposed by Cllr Lovell and seconded by Cllr James that Cllrs Gibson and Connor, together with the Clerk, meet to consider the Review of the Effectiveness of the System of Internal Audit and report back at the next meeting. Approved unanimously.

6. COUNCILLORS ISSUES

Cllr Wreglesworth

had received complaints that children were making dams and building bridges in ditch around boundary of recreation ground. On investigation, it appeared they had acquired scaffolding poles which were being made use of. It was noted that clearance of ditches was responsibility of land owner.

Cllr Lovell

repeated her request that a letter be sent to the Sewage Pumping Station to arrange for councillor’s to visit with a view to gaining understanding of the extensive works being undertaken. She also noted once more the opportunity to obtain sponsorship funding for local projects from the contractors working on both the sewage depot and the pipe storage depot.

She also highlighted a project being undertaken by Testway Housing ‘Active Learning for Residents’ helping those undertaking voluntary work in the community to work towards qualifications.

Cllr James

had received complaints over the state of the path running from Bullington Lane to the school, in particular roots coming through the tarmac. This is registered as a footpath, is on MOD land and clerk to write to MOD to ask if they will undertake work.

He also reported to the meeting that the Football Club were now employing a linesman/janitor who would be helping to keep the recreation ground tidy, and was already dealing with the problem over clearing ditches. Having declared an interest, he reported that the pavilion was in need of decoration and that if the Parish Council put this in hand, the Football Club would be prepared to contribute a sum up to £300 towards the cost. Cllr Gibson also declared an interest in this matter. It was proposed by Cllr Wreglesworth, seconded Cllr Drinkwater that the parish council should fund the decoration of the Pavilion, with the contribution from the Football Club, and asking Cllr James to arrange quotations, preferably from local tradesmen, for consideration. The proposal was agreed with one abstention.

Cllr Gibson

reported that the Barton Stacey VIP’s would like to purchase a new radio microphone and were asking if a contribution could be made from PC Community Funds. Cllr Wreglesworth declared an interest in this matter. Following discussion it was proposed by Cllr Gibson, seconded Cllr Drinkwater and agreed unanimously that the sum of £100 would be contributed on the understanding that the equipment was available for sharing with other groups. Councillor Wreglesworth confirmed that he had gained external funding to enable the VIPs to begin a Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Arts Council Award group. Although the funding is ring-fenced for group members, the work of the Award group will be extended to all other young people in the village and he will be seeking funding to support the extension of this work

7. BUSINESS AND LEISURE MAP

Deferred till next meeting, awaiting indication of money available from grants to determine best means of presentation – Clerk noted that a new set of Definitive Maps of Public Rights of Way had been published and a copy provided by HCC. Further copies available at a total charge of £12. Clerk to order second copy.

8. PARISH COMMUNICATION

The papers prepared and presented by Cllr Connor covering presentation of Agenda and also external Communication Strategy were accepted and approved.

It was noted that additional items for inclusion on the Agenda should be submitted to Clerk 10 days prior to meeting, and that the Monthly Financial Report should be circulated together with the Agenda. Presentation of the Agenda was proposed by Cllr Drinkwater and seconded by Cllr James and agreed unanimously. The Communication Strategy was proposed by Cllr Gibson and Seconded by Cllr Wreglesworth and agreed unanimously.

Cllr Connor was elected as Communications Officer and asked to produce a draft overall Communications Plan for approval, and an annual expenditure of £250 if required for communications activities was approved. Proposed by Cllr Drinkwater and seconded by Cllr Lovell.

As necessary, amendment should be made to Standing Order to cover these items

9. CONFIRMATION OF DATES

(a) The Annual Parish Meeting would be held on Tuesday 29th April 2008, 7.30 p.m. Wine and crisps to be arranged.

(b) The Barton Stacey Annual General Meeting would precede the parish council meeting on Tuesday 20th May 2008 at 7.30 p.m.

10. ANDOVER AIRFIELD DEVELOPMENT

It was confirmed that the letter, expressing the concerns of the parish council regarding transport issues linked to the proposed Tesco Warehouse on Andover Airfield, had been acknowledged by TVBC and it was noted that the contents would be taken into consideration.

This had also been copied to Cllr Neal, as had the questions which Cllr Goodall was seeking a response to, and it was agreed that the clerk should invite Cllr Neal to the next meeting to brief councillors on this subject, and to answer questions.

11. CONSIDERATION OF REPORT FROM CLLR CONNOR REGARDING VISIT TO PIPE STORAGE FACILITY

The report covered a visit by Cllr Lovell and Connor, and thanks were expressed to Cllr Connor for the report submitted.

The contractors would be prepared to consider funding a community project and serious consideration to be given to likely projects and passed to Cllr Connor before the next meeting, when a decision would be made as to what to put forward.

12.PARISH MATTERS

(a) Tree Planting – The Green. Cllr Gibson to ask Cllr Goodall for progress report. Cllr Lovell is still offering £300 towards cost .

(b) Churchyard Extension. A letter had been received from Parker Bullen re status of negotiations on extension. Clerk confirmed that file could now be closed.

(c) Village Car Parking. Cllr Gibson to approach Mike Oxlade regarding use of churchyard extension for temporary car parking as allowed on 28 calendar days in any one year.

(d) Notification of Cango Service C4 to Andover town, hospital and Tesco’s. Notices on notice boards and Tuesday Club to be informed.

13.AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Application approved at Planning Meeting on 24th January subject to conditions, work continuing to actively chase up title deeds and obtain permission for early soil investigations to take place.

14. PLANNING MATTERS

(a) Consultation on Preferred Options of new Local Development Plan. Document being circulated around councillors for information – also exhibition being held during Thursday pm, Friday and Saturday am at Andover Guildhall. Comments invited

(b) Formation of Planning Committee – awaiting publication

(c) 16 Kings Elms, Barton Stace– application withdrawn

15. CHAIRMAN’S INITIATIVES/CORRESPONDENCE

(a) Agenda for next Test Valley Association of Parish Council meeting received and passed to Cllr Lovell who asked that BSPC were content that she represented them on this body. Agreed.

(b) A Rural Community Consultation form had been received from the police. Cllr Drinkwater to complete and post off.

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.55 p.m

The next Parish Council Meeting will take place on Tuesday 18th March 2008.