Parish Council minutes 18 March 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 18th March 2008 at Village Hall, Barton Stacey.

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Mr Ian Ashbolt spoke briefly on his role with Neighbourhood Watch, noting low crime figures for area. He spoke as Chairman of Barton Stacey Drama Group, making an grant application towards curtains for use in the village hall and asked if the Drama Group could be consulted over any future decision to replace staging. Finally, he voiced an appeal for recycling bins to be moved from their present site.. Final items to be discussed at the April meeting.

1. APOLOGIES

Received from Cllr Goodall following a family funeral.

2. Declarations of Interest

(a) Cllr Lovell. Item 12. Sits on Northern Area Planning Committee

Cllr James. Comments to be made on Football Club as Committee Member

(b) Cllr Eastman. Prejudicial Interest on Affordable Housi

3. Minutes of previous meeting

(a) Draft minutes of 24th February 2008 were approved and signed.

(b) Amended minutes of 15th January 2008 were signed

4. Rolling Action Plan

Items discussed as detailed.

Cllr Lovell suggested that copies of the Action Plan should be made public – agreed in future that they should appear on Notice Boards and on the web site.

5. Affordable Housing

Seven Councillors attended useful meeting with Hyde and Contractors, chose brick and roof tile colour from samples submitted and inspected proposed window frames. To be built under Considerate Constructors Scheme with full liaison with local residents to avoid unnecessary disruption.

Title deeds somewhere in transit and still not received from MOD, TVBC written in support, Parish Council to write. Danger of loss of funding due to time constraint and jeopardising planning consent – also unable to complete 106 agreement. Suggested Statutory Declaration through Land Registry – but at present MOD not willing and still seeking to release title deeds.

Suggested that Clerk write to Sandra Gidley to ask for assistance.

6. Parish Footpaths

There is no official footpath leading off Longparish/Barton Stacey road noted on the new Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way just published. Access to Footpath running northeast from Lodge Farm possible from north of Longparish, from A34 or from Bullington. The rectangular construction on which work was being carried out along the parish boundary was a facility to launch and receive inspection vehicles known as Pipeline Integrity Gauges (PIGs) at the point where the new gas line was connected to the old.

It was noted that the finger post on Moonlight track at the village end was broken – Clerk to report. Raised by Cllr Eastman and following discussion, it was proposed by Cllr Drinkwater, seconded by Cllr James and agreed unanimously that Cllr Eastman should erect laminated signs on appropriate footpaths noting Dogs Under Control. Ground Nesting Birds. Cost of signs to be met by Parish Council.

7. Planning Applications

To consider

(a) 08/00548/FULLN – conservatory at rear of 90 Roberts Road – no objection.

(b) 08/00655/Treen Tree works at Braben House, Cocum Road. No objection

(c) Cllr Lovell noted that formation of a Planning Committee was still in hand, awaiting publication of new procedures from HALC., and expressed her disappointment that no formal comment had been made by the Parish Council on the Draft Core Strategy Preferred Development Options Consultation.

8. Parish Matters

(a) Progress on Tree Planting on The Green. Notice received from Cllr Goodall that it was now to late in season for.‘bare root planting’ Cllr Lovell to approach outside agencies with view to planting container grown trees. Proposed by Cllr Drinkwater, seconded Cllr James that authority should be given to go ahead, with Cllr Lovell to inform clerk of additional funding required over her donation of £300.

(b) Mr Oxlade been on holiday. Cllr Gibson to speak to him re use of graveyard extension for temporary occasional parking.

9. Finance

(a) the Monthly Financial Report was submitted with b/f balance of £19,122.41. A cheque had been written for £30 for HALC seminar fee, and cheques were required for £370 to Peter Giddings for 3 notice boards, £1,640.03 to HCC for electricity costs, including repair of light up Bullington Lane and reinstatement of light in Gravel Lane, and £655,00 for A Wilson for Clerk’s remuneration. This left a balance of 16,527.38 and it was noted that a VAT refund was due to be submitted for £881.

(b) An invoice totalling £267.89 was submitted and approved for equipment purchased for the fence between the playground and car park and it was agreed that the Chairman should write to thank Cllr Goodall for giving his time and labour to this task.

Proposed by Cllr Drinkwater and seconded by Cllr Wreglesworth that the financial report be accepted and agreed unanimously.

10. System of Internal Audit

Cllr Connor had submitted plans on internal controls necessary for Review of Effectiveness.- of System of Internal audit following a meeting between himself, Cllr Gibson and Clerk.

He recommended that he reviewed and updated Standing Orders, wrote new Financial Standing Orders and internal audit procedures for submission to the council for approval by 20 May 08 and that a review of systems of internal control and internal audit be conducted for consideration at the meeting of 17 June. Finally that annual accounts and Annual Return be completed and presented to Council for approval at the meeting of 15 July. Timetable accepted.

11. Business and Leisure Map

Cllr Wreglesworth presented a report of a meeting held with a working group of members with useful skills and noted the alternatives available. i. A compact A3 leaflet with basic parish information, published to high standard by HCC, such as the Longparish map or ii.. A larger, more comprehensive document akin to size, feel and longevity of an ordnance survey map, with superior graphics, maps and detail of local businesses, which could be used by parish council, businesses, parishioners and visitors. He also outlined costs and the way forward., noting that there would be a 6 month time line to produce. It was greed that the second option would be preferred.

He would report further on possible funding at the April meeting.

12. Andover Airfield Development – further comments

A letter had been received from Mr Shorthouse to which the Chairman had responded. There was currently no further action or decision as Highways and HCC had not yet come up with their response. Neither Cllrs Neal or Lovell must not be seen to have predetermined this planning application prior to it coming before the Planning Committee – but it was suggested that anyone interested in more information could go ‘on line’ to find it.

13. Renewal of Annual MOD Licence

Proposed by Cllr Drinkwater and seconded by Cllr Coetzee that the 2008/2009 Annual Licence for land at Roberts Road be accepted and agreed. Clerk to progress.

14. Pipe Storage Facility

Cllr Connor had received no prior notification of likely community projects and in discussion it was suggested i. That the road leading to the school be widened, ii. That the track to the Recreation Ground be made up, iii. That a new stage /Lighting/ curtains for the village hall be provided, or suitable furniture. iv. Repairs to School footpath; v. That Cllr Coetzee to ask Cygnets for details of their requirements. Cllr Connor to endeavour to ascertain level of funding and preferred type of project prior to next meeting.

15. Wastewater Treatment Works

Details of proposed visit to works would be made available to the Clerk mid April, following present busy construction period.

16. Councillors Issues

Cllr Wreglesworth

wished to thank Cllr Neal for his prompt response to list of questions forwarded to him by email.

Cllr Lovell

reported on her attendance at TV Assoc of Parish Councils at which Barton Stacey had tabled 2 questions which sparked lively discussion

She also noted that the Re-cycling bin for cans and plastic would be removed by the end of March by TVBC following review.

She had received an enquiry as to where the Deeds of the Recreation Ground were and was it registered. Clerk to follow up

She asked that copies of the Register of Assets be circulated to all councillors along with Standing Order, but it was noted that the latter were already in circulation.

She also requested an Agenda Item at the next meeting on Discussion of Standing Items to be included.

Cllr James

Noted that traffic connected to the new pipeline was making use of The Drove to access part of the site, and that there was a parked vehicle on the approach road which was causing obstruction.

Cllr Drinkwater

A complaint had been received about Riverside Cottage garage which would appear to have a verandah, with hanging baskets, and also concerns over the cess pit which had been installed. Clerk to write to TVBC.

17. Correspondence

a. Cllr Gibson noted that advice had been received from HALC that minutes of meetings should preferably just record the item discussed and the action to be taken. To be considered as an Agenda Item at the next meeting.

b. In a letter received from Cllr Goodall he noted that work was in hand on some equipment in the Children’s Playground

c. The Clerk noted receipt of information on Civic/Patrons Night of Andover Musical and Operative Society, an appeal from Victim Support , a communication from PC Jewell, who was on holiday report on Crime Level, and asking for assistance in passing on information through website and parish magazine. Cllr Connor has in hand. He had also had little response from general public re a meeting planned for ‘Safer Neighbourhood ‘ which had been displayed in the Village shop. It was questioned as to where, as no councillor had seen it. Possible interest to Tuesday Club

There being no further business the meeting closed at 9.25 p.m

The next Parish Council Meeting will take place on Tuesday 15th April 2008.