EAST
WOODHAY PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON
TUESDAY 9TH APRIL 2002
Elections.
Two current Councillors are
not standing for re-election at the forthcoming elections in May. This meeting was therefore their last,
and the Chairman thanked them for the service they have given over the last 4
years. There are 9 nominees for
the 10 positions available on the new Council, and therefore an election will
not be required to take place.
Parish Appraisal/Village
Design Statement.
A draft copy of a
questionnaire to be delivered to each household in the Parish had been
previously given to each Councillor for comment re any ambiguities, ease of
completion etc. The general
feeling was that it was excellent.
Councillors made individual comments on each questionnaire and returned
to the Steering Group for consideration. The questionnaires will be distributed by hand, and
various suggestions are being considered as to how they are collected.
Litter Warden.
Only one response was
received to recent advertisements for this post. As this respondee was only 14, it was felt that appointment
was not appropriate, particularly on health and safety grounds. Although the collection of
litter by Basingstoke and Deane appears to have improved slightly, the
situation is still far from ideal.
The Clerks of two adjoining Parishes will be contacted to see if their
Litter Wardens would be prepared to take on any extra hours to help us out. In the meantime, litter on the
two recreation grounds will continue to be collected on a voluntary and rota
basis.
Transport.
Four possible designs were
put forward as a possibility for a new Bus Shelter outside Masons Court, which
were then whittled down to two for further consideration. Some monies have been promised from
local businesses, and the Council is in the process of applying for a grant via
the Rural Transport Partnership.
However, as the Shelter would need to be erected on private land,
permission will be required from the landowner. The Council also felt that consultation, with the
tenants in particular and the Parish in general, would be advisable.
Skateboard Ramp.
The damaged side panels
have now been repaired. Although
it was appreciated that the ramp needs to be maintained to an acceptable
standard it is also difficult to find businesses prepared to carry out such
work.
Planning.
The site at Blacklands
Copse for the proposed erection of a telecoms mast has now been withdrawn, but
a new site is under consideration.
Both the Borough and the Parish will be fighting against the proposed
piecemeal development of Harwood Paddock at the Development Committee Meeting
on 8th May, particularly in light of this development being
considered under the Local Plan.
Woolton Hill Recreation
Ground.
Quotations have been
received for digging out a drain and gravelling the Car Park and for carrying
out concreting work around the Skateboard Ramp area. Although the cost appears to be high it includes a large amount
for disposal of rubbish which will be removed to make the ditch drain. The possibility of funding from
Basingstoke and Deane has been investigated, but would be very unlikely. Alternative quotes will be sought.
Various designs have been
received for shelters with seating inside which are already in use in some
Parishes in the Borough. These are
particularly popular with teenagers, who can sit and be dry when they
congregate together, as well as with the police, who can, as a result of the
design, see what is going on inside. Further investigations into these shelters will
continue.
Black and yellow take is
now in place on the car park height restriction barrier.
Highways.
Crumbling haunchings
outside St. Martins School and potholes on the C5 are both on track to be
repaired soon. Further haunching
problems on Church Road, along with the drain on the slip road at Douglas Ride,
have been identified as in need of repair. There is concern about overhanging trees near Blindmans Gate
and the A343, which the County Council’s arboriculturist will investigate
and report on. A request has
been received for the Council to consider changing right of way at the junction
of Church Road and the C5 so that those coming from Church Road have priority. However it was felt that, as the C5 is
a main road, this change was not possible.
Finance.
A quotation has been
received for grass cutting for this financial year which is higher than
expected. The Parish Council
arranges grass cutting on behalf of a housing association who has properties in
the area, and as there are more properties on their list for this year, we will
be reimbursed appropriately.
Queen’s Golden
Jubilee Celebrations.
Plans for the
picnic/barbeque are going well.
The Parish Council have agreed to contribute the cost of the
Children’s Entertainer.
The grassed area opposite
Masons Court is still under consideration as the Parish Council’s Jubilee
Project. Parking is the
biggest problem there, and provision of parking facilities will be put to the
Area Surveyor.
Annual Parish Meeting.
Local organisations will
provide stalls, while speakers will include the Parish Council Chairman, as
well as the Borough and County Councillors.
Code of Conduct.
In November 2001 the
Government introduced a new Model Code of Conduct for Parish Councillors which
all Parish Councils had to agree to adopt by 5th May 2002. The Clerk reminded the meeting that, in
adopting the Code, all Councillors must therefore agree to abide by it. The Chairman proposed that the
Council adopt the Code. This
proposal was seconded and all agreed.
Other.
The first meeting of the
new Council will need to take place around the middle of May in order to meet
with timescales criteria. The date
of Monday 13th was agreed.
This meeting will only deal with items such as appointment of
Chairpersons and Committees, with the normal monthly Parish Meeting taking
place on Tuesday 28th as planned.
Notice to terminate the
lease of the Parish Field in one year’s has been received. The Council will therefore need to
consider this issue in the near future.