HELD ON TUESDAY 24th FEBRUARY 2004
IN EAST WOODHAY VILLAGE HALL
AT 7.30 P.M.
ALSO PRESENT: Mr. J. Palmer representing North End Action Group, Ms. G. Dansie, Kick FM Radio.
CLERK: Mrs. A. Davidson.
ITEM 1: MINUTES OF LAST MEETING.
Cllr Johnson made one amendment to the minutes. Cllr Elsden proposed their approval, seconded by Cllr Heather. All accepted their approval as a true record of the January meeting and they were duly signed by the Chairman.
ITEM 2: MATTERS ARISING.
The matter of appointing a Litter Warden will be dealt with under Item 4 below.
The Clerk has spoken to Oakfern with regard to grass cutting around Copnor. Oakfern have given residents a deadline of the end of February to respond to letters asking whether they wish grass to be cut. Oakfern will therefore contact us after that date to confirm whether any changes are to be made to last year’s schedule.
As the Clerk is attending a Clerk’s conference on 2nd March which will include looking at putting together a Risk Assessment Document, work on this will not begin until after that date.
The Clerk has requested Simon Carter put the November minutes on the website. She will check this has been done.
The issue of visibility of the car parking space marker stones will be dealt with under Item 4 below.
Cllr Preston has not yet contacted ROSPA for details of playground equipment suppliers.
Cllr Ross stated that no decision has as yet been taken by the Scrutiny Committee with regard to funding for CCTV in rural areas.
The Tree Survey carried out on the trees around the Infant School will be discussed under Item 4 below.
Cllr Powell confirmed Marjorie Goldsmith has agreed to be Guest Speaker at the Annual Parish Meeting in April.
ITEM 3: PLANNING.
A letter has been received from AWA, asking the Parish Council to suggest dates which will be mutually convenient to get together and ‘walk the Parish’ to look at alternative sites where a telecoms mast could be erected. Cllr Elsden explained that this was the reason for Mr. Palmer’s presence at the meeting. Councillors Ross, Preston, Farmer and Kyle-Lawrence also expressed an interest in attending the meeting, and after several dates were suggested, it was decided to put forward 1st and 2nd April as alternatives, giving AWA the option of either morning or afternoon on either day.*
ACTION: CHAIRMAN TO LIAISE WITH AWA AND INFORM COUNCILLORS ONCE A DATE AND TIME HAS BEEN AGREED.
Cllr Elsden then asked the Chairman for permission for Ms. Dansie to speak with regard to t he current position, to which the Chairman agreed.
Cllr Ross explained that he was not aware that any other sites had been suggested to the Parish Council as alternatives to North End. The Clerk and Cllr Elsden confirmed that this was the case. Cllr Johnson recalled that a previous application was made by Orange.
Cllr Ross had a copy of the ‘roll out’ map from Basingstoke and Deane, which indicated the only application to site a mast in this Parish this year was one from Vodafone. He felt this map was a good idea, and noted that other Councils such as West Berkshire do not operate this system. He stressed it was Basingstoke and Deane’s policy that the option of building on top of existing masts or tall buildings was always explored fully before a new mast site was agreed, and even then three alternative locations should be identified. Sites should be shared where at all possible. However, this would not be possible at North End, as the proposed mast there would be very slim and held firm by ‘ropes’. Cllr Ross concluded by saying he felt AWA may try and make the meeting earlier than the suggested dates.
With regard to the part-developed land at Broad Layings, Cllr Elsden has been informed that the previous owner sadly died. However, the site now has a new owner, who is about to resume work again soon.
Basingstoke and Deane have confirmed that retrospective Planning Permission is required for the sculptures outside Burley House. Application for this should be received soon.
Outline planning permission is already in place for six houses at Gore End Road. How3ever, the Planning Committee have strong reservations now that more detailed plans have been received. The houses are very large – some five bedroomed with the option of extending to seven – are very close to the road and they are also totally out of character with the surroundings. Objection will therefore be raised on the grounds of design and landscaping.
Outline Planning Permission has also been requested to erect another property in the grounds of Greenwood Copse.
The appeal by the Molyneux’s at the Rampant Cat against the decision to refuse their plans to build a car park and new house has been dismissed.
ITEM 4: AMENITIES.
Steve Batt has hurt his back but expects to be back in action soon. An order has been placed with him to carry out tree cutting at East End, hedge cutting at Woolton Hill and replacement of the posts around East End War Memorial at a total cost of £1,080, all to be completed before the end of the financial year. He assures us this will be done.
Cllr Preston has been informed that the Council’s application for a grant to develop the area opposite Masons Court will not be considered this year, but will be considered along with seven others next year. Out of these eight projects, two will be taken forward. A meeting will take place on 17th March to decide which two will be successful. Cllr Ross is trying to find out if a representative of the Parish Council can attend the meeting, but in the meantime he suggested Cllr Preston speak to County Councillor Wall for support. Cllr Preston also intends to visit the area and take photographs of congestion to help strengthen the Council’s case.
A meeting took place this afternoon between Cllr Preston, The Clerk, Blanche Miles and her Assistant Jamie from Basingstoke and Julia Calvert, who is keen to become the Parish’s Litter Warden. Cllr Preston was impressed with Julia, and felt that she would do a superb job for the Parish. Several formalities are yet to be completed, and once they are done Julia will begin work. However, although the rate of pay is set and paid by Basingstoke, this does not include any allowance for car use. Cllr Preston therefore suggested a payment of £10.00 per month should be made by the Parish Council in this respect. All were happy with this suggestion.
Cllr Johnson reported that he has noticed someone has been driving in Woolton Hill Recreation Ground. Cllr Preston confirmed that he has spoken to Steve Raw about this as posts should have been put in place preventing access when the car park work was carried out. He has also spoken to Steve about painting the stones which mark out parking bays, but did not get a very positive response. He therefore feels this is a job the Council will need to take on themselves.
A grant can be applied for under the Rural Infrastructure Improvements Programme – Additional Footpath Initiative – to provide a footpath between the two schools in Woolton Hill. However, the deadline for applications is very soon, and as Cllr Preston will be away, he asked if the Clerk would do this for him.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO ENSURE APPLICATION IS SENT IN TIME.
Cllr Johnson recalled that providing this footpath was discussed before, and he thought it was being done. Cllr Preston confirmed this was the case, but that previously the footpath was only going part way between the schools. Cllr Johnson felt that it would be good to get the backing of the schools for this project.
Cllr Preston produced a ‘funding matrix’ to show where monies could be raised from for various future projects, and he and Cllr Heather will be going to Basingstoke and Deane to discuss further. One of these requests for funding has been made to the Onyx Trust, from where it is hoped to receive £27,000. Cllr Ross said that he knows of a little pot of money which is being released soon and he is trying to acquire some of it for these projects.
The Clerk has received a response to her note in Spectrum asking for details of where a new litter bin could be sited. A lady in Copnor Close has requested one be put beside her house as she has a real problem will litter there.*
*ACTION: CLLR HEATHER TO FIND OUT HOW MUCH A BIN WOULD COST.
Following a recent survey which has been carried out on the trees around the Infant School, Cllr Johnson updated the meeting on the position. Hampshire County Council are dealing with some of the issues raised, while the Parish Council will deal with others such as cutting down overgrown ivy. There is nothing on the list which constitutes a safety issues. However, Cllr Johnson stressed the need for the Council to carry out regular checks on the trees to ensure any dead or loose branches are removed. Also, Tony Futrell has asked if the Council can help with work on two trees in St. Thomas’s Churchyard, as the church cannot afford the work itself.
ITEM 5: HIGHWAYS.
A promise has been made by Peter Eade at Highways to look at the white bridge at the county boundary on the C133 Ball Hill road to see if any safety improvements can be made.
Cllr Johnson will soon be attending a meeting at Hook specifically for Parish Highways Co-ordinators. He will report back on discussions.
A member of the public has complained to Cllr Powell about the lack of notice given prior to the closure of the Ball Hill road when repairs were carried out. When this person contacted Hampshire Highways, they were informed it was the Parish Council’s responsibility. The meeting do not believe this to be the case, and the matter will be investigated further.*
*ACTION: CLLR POWELL TO FIND OUT WHO AT HAMPSHIRE GAVE THIS INFORMATION AND CLERK TO FOLLOW UP.
Cllr Ross asked if Cllr Johnson is meeting regularly with the Area Surveyor. Cllr Johnson replied that he does a comprehensive survey of the Parish himself and feels this is sufficient. He will arrange to meet with Steve Goodall on a ‘needs’ basis.
ITEM 6: FINANCE.
A list of income and expenditure for the month was presented to the meeting, and cheques duly signed. Kit Cahill has submitted a claim for £100.00 in respect of the Internal Audit he carried out earlier this year. However, the Clerk felt this was too low, and after discussion with the Chairman, a figure of £150.00 was felt to be more reasonable. The meeting agreed, and £150.00 will be sent to Kit, with a note of thanks and good wishes from the Council.
For the Council’s information, the Clerk also produced a schedule of what she estimates the Council’s financial position will be at the end of the Financial Year.
ITEM 7: MEMBERS REPORTS.
Cllr Holdcroft.
Cllr Holdcroft believes that the Minority Governor at St. Martins who is appointed as the Parish Council’s representative is due for re-election soon. Cllr Elsden was not sure if this was the case, but will check.*
*ACTION: CLLR ELSDEN TO REPORT TO CLERK ONCE THE MATTER HAS BEEN CLARIFIED.
Cllr Powell.
Vandalism has been noted at Woolton Hill Recreation Ground, with pallets being dumped and posts being pulled out. The tennis net is also broken. Cllr Preston is aware of this and is dealing.
She also brought to the Council’s attention the Twinning Association’s Quiz Evening on Saturday.
Cllr Preston.
He has noticed that the stile has disappeared at Alma Farm. Cllr Elsden is sure this is where work is being carried out, and assumes the stile will be replaced soon.
Chairman.
The Chairman asked Cllr Powell if she had been able to speak to Marjorie Goldsmith with regard to her being Guest Speaker at the Annual Parish Meeting. Cllr Powell confirmed Mrs. Goldsmith had agreed to do this.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO WRITE TO MRS. GOLDSMITH.
ITEM 8: VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT.
Recent exhibitions attracted around 65 members of the public, which was very encouraging to the teams. Good responses and comments were also received. The teams hope to submit the completed document to Basingstoke in April.
ITEM 9: YOUTH CLUB.
The leaders have been to Hants Youth Services for Guidelines and Training. They have met with their Co-worker there, Linda Budd, who will come to the first few meetings of the Club to assist and guide. Cllr Kyle-Lawrence and Anna Perrins have now received official clearance to start running the Club. An open meeting for committee members will be held this Thursday, with the committee being made up of children and adults. However, they are desperate for more people to actually run the Club on Friday evenings, particularly male leaders.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO PUT A NOTE IN SPECTRUM ADVERTISING FOR LEADERS.
It is hoped that the Club will be up and running by 12th March. The children want to raise money themselves for the Club and propose having live music once a month to do this.
NOTE:
NEXT MEETING: TUESDAY 23RD MARCH
ANNUAL PARISH MEETING: TUESDAY 27TH APRIL
INTER PARISH QUIZ: MONDAY 19TH APRIL