The Minutes were accepted as a true record of the November meeting and were duly signed by the Chairman.
Cllr Sanders reported that there is currently £36 million sitting in the Section 106 Developers Contributions pot. However, this all has restrictions on how it can be spent. If this does not happen, it will be returned to the relevant developers.
The speed limit on the A343 at the Penwood Crossroads is not being reduced to 40 miles per hour.
An application has been submitted to build a house on the narrow strip of land on the lower Broad Layings road between The Hollies and the Sadlers. There is opposition from the neighbours. Cllr Johnson has met with them to hear their views, but told them that the
Parish Council would not be objecting to this application. The main area of concern is the closeness of the boundary to The Sadlers.
Cllr Johnson has also received an application to knock down Milton at Blindmans Gate and build two 4/5 bedroom properties. Again, Cllr Johnson has met with locals opposed to this proposal, and felt they raised some good issues. The area is a nice cul de sac, and the proposed development would be intrusive and destroy the character of it. The trees which currently act as a screen would be cut down. The residents also feel the proposed development would be dangerous, particularly in terms of access. Planning guidance states that there should be strong emphasis on design and its impact on the area, and that it should not be destructive. Cllr Johnson used the new property which has recently been built at Brambles in Broad Layings as a good example of how a new property can blend into its surroundings.
Cllr Johnson also mentioned the new Emerging Planning Guidance document. Basingstoke and Deane are currently talking about reviewing guidance on planning issues, and are requesting comments on their proposals by 16th February. The Chairman suggested Cllr Johnson circulate the document around the Planning Committee and that anyone else wishing to view it should do so on Basingstoke's website.
The annual Telecoms Rollout Meeting, regarding the proposed siting of telecommunications masts in the area, is taking place tomorrow evening at Basingstoke, and Cllr Johnson will be attending.
Cllr Kyle-Lawrence reported on progress with regard to the 'Recreation Regeneration Project' in the Parish, and presented Councillors with details of equipment and costs. Existing equipment has been looked at to ascertain if it can be cleaned up or repaired rather than replaced. Out of the possibilities for new equipment at both Woolton Hill and Heath End, the Amenities Committee has chosen a Timber Activity Trail, Football Posts and an Aerial Cableway. The Activity Trail will be sited at Heath End, where the existing sports wall will be cleaned up. There is a possibility that the Play Group which meets in East Woodhay Village Hall would wish to use the new equipment, and this could probably be arranged in return for a small donation. Cllr Kyle-Lawrence wondered if it would be possible to have any of the money which the Borough Council have been awarded under the Lottery Fund, and Cllr Sanders said he would ask. The Chairman will also enquire as to whether there is any funding available from the County Council. The meeting was happy to agree to the proposals as detailed above.
The CCTV has now been made more efficient and should be 'signed off' very soon. The signage has been done, and three Councillors will be trained up to use the equipment.
Basingstoke and Deane propose putting a Bottle Bank on the land opposite Masons Court. Cllr Kyle-Lawrence was concerned about the possibility of broken glass around the Bank, and also wondered who would be responsible for clearing it up. Basingstoke have assured her that, due to the design of the Bank, it is unlikely that this would happen. Cllr Sanders felt that there should also be provision for cardboard. Progress will continue to be monitored and discussed.
The weather has caused many problems on the roads around the Parish, particularly in terms of damage to trees at North End and Trade Street Crossroads. However, these have been dealt with very quickly, as has flooding at Fullers Lane. The dip in the road outside the Tennis Club has still not been dealt with, but new signs have been erected at North End. Cllr Kyle-Lawrence was concerned about the large hole which has appeared outside the Hitchmans Yard site, and the fact that the grass verge there has disappeared. There are also several other areas around the Parish where the verges are disappearing Ð the road between The Holt and East End was mentioned, as was the one from Elm Farm to the Ball Hill Road.
It would appear that as yet no work has taken place under the Safer Routes to Schools scheme. Cllr Sanders has asked Hampshire Highways why this is the case, but is still awaiting a response. He has also contacted Sir George Young, who has offered to help.
The footpaths alongside the C5 have now been cleared back. The residents should be written to soon, asking them to cut back their hedges, trees and shrubs.
A list of income and expenditure was presented, and cheques duly signed. The Clerk reported that, as a result of Basingstoke's investigation into Double Taxation, the Parish Council will receive £850 in the year 2007/08 towards the costs of maintenance, increasing to £1,700 in the year 2008/09. The Clerk has received a letter from Angela Maxwell, requesting a donation of £25 towards the annual Trivial Pursuits Quiz. The proceeds of this event go towards St. Thomas's Church funds. All were happy to agree to this request.
He has enquired at the Local Authority about the possibility of planting some trees in the Parish to replace ones which have been removed. However, he was told there is no funding available at present. He will continue to pursue this with organisations such as The Woodland Trust. He is also worried about water running across the main road near
Gore End Road, where the drain was moved recently. Cllr Sanders has noted this and will investigate.
The Boundary Committee has decided not to reduce the number of Councillors in the Borough from 60 to 30. The first meeting to discuss the Village Plan will take place tomorrow evening.
Some of the Village Design Statement brochures have now been delivered, mainly around Woolton Hill. It is hoped the rest will be delivered over the next few weeks. He would welcome volunteers to help.
The hall, caterer and entertainer have all now been booked for the Senior Citizens Party on 13th October.The Chairman sent a copy of the new lease for the field to each of the parties who expressed an interest in letting it, asking them to make their best offer. Only Mrs. Kidd responded, offering £500 per annum for a three year lease. All were happy to accept this, and the Chairman will inform Mrs. Kidd.
PC Deery presented details of recorded crimes in the area in 2005 and 2006. The results show that crime in 2006 was around half that of 2005, which was very encouraging. 'Non dwelling burglaries', which covers areas such as shed break-ins, tend to go in phases Ð if one happens, several happen. 'Dwelling burglaries' tend to take place in high value, rural properties. Much of his work is centred around Bishops Green, which is a particularly problematic area. Cllr Sanders said it would be good to know the figures for Burghclere and Highclere too.
The situation at the Ball Hill Garage has got better. However there are still problems on Tile Barn Row, where cars and taxis are regularly parked on the bend by the bus stop. There have been reports of activity inside the empty Redwood House in Tile Barn. Boards have been taken off the windows and fires have been spotted inside. It is believed that some teenagers in the Parish are responsible. There is not much that can be done about this as the property is due to be demolished any time now. PC Deery introduced Police Community Support Officer Phil Rapley, who is currently training alongside PC Deery. It is hoped that this area will have a PCSO some time in the future, but this has yet to be confirmed. PC Deery provided Councillors with details of the remit of a PCSO. Cllr Sanders said he had received positive feedback from Parishioners who were pleased to see a police presence around the Parish over the Christmas and New Year period.