Despite having been asked twice by the Clerk to send planning documents to Cllr Johnson, Basingstoke are still sending them to Cllr Elsden.*
ACTION: CLERK TO AGAIN ASK BASINGSTOKE TO CHANGE ADDRESS DETAILS.After several attempts the Clerk has managed to speak to someone at Basingstoke with regard to Health and Safety Training for the Litter Warden. She was informed that, whilst some training is available for Basingstoke's own Litter Wardens, this is merely to instill a common sense approach to the job, and other than this there is no formal training available.
The Clerk has made investigations with regard to suggestions for the Senior Citizens Outing in October. Broadlands is not an option as it is only open for a couple of months in the summer. Hilliers Arboretum can accommodate, with the option of providing a cream tea if desired. It was felt this was a good option, and those wishing to gain entry to the formal gardens can pay individually. Other than this, free entry includes access to the Visitors Centre, Plant Centre and Gift Shop. Wheelchairs are available free, while electric buggies incur a charge of £2 each. Both need to be reserved in advance. *
*ACTION: CLERK TO ARRANGE. CHAIRMAN TO OBTAIN QUOTES FOR COACH.The Chairman is doing what he can with regard to getting a reduction in the speed limit along the Ball Hill Road, but he can't promise anything will change.
The Clerk has contacted Sarah Ede to ask if the Parish Council can have a stall at the St. Martin's Guild Fete. She is happy for this, but would like the Council to take on an event activity stall rather than just be a presence there. The Council felt they would not wish to do this.*
ACTION: CLERK TO INFORM SARAH.A cheque has been sent to the Twinning Association to help towards the cost of the exchange visit this year.
The Chairman has not yet spoken to the local policeman re the recent spate of crime in the Parish, but will do so soon. More criminal activity has been reported recently, concentrated mainly on car break ins and removal and destruction of For Sale boards. It was felt it would be a good idea to invite John Bentham, Neighbourhood Watch Co- ordinator in the Parish, to the Annual Parish Meeting.*
ACTION: CHAIRMAN TO SPEAK TO HIM.The Chairman invited Mr. Angle to come and report on work being carried out in Highclere Parish, and to see how co-operation between the Parishes may be of benefit. The meeting agreed it made good sense for local Parishes to work together, and this will be progressed.
Cllr Johnson reported on recent applications. Several people have asked to look at plans for a new 5 bedroomed property in Tile Barn. An application has been received to extend into the roof of Solstice Cottage, also in Tile Barn, and a similar application has been submitted for Jacks Cottage in Knights Lane. Application to build an additional property in the grounds of Crandalford has been approved, but the application to build 2 properties at Blind Mans Gate has been refused. The application to provide a new entrance adjacent to Harwood Paddock has been withdrawn. Several objections have been submitted in response to the revised application for a new dwelling at Bances Yard, where concern remains about access onto the Ball Hill Road, as well as the issue of Ball Hill being outside the Settlement Policy Boundary. As the result of a suggestion by Basingstoke and Deane, Arthur Hedges, the developer responsible for the Clere House and Little Oxleas application, has met with members of the Council. A proposal to build 6 houses there was discussed.
Cllr Johnson felt that the application for the CCTV mast at Woolton Hill Recreation Ground required further clarity in respect of exactly where it was to be positioned.*
*ACTION: CLLR JOHNSON AND CLLR HEATHER TO DISCUSS.Cllr Heather provided everyone with a new Responsibilities Chart for the Amenities Committee, along with a schedule of projects the Committee have planned for the next year and how they will be funded. A decision should be made in the next couple of weeks with regard to the CCTV mast application. The quotation has been improved to include two years maintenance, with an option to extend the system to incorporate two cameras for the Infant School at a cost of £1,500. The school are keen, and the suggestion will be put to their Governors for approval at their next meeting.
A grant of £11,000 from Hills Recycling has been confirmed, on the basis of this being one third of the estimated total cost of the project ( £33,000). However, £1,250 needs to be raised by the Youth Club, and at least some of the grant needs to be drawn within 6 months. Views will be obtained via a Youth Council and the schools.
The tennis court at Heath End will be swept out once the weedkiller that has been applied has done its job. New signs with regard to hiring the court at Woolton Hill will be put up soon. The idea of using the shops at Woolton Hill and Ball Hill as booking points is still being considered.
The by-law signs at the Recreation Grounds are being tidied up, and Steve Batt has been asked to deal with the mole problems.
Two new seats are now in place in the Brownie Garden and at Woolton Hill Recreation Ground. The seat at Mason's Court needs replacing and relocating.
A new dog bin has been installed near Burlyns. This will be added to Julia's schedule for emptying. Signs informing people of penalties if dog mess is not cleaned up are being obtained from Basingstoke and will be put up around the area.
Replacement keys to the large bins have been given to Julia after hers were stolen, and broken locks and bins have been sorted out.
A list of Income and Expenditure was presented and cheques duly signed. The Clerk also produced a schedule of the anticipated End of Year financial position.
The Clerk informed the meeting that she had received a letter from HM Revenue and Customs, querying some items on the Council's VAT claim.*
*ACTION: CLERK AND CLLR ROSS TO MEET TO DISCUSS AND RESPOND.Previous to the meeting all Councillors were given a copy of the new proposed Financial Regulations. Recommendations were brought from the Finance Committee on some aspects of these Regulations, where flexibility allowed some items to be tailored to suit individual Council's needs. After discussion, acceptance of these new Regulations was proposed by the Chairman and seconded by Cllr Ross. All agreed.
Karen Anderson has indicated she may be interested in joining the Council.
Tony Futrell has reported flooding to the Church Hall via the driveway. A dragon's tooth has been uprooted by Mason's Court. He has asked Basingstoke to repair.
The Junior School is holding a Carnival on 17th June and wishes to parade through the village. They asked if the Parish Council would have any objections. There were none, but the Council asked that the relevant authorities, i.e. police etc. be informed.
He was sad to report that David Sadler, who had been a member of the Parish Council in the past, had died.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO SEND A CARD TO HIS FAMILY.The Clerk had various magazines and documents which Councillors were welcome to take or look at.
Four people have indicated an interest in letting the field - three individuals, who wish to keep livestock on it and the Infant School, who would like to use it for nature study. The lease currently in place does not contain very much detail and therefore the meeting felt that it would be good to reconfigure it. A team comprising the Chairman, Cllr Ross, Cllr Johnson, Cllr Farmer and Cllr Powell will do this.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO INFORM THE FOUR MENTIONED ABOVE OF THE SITUATION.Christine Dale hopes to attend to report on behalf of East Woodhay Charities, and Norman Powers will speak about the work he does on the Parish Footpaths. The Chairman has invited the local policeman to attend. All Councillors were asked to bring some food. The Chairman will provide wine and glasses and the Clerk will provide soft drinks, paper plates and napkins.