NATS Update - Alan Cox, a Councillor from Ashmansworth Parish Council, had attended an open meeting regarding NATS on the 1st August, together with his fellow Councillor, Johnnie Johnson, as a result of which Basingstoke & Deane, Hampshire County Council, Test Valley Parishes and this week, New Forest Parish, were now engaged. NATS responded on the 26th October to advise they were not taking on board most of the complaints, especially the visual disturbance grievance, citing street lights and their impact as a comparison.
Mr Cox told the meeting a response is being drafted to NATS' feedback. The Chairman asked if there was an extension to the consultation period. Mr Cox advised that NATS did accept complaints up to the 29th, and in fact had received 500 complaints. Comments are now being fed into the Civil Aviation Authority, who only require new information.
Cllr Sanders explained that there would be new methods of controlling aircraft implemented over the next 2/3 years due to the introduction of new technology, thus negating the need for any changes and pointed out that NATS are now, in fact, no longer claiming that the changes will reduce delays. Cllr Sanders felt there was a lack of evidence as to why the changes are being proposed and the Chairman advised he felt we could do more collectively as Parishes working together.
*ACTION CLLR SANDERS TO HOLD A MEETING WITH MEMBERS OF THE SUB- COMMITTEE FORMED ON 28TH AUGUST 2007 (CLLRS SANDERS, ROSS AND KERNAHAN) TO PRODUCE A FURTHER RESPONSE TO THE CAA AND CO- ORDINATE WITH OTHER AFFECTED PARISHES.Mr Cox thanked the Council for their time and left the meeting.
Section 106 money - Cllr Maxwell advised that he had met with the department who manages the Section 106 money, but they are wary of advising how much money is available. Cllr Sanders asked who decides how the money is to be allocated and asked for a report at the next meeting.
*ACTION CLLR MAXWELL TO UPDATE THE NOVEMBER MEETING.It was noted that whilst S106 money from the development at Redwoods had been identified, no mention has been made of the money from the Wheelwrights development.
*ACTION CLLR SANDERS TO CHECK ON AVAILABILITY OF S106 FUNDS FROM WHEELWRIGHTS.Safer Routes to Schools Scheme - Cllr Maxwell attended a HATT meeting last week, where Hampshire County Council, Basingstoke & Deane and County Councillors met to prioritise various issues. Cllr Maxwell advised that in March it was decided to work on one job per six months, i.e. the footway scheme and said that this will be going ahead but no other work will be undertaken due to lack of funds. The Chairman said although it was agreed that the extension to the footway between the two schools was our first priority, the problem of speed control and parking remained and we should not lose sight of the need to deal with this as the Council had agreed at the special Parish Council meeting held on 14th March 2007. A letter and a copy of the report of the meeting was sent to Alison Quant at Hampshire County Council on 17th April 2007 and sets out our agreed actions.
Cllr Powell informed the meeting that on the C5 road a flashing warning light facing the Junior School was not working.
*ACTION CLLR SANDERS TO INFORM STEVE GOODALL AT HIGHWAYS.The Chairman advised the meeting that there was nothing to report this month.
The notice board at North End is still to be replaced.
*ACTION CLLR SANDERS TO PAINT SAID NOTICE BOARD AND REPLACE EXISTING BOARD AT NORTH END.The Parish Council's insurance policy has been updated to include cover for the new playground equipment.
Asset register - the Clerk has contacted HAPTC regarding obtaining an asset register template from other Parishes.
*ACTION CLERK TO E-MAIL CLLR ROSS SAID TEMPLATE FOR HIS COMMENTS. AMENITIES COMMITTEE ARE TO PHOTOGRAPH THE WAR MEMORIALS AND INCLUDE A METER RULE OR SIMILAR SO THAT ANY NEED TO REPLACE WILL PERMIT DIMENSIONS TO BE REPLICATED - ALSO TO RECORD NAMES ON EACH MEMORIAL.Cllr Maxwell informed the meeting that St Thomas' Church are conducting an arboreal survey and he will be studying the results of this when it is available later this week.
*ACTION CLLR MAXWELL TO UPDATE THE COUNCIL FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF ARBOREAL SURVEY.Cllr Kyle-Lawrence reported S106 money would be forthcoming to fund replacement of the existing climbing frame at Woolton Hill recreation ground.
A launch ceremony for the new play equipment, including members and staff of the Bright Sparks Play School at Heath End, was held recently and reported in the Newbury Weekly News.
The continuing problems of maintaining the tennis court at Woolton Hill have led the Amenities Committee to decide not to seek funds for further maintenance but to look to use the site for a range of play equipment - for older children - in due course. The Chairman asked for feedback following the Parish Plan open day as to what we might provide.
Additional seating has been installed at Woolton Hill recreation ground and picnic tables are scheduled to be installed at Heath End.
Weekly inspections and subsequent reports are being carried out on playgrounds and their equipment by Basingstoke & Deane. The Council discussed whether weekly inspections were necessary and if monthly inspections could be arranged. If so, could we receive an extra payment instead of weekly visits? The Chairman said that information he had received suggested that Basingstoke & Deane would carry out minor repairs at no cost to the Parish Council.
*ACTION CLLR KYLE-LAWRENCE TO SPEAK TO IAN HARRIS REGARDING PLAYGROUND INSPECTIONS, AS WELL AS TO DISCUSS REPAIR OF HOLE IN PLAYGROUND SAFETY SURFACE BY ROUNDABOUT AT WOOLTON HILL RECREATION GROUND.Road sign survey - all Cllrs have been working on the areas allocated to them by Cllr Sanders. Reports were passed to him.
*ACTION CLLR SANDERS TO REPORT ON PROGRESS AT NOVEMBER MEETING.Cllr Sanders has been advised that Church Road in Woolton Hill is classed as Church Road by Basingstoke & Deane Council, as well as listed as "road" on the two road signs. However, MultiMap and the Post Office both have it listed as Church Street.
*ACTION CLLR SANDERS TO ADDRESS ROAD/STREET ISSUE WITHIN ROAD SIGNS SURVEY.Further to various local roads being reported as breaking away at the sides, often adjacent to areas of building work and associated lorries etc, Cllr Sanders advised he is dealing with this matter, to include the problem opposite the Woolton Hill surgery.
*ACTION CLLR SANDERS LIAISING WITH STEVE GOODALL AT HIGHWAYS REGARDING ROAD ISSUES.Cllr Sanders informed the meeting that he feels we should aim to replace the unsightly orange bollards on the C5 through Woolton Hill with wooden bollards, possibly using S106 money, to improve the aesthetics of the area, together with moving the pinch points to fit in with the safer routes to schools actions (speed control and parking).
Cllr Kernahan asked the meeting if a standard letter was available to inform residents of their obligations with regards to overgrown hedges. Cllr Kyle-Lawrence said that the hedge of Blindmans Gate Cottage along the road leading to Broad Layings is interfering with traffic and needs to be cut back as a matter of urgency.
*ACTION THE CHAIRMAN AND CLERK TO LIAISE TO UPDATE STANDARD LETTER AND ISSUE ACCORDINGLY.A list of income and expenditure was presented and cheques duly signed.
As Chairman of the Finance Committee, Cllr Ross updated the Council following the Finance Committee's recent 2008/09 budget meeting, prior to which the Amenities Committee had also met to discuss their budget for the same period.
All Councillors had received a copy of the proposed 08/09 budget and supporting financial information.
Expenditure - many items had been subject to a 3% increase for inflation. Cllr Ross talked the meeting through the figures.
Income - an increased double taxation figure was of note and our income for next year covers our budgeted expenditure with a small contingency.
At year end there is likely to be a surplus cash figure, and the Chairman asked that members consider and propose projects of benefit to the community. Projects could then be costed and if agreed by the Council, assessed for priority against the year end cash position and carried forward for implementation in 2008/09.
Cllr Ross proposed that the budget was accepted and the precept applied for. Cllr Sanders asked the Council to consider highways in any carried forward funds, and proposed increasing our precept figure to £19,000. Cllr Maxwell seconded and the 2008/09 application will be made shortly to Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council to also cover the general grant and the double taxation grant referred to above.
Cllr Kernahan had investigated HAPTC's software which would enable the Parish Council to upload information advertised directly onto their website. Cllr Kernahan told the meeting that he is investigating the quality of this in comparison with what we could buy commercially with a grant. Ease of use and maintenance of the website were key considerations.
*ACTION CLLR KERNAHAN TO INVESTIGATE HAPTC'S WEB PACKAGE.Cllr Sanders asked the Council if John Angle could be invited to the next meeting for a Parish Plan update. This was agreed.
*ACTION CLERK TO INVITE JOHN ANGLE TO NOVEMBER MEETING.Cllr Sanders reported that the Boundary Committee has decided that East Woodhay is to continue as a single ward. This is a welcome outcome and justifies the submissions made in favour of the retention of the status quo by Cllr Sanders and the Parish Council.
Cllr Kyle-Lawrence informed the meeting that following the Parish Plan open day, there appeared to be sufficient interest to re-instate a Youth Club, or other youth activities short of this. Action would depend on support from the relevant authorities and sufficient volunteers.
Cllr Maxwell reported that some Parish Councils are "piggy-backing" onto Basingstoke & Deane's website. Cllr Kernahan said this could be viable, subject to the quality and support. *ACTION CLLR KERNAHAN TO INVESTIGATE BASINGSTOKE & DEANE'S WEBSITE POSSIBILITIES AS PART OF THE ABOVE ACTION.
Following Cllr Maxwell's requests in the July meeting for suggestions for local causes requiring funding to let him know, as up to £10,000 of funds may be available from Hampshire County Council, he advised that £1,000 had been made available in support of work to produce a Parish Plan. Funds were also being donated to the silver band and benches for the Parish. The monies available must be spent by April 2008.
Cllr Ross asked the meeting if once the Redwood complex is finished, and the signs question is decided, subject to budgetary allowances, the triangle at the Blindmans Gate/Tile Barn corner could be improved because of its important position at the entrance to Woolton Hill
*ACTION ALL CLLRS TO BRING IDEAS TO THE NEXT MEETING FOR IMPROVEMENTS TO THE TRIANGLE AREA.PC Matt Deery joined the meeting. He told the Council that there was generally little to report. There had been two vehicle thefts last week-end (27/28 October) from Woolton Hill - a car from Copnor and a motor bike and advised that a few burnt out cars, including the above car, had been found in Bishops Green of late.
PC Deery updated the meeting regarding the Renault Clio parked on council land opposite Mason Court. The owner has advised that the car is being moved any day and PC Deery will keep an eye on the situation, especially as the car tax expires at the end of October.
There have been thefts of tools from vans at the Yew Tree Inn in Highclere, and Beacon Hill has been the target of thieves breaking into parked cars to steal bags.
Police Area Committees Meetings - The Chairman advised PC Deery that no minutes had been distributed following a meeting called by the Police to set up these meetings and PC Deery is to chase these. PC Deery told the meeting that most complaints locally relate to speeding vehicles and the nearest traffic police are based at Farnborough. This made it difficult, at present, to respond to these complaints.
PC Deery informed the meeting that a new PCSO is being trained and should be out on the streets soon. No provision has been made for transport that his essential to a rural PCSO and he sought ideas on sponsorship.
Cllr Sanders advised PC Deery regarding the road sign survey he is undertaking, and said he would be seeking a meeting to discuss the results, as well as meeting with fire & ambulance representatives.