Plus Jayne Edwards (Footpath Warden), and 21 members of the public (16 of these were minors who, with two adults, left the meeting after the Open Forum).
Plus ten members of the public
Apologies: J.Guy
Open Forum1934h – 1945h
1. Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 10 May 2004
It was proposed by TM and seconded by SD that these be signed by the Chairman as a true record of the meeting
2. Minutes of the Annual Parish Meetings held on 10 May 2004
It was proposed by LB and seconded by TM that these be signed by the Chairman as a true record of the meeting.
3. Minutes of the Council Meeting held on 10 May 2004
TM requested that the final sentence of 10.2 be amended by the addition of the words “….none was available for routine maintenance”. This was agreed and it was then proposed by TM and seconded by LB that the minutes be signed by the Chairman as a true record of the meeting.
4. Matters Arising
2.10.2 Clerk reported that two signs had been ordered from Signs & Designs of Perth at a cost of about £20 each.
10.3 SD would have a draft of his proposed letter to HAPTC available for discussion at the next meeting of the Council Action SD
5. Police Report Nil
6. Report from HCC Nil
7. Report from TVBC Nil
8. Correspondence
8.1 Clerk reported that the following correspondence required a response
Test Valley Partnership AGM on 17 June; it was agreed that the Parish Council would not be represented
HAPTC Training Course for new Councillors on 4 August; it was agreed that a provisional place should be requested against the likelihood of a new Councillor joining in the near future Action Clerk
Local Transport Review Process Questionnaire Action AB to complete
The Test Valley School prize sponsorship; it was agreed that a sum of £50 should be given for this.
9. Finance & Cheques
It was proposed by DR and seconded by LB that the following cheques be signed
King Edward's Hall (contrib. to ins. prem.) CQ.No. 000319 – £580.00
10. Planning
10.1 Current planning applications
TVS.07471/2 Field Barn/workshop/stables Stony Batter – permission
TVS. 05607/3 Sun room for Mr & Mrs Fairlie – Councillors raised no objections
10.2 Clerk reported that TVBC (Planning Services) were proposing to hold three
workshops on 15 July at King George's Hall West Dean to discuss plans for the former Defence Munitions site at Dean Hill. Contacts with local oranisations were required Action Clerk
11. Parish Plan
JG had prepared a Progress Report on the work of his Group which had been circulated to Councillors. An application for funding from the Countryside Agency had been rejected and it was unlikely that funds would be available from this source in future. Other possible sources (including TVBC, CAH, and HCC) had proved negative, although JG would continue to explore other potential sources. TVBC might still be a source of funding for a VDS which JG proposed to include as an appendix to the Parish Plan. In view of the funding problem the question arose whether the preparation of a Parish Plan should be continued.
It was noted that this year's budget had allocated £1000 to Plan preparation and that publication, expected in 2005-2006, represented the major cost for which outside funding would be needed. Councillors agreed that work should continue on the Plan, and that if necessary low cost methods of publication should be considered at the appropriate time. Action JG to continue the work of his team.
12. Recreation Ground
12.1 AB reported that the picnic table and seesaw had now been stained; TM reported that the tool shed was now secure. The gate onto the field still did not close automatically and AB would endeavour to solve the problem Action AB
12.2 TM reported that his inspection system was working well and agreed to provide a definitive copy of the previously agreed operational policy for the play area to the Clerk for his file Action TM
12.3 It was agreed to include consideration of children's request for new facilities (cycle track, skate board ramp, basketball court, and slide) on the Agenda for the next meeting. Meanwhile TM agreed to raise the issue of school playground out-of-hours use with the school governors Action TM and Action DR to recirculate his paper on skateboards
13. Highways & Footpaths
13.1 Jayne Edwards reported that there appeared to be no problems on paths she had inspected. No.2 (Bridleway running north from Chalkpit Lane) needed attention. Clerk reported that he had spoken to Mr Fairlie about this and that the latter had written to say that he would cut the vegetation as long as he was covered for Public Liability by the Council's insurance. Clerk reported that Allianz Insurance had said that if the Council's equipment was used then Mr Fairlie would be covered by the policy; however if he used his own equipment he would need to be covered by his own insurance. Action Clerk to inform Mr Fairlie of this and to ask him to reconsider his position and to discuss with HCC Footpaths officer. It was noted that Path No. 3 had been cut, apparently by HCC. The viewing points on No. 5 had not been cleared by Old Rectory staff.
13.2 Clerk reported that he had written to British Telecommunications plc about their destruction of a wild flower bank in Frenchmoor Lane when taking an underground cable to Frenchmoor House (Mrs Gruzelier had drawn attention to this).
13.3. David Lindsell (TVBC Engineering) had asked for plans showing the desired location for street signs which were now on order. Action AB and DL
13.4 The Old Churchyard; Clerk reported that he had informed TVBC that complaints had been received to the effect that the Churchyard was cut in April at
the peak flowering season the cowslips. TVBC agreed to discuss with their contractors.
14. Clerk's Salary & Conditions
14.1 Clerk stated that under national salary awards for local council clerks he should move to Spinal Column Point 17 (on Scale LC1) with effect from February 2004, taking his remuneration to £7.553 per hour for a six-hour week. This was agreed.
14.2 Clerk said that at present he did not have an internet connection, which he would require when TVBC moved to e-government next year. He said that installing and using a connection would incur capital and running costs for which he would want a contribution from the Parish Council. This was agreed in principle. Action Clerk to produce costings.
15. AOB
There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 2030h.
Present: A.Bowditch (AB)(Chairman); T.Mousley (TM)(Vice-Chairman); L.Bowditch (LB); S.Dowding (SD); D.Rimmington (DR); D.Lyon (Clerk)
St Peter's Church (contrib. to grnds. maint.) CQ.No. 000320 – £50.00
W.Tytherley & Lockerley Over Sixties CQ.No. 000321 – £50.00
D.Lyon (Clerk) Wages & Expenses CQ. No. 000322 – £297.26
The Test Valley School (Prize Sponsorship) CQ. No.000323 – £50.00