Present: T.Mousley (TM) Chairman; A.Bowditch (AB) Vice-Chairman; S.Dowding (SD); S.Girling (SG); J.Guy (JG); D.Rimmington (DR); B.Whitlock (BW); D.Lyon (Clerk).

Neville Whiteley (NW) TVBC
R.Warwick (Footpath Warden)
plus three members of the public

Apologies: Nil

1. Minutes of Council Meeting held on 10 February 2003

It was proposed by SG and seconded by AB that they be signed by the Chairman as a true record of the meeting.

2. Matters Arising

9.1 - 9.3 Clerk reported that he had informed Mr Eastwood that his quotation had been accepted. Final quotations for the recreation ground fence and War Memorial maintenance were still awaited.

10.1 Traffic Calming; Clerk reported that Atkins had informed him that there was slippage in the implementation of traffic calming works. Atkins would look into the availability of funds for the third new village sign.

10.3 AB reported that Mr Vine had informed him that the Drove footpath was not his. Clerk and RW had not yet addressed the problems with Frenchmoor No.3

11.6 Roads & Drainage; Clerk reported that HCC Highways requested that the PC take responsibility for notifying them when the new salt bins needed refilling. He had reported the broken drain opposite the Church Farm entrance and had requested that the manhole at the farmyard entrance be cleaned out.

15.1 Clerk reported that he had arranged with Mr Richardson (Community Action Hants) to address the Council on 12 May.

3. Police Report Nil

4. Report from HCC Nil

5. Report from TVBC Nil

6. Correspondence

6.1 Village Halls - exemption from fees associated with provision of entertainment. A letter from the Minister of Rural Affairs referring to the effect of the new Licensing Bill on village hall entertainments had been received. Action Clerk to copy letter to King Edward's Hall Committee.

6.2 Use of Primary School photocopier; a letter had been received from the Admin. Officer proposing that the school charges the PC a fixed amount per annum for using the photocopier and suggesting that £20 be charged for use in the 2002-03 financial year. Clerk explained that he currently found it more convenient to have bulk photocopying done in Romsey, but suggested that the school photocopier continued to be used for small one-off jobs to be paid for in cash on the school's usual per sheet basis. This was agreed Action Clerk to inform school. It was also agreed to pay the £20 the school requested for use in the current year.

6.3 Planning Service User Group (TVBC) 31 March, Stockbridge - JG indicated he hoped to attend.

7. Finance & Cheques

7.1 It was proposed by TM and seconded by JG that the following cheques be signed

HAPTC (Loc.Coun.Rev.£11.59)+(Affil.Fee £115.00) CQ.No. 000269	£126.59
HAPTC 3 Publications CQ.No. 000270	£14.00
Clerk (D.Lyon) wages & Expenses CQ. No. 000271	£245.21
Hants County Council (Primary School photocopying) CQ.No. 000272	£20.00
Mr S.Dowding (expenses incurred over Dr Helliwell's visit) CQ. No. 000273	£22.40

7.2 It was noted that £779.13 would be taken by the PWLB by D/D on 31 March as Loan Repayment

8. Planning

8.1 TVS.01355/8 Frenchmoor House; JG presented a paper summarising the history of the successive applications for the development of this site. After discussion it was agreed that JG should contact the case officer at TVBC to establish in more detail the planner's position on this application to ensure that the P.C.'s response focussed on planning issues and gave a clear indication of the council's reason's for objecting to, or approving the application. It was proposed that JG should then draft a response to TVBC, to be circulated to councillors for comment before being put into final form for forwarding to TVBC. Action JG and Clerk.

8.2 TVS.LB.00552/2 & /3 etc The Old Corn Store & Cart Shed at Church Farm on the Coach Road. There was general support for these applications but concern was expressed that the features of the Cart Shed that make it one of Hampshire's important farm buildings and a special feature of the village, should not be lost. There was also concern over the triangle of land in front of the Cart Shed. The applicant claimed ownership, but this claim might be disputed. It was noted that nine neighbouring property owners had access rights over this land. The applicant proposed to create a new pond, slightly SE of the site of the old farm pond on the site. A new pond would require an outfall to the new drainage ditch on the Coach Road to ensure that local flood problems were not aggravated. Action Clerk to transmit P.C. views to TVBC

8.3 Black Horse Barn; concern was expressed that this building was deteriorating Action Clerk to speak to TVBC Conservation Officer

9. Recreation Ground

9.1 It was noted that the seesaw was broken Action SD to put up hazard tape and Clerk to ascertain whether it was still covered by guarantee.

10. Highways and Footpaths

10.1 RW reported as follows:
HCC had installed a new finger post on the Coach Road signing No.4, but the stile here needed attention
Problems with the stile and finger post on No.3
Tree across No 9 behind RW's house Action AB to speak to Estate manager
Stile damaged on No 14
Buckholt No 2 needs attention
Frenchmoor No. 3 Mrs Warwick has prepared a sketch of the problem

11. Floods

11.1 NW commented on the cost to Testway Housing for emptying the septic tank which serves Pragnell's Cottages as follows: (once a day) Monday-Friday £100; Saturday £150; Sunday £200. During the recent floods it had sometimes been necessary to empty the tank twice a day.

11.2 NW recommended that individual householders should write to Michael Woodhall (HCC) expressing concerns over the flood problems and requesting action from HCC

12. MOD withdrawal from Dean Hill

12.1 A meeting called by TVBC and Salisbury District Council was held at West Dean on 6 March aimed at ascertaining the views of local parishes on the future of the site and providing an update on the current situation. The P.C. was represented by TM, SD, JG, and DR and representatives of 7 other local P.C.s were also present. TM expressed the concerns of the P.C. to the meeting - including loss of jobs; effects on housing; possible impact of new developments on the site; and the future of the social club. Proposals for the future included the provision of new employment; priority given to needs of local residents when the disposal of houses on the site is considered; any new housing development should be limited and should include affordable homes in the mix; the existing SSSI should be extended; the social club should be sustained, with the aid of subsidies or grants as necessary. TM produced a report on the contributions of the other parishes present.

13 AOB

13.1 TM requested the Clerk to discuss with Mr Koetser the possibility of putting the PC minutes on the new village website - www.westtytherley.com Action Clerk

13.2 Clerk reported on the meeting of the TVAPC he attended on 6 March. The Head of Planning emphasised the importance of Parish Plans - although the final version of the official guidance on their preparation was still awaited. Other matters discussed included a cycling strategy for Test Valley, the Code of Conduct, and the Test Valley Transport Forum.

13.3 Clerk reported on the Annual Clerk's Day Conference he attended on 4 March at Sparsholt. Issues discussed included the National Training Strategy, the concept of Competent Clerks in relation to Quality Parish Status, and the need for councillors to attend training courses. The resource implications of Quality Parish Status were considered, with a strong view emerging that this status was beyond the scope of small councils. HCC new “Buy with Confidence” scheme was introduced.

13.4 There being no other business the Chairman closed the meeting at 2110h.