Present: A.Bowditch (AB)(Chairman); T.Mousley (TM)(Vice Chairman); S.Dowding (SD); J.Guy (JG); D.Rimmington (DR); A.McKenzie (AM); D.Lyon (DL) (Clerk).

Councillor Michael Woodhall (HCC)
Councillor Neville Whiteley (TVBC)
Jayne Edwards (Footpath Warden)

Plus seven members of the public

Apologies: L.Bowditch

Open Forum (1930h-1950h)

1. Minutes of Council Meeting held on 9 February 2004

It was proposed by JG and seconded by DR that they be signed by the Chairman as a true record of the Meeting

2. Matters Arising

8.4 JG said he would be meeting Head of Planning (Mrs Winter) with Councillor Whiteley this week to discuss the Local Plan before commenting formally on behalf of the PC. This would mean the deadline for comments would be missed but Mr Whitely thought a holding letter would cover this Action JG
11.2 Clerk reported that HCC Highways had informed him that deer warning signs for Dean Road would be erected within the next few weeks.

3. Police Report

3.1PC Chris Day was not able to be present. The Chairman reported that he and JG had attended the recent Lockerley PC Meeting to hear Inspector Funnell (Chief of Police – Romsey) on the closure of the Police Beat House in East Tytherley. Councillor Woodhall said the decision to close was taken by the Chief Constable and he was not obliged to consult locally over this. Romsey Police Station is now open all night. Calls to PC Day's number are now routed through an IoW Call Centre to Romsey Police Station. AB had tried this and had found it to be a satisfactory service. The Inspector claimed that the average response time to a report of a burglary was 45 minutes. The question was raised as to whether PC Day would still attend PC meetings Action Clerk to discuss with Mr Funnell

3.2 Councillor Whitely referred to pressure on TVBC to provide housing for key workers and thought that the Police House should be reserved for this category of occupant and not sold on the open market if and when it became vacant Action Clerk to discuss with Mr Funnell.

4. Report from HCC

4.1 Councillor Woodhall referred to the proposed acquisition by the Primary School of a strip of land for nature conservation and educational purposes, and also to the delay in building the school's extension, which would not now commence until the 2005-06 financial year. The Pragnell's Cottages sewage problem had now been resolved, He was pleased to note that a good working relationship had been established between the PC and HCC Highways Department.

5. Report from TVBC

5.1Councillor Whiteley reported that TVBC's part of the Council Tax would increase by 8.7 per cent for 2004-05. The Council was now looking very critically at its work force. Some recent appointments had been successful, including the anti-social behaviour officer (Melvin Hartley) who could be of help with problems of security, for example with the village shop, and funding could be available for security measures – there was a need for local communities to take up these issues with the officer.

6. Correspondence

6.1 Recent communications were dealt with as follows

Test Valley Association of Parish Councils meeting on 4 March – the PC was not represented

HCC had sent an acknowledgement only to the Clerk's most recent letter (26/2) on the subject of the temporary build-out

SD said he hoped to attend the HAPTC meeting in Romsey on 16 March on Quality Parish Status Action SD

TM said he would attend the meeting on litigation and playground safety organised by TVBC and the Hants. Playing Field Assocn. in Romsey on 16 March Action TM

It was agreed that the PC would welcome a visit from the Hants Museum Trust Roadshow next year Action Clerk

JG reported that he had attended the AGM of the Village Hall on 26 February. It was noted that the 2004-05 insurance premium for the hall would be £1251.

The PC would not be represented at public meeting of the Rail Passenger's Committee in Bournemouth on 30 March

7. Finance & Cheques

7.1 Councillor's Allowances – Action Clerk to draft letter, using the HAPTC model, to Sandra Gidley MP for the Chairman to sign, drawing attention to anomalies in the 2003 Regulations concerning coopted councillors.

7.2 Payment of allowances, including T & S, to Councillors. Clerk reported that he was awaiting information from TVBC on its rates. It was agreed to return to this subject at the next Council meeting

7.3 It was proposed by JG and seconded by DR that the following cheques be signed.

D.Lyon (Clerk) Wages & Expenses CQ.No 000307 – £270.01
HAPTC Local Council Rev.sub. CQ.No. 000308 – £12.50
HAPTC Affiliation fee & NALC Levy CQ.No. 000309 – £125.00

8. Planning

8.1 Clerk reported the following

TVS.098001/2/3/SG Woodside Farm West Dean Permission
TVS.10233 West Tytherley Primary School – HCC approval
TVS.07592/2 Wastewater Tmt.Plant Pragnell's Cott. – approved
TVS.03219/3 Old Post Office Rectory Hill West Dean – will be considered by S.Planning Committee on 16 March
New application – HCC(TV211) Dean Hill improved sewage works – councillors raised no objection
Old Nails – concern was expressed at the delay in filing of their report by TVBC's consultants on the flooding question – the application could run out of time giving grounds for appeal for non-determination

9. Parish Plan

9.1 JG reported that he would be holding his first “focus group” meeting later in the month.

10. Recreation Ground

10.1 JG reported that he had found a cheaper source of memorial plaques – Action Clerk to place an order

10.2 AB reported that the membrane underlay of the play area was now showing and that spreading the new chippings was a matter of urgency Action TM

11. Highways and Footpaths

11.1 Jayne Edwards reported no problems on the paths she had inspected recently. She noted that a new bridge had been built on a permissive path joining No.12 by HCC, paid for by Mrs Bannister.

12. AOB

12.1 SD reported unpleasant agricultural smells early in the morning Action AB to ascertain cause

12.2 The sawmill at West Dean was reported by AM to be starting machinery at 7.15 a.m. Action AB and DR to look into

12.3 AB reported complaints about litter in the village and reminded councillors that they were responsible for specific areas.

12.4 There being no other business the chairman closed the meeting at 2045h with a reminder that because of Easter the April meeting would take place a week early on Monday, 5 April.