EAST WOODHAY PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF

HELD ON TUESDAY 28th FEBRUARY 2006

IN EAST WOODHAY VILLAGE HALL

AT 7.30 P.M.

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN:               Councillor Mr. J. Maxwell.

 

PRESENT:                  Councillors  Miss S. Elsden,  Mrs. N. Farmer,  Mr. B. Heather,  Mr. A. Johnson,  Mr. J. Kernahan,  Mrs. V. Kyle-Lawrence,  Mrs. J. Powell.

 

APOLOGIES:              Councillor Mr. M. Ross.

 

CLERK:                       Mrs. A. Davidson.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Chairman informed the meeting that Cllr Elsden will be stepping down as Chairman of the Planning Committee, with Cllr Johnson taking over.   All were happy with this decision.*

 

*ACTION:    CLERK TO INFORM BASINGSTOKE OF CHANGE OF ADDRESS FOR PLANS.

 

 

 

ITEM 1:    MINUTES OF LAST MEETING.

 

One or two typographical errors were pointed out, after which the Minutes were accepted as a true record of the January meeting and were duly signed by the Chairman.

 

 

ITEM 2:    MATTERS ARISING.

 

Cllr Heather has instructed Green Thumb to go ahead and treat the triangle at East End.

 

An assessment of the situation outside the schools in Woolton Hill following last summer's work has already been carried out, without Cllr Maxwell being informed.   Details to follow.

Cllr Kyle-Lawrence reported that a questionnaire had been given out to the Junior School children.

 

 

 

 

 

The Clerk has contacted Basingstoke about the possibility of Health and Safety training for the Litter Warden.  Despite a promise that someone would phone back to discuss, no-one has.*

 

*ACTION:    CLERK TO CHASE.

 

The Clerk has passed deeds of Parish Field to Cllr Farmer.    She has also written to Mr. Winchcombe, asking him to remove items from the field and to leave it in the condition it was when he took over the lease.   The field has been advertised in Spectrum and on the Parish Noticeboards as being for lease.   Those interested have been asked to contact the Clerk by 24th March for consideration at the March meeting.   Mrs. Kidd has written expressing her interest.

 

Following Cllr Elsden's request at the last meeting, the Chairman has looked into what is happening with the application by the Trail Riders Fellowship to have various bridleways in the area re-classified as byways.   The Chairman reported that there is nothing happening at the moment, but when this case comes to the top of the pile the Council will be consulted.  Cllr Elsden has written to Hampshire County Council about it, something which anyone else can do if they wish.   It was noted that the part of Wayfarers Walk which is in Berkshire is already classified as a byway. 

 

It was suggested that the Senior Citizens Outing could visit either Broadlands or Hilliers Arboretum.   The Council could pay for entry instead of paying for a tea.*

 

ACTION:      CLERK TO INVESTIGATE COSTS.

 

 

ITEM 3:    PLANNING.

 

Members of the Council are meeting with the proposed Developer to discuss the Clere House/Little Oxleas application which was recently refused by Basingstoke.

 

The application for a new dwelling at Bances Yard was refused, but a new revised application has been submitted.   Very little has been changed on the new application, and the main issue of concern remains access on the Ball Hill Road.   Cllr Kernahan raised the issue of speed along this road, with cars going too fast.  Also, just by gate where the proposed access is is the telegraph pole where a sign for the Ball Hill Shop is to be put. 

 

The application to build at  Woodgate in Tile Barn has been refused, citing the Village Design Statement as a reason why.   The Council was encouraged that the VDS was being taken notice of.

 

 

ITEM 4:    AMENITIES.

 

A decision on the application to install CCTV at Woolton Hill should be made soon.   Provided this is the case, it is hope that the installation will take place in April.

 

 

 

 

The Tennis Courts are being tidied up in readiness for the better weather.  Weedkiller has been put down and once this takes effect Heath End will be swept off.  New laminated by-law signs will be put up soon at Woolton Hill now that the board has been refurbished.

 

The new seats for the Memorial Garden and Woolton Hill Recreation Ground have been assembled.  A work party will take place soon to put these in place.    The seat opposite Masons Court is in a poor state, and will probably need replacing.  

 

Steve Batt has been asked to deal with the mole problem at both Recreation Grounds.

 

A new dog bin is to be installed by the stile near Burlyns.  This will be added to the Litter Warden's schedule.     However, the bin cannot be installed until the owner of the land is identified.  Cllr Farmer is looking into this. 

 

The Council's application for funding for the Skateboard Ramp and Play Equipment has now reached the top of the pile, and a decision as to its success should be made in the next couple of weeks.

 

Cllr Johnson has noticed that the gravel in Woolton Hill Car Park is being washed into the drain there, causing it to flood.   Cllr Kyle-Lawrence has received a request to have the goalposts re-instated at Woolton Hill Recreation Ground, along with a basketball net.    It was felt this could be done after levelling of the area has been carried out. 

 

 

ITEM 5:    HIGHWAYS.

 

Reflective posts are now in place at the hill near The Holt in Woolton Hill.  The depression in the road where the drain is on the Ball Hill Road near Gore End is very dangerous, and it is now felt that something needs to be done about it.   This is also a very dangerous junction, and it was felt that there is a real need to press for a 30 mile per hour speed limit here, particularly in light of the Bances Yard application.*

 

*ACTION:    CHAIRMAN TO PRESS  FOR LIMIT OF 30 MPH FROM FURZE BUSH TO NORTH END.

 

The use of the Cango bus remains constant.   However, the original bus remains off the road with a substitute being used.

 

 

ITEM 6:    FINANCE.

 

A list of Income and Expenditure was presented and cheques duly signed.

 

An application for funding has been received from East Woodhay Twinning Association.  They have requested £100 to subsidise the cost to members of the exchange visit to French communities from 28th April to 1st May this year.    The meeting was happy to agree to this request.*

 

*ACTION:    CLERK TO ISSUE CHEQUE.

 

ITEM 7:    MEMBERS REPORTS.

 

Cllr Heather.

He wondered if Cllr Johnson would remain responsible for Highways, in light of him now taking over as Planning Committee Chairman.     The Chairman is still considering this.

 

Cllr Powell.

She wondered if Mr. Winchcombe was going to cut the hedge before he relinquishes his lease of the field.    She also confirmed that someone from the Silver Band would speak at the Annual Parish Meeting. 

 

It was mentioned several months ago that it would be nice for the Council to be a 'presence' at St. Martins fete in the summer.*

 

*ACTION:    CLERK TO ASK IF THE COUNCIL COULD HAVE A STALL.

 

Cllr Kyle-Lawrence.

She wondered what was happening about the trees at Harwood Paddock.   Cllr Johnson confirmed he has met with Dave Hill regarding this, and that letters have gone on from neighbours around the field, expressing their desire that the trees remain.

 

There would appear to be confusion about the application submitted recently by the owners of the property adjoining the Paddock.  They do not wish to take down trees with TPOs on them, but merely to put in an access similar to that where the new business are.    This is therefore not considered as a 'tree' application.

 

Cllr Kyle-Lawrence also commented on the spate of crime in the area recently.   She described a situation where a car was pushed into the road in the middle of the night.  There were also eight break-ins to cars and property in the space of a couple of weeks.  Response by the police was very slow.*

 

*ACTION:    CHAIRMAN TO TAKE UP THE MATTER WITH THE POLICE.

 

Cllr Kernahan.

In case anyone asks, he has the cones which were lining the area along the new development in Gore End Road.    He has noticed that the drain mentioned above is prone to flooding.

 

Chairman.

Forms for those wishing to be considered for Election in May have now been received.  Those wishing to stand were encouraged to take them.   Councillors were reminded of the strict timetable for forms to be submitted, and were encouraged to submit them to Basingstoke as early as possible.

 

 

NOTES:     NEXT MEETING:                         28TH MARCH

                  ANNUAL PARISH MEETING:     25TH APRIL

                  SENIOR CITIZENS OUTING:    14TH OCTOBER