HELD ON TUESDAY 25th
JANUARY 2005
IN EAST WOODHAY VILLAGE HALL
AT 7.30 P.M.
APOLOGIES: Councillors Mrs. N. Farmer, Mr. J. Holdcroft.
ALSO PRESENT: 2 members of the public.
CLERK: Mrs. A. Davidson.
ITEM 1: MINUTES OF LAST MEETING.
These were accepted as a
true record of the November meeting and were duly signed by the Chairman.
ITEM 2: MATTERS ARISING.
The dead tree at Copnor
has now been removed.
The vacancy has been
advertised in accordance with regulations and no response has been made to
Basingstoke for an election to be held. One of the parishioners in North End who expressed an
interest in joining the Council has, at the last minute, decided not to do
so. The other interested
party will now be contacted with a view to co-opting at the February meeting.
The Clerk has passed
copies of the letter on Community Halls funding to those responsible for both
East Woodhay Village Hall and Woolton Hill Church Hall in order that they can
respond.
The application form for
an Environment and Regeneration Grant has been completed and returned, with
funding being applied for to carry out work at Woolton Hill Tennis Court.*
ACTION: CHAIRMAN TO CHASE UP RESPONSE.
Cllr Heather has yet to
check the issue of Dog Notices with Basingstoke and Deane.
Mr. Winchcombe has
assured the Chairman that the hedge around the Parish Field will be cut soon.
Applications for Precept
and General Grant for 2005/06 have been completed and returned to Basingstoke.
In response to Cllr
Powell's query at the last meeting regarding Planning Application fees, Cllr
Ross confirmed that these are set nationally and cannot be varied. However, the fees charged are
coming up for review shortly.
Cllr Ross added that West Berkshire currently operate a policy of
reduced Section 106 Developers Contributions in favour of a contribution to
affordable housing. Basingstoke do
not operate this scheme, but are looking to reduce the size of development
which triggers Developers Contributions -
at the moment this is six.
ITEM 3: PLANNING.
An application has been
received to demolish The Lodge in Tile Barn in Woolton Hill and replace it with
two new properties. The
Lodge is a single storey, traditional Victorian property, and the Council is
therefore objecting to this application on the issue of the demolition and loss
of what is a visual amenity in the village. Cllr Ross is also objecting on the same basis, and also on
the issue of safety. Horace
Mitchell, resident of Tile Barn and Borough Councillor for Highclere, has
opposed this application on historical and architectural grounds. Mr. and Mrs. Cotton, members of
the public present, also wishes to express their opposition to this application
as their garden adjoins that of the Lodge, and the proposals would mean that
one of the new properties would look directly into theirs. Cllr Ross is keeping
in touch with Mike Townsend at Basingstoke re progress on this
application. Cllr Elsden has
expressed a wish to speak should this application come before Development
Control Committee.
An application for a
licence at the Ball Hill Bakery has been granted, with the restriction that
this only applies between 7 am Ð 6 pm Monday to Saturday and 7.30 am Ð 1.30 pm
Sunday. There was much
opposition locally to this application.
A new application has
been received to demolish Peters Cottage at North End and replace it with a new
detached property, as well as tennis court and swimming pool. Although this new application
shows the property as being further back from the road than previously planned,
the design is still out of keeping with the surrounding area.
Following on from the
Council's recent complaints to Basingstoke about Development Control Committee
procedures, Cllr Ross reported
that this is being looked at by the Scrutiny Committee. They are looking to reduce the number
of issues being considered, and also allowing applications where outside
speakers are present to be dealt with first. It is also suggested that the Committee visit sites under
consideration before the meeting takes place. It was agreed that having the meeting going on
until late at night is not good.
An application to erect
a detached garage at 2 Harwood Rise has been approved, despite the Council's
objections on the grounds of access.
It would appear that the householders received access approval via
Highways, resulting in Basingstoke having no option but to approve the
application. Cllr Johnson
felt very unhappy that this could happen with no consultation, particularly as
the application was originally refused because of the access issue.
The Council regularly
receives correspondence and information from the Council for the Protection of
Rural England (CPRE), and Cllr Elsden felt it would be a good idea if the
Council became a member of this organisation, as they can provide help and support
in many areas. All agreed
this would be a good move.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO ARRANGE THIS.
The applications to
demolish a tree and build a property at 6 Greenlands have been refused.
There have been
complaints from residents of Greenways about lorries using it to access the new
development at Harwood Paddock. Speed is the main issue here. Diggers are being transported at
the moment, with the delivery of building materials to follow. Apparently they often arrive
around school time in the morning and cannot access via the C5 due to the
school run being in progress.
It is believed there are no restrictions re access in the approval
notice for this application. Cllr
Kyle-Lawrence contacted Emma Turner in the Compliance Department at Basingstoke
and was told that as this is a public highway it does not come under their
jurisdiction. However as it
would come under the Road Traffic Act we need to speak to either the police of
Highways. *
*ACTION: CHAIRMAN TO CONTACT MIMS KING.
CLLR JOHNSON TO SPEAK TO HIGHWAYS.
CLLR ROSS TO SPEAK TO EMMA TURNER AT BASINGSTOKE.
Cllr Ross provided an
update on the position with regard to Burchills Copse. Mr. Ward's wife has now given her
children an interest in the home.
The Borough Council are therefore now finalising documents to take all
the family to court in order to evict them from the site.
ITEM 4: AMENITIES.
Cllr Heather was pleased
to report a successful outcome to the Council's application for CCTV funding
from Basingstoke, with a grant of £16,500 being awarded. Just over £10,000 of this money
has already been received.
The CCTV will comprise a pole with 3 cameras on it, one pointing to the
car park, one to the skateboard ramp and one to the play area at Woolton
Hill. The pole will be sited
under the trees, with power coming from the church hall and carrying across the
school driveway. Additional
cameras can be plugged in, which would be good should the school or the church
wish to do so. A planning
application will need to be submitted, but the Chairman has already spoken to
Basingstoke concerning
this and there should be no issues. Monitoring will be carried out via the web
by 2 or 3 controllers. Data
will be stored for around 2 weeks, with a set
process to be followed
should an incident take place.
The pole will have a lockable wind down mechanism. Cllr Johnson asked whether there
would be any protection on the pole in light of possible vandalism, and Cllr
Heather confirmed this would be the case. The pole was originally to be 4.5 metres high, but
this has now been increased to 6 metres.
Cllr Johnson also queried the issue of security of the electricity
supply to the cameras should there be a power cut.*
*ACTION: CLLR HEATHER TO CHECK UP ON THIS.
PC Mims King has been
fully briefed, and provided a letter of support to the Council's application
for this funding, as did the school other locals. Those living in their neighbouring properties are also
supportive. Cllr
Elsden asked whether a representative from the company providing the CCTV could
come and speak to the Council about its operation.*
*ACTION: CLLR HEATHER TO ARRANGE.
The Council has applied
for a Regeneration Grant to enable refurbishment of the tennis courts. They are both in a poor condition, with
the surfaces mossy and slippery.
A company called Tennis Court Services came and had a look at them. They both need to be cleaned, treated
and the next fixed of holes.
The price quoted for this was £460 per court plus VAT. Cllr Heather is still trying
to obtain a detachable winder mechanism. He will contact Hampshire Playing Fields Association
for help.*
*ACTION: CHAIRMAN TO CONTACT BASINGSTOKE RE GRANT APPLICATION.
Cllr Heather has come up
with a possible solution to finding the funding to replace the old Skateboard
Ramp, and provided the meeting with details. This comprises Section 106 monies due from the Gore
End Road Development of £12,900, some unused funds from last year, as well as
some allocated funding from this financial year totalling £2,900, added to a
donation and some fund raising of £1,500, giving a total of £17,300. Cllr Johnson was concerned that
the new ramp needs to be a good structure. The Chairman confirmed that this would be steel, with proper
fixings for the wood to be attached.*
*ACTION: CLLR ROSS TO CHECK IF THERE ARE ANY RESTRICTIONS ON THE USE OF THE S 106 MONIES.
The meeting felt all the
above was excellent work by the Amenities Committee.
Cllr Ross added that
Basingstoke and Deane have also agreed to pay £3,000 to providing a safe play
area at the side of the church hall.
ITEM 5: HIGHWAYS.
The roadsign missing
from the fingerpost at East Woodhay has been found. It was apparently knocked off the post by the flail of
a tractor belonging to a man Mr. Cooling from North End had employed to do some
work for him. Mr. Cooling
has agreed to pay for replacement of the sign, which will take a little longer
than normal due to it being an 'AA' style sign.
Work on putting in a
dropped kerb at Blindmans Gate should begin soon. A meeting about
plans to improve conditions in Woolton Hill under the 'Safer Routes to
Schools' scheme will be taking place next week, with the Chairman
attending. This will be
followed by a public exhibition of the proposals between 3.30 and 7.00 pm on 8th
February.
ITEM 6: FINANCE.
A list of income and
expenditure was presented and cheques duly signed.
Two requests for
donations have been received.
The first is from Bertha Bates asking if the Parish Council could
contribute to the estimated cost of £20,000 of restoration of the Lychgate and
War Memorial Fence at St. Thomas'. The meeting was fully in agreement that the
Council should support this to the tune of £200.00.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO RAISE CHEQUE.
The second request was from
Tadley Citizens Advice Bureau, asking for a donation to support their
increasing costs. An
advisor from the CAB does visit The Surgery in Woolton Hill, but there was
uncertainty as to whether she came from Tadley or not. If this was not the case, then
under the rules of Section 137 (Donations) then the Council would be unable to
help as no-one from this Parish would benefit.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO INVESTIGATE AND REPORT BACK.
Cllr Ross congratulated
the Clerk on a successful audit.
ITEM 7: VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT.
Cllr Heather expressed
concern about recent new planning guidance, and its impact on Village Design
Statements. The new
rules do not apply to VDS's begun before July 2004. However, as the VDS only has a limited shelf life, they may kick
in in around 3-4 years time. How
VDS's can be re-adopted in light of the new planning guidance is being looked
at. There are only two
points, relating to masts, remaining to be clarified on this Parish's VDS.
ITEM 8: MEMBERS REPORTS.
Cllr Kyle-Lawrence.
The Brownies have asked
if they can have their Brownie Garden back. This has, for the last couple of year, been tended by the
Gardening Club due to a lack of Brownies.*
*ACTION: CHAIRMAN TO SPEAK TO THE GARDENING CLUB ABOUT THIS.
There was a problem
recently with youths in cars racing up and down the C5 through the
village. However when Cllr
Kyle-Lawrence tried to report this, the Police appeared to have
difficulty in
establishing exactly where the C5 was.
They eventually did, but in future, Blindmans Gate should be used as a
point of reference.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO ARRANGE FOR THIS TO BE PUT IN SPECTRUM.
The Chair of the Board
of Governors at Woolton Hill Junior School has asked for the Parish Council's
support on a matter they are currently looking at. They would like to develop the land at the front of
the Junior School to provide a sports facility which can be used by the whole
village. This would include
floodlighting and a clubhouse.
It was stressed that this request is coming from the Governors, not
Hampshire County Council. Cllr
Heather was concerned that there may be an issue with floodlighting, and Cllr
Powell felt there may be an issue with the land itself, as it belongs to Hampshire
County Council. The
meeting concluded that more information was needed before any decision to help
or otherwise could be taken.*
*ACTION: CLLR KYLE-LAWRENCE TO ARRANGE
FOR REPRESENTATIVE OF THE GOVERNORS TO COME TO THE NEXT MEETING TO EXPLAIN
FURTHER.
Cllr Ross.
3G are proposing to
erect a telecoms mast at Highclere.
There was initial concern that this may be very close to our Parish
boundary. However Cllr Ross has
spoken to his counterpart at Highclere, Horace Mitchell, this is not the
case. The planned siting for the
mast is fairly well out in the middle of a wood.
Cllr Johnson.
He recently attended the
Cross Border Meeting which takes place between representatives from West
Berkshire Council and Basingstoke and Deane. The main topic discussed was transport, with
particular concern about the A343 junction. Cllr Johnson felt these joint discussions are
encouraging.
Chairman.
Due to the resignation
of Robert Preston, there is no longer a Councillor responsible for Police
Liaison. The Chairman therefore
proposed Cllr Johnson take on this role.
All were happy with this.
Planning Permission has
now been granted to erect the Cabin donated to the Youth Club by Vodafone. The Chairman has flatted the ground
where the cabin will go ready for its arrival.
The Chairman asked that
it be noted that Cllr Elsden's company have been asked to do the publicity for
the new units being built at Harwood Paddock. The Clerk has discussed this with David Robb,
Monitoring Officer at Basingstoke, who has confirmed that there are no problems
with this.
After discussions
between the Chairman and the Clerk, the Chairman asked for the meeting's view
on the idea that the Council's Senior Citizens Event should again this year
take the form of a party.
The outing in 2003 proved very expensive due to the fact that
two coaches were
required. He therefore suggested
that an outing should only take place every third year instead of every
second. The
meeting was happy with this.
However, to make it a little different, it was suggested that this year's
party be later in the year, and be a Christmas one, with Saturday 26th
November being agreed.*
ACTION: CLERK TO ARRANGE BOOKING OF HALL.
The Chairman is unable
to attend Council meetings on two of the dates set. It was agreed that Cllr Johnson will chair the July
meeting, but that the May one will change from 24th to 31st.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO INFORM SHIRLEY PRIOR OF CHANGE OF DATE.
There has been much in
the news recently about the South East Plan, a draft document produced by the
South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA) to set out proposals to
accommodate envisaged growth of almost 1 million people in the South East over
the next 20 years.
Several organisations have arranged to hold meetings to provide more
information on this Plan over the next few weeks. Cllr Elsden will attend a meeting arranged by CPRE, Cllr
Johnson will attend a meeting organised by Hampshire Strategic Partnership and
Cllr Ross has agreed to attend a meeting arranged by HAPTC. All will report back at the next
Council meeting. The Clerk
gave all Councillors a pre-plan leaflet.
However, further leaflets, with attached questionnaire, will be
delivered to all households in the near future. It was suggested that the Council arrange to hold a
Public Meeting to give Parishioners the opportunity to ask any questions they
may have, with March seeming the best time as the deadline for comments is 15th
April.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO ARRANGE VENUE AND PUBLICITY IN SPECTRUM.
Cllr Elsden.
A tree is down on the
footpath between Fullers Lane and East Woodhay Village Hall.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO INFORM NORMAN POWERS.
She also wondered if the
Clerk had heard any more from Basingstoke about the proposed Development
Control training.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO CONTACT GEORGIO FRAMALICCO FOR INFO.
Cllr Powell.
She has had a complaint
of a digger being started up at 7.45 am on a Saturday morning at the Harwood
Paddock development. It was felt
this was quite early for the weekend, and
Cllr Powell wondered if there were any
restrictions in place over what time was reasonable.*
ACTION: CLLR ROSS TO LOOK INTO THIS.
Cllr Powell is concerned
about the lack of response from the police recently when they have been
contacted to attend an incident.
This has happened on more than one occasion.*
*ACTION: CLLR JOHNSON TO DEAL.
NOTE: NEXT
MEETING - 22ND FEBRUARY
PUBLIC
MEETING ON SOUTH EAST PLAN - 9TH
APRIL