The minutes were accepted as a true record of the February meeting and were duly signed by the Chairman.
Cllr Maxwell reported that all villages wishing to have a 30 miles per hour speed limit can do so. There is currently a pilot scheme running in several areas. The Chairman thought it would be good to have a 30 mile speed limit right through Ball Hill and Hatt Common, and Cllr Sanders added that there is pressure to have it in North End too. The meeting felt that it would be good to have a 30 miles per hour limit throughout the Parish.*
ACTION: CLLR SANDERS TO IDENTIFY AREAS AROUND THE PARISH SUITABLE FOR 30 MILES PER HOUR SPEED LIMIT.The South East Plan is going through its Enquiry in Public, and the Chairman has taken up with the Head of Planning at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council our long-standing objection to the boundary of the Western Corridor sub-region that cuts through our Parish. Our hope is that the matter will finally be resolved as an outcome of the Enquiry.
The Planning Committee have met with the Estate Manager at Hollington House, who showed them round the site. The gatepost is currently missing as there are still large cabins on site. The Site Manager stated that the temporary cabin accommodation used by the family whilst the main house was restored will be removed in the summer and then the pillars and iron gates will be replaced.
The Chairman, Cllr Sanders and Cllr Kyle-Lawrence met with Iain Pickles to discuss the siting of the glass recycling bins in the Parish. It is proposed to site the bins in the lay-by beside Masons Court. Several people have expressed concern about this particular site, particularly in relation to its proximity to a bend and also in terms of noise. Cllr Ross wondered if the Yew Tree Garden Centre would be a more suitable site. The Borough Council will need to submit a planning application before the bins are installed, and the meeting felt it would be best to wait until this is received and see what happens then.
It was disappointing that there was not a bigger turnout for the Safer Routes to Schools Meeting held recently. It was hoped that some parents would attend, but none did. All Councillors were given copies of minutes of the meeting. Some changes are required, after which copies will be sent to David Gent, Gill Roberts and Steve Smith. As a result of the discussion, two resolutions were made. These were (1) to continue the footpath between the two schools and (2) to install chicanes for a trial period. Cllr Sanders commented on the recent correspondence regarding extending the length of the waiting and loading restrictions on the C5 near the entrance to the Junior School. These restrictions should have been brought in when the previous work was carried out outside the schools, but were not. The Chairman said it would be good to have a copy of the independent engineer's report.*
*ACTION: CLLR MAXWELL TO OBTAIN A COPY.Cllr Mitchell, Borough Councillor for Highclere Parish, feels it would be a good idea for the adjoining Parishes affected by the proposals put forward by the Boundary Committee to get together to discuss it. Burghclere Parish are not happy about the proposals, but St. Mary Bourne do not seem concerned.*
ACTION: CHAIRMAN TO PICK UP THIS ISSUE.All Councillors have been given details of footpaths to 'walk' in the Parish. All will be given forms to fill in detailing their findings. These are to be returned to the Clerk, who will keep copies. Norman Powers has expressed his thanks for this help. Path 44 is still blocked.*
*ACTION: CLLR MAXWELL WILL SPEAK TO THE STUD REGARDING THIS BLOCKAGE AND WILL ENLIST HAMPSHIRE TO CLEAR AWAY TREES IF NECESSARY.The Parish responded to concerns about a planning application for the Garden House in Hollington Lane on the site of the former Herb Garden Nursery. These centred on the issue of access and the possibility of road damage. The road here is very narrow with cars being unable to pass each other. This again raises the need to consider making it compulsory for developers to undertake to reinstate any damage caused as a condition of consent. Cllr Ross felt this was particularly relevant in rural areas where very small developments take place. Cllr Sanders has queried this issue with Hampshire's Legal Department, and Cllr Maxwell will chase up a response. The Chairman wondered if Basingstoke could do anything to impose Section 106 on developers, but Cllr Sanders believed this could only be done for future developments. Cllr Farmer confirmed it could be done for anything, whether it is one building or an extension, and that it is standard practice in West Berkshire. Cllr Maxwell said that HAT is concerned about it. Section 106 is often imposed for specific items, but if all the money is not spent then it is returned to the developer. He felt that it needs to be less specific.*
*ACTION: CLLR SANDERS TO FOLLOW UP.An application has been received for the demolition a property at Blindmans Gate and the erection of two 4/5 bedroom houses. We have objected on the grounds of over- development, out of character and overlooking of Westmead.
A further application has been received for Evergreen Farm for rabbit rearing sheds. We have responded. We do not object, providing the unsightly trailer bodies are removed.
Newbury Lodge is a building of historical/architectural interest, but was not listed and/or classified as a Building of Local Interest (BOLI). Basingstoke and Deane do not have a definitive list of such buildings as they were required to do by the Inspector's Report on the Draft Local Plan to support their application of the Supplementary Planning Guidance on BOLIs. They are in the process of compiling a list of BOLIs within the Borough and to assist this they are holding meetings aimed at assisting Parish Councils to define and list such buildings in their areas. Cllrs Johnson and Kernahan are attending on 1st May.
CCTV monitoring training will take place after Easter. The Forms for the work on the play areas have been sent to Community First. Quotes are being obtained, and one company looks promising, saying they could do the work within 6 weeks and it would take around 1 week to complete. Cllr Farmer is obtaining quotations from Cooks for levelling the Recreation Ground and the footpaths. The Dunlop report has been received, which states we are failing with regard to the Disability Discrimination Act. The fencing around the play area at Woolton Hill needs to be replaced. The wooden climbing frame has deteriorated and probably needs to be replaced. Cllr Kyle-Lawrence has asked for a quotation for a new one.
The Chairman suggested that it was time that we again surveyed the trees around the Recreation Grounds to identify and remove any dead wood or unsafe limbs.*
*ACTION: CLLR KYLE-LAWRENCE TO ARRANGE.The tennis courts will be cleaned soon, and the new bylaws sign is due to go up any time.
There is not much to report with regard to Highways, as nothing has happened since the last meeting. It would appear that Hampshire are currently snowed under, and are trying to prioritise works. Cllr Sanders will continue to chase outstanding issues.
A list of income and expenditure was produced and cheques duly signed. The Clerk provided details of estimated end of year balance. There are some funds still available under the Section 137 budget, and it was suggested this money be carried over to be put towards the Senior Citizens event later in the year.
The shed built in the lay-by in Fairacre has been removed.
A new Fingerpost sign will soon be in place at Blindmans Gate.
He would appreciate some
help at the Easter Egg Hunt at Highclere Castle on Easter Sunday which is in aid of Naomi
Hospice.
PC Matt Deery was unable to attend the meeting but provided his report via email, which the Clerk circulated to all Councillors.
The meeting was sorry that Su Elsden had decided to resign from the Parish Council. Su has been an excellent Councillor, spending much of her time on the Council as Chairman of the Planning Committee. It was suggested that she be presented with the gift of painting of St. Martins Church at the Annual Parish Meeting.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO ARRANGE WITH BILL CROOK.There are now two vacancies on the Parish Council. These will be advertised in Spectrum and on the Parish Noticeboards.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO ARRANGE.This will take place on Tuesday 24th April. Cllr Maxwell will, as usual, supply the wine and glasses. The Clerk will bring soft drinks, napkins, bowls and plates and all Councillors wil provide some 'nibbles'.