EAST WOODHAY PARISH COUNCIL
HELD ON TUESDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 2001
Council Members.
The meeting began with the appointment of one new member to the Parish Council, following the retirement of another who had given many years faithful service, for which the Council expressed its thanks.
Parish Appraisal/Village Design Statement.
The feasibility of carrying out a Parish Appraisal, leading eventually to the development of a Village Design Statement, is being looked into. Funding is believed to be available to Parishes from Basingstoke and Deane by way of encouragement and support, and a dedicated officer there has been assigned to advise Parishes who wish to undertake such a project. A team from the Parish Council will investigate further and report back at the next meeting.
Website.
The Council was disappointed to hear that, although Basingstoke and Deane are trying to encourage Parishes to join their Website, no retrospective funding is available to assist those who already have their own ones.
Litter.
Due to the lack of a Litter Warden in the Parish, Basingstoke and Deane are now responsible for emptying the bins and litter picking. The Parish Council will monitor the situation to ensure this is being done on a regular basis.
Amenities.
A quote has been received to refurbish the area under the swings at Heath End Recreation Ground. Basingstoke and Deane have confirmed that the price is fair and reasonable and the specification perfectly adequate. The possibility of funding being available towards this work by way of a grant will be looked into.
Basingstoke and Deane have confirmed that, whereas they have no intention at present to close the Skateboard Ramp, the threat of its closure will not be removed. The rotting boards on the Ramp have now been replaced, and the damaged height restriction barrier across Woolton Hill Recreation Ground car park will be repaired shortly. A "No Dogs Allowed" sign has also been erected in the Recreation Ground.
Flooding at Woolton Hill Recreation Ground Car Park could result in the Council being faced with a large bill for replacing the tennis court surface, where the water is settling. Installation of a land drain is being considered to alleviate this problem.
Transport.
There is a real problem in the Parish for students who attend college in Andover by public transport, as the timing of buses is poor. Meetings have taken place between the Council, the college and the service operator in the hope that the situation can be resolved. As there are around 20 students from the area who are experiencing this problem, the college is looking at the possibility of contracting out the service. The Council is also looking at the provision of more bus shelters in the Parish and where would be most appropriate to site them. At the moment there is only one in Ball Hill as well as a 'cut away' in the Gainsborough Stud's hedge on Tile Barn Row.
Planning.
Several planning application has been received in the last month. A proposed development at Gore End Road has been amended from an initial 5 dwellings to 9, then revised again to 6. An application for a light industrial unit at Harwood Paddock will be strongly opposed by the Parish Council, particularly in light of its consideration as part of the Local Plan, and may eventually be thwarted by the discovery of a rare mouse there. The Council is also concerned about adverse reports regarding the Green Burial Site in the Hampstead Marshall/Enbourne area, and will write to West Berkshire Council expressing their concerns.
Memorial Garden.
The Gardeners Club have agreed to take responsibility for the small Memorial Garden opposite the pedestrian entrance to St. Thomas' Infant School. This will entail planting and maintaining the area, but the grass cutting will continue to be carried out by a contractor.
Donations.
The meeting agreed to make donations to St. Martin's and St. Thomas's Churchyards, East Woodhay Village Hall and Woolton Hill Church Hall in the sum of £100.00 each.
Queen's Golden Jubilee Celebrations.
The Council wishes to mark this occasion in some way, but expressed concern that this may not be possible due to it falling over a bank holiday weekend and a half term week. However, investigation will be made as to whether there is sufficient support within the Parish for a community event.