HELD ON TUESDAY 21st
SEPTEMBER 2004
IN EAST WOODHAY VILLAGE HALL
AT 7.30 P.M.
APOLOGIES: Councillors Mr. J. Holdcroft, Mrs. V. Kyle-Lawrence.
ALSO PRESENT: Ms. J. Meredith, Newbury Weekly News.
CLERK: Mrs. A. Davidson.
ITEM 1: MINUTES OF LAST MEETING.
These were accepted as a true
record of the July meeting and were duly signed by the Chairman.
ITEM 2: MATTERS ARISING.
The
Chairman has compiled a draft of a letter to send to the householders whose
properties adjoin the Parish Field, informing them that they should not use any
gates as access to the field or use the field as a public right of way. The Chairman has walked around the
field and is concerned also that some people have moved their boundaries.
*ACTION: CHAIRMAN
AND CLLR FARMER TO CONTINUE TO LOOK INTO THIS MATTER.
Donations
have been sent to East Woodhay Silver Band and Basingstoke Play Council.
The
Chairman will be purchasing padlocks and keys for Woolton Hill Recreation
Ground very soon.
ITEM 2a: RESIGNATION.
All
Councillors were informed in the summer of Cllr Preston's resignation from the
Council. The Chairman wished to
thank Cllr Preston publicly for all he achieved during his time on the Council,
highlighting success in obtaining a Bus Shelter and getting the Car Park at
Woolton Hill Recreation Ground improved.
He asked if anyone could identify any parishioners who may be interested
in joining the Council to fill this vacancy. One or two names were mentioned, and these will be followed
up.
In the
meantime, a new Vice Chairman is needed,
and the Chairman suggested Cllr Johnson take up this post. This was proposed by Cllr Elsden
and seconded by Cllr Heather.
All were happy, and Cllr Johnson agreed.
The
Chairman also proposed Cllr Johnson take Cllr Preston's place as a signatory on
the Council's bank account, and again all were happy with this.
ITEM 3: PLANNING.
An
eviction notice has been served on Mr. Ward at Evergreen Farm in North End to
leave his mobile home there by 19th November. If he does not comply with this, he
will immediately be sent for committal to prison. However, a complication has arisen in that Mr. Ward is now
claiming that half of the mobile home is owned by his wife. Initially, rather than go
down the road of obtaining an injunction against his wife, the Council have decided
to wait until the date set for Mr. Ward to leave and see if he complies. Cllr Ross stressed that the onus
is on Mr. Ward to clear the site, and this means ensuring that any others
living in the mobile home also leave by the date set.
The
application to build 6 properties on the site of Redwood House in Tile Barn has
been withdrawn from this month's Development Control Committee meeting. It would appear that a tree report has
produced some questionable elements of the application. It therefore may be the case that
this application will need to be resubmitted.
The
application to build 3 properties on the site of Woodsong in Trade Street has
been refused. However, a new
application to build 2 properties there has now been submitted. Any decision on this one has not as yet
been made.
Another
multiple application to build 4 properties in the back garden of Westmead in
Tile Barn has been refused.
The
Planning Committee have concerns about plans to build a pair of semi-detached
properties in the back garden of Roughdale in Broad Layings, opposite the
Rampant Cat.
They are
also concerned about an application to develop the site of Clere House in
Church Road, where it is planned to build five 5 bedroom properties. A cul de sac would be created, parking
is inadequate, and it could be a nightmare when activities are taking place at
the church or church hall.
Cllr
Elsden is not quite sure what is happening at the Gore End Road site, as it
would appear that a different developer has taken over. (Cllr Farmer declared
an interest in this matter.)
East
Woodhay have been consulted with regard to an application in Highclere Parish
to build 10 properties in Pantings Lane.
These would adjoin the rear of some properties in this Parish. The Planning Committee have objected to
this application.
ITEM 4: AMENITIES.
Work on
addressing areas identified in the safety reports on the Play Areas is
progressing. The Parish Council
has expressed an interest in being considered for funding for CCTV under a
scheme set up by Basingstoke and Deane for rural areas. Three of the interested Parishes will
receive funding.
A
requested second quote for work on the skateboard ramp has not been
forthcoming. There is concern that
the cost of repair could be very high, as cost of replacing boards alone could
be £2,000. The structure of
the ramp could also need repair.
After discussion, it was decided that the Chairman and Cllr Johnson will
meet with Dave Reed to remove several boards and assess the state of the ramp,
after which a decision will be made as to what should be done.
Quote
are being sought for hedge cutting, and the noticeboards are being looked at to
assess repair needs and whether they are sited in the best places. The Tennis Courts
will be looked at over the next couple of weeks. Cllr Heather is still trying to find a supplier for a
detachable winder.
Cllr
Heather felt it would be good for the Council to be members of Hampshire
Playing Fields Association. The
annual subscription is only £20.00, and membership would mean access to advice
and support in relation to play areas as well as possible funding for
projects. Cllr Elsden
proposed the Council go ahead, seconded by Cllr Ross. All were happy.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO COMPLETE NECESSARY
PAPERWORK AND SEND TO HPFA.
Cllr
Ross has spoken to Ian Harris at Basingstoke and Deane. Some of the residents
around Copnor have indicated they are now not keen to progress the proposal to
erect a teen shelter there.
Cllr Ross wondered whether a survey should be carried out to assess
whether there is still a need for it. Basingstoke have a fund of £35,000
allocated to Village Halls to improve access etc. under the Disability Discrimination
Act. He wondered if the Council
would support a request for some of this funding to be allocated to development
of a soft play area for small children adjacent to the Church Hall in Woolton
Hill. The Council agreed to
give moral support to this project. Around £12,000 should be forthcoming
soon from S106 Developers Contributions as a result of the development at Gore
End Road. This must be used
for play areas or open spaces.
ITEM 5: HIGHWAYS.
Cllr
Johnson has distributed letters to householders whose hedges or trees have been
identified as causing an obstruction to highways or pavements. He has asked that, if any
Councillors notice any others, they let him know. The hedge at Palmer Paddock which runs alongside
the pavement opposite the Infant School is a particular problem, where although
the hedge has been cut, it has not gone back far enough, particularly in light
of the pavement being rather narrow there. There are also several others causing
problems down this road.
The Chairman said he has spoken with Mr. Winchcombe again concerning the
hedge around the Parish Field. Mr.
Winchcombe assured him that the hedge will be cut soon. Mr. Winchcombe asked if the
Council would have any objection to him erecting a tent in the field when his
daughter gets married. The
Council were happy to agree to this request.
Information
and a questionnaire have been received regarding the proposed Local Transport
Plan. This includes a list of
areas identified as priorities, and it is disappointing that, in spite of
several recent accidents, none of these affect this Parish. In order that the Council
can fully comment, all Councillors will be given a copy of the questionnaire to
complete before the next meeting.*
*ACTION: CLERK
TO DISTRIBUTE COPIES TO EACH COUNCILLOR FOR COMPLETION.
Hampshire
County Council are currently drawing up plans to carry out improvements around
The Store in Woolton Hill. These
will then be sent to the Parish Council for consultation and comment. This is in response to a letter
sent to the Parish Council from a Parishioner concerned about parking and
safety there, which the Clerk passed on to Hampshire Highways to deal with.
ITEM 6: FINANCE.
A list
of income and expenditure this month was distributed and cheques duly
signed. The Council have, for many
years now, given donations of £100 each to St. Thomas' and St. Martin's
churchyards, Woolton Hill Church Hall and East Woodhay Village Hall, and the
Council was asked if they were happy for this to continue this year. All agreed.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO SEND CHEQUES.
The
Chairman mentioned that some of the Youth Club equipment was stored in Cllr
Kyle-Lawrence's garage, which suffered damage due to an oil leak. As a result, the Council may be
approached for a donation towards replacement of some items.
ITEM 7: VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT.
Work is
still continuing on addressing the sixty one items identified by Basingstoke as
needing clarification. However,
further discussion will be necessary on the subject of
telephone
masts. Copy of a Footpaths
Map will be included in the finished document, and the possibility of including
a Public Rights of Way Map will also be considered.
ITEM 8: SENIOR CITIZENS PARTY.
Councillors
were reminded of the Senior Citizens Party on 9th October, 3-5
p.m. Access to the
hall will be from 1 p.m. to enable setting up. Help will be needed to transport those who cannot get
to and from the hall themselves.
ITEM 9: WWII 60TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION.
Cllr
Heather suggested a Special Edition of Spectrum could be produced to commemorate
this event, using stories and photographs from Parishioners. All thought this was an excellent
idea. However, before any decision is made, it was
felt that Parishioners should be asked for their suggestions.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO PUT A NOTE IN SPECTRUM
REQUESTING IDEAS.
ITEM 10: MEMBERS REPORTS.
Cllr
Farmer.
Cllr
Farmer asked that Councillors should note her new telephone number, and asked
the Clerk to have it changed in Spectrum.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO DO THIS.
Cllr
Heather.
He has
noticed that there is currently no lock on the Car Park Barrier at Woolton
Hill. The Chairman
confirmed he is dealing with this.
Cllr
Heather also wondered what progress was being made on the Safer Routes to
School proposals which were discussed some weeks ago.*
*ACTION: CLERK TO CONTACT CLIVE
PHILLIPS FOR UPDATE.
Cllr
Powell.
The tree
outside No. 6 Copnor appears to be dead, but she is not sure whose
responsibility it is.*
*ACTION: CLLR JOHNSON TO INVESTIGATE.
Cllr
Ross.
He asked
if there was going to be a Finance Meeting soon to discuss the 2005/06
budget. The Clerk confirmed she
would be contacting the Finance Team soon to arrange this.