MINUTES OF A MEETING OF

EAST WOODHAY PARISH COUNCIL

HELD ON TUESDAY 20th SEPTEMBER 2005

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. J. Kernahan,  Mrs. V. Kyle-Lawrence,  Mrs. J. Powell,  Mr. M. Ross.

 

APOLOGIES:              Councillor Mr. A. Johnson. 

 

CLERK:                       Mrs. A. Davidson.

 

 

 

 

 

ITEM 1:    MINUTES OF LAST MEETING.

 

One amendment was suggested, after which these were accepted as a true record of the July meeting and were duly signed by the Chairman.

 

 

ITEM 2:    MATTERS ARISING.

 

A combination padlock has now been fitted to the height barrier at the car park in Woolton Hill.  All Councillors have been given the combination.*

 

*ACTION:    CLERK TO INFORM THE INFANT SCHOOL OF THE COMBINATION.

 

The Clerk, the Chairman and Cllr Sutton have not yet managed to get together to discuss the Parish Field.   This will be organised soon.

 

The Clerk has spoken to Clere School and both Woolton Hill schools regarding any impact increased development in the Parish may be having.   The Clere School confirmed they are currently full (690 pupils) and have a waiting list.   The Junior School currently has 183 pupils, against their maximum of 180, and have telephone calls daily from people 'hoping to move to the area' asking if they have vacancies.  Some years are more over-subscribed than others.   The Infant School has some spaces in their Reception year.  Around 20-30% of their pupils are from outside the Parish.    The Clerk also contacted the Surgery, who requested she write to them so that they can respond formally.   She has done this.*

 

*ACTION:    CLERK TO OBTAIN DETAILS FROM ST. MARTINS SCHOOL ALSO.

 

 

 

The Elliot Cohen Memorial has now been cleaned, thanks to Cllr Sutton.

 

White lining has now been done on the Ball Hill road, and following letter sent by the Parish Council, damaged hedge has been re-planted at the new houses in Gore End Road.

 

The Clerk has put a note in Spectrum regarding boulders on grass verges, warning parishioners of the possible consequences should these cause accident or damage.

 

 

ITEM 3:    PLANNING.

 

An application has been received to build 11 houses on the old Hitchmans Yard site.  The Planning Committee has objected on the basis that there is inadequate parking Ð one car parking space per 2-bedroomed house.   It would appear that an arrangement has been made with householders either side of the development to enable a new entrance to be made to the site. 

 

Another application received this month is to build a 5 bedroomed detached property with double garage at Witsun in Trade Street.  No objection to this, as precedent has been set.

 

Amendments have been made to the application to build a large property at Moongrove next to St. Martins at East End to make it blend in more and be less visible from Wayfarers Walk.

 

The application to build two semi-detached properties at the rear of Roughdale in Woolton Hill has created much local concern.

 

Basingstoke and Deane are now giving Parish Councils notification of all planning decisions, which is very helpful.

 

 

ITEM 4:    AMENITIES.

 

There have been problems with the keys and handles for the tennis courts going missing.   It was suggested that these could be held at the shops in Woolton Hill and Ball Hill, with refundable deposit being held until they are returned.  The shops could also take the bookings and collect the cash, in return for which they would receive a percentage of the takings.   They may also benefit from more customers as a result.*

 

*ACTION:    CLLR KERNAHAN TO SPEAK TO BALL HILL SHOP KEEPER.

 

Cllr Heather will speak to Cllr Johnson to see if the broken goalpost at Woolton Hill can be repaired.  Cooks have been given the go-ahead to carry out hedge cutting and other maintenance work around the Tennis Courts.  The seat which was by the Skateboard Ramp will be re-instated, as will the one in the Memorial Garden at Church Road crossroads.

 

The planning application for the CCTV is being finalised and will be submitted very soon.  It is now proposed to install a fully digital system, with a green mast.   This will be cheaper than previously thought, and will also be better for the future.

 

 

 

An application for £11,000 towards the cost of the new Skateboard Ramp and Play Equipment has been submitted for funding from the body that distributes landfill tax credits.  This project does meet their criteria, but there are several more steps to go through before we will know if it has been successful.    The application has been done through Community First, who have a 95% success rate.

 

The refurbishment of the noticeboards is ongoing.

 

 

ITEM 5:    HIGHWAYS.

 

In Cllr Johnson's absence, there was no Highways report.  However, Cllr Kyle-Lawrence has reported the 'disappearance' of the pavement outside her house.  It has subsided, but the water hydrant is sticking up, making it very dangerous.

 

Also, following repair works along Station Road, white lining has not yet been carried out.

 

 

ITEM 6:    FINANCE.

 

A list Income and Expenditure was presented and cheques duly signed.   A meeting of the Finance Team will take place soon to discuss the budget for 2006/07.     The Clerk asked Councillors to consider the issue of Donations so that this can be discussed a the next meeting.  She will also put a notice in the Parish Magazine to inform local organisation of the availability of small grants.

 

 

ITEM 7:    MEMBERS REPORTS.

 

Cllr Farmer.

She wondered if the Lychgate Fund at St. Thomas's included the fence around the War Memorial.  The Chairman confirmed that it did.

 

With regard to the CCTV Planning Application, she also wondered if the area where the CCTV mast is to be erected is owned by the Parish Council.*

 

*ACTION:    CLERK TO PASS ON TITLE DEEDS.

 

She has also noticed someone camping in the Parish Field one evening.

 

Cllr Heather.

 

?????

 

Cllr Kernahan.

Several Parishioners have mentioned to him that there are often a lot of cars parked around Ball Hill Garage.  This is particularly a problem in the morning and evening, when cars are being dropped off and picked up.     The Council agreed to monitor the situation.

 

 

 

 

 

Cllr Elsden.

She has noticed that vision is obscured by the hedge of the house on the right hand side of the T-junction when going from Heath End down to the Ball Hill Road.  This means drivers need to pull out into the road, which is very dangerous.*

 

*ACTION:    CLERK TO WRITE TO HOUSEHOLDER.

 

She also wondered if it would be possible to obtain two documents Ð Design at a Glance and Making Design Policy Work Ð as she feels they would be very helpful.*

 

*ACTION:    CLERK TO ORDER.

 

Cllr Kyle-Lawrence.

The Youth Club continues to see good numbers attending.   However, a minimum of 3 leaders are required each week, and this can sometimes be difficult.

 

Cllr Ross.

He thanked the Council for their card and good wishes, and is pleased to report he is progressing well.  

 

Chairman.

The Local Education Authority is looking for School Governors.   Schools are given funding collected from the Local Authority but then the Local Authority does not have a very large say in how the cash is spent.

 

Hants Ambulance service is downsizing its Ambulance Stations from 19 to 3.  However, these will be in 'strategic' places such as Tot Hill Services.

 

Councillors were reminded about the Senior Citizens Party on 19th November. 

 

The Clerk has received a large amount of correspondence over the summer.   Councillors were given a list of all relevant documents.

 

 

NOTES:     NEXT MEETING  -  TUESDAY 25TH OCTOBER

                  SENIOR CITIZENS PARTY  -  SATURDAY 19TH NOVEMBER,

                           3.00-5.00 P.M.

                  NOVEMBER MEETING  -  TUESDAY 22ND

                  NO MEETING IN DECEMBER.