Parish Council
Council minutes July 2009
KING’S SOMBORNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held in the Epworth Hall
commencing at 7.00pm on Monday 6 July 2009
Present: Cllr R Dyke (Chairman) Cllr R Bevan Cllr D Bidwell Cllr F Fahy Cllr R Harwood Cllr R Lane Cllr G Pearson Cllr R Pidgeon Cllr J Werrett
In Attendance: Mr P J Storey (Clerk to King’s Somborne Parish Council)
Public Session Three members of the public were present for part of the meeting and expressed their concern at rumour they had heard about the development of a junior football pitch on land owned by the Parish Council adjacent to the John O’Gaunt palace site. Alternative locations were discussed and concern also expressed at the lack of communication with residents whose gardens bordered the site in question. The Chairman apologised for the apparent lack of communication but emphasised that no firm decisions had been made although the site in question appeared suitable for play, although this had to be approved by the Football League, and he would be considering this and the alternatives suggested with the club officials and making a firm recommendation to the Parish Council in due course. Any future proposals would be debated by Members at an earlier stage to enable full discussion by interested parties to take place.
Action: Chairman
1. Apologies for Absence
1.1 Apologies were received from Cllr Room.
2. Announcements by the Chairman
2.1 None made.
3. To receive reports from the Tree Warden, Footpath Warden and other Volunteers
3.1 Mr Colin Matthews, the Tree Warden, confirmed he would be identifying areas for new tree planting in the Autumn.
3.2 Mrs Dawn Harrison reported that she was continuing to meet with various groups in the Villages to talk to them about the Plan and to stimulate responses. It was agreed that a short questionnaire should go in the October issue of The Gauntlet to further stimulate thoughts with a draft tabled for consideration at the September meeting. It was then planned to have an initial report on thoughts to date for consideration at the December or January meeting.
4. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 1 June 2009
4.1 Proposed Cllr Pidgeon, Seconded Cllr Bevan, RESOLVED with Cllrs Harwood and Bidwell abstaining (absent) that the minutes of the meeting held on 1 June 2009 be accepted as a true record.
5. To consider any Matters Arising from those Minutes
5.1 There were no matters requiring further consideration.
6. Declarations of Interest
6.1 None declared.
7. To consider Correspondence Received and determine any action required
7.1 Details of correspondence received since the last meeting had been circulated with the agenda papers. No further action was thought necessary.
8. To receive reports on planning applications considered and determined
8.1 The following responses had been made to recent planning applications received:
* Rookley Farm House – relocate oil tank and undertake repairs – no objection
* 4 Kings Acre –fell one Thorn, one Cherry and two field Maples – no objection
8.2 The following decisions had been notified by Test Valley Borough Council:
* Yew Tree House, Romsey Road – fell one Conifer – permitted
* Furzedown Farm – refurbish agricultural building – permitted
* Old Palace Lodge, Old Palace Farm – demolish existing garage and link and replace with detached garage and shed, glazed link and widow alterations – permitted
* Jessamine, Romsey Road – two storey rear extension and front porch – permitted
* APM Agriplant, Winchester Road – rear extension to warehouse – permitted
9. To receive the RFO’s Report and Budget Monitoring
9.1 The budget monitoring report showing income and expenditure to date had been circulated with the agenda. All noted that 18% of the budget had been spent and the Council’s bank balances stood at £40,945.85, £12,000 of which was ringfenced for purchase of the toddlers’ play equipment for King’s Somborne recreation ground.
10. Payment of Accounts
10.1 Proposed Cllr Lane, Seconded Cllr Lane, RESOLVED unanimously that the following accounts be approved for payment:
To For Net VAT Gross Chq
Mr P Storey Salary and expenses 634.98 634.98 1527
HMRC Tax/NIC 143.34 143.34 1528
BPC Shared costs 15.00 15.00 1529
Playsafety Ltd Safety inspections 232.00 34.80 266.80 1530
KS Village Hall Neighbourhood Watch 4.50 4.50 1531
Mr M Rebbeck Grounds maint 884.00 884.00 1532
Totals 1913.82 34.80 1948.62
11. To review supported local bus services
11.1 The Council’s views had been sought as part of the County Council’s review of the supported bus services serving the King’s Somborne area. It was noted that most journeys made by service 68/78 Winchester – Stockbridge- Salisbury were supported and service 99/X99 Andover-Stockbridge-Winchester had certain journeys supported. Councillors agreed that as a rural community retention of these services was essential for example for those without cars, children travelling to school, shopping and hospital visits and the response should make the case for retention in the strongest possible terms.
Action: Clerk
12. To consider a response to TVBC’s rural settlements boundary review and the value of a village design statement
12.1 King’s Somborne had been selected as the first of the rural villages in Test Valley to have its settlement boundaries reviewed as part of the Borough Council’s area action plan which would contain detailed rural policies and the definitive boundaries within which development may be acceptable.
12.2 Concern was expressed at the prospect of this review when the local wish might be for no further outward development which could clash with the views or policies of higher authorities. There were also differing views on the benefits of having a village design statement, the contents of which could work for or against the local community. Although the Clerk had produced some ideas for a village design statement, it was thought appropriate to defer consideration of the need for such a document until after the review of the Parish Plan. As a result, Cllr Werrett, proposed and Cllr Lane seconded that a deferment by one month of the 28 August deadline should be sought and that TVBC be invited to attend the September meeting to elaborate on the review and its methodology. This resolution was carried unanimously.
Action: Clerk
12.3 At the same time, concern was expressed at the absence of Borough Cllr Ward from the meeting as he would have been in a strong position to respond to some of the questions raised. Cllr Bidwell proposed and Cllr Werrett seconded that regular attendance by the Borough Councillor be requested and that where absence was unavoidable a written report on those items from the Borough of interest to the Parish should be provided. This resolution was carried unanimously.
Action: Clerk
13. To consider progress made on establishing a pre-school
13.1 Councillors were pleased to note that a compromise had been reached between the Pre-School and Village Hall and it was now anticipated the Pre-School would be able to use the Village Hall on three mornings and two afternoons each week from January 2010.
14. To consider the need for tree guards and planting locations
14.1 As previously minuted, a review of possible tree planting locations was in hand and the surplus tree guard would be stored until required in the future.
15. To consider the implications of applying for the Power of Wellbeing
15.1 A note had been circulated with the agenda papers outlining the introduction of the Power of Wellbeing to local councils which would enable them to do anything considered likely to achieve or improve the economic, social or environmental wellbeing of the community. This ability to spend money would extend beyond parish boundaries if it could be shown that the benefit obtained was directed at the community. Thus it released councils from the constraints of the Local Government Act 1972 Section 137. To be eligible, a council had to demonstrate competence by qualification and training of both councillors and the clerk, eligibility had to be renewed annually and clear examples of involvement by the community had to be demonstrated.
15.2 After discussion, and bearing in mind the additional work generated by the Parish Plan review, the boundaries review and the need to become re-accredited under the Quality Parish Scheme in September next year, it was thought sensible to defer further consideration of this subject until later next year.
16. To receive Members’ reports, as appropriate, on external meetings at which they have represented the Parish Council or have attended in any other capacity
16.1 None tabled.
17. To receive Members’ reports, as appropriate, on actions taken on lead and other matters
17.1 Cllr Bevan confirmed he was in touch with those involved with plans for more affordable housing in King’s Somborne and that a presentation would be held in the Village Hall on Friday 17 July between 5.30 and 7.00pm with officers available to answer questions from the public on the proposals. Members expressed concern at the lack of publicity for this event and Cllr Bevan would contact the organisers for posters for the boards and to be cascaded down Members’ address lists to ‘spread the word’.
Action: All and Clerk
17.2 Cllr Fahy opined that greater use could and should be made of The Sombornes website for this and other matters of community interest and that he was meeting with officers from HCC and TVBC to discuss road safety matters and highways strategic planning.
18. To receive the Clerk’s monthly report
18.1 Rural Green Spaces Strategy. TVBC was seeking information on open green spaces as part of an on-going need to justify seeking developer’s contributions when new developments were in planning, the aim being to ensure that such payments recognised the need to compensate the community for the impact the development had or facilitate the provision of additional facilities. Members discussed possible amenity improvements which could benefit from developers’ contributions including more play equipment in King’s Somborne, Muss Lane and Up Somborne, the provision of a junior football pitch, improvements to the Village Hall, more community seating, a multi-sport hard surface play area, street lights in keeping with a conservation area and other road improvements, and the provision of a path connecting the school with the Village Hall to avoid the need for children to walk along side the busy A3057. The Clerk would complete the returns accordingly.
Action: Clerk
18.2 Play safety report. The annual play safety inspection report had been received and action where necessary to minimise risk was in hand.
Action: Clerk
18.3 Rural Sports Outreach Officer. TVBC had sought support for the establishment of a RuralSports Outreach Officer to work with communities to develop sports facilities, offer training and involve young people in sport and exercise. Members gave their full support to the bid and the Clerk would reply accordingly.
Action: Clerk
18.4 COMMA Aggregates Fund. A bid for £7434 had been submitted to the COMMA aggregates fund to help finance the purchase of new equipment for the King’s Somborne play area as part of the on-going upgrading.
18.5 Up Somborne bus shelter. A quotation had been received which was within budget and upon receipt of the landowner’s consent the order would be confirmed.
19. To receive reports on the Parish recreational facilities and Cemetery
19.1 Cllr Bidwell reported that campers had been seen on the King’s Somborne recreation ground and although they had since moved on, it was noted that no formal powers existed to deal with this situation although all agreed it should be discouraged in view of the mess and minor damage caused.
20. Date, time and place of next meeting
20.1 The next meeting will be on Monday 7 September 2009 at 7.00pm in the Epworth Hall, King’s Somborne. (Note: no meeting in August)
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.50pm