Parish Council
Council minutes June 2009
KING’S SOMBORNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meetingheld in the Epworth Hall
commencing at 7.00pm on Monday 1 June 2009
Present: Cllr R Dyke (Chairman)
Cllr R Bevan
Cllr F Fahy
Cllr R Lane
Cllr G Pearson
Cllr R Pidgeon
Cllr D Room
Cllr J Werrett
In Attendance: Mr P J Storey (Clerk to King’s Somborne Parish Council)
Public Session Two members of the public were present for part of the meeting and expressed their concern at the lack of lighting along the busy A3057. Councillors took note of this concern, which was shared by many others, and would again take up the matter of lighting with Hampshire Highways at a suitable time in the future. Concern was also expressed at the narrow entrance into the Village Hall and recreation ground car park coming from the Village centre. Cllr Fahy commented that the camera warning signs in the Timsbury and Braishfield areas had been very effective in slowing down traffic and he would be following this up.
1. Apologies for Absence
1.1 Apologies were received from Cllrs Bidwell and Harwood and Borough Cllr Ward.
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, commented that the Birch tree in Hayes Cottage was virtually dead and becoming a danger and this should be followed up with the current owner.
Action: Clerk
3.2 Dr Steven Rake, the Footpath Warden, commented that the footpath walks were still well supported.
3.3 Mrs Dawn Harrison reported that she had received some interesting comments on the update to the Parish Plan with particular mention of the lack of street lighting and the volume of traffic on the A3057. She was arranging to visit various groups in the Villages to talk to them about the Plan and to stimulate responses. A short questionnaire might then go in The Gauntlet to further stimulate thoughts.
4. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 11 May 2009
4.1 Proposed Cllr Lane, Seconded Cllr Bevan, RESOLVED unanimously with minor amendment that the minutes of the meeting held on 11 May 2009 be accepted as a true record.
5. To consider any Matters Arising from those Minutes
5.1 Para 9.1 Cllr Dyke reported that the proposed site for the junior football pitch was being cut regularly and that spraying contractors were being approached to treat the surface growth.
5.2 Para 18.1 Cllr Fahy would follow up the irregular relocating of the speed indicator device.
Action: Cllr Fahy
6. Declarations of Interest
6.1 Cllr Lane declared an interest in Item 11.
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:
* 1 Marsh Court Farm – replacement timber casement windows and repairs to mullions – no objection
* Yew Tree House – fell one Conifer – no objection
8.2 The following decisions had been notified by Test Valley Borough Council:
* Willow Cottage, Romsey Road – rear porch – permitted
* Meadow Book, Romsey Road – replacement of garage and store – permitted
* North Park Farmhouse, Somborne Park Road – satellite dish – 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 12% of the budget had been spent and the Council’s bank balances stood at £43,194.63, £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 Pidgeon, RESOLVED unanimously that the following accounts be approved for payment:
To For Net VAT Gross Chq
Mr P Storey Salary and expenses 854.12 854.12 1521
HMRC Tax/NIC 169.34 169.34 1522
BPC Shared costs 15.00 15.00 1523
Hants Playing Fields Assn Subscription 20.00 20.00 1524
Mr M Rebbeck Grounds maint 760.75 760.75 1525
Cheque cancelled 1526
Totals 1819.21 1819.21 11.
To determine grass cutting requirements for Parish Council owned land for 2010 – 2012 inclusive
11.1 The Clerk briefed on the frequency of grass cuts and contracts which were due to expire at the end of the current season. He expressed satisfaction with the current arrangements but in accordance with best practice indicated his wish to go out to tender for the next three years to obtain best value for money. Councillors saw no reason to amend the current frequency of cuts which, in any case, could be changed during the contract period as necessary, and authorised to Clerk to approach contractors to seek bids. Some discussion ensued on the frequency of cut of the John O’Gaunt field in view of previous comments made about leaving it to grow long to encourage insect life but it was noted that the field belonged to English Heritage who contributed towards the costs of keeping the grass mown and no changes in plans were thought appropriate. As in previous years, it was agreed that the cheapest bid would not automatically be accepted.
Action: Clerk
11.2 The opportunity was taken to criticize the standard of verge cutting around the Parish and the Clerk was instructed to take this up with Hampshire Highways.
Action: Clerk
12. To receive reports from Members on external meetings at which they have represented the Council or attended in any other capacity
12.1 Cllr Lane reported on the update to the Street Lighting Private Finance Initiative contract which would see the replacement of County Council owned lamp columns installed before 1990 and the replacement of all yellow light lanterns with new white lights designed to reduce energy consumption by at least 12%.
13. To receive Members’ reports on actions taken on lead matters including the Parish Plan
13.1 Cllr Fahy would follow up the dissatisfaction expressed with the infrequency with which the speed indicator device was relocated, the poor standard of surfacing on the newly marked pedestrian way along part of Winchester Road, the defunct slippery road sign at the Romsey end of the A3057 in the Village and missing 30mph signs.
Action: Cllr Fahy
14. To receive the Clerk’s monthly report
14.1 Yew Tree House tree pruning. It had been confirmed that the planning application granted for pruning the Yew tree in the grounds of Yew Tree House remained extant for five years.
14.2 Bottle Bank. TVBC staff had tidied up the area around the Bottle Bank in the King’s Somborne recreation ground and had not seen any evidence of rats. They would monitor the site and confirmed no plans existed for its relocation as it was ideally suited for access.
14.3 River weed. The Environment Agency planned to clear the weed from the river along side Winchester Road later this month.
14.4 Green Spaces Strategy for Rural Areas. TVBC wished to ensure that residential development did not cause or exacerbate deficiencies in the provision or quality of recreational green space and was encouraging local councils to identify their green spaces, together with plans for their improvement, and notify TVBC accordingly. The Clerk would assemble suitable information.
Action: Clerk
15. To receive reports on the Parish recreational facilities and Cemetery
15.1 Cllr Pidgeon reported that the Scouts continued with their fundraising efforts and that electrical work had now been completed in the Scout Hut.
15.2 At Cllr Pearson’s suggestion, it was agreed to infill the gap in the hedge by the skate ramp.
Action: Clerk
15.3 Following Cllr Bevan’s report on recreational facilities, the Clerk would seek advice on treating the rust appearing on the skate ramp.
Action: Clerk
16. Date, time and place of next meeting
16.1 The next meeting will be on Monday 6 July 2009 at 7.00pm in the Epworth Hall, King’s Somborne.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.00pm