Parish Council
Council Minutes November 2008
KING’S SOMBORNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held in the Epworth Hallcommencing at 7.00pm on Monday 3 November 2008
Present:
Cllr R Dyke (Chairman)
Cllr R Bevan (Items 1 – 14 only)
Cllr D Bidwell
Cllr F Fahy
Cllr R Harwood
Cllr R Lane
Cllr R Pidgeon
Cllr D Room (Items 1 – 13 only)
In Attendance: Mr P J Storey (Clerk to King’s Somborne Parish Council)
Public Session PC Benton took note of the presence of travellers in Up Somborne and Cllr Lane’s comments on the incidence of speeding along the Winchester Road. He also commented on support among the youth of the area for a youth shelter and it was thought appropriate to discuss this at the Annual Assembly next year.
1. Apologies for Absence
1.1 Apologies were received from Cllrs Pearson and Werrett, Borough Cllr Ward, the Tree Warden and Village Correspondent.
2. Announcements by the Chairman
2.1 The Chairman reminded all present of the forthcoming Act of Remembrance at 11.00am on Remembrance Sunday at the War Memorial.
3. To receive reports from the Tree Warden, Footpath Warden and other Volunteers
3.1 The Footpath Warden produced a list of those areas which would benefit from remedial work which could be undertaken by those undergoing community service and the Clerk would follow this up. He also reported on the Paths to Partnership seminar he and the Clerk had attended hosted by Hampshire County Council’s Countryside Access Service. Training sessions had included health and safety issues, funding for kissing gates to replace styles to improve access, responsibility of dog owners in the countryside and how to involve the community in countryside matters.
4. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 6 October 2008
4.1 Proposed Cllr Pidgeon, Seconded Cllr Bevan, RESOLVED unanimously that the minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2008 be accepted as a true record.
5. To consider any Matters Arising from those Minutes
5.1 Minute 7.2 The consultation on bye-laws was noted and Cllrs Dyke and Bidwell would review further although it was thought likely that no further action would be appropriate at this time since the Parish Council did not have immediate plans to introduce local bye-laws.
5.2 Minute 14.2 Scant advice was available on the use of private computers for Council business but based on what was available the Clerk would devise a risk assessment and suitably worded disclaimer for Members to use.
Action: Clerk
5.3 Minute 17.2 An independent valuation of the possible purchase price of Top Field would be obtained before any further approaches to Test Valley Borough Council and the matter would be discussed further at the February 2009 Parish Council meeting.
Action: Clerk
5.4 Minute 18.1 The Chairman would continue to liaise with the School over representation on the School Governing Body.
Action: Chairman
6. Declarations of Interest
6.1 None made.
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. Cllr Bidwell would review the consultation on gypsy and traveller accommodation needs.
Action: Cllr Bidwell
8. To receive reports on planning applications considered
8.1 The following responses had been made to recent planning applications received:
* 08/01947/FULLS – Linclimar, Romsey Road – replacement house – no objection
* 08/02079/LBWS – Hayes Farmhouse, Romsey Road – external wall repairs and internal works – no objection
* 08/02209/FULLS – Fishing Cottage, Romsey Road – garage and store – no objection
* 08/02227/FULLS – Down House, Old Palace Farm – extension over garage and car port – no objection
* 08/02230/FULLS – land to north of 15 Riverside Green – erection of detached dwelling and garage – objection
8.2 The following decisions had been notified by Test Valley Borough Council:
* 4 The Old Iron foundry – rear conservatory – permitted
* Hollybrook, Winchester Road – fell one Sycamore and one Eucalyptus – permitted
* Heath House Estate – erection of new dwelling – refused on the grounds of an unjustified development
* Little Mead, Stockbridge Road – fell one Conifer – permitted
8.3 TVBC was organising a series of seminars at which the public could express their views on the latest proposals for development across Test Valley over the next 20 years. These proposals would be published on the TVBC website and Cllrs Dyke and Room would attend one of the seminars.
Action: Cllrs Dyke and Room
8.4 The Local Government Information Unit had published a guide to planning for parish councils. Whilst at first sight it appeared attractive for parish councils to have some delegated responsibility for planning issues, the practicality of having a planning officer in attendance for advice and the likely limited number of issues that would be delegated to parish level caused Members to express their interest only at this time but not take the matter any further.
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 the Council’s bank balances stood at £53,576.90.
10. To approve Payments of Accounts
10.1 Proposed Cllr Bidwell, Seconded Cllr Bevan, RESOLVED unanimously that a grant of £50 be made to the Royal British Legion’s Poppy Appeal which would also cover the cost of the wreath.
10.2 Proposed Cllr Lane, Seconded Cllr Pidgeon, RESOLVED unanimously that the following accounts be approved for payment:
To For Net VAT Gross Chq
BPC Shared costs 15.00 15.00 1470
Mr P Storey Salary and expenses 883.54 883.54 1471
HMRC Tax/NIC 53.70 53.70 1472
HCC Energy charge 2008/9 41.54 7.27 48.81 1473
J Rolfe Top Field cut 122.50 21.43 143.93 1474
M Rebbeck Grounds maint 656.25 656.25 1475
RBL Wreath/contrib 50.00 50.00 1476
Totals 1822.53 28.70 1851.23
11. To consider results of public consultation on bus shelters, their design funding and location
11.1 Fifty seven returns were made to the bus shelter questionnaire sent to all households in the Parish and showed an overwhelming support for new bus shelters of a wooden design to replace the three existing unattractive shelters.
11.2 Proposed Cllr Bevan, Seconded Cllr Harwood, RESOLVED unanimously that a replacement bus shelter be purchased for the Village Green at a cost of £5,550 plus VAT and that similar provision be made to replace the shelters in Eldon Road and Strawberry Lane in each of the next two financial years.
Action: Clerk
12. To consider implementing a revision to the Parish Plan
12.1 Cllr Bidwell reminded Members that the present Parish Plan was published in 2005 and had given direction and a clear mandate to the Parish Council but it was now likely that an updated view of the Parish and its longer term requirements would be of benefit. It was thought that residents were unlikely to welcome another 13 page questionnaire in the immediate future but with most of the actions in the current plan completed a new look to be completed in 2010 could be useful. Volunteers would be required to undertake this task and a suitable article could be placed in The Gauntlet.
12.2 Proposed Cllr Harwood, Seconded Cllr Fahy, RESOLVED unanimously that subject to volunteers coming forward a review of the Parish Plan be undertaken with a view to its completion in 2010.
Action: Clerk
13. To consider progress made and alternative locations for a bio-diversity development
13.1 Cllrs Fahy and Harwood had been reviewing the establishment of a bio-diversity project in the Parish following the previous suggestion that Muss Lane recreation ground might provide a suitable venue. In this case it was thought inappropriate because of its linear shape and poor usage. Given the aim of bio-diversity projects was the maintenance and enhancement of wildlife in a particular environment, suitable areas should be near to passers-by for interest, schools for education, and be able to support the chosen project. Wild flower areas encouraged insects, bird boxes encouraged birds and a pond development would be a feature of interest. Likely suitable areas included the copse adjacent to the play area on the King’s Somborne recreation ground, Top Field and part of the John O’Gaunt Palace Field.
13.2 Cllr Fahy would follow up the need to catalogue the wild flowers on Up Somborne Down as part of the concept.
Action: Cllr Fahy
13.3 Proposed Cllr Fahy, Seconded Cllr Harwood, RESOLVED unanimously that further action and advice be taken on the establishment of suitable bio-diversity projects in the Parish and that a budget heading for bio-diversity projects be identified.
Action: Cllrs Fahy and Harwood
Cllr Room left the meeting at this point
14. To consider possible locations for an all-weather cricket strip for young people
14.1 A need had been identified for an all-weather cricket strip for young players and a suitable location was agreed adjacent to the cricket square.
14.2 Proposed Cllr Fahy, Seconded Cllr Pidgeon, RESOLVED unanimously that the costs of installing an all-weather cricket strip adjacent to the cricket square and maintaining it be investigated further.
Cllr Bevan left the meeting at this point
15. To receive reports from Members on external meetings at which they have represented the Council or attended in any other capacity
15.1 No reports were tabled.
16. To receive Members’ reports on actions taken on lead matters including the Parish Plan
16.1 Cllr Pidgeon reported that the Scouts were required to provide a suitable fire detection system and exit door in the Scout Hut as the present system had been condemned. The Clerk would forward Grant Aid application forms for completion.
Action: Clerk 17. To receive the Clerk’s monthly report
17.1 Cllr Pearson had submitted a report that some local families might now wish to have the names of deceased relatives added to the War Memorial. The Clerk would write an article for The Gauntlet accordingly.
Action: Clerk
17.2 The bus service from King’s Somborne to Winchester, previously run by Wilts and Dorset , was being taken over wef 3 November 2008 by Stagecoach. This would result in a slight change to timetables and also a larger vehicle being used which should ease the overcrowding issue on the early morning service to Winchester.
18. To receive reports on the Parish recreational facilities and Cemetery
18.1 The overgrown hedge along the boundary of the Cemetery was straddling some of the plots and it was agreed that estimates of cost for cutting it back should be obtained and the local farmer informed.
Action: Clerk
18.2 Cllr Fahy confirmed that the tennis/all weather sports surface project had now been formally abandoned.
19. Date, time and place of next meeting
19.1 The next meeting which will be the Annual Finance Meeting will be held on Monday 1 December at 7.00pm in the Epworth Hall, King’s Somborne.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.50pm