Parish Council

December 2009 Council minutes

KING’S SOMBORNE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting

held in the Epworth Hall

commencing at 7.00pm on Monday 7 December 2009

Present: Cllr R Dyke (Chairman) Cllr R Bevan (Items 1 to 10 only) Cllr F Fahy Cllr R Harwood Cllr R Lane Cllr R Pidgeon Cllr D Room Cllr J Werrett

In Attendance: Mr P J Storey (Clerk to King’s Somborne Parish Council)

Public Session King’s Somborne pupils from Test Valley School gave a presentation on the results of their survey of litter in the Parish which they had completed as part of their GCSE Citizenship. They had found the most littered area to be around footpath 503 at the end of Scott Close and the recreation ground. The survey had also established that more litter and dog waste bins were needed and that nowhere existed for the disposal of cigarette ends. They had concluded that more effort should be expended in improving awareness of the need to protect the environment from litter in general. Councillors posed a variety of questions which the team answered and undertook to consider the findings and the associated costs further at their January meeting. Borough Cllr Ward explained the background to the decision to grant planning approval to the construction of a house on the plot adjacent to Riverside Green making particular reference to the downsizing of the development by the applicant in the three applications made to date. He explained that many of the objections raised had been met by conditions placed upon the development. He commented that there were lessons to be learned and that given the planning meetings were open to the public more personal representation could be made at those meetings. He also confirmed the decision had been taken to establish a parish council for Andover. In the absence of the Village Correspondent, the Clerk briefed that 120 hard copy replies had been received on the Parish Plan update with more via the website. There was a uniformity of content which was being collated in more detail in readiness for the January meeting.

The meeting was then closed to the public

1. Apologies for Absence

1.1 Cllrs Bidwell and Pearson and also PC Benton and the Village Correspondent.

2. Announcements by the Chairman

2.1 None made.

3. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 2 November 2009

3.1 Proposed Cllr Bevan, Seconded Cllr Pidgeon, RESOLVED unanimously that the minutes of the meeting held on 2 November 2009 be accepted as a true record.

4. To consider any Matters Arising from those Minutes

4.1 10.2 Cllr Harwood confirmed he was progressing the provision of bird boxes.

5. Declarations of Interest

5.1 Cllr Lane declared an interest in the grass cutting budget costs.

6. To consider Correspondence Received and determine any action required

6.1 Details of correspondence received since the last meeting had been circulated with the agenda papers. No further action was thought necessary.

7. To receive reports on planning applications considered and determined

7.1 The following responses had been made to recent planning applications received:

* Woodmans Cottage, Winchester Road – addition of chimney pot and replacement of first floor window – no objection

* Hoplands Estate – agricultural building and retrospective application for upgrading approaches – no objection

* 3 Furzedown Cottages – single storey rear extension and conservatory – no objection

* Village Hall – window and door alterations – no objection

* 4 Marsh Court Farm – certificate of lawful proposed development for new extension – no objection

* 1 Redhill Cottages, Winchester Road – replacement two storey rear extension – no objection

* land adjoining 25 Nutcher’s Drove – renewal of permission for 3 bed dwelling – no objection

* Brook Farm House, Romsey Road – changes to redundant cowsheds – no objection

* Butchers End, Winchester Road – tree works – no objection 7.2 The following decisions had been notified by Test Valley Borough Council:

* The Old Vicarage – tree works – permitted

* 1 Riverside Green – tree works – permitted

8. To receive the RFO’s Report and Budget Monitoring

8.1 The budget monitoring report showing income and expenditure to date had been circulated with the agenda. All noted that 70% of the budget had been spent and that the Council’s bank balances stood at £26,295.28. The Clerk confirmed he had applied for an allocation of S106 monies (developers’ contributions) to part-fund the new toddlers play equipment. No further action was thought necessary.

9. Payment of Accounts

9.1 Proposed Cllr Lane, Seconded Cllr Bevan, RESOLVED unanimously that the following accounts for November be approved for payment:

To For Net VAT Gross Chq

Mr P Storey Salary 577.40 577.40 1565
HMRC Tax/NIC 175.85 175.85 1566
Kestrel Pest Control Rabbits 50.00 7.50 57.50 1567
BPC Shared costs 15.00 15.00 1568
HCC Street lighting 36.70 5.51 42.21 1569
Matthew Rowden Tree work 160.00 160.00 1570
Cllr D Bidwell Hall hire 7.50 7.50 1571
Cheque cancelled 1572
Mr P Storey Expenses 80.72 80.72 1573
Mr M Rebbeck Grounds maint 205.00 205.00 1574
Totals 1308.17 13.01 1321.18
10. To consider and, if appropriate, adopt the Expenditure Budget and Precept proposals for 2010-2011

10.1 Proposals for the 2010/11 Expenditure Budget and Precept had been circulated with the agenda papers, together with comprehensive amplifying notes. In the following discussion, it was agreed to defer budgeting for a replacement traditional street light for the Village Green and to reduce the budget for play equipment, for the time being, to enable a balanced budget to be adopted in these times of financial constraint. Cllr Bidwell had submitted a proposal to include a line entry for Pre-School set up costs and had suggested £2,000 but in discussion it was thought more appropriate to consider this as a grant request when timely since the principle of supporting the establishment of the Pre-School remained extant. The net result of the deliberations was to produce an expenditure budget for 2010/11 of £32,535.

10.2 The impact of the proposed expenditure budget on the Precept and Council’s reserves was then considered. No increase in the Precept would again require a contribution from reserves whereas a 2% increase in Precept to £30,600 would produce an increase in income of £600 which, when added to other anticipated sources of income, would result in a small forecast surplus for the year of £1,565. At the start of the current financial year, the Council’s reserves stood at £24,435, to be enhanced by any underspend from the current or next financial years, leaving a reasonable balance to meet any future capital requirements. The impact of this increase in Precept on a Band D council tax payer would be an additional £0.89p per year.

10.3 Proposed Cllr Harwood, Seconded Cllr Pidgeon, RESOLVED unanimously that an Expenditure Budget of £32,535 and a Precept of £30,600 be adopted for the year 2010-2011.

Cllr Bevan left the meeting at this point

11. To consider and, if appropriate, approve the Recreation Ground hire charges for 2010-2011

11.1 No increase in the current hire charges for the recreation grounds from their present level of £12 plus VAT had been recommended. Similarly, no increase was thought necessary in the Football and Cricket Clubs pitch hire charges of £110 and £63 respectively for the season.

11.2 Proposed Cllr Harwood, Seconded Cllr Lane, RESOLVED unanimously that no increases in recreational charges be made for 2010-2011.

12. To consider and, if appropriate, approve the Burial Board charges for 2010-2011

12.1 Discussion on this item was deferred until the January meeting when more comparative information would be available.

Action: Clerk

13. To determine date for meetings in 2010

13.1 Proposed dates for meetings in 2010 had been circulated with the agenda papers and followed the normal practice of meeting usually on the first Monday in each month, except when this was a Bank Holiday, with the Annual Assembly to be held on Thursday 6 May 2010.

13.2 Proposed Cllr Werrett, Seconded Cllr Lane, RESOLVED unanimously that the proposed dates for meetings in 2011 be adopted.

14. To determine inputs into the County Councillor’s log

14.1 County Cllr Gibson had introduced a log for matters of concern to his parishes which he then progressed with the appropriate staff in Hampshire County Council. Inputs were requested and it was thought appropriate at this time to include the need for a low noise road surface on the A3057 and 30mph restrictions on the approaches to the Up Somborne bus shelter.

Action: Clerk

14.2 Cllr Fahy and the Clerk made the point was made that there existed a good working relationship between them and County Council staff and as a result it was thought more appropriate not to consider on-going other matters for inclusion in this log until routine approaches had failed.

15. To determine the value of retaining membership of the National Association of Local Councils (NALC)

15.1 The Hampshire Association of Local Councils (HALC) was seeking views on the wisdom of retaining membership of the National Association when the support and advice given was questionable. For some time now, HALC had been developing its own ability to satisfy member councils’ needs and it was timely to solicit views on continued membership and the value for money obtained. It seemed that local councils rarely support national events organised by NALC and the delivery of services, such as updates to model standing orders, takes an unduly long time to achieve.

15.2 HALC had set up a new best practice network which included associations from other adjacent counties and Hampshire County Council had confirmed the continued payment of the support grant should HALC leave NALC. HALC intend to circulate a short questionnaire on the matter with a response time before 1 February 2010 and Cllr Bidwell, past Vice-Chairman of HALC, had recommended departure. The Clerk informed Members that he was well satisfied with the support available from HALC and had no qualms about departing from NALC.

15.3 Proposed Cllr Fahy, Seconded Cllr Pidgeon, RESOLVED that King’s Somborne Parish Council supports the disassociation by HALC from the National Association of Local Councils.

16. To receive reports from Members on external meetings at which they had represented the Parish Council or attended in any other capacity

16.1 Cllr Fahy reported that 17 persons had attended a meeting of allotment holders at which it had been agreed to establish an Allotment Club. He had also attended a meeting of the Village Hall Management Committee at which the start up of IT courses had been discussed.

16.2 Cllr Pearson had attended a CPRE seminar on enhancing the countryside.

17. To receive Councillors’ reports, as appropriate, on actions taken on lead and other matters

17.1 Cllr Fahy reported he was progressing the missing Yield sign at the junction in Little Somborne and taking follow-up action on clearing the blocked drains on the A3057 and Cow Drove Hill.

17.2 Cllr Dyke expressed his dismay at the lack of a non-slip surface on footpath 503 connecting Scott Close with Old Palace Farm and would keep trying to get this situation improved.

Action: Cllr Dyke

18. To receive the Clerk’s monthly report

18.1 The Police were seeking information from the Parishes on where their priorities should lie. It was agreed that juvenile nuisance should top the list, followed by inconsiderate parking especially by large vehicles on the narrow roads, follow up crime visits to reassure and inform residents on action being taken, and irregular visits to public open spaces and the allotments. The Clerk would reply accordingly.

Action: Clerk

18.2 The Village Green telephone kiosk was scheduled for repair in the next financial year.

19. To receive reports on the Parish recreational facilities and Cemetery

19.1 Cllr Pidgeon reported the damage to a Cemetery gate by persons unknown and the Clerk confirmed he was obtaining a quote for its repair. The Church wall had been repaired and it was hoped that every effort would be made to discourage children from walking along its top and dislodging the stones.

Action: All

19.2 Cllr Fahy was still minded to investigate further the installation and costs of a multi use games area (MUGA) on the King’s Somborne recreation ground. Initial estimates were around £50,000 for a modest facility.

19.3 Cllr Lane would like to see some additional facilities installed at Up Somborne and would liaise with the Clerk over suitable designs and costs in the hope that future developers’ contributions would become available to part finance them.

20. Date, time and place of next meeting

20.1 The next meeting will be on Monday 4 January 2010 at 7.00pm in the Epworth Hall, King’s Somborne.

There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 10.00pm