Parish Council
DRAFT Parish Council minutes July 14
KING’S SOMBORNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held in the Village Hall
commencing at 7.00pm on Monday 7 July 2014
Present: Cllr R Harwood (Chairman)
Cllr A Brock
Cllr R Curtis
Cllr J Evans
Cllr F Fahy
Cllr R Jackson
Cllr R Lane
Cllr A Reeves
Cllr S Whitehead
In Attendance: Mr P J Storey (Clerk to King’s Somborne Parish Council)
Public Session
C/Cllr Ward, the Open Spaces and Footpath Wardens, and nine members of the public were present for part of the meeting. Mr Pidgeon confirmed repairs had been completed to the steps in Eldon Close and queried if the proposed MUGA would be open to all including non-residents; this was confirmed as the facility would not be locked. Other members of the public expressed their concern at the chosen location and the impact fencing might have on the appearance of the local area. The Chairman emphasised that careful research had been undertaken to identify the best position and this had been found to be that part of the King’s Somborne recreation ground owned by the Parish Council. Other persons present, and others by letter and telephone/e-mail messages, had expressed their support for the MUGA in the chosen location despite the loss of the junior football pitch. The Chairman expressed the view that the MUGA would provide a better facility for ball kicking than the existing goals, at least one of which would be relocated.
Concern was expressed at the appearance of traffic monitoring equipment; this related to a proposal to build new houses at the top of Eldon Road. A letter had been received by the Clerk from the developers outlining their proposals and they had submitted a screening application to the Borough Council. B/Cllr Ward explained TVBC’s policy against development in the countryside and cited that the Northern Test Valley, into which King’s Somborne fell, had sufficient proposals for development to meet Government guidelines but he emphasised that the national shortfall in houses could over-ride local objections and little could be done until the pre-application or outline planning application was received.
B/Cllr Ward also outlined the changes coming in to the method or registering to vote, details of which were on the TVBC website, and about which everyone on the electoral roll would be notified in due course. There were also consultations on the need to keep the Bunny Lane recycling centre and parking in Romsey town and he emphasised the need for all to complete the related questionnaires. He also drew attention to the success of the new tennis courts at Romsey Rapids.
On behalf of a parishioner, Cllr Fahy queried what sanctions, if any, could be brought against a property owner who had not completed his development in accordance with the approved plans and was informed that any potential breaches of planning should be referred to Planning Enforcement at TVBC and untidy land could also be reported to Environmental Control.
99. Apologies for Absence
99.1 Apologies received from Cllr Werrett.
100. Chairman’s announcements and Councillors’ questions
100.1 The Chairman drew Members’ attention to the Disco and Buffet in aid of the Test Valley Mayor’s Appeal to be held on 26 July at Keystone Hall.
101. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 2 June 2014
101.1 Proposed Cllr Brock, Seconded Cllr Fahy, RESOLVED unanimously that the minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2014 be accepted as a true record.
102. To consider any Matters Arising from those Minutes
102.1 Para 87.2 Biodiversity site. Work was in hand on the biodiversity site.
Action: Cllr Jackson
102.2 Para 87.5 Church tree. The TVBC tree officer had agreed the dangerous condition of the large tree in the Churchyard adjacent to the school play area and given approval for its felling; similar approval from the Diocese was awaited.
Action: Clerk
102.3 Para 90.2 ACSOs. The HCC Accredited Community Safety Officer scheme was being withdrawn and no similar scheme existed within TVBC although there was an anti-social behaviour team whose services could be made available. The Clerk would enquire.
Action: Clerk
103. Declarations of Interest and requests for Dispensations
103.1 None declared or sought.
104. To receive the minutes of the Planning Committee
104.1 The minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 2 June 2014 had been circulated with the agenda papers.
104.2 Proposed Cllr Harwood, Seconded Cllr Lane, RESOLVED unanimously that the minutes of the Planning Committee meeting held on 2 June 2014 be received and accepted.
105. To consider Correspondence Received and determine any action required
105.1 The Clerk drew Members’ attention to a letter from Gladman Developments Ltd who were proposing to build 90 houses on land at the top of Eldon Road; previously discussed in open session. The Clerk would acknowledge and seek more information.
Action: Clerk
106. To receive Councillors’ Reports
106.1 Cllr Lane reported on the planning meeting which had preceded this meeting and commented that Forest Extra currently had three appeals in process. He had also represented the Parish Council at the WW1 Memorial Service in Winchester Cathedral.
106.2 Cllr Curtis reported that remedial work on the Horsebridge stile had been completed to the satisfaction of dog walkers.
106.3 Cllrs Reeves and Whitehead had attended a seminar on waste mineral planning at which discussion had taken place on fracking and oil extraction in this area. Cllr Whitehead would circulate briefing
notes for information.
Action: Cllr Whitehead
106.4 Cllr Fahy had updated the road pothole report to HCC. He also asked that the overhanging foliage on the S bend sign approaching the Village from the South should be cut back urgently and he outlined the suggestion from a resident that the Council reconsidered introducing a Community Speedwatch scheme to enhance road safety especially along the Winchester Road. He would draft a proposal to this effect.
Action: Cllr Fahy
106.5 Cllr Reeves queried the introduction of traffic monitoring strips on Eldon Road which the Clerk would follow up.
Action: Clerk
106.6 Cllr Harwood requested that the nettles bordering the School’s playing field be cut back to enable balls to be recovered without difficulty.
Action: Clerk
107. To receive the RFO’s Report and Budget Monitoring
107.1 A budget monitoring report had been circulated with the agenda papers and was noted.
108. Payment of Accounts
108.1 Proposed Cllr Harwood, Seconded Cllr Lane, RESOLVED unanimously that the following accounts for June 2014 be approved for payment:
To For Net VAT Gross Chq/Internet
Mr P Storey Salary/expenses 597.91 597.91 Int
HMRC Tax/NIC 383.05 383.05 Int
BPC Shared costs 22.00 22.00 Int
HALC Clerks’ Update 30.00 6.00 36.00 Int
Mr M Rebbeck Grounds maint 764.20 764.20 Int
KS Village Hall Room hire 21.00 21.00 Int
TVBC Grazing rights 1.00 1.00 Int
Bruno Construction KS rec fencing 245.00 49.00 294.00 Int
Totals 2064.16 55.00 2119.16
109. Flood defence review
109.1 The Chairman, Cllr Brock and the Clerk had attended the TVBC wash up meeting to review the experiences of parishes who had suffered flooding earlier in the year, the reactions of external agencies, and to draw out the lessons learned. A report would be produced in due course and following its publication the Parish Resilience Plan would be reviewed. In the meantime, a clear need existed to identify riparian owners and their responsibilities for water courses adjacent to their properties.
Action: Cllrs Brock and Harwood, Clerk
109.2 Concern was expressed at the rate of weed growth in the Borne and the Environment Agency’s plan to maintain the water flow. More frequent cuts were thought necessary and the Clerk would follow up given the next cut was not scheduled until early November.
Action: Clerk
110. MUGA progress update
110.1 Installation of the MUGA was now postponed until 26 August; the Village Hall and the Football Club had been advised. As mentioned in open session, various letters and e-mails had been received in support of the MUGA and at its intended location. A decision of the style and location of the tennis store was deferred until after the MUGA was in situ.
111. Parish Development Working Group update
111.1 Nothing to report although Cllr Brock noted the relevance of having a parish development plan in relation to funds received under the new community infrastructure levy rules and the limitation a plan might put on future developers’ proposals.
112. Clerk’s monthly report
112.1 New pumps had been installed by Southern Water at the pumping station in Old Vicarage Lane.
112.2 A check had been completed on the safety of headstones in the Cemetery and Churchyard.
112.3 Considerable effort had been expended in ‘spring cleaning’ play equipment, some public seats, the German War Memorial and other assets to the benefit of the community.
112.4 Copies of the HALC handbook were issued to all members.
113. Date, time and place of next meeting
113.1 The next meeting would be on Monday 4 August 2014 at 7.00pm in the Epworth Hall, Winchester Road, King’s Somborne.
Action: All
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.00pm