Parish Council
Minutes November 2007
KING’S SOMBORNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Meeting of the Parish Council
held in the Epworth Hall, King’s Somborne
commencing at 7.00pm on Monday 5 November 2007
Present: Cllr D Bidwell (Chairman)
Cllr R Bevan
Cllr R Dyke
Cllr F Fahy
Cllr R Harwood
Cllr R Lane
Cllr R Pidgeon
Cllr J Werrett
In Attendance: Mr P J Storey (Clerk to King’s Somborne Parish Council)
Public Session: County Councillor Michael Woodhall, Mrs Jo Finch (Village Correspondent) and four members of the public were present for part of the meeting.
The Chairman invited the members of the public to address the meeting and Mrs Belinda Baker and Mrs Charlotte Maybin stressed the need for a tiny tots play facility in the Kings Somborne play area suitable for the under 11s citing mention in the Parish Plan of the need for a slide. Whilst acknowledging previous discussion by Councillors, they stressed that our thriving village community would benefit from a challenging play activity for the very young, the provision of which would help drive down the risk of obesity, and urged Councillors to reconsider the earlier ‘slide only’ proposal with a view to acquiring an adventure playground facility incorporating a slide and climbing frame. Councillors took note and would give further consideration to the need.
Other members of the public present voiced their support for the acquisition of speed indicator devices to slow traffic down as it passed through the Village. Their particular concern was on the S bend approaching the old factory site from the Romsey direction. Given this was a later agenda item, a vote was carried to bring forward this item for discussion.
1. Announcements by the Chairman
1.1 No formal announcements were made.
2. Reports from the Tree Warden, Footpath Warden and others
2.1 No reports were tabled.
3. To consider Test Valley Borough Council matters of interest to the Parish
3.1 Borough Councillor Ward had sent his apologies. No matters were tabled.
13. To consider and, if appropriate, adopt the proposal to purchase a speed indicator device, together with an on-going maintenance programme
13.1 A paper sponsored by Cllr Werrett recommending purchase of a speed indicator device together with on-going maintenance of the device had been circulated with the agenda. Support from members of the public was noted and discussion centred on the need for one or two devices, where they should be located, and their maintenance. It was noted that the usual camera warning signs could not be displayed because speed cameras were not installed in our area. It was also noted that the costs quoted in the paper of £3600 per device included one year’s maintenance of £800 to be charged by Test Valley Borough Council which in turn included provision for relocating the device at frequent intervals. Against this, provision and installation of the device itself was estimated to cost £2800 plus VAT and insurance. Given these figures and the likely low actual maintenance costs, since the device was battery operated and could be relocated without difficulty, it was thought more cost effective to buy two devices without the full maintenance add-on. As a result of this discussion, Cllr Werrett was content to modify his original proposal. County Councillor Woodhall indicated his willingness to consider an application from the Council for £300 towards the costs from his county councillor budget and in response to a question from Cllr Dyke thought it unlikely that the purchase of such devices by the Parish Council would preclude the County Council from providing more in future if funds became available.
13.2 Proposed Cllr Werrett, Seconded Cllr Harwood, RESOLVED unanimously that two speed indicator devices be purchased at an estimated cost of £2800 each plus VAT for installation at suitable locations in the Village.
Action: Cllr Werrett
4. Apologies
4.1 Apologies were received from Cllrs Pearson and Room.
5. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 1 October 2007
5.1 Proposed Cllr Pidgeon, Seconded Cllr Werrett, RESOLVED unanimously, after amending para 21.2 line 2/part 3 to read ‘acceptable and Cllr Werrett had reverted to the company and they had apologised and have agreed to make good.’ that the minutes of the meeting held on 1 October be accepted as a true record.
6. To consider any Matters Arising from those Minutes
6.1 There were no matters arising not covered elsewhere in these minutes.
7. Declarations of Interest
7.1 None declared.
8. To consider Correspondence Received
8.1 Details of correspondence received since the last meeting had been circulated with the agenda; the actual correspondence was available at the meeting for Members to peruse, as required. The Clerk drew attention to correspondence received since circulation of the meeting papers.
8.2 It was noted that Cllrs Dyke and Bevan would attend a workshop sponsored by the Hampshire Alliance for Rural Affordable Housing on the provision of affordable housing and it was agreed to share the costs of the Clerk attending the Annual Clerks’ conference in March 2008 with Bishopstoke Parish Council. Apart from normal acknowledgements, no further action on this item was thought necessary.
9. Report on Planning Applications Considered and Determined
9.1 The following response had been made to a recent planning application received:
* 07/02701/FULLS – Rose Cottage, Strawberry Lane, Up Somborne – new front canopy porch and single storey extension – no objection
9.2 The following applications had been determined:
* 07/02113/FULLS – Furzedown Farm – refurbishment of agricultural building – refused
* 07/02405/TPOS – 3 Horsebridge Road – fell/prune one Horse Chestnut – consent with conditions
* 07/02570/TPOS – 4 King’s Acre – fell five Ash – consent with conditions
10. RFO’s Report and Budget Monitoring
10.1 A briefing note and an analysis of budget against actual spend to date, together with a forecast out-turn, had been circulated with the agenda papers. It was agreed that the public seats should be refurbished, the vandalised seat by the top of the cricket square should be removed and that no further action should be taken to straighten the German Aircrew memorial for the time being. The RFO gave a verbal presentation on the Council’s financial state of affairs at the end of the seventh month of the financial year and confirmed to Cllr Harwood that the purchase of the speed indicator devices would come out of reserves. The Council’s bank balances stood at £61595.47 which included a grant of £9555 specifically for the Trim Trail and the second tranche of the annual precept.
10.2 Proposed Cllr Bidwell, Seconded Cllr Dyke, RESOLVED unanimously that the RFO’s report be accepted.
11. Payment of Accounts
11.1 Proposed Cllr Pidgeon, Seconded Cllr Lane, RESOLVED unanimously that the following accounts be approved for payment:
To For Net VAT Gross Chq
Mr P Storey Salary/expenses 459.21 459.21 1369
HMRC Tax 251.01 251.01 1370
Bishopstoke PC Broadband share 15.00 15.00 1371
Southern Water Supply disconnection 63.00 11.02 74.02 1372
Test Valley School Prize sponsorship 50.00 50.00 1373
Royal British Legion Wreath 50.00 50.00 1374
Mr Rebbeck Grounds maint 483.00 483.00 1375
Totals 1371.22 11.02 1382.24
12. To consider the management of the King’s Somborne allotments
12.1 Cllr Fahy expressed his concern at the state of the allotments which were on land owned by the Diocese but managed by Dreweatt Neate, Estate Agents. There were 43 plots but only 22 appeared to be maintained although there was a waiting list of applicants and the general state of the area left much to be desired. The Clerk was instructed to contact the agents and relay Members’ concern.
Action: Clerk
14. To consider and , if appropriate, agree a donation to The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal for a Wreath
14.1 As in previous years, a Wreath would be laid on the War Memorial to mark Remembrance Sunday. Cllr Dyke agreed to lay the Wreath on behalf of the Parish Council.
14.2 Proposed Cllr Bidwell, Seconded Cllr Dyke, RESOLVED unanimously that £50 be donated to The Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal for the provision of a Wreath to be laid on behalf of the Parish Council at the War Memorial on Remembrance Sunday.
15. To consider and, if appropriate, agree a donation of £50 in support of the Test Valley School Prize Day
15.1 As in previous years, Test Valley School had requested sponsorship of a prize at their annual prize day. Cllr Room agreed to represent the Parish Council.
15.2 Proposed Cllr Bidwell, Seconded Cllr Dyke, RESOLVED unanimously that £50 be granted to Test Valley School in support of the Annual Prize Day.
16. To consider and, if appropriate, adopt the revised Standing Orders for King’s Somborne Parish Council Planning Committee
16.1 A draft amendment to Standing Orders for the Planning Committee had been circulated with the Agenda papers.
16.2 Proposed Cllr Bidwell, Seconded Cllr Harwood, RESOLVED unanimously that the draft as tabled be adopted.
Action: Clerk
17. To consider the possible relocation of Parish Council meetings to the Village Hall
17.1 Cllr Bidwell sought Members’ opinion on relocating future Parish Council meetings to the Village Hall where more space was available for members of the public to attend. In discussion, however, Mondays were thought to be the most convenient evening for meetings and the Village Hall was not available on this night. It was therefore decided to remain at the Epworth Hall for the foreseeable future but hire the Village Hall when it was known large numbers of the public were likely to attend, as previously.
18. To consider and, if appropriate, agree a response to the Hampshire County Council draft Countryside Access Plan
18.1 The draft Countryside Access Plan had been available for Members and the Footpath Warden to review and the comments of the Footpath Warden were accepted as the basis of a suitable response from the Parish Council.
Action: Clerk to submit
19. To receive reports from Members on external meetings at which they have represented the Parish Council or have attended in any other capacity
19.1 Cllr Pidgeon reported that the Scouts were progressing with repairs to their facilities. He also commented that the Youth Club was likely to close at the yearend through lack of interest.
20. Parish Plan
20.1 Cllr Werrett had reviewed the detail of the Parish Plan and identified those few remaining actions outstanding. He would now liaise with individual councillors to discuss the outstanding matters and he or they would report back accordingly at future meetings.
Action: Cllr Werrett
21. Clerk’s Report
21.1 A3057 closure. The A3057 would be closed for resurfacing at the pinch point above the Cow Drove Hill junction over the weekend 7 – 9 December and a diversion would be marked.
21.2 ‘Okanagan’ fencing. The Chairman reminded Members of the obligation placed upon the Council to maintain part of the fencing around the rear garden of ‘Okanagan’ which was now in a serious state of disrepair. It was agreed that Cllrs Bevan and Pearson would liaise with the landowner and make recommendations to the Council on the type and likely cost of repairs/replacement.
Action: Cllrs Bevan and Pearson
21.3 Community Action Hampshire AGM. No-one was available to attend the Community Action Hampshire AGM.
21.4 Hampshire Air Ambulance. It was agreed that an invitation should be sent to Hampshire Air Ambulance inviting them to give a presentation at the 2008 Annual Parish Assembly.
Action: Clerk
22. Environmental Matters
22.1 Cllr Harwood would arrange for an article on the environment and the need to recycle to be placed on the website. He would also talk to the School about a project to excite more interest in the need to recycle.
Action: Cllr Harwood
23. Highway Matters
23.1 Concern was expressed at the accidents occurring near the bends on the Winchester Road at Up Somborne and Cllrs Lane and Werrett would liaise with Hampshire County Council on possible improvements in this area.
Action: Cllrs Lane and Werrett
24. To receive reports on the Parish recreational facilities and Cemetery
24.1 Cllr Fahy reported the cricket nets had been vandalised by persons unknown.
24.2 Cllr Bevan would establish the location of the key to the lock and chain on the Top Field gate.
Action: Cllr Bevan
24.3 Cllr Lane and the Clerk would review the need for hedge flailing around the Up Somborne recreation area and obtain an indication of costs.
Action: Cllr Lane and Clerk
24.4 Cllr Pidgeon reported that repairs to the damaged Cemetery gate were almost completed.
25. Date, time and place of next meeting
25.1 The next meeting would be the Annual Finance Meeting of the Parish Council to be held on Monday 3 December 2007 at 7.00pm in the Epworth Hall, King’s Somborne.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the Meeting at 9.15pm
Clerk to the Council