Parish Council
November 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 2 November 2009
Present: Cllr R Dyke (Chairman) Cllr R Bevan Cllr D Bidwell Cllr F Fahy Cllr R Harwood Cllr R Lane Cllr G Pearson Cllr R Pidgeon Cllr D Room
In Attendance: Mr P J Storey (Clerk to King’s Somborne Parish Council)
Public Session
The Footpath Warden, Tree Warden and PC Benton were present for part of the meeting.
The Footpath Warden reported that the fallen tree across the path near to North Park Farm had been cleared and that he wished to encourage the public to report any fallen trees to enable prompt clearance action to be arranged.
The Tree Warden undertook to monitor the condition of the Sycamore tree on the Village recreation ground which had been dropping branches in the recent strong winds. He also briefed that a couple getting married had been given permission to plant a tree on their wedding day along the Trim Trail and he confirmed that other new trees would be planted during this month. Cllr Harwood asked if fruit trees could be included in the planting programme as part of the biodiversity project and this was agreed. Cllr Pearson suggested that other areas such as Scott Close could also benefit from trees and this was noted. An ‘Adopt a Tree’ programme to encourage more interest in trees and their maintenance would be considered.
PC Benton reported that poaching was an increasing problem with deer, poultry and hares being particularly attractive. He also explained the traffic management plan for the Remembrance Sunday Parade and the Cold Calling concept introduced by Trading Standards. (Clerk’s note: a presentation on this was planned for early in the New Year). The Police were looking for other ways to engage with the public to combat crime at all levels. He had been approached by some teenagers about a youth shelter but Councillors noted that although this had been raised in the Parish Plan there had been virtually no further support. However, the Parish Plan update questionnaire contained a question on this and the results would be awaited before any further thought was given to the suggestion. The loss of the Up Somborne telephone kiosk was discussed but with the very low usage rate, only 13 times in the past 12 months, the Parish Council thought unable to voice strong support for its retention. However, some questions would be compiled for the Up Somborne community to consider as part of the consultation which would end on 23 January 2010.
The meeting was then closed to the public
1. Apologies for Absence
1.1 Cllr Werret, Borough Cllr Ward and the Village Correspondent.
2. Announcements by the Chairman
2.1 Cllr Dyke encouraged all to attend the Service of Remembrance at the War Memorial on Sunday 8 November 2009.
3. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 5 October 2009
3.1 Proposed Cllr Pearson, Seconded Cllr Lane, RESOLVED unanimously that the minutes of the meeting held on 5 October 2009 be accepted as a true record.
4. To consider any Matters Arising from those Minutes
4.1 There were no matters arising not dealt with elsewhere in the minutes.
5. Declarations of Interest
5.1 None declared.
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: * Hoplands Estate – modification to S106 agreement – no comment
* 1 Riverside Green – prune one Yew tree – no objection
* Woodmans Cottage, Winchester Road – add chimney pot and replace first floor window – no objection
* 3 Furzedown Cottages – single storey rear extension and conservatory – no objection
8.2 The following decisions had been notified by Test Valley Borough Council:
* Village Green – crown lift Copper Beech – permitted
* Holme Chase, Romsey Road – rear conservatory – permitted
* Park Stream Cottage, Horsebridge Road – conversion and extension of existing stable annex to granny annex – permitted
* Park Farm, Little Somborne – farm buildings conversion – application withdrawn
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 68% of the budget had been spent and that the Council’s bank balances stood at £28,771.81. No further action was thought necessary.
9. Payment of Accounts
9.1 Proposed Cllr Lane, Seconded Cllr Bidwell, RESOLVED unanimously that the following accounts for October be approved for payment:
To For Net VAT Gross Chq
Mr P Storey Salary and expenses 782.10 782.10 1557
HMRC Tax/NIC 214.61 214.61 1558
BPC Shared costs 15.00 15.00 1559
KS Village Hall N’hood Watch hire 5.00 5.00 1560
Audit Commission Audit fee 327.75 327.75 1561
Totals 1344.46 1344.46
10. To consider the future use of the 3 Fields site
10.1 Cllr Harwood suggested that as the prospect of a junior football pitch on the Parish Council owned land adjacent to The Gorrings had fallen by the wayside thought should be given to a kick around area nearer to the Village Hall and this would be considered as part of the on-going improvements to play facilities in general.
10.2 Cllr Harwood also thought that certain areas within the 3 Fields lent themselves to biodiversity development, in particular, the triangular wooded area near to the children’s play area. Following a visit by the TVBC Countryside Officer, he would like to organise a walk-a-bout for Councillors to discuss his ideas. He also had found a TVBC source for making bird box kits at £4 each and thought up to 50 could be positioned around the Parish. He would like to see a volunteer run database recording bird usage of these boxes.
Action: Cllr Harwood
10.3 Proposed Cllr Harwood, Seconded Cllr Pidgeon, RESOLVED unanimously that £200 be authorised for the purchase of 50 bird box kits for distribution around the Parish.
11. To receive reports from Members on external meetings at which they have represented the Parish Council or have attended in any other capacity
11.1 Cllr Dyke reported that the debate on the establishment of a pre-school and its location continued and all reconfirmed their support for a pre-school and their hope that an agreement would eventually be reached.
12. To receive Councillors’ reports, as appropriate, on actions taken on lead and other matters
12.1 Cllr Fahy had written in a private capacity to the Romsey Advertiser complaining about the priority given to a road in Belbins which was to have quiet surface laid when the A3057 had been in need of this for years. Cllr Dyke would take this up with the Borough and County Councillors.
Action: Cllr Dyke
12.2 Cllr Fahy also confirmed he was still awaiting a response from the Highways department on the maintenance invoice for the speed indicator device and the installation of yield signs at the Little Somborne junction.
13. To receive the Clerk’s monthly report
13.1 Stream clearance. The Environment Agency had been hastened to undertake their half yearly weed clearance.
13.2 A costed plan for play equipment improvements was now to hand from Lappsett who had supplied the toddlers equipment. This amounted to £13,207 and the Clerk recommended that approaches now be made to TVBC for funding with S106 monies present and future and other external grant providers. Lappsett was the preferred provider because as a result of the discount given to HALC council members their quote was some £6,000 lower than the previous quote received for similar equipment.
13.3 Proposed Cllr Room, Seconded Cllr Bevan, RESOLVED unanimously that the Clerk liaise with TVBC and other grant providers in order to fund the provision of new play equipment by Lappsett Ltd in the King’s Somborne play area in accordance with the plan tabled.
14. To receive reports on the Parish recreational facilities and Cemetery
14.1 None reported.
15. Date, time and place of next meeting
15.1 The next meeting will be on Monday 7 December 2009 at 7.00pm in the Epworth Hall King’s Somborne when the Budget and Precept for 2010-11 would be determined
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.20pm