Parish Council
Parish Council minutes April 2010
KING’S SOMBORNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held in the Epworth Hall
commencing at 7.00pm on Monday 12 April 2010
Present: Cllr R Dyke (Chairman) Cllr R Bevan (Items 1 – 14) Cllr D Bidwell Cllr F Fahy Cllr R Harwood Cllr R Lane Cllr G Pearson Cllr R Pidgeon Cllr D Room Cllr J Werrett
In Attendance: Mr P J Storey (Clerk to King’s Somborne Parish Council)
Public Session The Deputy Head Teacher King’s Somborne C.E. Primary School, Emma Jefferies, gave a presentation on the Breakfast Club and its need for funding following the withdrawal of the Government grant. The Club was part of the Government’s initiative to provide ‘wrap around care’ as part of its extended services provision and the School had used this funding to provide financial support to 33 children from 9 local families each week in addition to family contribution of £2.50 per day per child. Food and staffing were the only costs incurred as the resource and utility costs were absorbed by the School. The Club had been run on a trial basis whilst funding lasted but the number of children attending did not cover the costs and although the School would meet the costs for the remainder of the academic year with parents, likely to face a small increase, there was insufficient funding for the next year. The existence of such a facility provided a useful service to some families and encouraged others to send their children to the School, as happened elsewhere, which in the longer term was good for School numbers. The School was seeking a one-off grant of £1000 to enable the Club to function for the next financial year. Members raised various questions on the Club, its support and associated costs, some of which required finite answers before any decision could be made. The relatively small amount available from the Parish Council for grants was made clear but it was also agreed to consider this application further at a later date.
PCSO Mike Alder introduced himself and confirmed that the incidence of crime was low in our area.
The meeting was then closed to the public
1. Apologies for Absence
1.1 Apologies had been received from Borough Cllr Ward.
2. Announcements by the Chairman
2.1 The Chairman confirmed the revised date for the Annual Assembly of Thursday 13 May 2010 in view of the General Election being called for the original date.
3. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 1 March 2010
3.1 Proposed Cllr Bidwell, Seconded Cllr Lane, RESOLVED with Cllrs Bevan and Werrett abstaining (absent) that the minutes of the meeting held on 1 March 2010 be accepted as a true record.
4. To consider any Matters Arising from those Minutes
4.1 Public Session. Testway Housing had required detailed location plans for the trees to be planted in The Gorrings and given the time likely to be taken in reaching a decision the trees had been planted elsewhere in the meantime. A School Travel Plan would be prepared and submitted to HCC.
4.2 Para 7.1 The Borough Council had been approached about the untidy state of the old Somborne Garage site on Romsey Road but had confirmed they could not take any action at this time. It was noted that the demolition team appeared to have lowered the level of the boundary brick wall to the site exposing the site and future development to the dangers of passing cricket balls. The Clerk would write to the site owners alerting them to this risk.
Action: Clerk
4.3 Para 14.1 The Footpath Warden had cleared the overgrowth along the footpath between Eldon Road and Braishfield Road and the broken stile had been reported to the Rights of Way Office at HCC.
5. Declarations of Interest
5.1 Cllr Pidgeon declared an interest in Item 7, Dodgers Wood planning application.
6. To consider Correspondence Received and determine any action required
6.1 The Clerk drew Members’ attention to some correspondence received of a general nature but 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:
* New Farm, Winchester Road – replacement barn – no objection
* The Oast House, Hoplands – demolition of existing carport and erection of replacement with one bedroom annex above – no objection
* Dodgers Wood, Furzedown Road – timber framed stable block – no objection
* Furze Cottages, Furzedown Road – new porch to rear – no objection
* Surene, Nutchers Drove – retrospective application to include a garden room – objection on the grounds that it would overlook and enable viewing of inside of neighbour’s property and construction not in accordance with approved plans
* Woodmans Cottage, Winchester Road – replacement sunroom – no objection
* Marsh Court, Marsh Court Lane – internal alterations – no objection
* Council Houses, 1 Strawberry Lane – demolish existing conservatory and erect replacement with link to existing detached garage – no objection
* 22 Riverside Green – loft conversion incorporating roof lights and rear dormer – no objection
* 3 Riverside Green – remove two branches and crown thin Field Maple – no objection
* Firtree Cottage, Winchester Road – fell one Fir – no objection
7.3 The following decisions had been notified by Test Valley Borough Council:
* Hoplands Equestrian Centre – upgrade existing approach route and install new gates, track and parking – permitted
* 22 Riverside Green – loft conversion – refused on grounds of a bulky and dominant feature detracting from the general appearance
7.4 The Clerk reported that the application from 1 Redhill Cottages to demolish the rear extensions and replace and the application from Horsebridge Station to erect a marquee for use at receptions and other event had both gone to appeal.
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 91% of the budget, subject to year-end adjustments, had been spent and that the Council’s bank balances stood at £22, 867.31.
8.2 The Clerk reported the internal auditor would visit him on 26 April and that he was in discussion with Highways on agreeing the outstanding charges for maintaining the speed indicator device maintenance for the last financial year given the invoice had been received for the current year. He had also attended a presentation by the Audit Commission on their new ‘lighter touch’ audit and briefed on the need for councillors in general to take a more active interest in financial controls in place to prevent fraud.
9. Payment of Accounts
9.1 Proposed Cllr Fahy, Seconded Cllr Pidgeon, RESOLVED unanimously that the following accounts for March be approved for payment:
To For Net VAT Gross Chq
Mr P Storey Salary/expenses 636.84 636.84 1599
Cheque cancelled 1600
HMRC Tax/NIC 175.86 175.86 1601
BPC Shared costs 15.00 15.00 1602
HALC /NALC Affiliation fees 321.00 321.00 1603
TVBC Cemetery rates 199.19 199.19 1604
Mr M Rebbeck Grounds maint 62.50 62.50 1605
Totals 1410.39 1410.39
10. To consider the purchase of a litter bin for the Trim Trail
10.1 Proposed Cllr Bidwell, Seconded Cllr Bevan, RESOLVED unanimously that a litter bin be purchased at a cost of £41.75 plus VAT for installation adjacent to the seat on the Trim Trail in Top Field.
Action: Clerk
11. To consider how to combat the litter problem around the Parish
11.1 Following initial discussion at last month’s meeting regarding the litter problem, it was decided to more actively encourage local groups to undertake litter sweeps. The School would be approached to become more involved in keeping the Trim Trail clear, the Scouts and WI around the Parish in general and Councillors would gather occasionally to undertake ad hoc sweeps. Any other volunteers would always be welcome
Action: All
12. To evaluate the effectiveness of the speed indicator device
12.1 Statistics provided by Hampshire Highways illustrated the effectiveness of the speed indicator device in reducing the speed of vehicles approaching the Village from the Stockbridge direction; the mean being 26.7 mph and 85th percentile 32.1 mph. These were within the expected range for a 30 mph limit. Vehicles approaching from the Romsey direction were towards the upper end of the expected range with a mean of 33.7 mph and 85th percentile 39.3 mph. This data would be submitted to the Police for enforcement action, subject to their resources being available.
13. To consider the purchase of stone blocks for the Village Green
13.1 Increasingly, large vehicles were using the Village Green as a turning circle and running over the grass surface and breaking the stone kerbs. The previously installed wooden stumps had failed to deter this activity and thought had been given to providing a more substantial deterrent such as stone blocks. Suitable blocks were available from local stone providers at a cost of around £148 each plus delivery and VAT.
13.2 Proposed Cllr Bidwell, Seconded Cllr Harwood, RESOLVED witrh one against that two suitably sized stone blocks be purchased for installation on the two of the corners of the Village Green worst affected by turning vehicles.
Action: Clerk
14. To consider possible locations for a youth shelter
14.1 Following the presentation at the last meeting on the need for a youth shelter and further discussions, the Clerk had established that the preferred shelter design would be of metal construction, with solar powered internal lighting, a Bluetooth facility and internal seating. Suitable locations included the corner of the field owned by the Parish Council where it abuts Top Field or in the triangle at the bottom of Top Field adjacent to the small copse. More information on designs and costs would be obtained but early installation would be dependent on finding external grants as the Council had not precepted for this type of capital expense.
Action: Clerk
Cllr Bevan left the meeting at this point
15. To consider funding an all-weather path from the School to the village Hall
15.1 The Clerk explained that in the early stages of the Village Hall Development Committee’s existence, one of the methods noted for improving and encouraging greater use of the Village Hall by the School was thought to be the addition of an all-weather path between the two locations thus avoiding the need and attendant risks of young people having to walk along the pavement adjacent to the busy A3057. Recently, the Village Hall Management Committee had not supported the release of development funds for such a path and had recoursed to the Parish Council for their help.
15.2 After discussion, Members considered that a clear and substantiated request from the School would be required before any further thought would be given to the need. The view was held that such a path would not benefit other Village Hall users and with funds tight Members thought their resources could be better spent in aid of the community at large. They would, however, be prepared to discuss this further with the School in due course.
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 Cllrs Dyke, Bidwell and Fahy had attended a meeting of the Village Hall Management Committee and reported that a decision had been taken to proceed with the next phase of the modernisation plan which was the renovation of the pavilion area. Work was scheduled to start at the end of the football season.
16.2 Cllr Pearson had attended the AGM of the Campaign for the Protection of Rural England (Hampshire).
17. To receive Councillors’ reports, as appropriate, on actions taken on lead and other matters
17.1 Cllr Fahy reported that a request for signposts pointing the direction for Winchester had been made but it was agreed that no further action would be taken on this. Cllr Fahy also reported his progress made on gathering information on the installation, design and costs for a multi-use games area (MUGA). Notts Sports Ltd had estimated a cost of £62k for a suitable design but further competitive quotes and designs would be obtained before the matter was considered further.
Action: Cllr Fahy
17.2 Cllr Pearson reported that the German Aircrew Memorial had been defaced and that he had cleaned it.
18. To receive the Clerk’s monthly report
18.1 The Clerk reported that the new play equipment for the recreation ground would be installed the week beginning 19 April.
18.2 An Older Peoples’ Trigger Tool system had been introduced listing contact details for a range of agencies and organisations that may be able to help older people experiencing difficulties. Those involved with older people but not able to help directly could use this tool to signpost the older person towards a source of help. More information and training was available from Hampshire County Council.
18.3 All noted the King’s Somborne Cemetery was now a Site of Importance for Nature Conservation under National Indicator NI 197 as laid down by the Government and would have to be managed under the terms of this indicator. The Clerk confirmed we met the basic requirements.
19. To receive reports on the Parish recreational facilities and Cemetery
19.1 Cllrs Fahy and Harwood reported that the new cricket score hut would be erected later in the week.
20. Date, time and place of next meeting
20.1 The next meeting, which will be the Annual General Meeting, will be on Monday 10 May 2010 at 7.00pm in the Epworth Hall, King’s Somborne.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.50pm