Parish Council
Parish Council minutes Feb 2009
KING’S SOMBORNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held in the Epworth Hall
commencing at 7.00pm on Monday 2 February 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
Four members of the public were present for part of the meeting to discuss the need for and location of the wildflower site. Their preferred location was within the John O’Gaunt Field with cut paths across the Field rather than in Top Field and this point was noted. Cllr Harwood commented that the Council had a duty of care to maintain the land and English Heritage, who owned the palace half of the John O’Gaunt Field, contributed towards the costs of keeping the grass cut. Cllr Harwood confirmed further thought would be given to location before any decision was made.
1. Apologies for Absence
1.1 Apologies were received from Cllr Werrett, Borough Cllr Ward and the Footpath Warden and from the Village Correspondent (after the meeting).
2. Announcements by the Chairman
2.1 The Chairman stated he had represented the Parish Council at the Holocaust Memorial Service in Andover.
3. To receive reports from the Tree Warden, Footpath Warden and other Volunteers
3.1 None tabled.
4. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 5 January 2009
4.1 Proposed Cllr Pearson, Seconded Cllr Pidgeon, RESOLVED unanimously with minor amendment that the minutes of the meeting held on 5 January 2009 be accepted as a true record.
5. To consider any Matters Arising from those Minutes
5.1 Para 14.1 Further discussion on reviewing the Parish Plan was to be deferred until the April meeting with a view to taking positive action in 12 months but in the meantime the Clerk would liaise with the volunteer and research the most recent advice available on parish plans.
Action: Clerk
6. Declarations of Interest
6.1 Cllr Pearson declared an interest in Item 8 (personal planning application) and Cllrs Fahy and Harwood declared an interest in Item 10 (Grant application from the Cricket Club)
7. To consider Correspondence Received and determine any action required
7.1 Details of correspondence received since the last meeting had been circulated with the agenda papers. A comprehensive response had been received from Hampshire Highways to the Council’s letter regarding the system for controlling heavy goods vehicles on the A3057 as a result of the development of the ‘Megashed’ on the old Andover airfield site. The Clerk would acknowledge.
Action: Clerk
8. To receive reports on planning applications considered and determined
8.1 The following responses had been made to recent planning applications received:
* Shappon, Romsey Road – rear porch and roof light in kitchen extension – no objection but application subsequently withdrawn
* Yew Tree Cottage, Romsey Road – erect satellite dish – no objection
* Upper House, Up Somborne Lane – two storey front extension – no objection * War Memorial – addition of name – no objection
* Ferndale Winchester Road – fell line of Leylandii trees – no objection
* Woodlings, Winchester Road – fell two Silver Birch and crown lifting – no objection but application subsequently withdrawn
* Vine Cottage, Muss Lane – raise canopy of four Yews and one Ash
8.2 The following decisions had been notified by Test Valley Borough Council:
* 7 Riverside Green – rear playroom extension, side utility room extension, realign fence panel and new front parking area – permitted
* 4 Nutcher’s Drove – retrospective application for erection of lean to, log store and boundary fence – permitted
9. To receive the RFO’s Report and Budget Monitoring
9.1 The budget monitoring report showing income and expenditure to date had been circulated with the agenda. All noted that the Council’s bank balances stood at £50,514.90.
9.2 The RFO drew Members’ attention to some amendments to the forecast outturn for the year and explained the reasons behind the overspends under some budget headings. He also sought Member’s views on the continued ringfencing of £15,000 for the possible future purchase of Top Field. After some discussion, it was agreed to retain the ringfencing as an indication of the Council’s long term aim of securing Top Field for the benefit of the Parish. Although this decision could be reversed at any time, the RFO reminded Members of the earlier decision to upgrade play equipment in King’s Somborne and possibly that in Up Somborne, the cost of which could be £50,000, and for which with the ringfencing there were no internal funds available to meet this upgrade cost. A recommendation would be made at a future meeting, together with funding options.
Action: Clerk
9.3 The RFO also confirmed that the Capital Grant bids to both Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council had been successful which, with the Parish Council contribution already approved, would enable the kitchen refurbishment of the Village Hall to commence. He suggested that Members might wish to increase the Council’s contribution given the underspend on the Village Hall budget but a vote to increase the grant from £3131 to £5000 was lost by a majority. However, Members did agree to consider one-off bids for funding from the Village Hall Management Committee.
10. To consider and, if appropriate, approve Grant Aid applications from the Hampshire County Youth Band and King’s Somborne Cricket Club
10.1 A request for Grant Aid had been received from the King’s Somborne Cricket Club for £497 as a contribution towards the cost of repairing the garage store and to reclad the score box.
10.2 Proposed Cllr Bidwell, Seconded Cllr Bevan, RESOLVED with Cllrs Fahy, Harwood and Pidgeon abstaining that £497 be granted to the King’s Somborne Cricket Club to assist with meeting the expense of repairing the garage and to reclad the score box.
10.3 A request for Grant Aid had also been received from the Hampshire Youth Band Association. Members felt unable to support this request as no person from the Parish appeared involved with the Band and applications had been made to other organisations.
10.4 Proposed Cllr Room, Seconded Cllr Bidwell RESOLVED unanimously not to support the application for a grant from the Hampshire County Youth Band Association.
11. Payment of Accounts
11.1 Proposed Cllr Lane, Seconded Cllr Bidwell, RESOLVED unanimously that the following accounts be approved for payment:
To For Net VAT Gross Chq
BPC Shared costs 15.00 15.00 1487
Mr P Storey Salary and expenses 647.91 647.91 1488
HMRC Tax/NIC 171.62 171.62 1489
Audit Commission Audit fee 327.75 327.75 1490
Mr P Reynolds Internal audit fee 350.00 350.00 1491
Southern Water 3 Fields supply 21.22 21.22 1492
Dr S Rake Expenses 10.00 10.00 1493
Probation Service Equipment expenses 30.00 30.00 1494 1494 TVBC Planning application 167.50 167.50 1495
Totals 1741.00 1741.00
12. To receive reports from Members on external meetings at which they have represented the Council or attended in any other capacity
12.1 Cllr Bevan confirmed that a presentation would be made at the next meeting on plans for more affordable housing in the Parish.
12.2 Cllr Pearson requested that a liaison meeting be sought with Tarmac.
Action: Clerk
13. To receive Members’ reports on actions taken on lead matters including the Parish Plan
13.1 Cllr Harwood reported that he and Cllr Fahy were making progress on the establishment of a wild flower site and were taking further specialist advice.
Action: Cllrs Fahy and Harwood
14. To receive the Clerk’s monthly report
14.1 The Clerk confirmed the new bus shelters for the Village Green and Eldon Road would be installed later this month.
15. To receive reports on the Parish recreational facilities and Cemetery
15.1 Cllr Pidgeon reported that the Cemetery condition was acceptable for this time of year and that the Scouts now had new doors in the Scout Hut and were actively raising funds to meet other expenses.
16. Date, time and place of next meeting
16.1 The next meeting will be held on Monday 2 March 2009 at 7.00pm in the Epworth Hall, King’s Somborne.
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.10pm