Parish Council
Parish Council minutes Jan 2012
KING’S SOMBORNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held in the Epworth Hallcommencing at 7.00pm on Monday 9 January 2012
Present: Cllr J Werrett (Chairman) Cllr A Brock Cllr R Curtis Cllr F Fahy Cllr D Harrison Cllr R Harwood Cllr G Herbert Cllr G Pearson
In Attendance: Mr P J Storey (Clerk to King’s Somborne Parish Council)
Public Session
PC Simon Beecroft updated those present on the imminent closure of the Stockbridge Police Station and relocation of resources to the Fire Station. He also commented on the results of recent speed checks on the A3057 where few offenders had been caught and the need to ring 0845 045045 or e-mail the Andover rural inbox to contact the Police rather than contact himself directly as he now covered a very wide area under the recent re-organisation and could not guarantee a personal response. Cllrs Fahy and Herbert queried the best positions to check on speeding vehicles and would follow this up with PC Beecroft. Cllr Pearson queried the law on pavement obstruction given that vehicles were parking on the footpath along the A3057 to the detriment of pedestrians and it was confirmed that an offence was being committed if there was an obstruction.
Mr Dyke raised the situation of a local resident who had been unsuccessful in obtaining one of the new houses as he currently lived in a tied cottage and the eligibility rules did not favour his application.
Borough Cllr Ward confirmed this problem was known about and that the Localism Bill may present opportunities to provide alternatives for replacing tied cottages.
195. Apologies for Absence
195.1 Cllr Goddard.
196. Chairman’s announcements and Councillors’ questions
196.1 None made.
197. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 5 December 2011
197.1 Proposed Cllr Brock, Seconded Cllr Pearson RESOLVED unanimously that the minutes of the meeting held on 5 December 2011 be accepted as a true record.
198. To consider any Matters Arising from those Minutes
198.1 There were no matters arising not dealt with elsewhere in these minutes.
199. Declarations of Interest
199.1 None declared.
200. Borough News
200.1 Borough Cllr Ward commented on the forthcoming Core Strategy meeting to be held in the Village Hall on Wednesday 1 February 2012 at 7.00pm and encouraged all to attend.
201. To elect a Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee
201.1 It was necessary to elect a Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee following the resignation of David Bidwell.
201.2 Proposed Cllr Werrett, Seconded Cllr Curtis, RESOLVED unanimously that Cllr Harwood be elected Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee.
202. To determine the process for co-option to fill the current councillor vacancy
202.1 It was noted that there had not been a demand for a poll to fill the current vacancy and therefore it could be filled by co-option. It was thought appropriate for a notice to go on the community boards and in The Gantlet advertising the vacancy and inviting nominations supported by up to 100 words illustrating the experience the nominees could bring to the Council with the selection being made at the March Council meeting.
Action: Clerk
203. To receive Councillors’ reports
203.1 Papers from Cllr Fahy had been circulated covering highways and road safety and another seeking support for the establishment of a table tennis club. The highways report was duly noted and thanks given to Cllr Fahy for his on-going efforts to improve highways and road safety matters. The level of support existing for a table tennis club across the age range was also noted with the Village Hall as the obvious location. Members expressed their support for this initiative as it was in keeping with the Council’s desire to enhance the range of fitness activities in the community and noted there might be an application for grant funding if a club was eventually established.
203.2 Cllr Werrett commented on the plastic bollards along Winchester Road and queried their usefulness. Cllr Fahy would take this up with Hampshire Highways.
Action: Cllr Fahy
203.4 Cllr Werrett also commented on the collapse of part of the stream bank near to Martin’s Shop and the danger of parked vehicles slipping into the stream. The Clerk would follow this up with the Environment Agency.
Action: Clerk
203.5 Cllr Fahy reported that his working group’s survey into youth recreational facilities was in hand and a questionnaire would go on the website. He also confirmed that the new community notice board had now been erected outside Cross Stores; Members thanked Cllr Fahy for his efforts in obtaining this facility.
203.6 Cllr Harwood raised his concern at the lopped tree branches left adjacent to the cricket store on the recreation ground and damage caused to the grassed area by the contractor’s vehicles when undertaking safety work on the overhead power cables. The Clerk would follow this up.
Action: Clerk
204. To note Planning Committee minutes
204.1 No minutes had been tabled as the most recent set of applications had been considered at the last full Parish Council meeting in December. However, Cllr Pearson ran through the decisions of the meeting held earlier this evening drawing particular attention to the support given to the relocation of the bottle banks and the recommendation that the relocated cricket score hut be placed on a suitable base and that a replacement ‘Jubilee’ tree be provided to replace the one to be cut down.
205. To consider TVBC’s proposed changes to the local information requirements for validating planning applications
205.1 A consultation document from TVBC outlining proposed changes to the local information requirements for validating planning applications had been circulated before the meeting and had also been discussed at the earlier planning committee meeting. Members fully supported the need to reduce the number of requirements and also thought it appropriate for the revised requirements to be published on the TVBC website. The Clerk would reply accordingly.
Action: Clerk
206. To consider Correspondence Received and determine any action required
206.1 The Clerk drew Councillors’ attention to recent correspondence received but no further action was thought necessary.
207. To receive the RFO’s Report and Budget Monitoring
207.1 A budget monitoring report showing income and expenditure to date had been circulated with the agenda and was noted. The current bank balance stood at £32,665.11.
208. To determine a room hire contribution to the Methodist Church
208.1 As in past years, it was thought appropriate to make a contribution to the Methodist Church in recognition of Parish Council meetings being held in the Epworth Hall.
208.2 Proposed Cllr Werrett, Seconded Cllr Harwood, RESOLVED unanimously that £150 be granted to the Methodist Church for use of the Epworth Hall
209. Payment of Accounts 209.1 Proposed Cllr Werrett, Seconded Cllr Harwood, RESOLVED unanimously that the following accounts for December be approved for payment:
To For Net VAT Gross Chq
Mr P Storey Salary/expenses 781.04 781.04 1751
HMRC Tax/NIC 206.38 206.38 1752
BPC Shared costs 22.50 22.50 1753
Spark Fabrication Notice board 195.84 39.17 235.01 1754
TVBC Green litter bin 218.90 43.78 262.68 1755
Methodist Church Room hire 150.00 150.00 1756
Mr P Reynolds Audit fee 410.00 410.00 1757
Totals 1984.66 82.95 2067.61
210. Jubilee Strategy progress and Councillor/volunteer responsibilities
210.1 The Chairman outlined progress to date on the Jubilee Strategy programme and emphasised the need for more involvement by individuals. He confirmed that he would lead on Workstream 2 (Quick Wins) and that Borough Cllr Ward was willing to lead on Workstream 4 (Village Design Statement) but a group leader for Workstream 3 (Core Strategy) was required. As no councillor was able to take on this task, he had decided to invite a volunteer from those members of the community who had attended the Community Workshop last year and who had expressed an interest in becoming more involved. He also reminded all present of the Core Strategy presentation scheduled for Wednesday 1 February at 7.00pm in the Village Hall for us and other local councils.
Action: Cllr Werrett and Clerk
211. To approve the appointment of a councillor representative on the Village Hall Management Committee
211.1 Proposed Cllr Werrett, Seconded Cllr Harwood, RESOLVED unanimously that Cllr Fahy be appointed to represent the Parish Council on the Village Hall Management Committee.
212. To review progress on the Parish Plan Update
212.1 The Clerk tabled an analysis of the outstanding recommendations from the Parish Plan Update drawing attention to those which were on-going and those which had subsequently been met. Some discussion centred on the need for a litter warden and, given the relatively small amount of frequent litter and the lack of a volunteer, it was agreed not to take any further action on this subject relying instead on impromptu action by volunteers as at present. The recommendation to ‘Adopt a footpath’ would be considered at a later date.
213. To receive the Clerk’s monthly report
213.1 The Clerk drew Councillors’ attention to the information available on the HCC website regarding setting up self-help transport arrangements and would draw this to the attention of the lead councillor on transport matters, when one was appointed, the village representative and others likely to be interested.
Action: Clerk
213.2 Increasing emphasis was being given by external organisations to tree planting to mark the Royal Jubilee and the Clerk would seek ideas on possible locations from the Tree Warden.
Action: Clerk 214. Date, time and place of next meeting
214.1 The next meeting will be on Monday 6 February 2012 at 7.00pm in the Epworth Hall, King’s Somborne.
Action: All
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.25pm