Parish Council
Parish Council minutes July 2008
Kings Somborne Parish Council
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held in the Epworth Hall
commencing at 7.00pm on Monday 7 July 2008
Present: Cllr R Dyke (Chairman)
Cllr D Bidwell
Cllr R Harwood
Cllr R Lane
Cllr G Pearson
Cllr R Pidgeon
Cllr J Werrett
In Attendance: Mr P J Storey (Clerk to King’s Somborne Parish Council)
Public Session Borough Councillor Ward, Mrs J Finch, PC M Benton and three members of the public were present for part of the meeting. The Chairman made a presentation to Cllr Bidwell in recognition of his nine years as Chairman of the Parish Council and thanked him on behalf of the community for his contribution over all the years he had been a Councillor. Mrs Finch confirmed that no-one had come forward as yet to replace her as the Village Correspondent. Cllr Werrett proposed and Cllr Bidwell seconded, RESOLVED unanimously that a vote of thanks be given to Mrs Finch for her contribution to the community as its Correspondent and that she be wished well for the future. It was agreed that a loose leaf insert should be placed in The Gauntlet to attract a replacement and that the modest printing cost of £10 should be met by the Parish Council.
Action: Clerk
PC Benton confirmed that only crimes of note such as burglaries and car thefts were recorded in the weekly Bulletin and others such as minor domestic issues were omitted. Mrs Foyle and others expressed their concern at the decision to remove the bus shelter from the Village Green, supporting their comments by citing the increased usage made of this shelter by travellers no longer using their cars and those with free bus passes. They believed a clear need existed for a shelter during inclement weather and although they agreed the present shelter was not attractive they were clearly of the opinion that it should not be removed until a replacement was provided. Additionally, they thought a path leading to it was necessary and also that the Eldon Road shelter and Strawberry Lane shelter at Up Somborne should be considered for replacement.
1. Apologies for Absence
1.1 Apologies were received from Cllrs Bevan, Fahy and Room.
2. Announcement by the Chairman
2.1 None made.
3. To receive reports from Tree Warden, Footpath Warden and other volunteers
3.1 None received.
4. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 2 June 2008
4.1 Proposed Cllr Bidwell, Seconded Cllr Pidgeon, RESOLVED unanimously that the Minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2008 be accepted.
5. To consider any matters arising from those Minutes
5.1 Minute 5.1 It was likely that further consultation would take place regarding the policy for expending S106 monies received from developers.
5.2 Minute 13.1 TVBC had now displayed dog fouling notices around the Trim Trail and their impact would be monitored.
5.3 Minute 14.2 Following the earlier comments on bus shelters in the public session, the Chairman sought to reopen discussion on this matter despite the ‘6 month’ rule.
5.4 Proposed Cllr Bidwell, Seconded Cllr Lane RESOLVED with Cllr Harwood against and Cllrs Pidgeon and Werrett abstaining that Parish Council Standing Orders be set aside to allow discussion within six months on a matter previously determined.
5.5 Cllr Pearson opined that the earlier decision to remove the Village Green bus shelter and monitor reaction had been based on outdated information. He reminded Members that the results of his survey a year ago illustrated minimal usage of the shelter whereas it now appeared that usage had increased. It was generally agreed the shelter itself was not suited to the conservation area in which it stood and that it might be difficult to quantify sufficient usage to justify spending public funds on its replacement and the other two shelters in the Parish. After further discussion, it was thought appropriate to take a sounding from the public and at the same time Cllr Werrett would discuss the implications of relocation with Hampshire Highways staff.
Action: Cllr Werrett
5.6 Proposed Cllr Dyke, Seconded Cllr Pidgeon, RESOLVED with Cllrs Harwood, Pearson and Werrett against that removal of the Village Green bus shelter be put on hold and reviewed in September.
5.7 A suitably worded survey would be drawn up by the Chairman and Clerk for insertion in The Gauntlet seeking public opinion on the future provision of a bus shelter in the Village centre.
Action: Chairman and Clerk
5.8 Proposed Cllr Harwood, Seconded Cllr Werrett RESOLVED that Parish Council Standing Orders be reinstated at this point.
6. Declarations of Interest
6.1 Cllr Bidwell declared an interest in planning application 08/01493/FULLS to be discussed at Item 8.
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. The Clerk drew attention to a letter advising the Government’s intention to invest in children’s play areas and said he would be expressing Council’s interest in bidding for funding under this scheme.
7.2 A letter had been received from Upper Clatford Parish Council seeking support for their concern at the planning officers’ ability to determine an application to convert land at Andover Airfield into a large warehouse complex for Tesco. Members thought it inappropriate to lend support to the concerns raised which queried the experience and resources available to interpret the data supporting the application but did think it appropriate to again raise concern at the likely increase in heavy traffic along the A3057; these concerns had been raised previously by Cllrs Bidwell and Fahy when local MP Sandra Gidley had received assurances that trunk traffic would be directed along the A34 and A303. It was agreed the Clerk should reiterate these concerns to planning officers.
Action: Clerk
8. To receive reports on Planning Applications considered
8.1 The following responses had been made to recent planning applications received:
* 08/01493/FULLS – adjacent to Surene, 4 Nutcher’s Drove – erection of 2 bed dwelling, new entrance drive and parking space – no objection
* 08/01352/TREES – 4 The Old Iron Foundry – dismantle Yew Tree to ground level – no objection
9. To receive RFO’s Report and Budget Monitoring
9.1 The budget monitoring report showing income and expenditure to date had been circulated with the agenda. Cllr Harwood commented that the percentage spend for the first quarter of the year was artificially high as many expenses were front end loaded and he foresaw an underspend on the year. The Clerk commented that £500 had been received from Testway Housing towards the cost of providing todders’ play activity equipment and confirmed the current bank balances totalled £45,733.98.
10. To approve Payments of Accounts
10.1 Noting a payment for clock insurance, Cllr Pearson highlighted the fact that the Parish clock was not actually owned by the Parish Council although the Council had insured it for many years and paid for the electricity consumed and an annual maintenance check. It was thought appropriate for the Clerk to draw the Parochial Church Council’s attention to this with a view to regularising the ownership.
Action: Clerk
10.2 Proposed Cllr Pidgeon, Seconded Cllr Lane, RESOLVED unanimously that the following accounts be approved for payment:
To For Net VAT Gross Chq No
Mr P Storey Salary/expenses 538.09 538.09 1433
BishopstokePC Shared costs 28.58 28.58 1434
BrokerNetworkLtd Insurance premium 25.00 25.00 1435
MrMRebbeck Grounds maint 643.50 643.50 1436
GlasdonUKLtd Binhood and cover 27.01 4.72 31.73 1437
VillageandUrban Noticeboard 628.00 109.90 737.90 1438
PlaysafetyLtd Safety inspection 183.00 32.03 215.03 1439
HALC LGiU book 12.00 12.00 1440
PJDrew Bier Hut board 78.00 13.65 91.65 1441
TVBC Planning application 20.00 20.00 1442
Totals 2183.18 160.30 2343.48
11. To consider and, if appropriate, determine a response to the TVBC draft cycle strategy
11.1 The draft strategy had been considered but did not impact greatly upon The Sombornes. However, it was thought appropriate for the Clerk to comment that access to the Test Way from King’s Somborne was not direct and that some of the existing cycle way was considered dangerous.
Action: Clerk
12. To consider and, if appropriate, determine a response to the South East Plan for mineral aggregation
12.1 No formal response was thought necessary but the Council’s on-going interest should be registered.
Action: Clerk
13. To consider and, if appropriate, determine a response to the HCC Adult Services Grants programme
13.1 Cllr Fahy had provided comments on the consultation which the Clerk would relay to HCC. Action: Clerk
14. To receive reports from Members on external meetings at which they had represented the Parish Council or have attended in any other capacity
14.1 None tabled.
15. To receive Members’ reports, as appropriate, on actions taken on lead matters including the Parish Plan
15.1 Cllr Pearson reported on the overgrown hedge on the Frogholes Lane footpath and the overgrowth outside the empty house on Romsey Road which the Clerk undertook to report to HCC, and the need for the Scouts to trim their hedge adjacent to the pavement which Cllr Pidgeon would follow up.
Action: Clerk and Cllr Pidgeon
16. To receive the Clerk’s monthly report
16.1 The Clerk reported on the changes to the Quality Parish accreditation scheme and reminded Members that some work would be necessary, in particular recording their interfacing with the electorate, to be successfully re-accredited in 2010.
17. To consider Highway matters of interest to the Parish
17.1 Cllr Werrett reported the intention of Hampshire Highways staff to extend the marked footway along the Winchester Road and that any matters of concern should be made known to him in time for his next meeting with Highways staff in September. Cllr Bidwell thought it was time for the speed indicator device to be relocated and the Clerk would follow up on the poor positioning of the ’20 is plenty’ signs.
Action: Clerk and Cllr Werrett
18. To consider Test Valley Borough Council matters of interest to the Parish
18.1 Borough Cllr Ward confirmed that shop signs would be erected on the A3057 pointing to Cross Stores and Martin’s Shop.
19. To receive reports on Parish recreational facilities and Cemetery
19.1 It was noted that Top Field was to be cut by a local farmer for hay and that the School had used the cricket square causing minor damage. Cllr Bidwell thought that the School Travel Plan was about due which should enable further thought to be given to the parking problems on the A3057, Church Road and slip road; Cllr Pidgeon would follow this up.
Action: Cllr Pidgeon
19.2 Proposed Cllr Dyke, Seconded Cllr Bidwell, RESOLVED unanimously that a seat be provided at the highest point on the Trim Trail.
Action: Clerk
19.3 Cllr Pidgeon reported that the Scouts AGM would be held on 10 July 2008.
20. Date, time and place of next meeting
20.1 The next meeting will be held on Monday 8 September 2008 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