Parish Council
Parish Council minutes June 2010
KING’S SOMBORNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held in the Epworth Hall
commencing at 7.00pm on Monday 7 June 2010
Present: Cllr R Dyke (Chairman) Cllr R Bevan (Items 1 – 16) Cllr F Fahy 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 Three members of the public and the Tree Warden were present for part of the meeting. The meeting’s attention was drawn to the concerns expressed by those present and a further 20 written expressions at the proposed application for a certificate of lawful existing use by Forest Extra in Up Somborne. A strong case was made that the development of the site far exceeded the ability of the local road infrastructure to support the increasing use made of it by large vehicles which in turn posed an increasing threat to other road users and inconvenience to those living in the hamlet.
Mr Matthews, the Tree Warden, reported damage by youngsters to a Cherry tree adjacent to the children’s play area on the King’s Somborne recreation ground. He requested that the Cemetery extension grass be cut less frequently to allow wildlife and plants to develop in line with the increasing attention being given to biodiversity in all its forms.
The Chairman then closed the meeting to the public
1. Apologies for Absence
1.1 Apologies had been received from Cllrs Bidwell and Room and Borough Cllr Ward.
2. Announcements by the Chairman 2.1 None made.
3. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 10 May 2010
3.1 Proposed Cllr Lane, Seconded Cllr Harwood, RESOLVED unanimously that the minutes of the meeting held on 10 May 2010 be accepted as a true record.
4. To consider any Matters Arising from those Minutes
4.1 Para 13.3 The Clerk had been unable to reach a compromise agreement with TVBC on the amount to be paid for the maintenance of the speed indicator device in 2009/10 and it was agreed that the Borough Councillor be approached to help resolve this matter.
Action: Clerk
5. Declarations of Interest
5.1 None declared.
6. To consider Correspondence Received and determine any action required
6.1 The Clerk drew Members’ attention to recent correspondence received, in particular, the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service Plan 2010 -2013; the fact that a national census would take place on Sunday 27 March 2011 and changes in the executive arrangements at TVBC.
6.2 A consultation was in progress on whether there should be mayor or leader, both with a cabinet executive, in TVBC. After some discussion, Proposed Cllr Pearson, Seconded Cllr Pidgeon, RESOLVED by 8 votes to 2 that the expressed preference be for a leader and cabinet executive. Action: Clerk
7. To receive reports on planning applications considered and determined
7.1 The following responses had been made to recent planning applications received:
* Ashley Farm – erect steel portal building for use as grain store – no objection
* 2 The Old Iron Foundry – erect new porch to rear – no objection
* Two Gates Meadow, land to rear of Yew Bank, Romsey Road – erect wooden barn for farm machinery storage – no objection
* 6 Upper Brook Cottages – application for certificate of lawful proposed development for erection of single storey rear extension – Councillors considered this should be subject to a full planning application
* 4 Kings Acre – fell 6 Ash and 2 Sycamore trees – some concern expressed
* Forest Extra, Up Somborne – application for a certificate of lawful existing use for a workshop, storage and distribution facilities and offices – 20 local residents had objected in writing to this application on the grounds that the approach road through the hamlet was not capable of taking heavy traffic, the inconvenience caused to local residents and the dangers to pedestrians given there was no footpath. Councillors supported these objections and would inform TVBC accordingly.
7.2 The following decisions had been notified by Test Valley Borough Council:
* Firtree Cottager, Winchester Road – fell one Fir – permitted
* Marsh Court – internal alterations – permitted
* 25 Nutcher’s Drove – fell one Apple tree – permitted
* Furze Cottages, 1 New Cottages, Furzedown Road – erect rear porch – permitted * Surene, 4 Nutcher’s Drove – retrospective application for new dwelling – permitted * 9 Riverside Green – thin three Silver Birch – permitted
* Woodmans Cottage, Winchester Road – replacement sunroom – permitted * Council Houses, 1 Strawberry Lane, Up Somborne – demolish existing conservatory and replace with link to garage – permitted
* The Oast House, Hoplands – demolish existing car port and erect replacement with one bed annex above – refused – insufficient information on impact on protected species
* 22 Riverside Green – loft conversion – refused – would create an unduly dominant and incongruous feature detracting from applicant’s property and those of the neighbours
8. To consider the planning application for affordable housing
8.1 A detailed application for the erection of 21 new affordable housing units comprising 2 one bed flats, 2 one bed houses, 4 two bed flats, 8 two bed houses, 3 three bed houses and 2 four bed houses adjacent to Hunter Close had been submitted.
8.2 Apart from a view that those houses bordering the main road should face the road rather than inwards and due attention being given to the need to encourage biodiversity, Councillors were pleased to support the application.
9. To consider any matters of concern raised at the Annual Assembly
9.1 The Clerk reported that those matters of concern raised at the Annual assembly which the Council could take further were in hand. Some discussion then ensued on the future format of the Assembly and the need to encourage more people to attend. The idea was muted that more meetings should be held during the year to encourage positive dialogue between Councillors and the public. Cllr Werrett would produce some ideas for further discussion at the next Parish Council meeting.
Action: Cllr Werrett
10. To receive the RFO’s Report and Budget Monitoring
10.1 The budget monitoring report showing income and expenditure to date had been circulated with the agenda. All noted that 33% of the budget had been spent to date. The report was noted.
11. Payment of Accounts
11.1 Proposed Cllr Bevan, Seconded Cllr Pidgeon, RESOLVED unanimously that the following accounts for May be approved for payment:
To For Net VAT Gross Chq
Mr P Storey Salary/expenses 648.05 648.05 1617
HMRC Tax/NIC 97.80 97.80 1618
BPC Shared costs 15.00 15.00 1619
Miles Stone Traffic rock 153.19 26.81 180.00 1620
Glasdon UK Ltd Bin fixings 62.08 10.86 72.94 1621
Mr Rebbeck Grounds maint 732.50 732.50 1622
Totals 1708.62 37.67 1746.29
12. To consider funding a gate to the Churchyard from 3 Fields
12.1 A stile had previously been in situ between 3 Fields and the rear entrance to the Churchyard but having fallen into a state of disrepair had been removed for safety reasons. Cllr Dyke proposed that a wrought iron gate be installed, similar to the gates at other entrances, to bring a degree of solemnity to the area. However, a counter proposal by Cllr Werrett, Seconded by Cllr Bevan with two abstentions RESOLVED that alternatives including kissing gates and stiles should be costed.
Action: Clerk
13. To consider the report on the Parish Plan update
13. Mrs Dawn Harrison’s draft update on the Parish Plan had been circulated before the meeting for Councillors to consider. Appreciation was extended to Mrs Harrison for the work she had put in to producing the draft. Cllr Fahy agreed to act as co-ordinating editor for the necessary amendments and collation of remaining detail following which Councillors would decide whether to adopt the update and follow through the remaining aims and wishes stated. It was thought appropriate to include a statistical analysis at the beginning showing the number of questionnaires returned and forming the basis of the report content together with information on the spread of replies to the questions asked.
Action: Cllr Fahy
14. To receive reports from Members on external meetings at which they had represented the Parish Council or attended in any other capacity
14.1 Cllrs Harwood and Werrett had attended a seminar on biodiversity and sources of funding for implementation together with a discussion on sites of importance for nature conservation (SINCs). The Cemetery was classified as a SINC and was one of 28 such sites within the Parish boundary Proper management of these sites would help the UK meet its biodiversity targets by protecting wildlife, species of birds and animals and grasslands. To this end, it was decided not to cut the grass in the unused part of the Cemetery as frequently as at present.
Action: Clerk to arrange
15. To receive Councillors’ reports, as appropriate, on actions taken on lead and other matters
15.1 As part of our contribution towards enhancing biodiversity, Cllr Harwood wished to see more trees planted in the triangular area at the bottom of Top Field and the Clerk would liaise with TVBC as the landowner.
Action: Clerk
15.2 Cllr Werrett expressed concern at the rate of weed growth in the stream and the risk of flooding. Whilst recognising the Environment Agency (EA) was responsible for maintaining the water flow, they only undertook a half cut in mid-year and a full cut in late Autumn and this was not proving sufficient. The Clerk would liaise with the EA over more frequent cutting or the possibility of self help in between EA’s cuts.
Action: Clerk
15.3 Cllr Werrett informed Members of the Wednesday Volunteer Group who provided volunteers suitably trained to undertake countryside maintenance work at no charge. He recommended Members research the Group’s website to see if they could be gainfully employed within the Parish.
Action: All
Cllr Bevan left the meting at this point
16. To receive the Clerk’s monthly report
16.1 The Clerk reported that Hampshire Highways were reviewing the drainage problems down Cow Drove Hill and along the Romsey Road with a view to reducing the risk of flooding and blocked drains.
17. To receive reports on the Parish recreational facilities and Cemetery
17.1 Cllr Pidgeon reported a badger hide in the Cemetery and that the Scouts had raised £210 at their recent car boot sale.
17.2 Cllr Harwood informed Members that the cricket score hut roof had been reinforced and that there had been a series of break-ins recently.
17.3 Cllr Lane informed Members that the Up Somborne annual fete and barn dance would take place on Saturday 12 June 2010.
18. Date, time and place of next meeting
18.1 The next meeting will be on Monday 5 July 2010 at 7.00pm in the Epworth Hall, King’s Somborne.
Action: All T
here being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.45pm