Parish Council
Parish Council minutes June 2011
KING’S SOMBORNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held in the Epworth Hall
commencing at 7.00pm on Thursday 9 June 2011
Present: Cllr J Werrett (Chairman) Cllr D Bidwell Cllr A Brock Cllr R Curtis Cllr F Fahy Cllr R Harwood
In Attendance: Mr P J Storey (Clerk to King’s Somborne Parish Council)
Public Session Mrs D Harrison (Village Correspondent), Mr R Dyke (Open Spaces), PC Williams and two members of the public were present for part of the meeting. Mrs Harrison advised she would be interviewing on behalf of The Gauntlet those past councillors who were no longer serving. PC Williams gave a brief overview of crime in the area stating that the incidence was low with only one recent burglary and a few thefts of items from vehicles and of diesel having taken place. He also stated that the local police now had the ability to undertake vehicle speed checks and would be targeting hot spots and that there had only been one traffic incident in our area which had resulted in damage but no injury. Mr and Mrs Gillard expressed their concerns at the proposed redevelopment of the John O’Gaunt pub site emphasising that Horsebridge had a strong community spirit which was against the loss of the pub. They also sought to understand the planning procedure and were reassured by the Chairman who explained that as a result of this application our local systems and practices would be reviewed. Mrs Harrison confirmed the need to talk to people as part of the planning process and commented that the TVBC planning portal did not allow for expressions and comments on applications to be amended once the wording had been inserted and thought this should be reviewed. Representatives from the Horsebridge community would attend the forthcoming Southern Area Planning Committee meeting at which the pub application would be considered.
81. Apologies for Absence
81.1 Cllr Pearson and Borough Cllr Ward.
82. Chairman’s announcements and Councillors’ questions
82.1 The Chairman expressed the view that our procedures would benefit from having a councillor sponsor all new items tabled for discussion supported by a discussion paper to reduce the time spent on the item.
Action: All
82.2 He also confirmed the review of Standing Orders would commence at the July meeting and reminded all present that their e-mails and rough notes taken on matters relating to Parish Council business were in the public domain and should therefore be carefully worded and deleted if no longer required.
Action: All
83. To receive reports from the Tree, Footpath and Open Spaces Wardens and other volunteers
83.1 The only report received was from Mr Dyke on behalf of the Open Spaces Wardens containing a number of observations which would be addressed by the Clerk. Cllr Fahy confirmed that he and the Tree Warden had watered the new trees during the recent dry weather, one of which had died. Cllr Fahy confirmed the Footpath Wardens had been organising monthly walks and agreed to speak to them about providing a report or presence at future meetings.
Action: Cllr Fahy 84. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 16 May 2011
84.1 Proposed Cllr Bidwell, Seconded Cllr Harwood RESOLVED that with minor amendment the minutes of the meeting held on 16 May 2011 be accepted as a true record.
85. To consider any Matters Arising from those Minutes
85.1 Para 65.2 The Clerk confirmed notices had been posted advertising the vacancies for co-option onto the Council but no expressions of interest had been received as yet.
85.2 Para 76.1 Cllr Curtis reported he had been in contact with the School who had not received any approaches from Disability Awareness UK. As a result, Cllr Harwood proposed and Cllr Brock seconded RESOLVED that the request for grant aid from that organisation be rejected.
85.3 Para 79.2 Cllr Werrett reported that two persons had attended the councillor surgery held earlier in the evening. He thought these should continue but on a monthly basis in future and be for the hour preceding the Parish Council meeting. This was agreed and the next surgery would therefore be on Monday 4 July 2011 with Cllrs Fahy and Harwood in attendance.
Action: Cllrs Fahy and Harwood
85.4 Para 79.7 The Clerk had provided additional information on the Village Agent initiative and Mrs Sue Jackson had volunteered to undergo the necessary training. Cllr Bidwell expressed his reservations about the scheme as it could give rise to high expectations by those seeking help; he also queried the use of the term ‘Village’ and where the boundaries might lie. Cllr Harwood queried whether the Parish Council had any direct responsibilities under the scheme, which it did not, and the Clerk confirmed the wish by TVBC that the Council gave the initiative its support.
85.5 Proposed Cllr Curtis, Seconded Cllr Brock, RESOLVED with Cllr Harwood against that the Council gave its support to the Village Agent initiative.
86. Declarations of Interest
86.1 None declared.
87. Borough News
87.1 In his absence, the Clerk tabled a report submitted by Borough Cllr Ward which highlighted the proposal to re-site the bottle bank to New Lane and the drop-in surgeries by Caroline Nokes MP.
87.2 The report also highlighted the reduced mobile library service resulting from the need to reduce the overall number of stops from 1200 to 365. The planned stops in our area were now Church Road in King’s Somborne and Lovell’s Farm in Up Somborne. Councillors thought these insufficient given that Stockbridge with its fewer residents enjoyed more stops and drew attention to the hilly nature of our area which made it difficult for many to travel from their homes to the stop. Councillors wished the decision to be challenged.
Action: Clerk
88. To consider Correspondence Received and determine any action required
88.1 The Clerk drew Members’ attention to recent correspondence received which included a letter from Caroline Nokes MP drawing attention to her planned surgeries and a copy of Two Saints magazine with an invitation to support them financially; it was agreed not to take any further action on this. An e-mail message circulated on Communities Right to Build was noted but more information on the proposals was required before any meaningful comment could be made.Action: Clerk 88.2 It was agreed that publications received of general interest should be circulated with a request that they be passed quickly to the next on the list.
Action: All
89. To receive reports on planning applications considered and determined
89.1 The following responses had been made to recent planning applications received: * Horsebridge House, Horsebridge Road – various internal renovations – no objection
* 1 Redhill Cottages- removal of time restriction relating to demolition and new build – objection as no substantial reason given by applicant
* John O’Gaunt pub – change of use – no objection but a recommendation that the application went before the Southern Area Planning Committee (Cllrs noted that local representatives from Horsebridge would attend and speak at that committee meeting but after further debate it was agreed that no formal representation would be provided by the Parish Council)
* Yew Tree Cottager, Up Somborne Lane – replace glazed conservatory roof with slate – no objection
89.2 The following decisions had been notified by Test Valley Borough Council:
* Goosehill, Stockbridge – fell one Conifer – permitted
* Hoplands estate office – single storey extension – permitted
* Lovells Farm House, Up Somborne – alterations and extensions – permitted
90. To receive the RFO’s Report and Budget Monitoring
90.1 The Clerk briefed on the monthly direct debit reduction from £15 to £5 to Southern Electric for power consumed by the Church clock.
90.2 A budget monitoring report showing income and expenditure to date had been circulated with the agenda. This was noted.
91. Payment of Accounts
91.1 Proposed Cllr Fahy, Seconded Cllr Harwood, RESOLVED unanimously that the following accounts for May be approved for payment:
To For Net VAT Gross Chq
Mr P Storey Salary/expenses 783.59 783.59 1699
BPC Shared costs 22.50 22.50 1700
HMRC Tax/NIC 240.91 240.91 1701
NALC Subscription 15.50 15.50 1702
Kings Somborne VH N’Watch hire charge 7.50 7.50 1703
Mrs J Weeks Assembly teas 40.00 40.00 1704
Mr M Rebbeck Grounds maint 619.25 619.25 1705
Totals 1729.25 1729.25
92. To receive Councillors’ reports
92.1 Cllr Brock reported that the Neighbourhood Watch committee would be electing its new chairman at its next meeting.
92.2 Cllr Curtis commented that the School was developing an eco-garden in its grounds and Cllr Harwood expressed an interest in its development and commented that there might be grant funds available to help off-set the costs.
92.3 Cllr Bidwell reminded councillors that the original plan for the renovation of the Village Hall included a new path from the School to the Hall across the John O’Gaunt field and that owned by the Parish Council. No further action had been taken, other than an exploratory dig on behalf of English Heritage who owned part of the route to establish if any remains of interest were buried there, pending sight of the School Travel Plan in which support for the path had been anticipated. No such support clearly existed in the Plan and Cllr Curtis undertook to follow this up.
Action: Cllr Curtis
93. To consider the installation of a community notice board outside Cross Stores
93.1 Cllr Fahy tabled a paper recommending the installation of a new community notice board outside Cross Stores which he would maintain. The proprietor had no objection and an estimated cost of £600 was noted.
93.2 Proposed Cllr Fahy, Seconded Cllr Curtis RESOLVED to support in principle the erection of a new community notice board outside Cross Stores subject to further information on costs and design being provided by Cllr Fahy.
Action: Cllr Fahy
94. To review future meeting dates and locations
94.1 With the reduced number of councillors and increased difficulty in getting a quorum, it was thought timely to review the meeting days, times and location. However, discussion eventually resulted in maintaining the status quo subject to any co-opted councillors making it easier to become quorate on another weekday. Councillors also saw no need to change the meeting venue for the time being.
95. To receive the Clerk’s monthly report
95.1 The Clerk confirmed that there would be a formal opening ceremony for the new pavilion in the Village Hall on Saturday 16 July and that the recreation ground was booked for the Horticultural Show on Saturday 23 July 2011. 95.2 Only one response had been received to the suggested names for the new houses on the site of the old Somborne garage and it was agreed that the comments submitted should be forwarded for consideration.
Action: Clerk
95.3 Weed spraying of the 3 Fields had been delayed firstly by the difficulty in finding a contractor willing to undertake the task and then by the adverse weather.
95.4 The TVBC Housing Development Officer had given notice of her intention to hold an event in October to engage and inform people how to register their interest in affordable housing schemes. This was thought particularly relevant to King’s Somborne with the completion of the Eldon Road development scheduled for February 2012.
96. Date, time and place of next meeting
96.1 The next meeting will be on Monday 4 July 2011 at 7.00pm in the Epworth Hall, King’s Somborne to be preceded by a Councillors’ Surgery at 6.00pm.
Action: All
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.25pm