Parish Council
Parish Council minutes November 2010
KING’S SOMBORNE PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting
held in the Epworth Hall
commencing at 7.00pm on Monday 1 November 2010
Present: Cllr R Lane (Acting Chairman) Cllr R Bevan (Items 1 – 15) Cllr D Bidwell Cllr F Fahy Cll Pearson Cllr R Pidgeon Cllr D Room Cllr J Werrett
In Attendance: Mr P J Storey (Clerk to King’s Somborne Parish Council)
Public Session County Councillor Gibson confirmed that the grit bins had been ordered and he anticipated delivery soon. He also mentioned that the councillor devolved grant scheme was unlikely to be funded next year although the cuts ands savings measures required had yet to be finalised and were likely to be in the region of 8%. The wish for low noise road surfacing was repeated in view of this surface having been installed elsewhere but not on the A3057 and Cllr Pearson commented that it would be helpful if HCC were to adopt the system in use elsewhere whereby motorists were forewarned of an approaching lower speed limit. Such warnings on the Romsey Road at the entry points to the Village would be beneficial to all road users. PC Benton commented this would be his last appearance as he was being relocated and all present offered him a vote of thanks for his contribution to the safety of the area. He explained the structural changes being made in the Police which were necessary to meet the challenges of Force reductions and commented that King’s Somborne and its surrounds were relatively low crime areas. However, the recent thefts of copper wire from electricity sub-stations had caused concern and he passed on the Electricity Board’s wish that whenever a power cut occurred the fact be telephoned to the Board on 08000 727282 to enable remedial action to be taken and possibly catching the thieves in action. The Clerk would publicise this request in The Gauntlet.
Action: Clerk
Dr Rake, the Footpath Warden, introduced one of his successors, Mrs Alison Seymour, who with her husband and Mr David Haydon, would jointly assume the responsibilities of Footpath Wardens in January 2011.
1. Apologies for Absence
1.1 Cllrs Dyke and Harwood; Tree Warden and Village Correspondent
2. Chairman’s announcements and Councillors’ questions
2.1 Cllr Pearson reported damage to the fence at the rear of Braemar facing the recreation ground and the Clerk undertook to confirm ownership.
Action: Clerk
2.2 Cllr Fahy reported damage to the tarmac surface of the recreation ground road which the Clerk would follow up and also his attendance at the inaugural meeting of a group keen to set up a local University of the Third Age in the Stockbridge area.
Action: Clerk
3. To approve the Minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 4 October 2010
3.1 Proposed Cllr Pidgeon, Seconded Cllr Pearson RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 4 October 2010 be accepted as a true record.
4. To consider any Matters Arising from those Minutes
4.1 Para 4.1 Advice was being sought from TVBC on the erection of suitable netting to prevent damage to property or persons living in the new houses on the Old Somborne Garage site.
4.2 Para 15.1 The School had not raised any objection to the removal of the ’20 is plenty’ signs and the Clerk would liaise with HCC before any further action was taken.
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 but no further action was thought necessary.
7. To receive reports on planning applications considered and determined
7.1 The following responses had been made to recent planning applications received:
* Rosemary Cottage, Stockbridge Road – fell one Fir tree – no objection
* 6 Camp Field – fell one Lime tree – no objection
* Shappon, Romsey Road – remove branches from one Ash and fell one Leylandii – no objection
* Brook Lea, 1 Nutcher’s Drove – fell one Willow – no objection
* Horsebridge Farm – resubmission of previous application to convert buildings’ usage –no objection
* 9 Winchester Road – erection of garden store/workshop, doors and gates to drive – no objection
* Bourne Farm, Furzedown Road – renewal of planning permission to erect an office building with parking and associated works – objection expressed at increased large vehicle usage and noise on what is already a busy little road
* 4 Furzedown Cottages – single storey rear extension to replace existing conservatory – no objection
* 5 Old Fromans Farm – rear conservatory – no objection
* Lovells Farm, Up Somborne – extension to existing farmhouse, detached outbuilding, swimming pool and terrace and landscaping – no objection
7.2 The following decisions had been notified by Test Valley Borough Council:
* North Park Farm Barn – restoration – permitted
* Park Farm House– erection of carport and new access – withdrawn but internal alterations permitted although rear extension to form rear lobby and works to existing WC refused
* 4 Camp Field – fell one Lime – permitted
* Brook Farm House – alterations to redundant barn to form 5 holiday units – permitted
* The Triangle – fell three Conifers – permitted
* Woodmans Cottage, Winchester Road – increase replacement sunroom roof slope- permitted
8. To receive the RFO’s Report and Budget Monitoring
8.1 A budget monitoring report showing income and expenditure to date had been circulated with the agenda. All noted that 76% of the budget had been spent to date. The current bank balance stood at £23608.85. This was noted.
9. Payment of Accounts
9.1 Proposed Cllr Fahy, Seconded Cllr Bevan, RESOLVED unanimously that the following accounts for October be approved for payment:
To For Net VAT Gross Chq
Mr P Storey Salary/expenses 738.50 738.50 1654
BPC Shared costs 27.50 27.50 1655
HMRC Tax/NIC 222.89 222.89 1656
Smiths of Derby Clock service 171.00 29.93 200.93 1657
Mr M Rebbeck Grounds maint 456.00 456.00 1658
RBL Poppy Appeal 50.00 50.00 1659
Totals 1665.89 29.93 1695.82
10. To consider and, if appropriate, approve a grant to the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group
10.1 Proposed Cllr Bidwell, Seconded Cllr Bevan, RESOLVED unanimously that £50 be donated to the Farming and Wildlife Advisory Group as in past years.
11. To review reaction to the introduction of ‘Councillor Surgeries’
11.1 Councillors noted with disappointment the lack of reaction to the introduction of ‘Councillor Surgeries’ at which local people could meet their local councillors and discuss matters of mutual interest or concern. A more positive reaction was hoped for at the next surgery later this month after which, if necessary, other initiatives would be considered.
12. To determine meeting dates for 2011
12.1 Proposed Cllr Bevan, Seconded Cllr Pidgeon, RESOLVED unanimously that the following dates be approved for meetings in 2011: Monday 10 January, Monday 7 February; Monday 7 March; Monday 4 April; Thursday 7 April (Annual Assembly); Thursday 5 May (Local Council Elections); Monday 16 May (Annual General Meeting); Monday 6 June; Monday 4 July; no meeting in August; Monday 5 September; Monday 3 October; Monday 7 November; Monday 5 December (Annual Finance Meeting).
13. To consider a draft Village Design Statement
13.1 The Clerk tabled a draft Village Design Statement for discussion. However, Councillors saw no benefit in progressing the concept and questioned the need in the first place.
13.2 Proposed Cllr Bidwell, Seconded Cllr Pearson, RESOLVED unanimously not to proceed with a Village Design Statement.
14 To consider the School Travel Plan and a response
14.1 Cllr Bidwell tabled a draft reply to the School’s Travel Plan which was discussed in detail.
14.2 Proposed Cllr Lane, Seconded Cllr Bevan, RESOLVED unanimously that the Chairman be invited to sign the response to the School Travel Plan.
15. To review progress and printing of the update to the Parish Plan
15.1 Since few comments had been on the update to the Parish Plan, the Clerk would liaise with the Village Correspondent with a view to including it on the agenda for the Annual Assembly.
Action: Clerk 16. To receive Councillors’ reports
16.1 Cllr Fahy reported on the HALC AGM at which he had voted in favour of an 8% increase in fee (£20) and against a resolution that NALC approaches the appropriate minister with a view to seeking changes in that planning legislation which appeared to favour travellers. There was an interesting talk by HALC President, Professor Stoker, on community engagement and also from Alex Burn, Head of Older People’s Wellbeing at HCC. Mrs Burn was to be approached with a view to being the guest speaker at the Annual Assembly.
Action: Clerk
16.2 Cllr Fahy also reported that P A Hilton had accepted his proposal for a biodiversity project and would go ahead with the conversion of 400 sq metres of lawn behind their property at Horsebridge Mill into a wild flower meadow.
16.3 Cllr Pidgeon commented that one or more graves had sunk due to not being mounded and the Clerk would contact the relevant grave diggers.
Action: Clerk
16.4 Cllr Bidwell reported that the pre-school could start in the Village Hall in April 2011. An external shelter was required and the Parish Council could be approached for Grant Aid in due course.
17. To receive the Clerk’s monthly report
17.1 On behalf of Cllr Harwood, the Clerk reported that he had obtained the voluntary services of a local farmer to prepare the biodiversity area planned on land owned by the Council adjacent to The Gorrings and that he would mark out the proposed site in due course.
Action: Cllr Harwood
18. Date, time and place of next meeting
18.1 The next meeting will be the annual finance meeting on Monday 6 December 2010 at 7.00pm in the Epworth Hall, King’s Somborne.
Action: All
There being no further business, the Chairman closed the meeting at 9.30pm