HIGHCLERE PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Council Meeting held at Highclere Village Hall on Tuesday 10 June 2003 commencing at 7.35pm.

 

Present:

Councillor J Pearson – Chairman

Councillor R East

Councillor F Somerset

Councillor R Drew

Councillor D Langan

Councillor T Farmer

 

Apologies:

Borough Councillor T Jardine

Councillor A Hosie

 

90/03 To approve the minutes of the Council meeting held on May 13th

The minutes of the meeting held on May 13th 2003, having been circulated, were taken as read, agreed by all, and signed by the Chairman.

 

91/03 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

There were no matters arising.

 

92/03 BOROUGH COUNCILLOR'S REPORT

Borough Councillor Tim Jardine apologised for not being able to attend the meeting but sent the following report, read by the Parish Clerk:

1. Flexibus – I attended a joint presentation between HCC and BDBC at the Clere School on Thursday last about the new flexibus service to be launched on 18th August. Luckily Ray East also attended and he should be able to fill you in on the details.  I’m pushing for the bus service to be included as part of the Safer Journeys to School Project.  I’d like to see mothers from Heathlands, Woodlands and Penwood Heights using the flexibus to get to Woolton Hill rather than crossing the main road.

2. Ray highlighted the problem of verge cutting along the Andover Road at that very crossing.  With all the excitement of the weekend I haven’t had a chance to chase it up, but I will contact HCC tomorrow.  During periods of high rainfall it’s important that the grass is cut more than once a season because of the increase in growth.

3. I have received a letter from June Balcombe of Community Services BDBC regarding £14,250 to be made available for community facilities.  The money will come from section 106 funds relating to the development of the Fawcett’s site. Appropriate suggestions should be put forward  before 18th July. 

4. Partrick Hedgeland and I spoke at Development Control on 4th June regarding the Fawcett’s development.  The plan for housing plus an office was granted.  We did ask for consideration of moving the office back from the road.  However, since there were only minor alterations to the existing outline planning permission, the application was granted as is. We had more success with the alternative office application.  This was turned down largely because it was contrary to the VDS.

 

 

 

93/03 CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence has been received and relevant information copied to Councillors.

1.      The Good Councillor’s Guide.  One copy received, we can order more if needed.

2.      Insurance Policies for Smaller Parish Councils.  We have sent our details to HAPTC.

3.      Changes to Ordnance Survey Explorer maps – Countryside And Rights of Way Act 2000. Cllr Langan has a large map of the area and will bring it to the next Council meeting.

4.      Countryside Agency has embargoed grants for parish/town plans.  This embargo will be at least until June 2003.

5.      Governance &  Accountability in Local Councils  - A (new) Practitioners’ Guide.  The Council decided to purchase a copy.

6.      New car allowances effective 1/4/03

7.      New S.137 (Free Resource) limit from 1/4/03.  This has been increased from £3.50 to £5.00 per elector on the electoral register per year. The ceiling should be up rated by Government in line with inflation each year.

8.      Elections 2004.  This was regarding combining elections in the hope that there would be a greater turnout.  A discussion took place but this does not effect us as we have no local elections next year.

9.      Fund–raising events for BDBC Mayor’s charity.

10. Newbury Vision 2025.  Newbury Council were offering parish councils an opportunity to receive a presentation and ask questions on the Vision on Monday 16th June.  Councillors Pearson, Langan and Drew would attend.

11. Planning, Environment & Transport Quarterly Bulletin.  These were handed out to interested parties.

12. Economic Development Office – First for Business.  Leaflets were distributed to those who were interested.

13. Section 106 funds available for community facilities from Highclere Garage Development - £14,250.  Councillors expressed concern at the amount, as it was such a small amount it would not go very far on community facilities.  The Council also felt that all the money from this development should be spent in Highclere since Highclere residents do not use facilities in Tadley.  Parish Clerk to write.

14. Community Health Council – Local Health Forum Kingsclere 11//6/03.  No comment.

15. B&D Rural Housing Needs – parish survey reports. This was a survey carried out last year by BDBC.  It would be useful information for Councillors Langan and Drew  towards the Parish Plan.

16. BDB/55441 Copper Beach, Tubbs Lane – delayed to Friday 13/06/03.  No Councillor was available to attend.

17. Mount View, Tubbs Lane, objection (also sent to BDBC), by Mrs Flack to the pulling down of the hedge and the damage it might do. No comment.

18. Post Election Register of Interests.  No comment.

19. Nomination for the Parish Representative vacancy.  No interest.

20. Horsey Lightly Fynn – Solicitors.  Notice of Application for Transfer of the Justices Licence in respect of the Yew Tree Inn.  Parish Clerk to acknowledge receipt.

21. Three objections to Alma Farm proposals plus two people had viewed plans at Parish Clerk’s house.  The Council still felt their original comments stood that overall it would add to the village as long as there were no lights over the manege, although concern was expressed about their overall intentions.

 

94/03 COUNCILLOR VACANCY

The notice had been posted on all three notice boards, the deadline was the 11/06/03.  One nomination had been received from Mr Russ Castle. To be invited for cooption at next meeting.

 

95/03 UPDATE ON PROVISION OF OPEN SPACE AT PENWOOD

The go ahead had been given to Ian Harris to bury the cables.  This should begin w/c 9th June.

 

96/03 UPDATE ON STATUS RELATING TO TRAFFIC STRATEGY

The Council viewed the proposed extra road calming measures to be taken and were in agreement with them.  Parish Clerk to confirm this to Environment Department.  At the Council meeting in April the Council had made additional proposals which they hoped would be carried out when the next stage of traffic calming had been completed.  Parish Clerk to pass these on again to Environment Department.

 

97/03 UPDATE ON ACTIONS RELATING TO PARISH PLAN

Councillor Langan had had a meeting with Patrick Hedgeland outlining how to go about this task.  The first step was to form a committee with 3 or 4 parishioners on it as well as Councillors’ Langan and Drew.  Parish Clerk to get a copy of the Parish Survey carried out by the Highclere Parish society several years ago.  The last Parish Census taken would also be a good source for information. Councillors Langan and Drew will seek the views of groups that use both the village halls.

The Council expressed concern that there must be many other Parishes doing a Village Plan and were surprised that there was no monies left for this at the present time. 

Kingsclere have spent some time on their Village Plan and feel that initially the cost should not be that great.  It is near the end when the printing and pamphlets are needed that the money will also be needed.

 

98/03 UPDATE ON VODAFONE SUMMER PARTY

The Council felt that 1.30am for the music to stop was rather late and were worried about the noise level.  Parish Clerk to write to Highclere Castle to check what controls they have in place for the noise level.

 

99/03 PENWOOD CROSSROAD (GRASS CUTTING)

The Council were concerned about the danger at Penwood crossroads when the grass had not been cut.  This is a dangerous crossing already, without the added disadvantage of the site line disappearing because of long grass.  The Parish Clerk would write to Highways to ask them to cut the grass every 4 –6 weeks in the growing season.  It was also mentioned that the grass was too long by Curridge Garage, this would also be passed to Highways by the Parish Clerk. Encroachment of hedges on to the road was discussed, especially along some parts of the Andover Road, the worst part seemed to be by the Red House going south.

 

100/03 BONFIRES, LEGAL STATUS

There appear to be no laws relating to bonfires, you just have to ask speak to your neighbours.

 

101/03 UPDATE ON SITUATION RELATING TO RECYCLING BINS AT

HEATHLANDS

There had been a petition going round at Heathlands opposing the siting of the bins by the Spar Shop.  The Spar Shop owners were not happy with them there as the children were taking the milk crates to stand on to climb on top of the bins and jump up and down and damage them.  The lock had now been broken on the bins causing the glass to fall out. One parishioner had written complaining as he had gone up with his rubbish and found the bins removed from the car park by Penwood village hall.  Notices had been posted round the village for some time before their removal advising people where they would then be placed.  Parish Clerk would reply to parishioner.

 

102/03 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

The following accounts were passed for payment.  W Bendle £112.20, C Corrall £112.20, D Mitchell £478.00, P. East £11.86, HAPTC £3.00, HAPTC £70.00.

 

103/03 COUNCILLORS’ MATTERS ARISING TO BE INCLUDED FOR THE NEXT AGENDA

Councillor East would like the bus service ‘Cango’ included in next month’s agenda.  He would like us to participate in a meeting at Penwood village hall with Burghclere and East Woodhay parishioners.  He had already spoken to Burghclere.  Parish Clerk to contact East Woodhay to see if they are interested in joining us.

 

Councillor Langan would like water on the table in future as our meetings are so long.  Parish Clerk to arrange.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There being no other business, the meeting was closed at 10.15pm.

 

The next full Council meeting will be on Tuesday 15th July 2003 in Highclere Village Hall Jubilee Room at 7.30pm. 

 

Planning committee meetings will be held as and when necessary.