HIGHCLERE PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a meeting held at Highclere Village Hall on Tuesday 12 June 2001

 

Present

Councillor Mrs S Roberts Chairman

Councillor I Davidson

Councillor J Pearson

Councillor R East

 

Apologies for absence

Councillor T Farmer

 

Also Present

Borough Councillor Patrick Hedgeland, Mr D Evans

 

84/01 ACCEPTANCE OF OFFICE BY CO-OPTED COUNCILLOR

The Chairman Mrs S Roberts welcomed Ray East who had been co-opted at the Annual General Assembly and invited him to sign the register of Acceptance of Office.  This was duly done and subscribed by the clerk

 

85/01 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING

Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on 22 May 2001, having been circulated were taken as read, agreed by the Councillors, and signed by the Chairman.

 

86/01 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES

(a)    Work has begun on the traffic calming works

(b)   The Chairman expressed concern about grant applications put forward to the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane.  After acknowledgement that an application is in the system, there is no further advice as to whether a grant is likely or if funds are still available.  The Parish Council was informed that an application for funding for a bus shelter at Penwood, if not successful in year end April 2001, would be put forward for this present year from the BEST (Transport) budget.  The Clerk has chased this progress and it transpires that no funds are available from this source.  Tripartite funding for traffic calming failed under similar circumstances. Progress on a lighting grant is currently being chased by the clerk, and there has been no further news on the footway grant application although information was promised for April.  The Chairman has asked the Clerk to write to the Chief Executive at Basingstoke and Deane and express the Council's concern.

(c)    The Clerk has contacted the planning enforcement officer who has agreed to look into the matter of the close-boarded fence at Byeways.

(d)   Only two groups so far have responded regarding "Golden Jubilee" celebrations.  The Chairman asked for this to be placed on the September agenda.

 

87/01 CORRESPONDENCE

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

1.      Letter from Ashford Hill P.C. seeking advice on a village design statement. 

2.      BDBC info on extension of Village Design Statement grant aid

3.      Change of name:  The Garage (Fawcetts) to The Fire House

4.      BDBC Comments on planning applications

This was in response to criticism that Parish Councils' comments on planning applications were not given sufficient consideration, and sought to reassure Parishes

5.      BDBC Big Wheel event update (sponsored bike ride). Information has been placed on notice boards

6.      The mayor's charity appeal, and event to be held at the Anvil 28 June. Information has been placed on the Penwood notice board

7.      Notice of intent to apply for Full Transfer of Justices license for the "Yew Tree" (not copied to Councillors)

8.      HAPTC mail 42/01 Training event for Councillors:  Planning Master Class,        28 July

The Chairman said she would like to attend this event.

9.      HAPTC Mail 43/01 rescheduling Clerks' day conference from March to 20 September

10.  HAPTC Mail 44/01 Statements from Government re School Governing Bodies; Non-Domestic Rating village shop and former agricultural premises rate relief; Affordable housing in rural areas

11.  HAPTC Mail 45/01 Training Event for Councillors:  Making Meetings work,    26 September

12.  HAPTC Mail 46/01 Training Event for Councillors and Clerks: Internet Awareness, 26 October

13.  HAPTC Mail 47/01 Increase in Clerks salary

14.  Voluntary Services Awards for all seminar in Southampton 7 July

15.  BDBC Copy of letter to G Russell re Section 106 monies

The bid from Penwood Village Hall has been unsuccessful.  Councillors expressed concern that the small amount of monies required to cover the radiators was not granted.  The Clerk was asked to write for an explanation in order for Councillors to fully understand the process for the future.  

16.  BDBC Copy of letter to Ian Briggs re Section 106 monies

The bid from Highclere Village Hall has been successful           

17.  Email from Parishioner requesting house grid references for emergency services

Councillor Ian Davidson has discovered a website which will give the OS grid reference of properties.  The grid reference of three properties was established and Councillor Ray East agreed to test this with a contact within the fire brigade.  All properties could then be identified via the electoral role or website www.192.com and given a grid reference.  The Chairman felt that an enquiry should first be made to the emergency services to check if they were currently working on a similar scheme, and if not, whether this information would be useful.

It was agreed that this should be on the agenda for the July meeting.

                         

88/01 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The following planning applications were received and considered.

 

BDB50605 Cherry Tree Cottage, Andover Road, Highclere, Erection of a dwelling

OBJECTION ON THE FOLLOWING GROUNDS:

The planned building is too large for this plot and will dominate the small houses to the front.  Backfill development here is undesirable.

At the recommendation of HAPTC the Parish Council acknowledges that it is the Custodian Trustee of Highclere Village Hall, the adjacent property

BDB 50693 10 Four Oaks, Highclere, Single Storey Side Extension

NO OBJECTION

BDB50621 Roundabout junction, A34 A339 Burghclere, Monopole and Antenna

This was for information only as outside our area.

Councillors however asked the Clerk to pass comment to BDBC that wherever possible existing phone masts should be shared by all phone companies, avoiding the need to erect a proliferation of new poles.

 

89/01 NOTICE OF PLANNING APPROVALS

BDB 50121 Sheridan House, Penwood, Extension and pitched porch roof

BDB 50144 Tot Hill Service Station, Erection of toilet block

BDB 50149 10 Penwood Road, Wash Water, Extension, double garage, and  pitched roof with dormer windows over existing garage

BDB 50151 Zell House Farm, Hollington Cross, Replacement of dormer window and repair 2 windows

 

90/01 REPORTS FROM MEETINGS ATTENDED

Youth facilities meeting held at Penwood 24 May

The meeting was attended by:

Mr Steven Bryer,  Leisure Services, the Borough of Basingstoke and Deane

Mr Colin Poynter,  Youth Services, and Linda Budkeiwicz,  Rural Youth Worker, Hampshire County Council.

Mr Patrick Hedgeland, Borough Councillor

Mr Jonathan Gates, Hampshire Constabulary Crime Reduction Liaison Officer

Mr Ray East, Penwood Residents Group and Vice-Chairman Penwood Village Hall

Councillor Jim Pearson attended this meeting, which had been recommended by Jon Gates, at which 12-17 year olds where asked what facilities they felt were required in the area.  Only five youths presented their ideas, which included skateboard ramp, route with bumps for mountain bikes, and a weekly youth club.  The need for "somewhere for youths to hang out" was recognised and a youth shelter was seen as a solution that could stop youths meeting and sheltering around the swings and slide in the recreation ground.

Mr Steven Bryer of Basingstoke and Deane was looking at the possibility of using section 106 monies to provide a shelter, but the location was yet to be determined.

It was recognised that professional leadership was needed, and Colin Poynter felt that Hampshire County Council might provide monies for the services of a youth leader.

Councillor Ray East in the capacity of Vice Chairman of Penwood Village Hall has also been requested by 9-13 year olds to form a club for that age group. 

All present at that meeting visited the spare land behind the Spar Shop, which totals 50 Acres. Witnessing the activity local residents have expressed concern about future use of this land although none has been planned.  The Chairman requested that Councillors Jim Pearson and Ray East put together notes from the meeting to circulate to attendees, and invite progress reports.  The subject will be placed on the July agenda to be taken forward by the Council.  A plan of action can then be formulated which will involve consultation with residents.

Revd. Tim Horsington is interested in assisting a youth club project, and Councillor Ray East will make contact with him. 

Clerks' Parish Liaison Meeting 6 June

The Clerk reported that the meeting had been very informative.  Onyx, the new contractor for litter had informed the meeting that in future collections would not be rescheduled over a Bank Holiday, but would be as normal.  Cardboard could now be bundled and left at the side of the wheelie bin.  In most areas (not Highclere) a larger recycling bin will replace the piggy-back bin for the present recyclables plus cardboard.

The timetable for the local development plan was also given at the meeting.  The public consultation period will begin with road shows from the 9th July, one of which will be held at Clere School (Wednesday 18 July 1715-2100) There will be a more detailed public exhibition at the Anvil on Saturday 1 September where questions can be put to planning officers regarding smaller sites, and to developers regarding the larger sites.

Penwood Recycling bins meeting 11 June attended by Loretta Emery and Bob Brooks, Environmental Strategy BDBC

Councillor Jim Pearson reported that the clear glass bin has been replaced with a newer design with lockable brake and lid, and two new bins for plastics and newspaper waste will be delivered soon.  The general waste bin was overflowing and it was suggested by Loretta that a second one was required.  This could have a lock for use only by the village hall and the litter warden.

 Councillor Pearson was advised that it was not possible to move the bins to the opposite side of the car park as they would be too close to houses, and that there was not another suitable location in Penwood.  It would be expensive to create a concrete pad within the grassy area to accommodate the bins, but the bins would have less impact if turned around to face away from the car park.  Both officers conceded that the area merited a twice-weekly collection and should be swept regularly.  The officers offered to put these improvements in place and monitor the situation.  The Chairman suggested that Parish Councillors review the situation in September and the matter be an item on the agenda for discussion at the September meeting.

Councillor Ray East commented that fly tipping of large items was a problem in the area, even though a housing association leaflet gave details on how to contact BDBC to clear away such items.  Some residents had made complaints to him.  The Chairman suggested that Ray East, as representative of the residents 'association, request Blanche Miles of BDBC to send out a further advice to Woodlands and Heathlands, and recommended that he advises residents aggrieved by neighbour's actions to contact Blanche Miles directly as such an approach would be treated in confidence.  

 

91/01 UPDATES

Penwood Village Hall Lease

Anne Carney of CAH has kindly passed critical and constructive comment on the proposed lease, and all Councillors were supplied with a copy.  As her reply makes no further mention of contacting the Acre Solicitor and June Balcombe on this matter the Clerk has written back for clarification and the item will be placed on the July agenda.

Grant Application for Penwood Lighting

Basingstoke and Deane have now requested a costing for this project and have indicated that it is about to be approved.

Closed Countryside Paths

Hampshire County Council has advised that all paths are now opened from 9 June and they have requested the assistance of the Parish Councils in removing "Closed" signs. 

It was agreed that members would first remove signs that they had affixed, and then any other signs they observed.  The Clerk requested that a record was kept of removed signs in order that she might inform Hampshire County Council of action taken, in case of complaint by a landowner.  Councillor Davidson reported that most paths were now overgrown.  The Chairman wondered if those landowners who kept their paths cut down could be recruited on to a footpaths committee as part of the Hampshire Paths Partnership.  Councillor Davidson felt it more appropriate to recruit dog walkers

Tree Survey

Mr Peter Bigby, who is organising the tree and hedgerow survey has been successful in obtaining a Local Heritage Grant towards the project.

 

92/01 ADMINISTRATION PROCEEDURES

The Chairman reminded Councillors that no independent action could be taken by any Councillor(s), unless the matter had been discussed in Council, agreed by a majority, and minuted.  She also emphasised the role of the Clerk, who was responsible for all administration.  Councillors were supplied with a NALC article detailing the position and status of the Clerk.

 

93/01 NOTIFICATION OF FUTURE MEETINGS

Local Plan Review 5 July

Councillor Ian Davidson hopes to be able to attend this meeting, but if unable the Clerk will attend in his absence.

 

94/01 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

The following accounts were approved for payment:

D Steggall, Basingstoke and Deane, HAPTC, C Corrall

W Bendle,  P Clarke,

 

95/01 COUNCILLOR'S QUESTIONS

There were no Councillors' questions, but in an adjournment the Councillors were invited by Borough Councillor Patrick Hedgeland to keep him informed of all grant applications.  He also agreed to look into the current difficulties, and his assistance was welcomed.

 

 

 

There being no further business the meeting was brought to a close

 

The next meeting will be held on Tuesday 10 July