HIGHCLERE PARISH COUNCIL

SUMMARY of Minutes of a meeting held at Highclere Village Hall on Monday 18 February 2002

Present

Councillor T Farmer (acting as Chairman)

Councillor I Davidson

Councillor J Pearson

Councillor R East

Apologies for absence

Councillor Mrs S Roberts

13/02 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETINGS

The minutes of the Council meeting held 8 January 2002 and planning meeting held 23 January 2002 having been circulated were taken as read, agreed by all, and signed by the Chairman, Councillor T Farmer.

14/02 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES

There were no matters arising from the minutes

15/02 CORRESPONDENCE

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

• INFORMATION ON GRANTS

BDBC Consultation paper for Play Scheme Grant Fund

BDBC "New Initiatives for young people" grant

BDBC "Community well-being" grant

• BDBC Landscape assessment reports
• CPRE offer of support to address meetings, and leaflet giving advice on responding to planning applications
• BDBC publication of local plan strategy paper, briefing for parishes 11 February
• Email from HCC Highways, Steve Goodall informing the Council that contractors will try cleaning graffiti from the bridge in the Drove
• HCC notice advising Parish Councils of their responsibility for bus shelters
• BDBC invitation to mayor's reception 11 March
• HAPTC comment on Chapter 9 (financial matters) of Local Government white paper "Strong Local Leadership-Quality Public Services"
• HCC Notification of closure of footpath five

16/02 TO CONSIDER THE FOLLOWING PLANNING APPLICATION

BDB52435 Foxgloves, The Mount, Highclere, Erection of a conservatory to the rear of the property

NO OBJECTION

17/02 OTHER PLANNING MATTERS

The following correspondence items have been received:

• BDBC Development Control participation scheme

• BDBC Notice of ongoing investigation into enclosure of agricultural land

Notice of withdrawal of appeal against planning refusal:

• BDB 49342 Land at Highclere Garage (Fawcett)

Erection of 13 houses, B1 accommodation and open space.

The following notices of Refusal are received:

• BDB 51367 Highgates, Highclere Park change of use of farm buildings to commercial use
• BDB51994/5 Zell house Farm, Hollington Cross change of use of farm buildings to ancillary living accommodation
• BDB52003 Land at Wilsdon, Tubbs Lane Erection of bungalow and double garage

The following notices of approval/successful appeal are received

• BDB51184 Falkland Farm, Wash Water, Certificate of Lawfulness, Use of land between Old Mill House and Falkland Farm House for storing caravans etc
• BDB51631/2 Old Beer House, Penwood Erection of new garage block with ancillary accommodation above
• BDB51861 Halfacre, Tubbs Lane Relief from condition 9. BDB 49293 to allow a bathroom window in the southern elevation.
• BDB52142 1 Highclere Street Erection of a single storey extension to form living room and study

· EC/130/01 Oakley Farm Caravan site Appeal against enforcement notice to prevent residential accommodation for people working in the locality.

18/02 REPORTS FROM MEETINGS ATTENDED:

· Community Safety workshop 17 January

Councillor East attended this workshop, which he found most useful and informative. The only disappointment was that no members of Youth groups or neighbourhood watch committees had attended. A further workshop specifically for youth groups is planned.

At the meeting problems were highlighted and a strategy for community safety set out.

· Quality Parish Councils consultation workshop 28 January

Councillor Pearson attended this workshop, which was well attended. There was a lot of criticism of the proposals and a joint reply from the Borough Council together with the Parish Councils was formulated. Councillor Pearson criticised the idea that "quality" status shall be assessed by the auditor, but there was no reference to BSI standard (formerly 5750 now 9001) It was noted that HAPTC has also responded to the consultation document and the Councillors present felt both responses covered all areas of concern. Councillors agreed that they had no further comment to add.

· Local Plan Strategy 11 February (SR)

Councillor Mrs Roberts has attended this meeting but was not present to give a report.

19/02 PENWOOD VILLAGE HALL LEASE

A letter has been received from the solicitor recommending further changes to the terms of the lease. He has also indicated acceptance of some terms amended by BDBC.

Councillors felt that an additional clause should be included to state that the lease would be varied in the event of a beneficial policy change by BDBC.

The clerk has queried an ambiguous clause that states that the lessee shall not be a member of the management committee, and the solicitor has agreed that this needs clarifying.

It has been confirmed that the village hall will be entitled to a grant giving a 95% subsidy, but no advice given as to how the subsidy may be claimed. There was concern that the full rent will first be required until BDBC raise a cheque by way of grant for the 95% subsidy. Councillors felt that the subsidy should be in place before the lease was signed, and agreed with the Chairman of Penwood village hall that they should continue to be guided by the solicitor's advice.

20/02 YOUTH FACILITIES with an aim to reducing vandalism UPDATE

The group set up to discuss these matters has not yet had a further meeting, but Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council, which owns the land at the rear of Woodlands, Penwood, has contacted the Parish Council. It intends to utilise funds that have become available, to clear scrubland to either side of the electricity cable. The Penwood community will benefit from the cleared open space, which will later be fenced off, and the work must be done before the bird-nesting season. If the money is not spent before the end of March it will be lost.

The Parish Council consulted with other members of the group and considered their responses. After some discussion it was agreed that there was no objection to clearing the land on which currently rubbish is dumped.

Councillors however determined that any proposal to locate youth facilities (e.g. youth shelter) must involve full consultation with residents, and no facilities will be put in place anywhere without this consultation. Councillors asked the clerk to write and reassure Penwood residents in the locality of this land.

21/02 QUEENS GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS, FUNDING

The Clerk gave a progress report of the Queens Golden Jubilee celebrations, planned for the Parish between 1 June and 3 June, for which a lottery grant has been applied to part-fund the event.

Councillor Farmer proposed that the Parish Council provide up to £1500 towards the costs.

This was unanimously approved.

22/02 INCREASE IN NUMBER OF COUNCILLORS

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has now confirmed that this matter will be presented for approval to the cabinet unless the Parish Council wishes it to be removed.

Five parishioners have expressed an interest in becoming Councillors.

There was discussion and it was agreed that the proposal to increase the number of Councillors to eight was still supported, and the Clerk was asked to convey this information to electoral services.

23/02 ADOPTING THE NEW CODE OF CONDUCT

Recommendation from the Chief executive to all Parish Councils is for the new code of conduct to be considered and put into place before the elections of new Councillors in May.

Councillors agreed that the next Parish Council meeting on 12 March should be dedicated to accepting the new Code of conduct.

24/02 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

These were submitted by the Clerk and approved.

25/02 COUNCILLOR'S QUESTIONS

Overhanging trees beyond the milking bridge were becoming dangerous as some branches have come down in recent gales. As this was actually in East Woodhay it would be drawn to the attention of East Woodhay Parish Council.

Recent fly tipping at Woodlands and Heathlands is a problem. Children have used the rubbish to make dens. In addition a large tree at the entrance to Woodlands has had structures nailed to it to form unsightly dens.

There was discussion and the Clerk was instructed to write to all the agencies involved including Oakfern Housing.

The Clerk was also asked to chase the removal of the diseased beach reported earlier in the year.

The meeting was told that some children have been using envelopes purporting to be for church funds, to collect money from older residents. This has been reported this to Rev Tim Horsington.

The Clerk was asked to draw the attention of the developers to the untidy verge outside Halfacre

AS THERE WAS NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING WAS ADJOURNED

The next Full Council Meeting will be held on Tuesday 12 March 2002

Planning Meetings will be called when necessary