Councillor Tom Farmer nominated Mrs Sue Roberts and this was seconded by Councillor Ian Davidson and supported by Councillor Jim Pearson. Mrs Sue Roberts accepted the position and thanked everyone for their support and hard work during the previous year.

The Clerk stated that she was willing to remain as responsible financial officer, and Councillor Jim Pearson agreed that he was happy to undertake the internal audits. The Chairman proposed that the Clerk and Councillor Jim Pearson therefore continue in these roles, and this was unanimously approved

Councillor Ian Davidson agreed to be responsible for future footpath projects liaising with The Hampshire Paths Partnership. Councillor Tom Farmer agreed to give assistance with technical details. Councillor Ian Davidson also undertook responsibility for traffic matters, and to attend Highclere Village Hall steering committee meetings. Councillor Mrs Sue Roberts again undertook environmental and planning matters, and Councillor Jim Pearson again accepted to attend Penwood Village Hall meetings.

73/01 MINUTES OF ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY HELD ON 9^th APRIL

The minutes, having been circulated were taken as read, agreed by the Councillors and signed by the Chairman

The minutes, having been circulated were taken as read, agreed by the Councillors, and signed by the Chairman.

1. Minutes of a meeting of Penwood Village Hall management committee had been supplied to the Council. It was noted that they had applied for a grant from BDBC for use of section 106 monies to provide radiator covers
2. No further progress had been made on a "logo Competiton"

1. HAPTC 31-01 advance notice of AGM 13 October and invitation to submit agenda items/resolutions by 20 July 2001

Councillors were requested to advise the Clerk of any item to be submitted

2. HAPTC 33-01 Consultation on school governing bodies: Confirmation that the government is not planning to remove the right of parish councils to nominate a school governor to primary schools in their area.
3. HAPTC 34-01 Rate relief for village shops and former agricultural premises
4. HAPTC 35-01 RE: access to a barrister through an HAPTC referral
5. 37-01 Legal Seminar 27 June 2001 for Council Chairmen

The closing date for application is 13 June and the Chairman hopes to be able to attend.

6. HCC revised bus service (Thursday 125 not now through Penwood)
7. Letter from DR Gribble enquiring about Parish plans for the Queen's Golden Jubilee.

Councillor Tom Farmer suggested a photograph of the whole village taken in front of Highclere Castle. It was also suggested that the Logo competition form part of any proceedings. There was further discussion and it was agreed that the best way forward was for the Clerk to first approach all Parish groups and organisations for their ideas

8. North Wessex Downs Landscape Character Assesment: Scoping report, together with BDBC's proposed response
9. HCC Youth Services leaflet passed to Jim for meeting at Penwood
10. BDBC Big Wheel event (sponsored bike ride). Information has been placed on notice boards
11. Email response from Steve Goodall re Road outside "Woodside"
12. Correspondence from HCC re advertising signs on verges for new developments
13. Leisure services action plan, Leisure guide, and leisure events leaflets from BDBC.

NO OBJECTION

OBJECTION for the following reasons:

There has been a forge operating since 1826 and this would be development outside the settlement policy boundary

OBJECTION for the following reasons:

Although reduced in depth from an earlier application this extension is still considered to be hugely intrusive on to the property behind.

OBJECTION for the following reasons:

The designs of these extensions are of poor quality, which makes the existing house appear unbalanced. These are not in keeping with the rest of the house and detract from the present attractive layout of this house.

COMMENT:

There is a need to establish that hedgerows on this site should be preserved.

In reply to a query from the Parish Council, the tree officer for BDBC confirmed that no trees covered by TPOs had been removed from the site at Lottoria Cottage.

The Clerk has received several phone calls from members of the public, Penwood Village Hall Management Committee and the litter warden for Penwood concerning vandalism to the recycling and waste bins. Debris and broken glass have been scattered on the car park and grassed area.

Councillor Jim Pearson confirmed that both he, and the Vice Chairman of Penwood Village Hall Management Committee (Mr Ray East) have also contacted BDBC regarding this problem. The problem was twofold, the bins need more frequent emptying and better locks. As a result the Clerk contacted BDBC who came to investigate.

As a short term measure Miss Loretta Emery from BDBC has agreed to replace the bins with newer designs that have improved locks to prevent the contents being removed, and an extra bin for plastics and newspapers will be supplied. A long-term solution needs to be investigated and Miss Emery requested a meeting with the Council and affected parties. The short-term measure was welcomed and the Clerk was asked to set up a meeting for Monday 11 June at 1830, which would allow the position to be discussed the following evening at the next Council meeting.

Following the decision that Councillors Ian Davidson and Jim Pearson should petition BDBC regarding the lease, help was sought from Mrs Ann Carney of Community Action Hampshire. A copy of the proposed lease was sent to her, together with amendments recently received from BDBC. The Clerk then spoke to Mrs Carney, who requested that neither the committee members as management trustees, nor the Council as custodian trustee should enter into this lease which she considered was onerous. She stated that she will contact June Balcombe (BDBC) with her concerns and hopefully enlist the services of the solicitor for ACRE . At the present time she has a heavy workload with more urgent matters, but promised to give it further attention as soon as possible.

A letter has been received from Mr Jim Soutar who has now returned from leave, and it outlined the timetable for completing the Traffic Calming works. Councillor Tom Farmer stated that he had spoken to a contractor who advised that some work will begin at the end of the week.

BDBC have confirmed that there was no surplus fund left in the BEST (Transport) budget for the year 2000 for this project. There would not be a BEST (Transport) budget for this coming year and funds would need to be sought from elsewhere. At the Chairman's suggestion the Clerk has written to the County Councillor, Mr John Wall for assistance.

Joint Funding from HCC and BDBC has been applied for, at the suggestion of Tony West, the community safety officer for BDBC, and Jon Gates the crime prevention officer from Hampshire Constabulary. The Council has received confirmation that it's request has been granted for 50% from HCC. The Clerk has chased BDBC for confirmation that it will fund the other 50% cost, but the responsible officer is on extended sick leave and no other person was able to provide information. As HCC have indicated that they can make an early start the Clerk will continue to pursue the matter with BDBC

Notification from HCC, has been received, that the County's footpaths will be reopened on 26 May 2001 as Shalbourne has now been declared free from Foot and Mouth. Farmers with livestock in fields that are crossed by footpaths, or have an adjacent footpath may however apply for closure to remain. In such a case a red notice will be posted. All other closed notices cease to apply on 26 May.

Mr Ray East on behalf of the Penwood Residents' Association and Penwood Village Hall has arranged for members of both BDBC and HCC to meet with young people from Penwood to discuss the need for youth facilities. The meeting will be at 4.15p.m at Penwood village hall and a leaflet will be distributed to all Penwood households inviting young people to attend. This process was recommended by Tony West, the community safety officer for BDBC, and Jon Gates the crime prevention officer for Hampshire Constabulary.

Only one application has been received for consideration. The applicant, Mr Ray East was nominated by Councillor Jim Pearson, seconded by Councillor Ian Davidson, and approved by other members. Mr East was unable to attend this meeting which had been rescheduled from 8 May, and the Clerk was asked to advise him of his co-option.

The following accounts were approved for payment:

Penwood Village Hall, Cornhill insurance, W Bendle,

C Corrall, Viking Direct

Councillor Jim Pearson expressed concern over the length of time required from grant application to implementation of footpath lighting at Penwood, and requested the Council to continue to pursue for additional lighting at the bus stop. The Chairman reminded him that at the previous meeting Councillors had been advised that HCC had indicated a preference not to light that area, and the Clerk had been requested to arrange a site visit. The Clerk was waiting until the footpath lighting was committed before making this approach as any funds for the bus stop lighting would not be available until the following year.

Councillor Tom Farmer queried the erection of closed fencing at Byeways, as he believed that a condition of the planning application was that a hedgerow should be planted. Councillor Mrs Sue Roberts said that although this was originally discussed she felt that it had not been made a condition, and it was agreed that the original approval should be checked.