HIGHCLERE PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of the Annual General meeting held at Highclere Village Hall on Tuesday 14 May 2002

 

Present

Councillor Mrs S Roberts, Retiring Chairman

Councillor Mrs Melanie Davies

Councillor T Farmer

Councillor J Pearson

Councillor R East

Councillor R Somerset

Councillor Don Langan

Councillor Robert Drew

 

Apology for absence

Borough Councillor Tim Jardine

Councillor Mrs Amanda Hosie

 

Before the commencement of the meeting all Councillors present at the meeting signed the declaration of acceptance of office with the exception of Mrs S Roberts who was retiring.

 

53/02 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

Councillor Jim Pearson was nominated and seconded. There were no other nominations and it was unanimously agreed that Councillor Pearson should become Chairman.

Councillor Pearson then signed a declaration of acceptance of the office of Chairman, and thanked everybody present. A bouquet of flowers was presented to the retiring Chairman Mrs Sue Roberts and she was thanked for all her hard work over the previous four years.

 

54/02 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD 9 APRIL AND PLANNING MEETING HELD 26 APRIL 2002

The minutes of the meetings held on 9 April and 26 April having been circulated were taken as read, agreed by all, and signed by the Chairman

 

55/02 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES

The review of the Traffic Calming was postponed until 20 May to enable County Councillor John Wall to be present.

 

56/02 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY HELD ON 15 APRIL 2002

The minutes of the above meeting having been circulated were taken as read, agreed by all and signed by the Chairman

 

57/02 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES

The response to questionnaires on the Traffic Calming, which had been given out at the Annual Assembly was being analysed.  This would be useful at the meeting to review the Scheme which was now rescheduled for 20 May.

 

58/02 CORRESPONDENCE

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

 

  1.  Notice of next Joint Parishes Meeting to be held at Ashford Hill on June 18th at 7.30 for 8.00pm   Councillors East and Pearson said that they would attend
  2. HAPTC Mail 41-02 John Finlays's comments re Code of Conduct
  3. HAPTC Mail 42-02 info from the Standards Board
  4. HAPTC Mail 43-02 Training Seminars on Managing the new audit process 16 and 18 July The Clerk will attend
  5. BDBC S106 consultation.  The Clerk has already responded giving the Council's past experience
  6. BDBC Information on locally managed play scheme grant, apply by 30 May

Councillors criticised the lack of time to set up anything for the summer holiday period

  1. HAPTC Mail 47-02 advice that S137 limit will increase to £5.00 per elector
  2. HAPTC Mail 48-02 Seminar for new Councillors 18 June St Thomas' Center Winchester 1830 Councillor Langan will attend.
  3.  HAPTC Mail 49-02 ROW update on mapping access land
  4.  HAPTC Mail 51/02 advice from Standards Board on the code of conduct
  5.  BDBC Notice of training sessions re Model Code of Conduct
  6.  NALC notice of conference 14 to 16 June Preston
  7.  CAH "The Hampshire Village of the year 2002 " competition
  8.  HCC County Surveyor, Notice of revocation of Clearway restrictions A343 Andover to Newbury

 

59/02 PLANNING APPLICATIONS

The following planning applications were considered:

 

BDB52968 The Old School, Highclere Erection of rear extension

NO OBJECTION

 

BDB53031 Land East Enborne Row Erection of 31 dwellings

This application is close to the Parish border and the Parish Council has the following comments to make.

No development should be started until junction improvements at the A343 are put into place.  There should be protection to the hedges and trees on the site and a water management plan is required for surface water as the river Enborne is prone to flooding.

 

BDB53086 Land adj Beech Tree Cottage Erection of dwelling and garage

OBJECTION unless the following conditions are imposed:

The hedge fronting Tubbs Lane shall be retained and protected during building works.  No further hedge removal shall be permitted.  Al materials shall be in keeping with adjacent properties.

COMMENT

In a recent height survey undertaken by the "Village Design Team", the average height in the area is 7.1 Metres.  This proposed development is on higher land than the adjacent properties and an elevation drawing showing the height comparisons is required.  If this building will dominate Beech Tree Cottage, then the height should be reduced.

 

BDB/52842, Land at Mount House, Tubbs Lane, Highclere, AMENDMENT

Construction of one dwelling with garage

The Parish Council has the following comments:

·          Concerns that neighbours will be overlooked are addressed to some extent by removal of the windows facing South.  The owner has advised that he will not use the flat roof to the orangery as a terrace.  There would need to be a binding condition preventing this use by present and future owners, in the interest of preserving the privacy of the neighbours.

·          The Council is pleased to note the landscaping proposals, which (after many years) will help screen the property from Mount Road.  The Council still considers that the Eastern elevation will be more in keeping with other properties in Mount Road if the finish is all brick and not part render.

CONDITIONS TO BE APPLIED IF APPROVED

A hedgerow should be maintained at the boundary to Mount Road and all trees on the site retained in order to preserve the visual rural character of this area.

COMMENT

The proposed access is on a blind bend and is extremely dangerous.  The established access via Tubbs Lane would be safer.

 

60/02 OTHER PLANNING MATTERS

The following planning approval is notified:

BDB 52726 Farthings Highclere Street, Erection of single storey rear porch, listed building consent

 

The following planning refusal and notice of appeal is notified:

BDB 52721 Windyridge, Hollington Lane, Highclere, Erection of two storey rear extension, side conservatory, and detached double garage.

 

61/02 APPOINTMENT OF RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER

It was proposed, seconded and unanimously approved that the Clerk be appointed the responsible financial officer for the Council.  The Clerk accepted the role

 

62/02 ASSIGNMENTS OF SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES TO COUNCILLORS

The Chairman explained that in the past Councillors have volunteered to take on board subjects of special interest to individuals.  e.g. footpaths, planning matters, youth facilities, environmental matters, etc.  He proposed that this item be postponed until a later time when new Councillors could better assess the position.  This was unanimously agreed.

 

63/02 REPORTS FROM MEETINGS ATTENDED:

30 April Queens Golden Jubilee Committee

A further meeting was convened after receiving a grant for £2864 from the National Lottery "Awards for all". The past Chairman Councillor Mrs Sue Roberts, Councillor East and the Clerk were present on behalf of the Parish Council.  The ideas put forward and reported in the February Parish Council minutes and at the Annual Parish assembly were endorsed and the arrangements are now well under-way.  The decision was taken not to make a charge for the "Picnic in the Park".

 

1 May Meeting with BDBC re litter and recycling bins at Penwood

Councillors East and Pearson, together with the past Chairman Mrs Sue Roberts and the Chairman of Penwood Village Hall, Mr George Russell, attended the meeting. 

It was felt that there were now too many bins in place.  An extra bin for newspaper, plastics etc. had been put in position as the first bin was frequently full.  The newspapers are a particular issue as used to start fires.  Currently there are two general-purpose bins.  The second bin was intended for the litter wardens to use and lock.  However the lock has been deliberately broken off and the general public misuses it.

It was considered important to keep the glass bins, as otherwise bottles will just become dumped.

BDBC agreed the following course of action:

·               To look at best practice where similar issues were occurring and the positioning of the bins.  It was felt that up against a wall etc was not appropriate because of fire etc.  It was stressed that the solution had to enhance the area and not make it an eye-sore

·               To produce a report in time for the 11 June meeting.

·               There would be a presentation to the Parish Council in July

·               Once a decision has been made then a notice must be sent to all Penwood residents outlining the changes.  Consideration to be given to a delivery of the recycling plastic bags together with the notice

·               To be invited to the community safety initiative to have input on environmental issues for the open space areas.

 

64/02 COUNCILLORS' QUESTIONS

Councillor Pearson queried the decision to use his caravan as a first aid center for the "Picnic in the Park".  It was discussed and agreed that a tent/gazebo with a bed and chair would give easier access.  Councillors Pearson and East agreed to liaise and provide this facility.  The Clerk has applied to the British Red Cross for qualified first-aiders to attend and will chase for a reply.

 

65/02 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

The following accounts were approved for payment

In between meetings:

BDBC,  Richard Summersby ,  TDH Ltd £119.26,  McLaggan Smith, Toilets Plus

At this meeting:

Cornhill Insurance,  Mr W Bendle,  Mr C Corrall, 

Peggy East ,  Highclere Village Hall,  Shaw and Sons Ltd,  HAPTC

 

 

As there was no further business the meeting was adjourned.  The next meeting will be on 11 June