HIGHCLERE PARISH COUNCIL

 

DRAFT MINUTES

 

Minutes of a meeting of the Parish Council held in Highclere Village Hall on Tuesday 11 April 2000

Present

Councillor Mrs S Roberts Chairman

Councillor T. Farmer

Councillor J Pearson

Councillor I. Worth

Councillor I Davidson

Also Present Mrs S Hedgeland, Mr J Parsons, Mr E Cornish and Mr A Reid

49/00 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING.

Minutes of meetings held 14 and 27 March, having been circulated were taken as read, agreed by Councillors, and signed by the chairman

50/00 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

  1. Councillor Farmer had attended the County Surveyor's open day on 28th March. It was a very professionally run meeting at which he collected a copy of Basingstoke's Environmental Strategy for transport and HCC "Public Transport Policy" with questionnaire for circulation to all councillors There was a good question time.
  2. Councillor Jim Pearson had attended the reception for Parish Councillors at Winchester on 23rd March. It was a useful opportunity to meet others.
  3. The photocopier had been purchased with an initial payment of £769.98 and credit obtained for the balance of £232.30 to be paid as soon as the Precept is received.
  4. No notice of decision on planning renewal applications for BDB47191 Curridge Car Sales, nor BDB 47299 24 Penwood Heights had been received.

51/00 REVIEW OF THE PARISH ASSEMBLY

Both Councillors I Worth and J Pearson, together with Chairman Mrs S Roberts considered that the meeting had been very successful. The Councillors all noted the support of parishioners for financial assistance of cemetery maintenance by the Council.

Mary McQuillen, the retiring clerk had been presented with Gardening gift vouchers, a bouquet, and an album of "Well Wishes" from past Councillors and friends. David Evans had also presented a miniature gavel and block made from village hall floorboards.

Borough and County Councillors had spoken well and the report on Traffic Calming by Hampshire County Council had a good response. The Clerk would write back and thank Graham Carter and Tracey Webb for attending, reconfirm our commitment to the project, and seek guidance for the next step.

The request for volunteers had produced two for compiling the Village Design Study/Statement: Lady Erica Harman and Mr David Skyrme, and one for the Tree Survey: Mr Peter Bigby.

Interest in increasing the number of Councillors was expressed by Robert Bowden of Marsden Cottage, Andover Road.
    1. The accounts distributed at the Annual Assembly were for the year end 31 March 1999 and the clerk suggested that for future years the up to date accounts should be presented. It was also suggested that the minutes for the Annual Assembly should be read and signed at an earlier council meeting rather than one year later at the next Annual Assembly. The meeting approved these changes.
    2. In view of the increased workload for Councillors on forthcoming "Village Design Statement", "Tree Survey" and "Traffic Calming" project, and in particular planning issues, the Chairman proposed that the Council arrange to have these functions exercised by committees. The committees could then include both Councillors and non-Councillors. This in turn could generate interest amongst Parishioners and possibly recruit more applicants for increasing the numbers of Councillors. The resolution "to form committees" was put to the members, but the motion was not carried. It was agreed that if comments on planning applications needed to be returned to the District Council before the next scheduled council meeting, the Chairman would call an interim meeting. The specific purpose of the meeting will be to decide the Council's approval or objection to such planning applications.
    3. The Chairman asked Councillors to consider in what other way interest could be generated amongst parishioners to enable the council to increase its numbers.

52/00 CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence has been received:
    1. Letter from Hampshire County Council Area Surveyor Steve Goodall in reply to this council's complaints, stating that it would be several years before the A343 would be re-surfaced, and that he would be happy to discuss further with Councillor Farmer. It was agreed that the Clerk would contact Mr Goodall and confirm that Councillor Farmer would like to talk directly to him.
    2. Letter from Hampshire County Council area Surveyor Mr Steve Goodall in reply to this Council's question on landscaping at Wash Water, following a query by the owner of Curridge Car Sales. This has been referred to Mott Macdonald for comment. The Clerk will chase if no reply forthcoming.
    3. Results from Basingstoke District Association of Parish Councils on Parish Councils' responses to objectives of the Rural Strategy. A copy was given to all Councillors prior to the meeting, and The Rural Strategy folder circulated.
    4. Summary Consultation draft for "The Hampshire Landscape" notice of which was given to all Councillors prior to the meeting, and the draft circulated. Comments are invited by 2 May
    5. A copy of the budget speech by the leader of Hampshire County Council, notice of which was given to all Councillors prior to the meeting and the document circulated.
    6. Notice of Kingsclere Parish Council Millennium Youth Art Exhibition 14 April, copied to all Councillors prior to the meeting.
    7. HAPTC letter requesting feedback from Councils on the Parish Charter, copied to all Councillors prior to the meeting
    8. A "Thank You" card from Mary McQuillen was shown to all councillors.
    9. Leaflet outlining the consultation process on the preparation of Draft Regional Planning Guidance for the South East. The leaflet is being circulated.
    10. Phone call from litter warden to advise of 2 dumped (1 burnt out) cars in The Drove Penwood Road. The Clerk had advised police and they had both been removed.
    11. Phone call from a parishioner complaining about debris from hedge cutting at Mount Common field. The Clerk had sent a courteous letter requesting the owner to consider collecting the debris next time the hedge was cut.
    12. Advance notice of joint parishes meeting on Thursday 18 May at Ecchinswell Village Hall. The Clerk and Chairman will attend
    13. Advance notice of website being constructed to give a directory of Rural Products. This will be passed to Horace Mitchell to tie in with the Highclere village website.

53/00 PLANNING

The following planning applications were considered:

BDB47394 Renewal of permission for entertainment events

The Earl of Carnarvon Highclere park

No Objection but recommendation that fireworks could be less noisy

BDB47466 Erection of Dwelling

S A Mitchell Lottoria Cottage Penwood

Objection as the land was outside lthe boundary of the local plan.

Access was poor, and it would be a backfill decvelopment

BDB47557 Erection of 2 storey extension

G Perks Penwood Poultry Farm, Andover Road, Wash Water

No Objection

The following refusals have been notified:

BDB47241 Residential development

Mr and Mrs C Fagg, Briarwood Andover Road

BDB47068 Erection of utility room at rear

Mrs K Kay Wayside Cottage, Andover Road, Wash Water

BDB47307 Remove existing dwelling and construct 4 new dwellings

Mr and Mrs Adams Halfacre, Tubbs Lane

The following approvals have been notified:

BDB47045 Felling of one holly and three birch trees

Mr Perks 67 Penwood Heights

BDB46736 Erection of 3 bedroom House

Bullfinch Homes Ltd Land adjacent 3 Council Cottages, Penwood

BDB44671 Erection of dwelling and Garage

Mr C Wauchope Mount House, Tubbs Lane, Highclere

Advance Notice of Development at Woodside received from Thames Vale Homes.

Plans were sent to the council by the builder at the same time as he submitted his plans to BDBC. The clerk had rung BDBC who confirmed they had received the plans which had been validated on 11 April. The application is to remove existing house and replace with 3 dwellings. The council agreed to loan the plans to the Highclere Parish Society who have undertaken to show them to the neighbours most affected at two viewings on 16th April. The Chairman encouraged Councillors to attend one of the meetings to hear parishioners' comments. Concerns were expressed by Councillors regarding additional access in Tubbs Lane, and the removal of hedgerows, even Leylandi at this time of year during the bird nesting period. Hedgerows also important screening for neighbours. The Clerk would write to Thames Vale expressing concern on removing the hedgerows and send a copy to David Hill, the tree officer at BDBC. The planning application would be properly discussed following notice of the application from BDBC planning dept.

Notice of planning applications for extension of Travel Lodge and repositioning of sign at Tothill were received too late for the agenda and consideration at this meeting. Councillors decided a site meeting was required. A site meeting at the Travel Lodge Tothill was arranged for Wednesday 19 April

An additional Council meeting was called by the Chairman for 19 April following the site visit for the specific purpose of discussing planning applications.

ByeWays Fence

A Reply was received from BDBC Conservation and Enforcement, to this councils observations that fence at Byeways to the right of the entrance to Kitchen Garden cottage was incorrectly placed. BDBC and HCC Highways were content that both fences were correctly situated. Councillor Farmer felt that they were still misunderstanding the situation and the Clerk was asked to make further representation.

54/00 VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT

The Highclere Parish Society had advised the Chairman that it would help with the funding and workload of preparing a village design statement. The council would write to BDBC to confirm that we were proceeding.

55/00 CONTRACTS OF EMPLOYMENTS AND RISK ASSESSMENTS

Council members were informed that the law required all employees to be provided with contracts of employment. In addition where a council employed personnel in a job in which they were subject to risk, even low risk, (i.e. Litter Wardens) then the council had to undertake risk assessments. The Clerk had therefore prepared contracts of employment for herself and the Litter Wardens and had effected the risk assessments. The meeting approved the documents and the Chairman signed the contracts on behalf of the Council. It is also a legal requirement to either display a Health and Safety poster or provide a leaflet to each employee. As the leaflets come in packs of 25 it was suggested that the Clerk ask at the Joint Parishes Meeting on May 18th to see if other Clerks have any.

The Clerk also explained that the Litter Wardens were entitled to more equipment and for that purpose she had arranged a meeting with Blanche Miles, Community services officer of BDBC.

 

56/00 STRUCTURING STANDING ORDERS

Councillors had been asked to consider in what form standing orders (if any) should be structured. There was discussion and all reference to "committees" was struck out following decision in minute 51/00 (b) above. All council members would update their own books "standing orders and chairmanship" along with variations decided at the meeting. The Clerk would type out the master Standing Orders which would be adopted at the A.G.M. on May 9th .

57/00 ACCOUNTS

The accounts for the year end 31 March 1999 were signed by the Chairman, after having been approved in amended format by the District Auditor. A copy of the accounts for year end 31 March 2000 had already been circulated to each Councillor.

58/00 COUNCILLOR'S QUESTIONS

The Chairman asked Councillor Davidson if he would represent the council on the Village Hall Management Committee. Councillor Davidson did not think he would have the time but would consider this.

The Chairman asked Councillor Pearson if he would represent the Council in liaising with the Penwood Village Hall Management Committee to which he agreed.

Councillor Worth agreed to represent the Council on the New Village Hall Steering Committee.

Councillor Pearson advised members that he was currently looking into the possibility of £15 refund from Thames Water for all properties where the surface water did not go into mains drainage. He would keep the Council updated.

Councillor Worth had been asked by neighbours to investigate the possibility of tidying the land encompassed by the By Pass and A343 junction at Wash Water. The Clerk would make enquiries.

The Chairman told members that she and the Clerk will have pre-agenda meetings to ensure that all supporting documents are available for Council discussions. Minutes will also be issued approximately 7 days after meetings and not 21 days as was previously the case.

It was reported that footpath No 34 had been ploughed and Councillor Farmer said that he would investigate and report to the Clerk.

59/00 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

Between meetings: Photostatic

At this meeting: Photostatic, W Bendle, C Corrall, E Edwards, P Clarke, Viking Direct

 

THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE MEETING WAS BROUGHT TO A CLOSE AND PARISHIONERS' QUESTIONS INVITED

  

PARISHIONERS QUESTIONS

There was general discussion regarding the development at Woodside, Pantings Lane. It was noted that when the developers took out a diseased tree, they also removed a healthy tree obviously to create an access in Tubbs Lane. It was felt such an access should not be permitted, and only 2 existing driveways on Pantings Lane should be used.

Lessons should be learned from Byeways and new houses should not be built higher than the existing house.

Neighbour Mr A Reid was concerned that a fence will be erected 3ft from his kitchen window. He was encouraged to write personally and object to the development.

The lanes around the plot were so narrow all parishioners questioned where would the contractors park their vehicles, and how would delivery lorries navigate the roads without causing damage to verges and neighbours' trees?