DRAFT MINUTES

HIGHCLERE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting held at Highclere Village Hall on Tuesday 09 May 2000

Present

Councillor Mrs S Roberts Chairman

Councillor T Farmer

Councillor J Pearson

Councillor I Davidson

Also Present

Lady Harman, David Evans, Michael Roberts, and Colin Page

Apologies for Absence

Mr I Worth who was attending a "New Village Hall" steering committee meeting

61/00 ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN

It was proposed that Councillor Mrs S Roberts be elected as Chairman and the vote was unanimous. There were no other nominations.

62/00 MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETINGS

Minutes of the meeting held on 11 April 2000 and planning meeting held on 19 April 2000, having been circulated were taken as read, agreed by the Councillors, and signed by the Chairman.

63/00 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES

(a) It was agreed to put an item on the June agenda regarding increase in numbers of Councillors. Members will then discuss how to encourage parishioners to consider putting their names forward for election as Councillors.

  1. Councillor Farmer and Mr Steve Goodall from HCC Highways Dept will meet on Thursday 11 May to discuss the A343 road surface.
  2. Mott Macdonald had not replied to the Clerk nor to Mr Steve Goodall regarding landscaping at Wash Water, but a letter has been received by Mr Goodall from the owner of Curridge Motors requesting that he be allowed to remove a bramble hedge and maintain the verge. Mr Goodall has advised him that he should apply both to the district Council and to the Parish Council before removing the hedge. This council agreed to adopt a "wait and see" policy.
  3. The council have contributed to the consultation for "The Hampshire Landscape" suggesting protection is required for hedgerows in residential developments
  4. TheClerk has written yet again regarding the fence at Byeways, and included a drawing this time to show the fence out of alignment.
  5. Notices have been placed on the Council's boards advising home owners that Thames Water will give £15 rebate where surface water does not go into the sewerage system.
  6. The Clerk has written to BDBC regarding footpath 34.

64/00 MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY HELD 03 APRIL 2000

The minutes having been circulated to all Councillors were taken as read and signed by the Chairman

65/00 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES

There were no matters arising which had not been covered in the Council meeting held on 11 April

66/00 BOROUGH COUNCILLOR'S REPORT

The Borough Councillor was not present at the meeting but the Council has received a copy of correspondence between him, the County Surveyor's department and Mr Ford of the implementation team at BDBC planning department. Safe travel to school and the possibility of school flashing lights on the A343 at Blindmans Gate are discussed and a copy has been given to all Parish Councillors. Councillor Davidson had already been approached by a Penwood resident concerned about children walking to school and welcomed this initiative. It was noted that the correspondence referred to battery powered flashing lights and it was observed that solar power would be better, and that signs should be erected warning of the lights ahead before the bend.

The Clerk would write to Mr Ford with these suggestions.

67/00 VILLAGE HALLS REPORTS

Penwood Village Hall

Councillor Pearson reported that the remedial works required by the District Council to put the Hall into good repair were 80% finished. The District Council had to still approve the repairs and a new lease had not yet been granted. He had attended a meeting which was essentially to discuss car boot sales. As the meeting was attended by the area police constable crime prevention and public nuisance had also been discussed.

The formation of a youth club was also considered, and it was decided to organise a bus to take ten young people to the Waterside Centre.

Highclere Village Hall

Councillor Davidson had attended the AGM and reported that the Village Hall's finances were healthy but the building still needs money spending on it. One group is set up to specifically keep the existing fabric in place whilst others are looking at the possibility of a new location. It was considered after an informal survey that the present building was still sound although needing attention.

A new committee was elected at the AGM at which Councillor Davidson, previously a committee member, had stood down. Councillors discussed the need for a representative from the Council to be on the Village Hall Management Committee, and it was decided that the Clerk should seek clarification of the Trust Deed from the Charity Commissioners.

 

68/00 CORRESPONDENCE

The following correspondence has been received and copies provided to each Councillor
  1. Letter dated 17 April from Kingsclere Parish Council requesting contribution towards the Youth Art Exhibition at the Fieldgate Centre The Clerk will reply that as Highclere did not participate or make a provision within the precept, the Council is unable to make a retrospective contribution
  2. Invitation for the Chairman to attend an open evening at the Guildhall, Winchester on 01 June to understand what the government's "Draft Regional Planning Guidance for the South East" might mean for Hampshire. The Chairman is unable to attend, but the Clerk will ask for a "feed back"
  3. Invitation for all to attend the Moat Care and Repair Open Forum on May 26th plus brochure and door chain and spy hole offer, copies of which have been placed on the community board at Penwood. The clerk will forward to the Evergreens and Phoenix groups.
  4. Notice of the "Older than England" Millenium Exhibition at the Great Hall, Winchester. Copy sent to Ron Snipp for the history society.
  5. Acknowledgement of our confirmation that we wish to be considered for the Village Design Statement
  6. Advice of change of name of Oakfern Housing to Sentinel on merging with Hart Housing Association
  7. Copy of protocol adopted by HCC concerning Agricultural improvements
  8. Invitation to Chairman and other Council members to attend BDBC Annual council meeting and election of mayor. This clashed with the organised walk from Penwood Village Hall.
  9. Invitation to the Chair to attend "Focus on the Future, A vision for the community of Basingstoke and Deane" 13 May. The Chairman will attend.
  10. Preliminary Notice of AGM for HAPTC on 14 October inviting all councils to submit resolutions to be received by 22 JULY.
  11. HAPTC notes on "Empowering Local People". It was agreed to make this a discussion item on the June agenda.

    The following reports and brochures have been received and are being circulated
  12. Hampshire Farming Study 1999 review
  13. Hampshire County Planning Annual Report 1999/2000
  14. HCC "Stewardship of the Environment"
  15. Community Action News April
  16. Hampshire Police Authority Annual Policing plan 2000/2001
  17. Spise News 28 Easter 2000 and request for contribution. The Council will not be making a contribution as funds do not allow this.

Councillors considered that many of the reports and brochures were of interest to all parishioners and that "Forming a Library" should be placed on the June agenda.

69/00 PLANNING

A letter dated 25 April has been received from Thames Vale Homes requesting the view of members at repositioning of proposed entrance to Plot 1. This letter appears to have "crossed" with our objection to BDBC to the development at Woodside in which the Council also states objection to plot 1 being opened at a junction of two narrow lanes and directly opposite another house entrance.

A further letter dated 3 May addressed to Mr R Mounty at BDBC has been copied to the Parish Council criticising the Parish Council for not discussing matters directly with Thames Vale Homes. The Clerk has written to Mr R Mounty on 08 May explaining the Council's position and pointing out an incorrect statement regarding an adjoining plot.

Councillors pointed out that the letter from Thames Vale Homes claimed that the plot size was larger than stated in their "Design Statement" and that the final paragraph implied that BDBC had already given approval in advance for this development. The Clerk would write to Mr Mounty seeking assurances that it's views and those of parishioners are seriously considered.

The following Planning application was considered:

BDB47691 Ashridge, Pantings Lane

Extension

NO OBJECTION

The chairman called another Council Meeting on May 23rd to discuss two further applications following site visits:

BDB46213 2 Treasure Hill

1st floor extension

An appeal

BDB47815 CherryTree Farm, Horris Hill

Extension

The Clerk will write to CherryTree Farm and give advance warning of the site visit.

70/00 NEW COUNCILLORS' TRAINING DAY

HAPTC have agreed that Highclere Parish Council may host a training seminar for new Councillors on June 28th. The fee is £75.00 but will be recoverable from other delegates who will be charged £5.00. HAPTC will circulate the information and provide the tutors. This council will be expected to provide tea and biscuits. The Councillors agreed to go ahead and three possible locations, Highclere Village Hall, Penwood Village Hall, and the Dunlop Room were identified. The Clerk would book the most suitable.

 

71/00 STANDING ORDERS

A resolution was passed that the Council adopt standing orders.

72/00 APPOINTMENT OF RESPONSIBLE FINANCIAL OFFICER

The Clerk was appointed as responsible financial officer

73/00 APPOINTMENT OF COUNCILLOR AS INTERNAL AUDITOR

Councillor Pearson agreed to carry out the internal audits on behalf of the council

74/00 SPECIAL INTERESTS

Footpath matters will be referred to Councillor Farmer

Traffic matters will be referred to Councillor Davidson

Rural strategy and environmental matters will be referred to Councillor Mrs Roberts

New HighclereVillage Hall Steering committee representative is Councillor Worth

Penwood Village Hall representative is Councillor Pearson

75/00 COUNCILLORS' QUESTIONS

Councillor Mrs Roberts had been asked by a parishioner to investigate an overgrown footpath close to the site of the Newbury by-pass, but had difficulty in locating it.

Councillor Farmer considered that it was not a footpath but an access granted across land owned by the Highways Authority.

Councillor Mrs Roberts said that she would like to investigate further.

76/00 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

The following accounts were approved for payment:

W Bendle C Corrall

Spectrum C J Masters(bookbinders)

 

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

No Parishioners' questions