HIGHCLERE PARISH COUNCIL

 

Minutes of a meeting held at Highclere Village Hall on Tuesday 8 October  2002 commencing at 7.30pm

 

Present

Councillor J Pearson Chairman

Councillor R East

Councillor Mrs M Davies

Councillor T Farmer

Councillor F Somerset

 

Apology for absence

Councillor D Langan

Councillor R Drew

Councillor Mrs A Hosie

Borough Councillor Tim Jardine

 

105/02 MINUTES OF THE COUNCIL MEETING HELD 10 SEPTEMBER 2002

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

 

106/02 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ABOVE MINUTES

Revised advice is received from HAPTC that we must now have a publication scheme, and a model scheme has been supplied.  Councillor Farmer agreed to consider this on behalf of the Council

The Clerk has consulted with others and nominated two members from Highclere and East Woodhay neighbourcare.  East Woodhay has nominated two others from same group

The young lady who applied for the job of litter warden has withdrawn her application.  It was agreed that the Clerk should seek further advice about clearing the area around the litter bins from the present litter warden

The report on proposed change of policy by Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council (to allow leases for village halls to be raised at less than a market rent) has been approved by the cabinet subject to Council approval on 17 October

Over 250 questionnaires were posted to Penwood residents and a collection box for replies was placed at the Spar Shop.  Only 13 replies were received.  No children's' names were put forward and no volunteers names were received to support a Youth Club.  Councillors agreed that there was not sufficient support for this project.

 

107/02 TO NOTE THE MINUTES OF THE PLANNING COMMITTEE MEETING HELD 1 OCTOBER 2002

Each Councillor was given a copy of the minutes of the planning meeting held on 1 October.  The date of the next meeting of the planning committee will be decided when further applications are received.

108/02 CORRESPONDENCE

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

1.    HAPTC 100-02 Guidance notes for Parish Clerks Procedure on Complaints against a parish Councillor  A Copy has been given to each Councillor

2.    HAPTC bulletin 204 for September 2002

3.    Hampshire County Youth Band accept offer to play in village halls.  The Clerk was asked to liaise with the village halls

4.    Parish and NHW note from P.C. Gary Edwards to advise that he will not be continuing his duties as Community Policeman and will be replaced by WPC King.  The Clerk was asked to thank him on behalf of the Parish Council for all his hard work.

5.    Invitation to North Wessex Downs forum 23 October registration form passed to Councillor Langan

6.    Notice of Kingsclere Locality Health Forum 9 October

7.    Notice of Hampsire Ambulance Patients Forum 16 October

8.    Advance notice of resurfacing works to the A343 from 14 October

9.    BDBC Mayors invite to remembrance Sunday

10.    HCC Community Transport news passed to Councillor East

11.    Notice of HCC Community Transport training events 18 & 20 Oct, 7 Nov

12.    Notice of HCC notice of fourth annual transport conference 7 Nov

13.    Invitation to HCC annual meeting of Parish public transport representatives 7 December

14.    BDBC survey by Stillwell Bell of parking problems in former Borough Owned Housing Areas.  Councillor East will consider this.

15.    BDBC Tall Ship experience grant scheme  Information will be placed on Notice Boards

16.    HCC CSI Street Lighting scheme for 2003/4  Councillors agreed that there was no new lighting requirement for this Parish.

17.  Barclays Bank change of signatories requirement Only three are now permitted.

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109/02 TO RECEIVE THE CLERK'S RESIGNATION

The Chairman reported that the Clerk had tendered her resignation.  It was agreed to advertise the vacancy on the Council's notice boards, and place it on the Parish Website with a closing date for applications of 21 October, in the hope that a local person could be enlisted.  Applicants would be required to submit a C.V. and interviews could take place before the November Parish meeting.  The Clerk explained that the job continued to grow and she felt unable to commit to the extra hours now required.

 

110/02  REPORTS FROM MEETINGS ATTENDED:

24 September District Association Of Parish Councils

The Chairman attended this meeting at which Health and Safety Matters were discussed.  There was also discussion on the Code of Conduct for Councillors, the new Audit regime and problems created by "travelers".

 

111/02 LOCAL PLAN UPDATE

The consultation period for the first draft is 11 October to 22 November 2002.  There will be a mobile display at Woolton Hill village/church hall car park on Monday 21 October from 3pm until 9pm.  The plan is also available on the Borough's web site www.basingstoke.gov.uk. and comment forms can be downloaded.  As statutory consultee the Parish Council will shortly receive a hard copy of the first draft, and the chairman proposed that this is made available for all parishioners to see.  It was agreed to ask the Red House pub to keep this.  This Information will be put on the web site and notice boards and all parishioners will be urged to pass comment.

112/02 QUEEN'S GOLDEN JUBILEE UPDATE

The Clerk reported that the lottery award was not fully spent, and the committee had considered various ideas for the use of the surplus.  The Awards committee had already refused to allow it to be used for copies of the parish photograph, and there was an insufficient amount to buy a marquee.  A majority of the committee was in favour of returning the surplus, acknowledging that the celebrations had been a great success and achieved what was intended.  The Parish Council endorsed this.  The Chairman proposed that the Parish Council buy 3 copies of the parish photograph from the "Chairman's allowance" and that one be given to each village hall and to the Earl of Carnarvon.  This was unanimously agreed.

 

113/02 COUNCILLORS QUESTIONS

Councillor Somerset asked how often did Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council refuse a request for a site visit by the planning committee prior to a decision being made on a planning application.  He felt that the policy was unclear. 

 

114/02 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

The following accounts were approved for payment

Mr W Bendle, Mr C Corrall, Highclere PCC

 

115/02 FOOTWAY MATTERS

Several parishioners at Penwood have approached Councillor Ray East, and requested the help of the Parish Council, to have more dropped kerbs installed for prams and wheelchair users.  Councillor East has researched this and been advised that HCC Highways has only a limited budget for new crossings each year and all of the allocation has already been spent.  He proposed that the Parish Council approaches Mr Martin Bennett, the Access Officer, of Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council and request assistance from the Borough Council.  This was unanimously agreed and the Clerk was instructed to write to Mr Bennett

 

 

The meeting was then closed at 9.45 p.m..  The next full Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 12 November 2002 in Highclere Village Hall Jubilee Room at 7.30 pm