HIGHCLERE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting held at Highclere Village Hall on Tuesday 12 November 2002 commencing at 7.30pm

Present

Councillor J Pearson Chairman

Councillor R East

Councillor D Langan

Councillor T Farmer

Councillor F Somerset

Councillor R Drew

Also Present

Miss A Bedini

Mr L Pryce

Apology for absence

Councillor Mrs M Davies

Councillor Mrs A Hosie

Borough Councillor Tim Jardine

116/02 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 October 2002 having been circulated were taken as read, agreed by all, and signed by the Chairman.

The minutes of the planning meeting dated 22 October have also been circulated.

117/02 MATTERS ARISING FROM MINUTES OF MEETING HELD 8 OCTOBER 2002

• Footway at Penwood, (dropped kerbs)

Mr Martin Bennett, the Design and Construction Manager at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has added a request from this Council to the current programme of works, but warns that there is currently an extensive list of such requests. Councillor East has provided a map showing where dropped kerbs are required.

• Queens Golden Jubilee

The Clerk showed Councillors the enlarged mounted photographs of parishioners attending the picnic in the park on the 3^rd June, taken by Richard Summersby. One will be given to each village hall and one will be given to the Earl of Carnarvon.

• Correspondence item on survey of parking in former Borough owned Housing Areas.

Councillor East has contacted Stillwell Bell and is assisting the survey.

118/02 CORRESPONDENCE

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

1. HCC information on transfer of Traffic Management responsibilities to BDBC
2. Hampshire Constabulary "Country Watch" information Councillor East will study this
3. BDBC Planning Environment and transport quarterly bulletin
4. BDBC Countryside Design Summary

This has now been adopted as supplementary planning guidance.

5. BDBC Nomination for Standards Committee member from PC
6. HCC winter edition of "Hampshire now"
7. BDBC advance notice of Rural Housing Survey
8. Hampshire Constabulary recruitment of independent members
9. HAPTC information on DEFRA consultation papers

There are two "Living Places" consultation documents:

Cleaner Greener Safer Spaces, which can be accessed at www.odpm.gov.uk and

Powers, Rights and responsibilities, which can be accessed at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/localenv

10. Hampshire and Isle of White "Youth Options" information including "Roving Activities team
11. HCC Information on "Older driver assessment"
12. Countryside Agency publications: Vital Villages update, Guide to transport grants and LHI poster
13. BDBC Health and safety self audit pack

A Health and safety policy is only compulsory for Councils with five or more employees. Councillors agreed that this should be kept on file

14. BDBC Develop Control offer to meet the P.C. between end November and end January 2003.

Councillors welcomed this and the Clerk was asked to arrange the meeting

15. Phone call from Mr Ian Harris from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council regarding clearing the land behind the Spar shop at Penwood

Mr Harris requests a meeting with a representative of the Parish Council, and the Borough Councillor before monies are spent on burying the electricity cables. The work could be undertaken in January. The Chairman agreed to represent the Parish Council and he will liaise with Borough Councillor Tim Jardine.

16. Correspondence from parishioners regarding gates erected on land at Pantings Lane over which "Highways Rights" exist has been passed to Mr Steve Goodall at Hampshire County Council, as a matter of courtesy.

119/02 APPOINTMENT OF NEW PARISH CLERK

Councillors were introduced to Mrs Jane Gumbley, who has been selected as new Parish Clerk, following her successful application and interview. She will replace Mrs Pat Clarke following her retirement on 31 December 2002.

120/02 TO CONSIDER A REQUEST TO SUPPORT AN APPLICATION FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT FROM BASINGSTOKE AND DEANE BOROUGH COUNCIL

Miss Anne Bedini of Hillside Farm has had an environmental report undertaken on her wetland site and a copy was supplied to each Councillor. As a result she intends to apply to BDBC for an environmental grant to further improve the biodiversity of the area and turn it into a wildlife information site with nature trails.

The meeting was adjourned for Miss Bedini to answer questions.

There was discussion and Councillors agreed to support the application in principle.

121/02 TO APPROVE AN INFORMATION PUBLICATION SCHEME FOR THE PARISH COUNCIL

Councillor Farmer has considered the reference papers and further guidelines have been supplied by HAPTC. The Clerk has prepared a draft, which will be copied to each Councillor. It was agreed that a Publication Scheme would be approved and adopted at the Finance meeting.

122/02 TO CONSIDER THE PARISH COUNCIL'S RESPONSE TO THE FIRST DRAFT OF THE LOCAL PLAN

The consultation period is extended to 29 November 2002. As Statutory Consultee, Councillors recognised that the Parish Council's response was important, and all agreed that they approved the first draft as far as the Parish of Highclere was affected. The Clerk will submit a comment form. A hard copy of the first draft is still available at the Red House pub for parishioners to view during opening hours, and at the website www.basingstoke.gov.uk

123/02 REPORTS FROM MEETINGS ATTENDED

North Wessex Downs AONB Management Plan Workshop

Councillor Langan found this workshop very informative. A partnership of 40 concerns has been set up with an office in Hungerford. In the first nine months more progress has been made than in any other AONB, and a first draft of the management plan will be produced in Spring 2003.

124/02 TO CONSIDER PREPARING A PARISH PLAN

An offer has been received from the "Highclere Parish Society" to assist the Council in preparing a Parish Plan. All Councillors agreed that following the successful production of the Village Design Statement, a Parish Plan should be produced, and welcomed the offer. Councils can apply for a grant towards the costs involved. An opportunity exists for 2 representatives from the Parish to attend a presentation by the Countryside agency on Thursday 5 December at Sutton Scotney. Councillor Langan volunteered to attend and a representative from the "Highclere Parish Society" will be invited. The Council agreed to pay the costs of attending.

125/02 TO RE-ASSESS THE FUTURE OF THE RECYCLING BINS AT PENWOOD

There was renewed vandalism of the bins by children during half term. This is still continuing after school and at weekends. There has been more fly tipping and despite reporting this to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council several times over a three-week period, the dumped items have not been collected. The litter warden is doing extra hours to try and keep on top of the problem.

Councillors discussed the problem at length and reluctantly agreed that unless there was overwhelming support for the bins to stay, Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council should be asked to remove them. It was agreed to send out a newsletter to Penwood residents seeking their opinion. The result will be reported to the January meeting.

126/02 UPDATE ON PENWOOD VILLAGE HALL LEASE

Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has advised the Clerk that the report recommending that future leases for village halls will not seek a full market rent, has been approved by the Council on 17 October. Parish Councillors felt the Council should take no further action at this stage as regards Penwood Village Hall lease, but wait until the Borough Council takes up the initiative. The Clerk will inform the solicitor, and seek his advice.

127/02 TO ESTABLISH A DATE FOR THE ANNUAL FINANCE MEETING

It was agreed to hold an extraordinary meeting to discuss finance matters and set the precept for 2003/2004, during the second week in December. See the end of the minutes for details.

128/02 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

The following accounts were approved for payment

In between meetings: Awards for All, PCC, Richard Summersby, W Bendle, Butterworth Tolley, Highclere Village hall

At this meeting, W Bendle, C Corrall, D Langan, J Pearson

129/02 COUNCILLORS QUESTIONS

Councillor East asked if his concerns over the level of policing in rural areas could be put forward by Highclere Parish Council as a matter for the agenda at the next Joint Parishes Meeting. All Councillors agreed that this was appropriate.

The meeting was then closed at 9.35 p.m.