HIGHCLERE PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting held at Highclere Village Hall on Tuesday 18 February 2003 commencing at 7.34pm.

Present:

Councillor J Pearson – Chairman

Councillor R East

Councillor T Farmer

Councillor F Somerset

Councillor R Drew

Apologies:

Borough Councillor T Jardine

Councillor D Langan

Councillor A Hosie

Councillor M Davies

18/03 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS COUNCIL MEETING

The minutes of the meeting held on 14th January 2003 having been circulated were taken as read, agreed by all, and signed by the Chairman.

19/03 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

  1. Parish Clerk to check if there is any money available for a Cycle Strategy and report to the Council.

20/03 CORRESPONDENCE

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

  1. Hearing into the appeal by Mr and Mrs Fagg concerning the erection of a single storey dwelling with garage located on land adjacent to Midstreams. Date of Hearing is 11.03.03, 10.00am in the Council Chamber.
  2. Alma Farm agricultural determination was rejected by BDBC. Mr Deas has issued an invitation to the Council planning sub-committee on Saturday 22nd February at 1.00pm. Neighbours are invited to view at 2.00pm at Alma Farm.
  3. Request by a parishioner for deer fencing on A343 given increase in road kills. However, it is not Highways policy to do so except on high speed roads such as Motorways and Trunk Roads. Parish Clerk to pursue larger deer signs and also definition of high speed road.
  4. Request by a parishioner to act on "dangerous" tree at Blind Man's Gate. Tree removed by Aboricultural Officer and felled on 13 February.
  5. "Tackling Anti-Social Behaviour - the Way Forward" conference on Wednesday 5th March - morning or afternoon sessions available.
  6. Calor Hampshire Village of the year 2003 competition (populations under 5,000) launching this year in March.
  7. Response from BDBC confirming receipt of comments to the draft community strategy framework (thanks to Ray and Tom)
  8. Allotment sites register being created by BDBC. Parish Clerk has responded.
  9. Response to Connexions development worker advising no groups within the Parish catering for 13-19 year olds.
  10. Response to ODPM regarding combining English and European election dates in 2004.
  11. Publication Scheme - advised by the Information Commissioner that it has been accepted as an appropriate scheme for HPC to adopt. Scheme approved from 28.2.03 to 28.2.07.
  12. Seminar for new Councillors - 15th July 7.00pm-9.00pm.

21/03 UPDATE ON ACTIONS RELATING TO A PARISH PLAN

Councillor Drew provided an update on status as follows. The Parish Plan must be representative of the whole of the Parish. It was felt that the basis for the Parish Plan had been established by the Village Design Statement but that the Plan must define logistics and expand on the VDS.

22/03 TO UPDATE ON STATUS RELATING TO TRAFFIC STRATEGY WITH REGARDS TO SAINSBURY LORRIES

Councillor East provided the Council with an update from JAG and advised that the next meeting would be 06/03/03. The Parish Clerk to request traffic count read-outs from Hampshire County Council for analysis by Councillors to determine increase in traffic along the A343 plus counter meter statistics for the last 3-4 years. The Parish Clerk has written to adjoining Parishes regarding rat running.

23/03 TO UPDATE ON STATUS RELATING TO RECYCLING BINS AT HEATHLANDS

Following the meeting on 04/02/03 with BDBC and Oakfern Housing, BDBC advised that a large recycling bin was available that could accommodate three colours of glass. A wheeled bin would bes provided for Penwood Village Hall. There was a concensus amongst Councillors that the new recycling bin should be located near the garages by the Spar shop. The Parish Clerk to provide a notice by the Village Hall in due course advising the new location of the bin.

24/03 TO UPDATE COUNCILLORS FOLLOWING THE MEETING WITH BDBC PLANNING OFFICERS ON 22ND JANUARY 2003

Councillors were advised that a handout of slides from the presentation were available together with a list of useful web site addresses to aid Councillors in better understanding planning criteria.

25/03 UPDATE ON PROVISION OF OPEN SPACE AT PENWOOD

Councillors were advised that a costing was still awaited from BDBC but that the Parish Clerk would chase this again. Councillors discussed a parishioner's request via the Borough Councillor for a barrier. The Parish Clerk to contact BDBC to determine feasibility.

26/03 TO CONSIDER A RESPONSE TO THE REQUEST FOR THE CONTINUANCE OF AN INTEREST FREE LOAN FROM PENWOOD VILLAGE HALL

Councillors were advised that the Parish Clerk had received a letter from the management committee of Penwood Village Hall requesting a continuance of the interest free loan. Councillors unanimously approved this. The Parish Clerk to confirm this in writing to the management committee.

27/03 NEWBURY 2025 CONFERENCE - A REPORT BY CLLRS PEARSON AND EAST

Councillors Pearson and East provided their reports from this conference with the overall impression being of a lack of vision and lack of plan by West Berkshire. The Parish Clerk has copies of both reports on file.

28/03 TO CONSIDER A RESPONSE TO AIRWAVE mm02 LTD CONSULTATION

Councillors discussed the correspondence from Airwave regarding a proposed increase in size to the existing mast and the points already raised by a concerned parishioner. The Parish Clerk will write to Airwave detailing the concerns raised by Councillors.

29/03 TO CONSIDER A PROPOSED FORMAT AND DATE FOR THE ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY

The date for the Parish Assembly was agreed as being Wednesday 30th April at Penwood Village Hall, given its extra capacity over Highclere Village Hall. The Parish Clerk is to approach the following people to talk for 15 minutes on the allotted topic. Peter Bigby - Tree and Hedgerow survey results, plus a small exhibition in the Hall for parishioners to view; Sue Roberts - update on how the VDS is being used and feedback to date; Kingsclere Parish Council - a speaker to discuss experiences in developing their Parish Plan. Councillor East to source a speaker to talk on traffic problems within Highclere Parish and its immediate area. The Parish Clerk will book the hall and organise refreshments.

30/03 ACCOUNTS FOR PAYMENT

The following accounts were passed for payment.

W Bendle, C Corrall, Audit Commission, J Gumbley

31/03 COUNCILLORS MATTERS ARISING FOR THE NEXT AGENDA

Councillor East requested that a traffic survey be an agenda item for the March full Council meeting.

Councillor Pearson requested the next full Council meeting be held on Tuesday 18th March. This was unanimously agreed by all Councillors present.

There being no other business, the meeting was then closed at 9.35pm.

The next full Council meeting will be held on Tuesday 18th March 2003 in Highclere Village Hall Jubilee Room at 7.30pm.

Planning committee meetings will be held whenever necessary.