DRAFT

BAUGHURST PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting held on Thursday 25 February 2010

7.30 pm, Heath End Village Hall

PRESENT:         Cllrs C C Surtees (Chairman), G and M Adams, J C Ayre, P E Garrett, J Hewitt,

                        F Langley, G Round, S E Terrett

                        Also present:  Borough Councillor M Bound and two members of the public

                        Apologies for absence received from County Councillor M Tucker, Cllrs P R S

                        Postance and M G Slatford

93.       Minutes f the last meeting

The Minutes of the meeting of 12 January 2010, copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read and approved as a true record of the meeting.

94.       Declarations of interest

Councillors were reminded that for those with any interest to be disclosed in relation to any item included in the agenda for this meeting, it was their duty to do so at the appropriate agenda item (as required to be disclosed by Section 96(1) of the LGA 1972, and in accordance with the Parish Councils Order 2001).

95.       Matters arising from the Minutes

(83)      Wolverton Lane

Environment Agency officials had inspected the site, and agreed that seepage onto the highway was not an ideal scenario.  Photographic proof of effluence was required, to identify a potential health hazard.  Residents had been given a direct line to make contact should there be an incidence of effluence. 

(83)      Footpath 10

HCC had sent letters to adjacent residents, advising them of their intention to identify and clear the correct route.  A copy letter had been received from a resident, which was noted.

(83)      Kissing gates

A meeting is to take place with the landowner, with a view to the siting of the gates.

(83)      Copier

Quotations had been received, and the matter to be deferred to General Purposes committee.

(83)      land to rear of Hurst Community College

The post and rail fencing had been installed.  English Heritage had been informed of the poor condition of trees on the tumuli.

(83)      Footpath 16 (Baughurst) and 12 (Tadley)

Formal evidence of diversion had been received.  Noted that, as the diversion was within the Tadley element of the path, this Council would not have been notified.

(83)      Long Grove

Poor weather had delayed the repair.  One section of the recovered pole had proved to be missing, and is now on order.  Norwich Union had agreed to cover all costs incurred.

(86)      Salt bins

A request for additional salt bins had been made to HCC Councillor Tucker, but no further information was as yet available.

(89)      Wolverton Common

Application had been made to BDBC for paved footways along stretches of Wolverton Common, and a decision awaited regarding their inclusion in the ‘Access for All’ programme.

(90)      Sir George Brown Charity

A copy of the original lease had been forwarded to the Charity.  This Council’s annual cheque for rental of Wolverton field had not been received by the Charity, and a replacement cheque is to be raised.

96.       County, Borough, Police and BDAPTC reports

Borough Councillor Bound gave an update on the proposed planning application for the Boundary Hall site in Tadley.  Basingstoke and Deane had approved the application, but had asked the Secretary of State to make the final decision, given the interest of the Health and Safety Executive in this application, and others within a 3km radius of AWE Aldermaston.  This may eventually result in a public inquiry.  He also raised the subject of the Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment Review (SHLAA), which is currently in its draft consultation process.  Once approved by BDBC officers, a formal public consultation process will take place.  There are no sites for consideration within Baughurst.

Borough Councillor Round advised the reviewing of the community warden system, where some wardens will be desk-based, and others out on patrol.  Most are assigned to areas, but 6 will remain unassigned. 

97.       Open forum

The provision of dropped kerbs in Pinewood Close was discussed at length.  It was noted that Travel Tokens would be distributed at Heath End Hall on 11 March 2010.  The Clerk advised the completion of a survey issued by Hampshire Association of Local Councils, in regard to proposed moves by them to withdraw from the National Association.  A direct link to latest Police reports will be advertised on the Council website.

98.       Finance

a)         to receive and consider the latest financial statement

The Chairman noted that, disregarding the unexpected additional Section 106 monies received, budgeted expenditure is likely to marginally exceed income in this financial year.  Some monies are still owed, but are unlikely to be banked within this financial year.

b)         Tadley Citizens Advice Bureau – grant aid request

A grant of £650 was agreed, under Section 137 of the LGA 1972, for the benefit of the area and its inhabitants.  (Cllrs Hewitt and Round declared an interest).

c)         Newsletter

Approval was given to the production of the next newsletter.

d)         Internal auditor

Hampshire Association of Local Councils (HALC) were in the process of instigating a ‘bank’ of internal auditors, which included this Council’s auditor, and had asked whether this Council wished to use the service, which would be at a lower cost.  No confirmation could be made at this point regarding the continued use of this Council’s auditor, and it was agreed that such a decision would be delayed until after this financial year, particularly with regard to the proposed severance of HALC from the National Association. 

e)         to approve annual indexation increase to contract for maintenance contractor

The annual indexation increase was approved.

99.       Planning

a)         to receive and consider the latest planning lists

b)         Decisions by BDBC

100.      Playing fields and Open Spaces

a)         Long Grove

Further vandalism had been reported at Long Grove, where play equipment had been covered in paint.  This had subsequently been cleaned without the necessity of making a further insurance claim. 

b)         Wolverton field

Complaints had been received by a resident concerning the rough condition of the terrain, and the size of the drop at the end of the toddler slide.  Agreed that these items would be deferred to the next meeting of Playing Fields and Open Spaces committee.

c)         105 Long Grove

It was noted that the recent surveyor’s report, dually chartered by both parties, had proved trespass, in this Council’s favour.  Monies expended by this Council on the production of the report will be reclaimed.  Also agreed that adequate access between the two areas of land owned by this Council is paramount, which may necessitate the re-siting of the wall, and this is to be replayed to the solicitors involved.

101.      Highways and Rights of Way

The large number of potholes throughout the parish had been reported on three occasions during the past month.  It was also noted that few motorists appear to be taking notice of the 30mph speed limits within the parish. 

b)         Footpaths Committee report 25 January 2010

i)          path to the rear of The Withies

Nine forms advising past use had been received and submitted to the HCC Map Review team.  Further details showing the path walked were required.

ii)         Footpath 13

Rules concerning the walking of dogs along public rights of way advise that it is not against the law for the dog to be free of a lead, but it is illegal for an owner not to be in control of his dog.

iii)         Footpaths Booklet

The walk destined for mid January had been cancelled because of heavy snow.  Three further walks are planned in February and March, to identify three possible routes for circular walks which lead into other parishes.   Areas mooted are:  Browning Hill to Tadley Place; Ashford Hill water meadows; Wheathold, and Wasing. 

iv)         Kissing gates

Noted that £1000 still remains in the 2009/10 budget, destined for kissing gates, together with £1000 grant from HCC.  However, once approval has been given by the landowner for the installation of five gates on FP24 and 25, these funds will be exhausted.  It was therefore agreed that a further £1000 be applied to the budget for the next financial year 2010/11 for provision of a further three kissing gates.

v)         Bridleway 15

HCC had notified Council of their plan to effect clearance and drainage works along the length of this route.  A 6 month closure will be instigated, but will only be in effect whilst the work is being carried out, which they anticipate lasting 3-4 weeks, from the end of February into March.

102.      Annual Assembly

Agreed that, given the poor number of attendees in 2009, no speaker would be invited this year.

103.      Councils

The following were received:  HCC Countryside Service Small Grants scheme newsletter; HALC Training Calendar; update on HALC/NALC issue.

104.      Accounts for payment

Received:  £22,221 BDBC Section 106 payments; 59p bank interest

To pay:

105.      Date of next and future meetings

The next meeting of BAUGHURST PARISH COUNCIL will be held on Thursday 25 March 2010, 7.30 pm, Heath End Hall, Baughurst.  Please note that the date of the May meeting will be held on Wednesday 19 May 2010, and not Thursday 27 May 2010 as planned.