DRAFT

BAUGHURST PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of a meeting held on Thursday 24 June 2010

7.30 pm, Wolverton Village Hall

PRESENT:         Cllrs J C Hewitt (Vice Chairman), F Langley, P R S Postance, G Round, S E Terrett

                        Also present:  County Councillor M Tucker and Borough Councillor M Bound

                        Apologies for absence received from Cllrs G and M Adams, J C Ayre, P E Garrett,   M G Slatford

143.      Minutes of the last meeting

The Minutes of the meeting of 19 May 2010, copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read and approved.

144.      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).

145.      Matters arising

(133)    Wolverton Lane

The Environment Agency have now written to the landowner, advising that the effluent discharge from White Cottage does not meet the new Environmental Permitting Regulations.  They have also advised that the new regulations supersede the discharge consent which the Environment Agency granted in the past.  The new regulations now in place can grant a free Exemption, but at the moment this discharge does not meet the criteria to qualify for free exemption.

The discharge will need to discharge into a soak away or a ditch/stream that contains running water all year. The Environment Agency have offered to meet with the landowner in order to offer assistance and provide details of the current legislation.

(133)    Resignation of Councillor Surtees

Agreed that this item would be devolved to the next meeting of General Purposes Committee.

(133)    land to rear of Hurst Community College

A meeting of Playing Fields and Open Spaces is to be convened to discuss the proposal put forward by London & Quadrant that a suitable price for the land should be debated between the two parties.

(133)    Wolverton field

Remedial repairs and painting are still outstanding, and unlikely to take place until the bulk of the grass growing season has passed.

(133)    Pineapple field

Plumber had been contacted twice, requesting the work to be carried out at the Pavilion.  No firm date yet in the offing.

146.      County, Borough, BDAPTC and Police reports

County Councillor Tucker advised that works anticipated for Heath End Road could be funded by Section 106 available monies.  Basingstoke and Deane had also indicated that this Council’s application for grant funding might be well received.  Resurfacing of the remainder of Heath End Road is also destined to be carried out in the near future.  Major potholes had been reported by residents in Long Grove, Woodlands Road, Brimpton Road, Bishopswood lane and Shaw Lane.  The official advance notification by HCC of the proposed extension of the 40mph speed limit between St Catherine’s church, Wolverton, and the A339 is currently in place, with consultation period.  Countryside kerbing is also to be placed at the kerb in front of the church. 

A new salt depot at Micheldever is to be put in place, carrying 400 tonnes of salt, and HCC are to increase their purchase of salt per year.  A new depot will also be sited in south east Hampshire.  A further 1,000 liveried salt bins are to purchased for installation, and new ‘mini’ salting roads leading to core centres and other Hampshire facilities are to be included in general salting runs. 

Although unable to be present, Wpc M Edwards had presented a written report.

DWELLING BURGLARIES

None

NON DWELLING BURGLARIES

VEHICLE CRIME

CRIMINAL DAMAGE

NUISANCE        

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY  

 147.      Finance

The latest financial statement was received and noted.  The Clerk advised that, although expenditure appeared to be excessive for the first quarter of the financial year, this included the reinvestment of the half yearly precept.  She also noted that income now exceeded the limit set on fidelity guarantee insurance, and was authorised to investigate the cost involved in increasing the top limit of the amount insured.

148.      Planning

a)         to receive and consider the latest planning applications

b)         decisions by BDBC

149.      Highways and Rights of Way

a)         Latest information regarding Footpath 10 to be investigated.

b)         Bridleway 15 (Gander Lane) – sodden and impassable by horse or on foot.  HCC to be contacted.

c)         Sites for 6 kissing gates (FP31 and 12) now approved and gates to be installed in the near future.  A meeting for Footpaths Committee is to be convened, and a further footpaths walk planned.

d)         Baughurst Road near Hillside – the remaining outstanding areas are to be completed, which will mean partial closure of the road during off-peak times.

e)         Heath End Road – Hurst Community School, Burnham Copse Primary and HCC are to discuss the possibility of some form of crossing for children of both schools.

e)         Traffic calming measures – the latest amended plans had been received online from HCC and had been posted on this Council’s website.  The scale is insufficient to clearly view the amendments, but assurances had been made that all had been incorporated.

150.      Playing fields and Open Spaces

a)         105 Long Grove

Acting upon instructions from the presiding judge that mediation should be sought, agreed that this Council’s solicitors should seek to negotiate with the solicitors acting for the defendants.  One possible solution may be the purchase of land adjacent to that in question, thus allowing a strip of land for access by all. 

b)         land to rear of Forest Close hammerhead

A quotation had been received for various remedial works, as follows:

• reduce overhanging limbs on line of trees adjacent to 14 Forest Close        £300
• remove dead Scots Pine                                                                          £20
• seer ivy on line of trees as above                                                 £60
• remove ivy clad Scots Pine leaning towards un-cladded utility wire  £120

Agreed that removal of a mature sycamore on the same site should be investigated before the price is agreed.

151.            Councillor vacancy

Agreed that this item should be referred to General Purposes committee for action.

152.            Accounts for payment

Received:  £1.26 Premier interest

To pay:

153.            Date of next meeting

The next meeting of BAUGHURST PARISH COUNCIL will take place on Thursday 29 July 2010, 7.30 pm, Wolverton Village Hall.