DRAFT

BAUGHURST PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting held on  Thursday 30 July 2009

7.30 pm, Wolverton Village Hall

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

M G Slatford, S E Terrett

                        Also present:  Borough Councillor M Bound and 1 member of the public

                        Apologies for absence received from:  Cllrs J C Ayre, J Hewitt, F Langley,

P R S Postance and County Councillor M Tucker

In attendance:  Mrs P J Waterfield, Clerk

 29.       Minutes of the last meeting

The Minutes of the meeting of 30 June 2009, copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read and approved after the removal of the final, extraneous line under Item 20, and the removal of the word ‘limits’ in the 6th paragraph of Item 19.

 30.       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).

 31.       Matters arising from the Minutes

(18)      Wolverton Lane

Borough Councillor Round advised that he had also been to visit the site and had talked with the appropriate authorities, in the hope that the matter will be resolved.

(18)      105 Long Grove

Agreed that an independent surveyor, approved by solicitors acting both for this Council and the respondents, should be appointed.

(18)      Forms of declarations – The Withies

Forms to be completed by those parishioners who had, historically, used the path from The Withies to the rear of The Hawthorns, are to be distributed.

(18)      Wolverton Field and Long Grove

Those items requiring repair or replacement had been carried.  Payment was approved.

(18)      Douro Close/Wildwood

Agreed that the overhanging branches of the acacia should be trimmed back.  Following advice from an independent tree surgeon, agreed that the acacia adjacent should be felled, as the base is unsound.  Also agreed that a dead rowan tree should be removed from Wildwood, and the fallen crown of a conifer removed.

(20)      Wolverton Townsend

A response had been received from HCC Highways, advising that, until an overall review of Baughurst and Wolverton in terms of traffic speeds had been undertaken, no firm decision would be made regarding traffic calming in individual areas.

(23)      Footpath 10

Complaints had been made by various walkers regarding the inability to access the route.  These had been forwarded to HCC.

(23)      Land to rear of Hurst Community College

Deferred to next meeting of Footpaths Committee.

(23)      Kissing gates

A grant application for aid is to be made to HCC.  Clerk to have meeting with Rights of Way Officer and landowner regarding possible replacement of stiles, and improved waymarking, along Footpaths 24 and 25.

(23)      Footpaths booklet

Deferred to next meeting of Footpaths Committee.

(24)      Baughurst Road

Some hedge cutting had been carried out in an area south of that noted at the last meeting.  Clerk is yet to write to the owners of land on either side of the ‘narrows’ by Hillside to ask for their hedges to be trimmed back.

 32.       County, Borough, Police and BDAPTC reports

Borough Councillor Bound gave an update on the situation regarding local planning applications, and the Health and Safety Executive viewpoint on those within a 3km radius of a nuclear establishment.  BDBC had recently approved the application relating to Boundary Hall in Tadley, but had been advised by the Government Office of the South East that they are not eligible to make this decision, which will, presumably, be made by the Secretary of State.

 He also advised that enforcement action will be taking place relating to the land north of ‘The Wellington Arms’, under four headings.

 A written Police report was received from the new Beat Officer for Baughurst, Pc Miriam Edwards, tabling the recent crime statistics for Baughurst.            

 Cllr Slatford reported on investigation surrounding the law and the membership and formation of Councils.

 33.       Finance

a)         to receive the latest financial statement

Received and noted.

b)         to receive report from internal auditor

The accounts had been approved by the internal auditor, and had now been sent to the external auditor.  Those items raised had been covered by General Purposes Committee.

c)         to approve payment for poppy wreath, Remembrance Sunday

Approval was given to £40 from the Chairman’s Allowance.

d)         to consider grant aid application, Hurst Fun Day

Approval was given to a grant of £50, under section 137 of the LGA 1972, for the benefit of the area and its inhabitants.

e)         to consider grant aid application, Cruse Bereavement Care

More information was requested.  Updated list of regular gifts to charities to be supplied by Clerk.

 34.       Planning

a)         to receive and consider the latest planning applications

 b)         decisions by BDBC

 Tree Preservation Order confirmed at Little Acres, Brimpton Road, Baughurst.  TPO BDB 510

Appeal to DoE BDB 069224          Little Acres, Brimpton Road                    dismissed

Appeal to DoE BDB 070089          St Ann’s Cottage, Bishopswood Lane       submitted

Appeal to DoE BDB 070072          Stratton Manor, Browning ilHill HHill                 submitted

 35.       General Purposes Committee

Following receipt of the internal audit report, the following were reviewed:

a)         Review of standing orders

Those relating to admission of the public to meeting were reviewed and agreed.  Agreed that generic responses to planning applications for the felling of healthy trees should be that, in the absence of any strong and specific reason, this Council would prefer that a healthy tree should not be felled.

b)         Review of financial regulations

The document was reviewed, and agreed.

c)         Review of risk assessment document

The document was reviewed, updated, and agreed.

d)         Clerk’s contract of employment

Several minor amendments to be made and reviewed at next meeting of General Purposes.

e)         Data security

Agreed that sufficient security was in place.  Agreed that back-up information should be stored in the alternative filing facility at Heath End hall.

 36.       Highways and Rights of Way

 Footpath 10

Clerk had received complaints from members of the public concerning the lack of access to the above right of way.  These had been forwarded to the relevant section of HCC.

 37.       Playing Fields and Open Spaces

a)         Wolverton field

Remedial works had been carried out by RSS Contractors.

b)         Pineapple field

Clerk advised general grime in the pavilion, and had asked Calleva Football Club to ensure that cleaning is undertaken.  The Club had replaced the worn directional signs at the gate and within the pavilion.  Ragwort is to be removed, and the maintenance contractor is to be asked to repair the straining wires of the perimeter fences.

 38.       Councils

The following were received:  HCC Community Challenge Fund (grant to be applied for); HCC Minerals and Waste Development Framework; consultation on integrated sustainability appraisal scoping report.

 39.       Accounts for payment

Received:  £3.50 Footpaths booklets; Bank interest £1.06, Pavilion meter £50.00

 To pay:

40.       Date of next meeting

The date of the next meeting of BAUGHURST PARISH COUNCIL will be held on Thursday 24 September 2009, 7.30 pm, Heath End Hall, Baughurst.

41. Confidential Minutes (Clerk’s salary and allowances)