DRAFT

BAUGHURST PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting held on Thursday 24 September 2009

7.30 pm, Heath End Hall, Baughurst 

PRESENT:         Cllrs C C Surtees (Chairman), M Adams, J C Ayre, P E Garrett,  J Hewitt, F Langley, G Round, M G Slatford, S E Terrett

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

Also present:  Borough Councillor M Bound, Wpc M Edwards and 2 members of the             public

 In attendance:  Mrs P J Waterfield, Clerk

42.       Minutes of the last meeting

The Minutes of the meeting of 30 July 2009, copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read and approved.

43.       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).

44.       Matters arising from the Minutes

(31)      Wolverton Lane

A licence for emission of effluence had originally been granted by the Environment Agency, and it appears to be impossible to revoke.  The water coursing down the lane has passed through a treatment process, but occasionally this can be noxious.  Efforts are still ongoing with Enforcement at Basingstoke and Deane, together with the possibility of the positioning of a ditch.  It is further understood that the carriageway is beginning to disintegrate under the pressure of constant cascading water.

(31)      105 Long Grove

An independent surveyor had been appointed by both parties, and a report awaited.

(31)      The Withies

Forms of declaration had not yet been distributed.  Agreed that maintenance contractor should be asked to remove small willow/alder growing in front of pond area.

(31)      Wolverton Townsend

A response had been received from HCC, advising that signing, road marking and improvements to highway drainage and retexturing of the road surface will be carried out during this financial year.  Funding for investigation into traffic calming measures has been allocated this year, with fund to be allocated for implementation next year.  Traffic data had been collected, including all roads in the Parish, for the design purposes of this investigation project only.

(31)      Footpath 10

Complaints continue to be received from members of the public attempting access to the path.

(31)      Land to rear of Hurst Community College

L&Q had agreed to cut back bramble and nettle on land adjacent to the public right of way, and remove dead and dying silver birch overhanging the garden of one house in Long Grove.  A site meeting had been held with the contractor, the occupant and the Clerk to the Council.  Further requests to L&Q to consider the sale of this land to this Council are to be made.

(31)      Kissing gates

The Clerk had been successful in her bid to obtain a grant from HCC for a further £1000 for kissing gates.  A site meeting had taken place on Footpaths 24 and 25 with the landowner, Clerk and Rights of Way Officer from HCC.  It was agreed that at least 4 stiles would be purchased and provided for these two rights of way.

(31)      Baughurst Road

Clerk had written to landowners adjacent to ‘the narrows’ by Hillside, asking them to cut back vegetation.  It is understood that a meeting with HCC officers is to take place shortly in this regard.

(33)      Audit

The accounts had been passed by both the Internal and External auditors.

(33)      Charities

Those charities to which this Council gives regularly were listed as:  Citizens Advice Bureau, Age Concern, Hurst Play Day, Ambrose Allen Day Care Centre.

(37)      Pineapple field

No response had been received from Calleva regarding the complaints raised about the condition of the Pavilion.  Clerk to check whether works had been carried out.

45.       County, Borough, Police and BDAPTC reports

Borough Councillor Round advised the latest situation regarding planning locally, and the effect of the rulings imposed by the Health and Safety Executive on development within a 3km radius of a nuclear site.  Various applications have been affected, until a formal ruling is received from Government, and these include a development for 3 additional houses to the original 6 on a site in Shyshack Lane in Tadley. 

The Chairman introduced Wpc Miriam Edwards, the new beat officer for Baughurst.  She gave a comprehensive breakdown of burglaries and crime in Baughurst during the past month, and advised that she would like to promote the Neighbourhood Watch scheme locally, seeking volunteers for roads which currently have no such provision.  Traffic speeds are being monitored on an informal basis at present, but it was agreed that this Council would request a formal speed monitoring along Heath End Road, Baughurst and Brimpton Roads.

Cllr Slatford reported on various issues raised at BDAPTC:

• Emergency planning, and proposals to ask Clerks to Councils to help by acting as local coordinators
• New Government planning laws, which have already started with electronic applications
• Local Development Framework – questionnaire, and the subject of the Parish Conference to be held in late November, courtesy of the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane
• Prospective rural funding for rural shops and businesses
• The rulings relating to the election of new parish councillors, rather than cooption
• Section 106 agreement monies to be paid to those parishes bordering the A339, as a result of the recent building of the Prologis site near Newbury. 

46.       Open forum

The recent curtailment of the Vitality 3 bus service was deplored, and a letter of complaint to be sent to Reading Bus.  It was noted that both BDBC and HCC are aware of the problems engendered by the lack of a waste facility in the Tadley/Baughurst area, and this Council is to urge them to raise the issue to high priority. 

In answer to a request from a local resident, Borough Councillor Round undertook to broker a meeting between BDBC officers, himself and the resident to attempt to resolve the misunderstandings surrounding the various planning issues relating to an area of open ground.

47.       Finance

a)         financial statement

The latest financial statement was received.

b)         Data Protection licence

Approval given to payment of the licence.

c)         Newsletter

Approval was given to the production of the newsletter.

d)         Half yearly precept

Approval was given to the reinvestment of the half yearly precept.

e)         Photocopier

Clerk advised that HCC had advised that the servicing and maintenance of the machine would no longer take place, as it was considered to be too old.  Agreed that quotations for a replacement machine should be obtained.

48.       Playing Fields and Open Spaces

Noted that the following were available, under Section 106 agreements, from BDBC:

            £21,600            for ‘play’

            £5,000              for open spaces

            £600                 for open spaces

49.       Highways and Rights of Way

a)         Trees

HCC had agreed to look at two dead/dying trees on land which they maintain, and also to consider crown lifting of a tree in Long Grove.

b)         Baughurst Road

Traffic order proposal shortly to be advertised which concerns the extension of the current 30mph speed limit to ‘The Wellington Arms’. 

c)         Pinewood Close

Various complaints had been received regarding the lack of car parking facilities.  HCC/BDBC to be asked to provide further grasscrete off-road parking.

d)         Questionnaire

Questionnaire from National Highways and Transport Network had been completed.

e)         Baughurst Road – signage

Agreed that the sign advising ‘Unsuitable for HGVs’ is still situated in the wrong position.  Clerk to ask for its removal closer to the junction with Shaw Lane.

f)          Speed Limit Reminder signs

Agreed that a further rental (at half price, £137.50) of the sign should be made during March 2010, at a destination to be agreed, but subject to existence of a suitable lamp post.  Further agreed that investigation would be carried out into purchase of a permanent structure.

g)         Heath End Road

A request had been received from a local resident for the provision of a pedestrian crossing.  HCC to be asked to consider the possibility, given the 30mph speed limit currently in force.

h)         Baughurst Road

HCC to be asked to look at tree roots in pavement near War Memorial.

i)          Wolverton Common

Large potholes near A339 to be reported to HCC.

50.       Planning

a)         to receive and consider the latest planning lists

b)         decisions by BDBC

51.       Councils

The following were received:  BDBC Road Safety Committee information; HCC Guidance notes for gypsies and travellers in Hampshire; Heath End Hall contract (Cllrs Ayre, Hewitt and Garrett declared an interest).

52.       Accounts for payment

Received:        VAT Refund £383.91; Premier account interest 86p and 96p; Pavilion meter £50.00

To pay:

53.       Date of next meeting

The next meeting of BAUGHURST PARISH COUNCIL will be held on Thursday 22 October 2009, 7.30 pm, Heath End Hall, Baughurst.

54.       Confidential Minutes (Code of Conduct for Councillors; Training)