DRAFT

BAUGHURST PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting held on Thursday 22 October 2009

7.30 pm, Heath End Hall, Baughurst

PRESENT:         Cllrs C C Surtees (chairman), G Adams, M Adams, J C Ayre, P E Garrett (t8), J

                        Hewitt, F Langley, S E Terrett

                        Apologies for absence received from Cllrs P r S Postance, G Round, M G Slatford

                        Also present:     County Councillor M Tucker, Borough Councillor M Bound and 1

                        member of the public

                        In attendance:  Mrs P J Waterfield, Clerk to the Council

55.       Minutes of the last meeting

The Minutes of the meeting of 24 September 2009, copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read and approved, with the following amendment:  44(31) ‘Wolverton Townsend  …. With funds to be allocated for implementation next year …’

56.       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).

57.       Matters arising from the Minutes

(44)      Wolverton Lane

It has been suggested that the effluence passing through the filtering system may not be meeting the standards set by the Environment Agency, although the landowner allegedly disputes this fact.  Further information is awaited. 

(44)      land adjacent to 105 Long Grove

No further information has been received regarding the recent inspection by the dually appointed surveyor.

(44)      Wolverton Townsend

The road surface will now be tested within two weeks and a works order be passed to the contractor before the end of the month.  This should mean that the work will be completed before the end of November at the latest.  A vehicle speed and volume survey for Wolverton Townsend has been ordered by HCC, which should provide useful background data.

(44)      Footpath 10

The Clerk had received complaint from a member of the public regarding the undergrowth obstructing the rights of way sign leading to the above path, and had notified HCC accordingly.

(44)      land to rear of Hurst Community College

L&Q had felled dead and dying silver birch in the vicinity of one  house in Long Grove, and on land to the left of this property, which leads to the rear entrance of the Hurst College.  The clerk had redoubled her efforts to contact L&Q with a view to possible purchase of the area in question, and beyond, but had heard nothing further.

(44)      Kissing gates

The clerk had yet to contact the owner of the paths in question, with a view to purchase and installation of the gates.

(44)      Baughurst Road

Remedial works had been partially carried out, but appear to have stalled.  Requests for information from HCC  have thus far been unsuccessful.

(44)      Pineapple field

The Clerk had yet to check whether works had been carried out regarding the poor condition of the pavilion.

(46)      Vitality 3 bus service

A letter of complaint regarding the cessation of the service had been made, and a reply received from Reading Bus, advising that lack of funding and usage precluded the continuation of the service.

(46)      land adjacent to ‘The Wellington Arms’

A proposed meeting between the landowner, BDBC and Cllr Round had failed to materialise.

(47)      Newsletter

Distribution of the newsletter was in the process of taking place.

(47)      Photocopier

The Clerk advised that a meeting was imminent with representatives of the company selected by HCC for such use, with a view to identifying the needs of this Council with regard to copying/scanning, etc.

(49)      Pinewood Close

BDBC had agreed to add the above to their list to grasscrete schemes, but warned that it was some way down in the list, with more important schemes receiving prior attention.

(49)      Baughurst Road

The Clerk had requested County Councillor Tucker to investigate the possibility of moving the ‘unsuitable for HGV’ sign from its current position.

(49)      Speed Limit Reminder signs

It was agreed that, given the cost of approximately £2,800 for purchase of such a sign, plus management costs of £1,500 per year, no purchase would be made. The Clerk had arranged for the rental, at half price, of the rented sign for March 2010, with investigation into its possible siting in Baughurst Road.

(49)      Heath End Road

HCc had advised that this Council’s request for a pedestrian crossing would have more chance of success if supported by a request for such in the proposed Travel Plan for Burnham Copse Primary School.  Application is to be made to the school to discover whether they would support this addition.

58.       County, Borough, Police and BDAPTC reports

County Councillor Tucker reported on the recent success of ‘Map Crime in your Area’; the updating of members’ details on the sheet provided within ‘Hampshire Now; her pursuance of the need for green waste facilities in this area, and the need for ditching in sites like Violet Lane.

Borough Councillor Bound commented on the recent liaison with AWE, where such issues as the 3km exclusion zone for planning in relation to the Health and Safety Executive were discussed.  The decision by the Secretary of State is awaited.  Cllr Bound had also attended the appeal to the Inspectorate regarding the proposed planning application at Stratton Manor.

Wpc Edwards  had presented her apologies, but her written report included little change in the crime statistics for Baughurst, and a warning, via her weekly newsletter, of possible criminal activity in areas of Baughurst.

59.       Open forum

Ditching in Browning Hill was discussed, and the need for same in Violet Lane.  Also mentioned was the need for the repair of loose paving slabs outside Tesco in Heath End Road.

60.       Finance

a)         financial statement and budget statement

The financial statement was received and noted.  The budget was received and agreed as follows:

Total predicted income: £43,840

Total predicted expenditure:      £35,000

Expected balance at 31.3.10       £8,840

b)         Parish Grants and Precepts 2010/11

Agreed that the precept should rise by £1,000 to £27,000.  Agreed that the limited general grant of £1,100 from BDBC should be accepted.

c)         Hurst Free Family Learning Day

Agreed that £50 should be granted, under Section 137a of the LGA 1972, for the benefit of the community and its inhabitants.

d)         Bob O’Bee Memorial Prize

Agreed that £30 should be given, under the Chairman’s allowance, for the above prize.

61.       Planning

a)         to receive and consider the latest planning applications

b)         decisions by BDBC

62.       Playing fields and open spaces

a)         Long Grove

The Clerk reported an incidence of vandalism, resulting in the destruction of a central spiral pole to Skyline 2 Junior multi play unit.  Police and insurers had been notified, and the item had been girdled with security tape and a warning sign.  Approval for repair was awaited from the insurers.  Once received, approval was given to the remedial repair, at an approximate cost of £900.

b)         Waste disposal facility

No further formal information had been received.  However, a meeting had taken place between Tadley Town Council and Hampshire Councillors, ,where it had been advised that a Household Recycling Waste Centre will not be located in this area by HCC. Provision of a local green waste collection point is also extremely unlikely due to the problems of finding a suitable location.  Collection of green waste from homes, at a cost, is to be considered, as is kerbside collection of glass.

c)         Wolverton field

Agreed that the lower quotation for the cutting of hedges should be accepted, at £175.

63.       Highways and Rights of Way

a)         Heath End Road

A meeting to discuss measures for enabling safety for the disabled is to take place towards the end of November.

b)         Noted that swathes of verge cutting had taken place, presumably by HCC.

64.       Open forum

The question of SATNAV navigation locally was raised, and the issues surrounding the use of postcodes for the direction of traffic.  No further information had been received.

65.       Councils

The following were received:  BDBC Mayoral invitation to parishes (Cllrs Surtees, Hewitt and Clerk to attend); HCC Survey of Charter between Councils (response made).

66.       Accounts for payment

Received:         £13,000 half yearly precept; £1.80 footpaths booklet; £464.90 Calleva half year fees

To pay:

67.       Date of next meeting

The next meeting of BAUGHURST PARISH COUNCIL will take place on Thursday 26 November 2009, 7.30 pm, Heath End Hall, Baughurst.