DRAFT

BAUGHURST PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of a meeting held on Thursday 26 November 2009

7.30 pm, Heath End Hall

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

                        F Langley, P R S Postance, G Round, S E Terrett                           

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

                        Apologies for absence received from County Councillor M Tucker, Cllr M G Slatford

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

68.       Minutes of the last meeting

The Minutes of the meeting of 22 October 2009, copies of which had been circulated, were taken as read and approved.

 69.       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).

 70.       Matters arising from the Minutes

(57)      Wolverton Lane

No further information received.

(57)      Land adjacent to 105 Long Grove

A site visit had been carried out by an independent surveyor, acting on behalf of both parties.  It was noted that various structures sited on land owned by this Council had been removed. 

(57)      Wolverton Townsend

No further information had been received, although it was noted that some works are scheduled to be carried out during this financial year.

(57)      Footpath 10

A request is to be made to HCC to formally reinstate the path.

(57)      Kissing gates

Clerk had yet to contact the owner of the paths in question.

(57)      Baughurst Road

Remedial works had been carried out.

(57)      Pineapple field

Cleaning of the pavilion appeared to have been carried out.  Tyres and debris are stacked to the side of the pavilion, and the Football Club are to be asked to remove them.

(57)      Photocopier

Clerk had received visits from two contractors approved by HCC, but had not, as yet, received quotations.

(57)      Heath End Road

Burnham Copse Primary School had included the request for a pedestrian crossing in their proposed Travel Plan, which will be considered on its merits.

(59)      Pavement outside Tesco Stores

Re-lifting of the offending slabs had been carried out.

(60)      Remembrance Sunday

All arrangements had gone well, and appropriate thanks had been made.

 71.       County, Borough, BDAPTC and Police reports

Borough Councillor Round gave an update on the situation surrounding the land adjacent to The Wellington Arms, Baughurst Road.  Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council had issued an enforcement notice on the landowner, based on the unauthorised use of the land for storage, erection of fencing and highway issues.  This is currently the subject of an appeal to the DoE.   If the DoE dismiss the appeal, steps will be taken to clear the land by the appropriate authorities. 

The subject of possible Compulsory Purchase of the land by the Council is now in the public domain and the owner of the land has been notified of the possible actions if the land is not used in accordance with its agricultural status within the countryside.

 Cllr Round also gave members a reminder of the log history, enforcement actions and prison sentences relating to unlawful use of the land. dating back over many years.  The Appeal Statement submitted by BDBC Officers sets out the history surrounding the site. 

 Wpc Edwards advised that there had been 9 instances of crime in Baughurst during the last month, mainly involving robbery from outbuildings.  The Police are mounting an initiative to remind the public to safeguard their property in the hope that theft will be discouraged. 

 72.       Open forum

Items raised included a report from Cllr Garrett concerning her attendance at AWE Liaison meetings, including information regarding the storage of radioactive waste and submarine dismantling. 

 73.       Finance

a)         Financial statement

The latest financial statement was received and noted.

b)         Sir George Brown Charity (Wolverton field rental)

Approval was given to the annual rental of the field at £100.

c)         Speed Limit reminder signs

Agreed that:

·         four poles should be purchased for use along Baughurst and Wolverton roads

·         the current use of 2 x 2 weeks slots for rental of the SLR signs in Brimpton Road and Heath End Road should be extended for the financial year 2010/2011

·         an additional two signs should be rented for Baughurst Road and Wolverton Road

d)         To consider adoption of red telephone kiosks (Haughurst Hill and Heath End Road)

It was agreed that the offer by BT, to leave the carcase of the kiosk for £1 each after their removal of the telephony, should not be accepted.

 74.       Planning

a)         to receive and consider the latest planning lists

b)         Decisions by BDBC

75.       Committees

a)         Footpaths

·         Land to rear of Hurst Community Colleg

Agreed that post and rail fencing should be provided for short distances along either side of the path, to deter cyclists from using the public right of way.  A quotation of approximately £700 was agreed for the project.  The Clerk advised that, following several incidences of fallen trees, London & Quadrant had felled several dead and dying silver birch, and cleared the small section of land between FP4 and the rear entrance to the Hurst Community College.  This had occurred mainly due to the intervention of an adjacent householder whose property had been threatened by the prospective danger.  Additional pressure is to be brought to bear upon London & Quadrant to consider the sale of the land, and that to the rear of the houses in Long Grove, to this Council.  Recent high winds and storms have resulted in further casualties of fallen trees along the length of Bridleway 1.

·         Path to rear of The Withies

Forms of declaration were in the process of being distributed, and will be used to support this Council’s application for the path to become part of the Definitive Map.

·         Footpaths booklet

Cllr Ayre had identified one circular walk, leading to the water meadows in Ashford Hill.  Agreed that a further walk leading from Browning Hill towards Tadley Place should be investigated, and a date was set for an exploratory walk. 

·         Footpath 13

Problems concerning the walking of dogs along this path had been reported to HCC Rights of Way and the Police.  Regulations are to be checked.

·         Footpath 24

Noted that there is a temporary obstruction to the passage along this right of way, which will be corrected shortly by the owners of the land.

76.       Playing fields and open spaces

a)         Long Grove

Approval for repair of the vandalised equipment had now been authorised by the insurance company, and the works would be carried out in the near future.

 b)        Flytipping

Letters advising the fact that this is an offence in law are to be sent to householders in Forest Close, and to the rear properties on the western side of Baughurst Road.

77.       Highways and rights of way

a)         Heath End Road             Puddles forming near junction with Baughurst Road         HCC

                                                tree roots obtruding on pavement near War Memorial      HCC

                                                potholes along edges of highway                         HCC

                                                gateway sign broken and subsequently repaired

                                                broken concrete bollard removed

A  meeting had taken place with HCC office, County and Borough Councillors and Clerk regarding the lack of disabled access from pavement along Heath End Road to the adjacent shops.  HCC had suggested reinstatement of the parking layby to pavement, as the forecourt fronting the shops is private property.  Agreed that HCC should be asked to a) request the landowners to consider formal dedication of the forecourt, and b) to ask them to provide disabled access from the private road to the left of the shops to the existing paved area. It was noted that HCC had the power to implement proposed changes without recourse to this Council.

b)         A339/Crabbs Hill           potholes still not repaired                                               HCC

c)         Snakey Lane                  potholes forming near Malthouse Farm                            HCC

d)         Baughurst Road             potholes forming opposite Hillside                                  HCC

                                                potholes adjacent to Baughurst House                             HCC

Noted that ditching had been carried out at both Browning Hill and Violet Lane.

78.       Councils

To receive and consider the following : Government response to making of byelaws; HCC forthcoming consultations on potential changes to the Hampshire Minerals and Waste Core Strategy; HALC new Dashboard entries; BDBC invitation to public meetings; Mayoral Conference reminder; invitation to Women’s World Day of Prayer 5.3.2010.

 79.       Accounts for payment

Received:  69p bank interest; £1.80 footpaths booklet

To pay:

80.       Date of next meeting

Please note that the date of the next meeting has been changed from Thursday 7 January 2010 to Tuesday 12 January 2010, 7.30 pm, Heath End Hall, Baughurst.