Minutes of the Parish Council 24 March 2009 held at Copythorne Parish Hall (7:00pm - 7:45pm)

 

24 March 2009
PDF file size 13Kb

 

PRESENT:

 

Cllr Lady Kara Hawks (Chairman); Cllr I Mansell, Cllr M Moriarty and Cllr J Samways
District Councillor D Tipp - by invitation
PC M Bemand - by invitation

 

(Note: Cllr D Tipp and Rosemary Rutins were present as informal observers representing the NFDC Standards Committee)
Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Good, James, Stenson and Puttock

 

370. MINUTES

 

The minutes of the meetings held on 24 February and 10 March 2009 were approved by the Council and signed by the Chairman.

 

371. MATTERS ARISING

 

Ditch at Bolnore, Newbridge:

 

The Surveyor advised that the owner had piped the ditch prior to back filling which should obviate any drainage implications for the neighbour. No further action was proposed unless a problem emerged.

Highway maintenance:

 

A letter from Hampshire Highways referred to the increasing incidence of potholes following the recent adverse weather and encouraged parishes to report known defects.

Bartley drainage:

 

Cllrs Moriarty and Samways had attended a site meeting with Rob Millar on 6 March. Subsequently a jetting machine had been used and a blockage found but clearance work had not been completed as agreed at the site meeting. The Clerk was pursuing.

 

Footpaths in Romsey Road:

 

The Surveyor advised that the works in Romsey Road involved resurfacing the footways, re-kerbing, some ditch clearance and cutting back of vegetation from Pollards Moor to the A336. The Surveyor apologised that the Parish Council had not received prior notification.

 

372. DISTRICT COUNCIL MATTERS

 

Councillor Tipp confirmed that the 101 telephone service should receive future publicity in New Forest Today.

 

373. CORRESPONDENCE

 

Local crime:

 

PC Bemand presented the February figures for the Copythorne area and updated members on recent incidents. Work was continuing on assisting vulnerable people and promoting Neighbourhood Watch. PC Bemand stressed the need for residents to advise the Police of any suspicious activity.

War memorial:

 

A letter from Roy Farmers advised that quotations were awaited for the addition of the inscription of William Wells. When work was completed it was envisaged that a short ceremony and blessing would take place, with an invitation extended to the Parish Council.

Reception for Parish and Town Councils:

 

The Chairman and Leader of the County Council were inviting three representatives to attend a reception for parishes at the Great Hall, Winchester on Friday 17 April 2009. Possible attendees included Cllrs James and Moriarty and the Clerk.

Other matters:

 

Members also noted other correspondence, as listed in the paper tabled at the meeting.

 

374. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

 

The Clerk tabled a list of matters raised at the Annual Parish Meeting on 11 March 2009. These included: M27 road noise at Cadnam; lack of repeater signs for the new Winsor Road 30 mph speed limit; delayed enforcement at the Copperfield landfill site; litter at the Haywain junction; Newbridge Road flooding.

 

A resident had also requested that the Parish Council write to the local MP proposing abolition of the National Park Authority. Members agreed to defer discussion on this item until the next meeting.

 

375. MATTERS PENDING

 

Members reviewed the outstanding items list but made no amendments at this stage.

 

376. PARISH WEB SITE

 

This item was deferred to the 14 April meeting in the absence of Cllr Good.

 

377. PARISH HALL INTERNET CONNECTION

 

This item was deferred to the 14 April meeting in the absence of Cllr Good.

 

378. FINANCE MATTERS

 

Current balances:

 

Deposit A/c £6509.21

Current A/c £1253.57

 

Payments:

 

The following expenditure was approved:

 

Cheque
685	M Derrick (Clerk’s salary and expenses – March)	£473.72
686	Inland Revenue (Clerk’s tax and Employer NI – March quarter)	£290.43

 

Rural Assistance Grants:

 

Grants totalling £500 had now been received from Cllrs Forse, Puttock and Tipp for the proposed planning display equipment.

Audit of accounts:

 

Members noted that the date for audit of the 2008/09 accounts by the Audit Commission was 3 August 2009. Agreed that John Murray be appointed as internal auditor.

Clerk’s salary:

 

Parishes had received notification of the arbitration panel settlement for Clerk’s pay for the year 2008/09. This showed an increase of 2.75% on the 2007/08 scales, effective from 1 April 2008.

 

379. MEMBERS’ REPORTS

 

Councillor Samways:

 

The ‘No road markings’ sign was still displayed in Barrow Hill Road outside The Empress of Blandings. Clerk to pursue.

Cllr Samways had also attended the NFALC meeting on 19 March at which Clive Chatters, Chairman of the NFNPA, had spoken.

 

380. PLANNING MATTERS

 

Members noted the following:

- approval of the tree works application for Moulands Farm, Winsor Road (09/0026)

- investigations by NFDC into a possible planning breach re a stable at Salisbury Road, Ower

- confirmation that the NFNPA were rigorously pursuing enforcement action at the Copperfield site

 

CHAIRMAN

 

DATE

 

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