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Minutes of the Parish Council 26 May 2009 held at Copythorne Parish Hall (7:00pm - 9:58pm)

26 May 2009
PDF file size 18Kb

PRESENT:

Cllr Lady Kara Hawks (Chairman); Cllr G James, Cllr I Mansell, Cllr M Moriarty and Cllr J Samways

District Councillor H Forse - by invitation
District Councillor L Puttock - by invitation
PC Bemand - by invitation

Apologies for absence were received from Cllrs Stenson and Tipp

1 . APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

Councillor Lady Kara Hawks was elected Chairman of the Council for the year 2009/10.

2 . APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

Councillor Geraint James was elected Vice-Chairman of the Council for the year 2009/10.

3 . PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Members of the public spoke on the following planning application:

09/94013 (Oak Cottage, Winsor Road, Winsor) Applicants

4 . MINUTES

The minutes of the meetings held on 28 April and 12 May 2009 were approved by the Council and signed by the Chairman, subject to the following amendment:

28 April, 2009 - minute 397 (Splitwind Pond): In the penultimate line, substitute “flora and fauna” for “environmental”.

5 . MATTERS ARISING

Splitwind Pond:

Clerk to confirm that works to the pond will qualify under the Landfill Communities Fund in respect of the Viridor landfill site at Squabb Wood.

Caravan site at The Lodge, Southampton Road, Bartley:

A letter from the Camping and Caravanning Club acknowledged previous complaints from the resident living next to this site concerning alleged breaches. However, the Club had investigated the complaints at length and had seen no evidence that the site operated outside the terms of its licence.

Parish Council vacancy:

No request had been made by electors for a by-election. The Council could therefore proceed to fill the vacancy by co-option (23 June meeting).

6 . DISTRICT COUNCIL MATTERS

Councillor Puttock reported on a meeting with Hampshire Highways concerning safety issues related to Bartley crossroads. As a result, the following measures were being pursued:

- a 30 mph speed limit for Southampton Road eastwards from Cadnam roundabout

- solar flashing junction sign in Southampton Road near Cadnam Garage

- high visibility road markings near the junction

Investigations were also under way into the access/egress arrangements at Chalks.

Agreed, that the Parish Council write to Highways confirming its support for the 30 mph speed limit.

Councillor Forse reported on the following:

- Councillor Puttock’s appointment as Chairman of NFDC (Councillor Pat Wyeth Vice-Chair)

- his support for the proposed speed reduction for Southampton Road

7 . 2009/10 APPOINTMENTS

The following appointments were made for the year 2009/10:

Finance Committee:	Lady Kara Hawks, G James, J Samways and the Clerk
Media/publicity:	The Clerk
NFDC Liaison meetings:	Lady Kara Hawks and G Stenson
NF Ass of Local Councils:	J Samways and G Stenson
NF Consultative Panel:	M Moriarty
Parish Hall Man Cttee:	Vacancy
Parish paths:	The full Council
Planning:	The full Council
Risk Assessment:	J Samways
Splitwind Pond:	The full Council
Transport (local):	Lady Kara Hawks and M Moriarty
Tree Wardens:	The full Council
Web Site Group:	G James, M Moriarty, J Samways and G Stenson
Winsor Neigh’hood Watch:	I Mansell

8 . PLANNING MATTERS

Current planning applications:

Members agreed to comment as follows on current applications:

09/93991 6 Abbotsford, Bartley (Single-storey extension). Support (3)

09/94013 Oak Cottage, Winsor Road, Winsor (Two-storey side and rear extension). Support (3)

Decisions:

Members noted planning and appeal decisions, as shown in the list tabled at the meeting (appendix 1).

9 . CORRESPONDENCE

Copythorne war memorial:

Members received a letter from Roy Farmers concerning the proposed new inscription on the war memorial. Four companies had been asked to quote but, to date, only one had replied (Roger Drury of Romsey). NFDC had also been asked if it could fund the cost of the work in the absence of any other available grant aid. Agreed, that Mr Farmers be asked to make a further approach to the other three companies for a quotation.

Other correspondence:

Members noted the following:

- April crime figures from PC Bemand, with an update on recent incidents

- a letter from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust concerning Copythorne Common. The management plan was due to be revised and would include a decision on the future of the loading area/hardstanding

- an invitation from NFALC for parishes to nominate a representative on the NFNPA Joint Litter Working Group

- details of temporary road closures on 13 and 17 June 2009 for carnival activities

- other correspondence, as shown in the list accompanying the agenda

10. NEW FOREST NATIONAL PARK PLAN – PARISH MEETING

Discussion took place on the need for a parish meeting (with an NFNPA representative present) to provide an update on the revised National Park Plan. Members were unaware of any requests for a meeting from individual residents and noted that the NPA would have a presence at the forthcoming Copythorne Carnival. On this basis it was agreed not to pursue a separate meeting at this time.

Councillor Moriarty also tabled a note of the North East parishes meeting held at Bramshaw on 5 May 2009 which it was agreed would be circulated to all members.

11. AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Members discussed arrangements for a special Council meeting on affordable housing issues. In this context, the Clerk tabled a note from Housing Services at NFDC confirming that any proposed scheme would only be built if it met an identified housing need and that only people with a local connection to the village/parish would qualify to reside in a rural affordable home.

It was agreed that further discussions would take place at a suitable Planning meeting. In the meantime, the Clerk would seek further details of current housing need and whether any additional sites had been identified.

12. MATTERS PENDING

Members reviewed the outstanding items list and agreed the following:

468 (Parish web site): No further progress with arrangements for demonstration of alternative web site. Clerk to pursue further. Meanwhile, NFDC had completed templates for the requested changes to the current web site but it was not known whether charges would accrue if Copythorne now changed providers.

471 (Potholes near Newbridge cattle grid): The Surveyor advised that the site being trialled for possible repair materials was still ongoing. In the meantime, edge repairs along Furzley Road would receive attention.

497 (Road drainage, Chinham Road/New Inn Road): Recent heavy rain had revealed ongoing drainage issues at this site. The Clerk had therefore asked the Surveyor to contact Cllr Moriarty to discuss the matter. Cllr Moriarty also tabled a note on the current situation which the Clerk would also pass to the Surveyor.

506 (Management Plan for Splitwind Pond): Plan still in preparation. Meanwhile Cllr James to carry out grass cutting.

508 (Mobile broadband/Internet connection, Parish Hall): Clerk to arrange for BT to install new telephone line. Council can then consider possible internet provider(s).

509 (Fence alterations, Empress of Blandings): No progress to date. Clerk to pursue with Surveyor.

13. STANDING ORDERS

Standing Order (ii) was invoked to allow the meeting to deal with the business in hand.

14. FINANCE MATTERS

Council insurances:

A report tabled by the Clerk showed an alternative insurance quotation from Norwich Union in the sum of £346.77 (reduced to £329.43 with a 3-year binding agreement). Agreed, that the quotation for a 3-year agreement be accepted.

2008/09 accounts:

Members received the draft Income and Expenditure Accounts and Annual Return for 2008/09. The documents would be presented to the Internal Auditor (John Murray) on 28 May and to the External Auditor (the Audit Commission) on 3 August 2009. Agreed, that the 2008/09 accounts and Annual Return be approved.

Budget management:

It was noted that the revised 2009/10 budget did not include provision for the GIS Partnership. Agreed, that the sum of £204 be added for this purpose.

Current balances:

Deposit A/c £10,022.44

Current A/c £1309.73

Payments:

The following expenditure was approved:

Cheque
691	Ringwood Town Council (GIS Partnership – 2009/10)	£234.60
692	M Derrick (Clerk’s salary and expenses – May)	£489.50

15. MEMBERS’ REPORTS

Councillor Moriarty:

Tabled the notes of a meeting held on 18 May concerning the GIS Partnership. The necessary software would first be e-mailed to Clerks and then cascaded to all councillors. A service level agreement would need to be signed by the Clerk on behalf of the Council. The system would incorporate available Parish logos. Agreed, Clerk to approach Bartley School concerning the possibility of schoolchildren designing a suitable logo for Copythorne.

Councillor James:

Possible motorised activity taking place on Copythorne Common, adjacent to Barrow Hill Road. Cllr James to obtain further information and report back.

Councillor Samways: