Full Council Minutes

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Minutes of a meeting of the above Council held at Wickham Community Centre on Monday 17^th March 2008 at 7.15pm. 

Present: Angela Clear (Chairman and District Councillor), Mike Bennett, Thérèse Evans (District Councillor), Justin Gamblin, Jenny Hollis, Michael Sadler-Forster

County Councillor Freddie Allgood, two members of the public, Parish Clerk Nicki Oliver

1             To receive apologies for absence: Mike Carter, Di Frost, Sue Roger-Jones (Vice-Chairman)

2             To receive declarations of interest on agenda items: none.

3          To adjourn meeting to allow participation by members of the public    

3.1.        Report from County Councillor: report circulated at meeting.

Hampshire’s council tax levy at Band D has increased by 4.5% to £999.00. One of the main reasons for this increase is the small Government grant received by the county which is 2% higher than the previous year.

3.2.        Reports from District Councillors: see attached reports

3.3.        Other questions from members of the public

Concerns were raised that the County Council’s increase in council tax will severely affect the finances of Wickham’s many pensioners on a fixed income.

3.4.     Chairman’s announcements: none.

4             Meeting resumed to approve the minutes of the Full Council meeting 18^th February 2008: minutes approved and signed.

5          Matters properly arising from those minutes not included below

Wickham Community Association has declined a request for a bottle bank recycling facility due to concerns about vandalism and probability of broken glass in an area used by the Youth Club.  The Association Chairman is writing to the Scouts to explain the decision.

Ideas for other potential sites would be welcome.  Sites need to be able to accommodate the service vehicle safely and not pose a noise pollution or vandalism threat. 

6             Agenda items:

6.1 To discuss proposal to improve and enhance the public face of the Parish Council including a greater presence in The Square, to refer to a committee if appropriate. After some discussion it was agreed that this issue would be passed to the Forward Planning Committee as an agenda item.                                                                                     

6.2 Community Safety issues: to receive concerns from councillors / members of the public. Some residents of Wykeham Field have complained about young people digging on the triangular piece of land to create a cycle track.  There has been some nuisance in conjunction with this activity that has been reported to the PCSO’s for action.

6.3 To receive a report on Knowle issues.  Cllr Thérèse Evans reported that following an acoustic report the skatepark is to be relocated.  Cllr Colin Roke reported that the Knowle Village Residents Association website is nearly complete, the area has suffered some localised vandalism.  Residents are disappointed that the village green is still fenced off. 

6.4 Forward Planning Committee report (Cllr Sadler-Forster)

6.4.1 To receive minutes of meeting 10^th March 2008: minutes received.  A meeting is to be held with members of Wickham Affordable Housing Group and Wickham Surgery to discuss a proposal for development adjoining the Community Centre.

6.5 Youth Club Committee report The base is being prepared for the Portakabin which will arrive shortly.

6.6 General Purposes Committee report (Cllr Evans)Cllr Evans outlined proposals for a tourism leaflet to be produced by Winchester City Council to a similar design and format to leaflets prepared for other market towns in the District.  It was confirmed after the meeting that the Parish Council would not be required to contribute financially.  The proposal received broad support, more information on some details required.  

6.7 Lighting Committee report (Chairman) A request for a new light in Elizabeth Close is to be pursued, The Chairman advised that the HCC Community Safety Initiative (50% grant towards qualifying new light proposals) has ended.

6.8 Planning Committee report (Cllr Hollis)

6.8.1 To receive minutes of meeting 25^th February 2008. Minutes received.

6.8.2 To receive minutes of meeting 12^th March 2008 Minutes received.

6.9 Recreation Committee report (Chairman/Clerk) Outline planning permission has been granted for a new community building to replace the existing Scout HQ and pavilion.  The Scouts have placed an order for the demolition of the HQ.  Budget costs for a new building are being prepared.

6.10 Traffic and Highways Representative's report (Chairman). HCC has advised that the outstanding list of repairs has not been completed due to a lack of funds. 

Enquiries regarding the purchase of a set of flashing speed warning signs for Winchester Road has been pursued.  The County Council has received a large number of similar requests from parishes and is developing a policy for the positioning of these signs

The County Council and Police will not support proposals for the PC to install warning lights at this time.  

Concerns were raised that the motorway is remaining shut for too long after an incident creating severe congestion on local roads. Action Clerk to research closure policy.

The Blind Lane/ Titchfield Lane traffic lights are not working correctly. Action Cllr Mike Bennett to contact the HCC engineer to discuss the problem.

6.11 Water Meadows Trust report. (Chairman/ Clerk) Work to the new steps is progressing well.

6.12 Finance Committee report: (Chairman/Clerk)

6.12.1 Proposal to place order with CCTV Systems in the sum of £2000 for a new recorder and repairs to camera covering the skatepark funded from reserves. (Clerk) Resolved.

6.12.2 Proposal to make grant of £380 to the Thursday Club to underwrite their running costs to be funded from reserves (Chairman) Resolved as a ‘one off’ grant, future requests will require more information including copies of accounts.

6.13 Cemetery Committee (Chairman) Additional spaces have been unexpectedly made available in the church yard which will extend the anticipated closure by perhaps two years depending upon demand. 

6.14 Annual Parish Assembly (Chairman/Clerk)

Citizen of the Year – to agree presentations. Chairman Angela Clear, Chairman of GP Thérèse Evans  and Cllr Jenny Hollis to agree awards.

6.15 Wickham Fair - to discuss planning and policing of event (Cllr Bennett) A meeting has been held today between WCC and the Police, a local meeting will be held prior to the Fair.

6.16 HCC public transport information survey update (Clerk) No further news.

6.17To discuss proposal from Peter Chegwyn, festival organiser, that Wickham hosts Cirque de Normandy, free circus skills workshops and circus entry for residents, grant of £2000 would be required towards costs. This proposal was not supported.  Should the organiser wish to return to Wickham with the Festival it would be welcomed.

6.18  Recycling and plastic carrier bag  issues raised by Chesapeake Mill (Cllr Bennett) Refer to next meeting.

6.19 Report on recent meetings attended by Councillors/Clerk: none.

7 Recent correspondence: list circulated prior to meeting.

8 Accounts for payment

It was resolved to pay the following accounts:

9 Questions and comments from Councillors

Meeting closed 9.50pm