Full Council Minutes

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Minutes of a meeting of the above Council held at Wickham Community Centre on Monday 15^th October 2007 at 7.15pm. 

Present: Angela Clear (Chairman), Sue Roger-Jones (Vice-Chairman), Trevor Astbury, Mike Bennett, Di Frost, Justin Gamblin, Jenny Hollis, Neil Jackson, Michael Sadler-Forster.

Freddie Allgood (County Councillor) Nic Holliday (WAHG),Debbie Rhodes (Rural Housing Enabler), Sgt Chris Stanton, David Roger-Jones (WCA), Dick Warwick, four members of the public, Parish Clerk Nicki Oliver

The Chairman requested one minute silence in remembrance of Sue Fitzgerald.

1.            To receive apologies for absence Cllrs Mike Carter and Thérèse Evans (District Councillor),

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

3.            To adjourn meeting to allow participation of members of the public:    

3.1.        Report from County Councillor: report circulated at meeting

3.2.        Reports from District Councillor: report circulated at meeting

3.3.        Other questions from members of the public

A request for parking permits for residents of Warwick Way was made by resident Roy Crowl. Action: Clerk to note when permit review carried out.

A request for a van left at the entrance to Dickson Park to be removed was received from resident Doug Copeland. Action: Chairman

Sgt Chris Stanton reported on progress being made to curb antisocial behaviour, acceptable behaviour contracts have been set up for a small number of children and their families.  It was noted that the perpetrators of two recent crimes have been charged.

Dick Warwick, owner of RG Warwicks advised that no complaints have been received regarding display of goods in The Square during the last 50 years, Mr Warwick expressed his disappointment that the anonymous complainant had  not spoken to him first.  It was pointed out that an increase in ‘rent’ from £5 to £500 per annum was not economically sustainable.  

Cllr Mike Bennett suggested an alternative to painting the railway bridges could be to clad them.

4.            Meeting resumed to approve the minutes of the Full Council meeting 10^th September 2007: minutes approved and signed.

5.            Matters properly arising from those minutes not included below: none.

6.            Agenda items:

6.1 To receive report and feedback from the affordable housing survey (Rural Housing Enabler, Debbie Rhodes) copy of report circulated to all councillors prior to meeting.

Ms Rhodes advised there were some further amendments to be made to the report which would be circulated.

6.2 To consider email from WCC advising of proposal to offer Warwicks a license to use two parking spaces for display of goods for the sum of  £500 pa and agree response. (Email dated 5^th September circulated to all councillors)

It was agreed to write to WCC objecting to the proposal to charge £500 pa, it was also agreed that the display was an important part of the character of The Square.         

6.3 To receive update on Market Town Health Check. (Chairman/Clerk): most of the desk study work has been completed, a survey of all residents and businesses will be required at some point, working in conjunction with the project to review the VDS.

6.4 Village Design Statement/ Wickham strategic issues progress report from meeting 3^rd October (Cllr Sadler-Forster)

The informal meeting, lasting two hours, was attended by the majority of  councillors and some members of the public.

David Crossley from Rookesbury Estate outlined some initial ideas for development over the next few years. A ‘package’ proposal was made for green field development of around 50 houses on a six acre site north of The Circle with the community being provided with land in Mill Lane to make good the recreation ground shortfall – currently 8 acres, together with land for up to 25 exception site (low cost for local people) houses. (a copy of the site plan has been circulated to all councillors).

Such a proposal is contrary to the current local plan which expires in 2011 but could be promoted through the emerging Local Development Framework/South East Plan for post 2011 and possibly earlier with the support of the Parish Council and community.

There was broad support for the proposal from those present with a view that development was inevitable and should be managed from the earliest stage.

It was agreed there is a need to balance affordable housing with private market housing to prevent the exacerbation of the current pockets of social deprivation.

It was considered that most local people commute out of the village and that local job opportunities are limited, there was support for the provision of smaller starter business units and for employment opportunities to be provided alongside additional housing.

Those present were reminded that the SDA North of Fareham would provide 10,000 houses and employment space.  There is a need to carry out an impact assessment of the SDA development on Wickham, to encompass social, environmental, traffic and transport issues.

Current traffic and parking issues were discussed, there was a general agreement that traffic and parking problems were increasing.  If alternative parking is to be provided it must be very close to The Square. 

6.5 To receive a report on Knowle issues:  Cllr Allgood suggested a summit be held at Knowle involving HCC, WCC and WPC councillors to try and address some of the resident’s problems.

6.6 Youth Club Committee report (Cllr Carter) Councillors were advised that Bill Crozier has donated the proceeds from his latest book to the Youth Club.

6.7 General Purposes Committee report (Cllr Evans ): The Clerk reported that  plans for the Christmas switch on event are progressing well.

6.8 Lighting Committee report (Chairman): The light outside 21 Wykeham Field has been installed but needs a new bulb!  Repairs are needed to the light outside Wickham Barbers.

6.9 Planning Committee report (Cllr Hollis).

6.9.1 To receive minutes of meeting 24^th September 2007 Minutes received.         

6.10 Recreation Committee report  (Cllr Roger-Jones): the pitch is being well used, work to windows of the pavilion to be carried out shortly.     

6.11 Traffic and Highways Representative's report (Chairman): patching work in the Star Corner layby and outside Wheatley has been carried out.  HCC is looking at possible improvements to the Blind Lane crossroads.  Temporary speed flashing signs will be installed in the Holt Close/Upper House Court area for two weeks at the end of October.         

6.12 Water Meadows Trust report. (Chairman/ Clerk): nothing to report this month.

6.13 Finance Committee report: (Chairman/Clerk)

6.13.1 To receive minutes of meeting held 12^th September: minutes received. 

6.13.2 Proposal to fund the following through the £20,000 precepted for new projects:

1. Request from Youth Club for grant of £280 for travelling expenses to drumming performance in Winchester: resolved.

2. Request from Youth Club for grant of £212.75 + VAT towards costs of tee shirts for Wickham Youth Club worn for the drumming performance at Wickham Festival: resolved.

3. Request from St Nicholas PCC for additional £150 towards cost of printing annual parish report and delivering parish magazines, (there has been an increase in the number of copies required for Knowle): resolved

4. Request from St Nicholas PCC for a contribution of £450 towards a new mower estimated total cost £584.09: resolved.

5. Request from GP Committee to place order with Blackwell and Moody to clean the war memorial in the sum of £934.00 plus VAT: resolved.

6. Request from GP Committee for a budget of up to £500 towards Christmas light switch on event: resolved.

7. Request from GP Committee for funding for new seat at the top of Dairymoor quotation from Neptune approx £541 + VAT: resolved.

8. Request from Knowle Village Residents Association for £500 towards cost of newsletter: resolved.

Additional time constrained proposals not formally considered by the Finance Committee:

9. Proposal to make grant of £400  to Wickham Primary School to sponsor the purchase of 2 No ’20 is plenty’ road signs : only £200 grant required: resolved.

10. Proposal that the Parish Council  should indicate its support to Wickham Community Association for a project to install a lift, estimated total cost £50 K, PC to contribute £8K in the 2008/9 financial year: resolved.

6.14 Cemetery Committee (Chairman)

6.14.1 To receive minutes of meeting held 12^th September: minutes received.

6.15 Report on recent meetings attended by Councillors/Clerk including:

6.15.1 Update on Village of the Year Competition: preparations are underway to enter the National competition, a suitable site for the plaques needs to be agreed.

6.15.2 Hampshire Public Transport Forum Cllr Mike Bennett’s report circulated prior to the meeting.

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: none

Meeting closed 9.36pm