Minutes of a meeting of the above Council held at Knowle Village Hall on Monday 18^th September 2006 7.15pm. 

Present: Mrs A Clear (Chairman), Mrs J Mallett (Vice-Chairman), Mr M Coles, Mrs D Dudley, Mrs T Evans (District Councillor), Mrs J Hollis, Dr M O’Connell, Mrs S Roger-Jones 

Five members of the public, Parish Clerk Mrs N Oliver

1.      To receive apologies for absence: Mr M Carter, Mr E Pickering,

2.      Mr F Allgood (County Councillor), Mr P Clohosey (District Councillor)

3.      To receive declarations of interest on agenda items: Dr O’Connell declared a personal interest in discussions regarding the Veranda Restaurant.

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

3.1 Report from County Councillor: Please see attached report.

3.2 Reports from District Councillors: Please see attached report.

3.3 Other questions from members of the public.

Mrs Chris Walton, the proprietor of Clemantines, raised concerns that the two refreshment bars at the European Market on17th September were taking business from traders in The Square.  The number of parking spaces taken by the event was considered to be excessive.  It was agreed that the refreshment bars were not in keeping with the market and one appears to have just turned up to the event.  It will be discussed with the organiser.

Mrs Walton reported that Wickham Festival was a great event for the village.

An update on the proposed 40mph limit on Titchfield Lane was requested. Action: Cllr Allgood

It was agreed to meet Cllr Allgood regarding the HAT initiative to advise of the ways the County’s services can be improved in Wickham. Action: Clerk.

 Chairman Mrs Clear advised that it was with regret that the resignation of Edward Pickering had been received.  Edward has been relocated to Nottingham by his employer.

 All agreed that Edward has made a valuable input to the community particularly at Knowle, also assisting Wickham Community Centre spending a significant amount of time managing IT projects.

4.      Meeting resumed to approve the minutes of the Full Council meeting 17^th July  2006. Minutes approved and signed.

5.      Matters properly arising from those minutes: included below as appropriate

6.      Meeting resumed to consider the following agenda items

6.1 To co-opt councillor to fill vacancy: Mr Michael Sadler-Forster co-opted.

6.2 To receive report from Wickham Festival (Mr Chegwyn)

The event was very successful with £82,000 worth of tickets sold.  The event made a loss overall but another event is planned for next year with more commercial sponsorship if possible.  The Parish Council was thanked for its support.

 6.3 To receive report from Wickham Square Events (Mr Martin)

New volunteers have allowed a revitalising of the Wickham Square Events team.  The new Chamber of Trade has asked the team to put up the Christmas lights.  A low key switch on is planned for 4^th December.

In 2007 Quacky Races are planned for 10^th June with an evening carnival followed by children’s entertainment and party night on 16^th June.

6.4 To receive a progress report on Quality Parish Application (Clerk.)

The Quality Parish application was successful, a presentation will take place on 10^th October.

6.5 To receive a report from Knowle Community representatives

(Cllr Pickering). No report this month.

6.6 Youth Club Committee report

A Battle of the Bands fundraising event was recently organised by the Club; a successful grant application will fund a paid youth worker, the post is currently being advertised.

6.7 General Purposes Committee report (Cllr O’Connell )

Weed killing is being pursued.  It was suggested that traders and residents

should take responsibility for  weeding and litter picking in front of their properties.

The flowerbeds are disappointing both design and planting, the baskets are, however,

very successful.

Action: agenda items for committee.

6.8 Lighting Committee report (Chairman).

Lights ordered for the 2006 CSI scheme should be installed shortly

6.9 Planning Committee report (Cllr Mallett).

6.9.1 To receive minutes of meeting 24^th July 2006. Minutes received.

6.9.2 To receive delegated responses for August 2006  Received.

6.10 Recreation Committee report  (Cllr Roger-Jones).

The new play equipment is proving popular, an opening ceremony for The Circle is to be arranged.

6.11 Traffic and Highways Representative's report (Chairman).

Request for pavements to be cleaned, weeding and dragons teeth installation are chased regularly with little success.  Action: To be raised with the HCC HAT team as issues of concern.

Yellow lines in the village including Tanfield Park are being pursued with WCC.

Despite a number of requests it would appear that temporary flashing lights to slow traffic in

Winchester Road are unlikely to be made available.     

6.12 Water Meadows Committee Report. (Cllr Mallett)

The picnic benches have been vandalised, the bridge and a seat have also been damaged with an axe.

Action: repairs to be made.

6.13 Finance Committee report

6.13.1 To receive minutes of meeting 24^th July 2006 including recommendation to approve

accounts for Annual Return 31 March 2006 audit comprising:

The statement of accounts

Statement of assurance.

Annual internal audit report

(Based on income and expenditure figures presented and agreed at the committee

meeting 10^th May 2006.)

Resolved.

6.14 Cemetery Committee (Chairman)

Quotations for carrying out potential water pollution survey work and highway designs have been requested.

It was agreed to ask Rookesbury again whether land adjoining the existing church could be made available.

6.15 Wickham Tourism Group – refer to next meeting

6.16 Report on recent meetings attended by Councillors.

Mrs D Dudley has attended HAPTC Chairmanship training courses and also a meeting with the WCC Tree Officer

regarding tree cutting on the site of Brook in Tanfield Lane.

7 Recent correspondence

Applications for co-option from Michael Sadler-Forster and MJ Bennett (Copied to all)

Request from resident for dog bin in Station Close (request pursued with HCC and WCC)

Letters from several residents regarding parking in Tanfield Park (PC pursuing yellow lines here and elsewhere

in Wickham)

Letter from tenant of Old Forge confirming intention to vacate on 24^th December

Letter from resident complaint that Leader of HCC celebrated the opening of Hippo Waste at Pegham

despite planning application being refused by WPC, WCC and HCC and won on appeal.  Cllr Thornber

replied to say he didn’t know it was subject to ‘local opposition’. (!)

Letter from resident ref retrospective planning application for portacabins at Wickham Lab (PC has objected)

Letter from resident making a Citizen of the Year nomination

Letter from relative wishing to place a memorial in Knowle Cemetery

Application from Amnesia who would like to use the Old Forge as a barber shop.

WCC Statement of Community Involvement Submission Draft August 2006

WCC Health and Housing, have visited Veranda restaurant to advise about cooking odours.

WCC copy of planning training power point presentations

WCC Forward Plan of Key Decisions August and September

WCC Performance Plan for 2006

WCC Consultation on Gambling Act 2005 Statement of Principles which sets out WCC’s approach to

applications under the new system.  Document available to view online: www.winchester.gov.uk/licencing  

Responses required by 29^th Sept.

HCC Environment Dept. Winchester Minerals and Waste Development Framework – potential sites local meeting 4^th September 6pm Four Marks

HCC order for revision to definitive footpath map (path moved from gardens of houses in The Spur to the pavement)

HCC invite to apply for Community Safety Strategy funding for additional street lights (up to 50% grant available)

HCC Changes to bus services

ENCAMS booklet Litter and the Law

Thornfield Properties invite to view models of Silver Hill Renaissance proposals runs until 31^st August

Playing Fields Association Summer newsletter

Minutes of Six Council Forum 23^rd Feb 2006

Rural Services Review

Local Council Review September

South East England Regional Assembly – Partial review fo the South East Plan – provision of gypsy and traveller caravan sites

Southern Water drought update – our area is fine at the moment, if there is average rainfall there should be no problems

next year

HAPTC information

Freedom of Information Act National Seminar 19^th June 2006 copy of presentation

Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 – apply to councils owning premises

The Commons Act 2006 update

Good practice – Communicating with the public

September Bulletin

59^th HAPTC AGM 10.15am Saturday 7^th October Intech Winchester

agenda, last minutes and annual report

Affiliation fees for 2007/8

Speed limits guidance - the government has directed local Traffic Authorities to review the speed limits on all

A and B roads and implement any changes by 2011

Parish Liaison and HAPTC enquiry service – available to Clerk and Chair only

Banking advice update ref standing orders and direct debits – WPC does not use these at present.

Future audit fee scales

Regional Assemblies NALC policy strategy

Climate change and sustainable energy Act 2006 info

Copies of above available at meeting and on request.

 

Training opportunities

Core Training for Councillors: 6.30pm at Littleton Memorial Hall 3 dates available: 12^th, 24^th October, 21^st November 

 

7.      Accounts for payment It was resolved to pay the following accounts:

 

9 Questions and comments from Councillors

It was agreed not to hold meetings at Knowle until more suitable meeting rooms are available.