Full Council Minutes

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Minutes of a meeting of the above Council held at Wickham Community Centre on Monday 20^th March 2006 7.15pm. 

Present: Mrs A Clear (Chairman), Mrs J Mallett (Vice-Chairman),

Mr M Carter, Mr M Coles, Mr F Duckworth, Mrs D Dudley,

Mrs T Evans (District Councillor), Mrs J Hollis, Dr M O’Connell, Mr E Pickering, Mrs S Roger-Jones.

Mr P Clohosey (District Councillor), Four members of the public, Parish Clerk Mrs N Oliver

1.      To receive apologies for absence: Mr F Allgood (County 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 Please see attached report.

3.2.           Reports from District Councillors Please see attached reports

3.3.           Other questions from members of the public: none.

3.      Meeting resumed to approve the minutes of the Full Council meeting 20^th February 2006: minutes approved and signed.

4.      Matters properly arising from those minutes:

The Parish Council has received a letter from Mr Holladay, representing the affordable housing on the Glebe Field project, indicating that the Diocese remains open to the sale of a piece of land to the Parish Council.  It was agreed to make further enquiries. Action Clerk.

5.      Agenda items:

6.1 To receive progress report on plans for the Annual Parish Assembly 7pm Thursday 25^th May (Clerk.)

Invitations are being sent to local organisations and businesses for the Assembly, asking for nominations for the Citizen of the Year (junior and senior) and Business of the Year. The Youth Club has agreed to provide a 10 minute entertainment slot. Tables / display space will be available on request for organisations, businesses and councillors wishing to promote their work.

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

HAPTC has advised the PC to put in its application, the next panel is at the end of April.

6.3 To receive a report from Knowle Community representatives (Cllr Pickering).  

There is ongoing concern regarding the number of developer’s signs on Knowle Road.  The Planning Committee has registered an objection with Fareham Borough Council.

6.4 To progress Wickham Parish Plan action items  (Cllr Pickering/Clerk).

Refer to next meeting. Action Clerk

6.5 Youth Club Committee report (Chairman/Cllr Carter) The Youth Club is missing Donna Wilkins, it may be necessary to employ a leader to assist the volunteers.

6.6 General Purposes Committee report (Cllr O’Connell )

It was agreed that the market held on 19^th March was well attended, it was noted that a couple of stalls were rather expensive.

6.7 Lighting Committee report (Chairman).

Plans for upgrading work included in the 2006/7 CSI grant are progressing.

6.8 Planning Committee report (Cllr Mallett).

6.8.1 To receive minutes of meeting 27^th February 2006: minutes received.

6.9 Recreation Committee report  (Cllr Roger-Jones). Quotes are being prepared for new play equipment for The Circle, Fareham Rd play area and adjacent to the skatepark. A workshop will be held to discuss with young people their preferred layout.

The railings to the pavilion have been vandalised, Paul Collins has been asked to repair. 

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

Pavement clearing work has started, an order has been placed for dragons teeth to protect verges opposite Mayles Lane, Forge Garage and at the Shell Garage. Pot hole reporting and repairs are ongoing.           

6.11 Water Meadows Committee Report. (Cllr Mallett) Work has started on the new informal path on the railway bank side of the river.

6.12 Finance Committee report: (Chairman)

6.12.1 Proposal to increase contribution towards tile hanging repairs to the Community Centre  by £150  (from £600 to £750)  to allow the Community Centre to apply to Winchester City Council for funding assistance.   Resolved.

6.12.2 Proposal to place order with Paul Collins to fence the new cemetery at an approximate cost of £3000. (funded by: precept 06/07 £1000, reserve 05/06 £2000) Resolved.

6.12.3 Proposal to place order for bus shelter refurbishment as Queensbury Shelters quote 9^th January in the sum of £1959.68 + VAT(funded by precept 06/07 £959 HCC grant £1000 ) Resolved

6.13 Cemetery Committee (Chairman) Nothing further to report.

6.14 Wickham Tourism Group –Report from recent meeting (Cllr Carter) A further meeting is planned on 18^th April, a report will be made to the next full council meeting.

6.15 Proposal to request HCC change of policy to allow the implementing of Safe Lanes.  Cllr Allgood provided a report to councillors indicating that HCC had tried the Safe Lanes Scheme about 10 years ago and the results were not encouraging. Cllr Allgood’s report outlined an alternative approach to the problems of speeding in rural areas.  Four villages are taking part in a Community Speed Watch trial.  Each village provides 8-12 volunteers who use Speed Indicator Displays to measure the speed of traffic over a period of 12 months at different times of the day.  If it is successful it is hoped to extend to any village that wishes to take part.

It was agreed not to support the Safe Lanes Scheme and to request to HCC that Wickham takes part in the Community Speed Watch scheme when it is extended.

6.16 To receive update on proposal for a Folk Festival in Wickham The organiser Peter Chegwyn provided an update for councillors.  Licensing issues are being progressed, a site for parking and camping has been agreed at the top of Blind Lane. Some councillors remain uneasy about the proposal.

6.17 Report on recent meetings attended by Councillors.

HAPTC Chairmanship training (Cllr Dudley)

Police Boundary Changes (Cllr Dudley)

Six Council Forum (Cllr Mallett)

Wickham Fair Police Liaison (Cllr Mallett)

See attached reports, Cllr Dudley and Cllr Mallett were thanked for taking the time to attend the above training and meetings.

7        Recent correspondence

Invitation to take part in Flood Planning – emailed to all councillors

WCC’s first newsletter to Parish Councils – emailed to all councillors

WCC Copy of letter from Diocese of Portsmouth regarding changes to the ministry of Wickham Church – details in Parish Mag

Wickham Community Centre increases in room hire fees

Letter from Donna Wilkins to say she is leaving the Youth Club

WCC Scrutiny Work Programme 2005/6

HCC details of proposed 40 mph limit on Titchfield Lane and Fontley Rd

Wickham Community Association invitation to Next Steps Day 2006, emailed to all councillors

Hampshire Constabulary invite to a launch event for new police structure and boundaries March 30^th 3pm Netley.

Letter from resident Mr Mike Gosney to Chairman regarding parish council policies, the Chairman has responded.
 

8    Accounts for payment

It was resolved to pay the following accounts:

9   Questions and comments from Councillors

Wickham Parish Council was runner up in the Hants Web Awards 2005 : Awards for website excellence, Best Town or Parish Council Website category.

Meeting closed  9.30pm

Reports

3.1 Report from County Councillor Mr F Allgood

Titchfield Lane/ Fontley Road Speed Limit

I have approved the plans for a 40 mph speed limit on Titchfield Lane and Fontley Road so that they can go forward to formal consultation with the public, police and local authorities. I believe there is strong support for this move and look forward to seeing the measures in place this year. The speed limit will run the currently unrestricted length of Titchfield Lane from its junction with the A334 until it becomes Fontley Road and then down to that part of the road that is currently subject to a speed limit

Highways Programmes

At the Winchester Transport and Access Panel meeting on March 15 the following items were confirmed:

Fontley Road Footpath (£200,000) is now in the detailed design stage and negotiation continues with affected landowners. It is hoped to carry out the scheme in the summer.

This will run from the M27 over-bridge and the junction with Segensworth Road where pedestrians have to walk on the road.

Knowle Village to Funtley Footpath (£40,000). This is an existing right of way and runs down the east side of the railway line and cuts across farmland until it reaches Funtley. The improvements include a new surface of limestone scalpings, new kissing gates, and trimming back of vegetation where it has become overgrown. By agreement with the landowner the works are expected to start in the summer.

The closure of Springles Lane to through traffic is nearing completion now that agreements have been reached with landowners that are affected.

A32 at Wickham. A 30 mph speed limit extension is under review.

A32/B2177 junction – pedestrian safety issues are being investigated.

Community Safety Initiative. The programme for 2005-6 was completed including work at Elizabeth Close and School Road. Bids for the 2006-7 programme includes work at Garnier Park, Fareham Road, Wykeham Field, and Hoads Hill. A decision on which bids are successful is expected on 21 March.

School Admissions

Of the 14,236 children in Hampshire who sought admission to a secondary school for September 2006, 95% were able to gain their first preference. Of the remaining 710, most were able to gain their second preference.

The county is reviewing the admission procedure and will be consulting parents on whether there should be changes to the method of assigning children to secondary school.

Local Area Agreement

Hampshire County Council has completed work on the Local Area Agreement for the county and sent its conclusions to the Deputy Prime Minister for his consideration.

The LAA is drawn up in consultation with partners such as the police, health authorities and business to identify progress that can be made in relation to children and young people, healthy communities, safer and stronger communities and economic development. Extra grants are available for those counties achieving their targets.

New Whiteley Primary School

A great deal of my time has been taken up with the issue of how to provide a new primary school for Whiteley. Following extensive consultation in the community the County Council Cabinet is due to consider this matter on March 20 with a preference for a new school alongside the Meadowside Leisure Centre. Winchester City Council’s Cabinet is due to consider a different idea put forward by its officers for a school on the recreation ground with the football and cricket pitches being relocated to Leafy Lane.

3.2 Report from District Councillor Mrs T Evans

New Whiteley Primary School

Recommendations will be made to Cabinet not to dispose of land at Meadowside for a new school.  HCC will be urged to consider alternative sites in order to maintain the existing recreation facilities.

Council Tax

WCC element of the Council Tax will increase by 4.9% which represents 10p a week.

3.2 Report from District Councillor Mr P Clohosey

Local Strategic Partnership

An LSP is designed to promote more joined up thinking, comprising a partnership of local organisations aiming to improve service delivery.  A government review of LSP’s is due which may provide a Partnership with more power in the future.

Health Improvement Fund

Grants are available to support projects to improve local wellbeing.

6.17 Report on recent meetings attended by Councillors

Police Boundary changes: Cllr Dudley attended a briefing on the changes due to take place on April 1^st.  see leaflet from Hampshire Constabulary: the future of policing in your community.

Six Council Forum held at New Sports Pavilion, King George V Field, Denmead on 23 February 2006– there was some debate whether Wickham should take part in this Forum.  Whiteley Parish Councillor Brenda Hatch has kindly provided the following report:

Meeting Report from Whiteley Parish Council representative:  Brenda Hatch

Parish Councils represented: Alresford, Bishop’s Waltham, Denmead, King’s Worthy, Whiteley and Wickham.

1.         The Minutes of the last meeting will be circulated later.

2.            Matters Arising

            (a)            Shared dog wardens - an investigation will be carried out as to overall costs involved, e.g. van, salary, superannuation, etc.  Winchester City Council to be contacted for information and also, whether they could sub-contract to the Six Councils Forum.

            (b)            Graffiti - information regarding suitable removal solvent not available at present.

            (c)            Pooling of capital equipment – details of capital equipment held by individual councils and available for hiring out, to be sent to Bishop’s Waltham.  This also covers small items.

3.            Council Precepts

The maximum precept to be levied by a parish council will be £68; Denmead and Alresford have substantial loans.

The Council’s tax for Denmead’s new pavilion has been set at £6,000 p.a. but it was pointed out that this is charged only if it is hired out for commercial use.

4.         New Planning Permission System

The limit of objectors to a planning application has been reduced from 10 to 6.  It is important that signs of development should be noted as soon as possible.  Meetings between developers and parish councils must be held in public.

Concern was expressed that amendments are made to planning permissions after building has started, approved by the Planning Department but parish councils are not informed.

It was felt that no big planning applications had been received to test the new planning format to make any objections.

5.            Winchester District Local Plan

The identification by the Inspector of Reserve Sites was a worrying matter, in particular Little Frenchies Field in Denmead which it was hoped to be kept as an open space.  Denmead requested the support of the Forum.

6.            Garden Grabbing

It was agreed that a letter be sent to the MP for Tunbridge Wells, supporting his Bill against ‘garden grabbing’, citing two examples of this problem in Denmead.  A large bungalow replaced by 20 houses and infilling that has introduced 70 dwellings along a three-quarter stretch of the main road through the village in a single year.

7.            Section 106 Agreements

The present charge to developers for open space is 1% of property value and it was felt that this should be raised to 3% on retail value.  To this end, it was agreed that letters should be written to HAPTC and the Deputy Prime Minister.

8.            Future Meetings

It was agreed that the next meeting should be held in September at Bishop’s Waltham.  Exact date to be circulated.

Following the meeting, representatives were given a tour of the very impressive new pavilion.

Wickham Fair Police Liaison Meeting

1.      Wickham Fair will take place on Saturday 20^th May; the A334 will be closed from 7am until 5pm and The Square will be closed from midday Friday 19^th until 10am Sunday 21^st May.

2.      Paul Collins has asked that more WCs are provided to prevent the Water Meadows being used.

3.      The police would like a car park area for visitors, Paul said no to the recreation ground if it is wet.

4.      The recreation ground and tennis court should be locked from Monday 14^th May.

5.      The beer ‘tent’ will not be permitted to sell shorts or strong beer.

6.      The question of opening the fair on Friday was raised.  Parish Councillors agreed a substantial donation to the village should be made if this happens. (£500 + suggested).

7.      It was noted that a police constable costs £50 an hour and 50 are required to man the Fair.