Minutes 10th December 2007

OWSLEBURY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
10TH DECEMBER 2007
AT 7.45 PM IN OWSLEBURY PARISH HALL

PRESENT

Chairman: Cllr Mr A Manship
Councillors: Mrs T Meads, Mr R Page, Mrs J Ruffell, Mr G Tull.

IN ATTENDANCE

County Councillor: Mr P Mason
District Councillor: Mr L Ruffell, Mr R Humby

Clerk:  Mrs E Manship219/07  APOLOGIES

Councillor: Mrs J Chase

220/07 DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS

Cllr Manship declared a “personal interest” with regard to agenda item 9 – St Andrew’s Church “Wainscote Project” as he is a member of “The Friends of St Andrews” who are fundraising for the project.  He confirmed Cllr Meads would chair this agenda item.

221/07 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 12th and 19th November 2007 had been circulated.  One amendment was made. The Chairman signed the minutes.

222/07 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

a) Actions from Whites Hill Discussion:

i) To enquire of Highways alternative methods of Traffic Calming to the chicanes that were trialed last year.

The clerk reported on discussions with Corinne Hollis from WCC Traffic Management.  It was agreed last year that chicanes were not an appropriate form of traffic calming in Owslebury, as the majority of traffic passing through the village at rush hour is in one direction only.  Vehicles did not have to slow; rather, they swerved around the chicanes causing additional danger.  Corinne confirms there is little in reality that can be applied to rural locations without ruining the rural nature of the village.  The alternative to chicanes are road humps, which require a high degree of signing and lighting, and which create noise for local residents especially when large vehicles travel over them.  A school safety zone could be promoted in conjunction with the County Council, but this would involve the need for high profile signing, which would inevitably alter the rural character of the village. 

ii)  To seek advice regarding appropriate action should HGV’s cause a problem parking in the village overnight
The clerk reported on discussions with Corinne Hollis from WCC Traffic Management.  Lorries should not be using the village to park up overnight as HGV’s must use approved overnight lorry parking.  Unfortunately there are few places where lorries are permitted to park overnight.  Corinne believes Rownham Services on the M27 to be the nearest.  The Police can be called to move a lorry, which has parked up for the night in the village.  Any farmers who do get planning permission to allow increased HGV movements would have to provide parking for vehicles on the premises if required.

iii)  To write to Mr Humphrey confirming the way forward following village discussion.  The Clerk confirmed she had written to Mr Humphrey in line with village and PC discussion on 19th October 07 – see minute’s 206/07

b) To speak with WCC whether the 2 road closures can be kept separate.  The Clerk confirmed she had put forward this request to Colin Taylor and Chris Wilson at Hampshire Highways

c) 20 is Plenty
Cllr Meads reported on her discussions with David White, Head Teacher of Owslebury Primary School.  Mr White thanks the Council for the offer of paying for the 20 is Plenty road signs.  At the moment he is waiting for the contractor from HCC to let him know if they can mount the new signs on existing posts or if they will need to set up new ones.  Mr White agrees with the idea of trying to spread the signs out along the road and knows that parents are keen that additional signs are purchased.  This causes a dilemma for the county Road Safety team because they are keen to erect 20 is plenty signs but know that there is a strong lobby that considers excess road signage not useful.  Mr White will keep the Parish Council informed, as further information becomes available.

Moving the school signs out of the hedge
This has been requested before with no result.  The Clerk proposed Hampshire Highways is asked to do this at the same time as the above.  All agreed.

d) Follow-up installation of country kerbing at west end of village with Hampshire Highways.  Kerbing is to start on 10th December in line with that which was previously agreed (not the additional requested – that will need to be at the next stage)

223/07 PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

Mr Paul Bowes gave a presentation regarding the Wainscote Project at St Andrew’s church and answered Councillor questions.

224/07 COUNTY AND CITY COUNCILLORS AND POLICE CONSTABLE REPORTS

a) Road Closures
Cllr Mason confirmed he will telephone the clerk as he becomes aware of road closures. He feels it regrettable that we are not notified direct by HCC.

b) Speed Limit Reminders
Cllr L Ruffell confirmed that SLR’s have been booked for a two week trial period, week beginning 7th July 2008.  They flash the speed limit if a vehicle drives through it at a greater speed.

c) Issues and Options Meeting
Cllr Humby informed the Council and Parishioners present of a PUSH meeting on 8th January 2008, 7pm - 9pm, Jubilee Hall, Bishops Waltham. 6,740 houses are to be built in the PUSH area and consideration is being given to an additional 5,500 homes outside the PUSH area. Whilst Owslebury is not in either of these areas, decisions change as lobbying takes place and in any respect the village can be expected to be affected by additional resulting traffic.  Further information can be found on the WCC website – “winchester city council / environment and planning / local development framework / core strategy”

d) Greenhill Farm
Cllr Humby reported that an amended plan had been submitted for the proposed house.  To decrease the visual impact of the property, it had been moved 25 metres further north.  This will also give a longer frontage, which will enable more landscaping.  Also, the ancillary building is now to be built of the same materials. 

225/07 HIGHWAYS

a) Grips in Longwood Road
Cllr Tull reported the Grips needed clearing out in Longwood Road.  He pointed out that this is raised with Hampshire Highways every year but to date he had noticed no improvement.

b) Pot Holes Owslebury Bottom
Cllr Ruffell reported a large pothole had developed in Owslebury Bottom, where it floods.

c) Tree hanging over Portsmouth Road
Cllr Page reported that a tree is hanging over the road, on the Activity Centre Boundary

A link has been set up on the Owslebury website to enable Councillors and Parishioners to alert Hampshire Highways of Highway problems as they arise.

225/07 WAINSCOTE PROJECT – ST ANDREWS CHURCH
Chaired by Cllr Meads.  Cllr Manship left the room.

Further to discussion the Council agreed to commit £3000 to the Wainscote Project, to be donated in annual donations of £600, further to a satisfactory review of progress with a caveat that sums are donated against work completed in line with a satisfactory review of progress.  This sum to be reviewed on an annual basis at the November budget meeting.

226/07 SURFACE WATER DRAINAGE REBATE

Cllr Manship reported that Southern Water has confirmed that as Owslebury has no mains drainage, every household is entitled to a rebate of £22.  However, each household has to apply for it individually.

To claim your rebate, telephone: 0845-272-0845

227/07 NEW DOG BIN

The Council agreed the purchase of a new “dog bin” to be placed in Pitcot Lane.   This will be emptied on a weekly basis.  It is hoped that this will reduce the dog mess left in Pitcot Lane, both in the lane itself and on the footpath, as the current mess causes distress to both residents and regular walkers.

228/07 NEW NOTICEBOARDS

The Council agreed the purchase of two new parish noticeboards, both with glass doors, for Council and Parishioner use, to replace the current boards in Morestead and Baybridge.  Cllr L Ruffell suggested the board in Morestead is moved to the bus lay-by to improve access / safety issues.

229/07 VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT

Mrs Sprot has kindly agreed to co-ordinate the first meeting.  The Clerk reported that Sparsholt have recently had their revised VDS accepted as part of planning law by WCC.  The document can be viewed on the Winchester City Council website. (PDF file - you will need Adobe Acrobat reader to view this file).

Speakers: Cllr Page has a contact in Newbury with much experience in VDS’s.  Cllr Manship will approach Sparsholt PC.

230/07 PLANNING SUPPORT

Four parishioners have volunteered to research into planning law in order to support the Parish Council when making planning decisions.  The Chairman suggested they be asked whether they would be prepared to research into planning law through self-directed training, using available websites, and planning workshops as they become available.  All large-scale applications will automatically be sent to an agent, currently Planning Aid, for advice.  With regard to the regular applications, the Council welcomes the thoughts and advice from these volunteers as they feel able and experience grows.  Either by e-mailing the Clerk or by attending the council meeting and speaking in section 5.

A Planning Workshop is to be held on Thursday 7th February 2008 – 10am – 4.30pm at Chilworth Manor Hotel.  The PC will meet the fees of the above volunteers, should they be willing and able to attend.

231/07 NEW PARISH COUNCILLOR

Papers regarding the role specification and vacancy advertisement had been circulated.  Closing date for letters of interest – 5th January 2008.  A new councillor will be agreed by co-option if an election is not called for.

232/07 PLANNING

a) To discuss pre-planning applications

i. Bottom Pond Farm
Cllrs Manship, Page and Ruffell visited the site on Saturday 8th December to talk through and view the proposals with the landowner.  The Farm is redundant.  They are looking to convert the 2 large L shaped barns, for which they currently have planning permission for 2 single dwellings, into 4 semi-detached dwellings.  And the piggery into 3 single storey terraced dwellings.  The 2 open barns adjacent to the site would be demolished.  There are no alterations planned to the existing structures of the buildings.  The site is surrounded by 13 acres of farmland.  There are 2 houses and a bungalow on the site, which they are currently letting.  The landowner plans to replace the bungalow in time but this is not part of this application.  There are currently 2 entrances to the site.  Both will be closed and a new entrance opened.  Cllr Page asked where the equipment, which is used on the farmland and currently stored in the open barns, will be stored once these are demolished. This has, as yet, not been considered.  It is anticipated that this planning application will be raised at the January or February meeting.

b) To discuss planning applications

Parish Council Comment: No comment.

Parish Council Comment: No comment.

Parish Council Comment: No comment.

c) To hear planning decisions:

233/07 MATTERS ARISING FROM CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED: FOR INFORMATION ONLY

a) Meeting with the Enforcement Informal Scrutiny Group – Tuesday 8th January 2008 – 9.30 am – The Mayors Parlour, The Guildhall, Winchester

b) WCC working with Parishes – Meeting with Cllr Becket – Thursday 17th and /or 22nd January 2008  5.30pm

234/07 AGENDA ITEMS FOR NEXT MEETING

• Hedges Blitz – Councillor Progress Report
• Co-option of a new Councillor (providing an election is not called)

235/07 FINANCE

Finances were agreed according to the budget

236/07 DATE OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The next Parish Council meeting will be held on Monday 14th January 2008 at 7.45pm
The meeting closed at 10.00pm
Chairman………………………………………….   Date…………………………95/07