Minutes 10th August 2009

PRESENT

Chairman: Cllr Mr A Manship
Councillors: Mr J Chapman, Mrs J Chase, Mrs T Meads, Mrs P Sharpe, Mr G Tull

IN ATTENDANCE

Clerk: Mrs E Manship
County Councillor: Mr P Mason
District Councillor: Mr L Ruffell

113/09 APOLOGIES

District Councillor: Mr R Humby
PC Clive Barham

114/09 DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS

None

115/09 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 13th July 2009 had been circulated.  The Chairman signed the minutes.

116/09 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

a) To Investigate Into Parish Clusters – Clerk

The Chairman confirmed information regarding Parish Clusters had been circulated and summarised their intent.  Agreed no further action at this time.

117/09 PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

a) Longwood Crossroads – Comments and Suggestions from Parishioners following recent accident: -

Approaching the crossroads from Longwood the road across is not obvious.  It looks like a continuous road to Owslebury.  The two massive ‘Give Way’ signs cannot be seen until out of the dip.  Suggestions: -

• More signs further back saying “Danger Crossroads Stop”
• The ‘Give Way’ signs should be ‘Stop’ signs
• A flashing crossroads sign
• The hedge on the NE corner of the crossroads reduces the vision north driving from Longwood.  Mr Dunford, landower, confirmed he would address this.

And on the C9: -

• Signs at the brow of the hill after Whiteflood and coming out of Morestead, indicating the dangerous crossroads ahead.
• A ‘No Overtaking’ sign at the brow of the hill from Whiteflood driving north, supported by ‘double white lines’.
• A speed restriction of 40mph at the crossroads and the SLR’s to reflect this.
• A speed camera
• Traffic Lights at peak times at the crossroads

118/09 COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS

a) Additional Housing

Cllr Mason reported that he had presented a petition to No. 10 regarding the amount of new housing suggested without infrastructure which will lead to additional traffic problems etc.

            

b) Southampton Airport’s Community and Stakeholder Conference

Cllr Ruffell reported on the meeting

 

c) LR to discuss with SERCO / WCC litter dropped in the road during collections

Cllr Ruffell reported that David Boreman has agreed to monitor this over the next couple of months

 

d) LR to discuss the collection of small animals from the highway with WCC / SERCO for highway safety

Cllr Ruffell confirmed small animals such as rabbits or pheasants are not collected as they have generally disappeared by the time SERCO get there

 

e) County Councillors £10,000 Grant for Parishes

Councillor Mason confirmed the criteria for accessing this grant is the same as last year and provided the Clerk with details.

119/09 HIGHWAYs

a) Longwood Crossroads

 

The Chairman asked Councillors to consider the comments from the public and put forward their suggestions.  These were as follows.

• Time to engage the press
• The ‘Give Way’ signs should be changed to ‘Stop’ signs
• A sign at the top of the hill warning of the accidents at the crossroads
• A way to stop people accelerating both up and down the C9 passed the crossroads
• Traffic lights may be a possibility but will only help in heavy traffic
• Reduce the speed limit
• No overtaking double white lines
• A temporary reduced speed limit until more permanent changes can be made
• The SLR to work earlier as there is little time to decelerate once it is activated
• An average speed camera
• Concern raised over the increase in traffic in Jackman’s Hill as a result.

b) Lower Baybridge Lane

Cllr Manship reported that he had visited a resident in Lower Baybridge Lane, following their concern regarding the condition of the road and the protection of their property from passing traffic.  He had subsequently spoken with Chris Wilson at Hampshire Highways who has visited the resident at the site and authorised repairs. Road surfacing has subsequently taken place and a sign indicating the blind bend has been ordered.

 

c) Hurst Lane

Cllr Chapman reported that white marks had appeared in Hurst Lane, presumably where repairs are due to take place

 

d) HGV’s

There appears to be an increase in HGV’s using Whaddon Lane. 

e) Corner of Thompsons Lane with the Winchester Road

Cllr Tull reported the subsidence on the edge of the road around this bend.  The Chairman confirmed this had been reported to Hampshire Highways.

120/09 RIGHTS OF WAY

a) Red Lane

 

The Clerk confirmed that, further to Rights of Way reorganisation, she had written to Alison Perry and David Marshall requesting their support and action to introduce a keyed barrier to prevent fly-tippers etc.

121/09 LITTER COLLECTION

Cllr Meads reported that she had spoken with Caroline Robinson at Serco who confirmed Serco will collect the bags of litter from a central location and will provide gloves, grabbers and vests with 4 – 5 weeks notice. 

 

She had spoken with Mrs Fox from OMCA who was concerned about providing coffee and cakes if numbers are small, so this needs to be considered further. 

 

Cllr Sharpe confirmed she had a first-aid certificate to cover this requirement. 

 

Saturday 10th October was agreed, 10am – 12 noon. 

122/09 CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA – FUND RAISING UPDATE

Cllr Sharpe reported that £400 had been raised from ‘The Big Lunch’ and sponsored walk, a very successful event.  The Toddlers group are currently planning their next event, probably a Race Night in January.

123/09 WEBSITE

a) Current Use

Cllr Chapman reported the website currently receives about 70 hits per week.  Many compliments have been received regarding its quality.

 

b) Increasing Community Involvement

Cllr Chapman offered to organise two competitions: a gardening competition in the spring and a photographic competition for this autumn.  The aim to be to improve community involvement with the website.  Money raised to be put towards the play area equipment fund.

c) Owslebury Newsletter

 

No positive feedback has been received from the Owslebury Newsletter Team or parishioners regarding the idea of placing the Newsletter on the site with password access, to enable those that wish e.g. who live outside the delivery area, to receive it electronically.  The Parish Council was sad to note the comments against the idea from Mrs Sprot, Editor and a parishioner, in the Newsletter.  It was agreed that Cllr Chapman speak with the Editors to discuss any helpful support the Council can offer.  Other than this, no further action to be taken.

d) Business Pages

The Clerk confirmed six local businesses had responded to the flyer and currently advertise on the site.  It was hoped that more could be encouraged to participate and increase the benefit of the business pages for both local businesses and parishioners. 

 

The Clerk confirmed that further to the last meeting Cllr Chapman had confirmed that only one follow-up call had been made.  Receiving a negative response he hadn’t felt comfortable contacting anyone further. 

 

The Clerk summarised the information to support employers / parishioners that can be found on the Business Pages and suggested that, in addition to offering an advertising opportunity, local businesses were asked how the pages could be improved to support them. 

 

About 40 local businesses in all, dividing the calls this would amount to about 5 each. The Chairman supported this suggestion but no other Councillor wanted to take this further.  The general feeling was that the majority of businesses are small and would not be interested. 

 

e) Raising Funds to Cover Costs

No further suggestions were made to cover costs.  The Council agreed that the cost should be met out of general funds.

124/09 VIRTUAL FOOTPATHS

Cllr Meads reported that she had not heard back from Norman Chapman, Clerk to Soberton Parish Council.  Cllr Sharpe offered to visit Newtown to view the virtual footpaths during the holidays with her children.  Cllr Meads confirmed she would arrange an evening visit with Cllr Manship.  She would also contact the Chairman of Soberton & to ascertain his view on their success and benefits.

125/09 SAINSBURY’S PROPOSALS FOR THE FORMER ABBEY MILL BUSINESS SITE, BISHOPS WALTHAM

The Council strongly opposes this scheme for the following reasons: -

• The literature indicates a new Sainsbury’s will create jobs, but what about the jobs they will destroy from the local shops already in the village?
• The literature indicates Sainsbury’s will support local businesses by purchasing local produce to sell.  The local shops within Bishops Waltham already do this.
• The Council believes this development will destroy the village centre of small local shops.  This is a small market town, there are too few left with this character and it should be preserved
• There is no need for this development as there is another Sainsbury’s within 4 miles at Hedge End and a smaller one at Fareham
• There is no advantage to parishioners in Owslebury as we have a local Sainsbury’s at Badger Farm.
• The Council understands 34,000 vehicle movements per week are anticipated.  The infrastructure of the local roads is insufficient to support this. People will avoid shopping in the village centre through the frustration of traffic jams.
• The Council does not believe this is an appropriate site for a supermarket.  Better use needs to be made of this site

126/09 PLANNING

a) Planning applications

OPC: Comment only regarding the noise that has been experienced and request for hours / noise restrictions in respect to the neighbouring properties. 

b) Planning Decisions

None

c) Enforcement Issues

Marwell Yard
The Clerk confirmed this is probably being heard at Committee on 2nd September 2009.  HCC Planning have confirmed they will confirm the date and process for representation nearer the time. 

127/09 AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

• Longwood Crossroads
• Virtual Footpaths – TM
  
• Litter Collection – TM

128/09 TO CONSIDER MATTERS ARISING FROM CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED: FOR INFORMATION ONLY

a) Marwell Wildlife Masterplan – Pre-submission consultation

b) Home Start Meon Valley – AGM – Monday 14th September 2009 – 10am – 11.30am – Wickham Community Centre

c) Hampshire Association of Local Councils – AGM – Saturday 10th October 2009 – 11am – The Performing Arts Centre, St Swithun’s School, Alresford Road, Winchester.  SO21 1HA

No one available to attend

 

d) Consultation on the membership of the future South Downs National Park Authority

No comment

129/09 FINANCE

Payments were approved in accordance to the budget.

130/09 DATE OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The next Parish Council Planning meeting will be held on Monday 14th September 2009 at 7.45pm

The meeting closed at 10.00pm