Minutes 12th October 2009

PRESENT

Chairman: Cllr Mr A Manship
Councillors: Mr J Chapman, Mrs J Chase, Mrs T Meads, Mr R Page (attended late), Mrs P Sharpe & Mr G Tull

IN ATTENDANCE

Clerk: Mrs E Manship
County Councillor: Mr P Mason
District Councillors: Mr R Humby and Mr L Ruffell
PC Clive Barham & PCSO Helen Carthew PC Jim Pegler, PS Darren Ord and PC Chris Laycock from the Road Safety Policing Unit

148/09 APOLOGIES

Councillor: Mr R Page (late attendance)

1149/09 DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS

Woodland View Stables – Pre-application Planning Consultation
Cllr Page – as a neighbour declared a preferential interest.

150/09 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 14th September 2009 had been circulated. The Chairman signed the minutes.

151/09 POLICE CONSTABLE REPORT

a) Occurrence Summary

 

PC Barham reported the Occurrence Summary for Owslebury Parish, 14th September to 12th October 2009.

 

This summary gives a simple snapshot of those incidents occurring within the parish, which are most liable to affect local residents. It is not intended to be a complete list of all occurrences recorded; identities are omitted.

 

For detailed statistics by cost code, go to the Hampshire Constabulary website: http://www.hampshire.police.uk scroll down to the bottom left of the page, and in the CADDIE space enter the post code of the area of interest.

 

Road traffic collision

Monday 12th October 2009 @ 08:10. Longwood Crossroads. Rear-end collision – non-injury (altaris 151)

 

Dispute
Sunday 11th October 2009 @ 14:00. Whaddon Lane. Dispute at motor cross event (44090443237)

 

Theft
Sunday 20th September 2009 13:00 – Monday 21st September 2009 07.45. Baybridge Lane. Chain and padlock removed from field gate enabling ram to escape – ram later found nearby. (44090411657)

 

Trespass / poaching incidents

• 11th October 2009 @ 00:24. Report of poaching near Warren Farm (44090442222)
  
  
• 18th September 2009 @ 22:39. 2 x males at Longwood in Land Rover, registration G86 TAV, asking about ferreting and hare coursing (44090418520)
  
  
• 17th – 18th September 2009. Tyre tracks left in wheat stubble at Longwood overnight – possibly from poaching (44090407151)

 

Anyone with information that might assist police enquiries into these or other crime incidents is requested to make contact by phoning 0845 045 45 45.

 

Alternatively, information can be given to Crime Stoppers (anonymous & free) on

0800 555 111.

 

b) Improving Opportunities to Communicate with the Police

 

PC Barham confirmed that he hoped to attend Parish Council meetings unless called to an incident and could be available for 1:1 discussions with the public outside the meeting, after his agenda item.

 

Further to a request from the public he confirmed that yes, it could be possible for him to arrive 15 minutes early, to meet with individual members of the public before the meeting. He confirmed they had also been issued with mobiles, which should also improve the ability for direct communication.

 

PC178 Clive Barham & PCSO14039 Helen Carthew

 

Meon Valley Safer Neighbourhoods Team,

Meon Valley Police Station,

Hoe Road,

Bishops Waltham.

S032 1DS.

 

Tel: 0845-045-45-45. Fax: 023-8074-5307

 

Email: clive.barham@hampshire.pnn.police.uk Mobile: 079-0110-2498
Email: helen.carthew@hampshire.pnn.police.uk Mobile: 079-0110-2497

152/09 HIGHWAYS – LONGWOOD CROSSROADS

The Chairman welcomed PC Jim Pegler, PS Darren Ord and PC Chris Laycock from the Road Safety Policing Unit. The Chairman invited the Clerk to summarise the current position with regard to communication between Marc Samways, Owslebury Parish Council and Mark Oaten MP.

 

The Clerk confirmed that since the last meeting Cllr Manship had met with Marc Samways, Peter Critchell and

 

Cllr Mason to discuss the concerns raised at the last Parish Council meeting.

 

Marc Samways had again reported on the improvements that were to be implemented to prevent vehicles overshooting the junction from Longwood Road East but confirmed that, although 6 weeks after the last accident, nothing had yet been ordered to implement these improvements. He was asked to implement these as a priority by Peter Critchell.

 

Marc Samways and Peter Critchell had again explained the reasons why the suggestions of the Council and Parishioners in relation to the ‘near misses’ could not be implemented.

 

Further to this meeting the Clerk confirmed that, as requested by the Council, she had written to Mark Oaten MP. She had confirmed the three main reasons for accidents and near misses at the junction, as discussed at the last Parish Council meeting: -

i) Vehicles not stopping as they approach the C9 from the side roads. The give way signs need to be replaced by stop signs.

 

ii) Vehicles, with no consideration of oncoming traffic, overtaking on the brow of the hill after Whiteflood Farm, driving north towards Winchester. Traffic in their path, driving south, has to break / stop to avoid accidents. Particularly bad during rush hour as commuters head for Winchester.

 

iii) Vehicles accelerating both north and south on the straight section of the C9 past the crossroads.

And requested his intervention to: -

i) Overcome the bureaucratic reasons, owing to the ‘C’ class of the road, that prevents the following measures, as suggested by the local parishioners and Council, from being implemented to address these causes: -

 

ii) Stop signs on the side roads instead of give way signs

 

iii) Double white lines down the centre of the C9 to prevent overtaking

 

iv) A speed reduction from the current 60mph to a slower speed past the crossroads of 40 or 50mph (between the 30mph at the brow of the hill and the 40mph at Morestead)

v) Permanent speed cameras either side of the crossroads to prevent acceleration and overtaking

 

vi) Liaise with Mark Samways and the Hampshire Highways Road Safety Team to introduce these improvements in addition to the improvements they have already proposed and agreed.

 

vii) Liaise with Mark Samways to ensure these improvements are made at the junction within an agreed period of time in the immediate future.

The Chairman invited PC Chris Laycock to respond.

 

PC Chris Laycock talked through the work of the Casualty Reduction Partnership Group, comprising representatives from Hampshire Highways and the Police. He confirmed their work involves analysing data to ascertain the main causes of accidents at specific road junctions and to agree measures to reduce accidents.

 

Predominant Cause of Accidents at the Longwood Crossroads
PC Laycock confirmed that the predominant cause of accidents at the Longwood Crossroads is the overshooting of the junction from the Alresford direction.

 

The CRPG believe that if you can solve the predominant cause of the accidents you can save a considerable number.

 

He confirmed that viewing the junction from several points along Longwood Road East, the road looks as though it is a continuous road, it not always being possible to see the junction ahead.

 

This is the reason the improvements outlined in the report from Marc Samways (available for view in the September minutes) are to be implemented. The key improvements include planing off the road surface along Longwood Road East to make it flatter; installing high visibility anti-skid marks approaching the junction and deflecting the road on the approach so that it no longer looks like one continuous road.

 

The Chairman stated that at the point of the accident, 6 weeks ago, Marc Samways had stated that improvements to the junction would be made within the month.

 

6 weeks later Marc Samways had confirmed nothing had been ordered, let alone started.

 

PC Laycock confirmed that there would need to be a 3-month lead in to closing the road, to ensure the utility companies were aware and had the opportunity to work on the road before the new layout was installed.

 

With regard to the measures suggested by local parishioners and the Council: -

Double White Lines
PC Laycock confirmed that double white lines are used where visibility is reduced. Owing to the good visibility along the C9 passed the crossroads, this stretch of road does not meet the criteria for double white lines, as laid out in chapter 5 of the Department of Transport guidelines.

 

It is believed that if double white lines are used where they shouldn’t be, people will ignore them and this will bring them into disrepute. The current position in Hampshire is that on the whole people respect double white lines and the Police do not want to lose this.

 

Stop Signs on the side roads
PC Laycock confirmed a stop sign requires the approval of the Secretary of State.

 

Approaching the Secretary of State for Approval for Double White Lines / Stop Signs etc.

 

Cllr Humby asked PC Laycock whether, if there were no restrictions, what improvements he would make to prevent the speeding and overtaking at the junction and whether he could encourage an approach to the Secretary of State from Hampshire Highways requesting an exemption.

 

PC Laycock stated that the Secretary of State was highly unlikely to agree to such a request.

 

Cllr Mason reported on the hard work of the Chairman with regard to trying to move the Longwood Crossroads forward but confirmed that Marc Samways had no intention of approaching the Secretary of State.

Hedges
PC Laycock confirmed that the hedges at the approach to the crossroads were on Hampshire Highways list for regular maintenance to ensure the signs were continuously visible.

 

Speed Checks at the Crossroads
PC Darren Ord confirmed that the Longwood Crossroads is on the list for Police speed checks, though it is difficult to site the van at the junction. They do now have a bike with a laser gun, but unfortunately they only have one for the county. This is deployed at various intervals and he will look to raise the level of patrol.

 

Overtaking on the Brow of the Hill
PC Laycock stated that he thought there was very little that could be done to prevent overtaking on the brow of the hill. Though the deployment of the van and bike with laser guns would hopefully reduce dangerous driving at the junction.

The Chairman thanked the Police for their input and attendance at the meeting. The Council went into closed session.

 

The Chairman stated that he was extremely annoyed that no improvements were likely until after Christmas and confirmed the Council would need to keep an eye on the hedges to ensure they were regularly maintained. He asked the Council how they would like to proceed.

 

Cllr Chapman stated he still supported double white lines at the crossroads and felt that the Council should push for these and permanent speed cameras at the junction. He suggested that the Council went back to Mark Oaten to request an exemption from the Secretary of State.

 

All agreed the next step was to request a meeting with Mark Oaten. The Council accepts that changes have been proposed to reduce vehicles overshooting the junction from Longwood Road East, but insufficient has been proposed to reduce the dangerous driving and resulting ‘near misses’. This should now be the focus.

153/09 PRIORITIES OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE POLICE

The Council agreed the three priorities they wish PCSO Helen Carthew to take forward please are as follows: -

i) Speeding through the Parish – Owslebury / Baybridge / Morestead / Portsmouth Road / C9 etc.

 

ii) Poaching

 

iii) Fly Tipping

154/09 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

a) Website Photographic Competition
Cllr Chapman reported that some excellent photos had been submitted and encouraged all to view them on the web. It was agreed that Cllr Chapman with the Clerk agree the prizes.

 

b) Home Start Meon Valley – AGM
Cllr Sharpe reported that she had been unable to attend.

 

c) Litter Collection Feedback
Cllr Meads thanked all those who had supported the event. 30 members of the public / councillors attended and the majority of roads within the parish were walked, supported by two trailers to collect the rubbish collected. Thanks also to the very kind volunteers who provided refreshments for all on their return.

155/09 PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

a) Pre-Planning Application Consultation – Woodland View Stables, Portsmouth Road, Fishers Pond

 

Kim Blunt from Southern Planning Practice confirmed the property had permission for Horses, though the current owners specialise in Boxer Dogs.

 

The owners currently support 26 adult boxer dogs at the site, of which 11 are kept for breeding purposes, 6 are retired and 5 are rescued. The Planning Department has informed the owners that permission is required to both live in the touring caravan, where they have been resident for just-under 4 years and to run their business, hence this application.

 

b) Blind Bend Sign in Lower Baybridge Lane

Mrs Hancock reminded the Council of the views of a parishioner at the last Parish Council meeting regarding her concerns that the proposed blind bend sign in Lower Baybridge Lane was totally out of character. Mrs Hancock confirmed that Cllr Manship had advised the parishioner that any complaint should be made to Chris Wilson in Hampshire Highways.

 

Cllr Manship confirmed this was correct. The sign had been requested owing to the number of near misses observed by the owner on this bend and the damage to the wall adjacent to his property through vehicles driving to close and too fast around the bend.

 

Mrs Hancock confirmed that the parishioner had approached Chris Wilson as she did feel the sign to be unnecessary but had been told that if she had concerns she should report them to the Parish Council.

 

Mrs Hancock understood people could register their objection formally and felt it important that people knew this. She would like to see this information in the Owslebury Newsletter.

 

Cllr Manship thanked Mrs Hancock for her input.

156/09 COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS

a) Winchester Guildhall Refurbishment

Cllr Ruffell confirmed that a £3 million refurbishment is due to commence in January 2010.

 

b) Core Strategy
Cllr Ruffell confirmed that the Core Strategy has been delayed from December 2009 to the Autumn of 2010.

 

c) Leader Funding
Cllr Humby confirmed £180k worth of grants had been awarded to date. Grant workshops have been arranged for 22nd October and 26th November at Intech for interested parties to attend.

 

d) Road Maintenance
Cllr Mason confirmed that an extra £3 million has been agreed to improve road maintenance, both to repair potholes and for preventative work.

157/09 VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT (VDS)

The Clerk read an e-mail received from Mr Hugh Petter explaining the reasons he had not to date been able to move the VDS forward.

 

The Council confirmed total understanding.

 

Cllr Tull stated that he considered a VDS was a complete and utter waste of time considering the urgency of addressing matters such as the Longwood Crossroads.

 

The Chairman reminded the Council the reason the Council and parishioners had agreed to write a VDS, to try to protect the Parish from unwanted planning development.

 

Cllr Ruffell reported that WCC Planning Department did not take any notice of VDS’s so in his opinion there was no point in completing one.

 

The Chairman voiced his concern at this as VDS’s are contributing documents to planning law and asked Cllr Ruffell and the Clerk to raise this with Simon Finch.

 

The Council agreed that if the Parish were to have a VDS, then Mr Hugh Petter was the one person within the Parish with the necessary experience who had volunteered.

 

Therefore, they felt extremely comfortable in leaving the VDS with Mr Petter until he had the time to undertake it.

158/09 HIGHWAYS

Whaddon Lane
The Chairman updated the Council on the progress with the Whaddon Lane country kerbing project. He reported that a meeting had recently been held with Mr Tiffin & Mr Peach from Hampshire Highways; Mr Tull & Mr Ward as the two adjacent landowners and Cllr Chapman and himself representing the Parish Council.

 

He confirmed that the circulars had been forwarded to the Utilities and the time allowed, past; the landowners were soon to be invited to sign the legal documents and it was hoped that the work would proceed before Christmas. Hampshire Highways were now seeking a contractor and will be applying for a road closure.

 

During the project the will be a footpath through only. Local Businesses e.g. The Ship and Marwell Wildlife will be consulted and alternative routes clearly advertised to enable business to continue. It is estimated the project will take 3 – 4 months to complete.

 

Mr Tull, as landowner, said that the meeting had been extremely positive, they had looked together at the detail of the specification and all was in order apart from one of the lay-by measurements was slightly out. He would be confirming the exact measurements with Hampshire Highways in the next couple of days. He did need though to receive the legal documents as soon as possible to enable the hand-over of land to be legally agreed so the project could proceed.

 

Cllr Sharpe highlighted the importance of work to improve the carriageway taking place as soon as possible as the edges of the roads were getting extremely bad, resulting in mothers with push chairs having to walk along the centre of the road. 56/09

Virtual Footpaths
Cllr Meads confirmed that she had been concentrating on the litter collection and had not as yet moved this forward. Cllr Sharpe confirmed that she had not found the time over the holidays as hoped to view the Virtual Footpaths in New Town with her boys.

Hedges Blitz
The Chairman reminded the Council that it was the time of year to focus on trimming the roadside hedges.

 

Cllr Tull reported that the school sign was still hidden by the hedge outside Underacre, which had not been cut, neither had Hampshire Highways moved the sign as requested.

Road Maintenance
Cllr Chapman reported that there is a large pothole at the bottom of Hurst Lane and that he would report it to Hampshire Highways.

 

Cllr Chapman reported that he was concerned about the quality of Amy Construction’s work in the Portsmouth Road.

 

Cllr Page reported that the edge of the carriageway in Thompsons Lane is breaking away.

159/09 PARISH COUNCIL / COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD FOR THE MARWELL AREA

The Council agreed to purchase a noticeboard for the Marwell area, in the same style as the noticeboard in Morestead, to be placed at the Whaddon Lane / Thompsons Lane corner.

160/09 CHRISTMAS LIGHTS

Councillor Chapman reported that the Christmas Lights had been organised by willing parishioners since the year 2000.

 

He confirmed they were expensive to maintain and dependent on the goodwill of parishioners in Main Road for the running costs and there were thoughts that these property owners should be reimbursed.

 

He said the major difficulty was that the lights were not ‘owned’ by anybody and further to discussions with OMCA was asking whether the Parish Council had the statute to look after the Christmas Lights.

 

At this point the Chairman declared a prejudicial interest, being one of the property owners funding the running costs of the lights.

 

The Chairman thanked Cllr Chapman for his consideration, but confirmed he did not personally look for any reimbursement towards the running costs. In the same way that parishioners contributed to the maintenance costs, new bulbs etc. he considered the additional costs on his electricity bill his contribution.

161/09 RECREATION GROUND – VANDALISM PREVENTATIVE MEASURES

Owing to the lack of time remaining, this was not discussed in detail, though the Council agreed in principle that some form of protection is required.

 

The Clerk reminded the Council that as a Village Green, measures implemented must be in consideration of the regulations surrounding a Village Green.

 

It was agreed to set up a sub-committee comprising representatives of the Parish Council, the Cricket Club and the Football Club. Cllr Tull and Cllr Meads agreed to represent the Parish Council. The Chairman agreed to co-ordinate a meeting.

162/09 MARWELL WILDLIFE MASTERPLAN

The Chairman reported that that the only question received with regard to the Masterplan was from Cllr Chapman and local residents in Hurst Lane, in relation to the proposed Hurst Lane recycling unit. It was agreed that Councillors be given another month to forward questions regarding the Masterplan to the Clerk.

163/09 PARTIAL REVIEW OF THE SOUTH EAST PLAN: GYPSEY AND TRAVELLER ACCOMMODATION NEEDS

Owing to lack of time remaining it was agreed to postpone this agenda item to the next meeting.

164/09 PLANNING

a) To discuss pre-application consultations

The Council recognised the helpfulness of the input from the agent but without plans felt it was not really possible to discuss further. To discuss further on receipt of the plans. 58/09

 

b) To discuss planning applications

c) To hear planning decisions

d) Enforcement Issues

i) Marwell Yard

The Clerk reported on the action she had taken with regard to Marwell Yard on behalf of the Council. The Chairman reported that a new planning application had been received and suggested that the Council employ an agent to oppose it on the Council’s behalf. All agreed.

ii) Mare Lane

The Clerk reported on the action she had taken with regard to Mares Lane on behalf of the Council. She confirmed that Twyford Parish Council are taking the lead as this site is within their parish.

165/09 PLANNING – REVIEW OF INTERNAL PARISH COUNCIL PROCEDURES

Due to lack of time this agenda item was postponed to the next meeting.

166/09 AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

2010/11 Draft Budget & Precept

167/09 TO CONSIDER MATTERS ARISING FROM CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED: FOR INFORMATION ONLY

a) Parish Council Forum – Tuesday 17th November 2009, 18:30, Saxon Suite, Guildhall, Winchester
Cllr Manship to attend

 

b) Do you know what your residents are thinking? – HALC Workshop – Wednesday 4th November, 1.30 – 4.30pm Littleton Millennium Hall.
No Cllr available to attend.

 

Charter between HCC and Local Councils – Questionnaire

168/09 FINANCE

Payments were approved in accordance to the budget.

169/09 DATE OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The next Parish Council Planning meeting will be held on Monday 9th November 2009 at 7.45pm

The meeting closed at 10.30pm