Minutes 13th July 2009

PRESENT

Vice-Chairman: Mrs J Chase (chair)
Councillors: Mr J Chapman, Mrs T Meads, Mr R Page, Mrs P Sharpe

IN ATTENDANCE

Clerk: Mrs E Manship
County Councillor: Mr P Mason
District Councillor: Mr R Humby
PC Clive Barham

94/09 APOLOGIES

Chairman: Cllr Mr A Manship
District Councillor: Mr L Ruffell

95/09 DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS

Cllr Chapman declared a personal interest as a neighbour with regard to planning application 09/01046/HCS

96/09 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 8th June 2009 and 15th June 2009 had been circulated. The Vice-Chairman signed the minutes.

97/09 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

a) Winchester District Association of Local Councils – AGM

Cllr Chapman reported on the meeting: -

• Hampshire Highways – Kunle Kolaru and the Area Manager from Amey spoke on the ongoing highways work and the issues they were trying to tackle regarding the huge number of potholes and poor drainage across the area.
  
  Concerns were raised from the floor with regard to the quality of their work. Hampshire Highways explained the restrictions that they are working too.
  
  
• Parish Plans and VDS’s – Simon Eden, WCC Chief Executive spoke on the benefits of Parish Plans and Village Design Statements
  
  
• SDNP – Cllr Barbara Holyome spoke on the next steps regarding the South Downs National Park
  
  
• SLR’s – It seems as though Hambledon are hoping to negotiate the price to move SLR’s around the parish with Hampshire Highways and that the price is not necessarily finalised as we were led to believe.
  
  In general there was a lot of support from those present with regard to the benefits of SLR’s but that is essential that Hampshire Highways reduces the fortnightly transfer cost.
  
  
• Parish Clusters – Discussion took place on the benefits of Parish Clusters
  

b) Southampton Airport’s Community and Stakeholder Conference – feedback LR

 

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

 

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

 

No reports have been received on the above three items from Cllr Ruffell who was unable to attend the meeting. Cllr Chase asked that these items be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

98/09 PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

a) Marwell Yard

 

Mr Chapman, on behalf of himself and the residents in the locality said that they were concerned about the number of intended HGV movements indicated in the recent correspondence from the planning officer.

 

b) Highways Issues

Mr Emmans, as a member of a vintage motorcycle club, raised his concern with regard to a sunken manhole cover in Waltham Chase that posed a significant danger to motorcyclists.

 

He also raised concern with regard to two large potholes with white lines around and bollards on top – in Lower Baybridge Lane, almost opposite Red Lane, and at the Bank Tree.

 

The Clerk suggested Mr Emmans wrote, on behalf of the vintage motorcycle club, to Hampshire Highways regarding the danger of the sunken manhole cover.

 

Cllr Mason confirmed that he would write to Hampshire Highways regarding these issues.

99/09 COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS

a) County Councillors £10,000 Grant for Parishes

Councillor Mason confirmed that he has received confirmation that this grant will again be available to Parishes via County Councillors.

 

Criteria for accessing this grant will hopefully be available at the full council meeting next week.

b) Speed Limit Reduction to 30mph in Hurst Lane

 

Councillor Chapman asked Councillor Mason the progress with regard to reducing the speed limit in Hurst Lane. Councillor Mason confirmed that there is no progress to date.

 

c) Leader Funding

 

Councillor Humby confirmed that three million pounds has been set aside over 5 years for grants towards rural projects including farming and forestry. Of this amount £77,000 has been awarded to date.

 

The Project Manager, Ken Brown, WCC, will be organising some workshops to explain the type of projects that can be applied for and the process.

 

This is to support Parish Councils in correctly identifying projects that are eligible. We should be notified of these workshops in the near future.

 

d) WCC Service Reviews

Cllr Humby reported that he is currently half way through 20 service reviews, over a 6-week period, taking place across all the WCC divisions.

 

The purpose of these reviews is to look for efficiency savings. At the end of these reviews a final meeting will be held to bring findings together.

100/09 HIGHWAYs

a) Longwood Crossroads

 

The latest 3-year injury accident report for the stretch of C9, where HCC have implemented measures, was circulated prior to the meeting.

 

This data confirms that up until 31st March 2009 no injury accidents have taken place along the C9 between the Longwood Crossroads and the Longwood Dean crossroads.

 

The Clerk confirmed that the VAS signs are now working and we now need to monitor the site e.g. over the next 6 months, and note their affect.

 

b) Whaddon Lane

 

Councillor Page raised his concern regarding Cllr Tull’s e-mail withdrawing support to donate his land to the Whaddon Lane project and the affect this could have on the project.

 

The Clerk confirmed that Andrew Tiffen, Highways Engineer has confirmed that he will liaise with the landowners direct with regard to the project.

 

Andrew Tiffen, on behalf of Hampshire Highways, has confirmed that the project can be implemented in full as per discussions with the Parish Council.

 

The road will be narrowed to the agreed width in the specification and the passing bays supported with a double row of kerbing etc.

 

It will be necessary to close the road for a period of about six weeks. Therefore he is hoping to arrange for the kerbing both in Longwood Road and at the West End of Main Road to installed at the same time.

 

He has written to the utility companies advising them of the work and all being well, whilst there may be some slippage in the time-scale he hopes the work can begin in August.

101/09 RIGHTS OF WAY

a) Rights of Way

 

Cllr Chase read out information received from Mrs Bailey regarding rights of way giving access concerns owing to overgrown hedgerows, broken styles etc.

 

The Council discussed each in turn and confirmed those that had been recently cleared e.g. by Cllr Tull and those that needed reporting to Rights of Way.

102/09 LITTER COLLECTION

Cllr Meads confirmed that she will organise a Saturday, in liaison with OMCA, mid to late September, for a general litter collection around the parish and will advertise it in the hope others will join in.

103/09 CHILDREN’S PLAY AREA

The Clerk confirmed that Hampshire Playing Fields Association has committed £2000 towards new play equipment.

 

Cllr Sharpe confirmed that the Toddler Group mothers are holding their first funding raising event, entitled ‘The Big Lunch’ on the Glebe Field this coming Sunday from 12noon to 2pm.

 

She was pleased to confirm that both the Church and neighbours have been extremely supportive and she hopes it will be a fun activity for all.

 

All are welcome to bring and enjoy a picnic together. Tea, coffee and cake will be available, together with fun activities and a sponsored walk for the Toddlers around the field.

104/09 VICTIM SUPPORT GRANT AID REQUEST

The Clerk read out a letter from Victim Support outlining the services they offer through their Community and Witness Programmes to support victims of crime who live within our community.

 

The Council agreed the sum of £100 as a donation to support their work.

105/09 POLICE CONSTABLE REPORT

PC Clive Barham introduced himself to the Council and parishioners present. He confirmed he has served as a Police Constable for 28 years, in Southampton, Twyford and Bishops Waltham. Replacing PC Charlie Farley on his retirement, he is responsible for the area covering Bishops Waltham, Upham, Owslebury, Morestead and Marwell.

 

PC Barham confirmed that he wanted to engage with the community, to respond to concerns, to listen and learn, to find out our problems and to work with us to try to make the parish a safer place to live. 32/09

PC Barham reported on the recorded occurrences within the Parish of Owslebury during July 2009, as follows: -

• Theft – Whaddon Lane – 08:00 – 17:30 Tuesday 7th July 09. Person(s) unknown removed 2 x electric fence energisers from horse paddock (44090295700)
  
  
• Suspicious incident – Longwood Road – 20:18 Sunday 5th July 09 – Sounds (described as ‘sawing noises) heard coming from vicinity of business premises. Checked by police – all in order. (44090292647)
  
  
• Attempted theft – Marwell – 02:00 – 05:00 Monday 29th June 09. Failed attempt by person(s) unknown to remove ornaments from posts on either side of driveway entrance (44090294239)
  
  
• Road traffic incident – Main Road – 12.15 Thursday 25th June 09 – Passing car collided with end of walking stick being held out by elderly female pedestrian – no injuries caused. Dispute then took place between driver and pedestrian (44090275652)
  
  
• Environmental damage – Whites Hill – 17:28 Wednesday 17th June 09 – Person(s) unknown dumped rubbish at side of road near Ship Inn. (44090262640)
  
  
• Road traffic accident – Hurst Lane – 16:25 Saturday 13th June 2009 – Single-vehicle (motorcycle), non-injury, road-traffic accident (44090255884)

If anyone has any information regarding the above incidents to support the police in their enquiries, please contact PC Barham direct.

 

PC Barham confirmed he is happy to forward all incidents (other than domestic, which should remain private) to the Parish Council on a monthly basis.

 

He would support the information being circulated widely and will e-mail information direct to the webmaster for uploading.

 

PC Barham confirmed he hoped to make contact with Owslebury Neighbourhood Watch in the very near future.

 

The Clerk thanked PC Barham for forwarding his details to the webmaster and confirmed that these had been uploaded. PC Barham confirmed he would e-mail a photograph to the webmaster to support parishioner recognition.

 

Cllr Meads asked who parishioners should notify should they see people fly tip. PC Barham confirmed that the Environment Agency hold responsibility to prosecute.

 

The police also have the ability to prosecute and work in support of the Environment Agency.

 

If parishioners see people fly tip they can report this to the Environment Agency and/or the Police.

106/09 INTERNAL AUDIT REPORT FOR ANNUAL ACCOUNTS 2008/09

The Clerk reported that the Auditor has agreed the 2008/09 accounts as presented to the Council in June. The following action points were discussed and agreed: -

• To download or purchase a copy of the 2008 “Governance and Accountability in Local Councils – A Practitioners Guide” which replaces the 2002 version.
  
  
• To purchase a copy of Arnold-Baker’s “Local Council Administration” which is about to be republished.
  
  
• To register the Community and Parish Council website with the Information Commissioner.
  
  
• To record donations from local businesses to support the running costs of the website as donations within the accounts
  
  

• To confirm at the Council meeting the typo in the Feb 09 minutes in relation to the Clerk’s Salary.
  
  The Clerk confirmed the correct amount had been agreed by the Vice-Chairman in advance of the meeting, processed in the normal way and accurately presented within the annual accounts. The amount in the minutes was a typo.
  
  The Council agreed for the correct amount to be signed off in the minutes.
  

107/09 WEBSITE

a) Stand at the Church Fete

 

Cllr Chapman confirmed he ran a stand at the church fete hoping to encourage parishioners to share their views and ideas regarding the parish website.

 

In retrospect Cllr Chapman felt that this probably wasn’t the venue to gauge opinion as people, on the whole, did not want to spend the time on a bright sunny day, looking at the website.

 

b) Owslebury Newsletter

 

Cllr Chapman confirmed that he had broached the idea with Mrs Sprot of uploading the Owslebury Newsletter on to the website.

 

He had received a useful suggestion from Mr Norris that the Newsletter could be uploaded with an encryption to enable only person’s who had paid their subscription to the Newsletter to view it on line.

 

This would give an alternative means of access to the post for parishioners who did not live on a delivery route and for those who had moved away but who wished to keep in touch.

 

In addition it would mean that an electronic social history of life in Owslebury would begin to build up for future generations.

 

If the Newsletter Team would like to go ahead he would like to put the suggestion to the Editor that the Parish Council may be able to support them in purchasing an appropriate IT programme to support their work.

 

However, he was aware that this must be something that both the village and Newsletter team would welcome as the cost and time involved would not be inconsiderable and he noted the Editor’s comments in the last edition.

c) Local Business Details on the website to mutually support both local businesses and parishioners

Concern was raised regarding the small number of businesses within the parish who had placed their details on the site.

 

Cllr Chapman reported that the businesses he had spoken to did not feel that a website advertisement would enhance their business though some would be prepared to place a link to their own website.

 

He had however, only spoken with about 5 of the 40 local businesses that the Clerk had forwarded fliers to.

 

d) Local Organisations Details on the Site

Concern was raised that a number of village organisations have not taken up the opportunity to place their details on the site.

 

This was felt a great shame as the clerk regularly receives telephone calls from web-users who had phoned the clerk as a last resort, not being able to find the number or e-mail for the organisation they wanted to speak with.

108/09 PLANNING

a) Planning applications

OPC Comment: Mr Cole states, in his e-mail, that 64 tons of waste are transported to and from the site in HGV's that are each capable of carrying a 20-ton load. Therefore, this volume of waste would require 3 or 4 lorries per working day resulting in 6 - 8 vehicle movements per day.

 

Owslebury Parish Council believes that in reality: -

• it is very unlikely that each lorry will leave the site completely full
  
  
• there will be occasions when different lorries enter and leave the site, some full and some empty;
  on some occasions smaller lorries will be used.
  
  Therefore, it is more realistic to assume 5 - 8 HGV lorries per day, equating to 10 - 16 HGV movements a day. This is in addition to the 6 vehicle movements from the grab lorries.
  

This could easily result in 22 HGV movements per day, which is far more than is suitable for a single carriageway country road, within a rural location with adjacent residential premises.

The condition of the roads continue to deteriorate with subsidence, potholes and broken down banks caused by the HGV’s, in turn adding additional danger to other road users, to Marwell Wildlife, Marwell Activity Centre, the local Nursery and the local village.

 

Therefore, be it 14 or 22 HGV daily movements, Owslebury Parish Council strongly objects. The infrastructure of the local single carriageway rural roads is insufficient to support them.

 

Accidents continue to be a concern and this is totally against the work underway between the Parish Council, supported County Councillor Peter Mason, with Hampshire Highways, to reduce the danger from traffic in this area.

 

b) Planning Decisions

c) Enforcement Issues

 

The Clerk confirmed receipt of the July enforcement list and answered questions from Councillors. She confirmed that the next meeting between Cllr Ruffell, Cllr Manship, and WCC Enforcement is scheduled for the end of August 2009.

109/09 AGENDA ITEMS FOR FUTURE MEETINGS

• Virtual Footpaths – TM
  
• Website
• Litter Collection – TM
• Matters Arising outstanding from June Meeting - LR

110/09 TO CONSIDER MATTERS ARISING FROM CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED: FOR INFORMATION ONLY

a) Newsletter Minutes on the Parish Noticeboard

 

The Clerk confirmed that further to a recent enquiry she would continue to place the draft minutes of Parish Council meetings on the parish noticeboard in Main Road for residents without Internet access.

 

b) Winchester Passenger Transport Forum – 22nd July 09

 

The Vice-Chairman confirmed that she was unable to attend on this occasion but had requested a copy of the minutes

 

c) Winchester CAB – AGM – 14th July 09

 

No Councillor available to attend

111/09 FINANCE

The July payments were approved in accordance to the budget: -

93/09 DATE OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The next Parish Council Planning meeting will be held on Monday 10th August 2009 at 7.45pm

The meeting closed at 9.30pm