Minutes 9th August 2010

PRESENT

Chairman: Cllr Mr A Manship

Councillors: Mr J Chapman, Mr M Cryer, Mr R Page, Mrs P Sharpe & Mr G Tull.

IN ATTENDANCE

County Councillor: Mr P Mason
District Councillor: Mr R Humby
PCSO Helen Carthew
Clerk: Mrs E Manship

129/10 APOLOGIES

District Councillor: Mr R Humby
PC Clive Barham

130/10 DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS

There were no disclosures of interests

131/10 CONFIRMATION OF THE MINUTES

The minutes of the meeting held on 12th July 2010 had been circulated. One amendment was agreed.  The Chairman signed the minutes.

132/10 TO HEAR PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

a)Planning Applications – Statement of Intent from Owner or Agent and Public Comments

1. Planning Application 10/01378/FUL – Marwell Manor Farm, Portsmouth Road, Owslebury

The property owner confirmed the purpose of the build, described its location as surrounded by trees on 3 sides and buildings on the other and confirmed that issues such as the disposal of waste products from the cows had been considered.  Cllr Page confirmed he had visited the site and saw no problems with it.  

b) Any General Matters

None

133/10 POLICE CONSTABLE REPORT

Occurrence Summary for Owslebury Parish – Monday 12th July – Sunday 8th August 2010

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 post code, please see 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 Incident
  Main Road, Owslebury.  14:00 – 14:30 Friday 23rd July 2010
  Young male cyclist forced off his bike by a passing red car. Car was going at speed and cyclist forced to dive onto grass to avoid collision. No details of car available.  (44100313706)
  
  
• Fly-tipping
  Lower Baybridge Lane.  Thursday 5th August – Friday 6th August 2010
  Commercial load of tyres dumped on and by an orchard. (44100336789)
  
  PC Carthew requested that residents do report incidents such as the above to support the build up of a picture.   PC Carthew asked whether the priorities of the parish for the police remained Speeding and Fly-Tipping.  This was confirmed.  The Chairman thanked PC Carthew for her work.     

 

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.

 

PC178 Clive Barham (Beat Officer), PCSO14039 Helen Carthew & PS Dorian Chapman.
Meon Valley Safer Neighbourhoods Team, Meon Valley Police Station, Hoe Road, Bishops Waltham. S032 1DS.

Tel: 0845-045-45-45. Ext. 643 234. 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
Email: dorian.chapman@hampshire.pnn.police.uk Mobile: 079 0110 2292

 

PC24208 Jon Radcliffe, Countryside & Wildlife Crime Officer
Email: winchester.countryside@hampshire.pnn.police.uk
Tel: 0845 045 45 45. Ext. 643 126.

134/10 MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES

a) Bottle Banks – To arrange a site visit with Fiona Churcher, Chris Pope and Cllr Manship – Cllr Ruffell.

 

Cllr Manship confirmed he and Cllr Ruffell had met with Fiona Churcher and Chris Pope on site and the agreed plan is to move the posts and tarmac the green area to give easier access for the collecting lorry. 

 

Subsequently, Chris Pope discussed the plans with Martin Taylor who felt that even if the grass verges are removed his team would find it difficult to access the garage area as he felt the turning circle in Beech Grove is not big enough for the lorries. 

 

However, Martin Taylor has agreed to go ahead with the relocation of the bins back to the Beech Grove area, for a trial period, without any landscaping works to save money on hard standings in the short term. 

 

Cllr Ruffell has responded to Chris Pope, confirming that in the first instance, Martin Taylor had at a site visit agreed to the landscaping works as an appropriate way forward. 

 

The above viewpoint had only come about subsequently to ascertaining the cost.  Cllr Ruffell requested that the bins are not moved back to the Beech Grove area until the works have been completed as it was agreed this would prove not to be satisfactory.

b) Virtual Footpaths – To write to Martin Wiltshire and feedback at the August meeting – Clerk

Cllr Manship confirmed that Martin Wiltshire had confirmed receipt of the e-mail from the Clerk and would be reviewing the situation this week.  He wished to undertake further surveys before making his recommendation

c) Parish Lengthsman – to find out more information regarding the pilot – Clerk

Colin Taylor originally set up two pilot projects but further to his change in position Tristan Meekins has taken over the Parish Lengthsmen trial in the Meon Valley and Tim Lawton, the second trial in the Test Valley.

 

There are ten Parishes in the Meon Valley trial, Swanmore Parish is the lead Parish and the pilot is due to start in August 2010. The delays in starting this have been a combination of the bad winter weather, legal agreements and getting the Parishes signed up to a consistent way of working.

 

The trial has funding of £10,000 effectively £1,000 per Parish and the money is available for a 12-month period. As the scheme hasn’t started yet, no feedback is as yet available however the Parishes and Tristan will be meeting on a quarterly basis to review how the trial is going.

 

After the 12-month period a report will go to the Executive Member of Environment who will decide whether to extend the scheme across the County. Clearly he will have to make this decision within any budget constraints at the time.

 

HCC will not be considering an extension of this scheme until the first trial is complete and only then if the scheme proves good value for money.  Meanwhile, if Owslebury Parish is interested we are advised to: -

 

• Talk with Peter Hildrew of Swanmore Parish Council regarding the amount of work required co-ordinating the various 10 parish councils to get this scheme up and running.
• Ensure we obtain £10m Public Liability Insurance the next time we renew our insurance as this is a pre-requisite of the scheme
• Seek interest from neighbouring parishes / those within the Bishops Waltham division.

d) Co-option of Parish Councillor – to re-advertise as soon as possible – Clerk

The Clerk confirmed new advertisements have been placed on the noticeboards, the website and Democratic Services notified.  One nominee has come forward to date. Any further nominees to write to the Clerk before 6pm on 7th September 2010.

e) Whaddon Lane – To follow up 3rd lay-by and discuss priority direction sign with Richard Peach – Clerk
Cllr Manship reported that the Road Safety Audit was completed on 23rd August 2010. Andrew Tiffen has confirmed that a 3rd lay-by will be installed, using remaining finance set-aside for the project. HCC would prefer not to install priority direction signs at this stage, feeling that it will urbanise the areas, however, this can be reviewed if necessary, further to the 3rd lay-by installation.

 

f) Orange Paint on Road Sign - Clerk
Cllr Manship reported that he had removed the orange paint that had defaced the Baybridge road sign.

 

g) Longwood Crossroads - AM
Cllr Manship reported that the post for the VAS sign in Longwood Road East is in place and that Martin Wiltshire is following up the VAS itself.

 

With regard to the proposals for alterations to the junction, Cllr Manship confirmed Martin Wiltshire has agreed to attend the September meeting to present these to the Council

h) Cutting Back Footpath 47 behind School - PS

Cllr Sharpe spoke to the School Secretary who had no knowledge regarding the maintenance of the footpath.  She briefly spoke to the Head Teacher but he retired at the end of term.  Cllr Sharpe offered to follow this up in September.  It was agreed the Clerk should notify Rights of Way. 

i) Rights of Way Maps - Clerk

The Clerk distributed Rights of Way maps to the Council members.  The map shows the name and number of all the rights of way within the parish, which will support discussions.

 

j) Winchester Citizens Advice Bureau - AGM 26th July 2010 – feedback – AM

Run from St George’s Street, the Winchester Citizens Advice Bureau has 7 full time members of staff supported by a team of volunteers.  There are also 100 people on the waiting list volunteering their help.

 

The Manager Jenny Meadows explained that there are several 1-year projects funded from different pots of money.  This means a service may or may not run for a 2nd year depending on funds available. 

 

Alresford CAB has temporally closed due to a funding shortage, but with a new initiative, using a local doctor’s surgery the service may be resumed shortly. The cost of running this centre was 4 thousand pounds.

 

During the past year, The CAB National figure for seeing clients rose to 2. 1 million people.
 
There is a new service starting called Gateway.  Gateway offers a telephone discussion in the first instance, to ensure people seeking support are referred to the appropriate advisor e.g. finance, social care or health etc.

 

The group at Winchester has links with Baroness Thomas, who raises issues on behalf of the Bureau in the House of Lords.

 

The meeting ended with the Mayor of Winchester, Richard Izard, presenting long service awards to both full time staff and volunteers, for their loyal service ranging from 5 to 20 years.

135/10 COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS

a) Longwood Crossroads

Cllr Mason thanked Cllr Tull for his agitation seeking to reduce the height of the hedges at the crossroads.  He respectfully explained that whilst he could not always agree with the way Cllr Tull went about things, the hedges had been cut and he understood Cllr Tull was now 99% satisfied. Cllr Mason confirmed to the Council that he had reminded Cllr Tull that others were involved and it was not just his agitation that had achieved this.

 

b) Police Cuts

Cllr Mason reported that 18 new Police Officers who had been offered a start date had them withdrawn in consideration of the impending cuts.  PC Barham has 14 months remaining prior to his retirement. Concern was expressed that he may not be replaced.

 

c) HCC Budget Cuts

Cllr Mason reported that significant budget cuts are being announced in many areas within HCC.  The Cultural Communities Budget being just one target.

 

d) Crime Prevention Grants

Cllr Mason reported that over recent years he had been involved in awarding small crime prevention grants, to a maximum of £3,000, which enabled small projects to come to fruition.  He expressed his concern that with the setting up of the Blue Lamp Trust, which will focus on administering larger grants, money will be restricted for the Crime Prevention Grants

136/10 HIGHWAYS

a) General Maintenance

The Clerk reported confirmation from Darren Lewis, Area Engineer – Winchester South, Hampshire Highways of the following: -

• White lining at the crossroads with Mares Lane / Whites Hill / Hensting Lane to be repainted, as well as the give way markings at the junction of Warley Lane and Owslebury Bottom
• The School sign, buried in the hedge opposite Beech Grove to be repositioned
• The footway outside Gorse Down to be resurfaced, including getting rid of the barren earth areas, so it’s a complete black top footway.

137/10 RIGHTS OF WAY

a) Footpath 23

The Clerk reported that Fair Oak Council is concerned at the state of this footpath on the border of Owslebury and Fair Oak Parish.  Liz Giles has visited the site, met with Fair Oak Councillors and will address difficulties, flooding, overgrown hedges etc. liaising with the landowners as appropriate.

138/10 Parish Council Representatives – Nomination to Vacant Responsibilities

a) OPHMC representative – Cllr Chapman

b) OMCA representative – Cllr Sharpe

c) Travellers representative to link with HCC and WCC – Cllr Tull

d) Sports Clubs representative (with Cllr Tull) – not filled

e) Public Transport representative – Cllr Cryer

f) Planning Lead (with Cllr Page) – not filled

139/10 PLANNING

a) To discuss pre - planning applications

OPC Comment: The understanding of the Council is that the current field shelters, used as stables, were originally placed on the land without planning permission and subsequently one had to be moved as it was sited on the footpath. The Council has no objection to new stables replacing these field shelters and considers the identified location, north of the footpath, sensible, as it will remove the necessity of walkers walking through the stables.

 

However, the Council does have a couple of conditions, which it would like to see within the application: -

a) That the application includes consultation with an arboriculturist regarding the required distance from the oak trees north of the intended site, to the stables, to ensure that the roots are not disturbed.

b) That the elevations ensure the stables continue to be screened by the surrounding hedgerows / trees, as are the field shelters at this moment in time.

c) That the field shelters are removed from site as soon as the stables are in place to avoid over intensification of the site.

b) To discuss planning applications

OPC:Comment Only: Owslebury Parish Council has no objection to the barn conversion in principle, however the Council is very concerned for the wildlife and requests conditions are met before work commences, to ensure that the needs of the wildlife are considered and that the conditions under the Barn Owl Trust and the Bat Trust enforced.

 

Barn Owls are rare and are currently using the barn to roost. There is no obvious alternative barn in the vicinity to which they can easily move. The Council therefore requests that a new home is made available for them in the immediate vicinity before work commences. The appropriate experts need to be involved.

 

The Council questions whether the barn, which is in an extremely poor state of repair, is restorable, or whether the owners will end up removing it from site and building from scratch. It is riddled with rot and it appears there are settlement issues. Again the appropriate experts need to be involved and agreements made with WCC.

 

These decisions add to the Council's concern for the wildlife.
 
In addition to the above the Council would like to see the involvement of English Nature and the South Downs National Park. The Council has no objection to a barn conversion that fully takes into consideration the needs of the wildlife using the site. However, the Council requests that permission is not granted until full wildlife consideration is proven and agreed to be appropriate.

OPC: No Comment

 

c) To hear planning decisions

10/01352/NMA:	Christmas Cottage, Belmore Lane, Owslebury.  SO21 1JW
Proposal:	MINOR AMENDMENT to Planning Permission 09/01620/FUL.  Addition of structural piers and tiled ridge.
Decision:	Non-material Minor Amendment – recommendation rejection

140/10 ENFORCEMENT ISSUES

No New Cases

141/10 TO CONSIDER MATTERS ARISING FROM CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED: FOR INFORMATION ONLY

a) CPRE’s Parish Seminar – Enhance Your Parish – Wed 10th November – 10am – 3.30pm Cllrs Tull and Sharpe to attend

142/10 AGENDA ITEMS FOR THE NEXT MEETING

a) Parish Policing Partnership Forum – Wednesday 1st September – Feedback (GT & MC)

b) Effectiveness of Internal Audit (Clerk)

c) Parish Councillor Co-option

d) Playground Feedback

143/10 FINANCE

Payments were approved in accordance to the budget.

144/10 DATE OF THE NEXT PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

The next Parish Council Planning meeting will be held on Monday 13th September 2010 at 7.45pm

The meeting closed at 9.30 pm