Minutes of the Meeting of Beech Parish Council

held in the Village Hall on Monday 20 APRIL 2009

 

 

        PRESENT: 

         

       Councillor Ian Gibson

       Councillor Peter May

       Councillor Norman Miles                                                                         

Councillor Edward Neish (Chairman)                                                                                    

Councillor Gill Young                                                            

Mrs Sheron Gillard – Clerk to the Council          

 

 

 

                         

08.101        APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

           Apologies were received and accepted from Councillors Anne Burridge (annual leave) and David Woodroofe

           (work commitments).

 

08.102        CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

  The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 9 February 2009, copies of which had previously been

  circulated, were confirmed.  Chairman Edward Neish signed them as a true record.

 

08.103 REPORTS FROM ADVISORY PANELS AND ITEMS FOR REFERRAL

           I)      Development and Planning Advisory Panel

                    a)      One application was considered.  Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED that the comments of the

                             Council be forwarded to EHDC as follows:

                             i)   26991/007   95 Medstead Road   Closure of existing track and creation of new access

                                                                                                                                               NO OBJECTION

                    b)      Previous applications – EHDC Decisions.

                             i)   34932/001   1 Cramptons   Prune one horse chestnut and one lime tree.       CONSENT

                             ii)  20447/002   Glenderry, 52 Wellhouse Road  Single storey extension to side,

                                      bay window and veranda to front with conservatory to side   PERMITTED

                    c)      EHDC – Guidance on Public Speaking at Planning Committees – NOTED.

                    d)      EHDC - Saved Local Plan Policies Advice and Direction 1 April 2009 –NOTED.

                    e)      EHDC – Cost awards in Appeals – NOTED.

 

            II)    Highways and Footpaths Advisory Panel:

a)        Traffic Speed

   Following the implementation of the 30 mph limit, concerns had been expressed about the lack of    repeater signs, particularly along King’s Hill and Medstead Road which had previously had a 40 mph    limit.  Cllr Ian Gibson advised the meeting that regulations state that an area in which there are street    lights at less than 183m apart, are automatically deemed to be a 30 mph zone, not requiring    repeaters.  However, Councillors acknowledged that those familiar with the road may need a    reminder of the newly reduced limit, even if only temporarily.  Clerk to contact Highways to request    additional repeater signs.  Materials provided from HCC under the Choose 30 campaign (wheelie bin    stickers, etc) would also be utilised to raise awareness of the reduced limit.

                   b)      Use of Speed Limit Reminder and/or Speed Indicator Devices

                             HCC are promoting the use of SLRs and have produced a new protocol for their purchase and use by

                             Parish Councils and have also made provision for licensing the use of SIDs.  Following consideration,                                             Council decided to wait a period of time to establish how effective the new Village 30 scheme had                                         been before looking at this further.  Clerk to contact other Parishes that may be interested in sharing                                          the costs of purchase, maintenance and management of SIDs/SLRs in the future.

          

 

 

           

                                                                                                         Minutes May 2009 continued…./page 2 of 3

 

 

 

           III)   Community and Environment Advisory Panel

                   a)       101 service – Update from Chief Constable advised that Hampshire Constabulary have taken the                              decision to retain the 101 number and operate it as a police only non-emergency contact number (for                              any contact that is less urgent than ‘999’).

 

08.104        SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK       

           It was reported that the decision by Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to establish a

           South Downs National Park to be managed by a National Park Authority had been confirmed.            

 

08.105        ANNUAL PARISH MEETING – Matters referred to Council:

           a)     Nuisance use of public access woodland – Clerk had contacted the Forestry Commission who advised that

                   other than occasional pre-planned events approved by the Forestry, all other motorcycle activity is illegal

                   and contrary to Forestry Commission byelaws and is likely to be in contravention of the Road Traffic Act. 

                   He advised anyone witnessing such use to contact the police.

           b)     Assistance from Parish Council to encourage District Council to enforce planning conditions.

                   Parish Council would continue to monitor such cases and requested to be included in any correspondence

                   between interested parties.  Clerk to contact the EHDC Compliance Officer to request same and to obtain

                   update on any outstanding issues.

 

08.106        ANNUAL COUNCIL MEETING - Monday, 18 May 2009

           An open invitation had appeared in the village Newsletter.  A list of personal invitations    to be sent to ex-

           Councillors and Clerk, attendees of first meeting and other interested parties was agreed.  Agreed Chairman and

           Vice-Chairman to arrange refreshments to be charged through Chairman’s Allowance.

 

08.107 Report from HAMPSHIRE ALC and REPRESENTATIVES

           NALC AGM to be held on 4 September 2009. 

 

08.108 CONFIDENTIAL BUSINESS

            Proposed Ian Gibson, Seconded Gill Young and RESOLVED: That members of the public and press be excluded

            from the meeting for Part II so that matters of a confidential nature could be discussed.

 

08.109 CLERK’S ANNUAL REVIEW

            Following report by Chairman Edward Neish, it was Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED: That with effect

            from 1 April 2009:

            a)     Clerk’s salary to be increased by 2.75% on 07/08 rate.

            b)     Clerk’s hours to be increased from 416 to 468 a year (averaging 9 hours per week).

            c)     All other terms and conditions to remain unchanged.

 

08.110 FINANCE

a)  Summary Receipts & Payments for 4th quarter to 31 March 2009 presented to Council showing bank

     reconciliation NOTED as follows:-

    

     Current account balance                        320.98                       

     Less: Cheques drawn but not debited          

     as at 31.03.09 (no. 016)                           94.90

     Deposit Bank Account                        9,841.81

     Bonds                                               38,091.21

     Balance carried forward to 1 April 2009                £48,159.10

b)  Annual External Audit – Annual Return papers had been received.  External audit set for 3 August 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                                                                         Minutes May 2009 continued…./page 3 of 3

 

 

 

c)  Payments authorised:      

                 Proposed: Cllr Ian Gibson, Seconded: Gill Young

                 RESOLVED:    i)     HCC - Pension Payments (employer’s & employee’s contribution for

                                                Apr 2009)                                                                                          £111.94

ii)    Mrs Sheron Gillard: Clerk’s Net Salary and Allowance (Apr 2009)   £451.73

iii)   HMRC – Tax payments Jan-Mar 09 inclusive                                          3.60

iv)   Hampshire ALC – LCR subscription                                                      13.50

For payment 18 May 2009:

v)    Beech Village Hall                                                                        £10,000.00

 

08.111 CORRESPONDENCE

            The following items were formally received:

                   Hampshire Highways – Pot Holes (causes and way to report)

                   Local Council News (Newsletter of Hampshire ALC)  – Spring 2009

                   HCC – Planning Hampshire’s Future – Spring 1009 edition

                   TAG Farnborough Airport – Master Plan available at www.tagaviation.com

                   Equality and Human Rights Commission – Public Sector Duties

 

08.112 NEXT MEETING

            Confirmed that the Annual Parish Meeting would be held in the Village Hall on Monday, 18 May 2009 at

            8.00 pm preceded by 10th Anniversary Reception at 7.00 pm.

 

CLOSURE OF MEETING      

Chairman thanked all present for their attendance and closed the meeting at 9.00 pm.

                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

signed: ...........................................................

                                                                                                         Chairman Beech Parish Council

date: 18 May 2009