Minutes of the Meeting of Beech Parish Council

held in the Village Hall on Monday 25 FEBRUARY 2008

 

 

 

    PRESENT:

 

Councillor Edward Neish (Chairman)                                

Councillor Ian Gibson                                                                      

Councillor Anne Burridge                                                                

Councillor Norman Miles       

Councillor David Woodroofe                                             

Councillor Gill Young

Councillor Peter May

Mrs Sheron Gillard – Clerk to the Council

 

 

07.79   APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Apologies were received and accepted from Cllr Peter May for late arrival.

 

07.80   CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

The Minutes of Council Meeting held on 21 January 2008, copies of which had previously been circulated, were confirmed.  Chairman Edward Neish signed them as a true record.

 

07.81   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

           Cllr Norman Miles declared a Personal Interest in planning application 32030/002/FUL, Copper Beeches, 32

           Kings Hill, his interest being that he is acquainted with the applicant.

 

07.82   REPORTS FROM ADVISORY PANELS AND ITEMS FOR REFERRAL

            I)          Finance & General Policy Panel

                        Report of meeting held on 28 January 2008 including items for decision:

                        a)  Grant Requests

                             i)   Village Hall – BVH had asked the Parish Council to consider an additional pledge of £10,000

                                  towards the re-development and a donation of £5,000 for short-term kitchen improvements.  After

                                  very careful consideration the Council AGREED that, in view of potential future commitments on

                                  Council funds, which have to be raised through Precept, they would review the granting of further

                                  funds after detailed plans have received a mandate from the village and planning permission had

                                  been granted by EHDC.  The Council welcomed the suggestion that a particular aspect of the

                                  works be identified as Parish Council funded (eg. catering facilities) and would be pleased to

                                  discuss this in detail with BVH at a later date.

                             ii)  Alton Citizens’ Advice Bureau – Agreed donation of £125.00 for 2008.

                             iii) Hampshire County Youth Band Association – Agreed a donation of £20.00 be made under the

                                  provision of Section 137 (see Finance).  The Association to be advised that any future donations

                                  could only be made if they could show a direct benefit to the Parish eg. by performing at a village

                                  function or having village members.

                        b)  CLG Consultation on Orders and Regulations Relating to Conduct of Local Authority Members                              in England.  Clerk confirmed that response to consultation had been sent to meet closing date. 

                             Chairman Edward Neish thanked Cllr Norman Miles for reporting on this document.

                        c)  Driver Feedback Signs – After attending the successful demonstration at Longparish and

                             consideration by the Highways & Footpaths Panel, F&GP recommended that Council investigate the

                             possibility of purchasing a sign at an approximate cost of £2,500.  They also considered:

                             i)   positioning – Councillors had walked the village to identify possible locations; Cllr Ian Gibson

                                  provided a map showing 12 sites for consideration, some on Highways land.

                             ii)  insurance – Clerk advised additional premium likely to be in the region of £15.00 per annum.

                             iii) leasing – Clerk advised that sign could be loaned to other parishes but recommended a suitable

                                  contract outlining lessee’s responsibility for loss, damage, health & safety be drafted by County

                                                                                                         Minutes February 2008 continued….page 2 of 4

 

                                  Association’s solicitors.

                             Cllr Gibson to produce a report, with approximate costs of purchase, posts and operation for

                             consideration by Council at next meeting.          

                        d)  Pension Scheme Changes from 1 April 2008 were advised and NOTED:

                             i)   Employer’s contributions to rise to 18.1% (currently 17.7%)

                             ii)  Employee’s contributions to rise to 6.5% (currently 6%)

                        e)  Clerk’s Employment Review

                             Council confirmed F&GP recommendation that review of Clerk’s salary and conditions be carried out

                             at April meeting with any changes taking effect from 1 April 2008.

                        f)  Public Participation/Community Involvement

                             i)   Council confirmed F&GP recommendation that, in order to ensure public have the opportunity to

                                  view and make representations to Council, all planning applications to be considered at full

                                  Council meeting before being submitted to EHDC.  This may necessitate additional Council

                                  meetings being convened to adhere to EHDC’s consultation timetable.  Information on Notice

                                  Boards and website to advise this.  Plans to continue to be circulated to Planning Panel for detailed

                                  consideration.

                             ii)  The future function of the Finance & General Purposes Advisory Panel was discussed.  After

                                  careful consideration it was AGREED that since some items of Council business require

                                  detailed and lengthy consideration, such as the annual budget/Precept, it would be impractical to

                                  bring these time consuming items to full Council.  Therefore, a Finance Advisory Panel of no

                                  more than 3 councillors would be appointed to consider and make recommendations to full

                                  Council.  Other working groups of 1 to 3 Councillors would be appointed to produce reports on

                                  other specific items of business, as required.  These would be circulated well in advance of full

                                  council for Councillors’ informed consideration. 

                             iii) Council considered ways to encourage further community involvement in and understanding of

                                  the Council’s work.  It was AGREED that Clerk to contact all village organizations asking their

                                  members to identify areas of concern that they would like the Council to consider.

 

           II)     Development & Planning Advisory Panel

                     a) Three applications were considered: Proposed, seconded and RESOLVED: That Council’s    

                        comments be forwarded to EHDC, as follows:

                        i)   32030/002/FUL   Copper Beeches, 32 Kings Hill   Detached double garage with ancillary

                                                accommodation/study over following demolition of double garage.

                                                                                                                                          NO OBJECTION

                        ii)  30797/016/FUL   Rear of 10 King’s Hill   Two dwellings following demolition of units

                                                (revised scheme to 30797/014)                          OBJECT for the following reasons:

                                                         1.  The design is flawed as drawings are not accurate.  Ground floor WC will

                                                              not fit under stairs as shown and first floor bedroom doors will not open.

                                                              Elevation would have to be higher to make geometry work with associated

                                                              impact on site.

                                                         2.  Gross external floor area is now 161.5m².  This is 16% greater than consented

                                                              figure of 139m².

                                                         3.  Site plans still do not indicate retaining walls or slope batters (slope approx. 3m

                                                              high over max 7m length in places).  Therefore, drawings do not adequately

                                                              represent impact on site or countryside.

                                                         4.  Buildings outside the red line to north of site are now shown as being retained,

                                                              contrary to previous permission.

                                                         5.  Council would like to see positive statement and design for rainwater disposal

                                                              within the site.

                                                         Comment:  Council still support the removal of all buildings, either using planning

                                                         conditions or a S106 legal agreement. 

                                                         Observation: Since it is understood asbestos may be present in some of the                                                                   buildings to be removed, recommend that all the necessary precautions, in

                                                         accordance with current legislation, be implemented when this is undertaken.

                        iii) 25121/007/FUL   43a Wellhouse Road   Dormers to front and rear, extend balcony and car

                                                          port                                                                                NO OBJECTION

 

                                          

                                                                                                         Minutes February 2008 continued….page 3 of 4

                                 

                        b)  Previous Applications - EHDC Decisions were NOTED:

                             i)   50769/FUL   96 Wellhouse Road   Part single storey/part first floor extension to rear

                                                                                                                                                   PERMITTED

                        c)  Consultation by HCC on proposed changes to the Planning and Related Application Registration

                             Requirements (1APP).  Comments on local requirements required by 28 March.  Councillors to view    at      http://www3.hants.gov.uk/1app-consultation.htm for discussion at March meeting.

 

           III)   Highways and Footpaths Advisory Panel:

                    a) HCC Countryside Access Plan for the Hampshire Downs Area – draft for public consultation.

                        Cllr Gibson to consider for response by 29 February 2008.

                    b) An update from HCC on the ‘Village 30’ programme was NOTED.             

                    c) A response to the Council’s Highways Conditions Survey had been received from Alan Todd, Principal

                        Engineer at Hampshire Highways.  Councillors to accept offer to meet with Highways’ officers on site.

                    d) A new definitive map of Public Rights of Way from HCC was NOTED.

IV)   Community and Environment Advisory Panel:

        a) Overhanging branches – request to be included in next newsletter article for land owners to keep hedges

            and trees trimmed along highways/rights of way.

                       

07.83   ANNUAL PARISH MEETING

           Clerk confirmed the attendance of County Councillor Mark Kemp-Gee.  Agreed meeting would commence at

           7.00 pm immediately followed by the March monthly Parish Council meeting.

           

07.84   VILLAGE HALL REPORT

           BVH Committee’s application to use £10,000 of Developers’ Contributions for the hall’s re-development had

           been approved by EHDC at the Community Forum on 29 January 2008.

 

07.85   BUS SHELTERS

           Council considered the letter from EHDC regarding future maintenance of the district’s bus shelters.  Clerk to

           advise EHDC that the bus shelter on Medstead Road is well used and of real value to the village.  Therefore,

           Council hoped that since this shelter had always been maintained by the District, that EHDC would continue to do   so in the future.

 

07.86   EAST HAMPSHIRE CORE STRATEGY – Issues and Options

           The Core Strategy will describe EHDC’s long term vision for the District and set out broad policies for steering

           and shaping future development.  It will be part of the Local Development Framework (LDF) which will replace

           the adopted Local Plan.  Cllrs Anne Burridge and Peter May to view and draft responses for consideration at the

           Council’s March meeting.

 

07.87   FINANCE

           I)   High Interest Bonds were reviewed.  Proposed, Seconded and RESOLVED: That further funds be added to

                 maturing bond to provide two 6 month bonds of £15,000 each.

           II)  Annual Risk Assessment: RESOLVED: That the Council, having undertaken a Risk Assessment exercise, is

                 satisfied that all identifiable risks are adequately covered, as per attached schedule.

           III) Mr Alun Williams of the Audit Commission’s Limited Assurance Specialist Unit had been appointed as the

                 Council’s external auditor for a five year period.  Fees had also been advised for the next five years.

           IV) Payments authorised:   

                  Proposed Ian Gibson and Seconded by Peter May RESOLVED:                                                  

                  i)      Mrs S Gillard: Clerk’s Net Salary, Allowance and Administration Expenses (Feb 2008)     £399.86

                 ii)    HCC – Pension Payments (employer’s & employee’s contribution for Feb 2008)               £91.55

                 iii)    Alton Citizens’ Advice Bureau                                                                                       £125.00

                

                  

                                                                                                          

 

                                                                                                                      Minutes February 2008 continued…page 4 of 4

 

 

                    iv) RESOLVED: That the Council in accordance with its powers under Section 137 of the Local

                        Government Act 1972, should incur the following expenditure which, in the opinion of the Council, is in

                        the interests of the area of its inhabitants and will benefit them in a manner commensurate with

                        expenditure.

                        Hampshire County Youth Band Association                                                                     £20.00

                

07.88   HAMPSHIRE ALC REPRESENTATIVES

           Norman Miles and Gill Young to attend the District Association meeting to be held on 12 March 2008.

          

07.89   CORRESPONDENCE

           The following items were formally received:-

                   EHDC – Update on Developers’ Contributions

                   Alton Town Council – Alton Town Guides and Explorer Maps available

                   Alton & District Sports Council – Agenda & Minutes

                   GOSE – Sustainable Prosperity within an Ever Challenging Rural Agenda – Free Conference

 

07.90   DATE OF NEXT MEETING

  Confirmed that the Annual Parish Meeting to be held in the Village Hall on Monday, 17 March 2008 at 7.00 pm

  immediately followed by next meeting of the Parish Council.

 

CLOSURE OF MEETING  

Chairman thanked all present for their attendance and closed the meeting at 9.35 pm.

                       

 

 

 

 

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

                                                                                                              Chairman Beech Parish Council

     date: 17 March 2008