Minutes of the Meeting of Beech Parish Council

held in the Village Hall on Monday 15 JUNE 2009

 

 

        PRESENT: 

         

       Councillor Anne Burridge

       Councillor Ian Gibson

       Councillor Peter May

       Councillor Norman Miles                                                                         

Councillor Edward Neish (Chairman)                                     Mrs Mo Farrell, Press                                           

Councillor David Woodroofe                                                  PC Nopps

Mrs Sheron Gillard – Clerk to the Council                              Mr Peter Cox, Village Hall

                                                                                               (Present during Public Question Time only)

 

Prior to the meeting, Mr Peter Cox updated Council on the village hall works.  These are currently on schedule

with an anticipated completion by September and a provisional official opening on 25 September.  It was

expected that the Council’s July meeting would be held in the new build whilst alterations to the old hall are

underway.  From September, Council meetings would be held in the new Committee Room as the Alton Bridge

Club are to return to Beech to use the new hall.

 

                         

09.13  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

           Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor Gill Young (bereavement).

 

09.14  REVIEW OF 10th ANNIVERSARY RECEPTION

           All agreed this had been a very successful and well received event.  Cllr Norman Miles proposed a vote of thanks

           to Mrs Sarah Neish, Mrs Camilla Gibson and Miss Hetty Neish for contributing to the evening’s success by            providing and serving refreshments.

           Both Chairman Edward Neish and Cllr Ian Gibson declared a Personal interest, being related to the individuals,

           and took no further part in the discussion. 

           Cllr Norman Miles further Proposed, Seconded Cllr Anne Burridge and RESOLVED: that gifts should be sent as

           an expression of          the Council’s appreciation.  Since such gifts would have to come from Chairman’s Allowance,

           it was agreed that Clerk would liaise with Vice-Chairman Peter May regarding costs.

 

09.15  CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

  The Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 18 May 2009, copies of which had previously been

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

 

09.16  PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

           PC Nopps commented on the recent road repairs and white lining.  Councillors felt that an early speed

           survey would indicate the effectiveness of the white lining and reduced speed limit and identify whether there is a

           continuing speeding problem.

           PC Nopps warned of a number of garden burglaries in surrounding villages and urged vigilance and also

           recommended the proposed terrorism presentation.

 

09.17  REPORTS FROM ADVISORY PANELS AND ITEMS FOR REFERRAL

           I)      Development and Planning Advisory Panel

                    a)      Previous applications – EHDC Decisions.

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

                                                                                                         access track.                            PERMITTED.

            II)    Highways and Footpaths Advisory Panel:

a)        Road Repairs

   The recent pot holes and patching repairs were considered of a higher standard than previously and it

   was noted that large potholes on the Bentworth road brought to the attention of Iain Hopcroft of

   Hampshire Highways East at the meeting on 27 April had been repaired within days.  The

   white lining along Medstead Road and King’s Hill had also been renewed prompting Council to call

   for a speed survey sooner rather than later to gauge its effectiveness in conjunction with the new

   speed limits.  Clerk to contact Hampshire Highways. 

                   b)      Footpaths

                             It had been brought to the Council’s attention that footpath 714 was obstructed by tape, possibly                             

                             electrified.  Agreed Council should write to land owners (once identified) to request the route be kept

                             clear and accessible.

                             Cllr Gibson to report broken stiles along footpath 18 to HCC Countryside Service.

                   c)       Grit Bins

                             Council discussed the provision of a grit bin for the use of Snode Hill.  However, following advice

                             from Hampshire Highways and the unlikely effectiveness of grit  in this area, Council decided against

                             such a purchase.

           III)  Community and Environment Advisory Panel

                   a)       Terrorism Presentation

                             At the request of NHW, Council agreed to host a presentation prior to either the October or November

                             Council meeting.  Clerk to liaise with Mr Colin Britchford of Beech NHW.

                             If successful, Council would consider similar presentations before Council meetings.

                   b)      Transport

                             i)       No Councillors were available to attend the East Hampshire Passenger Transport Forum on

                                      Monday, 29 July at EHDC.

                             ii)      For information – Transport Options for Young People, Shoppers and Commuters

                                      Update and Workshops on EHDC Public and community Transport Initiative will be held at

                                      Community Forums in June/July.

 

09.18  REPORT FROM HAMPSHIRE ALC AND REPRESENTATIVES.

           a)     Councillors Gill Young and Norman Miles had attended the District Association meeting on 10 June 2009.                    

                   This had been held at Ropley to allow members to view a new affordable housing scheme.  The meeting

                   heard a presentation from Amey, the new Hampshire Highways’ contractors. 

           b)     Councillor Norman Miles had also attended a meeting of the County Association’s Board of Directors                     

                   (formerly the Executive Committee) on Saturday, 6 June.  Colin Mercer, the Hampshire Association’s

                   representative to the National Association, reported on progress to improve communications between NALC

                   head office and county associations and to clarify relationship between NALC, CALCs and PCs.  The

                   meeting passed a resolution stating that parish councils are members of the county association which in turn

                   are members of the national association.

           c)     NALC Annual Conference to be held on 4 & 5 September in London.  No Councillors were available to attend.

 

09.19  PARISH PLAN

           Following District Councillor Patrick Burridge’s comments at the May meeting, Council discussed and agreed to

           produce a Parish Plan for Beech, principally to ensure developers’ contributions can be collected against

           identified parish projects and requirements.  Since this would require community involvement, Councillor Peter

           May agreed to consider and present plans to Council on how this might be achieved.

          

09.20   FINANCE

a)  Council approved the adoption of NJC Car Allowances from 1 April 2009.

b)  Council authorised the Clerk to purchase 8th Edition of Charles Arnold Baker at an approximate cost of

     £67.00.

c)  Payments authorised:      

                 Proposed: Cllr Ian Gibson, Seconded: Peter May

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

                                                June 2009)                                                                                         £111.94

ii)    Mrs Sheron Gillard: Clerk’s Net Salary and Allowance (June 2009)  £489.95

iii)   HMRC – Tax payments Apr-Jun 09 inclusive                                      £37.20

iv)   Mr E Neish, Chairman’s Allowance (re: Reception 18 May 2009)     £139.78

09.21   CORRESPONDENCE

            The following items were formally received:

                   Hampshire County Council Countryside Service – Organisation Structure 2009

                   EHDC – Local Explorer Discount Card for Visitor Attractions

                  

09.22   NEXT MEETING

            Confirmed that the next Council Meeting would be held in the Village Hall on Monday, 20 July 2009 at

            7.30 pm preceded by Public Question Time at 7.15 pm.

 

CLOSURE OF MEETING      

Chairman thanked all present for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.45 pm.

                                                                  

 

 

 

 

 

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

                                                                                                         Chairman Beech Parish Council

date: 20 July 2009