Minutes of the Meeting of Beech Parish Council

held in the Village Hall on Monday 15 SEPTEMBER 2008

 

        PRESENT: 

         

                   Councillor Anne Burridge

       Councillor Ian Gibson                                         Members of Village Hall Committee:         Mr Peter Cox

Councillor Norman Miles                                                                                                       Mr Phil Ladds         

Councillor Edward Neish (Chairman)                                              

Councillor Gillian Young                                     District Councillor Patrick Burridge                                 

Mrs Sheron Gillard – Clerk to the Council           PC Colin Gray

 

Prior to the start of the meeting, PC Colin Gray introduced himself as the Beat Officer covering for Lucy Ryan until the end of the year. 

 

                         

08.32  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

           No apologies had been received.

 

08.33  CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

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

 

08.34  PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

           Mr Phil Ladds and Mr Peter Cox of the Village Hall Committee gave a comprehensive presentation to Council on

           their plans to fund the proposed re-development/improvement of the Village Hall.  No work will begin until after

  a decision from the Big Lottery has been received in November.  Building Regulation approval has now been

  received and quotes are being sought for various works and supplies.  It is hoped to continue hiring the hall whilst

  works are in progress and to complete the project by June next year.  Developers’ Contributions are to be used to

  provide path, car parking, recreation ground improvements and final landscaping of the hall site.

  Councillors questioned Mr Ladds and Mr Cox on the content of their Business Plan and congratulated the Village

  Hall Committee on the work they had done so far and wished them success with the Big Lottery bid.  Chairman Edward Neish thanked them for attending the meeting and looked forward to future updates.

 

08.35  REPORTS FROM ADVISORY PANELS AND ITEMS FOR REFERRAL

           I)      Finance and General Purposes Panel

                    Councillors Anne Burridge, Ian Gibson or Edward Neish and Gill Young were appointed to the Panel to

                    discuss items including the 2009-2010 Budget and new Publication Scheme.  Meeting to be arranged in

                    October.

           II)     Development & 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)     37851/011 61A Wellhouse Road  Fell One Maidenhair Tree, Prune One Norway Spruce and

                                   Two Cedar Trees                              NO OBJECTION

                   b)    Previous applications – EHDC Decisions NOTED:

                             i)   33244/001   The Sheeling, 91 Medstead Road   Open double garage with office over to be

                                                         linked to first floor deck.                                               PERMITTED

ii)   Premises License Application - The Departure Lounge, Hillside Nurseries

                                                                                                              GRANTED  (with conditions)

c)    Permitted Development Amendments – EHDC had circulated Government’s changes to the amount of development householders can implement without planning permission.  NOTED.

 

           

 

Minutes September 2008 continued….page 2 of 4

 

            III)   Highways and Footpaths Advisory Panel:

a)   Village 30

Councillor Ian Gibson reported on a positive meeting held with representatives from Mott Gifford (design engineers for the village 30 programme) held on 12 August.   Notes to be circulated to all Councillors.   Councillor Gibson to confirm to Mott Gifford that Minutes are an acceptable record of meeting and Clerk to write formally to support an extension of the 30 mph limit throughout the full length of Medstead Road and King’s Hill.

b)    Thedden to Beech/Flooding

Council formally received response from Mr Saunders of Thedden Farm (previously circulated to Councillors) concerning possible works by Hampshire Highways on his land to alleviate flooding problems along the bridle path and subsequently Wellhouse Road.  Unfortunately, Mr Saunders regretted he was unable to assist as the problem is caused by exceptional rainfall events and the proposed works would prevent the natural drainage of his land and cause problems for his crops.  Council were grateful to Mr Saunders for considering its proposals.

c)     Hampshire Action Team – Report from recent Rights of Way Conference was NOTED.  No Councillors were available to attend ‘Paths to Partnership’ conference in Alton on 9 October between 1.00 – 5.00 pm. 

 

08.36     VILLAGE HALL

               Following receipt of Beech Village Hall’s Business Plan and their presentation to Council, Beech Parish Council

              were satisfied that the Village Hall Committee had demonstrated a Business Plan and contingency plan that

              gave evidence that the re-development plans can be taken to completion.  Proposed Ian Gibson, Seconded

              Edward Neish and RESOLVED: That a further second grant of £10,000 be made available to the Village Hall, if

              and when required, to maintain their re-development programme.

 

08.37      CEMETERY

            a)    Edward Neish and Norman Miles reported on their meeting with Abbott Giles and the Trustees of Alton

                   Abbey on 13 August.  An area of land adjacent to the Abbey’s own cemetery had been identified as

                   possibly available.  A valuation would be sought by the Abbey from an independent valuer.

                   Councillors Edward Neish, Anne Burridge and Clerk, Sheron Gillard had attended a useful Burial

                   Authorities training day organised by Hampshire LCDT on 10 September and had subsequently met with

                   Councillor Norman Miles in order to prepare report for Council. 

            b)    Having considered the information provided, Council agreed on the following:

                   i)       Clerk to be instructed to write to the Abbey expressing the Council’s interest in obtaining land for the

                             purpose of providing a cemetery for Beech and that the Council are prepared to share equally any

                             reasonable costs involved in obtaining a land valuation;

                    ii)      Councillors Edward Neish, Norman Miles and Anne Burridge to form working party to further

                             investigate costs and report to Council;

                    iii)     Chairman to write article for next Beech Newsletter advising the village that the Parish Council will

                             be considering and making decisions regarding the possibility of creating a cemetery and would

                             welcome comments.

                    iv)     To consider holding an open meeting in November to garner village opinion.

 

08.38   HAMPSHIRE ALC AGM

            Councillor Norman Miles nominated to represent Beech Parish Council at the meeting to be held on Saturday, 27

            September 2008 at St Swithun’s School, Winchester.

 

08.39   SOUTH EAST PLAN 

            Councillor Norman Miles outlined the details of the Government’s proposed changes to the draft South East

            Plan.  Concern and disappointment was expressed regarding the increased housing numbers, the deletion of

            strategic gaps and the removal of the clause stating that development should be conditional on infrastructure

            provision.  Clerk to pass Council’s comments to GOSE by end of consultation period on 24 October 2008.  

 

 

Minutes September 2008 continued.....page 3 of 4

 

 

08.40   BT PHONEBOX

            The phone box in Wellhouse Road is designated by BT for decommissioning.  Whilst considering it sad to lose

            the phone box, Council considered it difficult to justify the costs of sponsoring and maintaining the box (likely to

            be in excess of £500 per year), either as working phone or as a landmark.  Clerk to check whether the kiosk is

            Listed.

 

08.41   HAMPSHIRE SENATE

            Details of the establishment of a Hampshire Senate as detailed in an open letter from Councillor Ken Thornber,

            Leader HCC to Hampshire ALC were NOTED.  Norman Miles reported that concerns had been raised at the

            District Association meeting regarding this unelected body.

 

08.42   TRAINING  

            Council approved the attendance of Councillors and Clerk on the following courses offered by Hampshire Local

            Council Development Team:

i)                    Employment Issues for Clerks – 17 November 2008, 10.30 – 12.30 pm      

Clerk to attend at a cost of £25.00.

ii)                  Finance and Internal Controls for Local Councils – Introduction to Parish Council Finance,  1 October 7.00 – 9.00 pm at Alton Maltings Centre

Clerk and Councillor David Woodroofe (if available) to attend at cost of £25 each.

iii)                Parish Sector Finance for Practitioners – Wednesday, 12 November 7.00 – 9.00 pm at Calmore Community Centre, Totton

Councillor Ian Gibson to confirm availability.  Cost £25.

 

08.43   Report of DISTRICT COUNCILLOR

            DC Patrick Burridge advised that the additional housing numbers for East Hampshire proposed in the South East

            Plan would be built in Bordon and only if the army leaves.   He also expressed concern regarding the lack of

            provision of infrastructure.  He advised that the Planners at EHDC are concerned that the new Permitted

            Development Amendments will cause confusion and misunderstanding. 

 

08.44   Report of HAMPSHIRE ALC REPRESENTATIVE

            Councillors Gill Young and Norman Miles had attended the District Association meeting on 10 September 2008.

            EHDC officers had been present for the first time to take and answer questions.  Concerns had previously been

            aired regarding insufficient weight being given by Planners to Parish Council objections.   EHDC officers

            advised that it is hoped to offer Planning training for Parish Councillors to improve parish council and public

            confidence in the planning consultation process.  E-planning – smaller councils unlikely to receive IT equipment

            until end 2009/early 2010.

            The EH Community Core Strategy had been published.  Parish Councils will be required to link in to the

            community strategy through Parish Plans (which are evidence based).  They will be necessary if applying for any

            funding in the future.

            The Parish Charter is to be reviewed to refresh it and make it fit for purpose.

 

08.45   FINANCE

a)  Budget/Precept 2009-10.  Clerk requested that any projects or items for consideration to be advised before

     next meeting.

b)  Payments authorised:      

                 Proposed Ian Gibson, Seconded Gill Young

                 RESOLVED:    i)     Mrs Sheron Gillard: Clerk’s Net Salary, Allowance and Administration

                                                Expenses (Sept 2008)                                                                         £439.68

                                         ii)    HCC - Pension Payments (employer’s & employee’s contribution for

                                                Sept 2008)                                                                                            £94.89

                                         iii)   Hampshire ALC – Burial Authorities Training                                   £120.00

                                                         

Minutes September 2008 continued…./page 4 of 4

 

 

                                         iv)   Hampshire ALC – Training, as approved above

                                                (amount to be confirmed once Councillor availability ascertained)    TBA

                                         v)    Information Commissioner’s Office – annual Data Registry Entry      £35.00

                                         vi)   ICS Carpentry & Joinery – Notice board repairs                                  £60.00

                                               

08.46   CORRESPONDENCE

            The following items were formally received:-

HCC – ‘Planning Hampshire’s Future’ – Summer 2008 Edition

                             EHDC – Response to Core Strategy Issues and Options – available on EHDC website at

www.easthants.gov.uk/ehdc/localplanweb.nsf/webpages/Core+Strategy.

HCC – Hampshire Minerals & Waste Development Framework – Newsletter 6

                             Alton Citizens’ Advice Bureau Annual Report 2008

                  

08.47   NEXT MEETING

   Confirmed that the next meeting of the Council would be held in the Village Hall on Monday, 20 October

   2008 at 7.30 pm preceded by Parishioners’ Question Time at 7.15 pm. 

 

CLOSURE OF MEETING      

Chairman thanked all present for their attendance and closed the meeting at 9.45 pm.

                                                                  

 

 

 

 

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

                                                                                                         Chairman Beech Parish Council

date: 20 October 2008