Minutes of the Meeting of Beech Parish Council

held in the Village Hall on Monday, 19 September 2011

 

        PRESENT: 

         

                   Councillor David Woodroofe (Chairman)

                   Councillor Ian Gibson                                                            PC ‘Mac’ McLaren, Community Beat

                   Councillor David Fazakerley                                                  Officer (Public Question Time only)

                   Councillor Bryan Harrison                                                      Mr Peter Cox, Village Hall Chairman

       Mrs Sheron Gillard – Clerk to the Council                              Mrs Stella Charman, Parish Plan

                                                                                                      Mr Jimmy Patel

                                                                                                      Mr John Claughton

                                                                                                      Mrs Ruth Duffin

      

 

PUBLIC QUESTION TIME:

PC McLaren (known as Mac) introduced himself as the new Community Beat Officer for an area previously

covered by 4 or 5 police officers.  He was aware of the speed issues in Beech and Medstead and is to attend a

speed laser gun course so that he is qualified to enforce the speed limits.  He welcomed Beech’s plan to use SLRs

but also provided information on the Community Speed Watch programme.  This would require six volunteers to

train to take traffic speed readings which would then be forwarded to the Police who would initially send out

letters of warning.  Further action is taken for persistent offenders.

In response to questions, Mac explained how Neighbourhood Watch members can receive a summary of crime in

the area.  This he will be discussing with Colin Britchford, the NHW Co-ordinator in Beech.  He advised

everyone to be vigilant at all times and offered to check on any property being left empty due to holidays, etc. 

He was not able to confirm the future plans for Alton Magistrates Court although he was aware of hopes of

retaining the Domestic Violence Court in Alton.

PC McLaren was thanked for his attendance and would liaise with Clerk regarding future visits.

 

Mr John Claughton presented a proposal to enhance the village ‘gateways’ using natural meadow grasses and

flowers.  Similar ideas were also being covered by the Rural Environment section of the Parish Plan and it was

agreed that an article be included in the Parish magazine to establish village support.  It was noted that any

planting scheme would need to ensure unobstructed sight lines to highway.  The Parish Council would consider

at a future meeting.

 

Mr Jimmy Patel was concerned about hedges overgrowing the highway, restricting a driver’s view.  Whilst

Council understand that hedge trimming is the responsibility of the landowner, Clerk to clarify with Hampshire

Highways for which hedges they are responsible.

                  

11.34  APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

           Apologies were received and accepted from Councillor Peter May.

 

11.35  COUNCILLOR RESIGNATION    

           Cllr Geoff Cruttenden had resigned from the Council on 24 July 2011.  Clerk had notified EHDC Electoral

           Services and posted relevant notices regarding vacancy.  As no bye-election had been called, the Council now

           had two seats to be filled by co-option.

 

11.36  CO-OPTION OF ADDITIONAL COUNCILLOR       

           Nominations were requested.  Cllr Bryan Harrison Proposed Mrs Ruth Duffin of Spring Stables, Medstead Road. 

           Seconded by Cllr David Fazakerley.  RESOLVED: That Mrs Ruth Duffin be co-opted to Beech Parish Council

           with immediate effect.  After signing the Declaration of Acceptance of Office, Cllr Duffin joined the meeting.

          

11.37  CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES

  The Minutes of the Council meeting held on 31 August 2011, copies of which had previously been circulated,

  were confirmed.  Chairman David Woodroofe signed them as a true record.

 

11.38   DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST

            There were no declarations of interest.

 

11.39   REVIEW AND APPOINTMENT OF PANEL MEMBERSHIP

            Postponed until all Councillors present.

          

11.40  REPORTS FROM ADVISORY PANELS AND ITEMS FOR REFERRAL

           Clerk requested Panels to provide any project bids for consideration in 2012-13 budget before the next meeting,

            17    October 2011.

            I)     Finance & General Purposes Advisory Panel

                    Chairman David Woodroofe reported on a meeting of the Panel held on 31 August 2011.  Council

                    RESOLVED: That the panel’s recommendations be confirmed as follows:

                    a)      High Interest Bonds – continue to reinvest capital and interest at 3 or 6 month intervals to ensure                                         

                             Council’s additional funds are receiving some interest and are available as required.

                    b)      In the spirit of openness, Beech Parish Councillors would continue to have their full contact details

                             available on notice boards and the Council’s website.  All new potential members to be made aware of

                             this policy.

                    c)      E-mail address – Clerk to investigate costs of changing to a .gov address.

                    d)      Grant requests: Payments be made as follows:

                             i)          Citizens’ Advice Bureau                                    £150.00

                             ii)         Victim Support                                                    £75.00

                             iii)        East Hampshire Domestic Abuse Service            £75.00

                    e)      Clearing of Grips – Clerk to request two quotations for this work.

                    Chairman to call further F&GP Panel meeting to discuss 2012-13 budget, as required.

 

            II)    Development & Planning Advisory Panel

                    a)      Previous applications – EHDC Decisions NOTED:

                        i)   28390/012  116 Medstead Road    Two storey and single storey extension to side       PERMITTED

                        ii)  21720/006   36 Wellhouse Road   Crown thin by 10-15% eight oak, two ash and one beech in                                                    

                                      the garden of the property as highlighted on application plan.                            CONSENT

                        iii) 26991/009   Southbank, 95 Medstead Road   Lawful development certificate for an existing

                                                         use – continued use of land as residential garden                             PERMITTED

                        iv) 21720/12   36 Wellhouse Road   Alleged breach of condition 8 of 21720/004 - landscaping (roadside

                                                                                      boundary treatment)                                   RESOLVED

 

                    b) Government Consultation on National Planning Policy Framework

                        The Government’s consultation on its proposal for the simplification of planning guidance to encourage                             

                        sustainable growth had been circulated for consideration.  This proposed a new, simpler framework for the

                        planning system that promised to safeguard the environment while meeting the need for sustainable

                        growth.  It would place a presumption in favour of development where sustainability could be shown. 

                        However, no definition of ‘sustainable’ had been given.  Council expressed concerns about this, the lack of

                        reference to Local Development Frameworks and the apparent removal of control from Planning

                        Authorities. 

                        Councillors to further consider the document before agreeing a response to the consultation (required by

                        17 October 2011).

                        The Briefing Note for EHDC Councillors had been circulated for interest and NOTED.

                    c) EHDC’s new planning online pages to be available from 3 October 2011. 

                        Clerk’s attendance at demonstration and training to be held on Thursday, 29 September at 2.30 – 3.30 pm

                        at EHDC was approved.

                    d) Planning Aid England – launch of new service offering free, independent and professional planning advice

                        to communities and individuals who cannot afford to pay professional fees – NOTED.

                     

            III)   Highways and Footpaths Advisory Panel:

                    a) SLR Update

                        Medstead’s clerk to process SLR equipment purchase

                    b) Speed enforcement – as discussed with PC McLaren.  Cllr Ian Gibson to report to Council regarding the                             

                        information provided on Community Speed Watch.

                

           IV)        Community and Environment Advisory Panel:

                    a) Queen’s Diamond Jubilee June 2012 – It was expected that the Village Hall Committee would be planning                   

                        celebrations for this event and it was felt appropriate that once they had established their plans, a meeting                         

                        could be called between the Village Hall and Council to establish how the Council could contribute.  This

                        may include the reinstatement of the flagpole.

                    b) HCC Subsidised Bus Review had been previously circulated.  This advised that Beech would no longer be                   

                        served by the Stagecoach 28 service although school runs would be unaffected.  A limited Cango service

                        would be available Tuesdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

                    c) HCC Transport Toolkit and EHDC Local Transport Schemes were not considered appropriate for Beech.

 

11.41  VILLAGE HALL        

           Standing Orders were suspended to allow Mr Peter Cox of the Village Hall to request the Council’s support at its

           Licensing Appeal and were reinstated during the Council’s deliberations on the matter.

 

           Mr Cox gave details of the restrictions currently imposed on their premises license from EHDC and their reasons

           for appeal.  Following a meeting with legal representatives, a date for a full-hearing had been set for Monday, 28

           November at 10.00 am at Andover Magistrates Court.  District Councillor Patrick Burridge would be speaking in

           support of the     Village Hall and Mr Cox requested that the Parish Council appoint a representative to do the same. 

           Following a full discussion, the Council would draft a written statement of support for the Village Hall for

           approval by Council at its October meeting before being submitted to the Court.  Cllr Ian Gibson and/or Chairman

           David Woodroofe were nominated to attend the hearing.

 

11.42  PARISH PLAN

           Standing Orders were suspended to allow Mrs Stella Charman of the Parish Plan Steering Group to assist with this report. 

           They were reinstated for the remainder of the meeting.

           Mrs Charman had been appointed to lead the Parish Plan Project up to the point of publication.  She reported that

           the groups looking at the five specific topics were making good progress and it was hoped that a draft Plan would

           be available for consultation in the Spring 2012. 

           Clerk to identify the officer/s at EHDC responsible for guiding Parish Plans and to establish how Parish Plans

           would relate the new Neighbourhood Plans mentioned as part of the Government’s new planning proposals.

           Cllr Harrison reported that the photographic competition had been well supported and that prizes would be

           presented at the Village Social.

           The Council confirmed that it would welcome a request from the Parish Plan Group for funding of the Plan’s

           publication (expected to be approximately £2,000) and would support proposals to take the completed Plan            forward.

 

11.43  TRAINING   

            a)  EHDC Planning training: Saturday, 23 July.

                 Cllrs David Fazakerley, Peter May and Clerk had attended and found the session useful and informative.

            b)  Hampshire ALC Courses – Council approved the attendance of Councillors at the following sessions at a cost

                 of £25.00 per head (plus VAT):

                 i)     Cllr Ruth Duffin – Core Skills for New Councillors at Liss Village Hall on Monday, 26 September 2011

                 ii)    Chairman David Woodroofe – Chairmanship Training at Crawley Winchester on Thursday, 20 October.

            c)  Community Engagement Training (free) to be held before the District Association Meeting at Liss on

                 Wednesday, 28 September.  Cllrs Bryan Harrison and Ruth Duffin to attend.

                                                                                                        

11.44  HAMPSHIRE ALC AND REPRESENTATIVES

            a)  Cllrs Harrison and Duffin to attend District Association meeting on Wednesday, 28 September at 7.00 pm.

            b)  Cllrs Bryan Harrison and Peter May (if available) nominated to attend Hampshire ALC AGM on Saturday, 29

                 October in Chandler’s Ford at 9.30 am.

            c)  NALC’s Service Delivery Agreement Consultation and Feedback had been previously circulated – NOTED.

 

11.45   FINANCE

            a)  Payments authorised:      

                 Proposed Ian Gibson and Seconded by Bryan Harrison:

                 RESOLVED:    i)     Mrs Sheron Gillard: Clerk’s Net Salary, All’w & Admin Exp (Sept 11)              £514.34

                                         ii)    Hampshire Pension Fund (e’ers & e’ees contribution for Sept 2011)                  £113.28

                                         iii)   Victim Support                                                                                                    £75.00

                                         iv)   East Hampshire Domestic Abuse Service                                                            £75.00

                                         v)    East Hampshire Citizens’ Advice Bureau                                                            £150.00

                                         vi)   The Information Commissioner (annual registration fee)                                    £35.00

           

11.46   CORRESPONDENCE

                   The Hampshire Alliance for Rural Affordable Housing (HARAH) Newsletter Summer 2011

                   EHDC/HCC  - details of discounted scheme for loft and cavity wall insulation to Hampshire residents

                   HCC Emergency Planning Unit – Councillor’s Guide to Flooding

                   Local Council Review – Autumn 2011

                   Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust:    Improving Outcomes for Hampshire's Adult Mental Health

                                                                                      Service – Consultation Summary

                                                                                      Invitation to Annual Members meeting on 4 October 2011

                   In Roads – Hampshire Highways news from HCC

                  

11.47   NEXT MEETING

            Confirm date of next scheduled Council meeting as Monday, 17 October 2011 at 7.30 pm with public question

            time starting at 7.15 pm. 

 

CLOSURE OF MEETING      

Chairman thanked all present for their attendance and closed the meeting at 8.55 pm.

                                                        

 

 

 

 

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

                                                                                                         Chairman Beech Parish Council

date: