DURLEY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING REPORT
Durley Parish Council held its Monthly Meeting on Tuesday 14th August, 2018 in the Ken Stainer Suite at Durley Memorial Hall. 5 Parish Councillors, the Clerk – Mrs Anne Collins, District Councillor Miller and 4 parishioners were present.
Apologies were received from Cllr Bartlett, Cllr Clegg, County/District Councillor Humby and District Councillor Mclean.
At the start of the Meeting Cllr Charles announced the sad death of our Memorial Hall Caretaker – John Sillence. John has been looking after the Hall for the last 14 years. A minute’s silence was held in John’s memory.
Cllr Delmege reported that he is waiting for HCC to come and higher the posts to site the Speed Indicator sign. The work was scheduled in for June/July. As the work has now been passed onto a Contractor Councillors asked that the Clerk contact CC Humby to try and pursue the matter so that the sign can be sited. The Clerk will also contact Ian Medd regarding the design for the village entry signs.
The replanting of the trees in Church Copse has not taken place and the Clerk has asked the Forestry Commission for details of when the inspection is to take place before legal action can be taken. No response has been received so Clerk was asked to write again and copy in other Officers. This issue has been going on for a long time and enforcement action should be taken to make sure that re-planting takes place.
Cllr Delmege attended the Meon Valley Home Start AGM and said that the Meon Valley section is now merging into the Hampshire Home Start. The AGM was well attended and many employees and volunteers were thanked for their hard work at Meon Valley Home Start.
Cllr Delmege has carried out some footpath inspections and Councillors agreed that landowners who have a footpath going through their land should keep it clear of brambles and vegetation. The vegetation is growing fast at the moment and needs to be kept down. Some stiles are in need of replacement as they are difficult to negotiate over so the landowners will be asked if they will replace or refurbish appropriate stiles to make them more accessible.
Cllr Watts reported on the WW1 commemorations. The Exhibition at Durley Memorial Hall is taking shape and a decision has yet to be made on the siting of the village beacon. Services of commemoration will be held at Durley Church and in the memorial garden opposite Durley Primary School. A note has gone into the Parish Magazine so that residents are aware of the weekend.
A District Councillor’s Report was given by Cllr Miller. He gave some information about the Eastleigh Borough Council Local Plan and the response from Winchester City Council, an update on the Sports Centre in Winchester and answered questions from residents and Parish Councillors.
Cllr Pitter updated Parish Councillors on the fibre broadband to properties in Durley. He is waiting for further information from BT and Openreach as the problem appears to be getting the fibre via overhead cables to properties. He hopes to have a further update for the next Meeting.
A Neighbourhood Watch Report was given by Cllr Watts who said that the main issues have been cold calling and break-ins, but not in Durley. There is an Older Driver Awareness Course being held locally. All information will be put on the Parish Council website for residents to view.
A Highways Report was given by Cllr Pitter. Some road defects have been repaired in Sciviers Lane, but he will go round the village and report other problems. The double yellow lines have been worked well after checking throughout the month. Tipper trucks going through the village have increased and the Clerk will write to one Company that appears to be travelling through the village very often. The trees will be cut back which over-hang the “unsuitable for hgv” signs at Wintershill.
Cllr Charles has now received 3 quotes for the Hall floor. Clerk will look into various Grants that we might be able to apply for to help towards the cost involved. The under-stage and on-stage areas will be cleared out shortly.
Clerk said that there was another Planning Application for 375 houses on our boundary on land north and east of Winchester Street, Botley. Parish Councillors agreed that a letter should be written to George Hollingbery MP stating that Durley residents are getting very frustrated with planning applications on the Eastleigh Borough Council boundary of our parish which are suffocating our small village.
Clerk reported that both Appeals against the Enforcement Notices on land adjacent to Berkeley Farm, Durley Street have been allowed by the Inspector.
Anne Collins
Clerk to Durley Parish Council
