THE MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 11TH AUGUST, 2015 IN THE KEN STAINER SUITE AT DURLEY MEMORIAL HALL, DURLEY
AT 7.30 p.m.
7 Parish Councillors, County/District Councillor Humby, District Councillor Ruffell and the Clerk Mrs Anne Collins.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: There were no apologies for absence.
2. ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT. There were no Declarations of Interest.
3. THE MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING HELD ON 14TH JULY, 2015 WERE READ, CONFIRMED AND SIGNED.
4. MATTERS ARISING:
(a) Report on Meeting with Patrick Aust regarding the drainage at The Sawmills. Cllr Charles, Cllr Smith, Mrs A Collins (Clerk) and Mr D Rappini met with Patrick and discussed the best way to drain the Green and Play Area. He advised that land drains would be the best solution which will then go into the two drains currently alongside Gregory Lane. Scandor were suggested as a Contractor who would be able to give further advice. HCC Highways would also have to be consulted to use the drains alongside Gregory Lane as they are on highways land. The Clerk met Matt from Scandor on the site. They are going to send two prices – one for land drains in the play area and another for cutting the ground through about 8 inches in the Green area.
(b) Update on Church Copse enforcement action. Clerk read out correspondence from residents and Cllr Read, but the situation has still not been resolved yet.
(c) Sharing Parishes Meeting – recycling in Hampshire. The Meeting will be held during September in Upham and Clerk will inform Councillors of a date when it has been agreed.
(d) Children crossing sign in The Sawmills. Clerk confirmed that the sign was put up and has been in situ for many months.
5. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT: CC Humby informed Councillors about Rural Crime figures which are on the increase and it is a real concern that Hampshire are 4th in the top ten counties. He is meeting with the Police Authority to discuss why Hampshire’s figures have increased so much compared to other counties. CC Humby also spoke about Devolution and Combined Authorities, which will lead to a consultation process for Parish Councils to comment on. Cllr Smith asked if the lorry count had been carried out yet. CC Humby said that he would be speaking to Andy Smith soon and would ask.
6. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS: DC Humby and DC Ruffell. DC Ruffell reported on the criteria for contributions towards affordable housing from developers. Rather than developers having to contribute if they provide 10 or more homes, it has now reverted back to the former policy (CP3) when each house built will need to pay a contribution towards any affordable housing. DC Ruffell then said that he was looking forward to a tour of Boom Town before this coming weekend. He also informed Councillors of the North Whiteley Planning Application, which is to have a site visit in the morning and then the hearing in the afternoon on 10th September.
7. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ITEMS BY INVITATION OF THE CHAIRMAN. There were no parishioners present.
8. CORRESPONDENCE:
(a) Update Charity information. Clerk said that some of the Charity information for the Hall and the Recreation Ground is now out of date so Councillors agreed the updates which Clerk can now amend and send to the Charity Commission. Councillors agreed to delete Jim Carter as a Hall Trustee and replace with Marie Smith.
(b) Statement of Principles – Gambling Act 2005. Councillors were sent a copy of the Draft and had no comments to make to WCC.
(c) Quiet Lanes signs. Clerk has been asked by Curdridge Parish Council if we would be happy with Quiet Lanes signs along some of the lanes in Durley. Councillors agreed that many parishioners do not wish to see additional signs around the village, and they could not see the purpose of these additional signs. Clerk was asked to find out why the signs were needed and how they were going to be enforced before Councillors could make a final decision.
9. SCHOOL REPORT: No Report was available.
10. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT: There was no Report available.
11. HIGHWAYS REPORT: Cllr Farr reported that most pot holes had been filled in and the others were marked with paint ready for filling in. Complaints about parking at the end of Manor Road are continuing. Cars were parked both sides of the road near to the entrance. Cllr Watts said that it is not only the large events at the Robin Hood, but it can be any time of day or evening. It was agreed that the Clerk should write again to the Robin Hood so that they are aware of the problems that this causes – especially for farm and emergency vehicles trying to get down Manor Road. Clerk will also chase WCC about putting double line markings near the entrance as this was requested some years ago. It was suggested that perhaps no parking cones could be put out as a temporary measure by the Robin Hood. Signs stating “No Parking” was also suggested. Cllr Farr had also received a complaint about vehicles parking on the pavement in Durley Brook Road again outside of 1 Elmdene. The Police will be informed as they visited the house owner previously.
12. FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS: Councillors agreed invoices presented by the Clerk and signed cheques. External Audit Report – Clerk read out the Report.
13. HALL: Hall foyer refurbishment quotes – no more information received. CC Grant for cctv at Hall – the CC Grant has been applied for, but we do not know the result yet. Line markings have been done for the short mat tennis. The boiler has been repaired and the ladies toilet bowl has been replaced. Cllr Smith said that the fan is not working. Clerk will ask Neil to repair it when he replaces the light in the main Hall.
14. RECREATION GROUND: Cllr Watts reported that there were no problems at the moment. Air vents in Pavilion – a larger air extractor will be fitted in the changing rooms. Guttering – this will be done shortly. Reinstatement of fence on boundary of woodland area – Cllr Charles and Peter will repair the fence and reinstate the boundary. Cllr Watts said that she has put some more signs in the car park to ask dog owners to keep their dogs on leads. Some residents visiting with their dogs have taken offence to this, but Councillor felt that it is important that consideration is given to all Recreation Ground users and this includes children and people playing sport. A note will go into the Parish Magazine report asking that dogs are kept on leads and that owners pick up after their dog.
15. PLANNING:
15/01700/FUL. Mr and Mrs D Scivier. Proposed extension of outbuildings to serve as ancillary accommodation to main cottage to form bedroom and playroom (RE-SUBMISSION). Corner Cottage, Sciviers Lane, Durley. Councillors had no objection to this application.
Councillors were sent a copy of the current Enforcement List which included 3 Closed cases. Councillors were disappointed at the support given to the parish regarding one long-standing case as this has now been closed with no reason given. Councillors do understand that it has been going on for well over 20 years, but the Parish Council and residents have been asking for action to be taken and the case was going to Court some years ago. It sets a very bad example and a precedent for future people who wish to “play the system”. Clerk was asked to write to WCC and ask what the reason is for the sudden closure.
16. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE CHAIRMAN DECLARED THE MEETING CLOSED AT 9.00 p.m.
