THE MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 10th NOVEMBER, 2015 IN THE KEN STAINER SUITE AT DURLEY MEMORIAL HALL, DURLEY AT 7.30 p.m.
6 Parish Councillors, County/District Councillor Humby, District Councillor Ruffell, the Clerk Mrs Anne Collins, and Kirstie Baines (Headteacher of Durley Primary School) were present.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies were received from Cllr Farr.
2. ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT. Cllr Delmege made a Declaration of Interest in Item 8(a) as he is Treasurer of the CAB.
3. THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 13th OCTOBER, 2015 WERE READ,
CONFIRMED AND SIGNED.
4. MATTERS ARISING:
(a) Update on faster broadband – CC Humby reported that State Aid Rules are hindering the use of the 20% claw-back money which cannot be used via a 3rd Party to help provide faster broadband for some rural areas. CC Humby hopes to have further information later this year on the broadband situation.
(b) Drainage at The Sawmills. Cllr Pitter, Cllr Charles, Cllr Smith and the Clerk met with a Contractor to discuss the best way to drain the play area and village green. The Clerk has asked HCC Highways if we would be able to drain into the HCC manholes along Gregory Lane. Darren Lewis has said that this is fine provided that we use a recognised HCC Contractor. Darren is happy to meet us on site and see what the situation is. Cllr Pitter will give the Clerk the specification from the Contractor and will ask Scandor for a similar quote. A further quote might be required if these Contractors are not recognised by HCC.
(c) Quiet Lanes Meeting (24.11.15) – Cllr Watts and Clerk will attend the next Meeting.
(d) Parking at entrance to Manor Road/Beech Corner/Pay Phone sign. Clerk read out the response from WCC stating that the owners of the vehicles who have no sightlines because of the parking vehicles would be liable. CC Humby suggested that HCC Officers visit these locations and see for themselves the impossible situation that drivers face. The pay phone sign has still not been removed despite numerous requests for it to be taken down.
(e) Flooding at Beech Corner – progress by HCC. CC Humby and Lisa Davis have met at Beech Corner to see what could be done to ease the flooding. Lisa has come up with some ideas and will discuss these with Darren Lewis as she will be going on maternity leave shortly, and CC Humby.
(f) Enquiry regarding tree felling at entrance to Oakmore Park. This matter has been investigated by the Enforcement Officer and he said that there was no TPO on the tree and the owner was within their rights to take it down if they wish.
(g) Representative for School Meetings. Councillors agreed that a representative from the Parish Council would attend the Meetings, but it would be different Councillors attending. Cllr Delmege will attend the first Meeting on 19th December. Kirstie will inform the Clerk when the Meetings are so that we can see which Councillor would be available to attend.
5. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT: CC Humby reported that the next Highways Workshop would be the last one. Safety issues would be the main priority for further projects. CC Humby is also still working on the School lay-by project and has been negotiating with Karen Wright to try and keep this project on course.
6. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS: DC Humby and DC Ruffell. DC Ruffell said that he and DC Humby had attended the Remembrance Sunday Service at the Cathedral in Winchester. The Local Plan Part 2 is out for the Consultation process at the moment and DC Humby added that the paragraph for the Botley By Pass has been amended. DC Ruffell asked if any of the poppies which were planted in Durley last year have come up yet. Councillors agreed that although they were planted in many locations we have not seen any poppies yet.
7. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ITEMS BY INVITATION OF THE CHAIRMAN. No members of the public were present.
8. CORRESPONDENCE:
(a) Cllr Delmege did not take part in the discussion on this item. Letter from CAB regarding donation for 2016/17. Cllr Smith proposed that we make a donation of £150, which is the same as 2015/16. Cllr Watts seconded this proposal. All Councillors present, apart from Cllr Delmege who did not vote, were in favour. A cheque will be sent.
(b) Highways Maintenance Newsletter – September, 2015. This was sent via e-mail to Councillors.
(c) Parish Lengthsman Agreement. BWPC has been asked by their Insurance Company to draw up an Agreement with Durley and Upham Parish Councils for the work that the Parish Lengthsman carries out in Durley and Upham. Councillors were happy to sign the Agreement, which was duly signed.
(d) Draft Walking Strategy Consultation – HCC. Councillors will view this on-line and give any comments to the Clerk.
(e) County Councillor Grant Application. Clerk asked if there was a project that Councillors needed more funds for as there might be some Grant money available. Councillors agreed that as the table tennis table is near the end of its life at the Hall, this should be replaced. Cllr Delmege said that Bishops Waltham had just purchased some tables. Clerk will ask for the details and order one for the Hall. A Grant will be applied for towards the cost.
(f) LDF Newsletter – November, 2015. Sent via e-mail.
(g) Parish Council Budget Briefing on 8.12.15. This is the same night as our December Parish Council Meeting so no Councillor will be able to attend.
(h) HALC Affiliation fees for 2016/17. This was noted.
(i) Local Council Award Scheme. It was felt that although we have Quality Parish Status and a Qualified Clerk there appears to be little point in achieving another status when there is no benefit to the Council. Suffolk ALC are co-ordinating this area rather than Hampshire for this new Scheme.
(j) Proposed Changes to Highways Environmental Work. Councillors agreed that no comments would be made.
(k) Devolution – Parish Briefing. This was sent via e-mail and noted.
9. SCHOOL REPORT: Kirstie gave Councillors an updated plan of the proposed School lay-by which is longer than previously drawn up. It is hoped that the work will commence early in 2016. Councillors were concerned that residents have not been made aware that the project is imminent. Kirstie offered to deliver a flyer to every household. Cllr Charles and the Clerk will check through the flyer with Kirstie before it is sent out. Kirstie also said that she was concerned about speeding traffic, especially when the lay-by was being built. Parents would be able to park in Quob Stables, but they would need to cross the road. CC Humby suggested speaking to Karen Wright again about what could be done to make drivers aware of children crossing at this point. Clerk suggested moving the flashing crossing lights to give drivers some warning of a hazard. Cllr Charles asked Kirstie if she would be able to send any School Reports or information through to the Clerk before the Parish Council Meetings so that Councillors had an opportunity to read it before the Meeting. Kirstie said that she would do this – hopefully about 3 days before the Meeting if possible.
10. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT: There was no Report available. Councillors are concerned that there has been no Police presence at Meetings or in the village for some time. The PACT Meetings have also ceased, although there was meant to be one in September. Clerk was asked to write to see why there is no Police presence or PACT Meetings. Councillors fully understand that there has been cut-backs, but there still does need to be a Police presence from time to time.
11. HIGHWAYS REPORT: Cllr Smith said that there were pot holes in Gregory Lane. Cllr Pitter offered to report these.
12. FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS: Councillors agreed invoices presented by the Clerk and signed cheques as agreed. Agree Precept for 2016/17. Councillors discussed the finance for 2016/17 and Cllr Charles proposed that the Precept should be raised to £20,000. Cllr Watts seconded this proposal and all Councillors were in agreement.
13. HALL: Hall foyer refurbishment quotes. Cllr Charles expects a quote soon. Report on Meeting with Cleaning Company to deep clean the toilets. Clerk and Caretaker met with the Company representative at the Hall and he said that the toilets were very clean and he recommended that the tiles be re-grouted and then given a deep clean, but the rest of the toilet area did not need a deep clean. Councillors agreed that the re-grouting could be done at the same time as the foyer floor tiling. Risk Assessment update. This was now completed and Councillors agreed that it be adopted. CCTV installation. This is going to be installed on Wednesday/Thursday this week.
14. RECREATION GROUND: Guttering. This will be done shortly. Play Area repairs to rope climbing frame. The part has arrived and Cllr Charles offered to fit it with Peter.
15. PLANNING:
15/01376/FUL. Mr C Acton. Proposed carport and store following demolition of out buildings. 1 Mincingfield Terrace, Mincingfield Lane, Durley. WITHDRAWN.
15/01885/FUL. Mr J Gosney. Agricultural storage building with adjoining hard standing. Lane opposite L’Eglise, Durley Street, Durley. PERMITTED.
14/01842/FUL. Mr C Chandler. Demolition of existing store and erection of 1 no two bedroom bungalow with detached single garage and 14 no. solar panels. Land adjacent to Rodlands, Durley Street, Durley. APPEAL DISMISSED.
Winchester District Local Plan Part 2 – any comments. Councillors agreed that the main area of concern is that a roundabout is placed at the end of Wintershill, especially as the Plan shows employment/housing on the Tollgate Sawmills land. It is already very difficult during peak times to get out of Wintershill.
16. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE CHAIRMAN DECLARED THE
MEETING CLOSED AT 9.30 p.m.
