DURLEY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING REPORT
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic Durley Parish Council are not able to hold face to face Meetings, but have been meeting virtually. We have been carrying out business as normal where possible, but some issues have had to be put on hold for the time being.
Durley Parish Council held their Monthly Parish Council Meetings on Tuesday 14th April and Tuesday 12th May, 2020. Cllr Delmege (Chairman) chaired the Meeting. Also in attendance were Cllr Childs, Cllr Watts, Cllr Rutherford, Cllr Miller, Cllr Brenchley, Cllr Rappini and the Clerk (Mrs Anne Collins). Our County and District Councillors were not involved in the Meetings, but have been sending Updates and e-mails throughout the emergency.
The Public Broadband Meeting due to be held in Durley on 15th May had to postponed and a new date has not been agreed yet. A Site visit was needed to assess where a new peice of play equipment could be sited at the Recreation Ground and Sawmills, but this has had to be postponed for the time being until restrictions are lifted.
The main WW2 Commemorations in Durley were postponed from 8th/9th/10th May to a date later in the year – to be confirmed. Although it was great to see so many flags and bunting out during the actual commemoration date.
The Clerk has been notifed that the School Crossing Project will commence on Monday 18th May and it is hoped that this will be completed during this lockdown period.
Durley Parish Council has been in contact with all its vulnerable residents who are listed in the Durley Emergency Plan and many residents have offered help to residents who need assistance. There has been a good community spirit in Durley and we have followed up any requests for help and assistance as they occur.
The Coronavirus Bill was passed and this enabled Parish Councils to hold Meetings in a different way, extend the Audit timescales and also cancel Elections for this year.
Any useful information for residents has been posted on the village noticeboards and website as when when received.
Both play areas have been closed during this emergency as directed by central Government, but the footpaths remain open, along with the Recreation Ground. Social distancing measures still apply and we ask that footpath walkers respect the rules of the countryside – especially keeping dogs under control as this is causing some problems on some footpaths. Goslings and chickens have been killed and animal chased so please keep your dogs on a lead when out walking.
Durley Memorial Hall has been closed during April and May and we are not sure when we will re-open. We are waiting for further guidance on how and when we can open in some way. The 100 years commemorations of the Hall will not be held on Saturday 5th September as we have postponed the event so that the Church Fete could be re-arranged on this date. Once restrictions are lifted and social gatherings can resume again, the Hall Committee will arrange another date to hold the commemorations.
Residents are asked to be wary of scams either by telephone, letter, e-mails as these are on the increase at the moment.
Clerk reported that the Internal Audit has been completed and the External Audit is now ready to send off. Financial Reports were given for April and May.
A Planning Application for 6 houses in Durley Street was discussed and it was agreed that an Objection would be made as under the current Winchester Local Plan Durley has no housing allocation and in the Durley Parish Plan the majority of residents did not wish to see further development in Durley. Councillors also agreed that this particular site was not considered as in-filling, and at least 3 Planning Applications on smaller sites have been refused in Durley which were more suitable, and were smaller sites. Councillors agreed that once the future housing allocations were known in the new proposed Winchester District Local Plan, Durley Parish Council would like to be able to consult with their residents to see where residents would like the housing. The housing in Durley should be led by Durley residents rather than developer led.
Anne Collins
Clerk to Durley Parish Council
