Present:
Chairperson Rosemary Stephens
Councillor David Pearcey
Councillor Dennis Curling
Councillor Jane Rutter
Councillor David Spurling
Winchester City Councillor Keith Wood
Hampshire County Councillor Jackie Porter
Clerk Hilary Graham
Apologies for Absence:
Councillor Julian Hamblin
Public Participation:
Steve Cramoysan, Sue Ridge, Colin Child, Claire Welland
Councillor Stephens welcomed everyone to the meeting.
The Worthys Youth Football Club
Steve Cramoysan, the Development Officer for the Worthys YFC, had come along with Sue Ridge, their Child Welfare Officer, to give a presentation. He had prepared handouts for the meeting participants, explaining what the club does and their future plans. The organization were looking for support from the Parish Council to give it credibility, and also access to match funding. The FA has funding available but this has to be matched by the club.
School Lane
Colin Child, from Waterside House, London Road, had come to give his views on the traffic issues with School Lane. His house is opposite the bottom of the lane and drivers who cannot turn left safely at the bottom of School Lane turn right and then use his drive to turn the opposite way. However, he had been up School Lane that day and considered the possibility of making it one way from his end up to The Grange, but there isn’t sufficient room for a turning space near The Grange for those visiting the graveyard opposite.
On the 9th March Councillor Pearcey had seen a vehicle with a trailer come down School Lane, turn right, and then enter Colin’s drive, before reversing out with the trailer sticking out into the road.
The railings at the end have been repaired three times in the last three years.
Councillor Wood thought that a plethora of signals would not succeed, and that one way would be best. Councillor Porter said that the “no left turn” proposal has been given amber status by the County Council, which means that it is going to be looked at.
It was decided that a diary be kept of bad driving incidents observed at the London Road end of School Lane.
The painting of the white lines at this junction was to be followed up by the clerk, again.
The minutes of the meetings of the 5th and 12th January
There was nothing arising from those minutes. Councillors Pearcey and Rutter proposed and seconded the agreement of the meeting notes of the 5th and Councillors Spurling and Pearcey proposed and seconded those of the 12th.
No reports were needed arising from matters covered in the minutes.
Councillor Stephens signed the notes.
Neighbourhood Watch and Community Policing
Councillor Pearcey handed out a newsletter produced by Hampshire Constabulary on safer Neighbourhoods.
The Police have been carrying out speed checks in the area.
Arrests have been made in Kings Worthy for the possession of heroin.
Police personnel now have Blackberrys so that crime reports can be done whilst they are on the road, instead of having to return to base. This should mean the police spend more time in the community.
There was nothing new to report for Neighbourhood Watch.
Planning
Cressfield House: The plans for Cressfield House, School Lane were shown to the Councillors by the clerk. Councillor Stephens declared an interest as the property is next door to her home.
There was no objection.
147 Springvale Road: The plans for 147 Springvale Road had received the go-ahead this week. It was decided to write to the Planning Department to complain that no account seems to have been taken of the Parish Council’s objections to both sets of plans and that the scheme seems to contravene the LADS guidelines. Councillor Curling will draft a letter. The letter will be sent to Simon Finch and a copy will be sent to Councillor Wood.
Motocross: An appeal has been lodged against the refusal of planning. The issue will be heard during the Summer. It was decided, on advice from Councillor Wood, that turning up at the meeting would be more effective than writing.
Barton Farm: Nick Parker from the Highways Agency had a meeting with Cala Homes two weeks ago.
Highways are concerned about the lack of provision for wide loads and about the junction at Winnall with the M3. The outcome of that meeting was not known despite e-mails having been sent by Councillor Porter. The reply when received would be forwarded to the clerk.
Balance on Accounts
The bank balance stands at £5835.19
Footpaths
Councillor Pearcey is dealing with a request from the Senior Ranger at Hampshire County Council regarding vegetation clearance on footpaths. Six paths that are not otherwise maintained have to be nominated. One is the path from Wellhouse Lane to the fields, opposite Casita. Any recommendations are to be forwarded to him.
Correspondence received
NALC/HALC
This is the proposed withdrawal of The Hampshire Association of Local Councils from The National Association. There is not much support for this amongst other parishes. The survey has not been received yet; the clerk had e-mailed Stephen Lugg to see when it would be issued. It was agreed that this was a matter best resolved by the two associations and not something in which the HWPC wished to become embroiled, as whatever the outcome the work of small parish councils such as the HWPC would not be unduly affected.
Bin Stickers
The clerk had an example of a Hampshire County Council approved sticker intending to slow traffic, which the Councillors also approved. The clerk would get a supply and organise a photo shoot with the Gualano family, whose idea it was.
St Swithun’s grounds
A contribution of £275 had been sent to the church warden towards maintenance of the church grounds. Councillor Stephens had received a request for an uplift to £650, on the basis that costs for the grass cutting on this difficult site were expensive. After a discussion, in which it was stressed that the HWPC contribution was not an ongoing obligation and that not all parishioners would necessarily agree with the expenditure, it was decided to give £350 next year, and the clerk would write to that effect.
Open space budget
Councillor Stephens had contacted Kings Worthy Parish Council about their request to access HWPC’s Open Space Budget. It was agreed in theory that the money could be used, subject to negotiation. Councillor Rutter had agreed to go on the KWPC sub-committee and had been notified of the first meeting planned for 10 March; unfortunately Councillor Rutter could not make this date. A second meeting is to be arranged by KWPC, which Councillor Rutter will hope to attend.
The Parish Council also decided to support the Worthys YFC. This was proposed by Councillor Rutter and seconded by Councillor Curling. It couldn’t assist with funds at present. Steve Cramoysan said he was happy to be involved in the talks with KWPC.
Website
Congratualations were extended to Councillor Curling for winning on behalf of HWPC the Best Public Service Website award in the recent Hantsweb Awards. The dazzling award ceremony was held at Intech on the 23rd February 2010.
Councillor Stephens will write to TLC On-Line to congratulate them.
Expenses this month was £15 for a poster.
Councillor Curling had also designed headed note paper for the parish council and the Councillors agreed to adopt it.
Grit Bins
The new initiative by Hampshire County Council to provide grit bins was discussed.
HCC will provide the bins and fill them with salt, but parishioners would have to spread the salt and monitor whether they needed refilling. There would be a clear label on the bin to say that there would be no public liability in the event of an accident. Possible locations were put forward such as the footpaths on Nations Hill and School Lane. It was felt that these bids would not be successful however because of the rules and the limited funds.
HWPC will consider purchasing bins itself, with match funding accessed from Councillor Porter.
Possible locations will be notified to the clerk.
Church Green
Claire Welland asked for the backing of HWPC for play equipment within a 20 minute walk from her house. The two nearest play areas are Eversley Park and Abbots Barton, at least 30 minutes walk. Claire’s preferred location is Church Green, within Kings Worthy Parish. Councillor Stephens said there is no open space in the parish but she has written to KWPC to say that the £1800 in the HWPC Play Fund is available for this purpose, but any decision was solely a matter for the KWPC. Councillor Wood would look at the planning permission for Church Green as he thought there was some reference to this issue at that stage.
Andover Road closure
Councillor Wood has raised the issue of extra traffic in Headbourne Worthy, particularly Wellhouse Lane and Bedfield lane, and will keep the clerk informed as decisions are made.
S106
The clerk explained that this is money taken from developers and held by Winchester Council for transport schemes within the parish, for example junction alterations and dropped kerbs. Councillor Porter said that her schemes are not under S106, but cover items under £25,000 that don’t fall into other categories.
The clerk would supply a list of the type of expenditure that can be put forward, for future reference.
Future meetings
It was agreed that The St Mary’s Church Rooms become the new venue for the meeting. Councillor Pearcey had reservations in case parishioners confused the parish council meetings with church meetings. The meetings will be held on the third Monday of the month, the next three to be on the 17th May, 26th July and 20th September.
The Annual Parish Meeting for the parishioners will be on the 24th May. The clerk will contact Stephen Lincoln to see if he could come and talk about the Parish Plan on that date, and Councillor Pearcey will contact Derek Smithers who is on the Kings Worthy Parish Plan committee.
Parish Elections
The date will depend on the General Election, either the 6th May or the 27th May. Nomination forms have to be in by the 8th April. Councillors Stephens and Spurling will not be standing. The clerk will contact Councillor Hatchett about his intentions in view of his non attendance.
Councillor Rutter urged members to spread the word that new councillors are required, and it will be published on the website.
Newsletter
Any contributions will be gratefully received by Councillor Rutter. The clerk asked for an appeal for a photo of the Christmas lights in Wellhouse Lane as the owners didn’t have a suitable picture. Then an article about the lights can go in the Autumn newsletter as the organiser raises money for charity with the display.
Clerk’s report on training
This week the clerk is due to start a six week training course, three hours a week. The subject matter is a crash course in who does what at local and county council levels.
Councillor Spurling said that the council was lucky to have an excellent clerk and Councillor Stephens asked the clerk to minute that comment.
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