Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 16th April 2007
at 7.30 pm at Kings Worthy Community Centre, Fraser Road, Kings Worthy
Present:
Councillors: R. Johnston (Chairman),
S. Howell (Vice Chairman),
D. Brockway,
S. Howell,
N. Pidduck,
R. Sign & P. Warrener
Clerk: B. Fairbrother
Public: 3
PC/07/31 Apologies
Apologies were sent by HCC Councillor J Porter and the Police. Cllr Marshall did not attend. Cllr Johnston announced that Cllr May had tendered his resignation from the Parish Council, and thanked him for his contribution as Councillor.
PC/07/32 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 19th March 2007
Under (PC/07/26 (F/06/19)) in the first sentence the word ‘annoyance’ was replaced with ‘concerned’; in the sixth sentence following ‘It was agreed..’ inserted ‘at the full Parish Council Meeting in May 2004’. In the last sentence the word ‘president’ was amended to ‘precedent’. The minutes were then agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman, Cllr Johnston.
PC/07/33 Matters arising from the Parish Council Meeting 19th March 2007
(PC/07/26 (F/06/19)) Cllr Pidduck commented that he regretted that Cllr May had felt it necessary to resign following the March 2007 PC meeting and subsequent response by Councillors, though he agreed that it was unacceptable to pass personal comments at a public meeting.
He further commented that he believed the matter should have been handled more discreetly and the full PC consulted on any action taken. It was discussed that Councillors had been uncomfortable with comments made at the March meeting, but it was felt that a line should be drawn and the matter closed.
PC/07/34 Co-option of Parish Councillor
An application to be co-opted was received by Mr Nick Culhane, a resident in Kings Worthy. A letter sent by Mr Culhane was circulated to Councillors, and he introduced himself to the Council. Mr Culhane is a highway development control officer with WCC, and he was asked if his employment would give rise to a conflict of interest on PC matters.
He assured the Council he had consulted the legal department at WCC. He was told there would be no conflict as long as he is not involved in his employment with Kings Worthy highway matters that are under consideration by the PC.
Cllr Johnston nominated Mr Culhane, a ballot was undertaken. Mr Culhane received a majority vote and was invited to join the PC. The Clerk is to sent Mr Culhane all the necessary paperwork, and he will sign a Declaration of Acceptance of Office at the meeting in May.
PC/07/35 Reports from Police/County Councillor/City Councillor/School Governor
Police Report – PC Richard Matthews did not attend or provide a report. He attended the Parish Office to say that he would not be patrolling Kings Worthy from Monday, 16th April 2007, but replaced with another police officer. The sergeant for the area is Sgt Stribley. It is hoped the new police officer will attend meetings in future.
County Councillor Mrs J. Porter – Cllr Porter did not attend.
City Councillor Cllr S. Howell – Cllr Howell commented that the running track at King George Fifth playing field was not funded by council tax, and would be available for use by everyone. There had been a letter in the Hampshire Chronicle questioning the facts relating to the track. Cllr Howell commented there had been an expression of interest by a competing country to use it as a training track for the 2012 Olympics.
Cllr Howell also commented that he was concerned that the access improvements in London Road would not be adequately reviewed when all the developments in the area has been completed, and the allocated monies spent. It was proposed that a letter should be sent to HCC for assurance that the road will be monitored and reviewed if the developments go ahead, and adjustments made if required.
School Governor Cllr S. Howell – Cllr Howell is attending two meetings next week and will have more information on the new build for next month’s PC meeting.
PC/07/36 Public Question Time
A resident who had recently moved to The Pastures commented that the parking on the right hand side of the close had become extremely crowded, and at times cars block the cul-de-sac entrance to The Pastures as they are double parked. He asked the PC to write to all residents asking them to park considerately. It was discussed that this was a highways and police matter. The Clerk is to write to Neville Crisp at WCC to draw his attention to the matter.
PC/07/37 To receive the Minutes of the Sub-Committees:
The Minutes of the following Committees were received and discussed.
Planning Committee – 28th March 2007
The Minutes were presented by Cllr James, Chairman of Planning.
(P/07/23) Court Road developments – Cllr Pidduck commented that he does not believe the developers had satisfied the matters raised by WCC in the inspector’s report. Mr Culhane commented that measuring the area from the centre of the highway was unusual as it is normally measured on the boundaries of the site to be developed, and this would affect the density specification.
Woodhams Farm – The objection by the PC to the nursery at Woodhams Farm had been withdrawn before the WCC committee meeting on 29th March 2007. The reason it had been previously rejected was on the grounds they had failed to provide evidence they had looked at alternative sites.
Recreations & Amenities Committee – 21st March 2007 & 11th April 2007
The Minutes were presented by Cllr Sign, Chairman of R&A.
Cllr Sign commented that most of the items for 21st March were covered in the 11th April minutes.
(RA/07/36) Henry Beaufort Multi-Use Games Area – Cllr Sign drew attention to the request for a financial contribution, and the PC is to ask WCC if funds would be available from the Kings Worthy Open Space Fund towards the project.
Finance Committee – 11th April 2007
The Minutes were presented by Cllr Johnston, Chairman of the Committee.
(F/07/36) Church Green [Peeks Field] – Cllr Johnston commented that both Infinity Homes and the PC had agreed whoever owned the field at the time of the fete had given permission for it to go ahead.
(F/0737) Kings Worthy Access Improvements – if Headbourne Worthy do not want to take responsibility for the proposed new street light, then HCC should be asked to adopt it.
(F/07/39) Revision to the Clerks’ Contract – The recommendations to amend the Contracts are from the National Association of Local Councils, and bring the Contracts in line with recent employment legislation. Copies of the amendments were made available for members. It was proposed and agreed that the amendments should be made.
(F/07/39) It was proposed and agreed that £50,600 (£14,000 + £36,600) should be invested in the Money Market for one month, subject to review of the accounts by the RFO.
(F/07/40) Grants – Worthies Conservation Volunteers – It was proposed and agreed to award a grant of £200 towards insurance costs.
Notice Boards – It was discussed that the quotation submitted to the Finance Committee had been considerably higher than the original proposed amount to be made available. Cllr Brockway commented that although the quotation was presented as one, it was, in fact, for five notice boards, and the cost could be spread over a period of time. Further quotations are to be obtained.
It was further discussed, as previously agreed, the balance of insurance money from the pavilion is to be made available for R&A projects.
Recommendations contained within all the Minutes were agreed and are subject to follow up checks by Councillors and Clerks
It was discussed that there needs to be greater communication between the R&A Committee and the Finance Committee on matters that require funding. It was discussed that one Committee in its decision making can make work for the another Committee. It was felt by some Councillors, who had taken on the responsibility for obtaining information and quotations, that their efforts are passed over without recognition given to their contribution.
It was suggested and agreed that sub-committees should be set up to deal with particular issues, such as Church Green, so that efforts are not duplication or something missed.
It was commented that there had been a particular strain on Councillor’s time and on matters of communication as the office had been understaffed as one of the job-share Clerks had been on long term sick leave. The Clerk thanked Councillors for their valuable help during this time.
PC/07/38 Chairman’s announcements
Cllr Johnston again reminded the Parish Council that the election of a Chairman and Vice Chairman will take place at the May meeting. He asked that Councillors consider who they would want to nominate for those positions, and put the nominations in writing to the parish office.
Councillors were reminded of the Annual Parish Meeting on Monday, 14th May 2007 at 7.30 pm in Tubbs Hall. All Councillors are expected to attend. It was discussed and agreed that Mr Colin Piper, the Rights Of Way Map Review Officer at HCC, be invited to give a presentation on Rights of Way and footpaths in the Kings Worthy Area. His presentation will last approximately 40 minutes, and will be placed second on the Agenda, after the Chairman’s welcome.
PC/07/39 Clerks’ Report & Notice of Correspondence Received
The Clerk commented on the correspondence and event notifications received at the office, and asked that Councillors interested in any of the items contact the office.
The Clerk drew attention to a letter received from Cornerways thanking the PC for their donation for the purchase of a printer.
PC/07/40 Any other notices
PC/06/41 Date of Next Meeting preceded by Annual General Meeting
Date: 21st May 2007
Venue: Kings Worthy Community Centre
Time: 7.30 pm
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