Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 17th September 2007
at 7.30 pm at Kings Worthy Community Centre, Fraser Road, Kings Worthy
Present:
Councillors: R. Johnston (Chairman),
D. Brockway,
N Culhane,
L. James,
M. Lomas,
N. Pidduck,
P. Warrener and D. Welstead
Also present:
WCC Councillor R. Johnston
PC D Russell & PC Turner
Mr C Begeman, PDS
Clerk: B. Fairbrother
Press & Public: 9
PC/07/74 Apologies
Apologies were sent by Cllrs J Marshall and R. Sign, and HCC Councillor J. Porter and WCC Councillor & School Governor S. Howell.
PC/07/75 Voting for Vice Chairman
Councillor Peter Warrener
Nominated by: Cllr R. Johnston
A ballot was taken and Cllr Warrener was voted Vice Chairman
PC/07/76 Presentation by Mr Colin Begeman from Planning Development Services regarding the Topfield Project, Hookpit Farm Lane
Cllr Johnston declared an interest in the matter, as he is on the Planning Committee at Winchester City, and stood aside from the meeting.
Following a letter to the Parish Council, Mr Begeman, on behalf of Milford Homes, outlined the position of Milford Homes in relation to the above. Milford Homes have been unable to finalise an agreement with Gleesons with regard to the site. Therefore, Milford Homes have applied for an amendment to the ‘106 Agreement’ with WCC.
This is to allow Milford Homes to gift to the Parish Council a 2-3 metre track of land around the Topfield and this would effectively give the Parish control over the Topfield and control access to it. This would put the Parish in the driving seat in terms of the site’s long term future.
Mr Begeman expects that the track will tie in with existing footpaths in the area and would provide a useful network of paths. Further, that also within Milford’s control is the ability to gift a parcel of land as a play area and recreation open space. The proposed play area would be positioned towards the top of the access track that leads to the Topfield. In addition to this it will be possible for them to make a significant contribution towards the Parish recreation fund.
There is not to be a public consultation on the matter, as it will be agreed by WCC and the PC consulted as a beneficiary. The land not gifted to the PC will be potentially subject to a further application for 10/15 affordable housing units. As it is outside the policy boundary it might be a housing exception site in which case it would need justification to be built on.
It was proposed and, with a show of hands, agreed by the Parish Council to endorse the amendment to the ‘106 Agreement’.
The Clerk is to write to WCC confirming the endorsement.
PC/07/77 Co-option of Parish Councillor by ballot – Mrs Dawn-Marie Cox
An application to be co-opted was received by Mrs Dawn-Marie Cox, a resident in Abbots Worthy. A letter sent by Mrs Cox was circulated to Councillors.
Cllr Johnston nominated Mrs Cox, and a ballot was taken. Mrs Cox was voted onto the PC. The Clerk is to sent Mrs Cox all the necessary paperwork.
PC/07/78 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 16th July 2007
The minutes were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman, Cllr Johnston.
PC/07/79 Matters arising from the Parish Council Meeting 16th July 2007
None
PC/0780 Adoption of the revised Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007, with Paragraph 12(2) of the Order in relation to prejudicial interest
The Clerk had circulated information regarding the Code, and explained the need to again adopt the Code to take into account Paragraph 12(2). The Code came into force on the 1st May 2007, and has to be adopted by all Parish Councils by 1st October 2007.
It was proposed and agreed that the Council adopt the Local Authorities (Model Code of Conduct) Order 2007, including Paragraph 12(2). (This replaces the adoption from the July 07 meeting [PC/07/71].)
It was further commented that the wordy advice on public participation at meetings from HAPTC on NALC guidelines was already being fulfilled by Kings Worthy PC.
PC/07/81 Reports from Police/County Councillor/City Councillor/School Governor
County Councillor Mrs J. Porter – Cllr Porter sent a written report. [See Appendix 1 attached.]
Police Report, PC D Russell – PC Russell gave a verbal report. In the past three months there had been:
1 Arson attack (of a mesh basket in a garage)
2 Assaults (one a domestic, the other at a party)
8 Burglaries of dwellings (including opportunist thefts, such as an open window).
10 Burglaries other than dwellings (including food stolen from a garage freezer, money from a gambling machine etc)
17 Criminal damage reports – such as car scratched, damage to fences. Four youths had been arrested in connection with the incidents.
4 Thefts from vehicles.
Councillors commented that it was difficult to know when to call the police to receive a response, and they were advised not to hesitate to use the 101 number to report incidents, using the 999 number for emergencies only.
PC Russell commented that the village is patrolled regularly, at least daily, and Neighbourhood Watch membership was recommended. The constables were thanked for attending and they left the meeting.
City Councillors S. Howell & R. Johnston – No report was presented.
Mr S Howell – School Governor – No report was presented. It was remarked that whilst undertaking the improvement work at the school an archaeological site had been discovered and had been reported in the Hampshire Chronicle.
PC/07/82 Public Question Time
A member of the public asked if the Church Green solicitor’s bill had been paid to enable the transfer. Cllr Johnston explained that the PC are currently awaiting a requested detailed bill from the solicitors in order to further the matter.
A resident near to Church Green remarked he had emailed Infinity Homes to continue to cut the grass until the transfer is complete. It was discussed that Infinity Homes are responsible for a Management Plan as part of the 106 Agreement, and the PC could not proceed with any of its proposed work until the transfer was completed.
Councillors were asked about the responsibility of the footpath leading from Eversley Park. It was commented that the foliage at the sides is encroaching on some of the footpaths, and various people were responsible for the maintenance. The matter was referred to the R&A Committee, and the Clerk is to investigate the situation and contact the relevant parties.
Councillors were informed that the post box at the end of Frampton Way had been damaged and needed reporting. The Clerk was requested to report it.
Councillors were asked about the proposed parking restrictions outlined in the July 2007 minutes. The PC again commented that they support the restrictions but do not see they will be upheld unless some enforcement was used.
Councillors were asked if they were considering the proposed development at Tudor Way. The public were informed it was on the Agenda for the Planning meeting on 26th September 2007.
PC/07/83 To receive the Minutes of the Sub-Committees:
The Minutes of the following Committees were received and discussed.
Planning Committee – 18th July 2007
The Minutes from the meeting were presented by Cllr James, Chairman of Planning.
(P/07/51) (P/07/45) Court Road – It was discussed that there is to be a Public Enquiry on 26th & 27th September 2007 regarding the applications. The PC had already submitted comments, and Cllr James stated that further comments would be made to the enquiry. The matter is to be discussed at the next Planning meeting on 26th September.
Recreations & Amenities Committee – 12th September 2007
The minutes from the meeting were presented by Cllr Warrener, Vice Chairman of the R&A Committee
(RA/07/64) State of the village – It was commented that it is felt that the village is becoming untidy and needs attention by WCC.
(RA/07/73) Fryers Close – It was discussed the area is the responsibility of the Housing Department at Winchester City, and is maintained under contract with Serco. The matter of the maintenance of the site once OSF works had been completed had not been clarified as the Housing Department had not been consulted on the work agreed by the OSF officer at WCC, or the future maintenance discussed.
The PC does not want the land or the maintenance handed over to the PC, but for WCC to agree funding from the OSF to implement the agreed work. It was discussed that if the work was undertaken by WCC without the PC then they may not adhere to the works agreed following the residents consultation, though this was considered unlikely. The Clerk is to clarify the situation.
Finance Committee – 15th August & 12th September 2007
The Minutes for both meetings were presented by Cllr Johnston, Chairman of the Committee.
Meeting 15th August 2007 –
(F/07/84) It was proposed and agreed that £120,600 (£84,000 + £36,600) should be invested in the Money Market for one month, subject to review of the accounts by the RFO.
Meeting 12th September 2007 –
(F/07/91) Notice Boards – WCC had confirmed that planning permission was not needed and the £75 will be refunded to the PC.
(F/07/93) It was proposed and agreed that £120,600 (£84,000 + £36,600) should be invested in the Money Market for one month, subject to review of the accounts by the RFO.
(F/07/94) Worthys Neighbourcare – it was proposed and agreed to donate £50 to the Lunch Club
Handyman – it was proposed and agreed that when Mr Francis moves from Kings Worthy to Harestock that travelling expenses should be paid for emergency call-outs, in accordance with NJC Local Government rates.
(F/07/95) 30mph Notices – Councillors were dismayed that notices, which looked as though they had been posted by the PC, had been placed on notice boards. It was discussed that the PC was not consulted about the placement of the notices which had invited comments to be made to the PC regarding the speed limit on Springvale Road.
Following the discussion it was agreed to place the speed limits in the village as an item on the October PC Agenda.
Cllr Warrener is to be added as a cheque signatory of the PC’s NatWest bank account.
Recommendations contained within all the Minutes were agreed and are subject to follow up checks by Councillors and Clerks
PC/07/84 Chairman’s announcements
Cllr Johnston welcomed Cllr Warrener as the Vice Chairman and encouraged his greater involvement in PC matters.
There is a vacancy on the PC following the resignation of Mr Stan Howell. Cllr Johnston had written to Mr Howell thanking him for his work with the Council.
PC/07/85 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 Council was thanked by the Winchester Bereavement Support for the PC’s donation of £100.
PC/07/86 Any other notices
Website – Cllr James commented she had emailed members with a request for contents for the Website, and for photographs taken of the village. She outlined that it is unusual to have a joint Website, as the Council is with Headbourne Worthy. All the work for the Website will be done by the designers, and Agendas and only approved Minutes would be available on the site.
Carols on the Green – Cllr Brockway proposed and it was agreed to hold the event on Monday, 17th December 2007. Cllr Brockway will pass on this date to St Mary’s Church, and arrangements will be made with the Tubbs Hall Management Committee on availability of the hall.
Tudor Way development – It was discussed the WCC Planning had informed the PC of the wrong date for the consultation period. This has now been amended to 27th September 2007 to allow for the matter to be discussed at the Planning meeting on 26th September.
PC/07/87 Date of Next Meeting
Date: 15th October 2007
Venue: Kings Worthy Community Centre
Time: 7.30 pm
Meeting closed at 9.30 pm |
