Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 18th June 2007
at 7.30 pm at Kings Worthy Community Centre, Fraser Road, Kings Worthy
Present:
Councillors: R. Johnston (Chairman),
S. Howell (Vice Chairman),
N Culhane,
L. James,
S. Howell,
R. Sign,
P. Warrener & D. Welstead
Also present:
WCC Councillors R. Johnston & S. Howell
Clerk: B. Fairbrother
Press & Public: 2
PC/07/52 Apologies
Apologies were sent by Cllrs J Marshall & N Pidduck and HCC Councillor Porter.
PC/07/53 Safer Neighbourhood Council presentation – Steve Lincoln & Sgt John Stribley
Mr Lincoln and Sgt Stribley outlined the Safer Neighbourhood Council set up and the implementation of Safer Neighbourhood Panels. WCC wants to be more in touch with and responsive to communities, as included in the Local Government White Paper. WCC will be working with organizations, including the police, to bring together a Panel with representatives from the community, such as Councillors, Neighbourhood Watch, youth workers etc.
The Panel will discuss and address concerns in the community on such matters as anti-social behaviour and vandalism. The idea is to have ‘the right people in the right place at the right time’, and the panel should help give direction and local advice to the Neighbourhoods Team. Mr Lincoln wants the PC to lead in setting up such a panel across the northern parishes, and organizing meetings, suggested as quarterly. There are financial resources available to pay for any costs incurred.
Councillors expressed concern regarding the commitments involved, and wanted assurances that this initiative would not be short lived and put added pressure on people who give their time voluntarily and often have substantial commitments already.
The PC agreed to be included in the process and suggested Mr Lincoln liaise with the Clerks.
Sgt Stribley apologised for the recent lack of contact with the police, and he hoped to rectify that now he is aware of it.
PC/07/54 Declaration of Acceptance of Office – Cllr Denis Welstead & Co-option of Councillor by ballot – Mr Mike Lomas
Cllr Welstead signed his Declaration of Acceptance of Office.
Co-option of Councillor – Mr Mike Lomas
Nominated by: Cllr R Johnston
Seconded by: Cllr L James
A letter from Mr Lomas was circulated to the PC and a ballot undertaken. Mr Lomas was voted onto the Council.
PC/07/55 Minutes of the AGM held on 21st May 2007
The minutes were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman, Cllr Johnston.
PC/07/56 Matters arising from the AGM minutes
None
PC/07/57 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 21st May 2007
The minutes were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman, Cllr Johnston.
PC/07/58 Matters arising from the Parish Council Meeting 21st May 2007
(PC/07/45) A request has been made to include on the July Agenda for a presentation on the Traffic Regulation Order in relation to yellow lines in the village.
The PC agreed to include it.
PC/07/59 Reports from Police/County Councillor/City Councillor/School Governor
Police Report – A police officer did not attend or provide a report.
County Councillor Mrs J. Porter – Cllr Porter sent apologies and sent a written report. In an email Cllr Porter commented that she has tried to have the number 6 reinstated on the No. 6 bus, but Stagecoach said they believed the ‘Spring’ initiative was successful and bus journeys had increased by 10% since its introduction, so they would not consider it.
City Councillor Cllr S. Howell – Cllr Howell commented that the recycling in Phase 1 has been very successful, with twice as much recycling since its introduction, rising from 19% to 41%. Phase 2 is to be introduced shortly. PC Councillors commented that the skip at the recycling centre was too high for some people to reach without considerable difficulty, and that the garden bags once emptied are often to be found lying in the middle of the road.
WCC are shortly to trial a new system in Winchester for people to pay by ‘phone for off-street parking.
WCC have placed a bid for three sites to be considered as training venues for the 2012 Olympic competitors. A decision will be known by the 2008 Olympics.
School Governor Cllr S. Howell – The school’s annual fete was very successful as the weather was fine and sunny in the afternoon.
A great deal of attention is being paid to the new classrooms build at the school. There is to be a meeting with HCC on 19th June to report on progress. However, although the tenders had been received for the work they will not have been studied in time for the meeting. It was discussed that only one entrance would remain open during the build, probably the one leading onto Eversley Park.
The PC commented on the hedges of the footpath adjacent to the school. The PC’s side has been cut now the birds have finished nesting.
PC/07/60 Public Question Time
It was commented that it would seem that the No 6 evening service will not be reinstated as expected. It was suggested that the PC write to HCC to ask if the contribution received from developers could be used towards subsidising the evening service. (The Press reporter said he is presently compiling a report on the No 6 bus.)
It was further commented that people were still confused by the lack of a number on some of the buses.
It was commented that the grass outside St Mary’s Church Hall had not been cut. This is a matter between WCC and the Church, which has now been resolved.
It was commented there has recently been an increase in helicopters flying over the village. It was not known why, although it was discussed that training exercises are undertaken out of Middle Wallop. The PC is to monitor the situation.
The PC was asked what arrangements were being made for access to the Primary School while the construction work was being carried out. Cllr Howell commented that only one entrance, probably leading from Eversley Park. Cllr Johnston suggested looking on the HCC website for the details of the planning conditions.
It was suggested the Martini-Bacardi should be sent a PC welcome pack when they move into offices in the Kings Worthy. It was discussed the offices were in Headbourne Worthy, but the PC could send them so local information for their staff.
It was asked if the increased traffic the workforce would generate had been considered. Cllr Culhane commented that work traffic assessment and plan would have been provided, with a co-ordinator to encourage staff to car share and use public transport.
PC/07/61 To receive the Minutes of the Sub-Committees:
The Minutes of the following Committees were received and discussed.
Planning Committee – 30th May 2007
The Minutes from the meeting were presented by Cllr James, Chairman of Planning.
Cllr Pidduck was elected as Vice Chairman.
Cllr James commented that the meeting had received a large public attendance, 42 people, in response to proposals and applications being considered.
(P/07/34) Tanglewood, 1 Campion Way – The Committee have objected to the development.
(P/07/36) 30 mph Speed Limit for London Road/Bedfield Lane – It was discussed that the PC had no objection to the proposals, but to comment that the PC think that the whole of Bedfield Lane should have been made 30 mph.
WCC Rural Affordable Housing Information – Cllr James is to obtain further information and forward this to the Parish Office.
Recreations & Amenities Committee – 13th June 2007
The Minutes were presented by Cllr Sign, Chairman of R&A.
Cllr Warrener was elected as Vice Chairman.
(RA/07/51) Bus Shelters – It was commented the Mr Bright from HCC had contacted the office to say that it is likely that some funding could be made available towards the cost of the bus shelter.
Finance Committee – 13th June 2007
The Minutes were presented by Cllr Johnston, Chairman of the Committee.
(F/07/59) Church Green – Cllr Johnston commented that Infinity Homes were continuing to disagree with payment of part of the legal costs.
(F/07/60) Street Lighting – The Committee recommended requesting that HCC include Kings Worthy in the PFI at this stage. The PC will consider the matter more fully when the costs are available and after consulting local parishes to see if they are staying independent of or opting into the scheme. There had been a suggestion that PC could get together to make their own arrangements if it was practical and cost effective to do so. The PFI contract will not be signed until 2008.
(F/07/62) Final Accounts and Annual Return 2006/07 – It was discussed and agreed that the Annual Return be signed ready for submission to the Audit Commission. The Internal Auditor had also signed the Return. The Committee had examined the procedures in place with regard to the Internal Audit arrangements and were satisfied they met the conditions under the Accounts and Audit Regulations and amendments.
The Clerks were thanked for their diligent work on keeping the Accounts.
It was proposed and agreed that £126,600 (£90,000 + £36,600) should be invested in the Money Market for one month, subject to review of the accounts by the RFO.
Recommendations contained within all the Minutes were agreed and are subject to follow up checks by Councillors and Clerks
PC/07/62 Chairman’s announcements
Cllr Johnston asked if anyone knew how Gwen Girdwood (an ex-Councillor) was since her stroke. It was commented that she is getting about and making progress. The PC sent her best wishes for her recovery.
PC/07/63 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.
Model Code of Conduct – The Clerk commented that the new Model Code of Conduct was to be adopted by the PC at the July meeting, and an email had been circulated regarding the matter. It is actually in force from 3rd May but must be formally adopted by October 2007. Last time, and suggested for this time, WCC organized the legal advertisement for all those Parish and Town Councils who requested to be included, which was virtually all (if not all) of them and included Kings Worthy.
Smokefree Law – The Clerk drew attention to the new Smokefree law coming into force on 1st July 2007 and that notices must be placed in Kings Worthy Centre or risk prosecution.
Frying High – The Clerk drew attention to a letter received from a mobile fish and chip van asking if the PC would be interested in him working in Kings Worthy. The PC agreed to write to Mr and Mrs Thollet confirming they are welcome to bring their mobile business. The PC will monitor reactions to the service.
Councillor training – The Clerk drew attention to the training events being undertaken by HAPTC and for Councillors who are interested to contact the Parish Office. The PC pays for Councillor training.
PC/07/64 Any other notices
Cllr Brockway commented that the bookstall that the PC had helped run at St Mary’s Church Fete had raised £160. The whole fete had raised in the region of £4,000 after expenses.
Cllr Brockway suggested that if the PC would like to run a stall in future years then it would be better to have a new type of stall not already covered by the church.
PC/06/65 Date of Next Meeting
Date: 16th July 2007
Venue: Kings Worthy Community Centre
Time: 7.30 pm
Meeting closed at 9.50 pm
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