Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 16th June 2008
at 7.30 pm at Kings Worthy Community Centre, Fraser Road, Kings Worthy
Present:
Councillors:
P. Warrener (Chairman),
D-M Cox,
I. Gordon,
J. Marshall,
N. Pidduck,
R. Sign,
D. Smithers,
D. Welstead and S. White
Also present:
HCC Jackie Porter
Clerk: B. Fairbrother
Press & Public: 0
PC/08/59 Apologies
Apologies were sent by Councillor L. James, City Councillors Robert Johnston and Stan Howell, and PC Donna Russell
PC/08/60 Signing of Acceptance of Office – Mr Ian Gordon
Cllr Gordon and Clerk signed the form.
PC/08/61 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 19th May 2008
The minutes were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman, Cllr Warrener.
PC/08/62 Matters arising from the Parish Council Meeting on 19th May 2008
(PC/08/51) Church Fete – Apologies had been sent by Councillors unable to attend the fete.
(PC/08/52) HCC J Porter’s report – Councillors continue to be concerned about the footpath and that the dangers posed by its use should be addressed. Councillor Porter is to be informed.
Police forum – Cllr Warrener commented that the police have shown an interest in resolving the parking and traffic problems which he has raised for many years, and the matter is now on a firmer footing.
(PC/08/54 – F/08/46) Hearing induction loop – It was discussed that it was not necessary to install one in the meeting room, and the matter would be revisited should there be a demand.
(RA/08/57) – Church Green Helicopter application – The Clerks had received no further contact from the applicant, therefore no progress can made on the matter.
(PC/08/57) – Environmental concerns – It was proposed and agreed that the Planning Committee should also take environmental matters into consideration when responding to applications.
PC/08/63 Reports from Police/County Councillor/City Councillor/School Governor
Police Report – The police did not attend or send a report. Cllr Warrener commented about an incident involving youths who had trampled through a resident’s garden, and the police had attended.
Cllr Sign commented that she had seen an increased presence of police in the area recently.
City Councillors S Howell & R Johnston – Apologies were sent by both Councillors.
Cllr White – School Governor’s Report – Cllr White commented that she had not attended a Governors meeting, but had received a newsletter updating parents on developments in the school. The work is due for completion at the end of June and the side entrance is to be opened soon. The schools will close a couple of days early to allow for the transfer of school equipment from Hinton House as the new occupants are expected in early August.
The path running adjacent to the school to be resurfaced during the school’s summer holidays. There had been plenty of activity in the school including a fashion show, walk to school week, grounds week, an overnight camp for year 4, a sports afternoon on Friday 20th June and the School Fete will take place on Saturday, 28th June 2008 in the afternoon.
Cllr Sign commented that Hinton Lane has now been made a bridle way by HCC, so it is now open for public use.
County Councillor J Porter – Cllr Porter presented a written report which was circulated to Councillors.
CADDIE – Cllr Porter drew attention to the on-line crime information site, which she believes is not recording all incidents. She knows of incidents that have occurred and not appeared on the site.
Churchill Close-Gambut planning hearing – Cllr Warrener commented that the PC believed has they had already submitted an objection it was not necessary to attend, and they did not realise they would be given time to speak.
Councillors were concerned that the PC was not always informed about hearings, and on some occasions very little notice given to attend.
Edinburgh Rd/Springvale Rd footpath – Councillors believe this continues to be hazardous, and particularly since motor cyclists have now begun to use it as well. It was proposed that the police are informed of the hazard. It was discussed that the path has been badly resurfaced and is already breaking up. Cllr Porter commented it was not possible to put a barrier at the end of the path.
Cllrs D. Smithers and S White – They had attended HALC’s Core Skills for Councillors course and had found it very beneficial.
Cllr Smithers commented that attention was drawn to the benefits of a Parish Plan, which incorporates the Village Design Statement. Cllr Smithers proposed that the PC worked towards developing a Plan.
PC/08/64 Public Question Time
None.
PC/08/65 To receive the Minutes of the Sub-Committees:
The Minutes of the following Committees were received and discussed.
Planning Committee – 28th May 2008
The Minutes from the meeting were presented by Cllr Warrener, Vice-Chairman of the Planning Committee.
(P/08/41 – P/08/34) – 07/01776/OUT Land at Tudor Way – Cllrs Neil Pidduck and Peter Warrener reported on the public enquiry. Cllr Pidduck had sought to ascertain on what aspects of applications could be commented on when considering ‘outline’ planning permission.
Recreations & Amenities Committee – 11th June 2008
The minutes from the meeting were presented by Cllr Sign, Chairman of the R&A Committee.
(RA/08/65) – Replacement seats – The Committee were pleased to receive confirmation from the Finance Committee that £4,000 can be made available to replace some of the seats. It is intended to replace and repair the most badly damaged first.
Cllr Pidduck commented that it would be best practice for such matters to go the R&A Committee to be discussed and recommendations decided before they reach the Finance Committee to enable them to better prioritise expenditure.
It was also discussed that such expenditure should be listed in detail and made clear when considerations are made for setting up the budget for each financial year.
Cllr Smithers commented that a Parish Plan could be beneficial in considering the village needs.
Cllr Cox proposed that another member of the Finance Committee should be a member of the R&A Committee to assist in communication between the two Committees.
Finance Committee – 11th June 2008
The Minutes were presented by Cllr Warrener, Chairman of the Committee.
(F/08/55) It was proposed and agreed that an investment of £148,000 should be invested in the Money Market for one month, subject to review of the accounts by the RFO.
The Clerk clarified how the Money Market works and the investment made into it via the Council’s NatWest Treasury Reserve account. This type of investment enables flexibility in depositing large amounts of money for short periods of time to receive better rates of interest.
The Clerk commented that the Internal Auditor had now resumed work following a serious illness. This has delayed the presentation of the final accounts, however, he is working on the audit and the accounts will be presented to the July meeting.
A question relating to risk management has been raised on the Audit return. It was proposed that a Risk Management process be undertaken in conjunction with Tubbs Hall to formalise maintenance agreements.
Recommendations contained within all the Minutes were agreed and are subject to follow up checks by Councillors and Clerks
PC/08/66 Chairman’s announcements
None
PC/08/67 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 Citizens Advice Bureau had written to the thank the Council for the donation.
The Parish Connect from WCC had been circulated to Councillors via email.
The Clerk drew attention to British Telecom’s intention to remove 49 telephone boxes. Two to be removed are in Kings Worthy – one on Springvale Road (SO23 7LE) and one in Court Road (SO23 7QJ).
PC/08/68 Any other notices
None
PC/08/69 Date of Next Meeting
Date: 21st July 2008
Venue: Kings Worthy Community Centre
Time: 7.30 pm
Meeting closed at 9.05 pm |
