Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 20th October 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:
WCC Councillor Robert Johnston
HCC Councillor Jackie Porter
PC D Russell
PCSO S Brazier
Clerk: B. Fairbrother
Press & Public: 0
PC/08/97 Apologies
Apologies were sent by Councillor L James.
PC/08/98 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 15th September 2008
The minutes were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman,
Cllr Warrener
PC/08/99 Matters arising from the Parish Council Meeting on 15th September 2008
(PC/08/86 Parish Plan) – Cllr Smithers commented that a meeting has been scheduled for 28th November 2008 in Tubbs Hall to organize a steering group. Notices are to be placed in early November on the Parish notice boards, website and in the local press, and a mail shot to local organizations and businesses. Cllr Smithers circulated a proposed poster and asked for comments by the end of the week.
A grant of £750 towards the cost of the Plan has been applied for from HCC’s Community Strategy Fund.
(PC/08/92 – PC/08/73) Abbots Worthy Bus Stops – Councillors commented that the newly installed bus stops are hardly used.
PC/08/100 Reports from Police/County Councillor/City Councillor/School Governor
Police Report – PC Russell & PCSO Brazier presented a verbal report on incidents over the last two months.
5 Assaults (4 domestic and I other)
4 Criminal damages
11 Rowdy and inconsiderate behaviour
1 Theft (clothing from a washing line)
1 Burglary (from stables)
The Road Policing Unit (RPU) had been working on the A34 undertaking speed checks. The RPU will focus on specific areas if requested to do so by the Parish Council.
The Officers commented that generally the area has very few incidents. They will continue to keep in contact with the Parish Council.
Cllr Warrener thanked them for attending and they left the meeting.
County Councillor J Porter – Cllr Porter provided a written report [See Appendix 1]
Cllr Porter commented that she had attended the ‘Paths to Partnership’ meeting, as had the Clerk and Mr Brockway.
The South East Plan ‘Rural Strategy Consultation’ meeting considered the need to deliver a better service, particularly in relation to the rural fringe which covers areas with a population between 3000 – 10,000. Cllr Porter commented that it may well impact on Kings Worthy as it brings the development of Barton Farm back under consideration.
The South East Plan ‘Gypsy & Traveller Accommodation Needs’ consultation – Cllr Porter favoured Option B, as this fits best with the wishes of Gypsies and Travellers and residents.
Sanctuary Farm, Alresford Drove – land improvement application – Cllr Porter highlighted the application and commented that the repair and resurfacing of the road leading to the site has been delayed pending a decision on the application.
City Councillor R Johnston – Cllr Roberts presented a verbal report. Cllr Johnston commented on planning issues and outlined the new national legislation on permitted developments effective from 1st October 2008, details available on the WCC website.
Planning applications – Cllr Johnston commented on developments at Lovedon Lane, Clelands, Tudor Way and Springvale Road.
Geissen visit – Cllr Johnston had the Mayor to visit the pathfinders scouting organization. The Kings Worthy scouts are hoping to raise funds for a new scouting hut.
Cllr White – School Governor’s Report – Cllr White commented the newly refurbished toilets have been opened. The interactive wipe-boards are a big success, after some teething problems. The children have been encouraged to become community aware, and involved in the ‘shoebox’ appeal. Their harvest festival assembly is to take place this week.
Cllr Cox and Cllr Smithers – HALC Finance training event – The councillors commented that it had been informative, though Cllr Smithers believed there had been too much jargon.
Cllr Cox – Tubbs Hall meeting – the Tubbs Hall Management Committee had agreed to share the cost of £400 towards insulation of the Centre and had a revised proposition for notice boards outside the Community Centre
PC/08/101 Public Question Time
None.
PC/08/102 Adoption of a ‘Complaints Procedure’
The Clerk circulated a Draft procedure for consideration. It was agreed that the complaints procedure should only be used when all efforts to resolve an issue had been exhausted. It was discussed and agreed that it should include a statement that an acknowledgment of the complaint should be made within 14 days of receipt. The complainant should be informed of a timescale for the procedure, based on the staffing situation at the time.
It was agreed to adopt the Complaints Procedure document, which is to be revised periodically.
The Clerk commented that the Freedom of Information Act model publication scheme had been received and that she is working to complete it in time for it to be adopted at the November 2008 meeting. A considerable amount of the information can be made available via the Website and in any case will be available as a hard copy for a small fee.
PC/08/103 To receive the Minutes of the Sub-Committees:
The Minutes of the following Committees were received and discussed.
Planning Committee – 24th September 2008
The Minutes from the meetings were presented by Cllr Warrener, Member of the Planning Committee.
(P/08/82) ID Badges – Cllr Cox notified members that the photographer for the ID badges would be attending between 6.30 – 7.30 pm prior to the PC meeting on 17th November 2008. If a Councillor or Clerk is unable to attend they can go to his studios, which are in Itchen Abbas.
House numbering – Cllr Welstead informed Councillors that there are 197 residents in Kings Worthy and Abbots Worthy which are named only. Further enquiries about numbering is to be made by the Clerk to WCC.
Abbots Worthy House – Cllr Cox commented that the house had been repossessed by the mortgage company and residents were concerned that it would be sold to be turned into a hotel.
Recreations & Amenities Committee – 8th October 2008
The minutes from the meeting were presented by Cllr Sign, Chairman of the R&A Committee.
(RA/08/74) Fryers Close – The provision of a dog bin can be funded within the Open Space Fund work.
Projects – Cllr Sign commented that the Committee expect to complete all the projects detailed within the financial year.
WSSC – Cllrs Sign, Marshall, White and Warrener together with the Clerk had a successful meeting with representatives from the Worthy Sports and Social Club, and it is envisaged that a better working relationship will follow.
Finance Committee – 15th October 2008
The Minutes from the meetings were presented by Cllr Warrener, Chairman of the Committee.
(F/08/81) Eversley Park Football – a recorded letter has been sent to Accutek detailing their outstanding pitch fees and request for immediate payment.
(F/08/92) – Statement of Accounts
The Clerk had circulated a notice from Hampshire ALC which had been compiled by the National Association of Councils regarding the ‘Banking Crisis’. It was discussed that the government has given no specific guarantees or protection for local government deposits because such protection would be of massive proportion.
The Clerk had spoken to NatWest for reassurance of its funds, and had received the comment that the situation was taken on a daily basis and at the time of ringing it was secure. It was discussed that as a major bank it was as secure as any other institution and no benefit would be gained to moving it or splitting it as no institution will give any such assurance.
A majority vote agreed to keep funds with the NatWest and to keep the matter under review.
It was proposed and agreed that an investment of £120,000 should be invested in the Money Market for five weeks, subject to review of the accounts by the RFO.
The Clerk asked that Committees consider requests for the Budget for 2009-2010. The Budget meeting will be on Wednesday, 5th November. Also, the notice for small grant applications will be going on the notice boards in November.
Recommendations contained within all the Minutes were agreed and are subject to follow up checks by Councillors and Clerks
PC/08/104 Chairman’s announcements
WCC – Cllr Warrener commented that he had received a letter from WCC Customer Services department in response to his complaint to the Ombudsman about responses to enquiries at WCC. He read out the letter which outlined that WCC would endeavour to provide a better service and improvement in communication with Councillors.
PC/08/105 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.
PC/08/106 Any other notices
Carols on the Green – Cllr Welstead outlined the details for the evening, which will be from 7-9 pm on Tuesday, 16th December 2008. Notices are to be put up nearer the time and local organizations notified.
PC/08/107 Date of Next Meeting
Date: 17th November 2008
Venue: Kings Worthy Community Centre
Time: 7.30 pm
Meeting closed at 9.46 pm |
