Minutes of the Meeting held on Monday, 19th January 2009
at 7.30 pm at Kings Worthy Community Centre, Fraser Road, Kings Worthy
Present:
Councillors: P. Warrener (Chairman),
L. James (Vice-Chairman),
D-M Cox,
I. Gordon,
N. Pidduck,
J. Marshall & R. Sign
Also present:
WCC Councillor Robert Johnston
Clerk: B. Fairbrother
Press & Public: 3
PC/09/01 Apologies
Apologies were sent by Councillors D. Smithers, D. Welstead and S. White and HCC Councillor J Porter
PC/09/02 Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting held on 17th November 2008
The minutes were agreed as a true record and signed by the Chairman, Cllr Warrener
PC/09/03 Matters arising from the Parish Council Meeting on 17th November 2008
- (PC/08/111) ‘Lit Signs’ (LSR) meeting – It was agreed not to include this proposal in the Budget at this present time.
- (PC/08/113) Adoption of FOI Act – The Clerk had completed the paperwork for publication and had forwarded it to Cllr James to be placed on the Parish Council Web-site.
PC/09/04 Reports from Police/County Councillor/City Councillor/School Governor
Police Report – The police did not attend the meeting
County Councillor J Porter – Cllr Porter sent apologies. An emailed report was provided.
City Councillor R. Johnston – Cllr Johnston remarked that working together with Cllr Howell and Cllr Gordon they had been able to bring about the refusal of the planning application for the development at 155 Springvale Road.
Cllr Johnston, as a member of the WCC Planning Committee, commented that there has been a substantial decrease in planning applications, particularly from developers. There were presently just four applications, and no large developments anywhere in the district.
Cllr Johnston commented in relation to Church Green that the Parish Council should be mindful that the 106 Agreement had set aside a sum of money for the erection of a Local Play Area.
The Parish Council responded they were aware of the commitment and had ring fenced money for the project in phase 2 of the works being undertaken.
An email had been sent to Cllr Johnston from Mr Neville Crisp about the proposed restricted parking in Kings Worthy. Mr Crisp had been busy with other matters, which had caused some delay, however, he will be advertising the proposals in the near future.
Cllr Johnston is involved with the twinning of Winchester with Geissen in Germany and Laon in France. There is a Hungarian city also interested in being twinned with Winchester.
Parish Councillor – Cllr Gordon – Cllr Gordon attended the appeal for 155 Springvale Road. He drew particular attention to the traffic information presented in relation to the application.
He commented that the Parish Council should be aware of the traffic assessments and implications made by WCC when considering applications.
Cllr White – School Governor’s Report – Cllr White sent apologies.
PC/09/05 Public Question Time
The Parish Council was asked by Mrs C Smith, a Governor at Kings Worthy Primary School, to discuss the proposal of a path across Eversley Park from the car park to the footpath alongside the school. The Clerk had circulated an email she had sent to the Parish Council on the matter.
It was discussed that the Parish Council had undertaken extensive consultation on the matter, via newsletters, letters to parents of Kings Worthy Primary School and a survey at the school. The result of those consultations had not shown an overwhelming demand for the proposed path. The Council voted to reject the proposal of a new path.
Instead, taking into consideration the recommendation made by the R&A Committee, members voted in favour of widening the existing path that runs along the top of the Park, by the conifer hedge, and running a path from the car park to access it.
Members’ considerations included:
- Lack of overwhelming demand.
- The path proposed runs along the top of a slope and could be hazardous for users with prams, small children and wheelchair users.
- There is an existing path that could be widened, and an access path from the car park added.
- It is not aesthetically pleasing in that it cuts the Park visually in half.
- The on-going maintenance of the path would have to be borne by the Parish Council.
- There is no evidence that people would regard it as the shortest route and therefore they would not use it. People tend to take the most direct route regardless of a path.
Mrs Smith and another member of the public expressed their disappointment at the decision. The Parish Council asked that Mrs Smith take the proposal back to the school governors, and the Clerk will write to her outlining the decision in time for their next meeting.
PC/09/06 To receive the Minutes of the Sub-Committees:
The Minutes of the following Committees were received and discussed.
Finance Committee – 10th December 2008
The Minutes from the meetings were presented by Cllr Cox, Chairman of the Committee.
(F/08/99) Identity Badges – The badges have been received and labels are to be placed on the back of them with the Parish Council details.
(F/08/113) It was proposed and agreed that an investment of £100,000 should be invested in the Money Market for five weeks, subject to review of the accounts by the RFOs.
14th January 2009
(F/09/05) Budget Considerations 2009 -2010
Members agreed the Budget and Precept – see PC/09/07
(F/09/06) It was proposed and agreed that an investment of £100,000 should be invested in the Money Market for one month, subject to review of the accounts by the RFOs. It was noted that the Interest rate has fallen substantially to 1.29% for the last investment and 0.69% for this investment.
Audit Commission Conclusion – The accounts for 2007 – 2008 have been concluded and approved. Notices have been displayed advising that documents are available for viewing. There had been two comments on the report: to raise the fidelity cover and to add purchase dates and amounts to the asset register. The Clerk is to actioned the comments.
Planning Committee – 26th November 2008
The Minutes from the meetings were presented by Cllr Gordon, Chairman of the Planning Committee.
(P/08/101) Environmental issues – Cllr James commented that including environmental matters in the Newsletter must be relevant to Kings Worthy as it is to inform residents of Kings Worthy matters.
Recreations & Amenities Committee – 12th November 2008
The minutes from the meeting were presented by Cllr Sign, Chairman of the R&A Committee.
(RA/08/108) Eversley Park Tree Planting – Cllr Sign congratulated Mrs Smith on the tree planting and commented that they look very good.
(RA/09/06) Equipment for the over 60s – A meeting to discuss the tender is being held on Wednesday, 21st January 2009.
(RA/09/07) Web-site – Cllr James explained how the RSS (Really Simple Syndication) worked. People who opt to use RSS from the Web-site will be alerted automatically if new information has been added. This acts as a form of advert for the Web-site, and can increase ‘footfall’ to the site.
Recommendations contained within all the Minutes were agreed and are subject to follow up checks by Councillors and Clerks
PC/09/07 Agree Budget & Precept Recommendations for 2009 - 2010
Cllr Cox presented the Budget for approval. The Parish Council ratified the recommendations and agreed to set the Budget at £117,710, and to a Precept from Winchester City Council of £107,490.
PC/09/08 Chairman’s announcements
Annual Parish Meeting (APM) on the 11th May 09 – Cllr Warrener would like the Chairmen of each sub-committee to present a report stating what each committee had done.
APM Speaker – The Clerk asked members to consider who could be invited as a speaker for the APM and to email the office with suggestions, with a named person if possible.
Carols on the Green – Cllr Warrener commented that a date of Friday, 18th December 2009 had been suggested. Councillors agreed that it was now primarily run by St Mary’s Church and the Parish Council has minimal involvement.
It was proposed and agreed that the Council would continue to support the event and assist if requested.
Cycling provision in schools – Cllr Warrener commented that he was uncertain as to whether Kings Worthy Primary School were supporting the cycling proficiency scheme and asked for Mrs Smith, School Governor, if she would follow that up.
PC/09/09 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/09/10 Any other notices
None
PC/09/11 Date of Next Meeting
Date: 16th February 2009
Venue: Kings Worthy Community Centre
Time: 7.30 pm
Meeting closed at 9.10 pm |
