DRAFT	New Alresford Town Council Meeting of Town Council Held at the Arlebury Park 7.30pm Thursday 20^th August, 2009	08TC
Present	Cllrs. Middleton (Chair), Cattle, Evans, Gentry, B .Jeffs, Luckham, Mansfield, Phillips, Power, Read, Yeldham
Attendance	County Cllr. J. Porter, City Cllr. S. Cook, City Cllr. E. Jeffs,
Apologises	None
831	Declarations of Interest on Agenda Items - None
832	Minutes of the meeting held on 9^th July, 2009 Resolution: To approve the Minutes of 9^th July, 2009 as true and accurate. Proposed: Cllr. Power Seconded: Cllr. Mansfield (AGREED)
833	Actions Carried Forward from 9^th July, 2009 - Awaiting completion.
834	District and County Councillor’s Report - Written Reports Cllr. Porter stated that PFI were the street lighting contractors and that the lighting would be kept to a minimum for Greening purposes. Drainage sites for clearance to be reported by Monday 24^th August. A meeting was being held on 8^th September in respect of the activities taking place in the A31 Park Lodge lay-by. Cllr. Porter informed the Council that she had a £10k small grants budget. It was reported that the new car park would be free for the first week. A meeting in respect of using Stratton Bates for pre-school children was to be scheduled. Cllr. E. Jeffs reported that he was part of a group reviewing WCC servicing to ascertain whether it could be streamlined for the next financial year. It was expected that the City would get between 80% - 90% of their investment back from the Icelandic Bank. Soundproof bottle banks at the station had proven to be successful Cllr. S. Cook reported that there was retrospective planning under consideration in respect of the traveller’s site and that the case would be heard on compassionate grounds. Cllr. Cook would be putting in an objection. It was anticipated that it would be recommended to refuse next years Matterley Bowl application. There were new restrictive road and parking conditions which could affect the Alresford Show. It was anticipated that this could be overcome in time for the show.
835	(meeting adjourned) Public Participation David Goodman - Stated that the gully problems encountered in Alresford was due to poor maintenance and that an identification procedure should be adopted to inspect and measure the drains. Cllr. Porter was asked that HCC clean the streets more regularly. It was felt that a dedicated Alresford lengths-man would alleviate these problems. Cllr. Porter to try to arrange that Alresford had a lengths-man for a few days each month. (meeting reconvened)	JP
836	Finance
836.1	Payments Resolution: To approve payments for July 2009 of £40, 032.25. Proposed: Cllr. B. Jeffs Seconded: Cllr. Power (AGREED) Cllr. Gentry informed the Council that the payment list included a payment to him of £39.99 in respect of bowser repairs. (APPROVED)
836.2	Audit Commission - Council was informed that the 06/07 accounts remained outstanding due to the complainant’s continued dissatisfaction. The Audit Commission had stated that they required no more correspondence. Resolution: To write a letter to the Audit Commission stating that if no decision was forthcoming by 31^st October NATC would make a formal complaint against the Audit Commission for it’s lethargy in this matter. Proposed: Cllr. Gentry Seconded: Cllr. Cattle (AGREED) The same complainant had written to the Audit Commission complaining of the 08/09 accounts and the Audit Commission had forwarded the letter to the Clerk requesting that she respond. A draft response was put to Council for approval. Resolution: To approve the text of the formal response to the 08/09 complainant. Proposed: Cllr. Gentry Seconded: Cllr. B.Jeffs (AGREED)	SKx2
836.3	Budget 09/10 The outstanding Audit Commission fees covering a 3 year period amounted to £9,100. £5k related to basic charges with the 06/07 complaint incurring an additional cost of £3.5k and the 08/09 complaint commencing with an additional cost of £1k. If the complainant pursued the 08/09 complaint with the same vigour as the 06/07 issues this sum must be expected to increase. These costs could leave an exposure to this year’s budget. The budget will require a complete review and it is perceived that savings for the Audit Commission fees will be found within the significant grants allocations. Should it prove to be necessary all significant grants will be held in abeyance and reconsidered for the 10/11 budget and Council grants will be restricted to the small, less than £1k, grant resources. Providing all Committees come in on budget it is felt that the Audit Commission costs will be covered from the significant Grant funds.	RG
836.3	Grants Resolution: To approve the Victim Support a grant of £250. Proposed: Cllr.B.Jeffs: Seconded: Cllr.Cattle (AGREED)	SB
837	A31 Lay-by Council discussed the A31 anti-social activities and it was considered that the closure of the lay-by or the clearance of the site should be considered. It was felt that this had become a public safety issue. Cllr. Middleton to attend the meeting on 8^th September in respect of this matter.	SM
838	Community Centre Disabled Bay This matter was passed to the Environment Committee to discuss and come back to Full Council with a solution for ratification.	BG
839	Committee Reports
839.1	Planning It was reported that the Planning Committee would make an objection to the Travellers Rest.
839.1.1	Horse & Groom Licensing Hours. Resolution: For NATC to make and objection to the Horse & Groom Licence application for extended hours in support of both the local resident and police objections. Proposed: Cllr. B. Jeffs Seconded: Cllr. Middleton (AGREED)	SK
839.2	Tourism It was reported that the bowser had been repaired. The Committee felt that in light of the number of Bowser breakdowns this item of equipment must be reviewed.	MP
839.3	Recreation Resolution: To reject Barratt’s minimal repair offered in respect of the unfinished Stratton Bates Car Park and request that the wearing course be laid in order that the area is completed to an acceptable standard. Proposed: Cllr. Middleton. Seconded: Cllr. Phillips (AGREED)	SK
840	Outside Bodies
840.1	Town Trust Matters to be discussed at the September meeting	RG
840.2	Climate Change General seminar to be held by the group. Where it was applicable the Planning Committee would review applications against Greening Campaign criteria. It was pointed out that these issues went beyond the remit of the Planning Committee. Council agreed that the Greening Campaign could give a 10 minute presentation at the September meeting.	SK
840.3	Town Partnership It was reported that the Partnership AGM was to be held on 21^st September.
841	Time Sensitive Items
841.1	Resolution: To approve the Rotary request to use Arlebury Park to hold the Bonfire Party on the 5^th November. Proposed: Cllr. Luckham Seconded: Cllr. Cattle (AGREED) The Rotary to supply all relevant documentation prior to the event.	SK
842.2	Resolution: To approve the purchase of folding tables for the ARC at a cost of approximately £1,400. Proposed: Cllr. Luckham Seconded: Cllr. Phillips (AGREED)	SB
843	Next Meeting: To be held at 7.30pm on Thursday, 10^th September at Arlebury Park. Meeting Closed at 8.40pm
	Chairman’s Signature…………………………………….Date…………………….