New Alresford Town Council

Meeting of Town Council

Held at the Arlebury Park

                                              7.30pm Thursday 9th July, 2009                                   7TC

                                                                                                                                                                                      

Present:                  Cllr. Middleton, Gentry, Yeldham, B Jeffs, Power, Mansfield

In Attendance:            0

Apologies:            Cllr.  Cattle, Evans, Mansfield, Read, City Cllr. Cook, E. Jeffs, County Cllr. Porter

Press:                     0

820

 

 

821

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825

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Declarations of Interest on Agenda Items - Cllr. Gentry declared a non prejudicial interest in the Watercress Festival resolutions (Item 827.3.1 and 2)

 

Minutes of the meeting held on 11th June, 2009

Resolution: To approve minutes of 11th June, 2009 as a true and accurate record

Proposed: Cllr. Power Seconded Cllr. Yeldham (AGREED)

 

District and County Councillor’s Report - Written reports forwarded no members in attendance.

 

Police Report

44 crimes were reported the most significant being a serious road accident at the by-pass.  The meeting was informed that the Police were mounting an anti-social behaviour campaign within Alresford. It was stressed that policing in Alresford was driven by the community and they were reliant upon the community keeping them up-to date and aware.  It was announced that on the 13th August at Alresford Recreation Park the Police were organising a barbeque for youths.

It was felt that police patrolling the area on a cycle was a good initiative this together with the PCSO’s were considered to be the right level of community policing required in Alresford.  When asked to what extent the Police interacted with Schools, it was reported that the PCSO’s  were very interactive but that the school took responsibility for any misdemeanours.

 

Public Participation  (meeting adjourned)

Mr. Gould asked the Council to considered better signage for the ARC.

NATC thank Mr. Gould and informed him this matter was on the Agenda and was to be given full consideration later in the meeting.

Mr. Sanger stated that the footpaths in the town were in a dangerous state of disrepair.  Cones still remained uncollected from road repairs and that signage throughout the town was unreadable due to foliage and dirt.

NATC would inform the proper authorities to carry out the necessary clearance.  With regard to the road repairs it was felt that the site clearance was yet to be completed and it was anticipated that the cones would be removed.  The following locations were identified as needing immediate review:  The exit from Station approach, the footpath from Station Road to Jacklyns Lane and Drove Lane.

The Council were unaware as to whether they would be allocated length men and also informed the meeting that ‘AMY’ were contacted to carry out highway repairs and that they had identified a funding problem. 

(meeting reconvened)

 

Finance 

Resolution: To approve payments for June , 2009 (£37,578.88)

Proposed: Cllr. Power  Seconded: Cllr. Gentry (AGREED)

End of Year draft figures   It was reported that the ARC 1st quarter had broken-even and this financial position had surpassed the predicted budget.

 

Hampshire County Council Initiatives                             

Resolution: For NATC to agree the following initiatives be given priority by HCC.               

1.       Traffic management possibilities for The Soke Bridge.

2.       The provision of the 'link footpath' from the new Perins footpath to connect with Grange Road/Stratton Bates.

3.       The provision of a footpath across Sun Lane railway bridge as part of the safer routes to schools

4.       Improved pedestrian access to the station car park from both Station Approach and Station Road

5.       Funding of the West Street improvement under the Putting Pedestrians First initiative.

6.       Explore safer ways to cross West Street and implement them.

7.       The provision of a mini-roundabout at the junction of West Street/Jacklyns Lane/Pound Hill/The Dean

8.       The provision of a Cycle Path/Disability Route along the south side of The Avenue to the railway bridge over Winchester Road.

9.       The unblocking and ongoing clearing of road gullies throughout the town. 

10.    Ensure that road surfaces replaced on the A31 is the quieter type.

Proposed: Cllr. Power   Seconded; Cllr. Gentry (AGREED)

Committee Reports

Recreation Committee

Resolution: To delegate to the Clerk the responsibility, on a discretional basis, to approve Barbeques at Alresford Recreation Park.  Proposed: Cllr. Yeldham  Seconded: Cllr. Gentry (AGREED)

Resolution: To provided a permeable paved barbeque area at Alresford Recreation Park.

Proposed: Cllr. Mansfield  Seconded: Cllr. Power (AGREED)

Resolution: To weed and feed playing areas and a margin of about 2 metres, and to feed only the remainder at Alresford Recreation Park and Bates play areas at a cost of approx. £1,200

Proposed: Cllr. Power  Seconded: Cllr. Jeffs (AGREED)

Resolution: To purchase and install two picnic tables by the Petanque Terrain located at Arlebury Park cost (£399 per table exc. Installation cost).  Money to be taken from Open Spaces Play.

Proposed: Cllr. Yeldham  Seconded: Cllr. Power (AGREED)

Resolution: To purchase 2 rubbish bins one to be sited at Sun Hill and the second by the picnic tables at Alresford Recreation Park.  Proposed: Cllr. Yeldham  Seconded: Cllr. Power (AGREED)

Stratton Bates Pavilion

Uses of the building. 

Council were informed that there was a predicted increase in pre-school numbers and that new legislation would result in the need for extended hours.  Added to which Council had received a verbal enquiry from a local play group to inspect Stratton Bates Pavilion with a view to using the premises for a pre-school.  The Council were informed that there were funding opportunities for community buildings. 

Resolution:  To investigate the revenue stream  for pre-school facilities with a view to using Stratton Bates as a pre-school facility in conjunction with other community uses.  Proposed: Cllr. Gentry  Seconded: Cllr. Power (AGREED)

Repairs to the building. Builders’ reluctance to carry out low cost repairs resulted in the guttering on the pavilion becoming hazardous and extreme weather conditions dictated the immediate removal of dangerous guttering for public safety.  Cllr. Middleton was asked as an emergency measure to remove the hazardous section of the guttering.    To ensure that this situation does not arise in the future Council considered that a maintenance contractor be retained to carry out all low level maintenance. The Clerk to have the discretion of what work is given to the contractor.  

Resolution: To ratify the emergency removal of the guttering to the north of the Stratton Bates Pavilion by Middleton Builders.

Resolution: To retain the services of a handyman/small builder to carry out low level maintenance works on Council property at the discretion of the Clerk.

The Council further reviewed the Stratton Bates Pavilion resolutions forwarded by the Recreation Committee to full council for ratification and felt that the recommended works should be minimised to basic maintenance until a project specification and funding had been agreed and proposed the following amended resolutions:-

Resolution: To replace only broken panes of window glass.

Resolution: To only grind down doors and to repair or, if necessary, replace all shutter locks.

Resolution: To repair guttering

Resolutions (827.1.7.1/2/3/4/5)

Proposed:  Cllr. B. Jeffs   Seconded: Cllr. Gentry (AGREED)

Environment Committee                                                                                                 

Street lighting

Resolution: For 3 additional street lights 2 to be located in Ashburton Road and 1 in Mill Hill at a cost of no more than £2000 subject to the following:

1.       HCC agree to take over the additional 11 lights on completion of the work

2.       The work to be done in the second quarter of 2010 unless suitable funding can be found from the 2009/10 budget.

Proposed: Cllr. Gentry Seconded: Cllr. Middleton (AGREED)

Road access to Stratton Bates                                                                                          

Resolution:  To drop the kerbed stones and provide a ramp in Ashburton Road to give access onto Stratton Bates Recreation Ground at a cost of £800.                  If required a padlocked bar to secure access.

Proposed: Cllr. B. Jeffs  Seconded: Cllr. Yeldham (AGREED)

Tourism Committee 

Resolution: To support a grant for £2,500 from the Watercress Festival for 2010, subject to the 2010/2011 precept being accepted.  Proposed: Cllr. B. Jeffs  Seconded: Cllr. Yeldham (AGREED)

Resolution: To agree that the 2010 Watercress Festival charge for the use of Festival day parking at Stratton Bates is waived subject to the condition that the Festival pays for any necessary repairs to the ground up to the value of £500.  Proposed: Cllr. Power  Seconded: Cllr. Middlton (AGREED)

Planning Committee

LDF Core Strategy

Resolution:  To approve the NATC response to the WCC Core Strategy.

Proposed: Cllr. Power  Seconded: Cllr. Gentry (AGREED)

Alresford Recreation Centre 

Resolution:  For Business accounts to be opened in the name of NATC for ARC purchases at the discretion of the Clerk and the Chair of Finance.  Proposed: Cllr. B. Jeffs.  Seconded: Cllr. M. Power (AGREED)

Resolution:  For a separate website to be designed for the ARC.

Proposed: Cllr. B. Jeffs.  Seconded: Cllr. Power (AGREED)

Resolution:  To approve external signage for the upper front section of the Alresford Recreation Park facility to read “ARC - ALRESFORD RECREATION CENTRE” at a cost of £2,000.

Proposed: Cllr. Middleton  Seconded: Cllr. Gentry (AGREED)

 

Reports from Outside Bodies

Perins - No meeting                                                                                                                           

Town Trust  An opening had been arranged in respect of the completed minibus garage.  It was noted that the Chair of NATC had not received a formal invitation to this opening.

Alresford Society Had approved the NATC response to the WCC LDF document

Town Partnership Had erected a plaque commemorating John Arlott and the ARC had provided the venue and staff for the buffet as well as catering for the  celebration tea.  The ARC was congratulated on the premises, presentation and staff.

Climate Change

Resolution:  To nominate Cllr. B. Jeffs as the NATC representative on Climate Change Committees.

Proposed: Cllr. Gentry  Seconded: Cllr. Middleton (AGREED)

 

Date of Next Meeting and Agenda Items

 7.30 Thursday 10th September, 2009 at Town Offices, Upper Meeting Room, Arlebury Park.

Items for September Meeting:- Stratton Bates Pavilion Update

                                                          Revised Grant Form

                                                           Greening Campaign.    

 

 

                                                 The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.00pm.

 

 

 

 

 

Chairman’s Signature…………………………………….Date…………………….

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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