New Alresford Town Council

Meeting of Environment Committee

Held at Arlebury Park

7.30pm Wednesday 10^th September 2008

Present: Cllr Cattle (Chair), Cllr Gentry, Cllr Middleton, Cllr B Jeffs,

Cllr Mansfield, Cllr M Phillips

Apologies: Cllr Yeldham

In Attendance:

Press: Mrs M Gould – Alton Herald

Public: Mr and Mrs B Shannon

Mr and Mrs D Smith

WCC Cllr E Jeffs

Minutes: Mrs B Gray NATC Assist Clerk

Item		Action
96	1 Apologies for Absence Cllr Yeldham
97	2 Declaration of Interest on Agenda Items None
98	3 Minutes of the Meeting held 16th July 2008 Proposed: Cllr B Jeffs Seconded: Cllr B Mansfield (Agreed)
99	4 Public Participation Cllr Cattle advised that item 7 HCC Plan Salisbury Rd to be discussed first to accommodate public attendance Cllr Cattle advised that this has been ongoing for 4 years. Cllr Porter attended a meeting held at NATC and the outcome was the receipt of the plan from HCC tabled. Mr and Mrs Shannon and Mr and Mrs Smith both residents of Salisbury Road had attended as a result of the NATC article in the Forum The residents outlined their queries/observations as follows; · what problem was this plan addressing? Cllr Cattle. The footpath behind the trees. HCC had previously said that the trees would have to come down. NATC not in agreement. Cllr Gentry advised it was the residents of Salisbury Rd bringing up the need for something to be done · the tree outside number 12 was opposite vehicular access and the change would reduce this access · Salisbury Rd was quiet road – people could walk in the road Cllr Cattle. This would be an issue for wheelchair/buggy users · Make the road a combined pedestrian and vehicle Cllr Gentry said there had been a number of complaints. However the concept of shared space could be used as an experiment in this location. Cllr Gentry stressed that these ideas had been expressed but we would need to know if it was acceptable with the residents. · Inability to walk on the pavement due to cars parking on pavement · Survey said 60% want to keep the trees Cllr Gentry Alternative is to take kerbs out and level road so no defined space. When drivers unsure of boundaries they slow down · Drawing incorrect in areas Cllr Cattle advised this is the first plan received from Mr Wilson HCC and if plan not taken on board he has concerns that nothing will be done. Pavements are in a poor state and it could involve the unilateral removal of the trees. Cllr Middleton suggested check the accuracy of plan/road Cllr Cattle proposed a site visit to check the plan, emphasized the need to safeguard the trees and people using road. Proposed: Cllr Jeffs Seconded: Cllr Phillips (Agreed) · suggested blocking one end of Salisbury Rd Cllr Phillips pointed out this would have an effect on the already increased traffic on Grange Rd. · pedestrian use only Cllr Cattle advised that HCC would say no it would be too dangerous Cllr Gentry suggested that the public in attendance write to Cllr J Porter who is leading this item with their concerns Cllr Cattle thanked the members of the public for their attendance No further public participation.	Cllr Cattle
100 100.1 100.2 100.3 100.4 100.5	5 Correspondence 5.1 2 x Parking in Alresford 1 Mrs Newington suggests additional parking top of Benenden Green and Oak Hill – Item was discussed and felt a roundabout at this triple junction be considered. Clerk to contact HCC Neil Broadbent 2 Mrs Norgrove expressing need for additional disabled parking spaces. Item was discussed Cllr Gentry suggested 2 at the West St end of Station Rd. Cllr Cattle to look at location 5.2 4 x Forum Article Bus Stops 4 against moving the stop from current location Cllr Gentry reminded the meeting that the article was about erecting a bus shelter which would mean moving the stop Cllr Cattle advised bus stop to stay in present location without a shelter 5.3 6 x Forum Article re Allotments – Sun Hill 5 against 1 in support Cllr Cattle Need to look at practicalities of allotments at bottom of Sun Hill. Costs prevent from any work at this stage. Suggestions from public for possible location was the ground between the by pass and Tichborne Down it was pointed out that this land belongs to HCC Cllr Jeffs advised of a site by the 100 acre field and the land with the derelict barn. This area owned by Pearsons. Cllr Cattle identified land owned by Lloyd George in Haig Rd area Cllr Middleton advised that the land at Sun Hill recreation site when made in early 70’s had only 3-4 inches of soil on top of chalk Cllr Gentry also pointed out that the south end of the field was very shady Cllr Cattle reminded that a car park would also be required. Cllr Middleton advised that fencing, gate and lock would be needed. Resolution To follow up other suggestions made for possible new site. Proposed: Cllr Jeffs Seconded Cllr Phillips (Agreed) 5.4 Bus Stop Bench at Stratton Bates Cllr Mansfield advised resident in area complained the seat that is now located in the playground is too far for the users to catch the bus. Item was discussed and it was suggested that a new bench be placed in the location adjacent to the litter bin Cllr Middleton suggested nearer to the alleyway. Resolution to erect a bench for Bus Stop at Stratton Bates Proposed Cllr Mansfield Seconded Cllr Jeffs (Agreed) Cllr Cattle to view location. Clerk to investigate cost Cllr Gentry made a Point of Order that this item should have been published as an agenda item and not included in correspondence. Clerk noted and apologised to committee 5.5 1 x Footpath west side bridge Sun Lane Cllr Gentry advised that residents had rejected more spaces for parking in East Street in the past. Cllr Phillips suggested reviewing after Perins parking was in place to see what difference it made. Cllr Jeffs suggested do a review then. Cllr Middleton advised on Sun Lane 1 Footpath is quite wide 2 Bowling Club island built out. Cllr Gentry advised Ropley side of bridge 1 metre wide grass verge with a 1metre footpath on the Alresford side of bridge. HCC have agreed in principle to fund it. Cllr Cattle advised that HCC Neil Broadbent has agreed to look at grading in the road at the bottom end of Sun Lane and East St.	Clerk Cllr Cattle Cllr Cattle Cllr Cattle/Clerk
101	6 Allotments Cllr Cattle advised that discussions in item 5 allotments had covered possible new sites. Cllr Cattle updated · awaiting estimate for the water on Spring Gardens site · waiting list now stands at 24 Proposal gone to NATC for clearance of middle brook at Spring Gardens
102	7 HCC Plan Salisbury Rd Item discussed under Item 4
103	8 Chairman’s summary Cllr Cattle referred to email received by Cllr Phillips from Mr and Mrs Bond of The Soke regarding the Road Safety in the Soke. Discussion followed some suggestions/observations put forward; · If the road narrows it makes it more dangerous · Give way or stop signs · 20mph restriction on that stretch · mini roundabouts. · build outs in Broad St · 2 stop signs and painted lines Cllr Gentry said NATC need to prepare a submission via Cllr Jackie Porter as HCC representative with a well argued and reasonable case to be debated with NATT, Alresford Society and Town Partnership Resolution Prepare a plan to improve The Soke Bridge in conjunction with Town Partnership and Alresford Society and to inform Town Trustees Proposed by Cllr Gentry Seconded by Cllr Jeffs (Agreed)	Cllr Cattle and Cllr Phillips
104	9 Finance 9.1 Setting the Budget for 2009/2010 Precept Finance paper tabled and discussed Resolution move cost of bench for Stratton Bates and cost of Dog Bins from Bus shelter fund Proposed Cllr Cattle Seconded Cllr Gentry (Agreed) Cllr Gentry advised that Lighting was an item on the Town Council agenda to consider the lighting to be sub standard and for HCC to upgrade and maintain. Cllr Middleton suggested looking at CSI lighting scheme where a grant had previously been obtained for Makin’s Court and Jacklyns Lane. Clerk to check grant Cllr Cattle Chair of Environment agreed would support this at NATC meeting	Clerk Cllr Cattle
	The meeting closed at 9pm Next Meeting Wednesday 12^th November 2008