Draft

          NEW ALRESFORD TOWN COUNCIL

                      Environment Committee

                           Minutes of meeting Wednesday 15 September, 2010

                                              at Arlebury Park Upper Meeting Room

Page 24

Present:

Minutes

Cllrs. Cattle, Gentry, Mansfield      Mrs C Swann (Greening Campaign representative)

Mrs L Mellish     NATC Assistant Clerk

 

Apologies:

Cllrs. Jeffs, Phillips, Yeldham

 

Membership

Cllrs:- Cattle, Gentry Jeffs, Mansfield, Phillips, Yeldham, Mrs C Swann (Greening Campaign representative)

 

182

Declaration of Interests - None

 

183

Minutes of Meeting held on 26 May, 2010

Resolution: To approve minutes of 26 May 2010 as a true and accurate record

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

 

184

Meeting Closed.

Public Participation Mrs Swann commented on the following items: Stratton Bates hedge, urged Council to take into account the conservation comments.  Cllr Cattle:  This item is being pursued through the full Council.  Mrs Swann: WinACC energy report, would like to see it considered, especially in regard to roof insulation of the building.  Cllr Gentry:  Considered the report to be poor, the Council had hoped to see more positive advice rather than a repeat of that already known.  Mrs Swann:  Greening Campaign - holding an Extraordinary Meeting as despite a large list of supporters, there are not enough people willing to participate actively.  Meeting reconvened.

 

185

Section 106 – West Street Projects  Cllr Gentry talked through the history and gave an update.  The Section 106 payment made by the developer is split into two parts, one being the open spaces levy and the other a highways contribution, which whilst intended to improve highways in the immediate vicinity was not the case as HCC allocated monies into a general pot.  This has now changed and money now has to be levied against specific developments.  There were no levies between April 2008 and April 2010 when the matter was raised, highways improvement list has now been put together and approved.  Cllr Gentry said that at a meeting with HCC and WCC it was agreed that levies would now be put in place.  However, since then there have not been any significant planning approvals in Alresford. The railway cutting does not have a general Section 106, they have a specific agreement as they are required to improve the road.  The first test is likely to be the Linden Homes development.  The West Street Project can be linked in as part of the agreement was that the levy could be applied to general town improvements.  The West Street Project did have a promise from WCC for £20,000 split over two years but after the elections the new administration refused to consider the contribution or to offer any help to the project but it has now been agreed that new Section 106 levies can be applied against the West Street Project and there is £15,000 left over from the SEEDA grant.   Final touches to the Perins car park and footpath will take £5,000, possibly the remaining £10,000 can go towards the West Street Project.  As SEEDA is being wound up signed commitments must be in place for the money by the end of the year.

 

186

Lighting – All street lights will be replaced in the next five years to low energy types.  The proposed light in Mill Hill to be fixed to a building.  Cllr Gentry will be meeting with the owners but due to illness they are not able to take part in a meeting yet.

 

187

Highway Maintenance

 

187.1

 

Drainage  -  New Farm Road:  The gullies have now been cleared which has improved the flooding problems..  Prospect Road:  Still a problem with surface water.  Cllr Cattle had chased and been told this was a high priority.

 

187.2

Cutting Back of Roadsides – The cutting back has been started at Tichborne Down, waiting to hear when Sunhill will be done.

 

187.3

Jacklyns Lane/Cricketers Crossroads.  Resolution:  To recommend to Council that the provision of a roundabout/new layout be pursued at this location.  Proposed:  Cllr Mansbridge         Seconded:  Cllr Gentry    AGREED

 

188

Allotments Update – The Payback Team have done an excellent job strimming the new allotments and cutting back.  Shredding should be done on site.  Pete Bridges may be able to do this. New allotments have been strimmed, unable to rotavate as potential danger to machinery/operator and to the tunnels on the adjacent land.  New allotment holders can move on as soon as they have been marked out.

 

189

Cycle Racks.  Cllr Cattle recommended that new cycle rack be positioned in front of the library, in either the last bay before or the first after George Yard.    Resolution:  To order one set of three cycle racks and to request a quotation to install from Pete Bridges.   Proposed:  Cllr. Cattle  Seconded: Mrs Swann (AGREED)

LM

190

Finance:   Concern expressed re 62% cost increase for dog bin emptying.   Quotes from alternative companies to be sought.

LM

191

Next Meeting:- To be held  7.30 pm, 19 January 2011

 

 

Meeting Closed 8.25 pm

Page 24

 

 

 

Chairman’s signature................................................................................Date.............