Draft	NEW ALRESFORD TOWN COUNCIL Environment Committee Minutes of meeting Wednesday, 26 October 2011 at Arlebury Park, Upper Meeting Room	Page 31
Present: Minutes	Cllrs. J Cattle (Chair), N Carpenter, R Gentry, S McCullouch County Cllr: Jackie Porter 4 members of the public Mrs. L Mellish NATC Assistant Clerk
Apologies:	None
Membership	Cllrs:- J Cattle, N Carpenter, R Gentry, B Jeffs, S McCullouch and Mr J Cranfield (Greening Campaign representative)
234	Declaration of Interests – None
235	Minutes of Meeting held on 20 April 2011 Resolution: To approve minutes of 20 July 2011as a true and accurate record Proposed: Cllr McCullouch Seconded: Cllr. Gentry (AGREED)
236	Meeting Closed for public participation · Attention drawn to drain covers that have lifted – outside the Old Fire Station and 3-5 The Soke. Also stormwater drain blocked halfway up Broad Street. Cllr Porter advised that these were done about 3 weeks ago but one could have been missed if a vehicle was parked over it. Drains are cleaned annually by Amey under contract to HCC. A coloured dot is sprayed on when done. Clerk to report. · Attention also drawn to the ‘Slow’ signage either side of The Soke bridge which is worn. Clerk to report. · Mr Atkins asked to what extent the bridge structure, which is an ancient monument, is kept maintained as if not kept in reasonable repair there will be eventual collapse. The Town Trust has cleared the bank which had a lot of ivy. · Mr Jefford confirmed he has no objection to his report being circulated – acknowledgement that it is Mr Jefford’s report to be incorporated. · Cllr Jackie Porter has spoken to Mrs Perry who has experienced problems due to work done by HCC. Noted that the bridge has a loose brick. · Mr Atkins commended Cllr Carpenter on the work put into the car parking project. · Suggestion that ARC building ideal for producing energy – confirmed that Town Clerk is contacting various providers for the Facilities Committee to consider although it is unlikely NATC would qualify for grants. · A Broad Street resident stated that the majority of Broad Street is residential with a number of people with no parking facilities. Situation for residents has changed and is different now to 30 years ago. The parking warden sometimes arrives at 8.30 which means it is residents, not shoppers, getting tickets. Residents can currently only park legally for 6 hours a day with the 2 hour limit, then 2 hours before return. Meeting reconvened.	Clerk Clerk
237	Section 106 Projects
237.1	West Street Project – Disappointment expressed with the lack of support from the Alresford Society. Project started by them several years ago, at which time was just to be replacement of railings. The project has now grown to include both sides of West Street and the Jacklyns Lane junction. Due to their lethargy in moving the project forward considered that NATC need to take the initiative and take the project over. Cllr Jackie Porter advised illustrations and sketches needed by HCC have to date not been forthcoming from the Alresford Society. Letter to Alresford Society requesting information be submitted to HCC by 31 December in order for them to retain the initiative on this project.	Clerk
238	Lighting – HCC have confirmed that work is completed. Contractor has been asked to ensure his inventory is updated and that all existing columns on the relevant roads are transferred over to HCC ownership. Four lights are retained by NATC as HCC do not take on single lights. The project is therefore now completed.
239	Grit Bins – Cllr Cattle has checked all grit bins. They all contain grit and all have had signs inserted under the lid plus a unique number for use when reporting defects.
240	Highway Maintenance
240.1	New Farm Road and Operation Resilience – No date yet for commencement of works, it is not in the October programme. Cllr Jackie Porter will advise when she knows more.
240.2	Salisbury Road Footway Works – Request for Feedback The work done very good. If no complaints received from The Forum article then HCC will go ahead with the rest of the road.
240.3	Perin’s School, Jacklyn’s Lane Exit – The lineage was not reinstated when re-tarmacing. HCC to be asked to insert ‘Give Way’ road markings and ‘Slow Children’ signage. Proposed: Cllr Carpenter Seconded: Cllr Cattle Agreed
241	Traffic and Car Parking Work Party Report Cllr Carpenter stated her disappointed that her previous report was discussed at a Town Council meeting she was unable to attend. Currently waiting for feedback from WCC’s Richard Hein. Considered that a good representation of people had been included, although East Street was missing. Any decisions made by NATC have to be agreed by WCC and HCC. Compromises reached with WCC and Town Trust on Thursday parking. When market absent or finished parking to be permitted so long as it is safe to do so. Wardens to be informed. Richard Hein will produce wording for signage. For Arlebury Park proposed permit scheme for businesses. Noted that for this to be managed a Road Traffic Order will be required and care to ensure that all spaces set aside for permit users are taken up. The remainder of Arlebury Park to be metered with one hour free. Many residents in favour of permit parking in certain areas, e.g The Dean which isn’t a retail area. Cllr Carpenter requested that WCC be asked to poll residents of The Dean and roads off, East Street, Broad Street, Haig Road, Sun Lane, The Soke and Mill Hill regarding their views. Cllr Gentry felt that as there are others with an interest the whole town should be consulted. . Cllr Porter advised that WCC have a clear precedent for consultation. Consultation letters are sent by Neville Crisp and the affected area will be decided by him.	Page 32
242	Allotments Update – Currently 37 people are on the waiting list with no vacant plots. The long awaited plan to enable new rent calculations has not materialised, it is necessary therefore to get a plan professionally drawn up. Resolution: That at a cost not exceeding £250.00, a new plan be professionally produced to enable accurate calculation of plot areas and for office purposes/future rental calculation. Proposed: Cllr Gentry Seconded: Cllr McCullouch Agreed
243	Way Forward For The Soke Cllr Porter has been in contact with HCC’s Director of Environment re water seeping into Mrs Perry’s property after works were done on drainage in Mill Hill. There are now missing bricks plus the bridge is showing signs of crumbling rendering the situation critical. Both strengthening and the drainage need looking at. Although the bridge is in Mrs Perry’s garden, the road goes over the bridge making it the responsibility of HCC. Cllr Gentry noted that the emphasis has changed over the last 18 months. Previously focus had been on pedestrian safety but it is the physical problems that are now highlighted. As the bridge is designated an “ancient monument” English Heritage need to be actively involved and their help to be enlisted. Needs HCC investigation as a matter of urgency and placement on the ‘at risk’ list. NATC and Cllr Porter to contact HCC.	Clerk JP
244	Pinglestone Road - Now at no. 30 on the list (up 4 on a year ago). Likely to still be a five to six year wait.
245	Proposed Owl Sculpture for Tree Stumps in Jacklyns Lane – request turned down by HCC as both trees suffering from root and butt decay.
246 246.1 246.2	Finance: The figures on the Finance Report noted. Committee Budget 2012/13 (Precept) – maintenance of SLR – up to £800. £300 budget for 4 lights remaining in NATC (HCC will only take over groups of 3 plus).
247 247.1	Other Business · Cllr McCullouch queried lack of car park lighting – to be passed to Facilities Committee · Cllr Carpenter updated the meeting on works at the Drove Lane fish lakes
248	Next Meeting:- To be held 7.30 pm, 18 January 2012
	Meeting Closed 9.00pm
	Chairman’s signature................................................................................ Date........................................	Page 32