New Alresford Town Council

Meeting of Town Council

Held at the Arlebury Park

7.30pm Thursday 13th September 2007

 

Present: Cllrs. Gentry, Middleton, Cattle, Read, Barbara Jeffs, Luckham, Yeldham, Power

In attendance: City Councilor Jackie Porter, District Councilor Ernie Geoff's

Public: eight

Press: 2

Apologises: Cllr. Phillips

 

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Statement from Cllr Mark Luckham: I have resigned as director of Arlebury Park Sports and Social Club when I discovered that NATC had acted illegally.

 

MINUTES OF THE LAST MEETING 9th August 2007

(Proposed: Steve Middleton, Seconded:  Margot power) AGREED

 

ACTIONS CARRIED FORWARD

Public Question ( Mr. N. Woodham :. Felt that there was an NATC minute qualifying the NATC commitment to the costs  with regards to the Steven’s case made during a 2004/2005 meeting.

Deferred at the July meeting).  Raised on 12th July and 2nd August 2005.  Item carried forward.  It was reported that the question had been raised in a confidential meeting; Cllr Yeldham will have a look back in his own records.  No further actions to be carried forward.

 

It was suggested that the Chairman was holding secret meetings.  It was explained that although one meeting had taken place this year where the public were not present this was conducted as an informational briefing meeting where all councilors were informed of issues relating to APSSC and the Arlebury Park facility.  No decisions, resolutions or actions were made at that meeting.  In general all NATC Committee meetings are open to the public with as few closed sessions as possible.  There have been no closed sessions this council year.

 

COUNTY AND CITY COUNCILLOR REPORTS

Dist Cllr Jackie Porter report attached

Dist Cllr Ernie Jeffs: The Local Development Framework is going ahead and there is to be a 10% increase of new build housing in the whole area.  Our immediate area has the lightest load but will also see an increase of 10%.  Barton Farm Reserve Site: There is a risk that these reserve sites may be triggered by the increase, however, it could be delayed until some time between 2011 and 2026.

Infrastructure: at the moment the government is playing down the need to improve infrastructure alongside the new developments. This includes; schools, doctor's surgery, parking, and other issues.

The Horse and Groom waste bins left on the island at the top of Broad Street. Now there is a fortnightly collection the regime between normal collection and recycled waste has changed. Also domestic and commercial waste collections are kept separate. The only way to exit the bins form the pub is through the bar. Therefore they are removed before business and don't get taken back into after close of business. It was suggested that the pub should remove their tables and chairs and put the bins there as the island is for disabled access and parking.

 

The meeting adjourned for

PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

Christine Morgan: reduction of the number 67 bus service will create hardship for people especially those using the service to access their homes in Jacklyns Lane.  Other villages on the route to Petersfield are also affected.

Dist Cllr Jackie Porter's response: the decision has already been made for the cut with a saving of only  £4,000 per year. She suggested arranging a meeting with all Parishes who wish to attend along the route together with Petersfield Town Council to come up with ideas for funding to reinstate this hourly service.  (write to all Parishes on route for contributions)

Audrey Bell: this is an important service for those living at the top of Jacklyn's Lane hill, shopping bags can be heavy and multiple. Also, in general,  Stagecoach will only issue 2 single ticket journeys which considerably increases the costs..

NATC Chair asked Councilors what they felt about putting in funds to restore the bus service.  It was suggested that NATC should make representations about it and he asked Dist Cllr Jackie Porter how to proceed. It was also reported that Winchester City Council has a policy to reduce car journeys into town therefore it made no sense to reduce bus services that encouraged car use.

Geoff Sayer: reported that although there is level paving directly outside the shop the approach area around the new Co-op had a very steep slope making it impossible for the disabled buggies to access.  Also double yellow lines outside the clothes shop mean nothing as vehicles park there blocking access for the buggies.  This causes a dangerous problem for buggies users who have to go into the road.  In Jacklyn's Lane a dropped curb that used to be the access into Hankins yard site has gone.  The slope there is dangerous especially when wet.  Both buggy users and pedestrians have problems with traversing this area.

Response: this is really a WCC building control issue. They should be alerted that a complaint from the Giles group has been received. Clerk is to write on all issues.

Written question from Mr. Atkins Can all NATC CLLRS confirm that they fully understand that if NATC let out ANY part of the Arlebury Park building for commercial use they would be in breach of the documentation and FF funding?

NATC Chair  A meeting is arranged  26th September with the Football Foundation to determine that the terms are not breached and any actions that may need to be changed will be changed to ensure no breach of contract is made. Following this an Extraordinary Meeting for councilors will be arranged to keep them fully informed and make decisions on the way forward.  The position as regards to VAT needs to be confirmed and NATC are in correspondence with HMRC to obtain a ruling.

Meeting resumed 8:30pm

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Tourism: No report from the committee

Resolution: To ratify payment of  Kruger plague up to £300.

(Proposed: Cllr B Jeffs, Seconded Cllr Yeldham) AGREED UNANIMOUSLY

Watercress Festival: A meeting was arranged between Hampshire Fare, Chamber of Commerce, Watercress Alliance, and members from the watercress festival Committee to discuss Hampshire Fare’s total Event Management of the Watercress festival. Hampshire Fare reported at that meeting that they don't wish to take on the full responsibility. The Alresford Chamber of Commerce have prepared a budget and presented plans to take on the sponsorship and running of the Watercress Festival. The Watercress Alliance are to re-meeting to discuss their budget and involvement which will be brought to the next Watercress Festival meeting.

Planning: Seventeen applications have been considered. 

Resolution: To ratify the Planning decision which approved the Caricoli alcohol license.

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

SID: (Speed Indicator Device) has been requested for Sun Lane and will be placed at the junction with East Street.  Resolution: For the Environment Committee to deal with all speed issues. (Proposed: Cllr Luckham, Seconded: Cllr B Jeffs)  AGREED

Reserve site: Resolution: To uphold Spring Gardens as a reserve site for the Alresford area. It will take up to 30 dwellings. (Proposed: Cllr Power, Seconded; Cllr Middleton) AGREED

Bridge Road: all councilors were asked to think about the Perins playing field area as a future development site. It had been suggested this area should be kept for Key workers/Social/affordable housing.  It was reported that the Scouts are keen to off load their site that would make an ideal access point to this new development.

Drove Lane Development: Resolution: That  Full Town Council ratified the Planning Committee decision to refuse the Drove Lane Development until a drainage investigation  has been conducted and a formal report of the findings published.  (Proposed: Cllr Luckham, Seconded: Cllr Power) AGREED

A letter has been sent to WCC to refer it to Committee.

 

 

 

GRANTS:

Resolution: To award a grant to Vitalise (breaks for disabled  and rest leave for carers) £179.50.       

 Decision to defer to ensure other more appropriate organizations have been approached before requesting funds from NATC.

 Resolution: To award the Alresford & District Children’s Xmas Tree Fund £600.00. 

(Proposed: Cllr Cattle, Seconded: Cllr Jeffs). AGREED

 

FINANCE

Payments

Resolution: To approve payments  for August,2007 (£18,424.77). (Proposed: Cllr Power, Seconded: Cllr Cattle) AGREED.   

 The payment for a car-parking refund to Julia Roberts was questioned. It was explained that she was the Lloyds Bank manager and had been relocated and therefore no longer needed a space.

Finance System Procedure Update

It was requested that the Full Town Council Committee be presented with a ‘budget sheet verses actuals’. It was explained that the office is at present converting the bookkeeping system to Sage. So far the pay roll, invoices from April to July, and agreed budgets from the last meeting has been reconciled. Not reconciled, are payments or reports. The new bank account with Nat West has now been opened.  The Co-op account will not be closed until all the direct debits have been moved over.

Open Space Funding

Football Pledge It was explained that at a previous town council meeting the necessary works around the football pitch were undertaken   by  AFC.  A payment of £10,000 for the work carried out has been requested as it was thought that this had already been agreed.  It was suggested to look back through the minutes of the Recreation and Facilities Committees to confirm the expenditure for this work had been pledged.   It was also pointed out that this further expenditure from the sports allocation of the open spaces fund could impact the ability to proceed with the CPO.

Resolution: That NATC will pay £10,000 from Open Spaces Funds to the Football Club upon production of the approved minute displaying the NATC pledged commitment for this expenditure.

(Proposed: Cllr B Jeffs, Seconded: Cllr Power) AGREED UNANIMOUSLY

 Open Space Fund Breakdown is actually divided in two parts. One part is the ‘play equipment’ the other for ‘sports’.  This had not been fully explained previously. It will also noted that the year end total figure for Open Spaces should read 182 and not 192. It was requested that an investigation into the ‘draw down’ for play equipment be conducted and via it accordingly.

Arlebury Park final payment. Selway Joyce has asked for the final payment to the Arlebury Park Extension Project however they have omitted to give a figure. Thus the payment cannot be ratified

 

ARLEBURY PARK SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB UPDATE

 Although the report presented at the meeting was full of good ideas it was thought that the Football Foundations grant terms must be fully understood and an Extraordinary meeting to be arranged following a meeting with the Football Foundation.  Members of the council are invited to be present at the Football Foundation meeting at 9.30am on 26th September.  Clerk to arrange meetings

Arlebury Park Club Directors  have agreed to terminate the lease following  a previous meeting where NATC had agreed to call in the lease.  Cllr Luckham requested the withdrawal of paragraph 2 below option three. He explained that the club had obtained backers and had offered to pay all amounts owing in full.  Also a charter of use was drawn up and agreed by APSSC Committee.  He suggested this should be adhered to. He proposed that APSSC at least be reinstated and let the people who offered to run the club and pay all creditors in full to be allowed to do so.  

Resolution To put decisions regarding the Arlebury Park Sports and Social Club on the back burner until more information is received.

 (Proposed: Cllr Yeldham, Seconded: Cllr Cattle) AGREED Abstentions: Cllrs Middleton, Gentry.

Resolution: For Clerk is to circulate to all Councilors the APSSC Charter.

(Proposed: Cllr Luckham, Seconded: Cllr Yeldham).  Those in favour; Cllrs: Jeffs, Power,Read, Cattle. Abstentions: Cllrs Middleton, Gentry.

It was suggested that trust now needs to be built up between NATC and APSSC therefore a coherent business plan was requested from APSSC together with trading figures.

 

VEXATIOUS CORRESPONDENCE:

Resolution: That if the individual who has written 57 e-mails and letters continue to submit similar correspondence a warning be dispatched advising that the Council are treating this as vexatious and do not have the resources to satisfactorily handle them.

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

 

URGENT BUSINESS

Winchester District Association

Cllr Yeldham explained he was standing down as Chair for WDA.  He recommended that NATC nominate Barbara Holyome to takeover that position.

 Resolution: To nominate Barbara Holyome. (Proposed: Cllr Yeldham, Seconded: Cllr Cattle) AGREED

Remembrance Service

Resolution; To purchased a poppy wreath from the British Legion and in the absence of the Chair the Vice-Chair Cllr Middleton to attend as the NATC representative. UNANIMOUSLY AGREED

Nomination of Town Trustee

A vacancy had arisen on the Town Trust due to Cllr. Yeldham’s resignation.

Resolution: To nominated Cllr Gentry as a Town Trustee.

(Proposed: Cllr Yeldham, Seconded: Cllr Middleton) AGREED

Cllr Byrne had verbally resigned from the Town Trust

Resolution: To nominated Cllr Middleton as a Town Trustee upon receipt of Cllr. Byrne’s formal resignation. . (Proposed: Cllr Cattle  Seconded: Cllr Read)  AGREED

 

MEETING DATES

Resolution:  To announce a Special Meeting to update the Alresford  Community of NATC past commitments and future proposed strategy.  Resolution Deferred

Next Full Town Meeting   7.30pm Thursday  4th October 2007 at Arlebury Park

 

The Chair close the meeting at 9:55pm

 

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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