DRAFT

New Alresford Town Council

Meeting of Town Council

Held at the Arlebury Park

                                              7.30pm Thursday 15th January, 2009                                   01TC

                                                                                                                                                                                      

Present:                  Cllrs. Yeldham, Gentry, Evans, B .Jeffs, Cattle, Power, Mansfield, Middleton, Phillips

In Attendance:              Cllr. Porter, Cllr. E.Jeffs

Apologies:              City Cllr. Cook, Cllr. Read,  

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Declarations of Interest on Agenda Items - Cllr. Evans declared an interest in minute item 736.6 

 

Minutes of the meeting held on 27th November, 2008

Resolution: To approve the Minutes of 27th November 2008 as true and accurate.

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

 

Actions Carried Forward from 27th November, 2008

Busby Builders  - Work to commence in Spring.  Item to be removed from the agenda.

 

District and County Councillor’s Report

Written reports were received from Cllr. Porter, Cllr. E. Jeffs and Cllr. Cook.

Cllr. E. Jeffs Updated the meeting in respect of the WCC view regarding NATC pursuance of the CPO.  It was considered that this process should recommence with a view of going to Cabinet mid 2010.  The land had been designated as RT5 in the local plan and NATC should proceed with the CPO on this basis.  NATC requested a written statement from WCC stating that they supported NATC’s as stated in the LDF document that this land should not be designated for housing development

Cllr. E. Jeffs was asked his view on NATC contributing towards the upkeep of the Alresford Public Toilets.  Cllr. E. Jeffs stated that he felt the amount does not save WCC very much.

It was felt that the Perins Car Park would not be operational in time to facilitate the Watercress Festival.

Cllr. Porter was asked why HCC had resurfaced only a small section of New Farm Road.

Cllr. Porter agreed to request all of New Farm Road to be resurfaced including the drainage.

 

Public Participation (meeting adjourned)

Q. Mr. D. Goodman Was concerned that it had taken 3 years and no progress had been made towards acquiring the land adjoining Arlebury Park.  He asked why WCC could not get on and give Alresford their Rugby Pitch now.   

A. NATC stated thatuntil the position regarding the designation of this land for housing was resolved money could be wasted in pursuing it and it was foolhardy to pursue the project without ensuring there was a good chance of the Town acquiring the land.  A statement of support from WCC regarding this land not being designated for housing would move the CPO forward and minimise this risk.       (meeting reconvened)

 

Finance 

Payments -  Resolution: To approve payments  for November 2008 of £21,702.04 and payments for December 2008 of £18,739.32.   Proposed: Cllr. Power  Seconded Cllr. Mansfield  (AGREED)

Year to Date Figures -   The figures were self explanatory.  It was anticipated that £32k would be moved to reserves at year end.  Congratulations were given to Committee Chairs for achieving their budgets.   Resolution: To accept Year to Date figures.  Proposed: Cllr. Gentry Seconded Cllr. Power  (AGREED)

Adoption of Revised Salary Scales - Resolution:  To ratify payment of (NJC) revised salary scale rates as from April 2008.  Proposed: Cllr. Cattle Seconded Cllr. Mansfield  (AGREED)

Funding of Alresford Public Convenience

WCC, Cllr. Pearson letter requests that Alresford contribute 50% towards the upkeep of their Public Convenience to avert the closure of the facility.  NATC  noted that this maintenance was historically paid by the City.  The Tourism Committee had discussed the matter and passed the following resolution:-  Resolution:  The Tourism committee supports the need for Public Toilet facilities in Alresford for visitors and tourists and proposes that the burden is carried by all the Parish Council’s within the Alresford Hub as with all other Tourist facilities. Proposed:  Cllr. Phillips Seconded:  Cllr. Gentry ALL AGREED    It was agreed that Alresford would bear the financial burden of providing a service for surrounding parishes who were not asked, by WCC, to contribute.  Council considered the facility beneficial to tourists and the town received no recompense from commercial rates.    It was felt unacceptable that WCC had pronounced this without entering into discussions.  It was suggested that NATC may elect to share the costs of services they designated as being a community priority such as parking enforcement, where control of the services was enforced by  a formal service agreement.  Also any application for NATC funding must be received by 31st October prior to the November ‘precept’ meeting.

Resolution: To reject the WCC proposal to pay 50% of the maintenance cost for the Alresford Public Convenience. Proposed: Cllr. Power Seconded Cllr. Middleton  (AGREED)

Resolution: To enter into discussions with WCC regarding shared cost alternatives where sharing those costs brings a real benefit to residents of New Alresford based upon actual service levels received and providing contribution requests are made by 31st October.

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

 

Resolution: To approve the annual Lift Maintenance Contract with BSA Regal at £324+ VAT

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

 

West Street Design Report

The Council viewed the overall West Street Design.  Add on features such as bollards needed to be included prior to obtaining final costs.  It was suggested that the Jacklyns Lane corner was too sharp.  This corner angle would be determined by highways.  Slabs to be more hard wearing than Broad Street paving.  It was stated that it was the inefficient laying of the Broad Street slabs and not their quality that resulted in  the reoccurrence of damaged paving.  Consideration was being given to widening the pavement and dropping the kerb outside Mange Tout to create a narrow crossing point.  It was proposed that this crossing area would be given coloured surfacing.  Landscaping/trees to be reviewed at a later date.  Time scale for this project was approx. 2010.

 

Alresford Parking Update

Car Park expenditure was outlined as follows:- £187k (estimate cost of Car Park and Paths.)  £166k (actual cost) £21k (difference between estimate and actual cost in reserve).  £5k (landscaping cost).  £26k (£21k reserve + £5 landscaping for project enhancements).

Resolution:  To approve £187,200 on the construction of the proposed new car park and footpath with the additional expenditure of £26,200 being spent on the proposed project enhancements.

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

The SEEDA submission included £30k for pay and display machines in the town centre.  NATC rejected ticket machines in the Town Centre and approved increased parking enforcement and the principle of NATC making an annual contribution towards it.  The Perins Car Park will result in increased pedestrian movement on West Street.  This matter has been addressed in the West Street Design.  As the Perins Car Park has created additional West Street footfall and also the need for improved parking enforcement it is proposed that the £30k SEEDA funding for Pay and Display machines in the town centre be reallocated as proposed in the following resolution.

Resolution: To approve £30k to be split between improvements to West Street and improved parking enforcement. Proposed: Cllr. Power Seconded: Cllr. Cattle  (AGREED)

Resolution: That providing there is availability, NATC had no objection to Perins using the Arlebury Park car bays. Proposed: Cllr.B. Jeffs Seconded Cllr. Middleton (AGREED)

NATC required 3 months notice from the Perins Trust of their exclusive use of the Perins (Public) Car Park.  The Alresford Town Partnership representatives were requested to pursue this matter through the Partnership.

Resolution:  To approve the installation of cycle stands in Broad Street providing that both location and design of cycle stands are vetted by NATC. Proposed: Cllr. Power Seconded Cllr. Cattle  (AGREED)

NATC REJECT the WCC proposal to site cycle stands at the corner of Broad Street.

Resolution: To introduce two disabled parking bays in Station Road (directly after the 1st entrance to the Swan Car Park). Proposed: Cllr. Yeldham Seconded Cllr. B. Jeffs  (AGREED)

The Council REJECT the WCC suggestion that these disable bays be sited on the corner of Station Road and West Street.

Resolution: To introduce prohibition of driving order on the Broad Street service area on Thursdays between 7am-4pm (REJECTED).  Council would monitor whether the Thursday Market had grown sufficiently to merit this prohibition order.  Matter to be reconsider in 12 months

Resolution: To introduce the marking of bays in Alresford.  (DEFFERRED)   Clerk to obtain clarity from WCC as to their reason for electing only the North of Broad Street for bay marking.  Council would not prioritise this location as more essential than other areas.  It was debated whether the marking of bays should be carried out throughout the Town Centre and the roads immediately surrounding the centre of town which were effected by off street parkers.   Clerk to inform WCC of decisions

 

Committee Reports

Recreation Committee

Tennis

Resolution: To approve the financial deferment of 50% of Tennis Club court refurbishment payment until the next financial year.  Proposed:  Cllr. Gentry  Seconded: Cllr. Middleton (AGREED)

Resolution: To include a clause within the Tennis Lease for the club to take responsibility for keeping the fencing surrounding the courts in good order.  Proposed: Cllr. Power Seconded Cllr. Evans (AGREED) 

Solicitors to Finalise Tennis Lease.  Council to approve finalised lease but no problems were highlighted with this draft.

Open Space Strategy 

Resolution:  To continue with the CPO for the land adjacent to Arlebury Park for Rugby Pitches and in light of the increase of houses with limited or no garden area that the open space strategy be amended to include the acquisition of additional land to facilitate the deficit of wildplay/play/open space area requirements.

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

Resolution:  To amend the Open Space Strategy to include the play ground refurbishment of Arlebury Park play equipment and also to incorporate a new dedicated under 5’s play area at one or more of the existing recreation sites.  Proposed Cllr. Power  Seconded  Cllr. Cattle (AGREED)

Resolution:  To remove the requirement to bring existing courts up to LTA standards and replace with additional courts on land adjoining existing Tennis Courts. Proposed  Cllr. Cattle Seconded Cllr. Power (AGREED)

 

Resolution:  To use Open Space Funding for improvements to the Perins Court Yard and also to provide a Youth Shelter to be located on Perins land. Proposed Cllr. Gentry  Seconded Cllr.Mansfield (AGREED)

Environment Committee

Resolution: To elect Cllr. Cattle as the NATC representative to liaise with church to ascertain a way forward with regard to the deficit of burial grounds. Proposed  Cllr.Yeldham Seconded Cllr. Power (AGREED)

Environment to organise and schedule a Litter Pick Day.  (Environment Agenda Item)

Environment Clerk to organise the railway shoe/clothing bank to be permanently relocated alongside the station bottle bank.

Tourism Committee 

Resolution: To ratify the continued use of Impact Promotional Services to deliver 45,000 copies of the ‘Alresford Pocket Guide’ during Spring 2009 at a cost of £18 per 1000 leaflets.

Proposed  Cllr. Phillips Seconded  Cllr. Gentry (AGREED)

 

Alresford Recreation Centre                                                   

Resolution: To approve the quotation of £450 to implement a bypass system for a back up to cover boiler failure. Proposed  Cllr. Middleton Seconded  Cllr. Cattle (AGREED)

Resolution: To support the concept of an Alresford Music Festival provided the event is not held on the upper Football Pitch at Arlebury Park. Proposed  Cllr. Power Seconded  Cllr. Cattle (AGREED)

 

Reports from Outside Bodies

Neighbouring (Large) Towns/Parishes

Resolution: To initiate and host regular meetings with other towns/parishes.

Proposed Cllr. Middleton  Seconded Cllr. Cattle (AGREED)

Resolution: To elect the chair of the Council and/or one other chair of committee to represent Alresford at the town/parish meetings. Proposed Cllr. Gentry  Seconded Cllr. Phillips (AGREED)

 

Mayor’s Award

Resolution: To nominate an Alresford candidates for the Mayor’s award

Proposed Cllr. Middleton  Seconded Cllr. Evans (AGREED)

           

Meeting Dates and Items for next Agenda

2009/10 Meeting Schedule

Resolution: To approve meeting schedule for 2009/10.

Proposed Cllr. Evans  Seconded Cllr. Cattle (AGREED)

Date of Next Meeting

Thursday,  7.30 12th February 2009 at Town Offices, Upper Meeting Room, Arlebury Park

 

Exempt Business (SO 65 & 70)

Resolution:- To exclude public and press in accordance with Public Bodies (Admission to Meetings) Act 1960 and Local Government Act 1972 S.100A .  To elect candidates for the mayor’s award.  Proposed Cllr. Yeldham   Seconded Cllr. Gentry  (AGREED)

 

                                         The Chairman closed the meeting at 9.15pm.

 

 

 

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