New Alresford Town Council

Meeting of Town Council

Held at the Arlebury Park

7.30pm Thursday 29th November 2007

 

Present:                   Cllrs Gentry (Chair), Luckham, Cattle, Phillips, Yeldham, Evans, B.Jeffs, Power

In Attendance:          City Cllr. Hollingbery,E.Jeffs, Cook, City Cllr. Porter

Apologies:                Cllr. Middleton, Read

Press:                      M.Farrell, C. Harris, M.Gould

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DECLARATION OF INTEREST  - None

 

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF 4th October 2007

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

Actions brought Forward

Breakdown of Stevens Case

Total Cost £67,027.  (Settlement figure £22,500+ NATC legal costs £44,527)

 

CITY AND COUNTY CLLR. REPORTS

Cllr. J. Porter - Reported that an email from J.Patchell ratified the proposed additional Grange Road/Perins Footpath.

Cllr.G.Hollingbery

Reported that the WCC Budget gave every indication that there would be a significant rate increase.  Budgets were being revised and cuts were being introduced were possible to reduce the figure.  Cllr. Hollingbery stressed that the meeting to be held on 16th January 2008 in respect f issues and options as they related to Alresford should have representation as changes made would severely impact Alresford over the next 20 years.  He Informed the meeting that he would not be contributing to planning debates relating to the Railway cutting due to a conflict of interest.  He reported that SID had been unofficial removed. 

Cllr.Cook

Cllr. Cook also stressed the importance of attendance in respect of issues and options.  With regards to Planning WCC felt the access to the proposed railway cutting development to be an issue.   He informed the meeting that two members of the community Mr. Gareth Rees and Cllr. Ken Yeldham had been awarded  by the Mayor of Winchester for their services to the Alresford community. . 

 

ADJOURNMENT FOR PUBLIC QUESTIONS

Mr. Atkins –  Made a statement regarding various matters.  NATC stated that Mr. Atkins concerns had been noted.

Mr. Atterton – Asked NATC to keep a watching brief on the Thursday market as it’s growth was affecting Alresford traders due to the market impacting and restricting parking and access. NATC stated this was an NATT matter but would keep a watching brief on the situation.  It was explained that the NATT Council representatives were primarily responsible to NATT in accordance with the NATT charter. 

Mr. Sayer – Was concern about the lack of community consultation with regard to the proposed HCC build-out in Salisbury Road in January 2008.  Cllr. Porter stated that the report was premature that works would not commence during 2008 and that the community would be consulted.

Cllr. Yeldham - Asked Mr. Atkins whether he was aware that he high volume of NATC office attention he was demanding would result in NATC having to employ additional staff.  Mr. Atkins replied yes and that NATC should also make provision for in the precept for legal costs.

 

COMMITTEE REPORTS (Note the Tennis Resolution Item ???)

Recreation

Resolution: To agree in principle for the Memorial Park to be converted into a Wildlife Haven . Ratification to be deferred until NATC received details of the proposed implementation program and on-going maintenance of the project.

Proposed Cllr. Luckham Seconded Cllr. Cattle (AGREED)

Clerk to investigate moving responsibility for the Memorial Garden from Recreation Committee to Environment Committee.

Environment

Parking

The Parking in the town continued to be monitored on a daily basis.  The situation had not improved.  Funding of £60k had been received from SEEDA for the Perins Parking to proceed but the money would not be made available until 2009/10.  It was suggested that a temporary measure be put in place in order that the site may be immediately utilised for parking.  Other avenues such as meters should be explored but it was felt that the timescales involved in introducing these possibilities would not make a significant difference.  Environment to investigate the introduction of controlled parking and report the findings to Full Council.  Shopkeepers to be encouraged to utilise Arlebury Park commercial facilities for the short term.

Allotments

Negotiations were satisfactorily proceeding for an additional 20 (half spaces) for allotment purposes.

Tourism

The possibility of reducing/removing the cost of the VIP facility was being investigated.

Planning

A majority of the applications were small and no objections had been raised provided the regulative standards were maintained.  A public meeting had been held in respect of the Linden Homes (Grange Road) development and all public concerns were expressed in the NATC objections.  WCC reported that some of the NATC concerns were echoed WCC planning.

 

ARLEBURY PARK SPORTS AND SOCIAL CLUB (APSSC)

A discussion took place regarding the future of APSSC in which Cllr. Gentry reported that he considered the NATC assets were no longer prejudiced by the APSSC financial position.  The Council felt that Cllr. Gentry should now completely step away from APSSC matters.   It was suggested that NATC staff be utilised to administratively assist APSSC. The Clerk advised that NATC staff should not be utilised to administratively support APSSC.  Council accepted Clerks recommendation.

Resolution: For Clerk to pursue, in parallel, employing a steward and also putting the facility out to tender.

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

Steward applications were held at Town Offices and Cllrs. were invited to view candidate details.

 

FINANCE

VAT Resolution: For NATC to become VAT registered. Proposed Cllr. M. Power.  Seconded Cllr. Phillips (AGREED)

Payments  Resolution: To approve payments for October (£9,437.42) and  November, 2007 (£12,491.11).

Proposed Cllr. M. Power.  Seconded Cllr. Phillips (AGREED)

Sage Report  The Internal Auditor ratified that both data imported and proposed audit and cllr. reports would be satisfactory.

Precept

A discuss took place regarding the proposed Precept.  A provision of £5k to be added to the precept to handle the increased workload generated by Mr. Atkins correspondence.  Upon receipt of the final Dorlebury payment a final calculation of PWLB money spent in respect of the Arelbury Park Extension would be carried out and PWLB informed should there be unspent PWLB funds.  No agreement was reached in respect of the 2008/9 precept.  Cllrs. to review the proposed budget and inform Clerk and Chair of Finance of their proposed revisions.  Precept to be set at January 2008 meeting.

Resolution: To fund the Tennis Court refurbishment from Opens Spaces (£38k) and a loan of (£18k).

Proposed Cllr. Power  Seconded Cllr. Phillips (4 abstentions).  Resolution carried

Resolution: To retain Ken Abraham as the NATC Internal Auditor on a 4 yr. contract.(Resolution rejected).

Clerk to investigate the situation.

Resolution To employ Greenfrog as technical support for office computerisation.  (Resolution rejected)

Clerk to obtain 3 quotes for the work.

REPORTS FROM NATC CLLR’S ELECTED TO OUTSIDE BODIES

Town Partnership

Resolution: To endorse the Town Partnership as the town body responsible for compiling and reporting on the issues and options strategy as it relates to Alresford. Proposed Cllr. Power Seconded Cllr.B. Jeffs (AGREED) 

Cllr. Yeldham stated he would be willing to assist the Town Partnership with this matter.  

Town Trust

Resolution: To ratify Cllr. Gentry to replace Cllr. Yeldham as a Town Trustee in order to comply with Trust regulations.

Proposed Cllr. Power Seconded Cllr. Evans (AGREED)

Alresford Society

Resolution: To nominate Cllr. Cattle to replace Cllr. Yeldham as the NATC Alresford Society representative. 

Proposed Cllr. Power Seconded Cllr. Evans (AGREED)

Clerk to enquire cost of Insuring elected NATC representatives on outside bodies.

 

COMPLAINTS AND ENQUIRIES

The following bodies had received complaints in respect of NATC. (a) Audit Commission. (b) Freedom of Information (c) Licensing Board (d) Standards Board of England.   Clerk was responding to all enquiries.

 

ALRESFORD FORUM (NEWSLETTER) - It was agreed that the subject for next Forum Newsletter should be the precept.

 

MEETING DATES (Date of Next Full Town Scheduled Meeting)

7.30pm Thursday 17th January, 2007 at Town Offices, Upper Meeting Room, Arlebury Park.

 

Meeting Closed  11.00pm

 

Exempt Business

Resolution: To ratify the employment of two part-time members of staff in accordance with the terms and conditions set out in their Contract of Employment.   Proposed Cllr. Catle  Seconded Cllr. Yeldham (AGREED)

 

 

Meeting Closed  11.10pm

 

                                           

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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