DRAFT

New Alresford Town Council

Meeting of Town Council

Held at the Arlebury Park

                                              7.30pm Thursday 5th March, 2009                                   03TC

                                                                                                                                                                                      

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

In Attendance:       Cllr. E. Cook, Cllr. S.Cook

Apologies:              City Cllr.J. Porter, Cllr. Read, Cllr.Middleton

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Declarations of Interest on Agenda Items - None  

 

Minutes of the meeting held on 12th February, 2009

Resolution: To approve the Minutes of 12th February, 2009 as true and accurate.

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

 

Actions Carried Forward from 15th January, 2009 - None

 

District and County Councillor’s Report

Cllr. S. Cook Stated that the WCC rate had been set at 3% which was within the government guidelines. WCC were discussing no matters which effected NATC with the exception of the public toilets.  .  NATC reported that no official WCC response had been received regarding the funding of public toilets in Alresford and it was queried why East Hampshire could afford to upgrade public toilets but South East Hampshire could not afford basic maintenance and cleaning of public toilets. Planning enforcement was investigating the Travellers site at Apple Down Lane although this site was not within the Alresford boundary the decision would affect the Alresford community.  A dog fouling complaint, regarding dog fouling litter bags left on public view was found to be correct.  It was felt by all that the only remedy was for dog wardens to prosecute offenders    Cllr. Dominic Hiscock would become 2009/10 mayor with Deputy Mayor Cllr. Richard Izard.

 

Police Report

A written report was given by the Police.  Clerk to write to the Police informing them that the report was of interest to the Council and suggest that they attend meetings on a quarterly basis, attendance to be staggered to avoid a clash with Police attendance at the Town Partnership meetings.

 

Public Participation - None

 

Finance 

Payments -  Resolution: To approve payments  for  February 2009 of £18,644

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

Year to Date Figures -   The figures show a natural progression and forecasts £30k would be put to reserves.  This would put NATC in a strong position.  Unexpected election costs and audit fees were responsible for a fall in the reserve prediction of £35k.  The 2007 Audit had not been signed off and a letter had been issued to the audit commission stating that the public were able to examine the accounts but as an independent body it was the responsibility of the audit commission to judge whether the accounts were satisfactory and sign off in accordance with their unbiased findings.  The potential cost of the audit commission fee was expected to be £4k.  

 

CCTV

In light of recent vandalism and a subsequent request for CCTV in the Town Centre the Council debated this matter and found that the cost was prohibitive in comparison to the crime level added to which the Police had acknowledged that they were not prepared nor financial able to monitor CCTV’s.  Also the low quality of image from CCTV made the installation of questionable worth.  Council were sympathetic but felt that CCTV was not the answer to the problem.

 

Parking Bay Demarcations

Council needed to know WCC proposals for parking bay demarcations.   It was felt that there could be a confusion between long and short term objectives and that clarification was required on this matter.  Clerk to arrange a meeting with WCC.

 

Committee Reports

Recreation Committee

Resolution: To ratify the formation of a working party to survey and make recommendations for the renovation of Stratton Bates Pavilion.  Proposed  Cllr. Gentry  Seconded Cllr. Yeldham (AGREED)

Resolution: To approve T. Ingram, T. Young, S. Middleton, M. Power and B. Jeffs as the official Stratton Bates Working Party. Proposed  Cllr. Phillips Seconded  Cllr. Gentry (AGREED)

The remit of the working party members was to ensure the renovation broadened the usage of the Pavillion beyond its current sole purpose of providing Youth Football changing and shower facilities.

Resolution: To ratify the Recreation Committee’s resolution to implement the additional changes required to the Arlebury Park pitch for AFC conform to Wessex League standards.  Proposed  Cllr. Power Seconded  Cllr. B. Jeffs (AGREED)

(Cllr. Yeldham abstained)

Environment Committee Informed the Council that there were hopeful signs for the acquisition of additional allotments.

Complaints had been received regarding fumes emitting from the Watercress Line engines.  Council believed an investigated, in respect of this problem,  was carried out several years ago and the predicament was found to be diesel engines ‘ticking over’.  The Watercress Line had agreed to stop this activity in order to reduce pollution.  Clerk to issue a letter to the Watercress Line informing them of the complaint and the previous investigation and agreement.

 

Tourism Committee Informed the Council that their would be a funding application presented later in the year in respect of works to be carried out on the Arle Valley Trail and the Eel House.

Planning Committee - No contentious applications had been received.

 

Alresford Recreation Centre          

Invitations to the launch had been despatched.

Investigations into a project suitable for showing films have revealed that longevity was a key required for a high power projector and would cost in the region of £2.5k.  Council agreed to purchase this item of equipment provided the money was available from the agreed £6k launch budget.  If this was not possible then the item would be considered in the next financial year.  In meantime it was suggested that a projector be hired to meet any hall booking that required this equipment.

It was suggested that internet access be installed in the bar and main hall making the ARC the only community facility with Wi-Fi access.                                                     

Resolution:  To install Wi-Fi internet access in both the main hall and bar at a cost of £100 per access point.

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

 

Reports from Outside Bodies

Town Partnership - The Town Partnership was hosting a transport meeting and it was requested that where possible Cllrs. attend this meeting to establish the problems, barriers and possible transport solutions for the Alresford community.

The venue for John Arlott plaque launch is to be Arlebury Park.

Alresford Society - Not met since last report.

Town Trust - Awaiting the publications of minutes due to Town Trust Clerk vacancy.

 

Time Sensitive Matters and Future Meetings

Time Sensitive

Resolution: To allow the booking of a children’s zoo for a morning at Arlebury park with the proviso that the booking agent is responsible for all hire costs and associated provisions.

Proposed Cllr. Power Seconded Cllr. Phillips (AGREED)

Meeting Dates

Annual Town Meeting    Thursday,  12th March, 2009 - 7.30 Town Council, Upper Meeting Room, Arlebury Park

Next Full Town Meeting Thursday,  7.30 9th April, 2009 at Town Offices, Upper Meeting Room, Arlebury Park

 

 

                                         The Chairman closed the meeting at 8.35pm.

 

 

 

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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