Draft

New Alresford Town Council

Full Council Meeting

Held at the Arlebury Park

                                                                    7.30pm Tuesday 3rd August, 2010          

Page 127

Present

Cllrs. Gentry, Cattle, Jeffs, Mansfield, Middleton, Power, Read, Yeldham

 

In Attendance

 Cllr. Cook, Cllr. E. Jeffs, Cllr. Porter, PSCO. Hull

 

Apologise

Cllr. Luckham, Phillips, Evans

 

993

Declarations of Interest on Agenda Items -

Name: Cllr. Middleton.  Type: Personal & Prejudial. Reason: Land Owner and applicant of Planning Application Case No. 10/01380/FUL - Oakcroft, 83, Jacklyns Lane, Alresford - Change of use from 1 no. four bedroom house to 3 no. two bedroom dwellings including new dormer windows.

 

994

Minutes of Meeting held 6th July,  2010 - Resolution: To approve the Minutes of 6th July, 2010 as true and accurate.

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

 

995

City/District Cllr. & Police Report - Cllr. Cook had nothing to add to his written report. NATC: It was noted that consideration was being given to a 4 year term of office.  Was this viewed as advantageous?  Cllr. Cook - There were financial advantages but there were also disadvantage which needed to be reviewed.  Cllr. E. Jeffs had nothing to add to his written report.  He stated that he had interaction with LDF and would be happy to assist and the support Town with the LDF.  Cllr. Porter - Expanded on her written report.  She congratulated PSCO Hull on the various help and projects he initiated in Alresford.  NATC: Report to Cllr. Porter that there was a requirement to clear drains.  It was stated that quite a good job had been carried out last Winter but several areas required inspection and clearance notably Station Approach, Bridge Road, De Lucy Avenue and Pound Hill. Police - PSCO reported the following crime figures:- 6 vehicle thefts (cars were left unsecured); 17 rowdy and inconsiderate (occurrences on garage roofs); 9 Criminal damage; 17 suspicious incidents; 4  thefts;   Burglaries at the allotment had resulted in police giving security advise and initiating a ‘Pay back’ team to carry out work on this area.  This area could be put onto a 4 week rota for ‘pay back’ assistance.  Petrol and materials would need to be provided.  NATC:  Are the teams supervised?  Police - Yes.  PSCO. Hull also   informed the meeting of a BMX day at Stratton Bates which was being funded by the Police.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

996

Public Participation                                              meeting adjourned

Mr. Atkins stated that he was unhappy with how his comments had been reported in the minutes of the 6th July. He stated that the WCC website had posted their decision in respect of Standard Board breaches and asked whether NATC would also be publishing this on their website. NATC:  WCC had received and rejected numerous complaints from two residents of the town. This was a minor infringement and the circumstances were complex.  Nothing would be gained from publishing this on the NATC website.  Mr. Atkins stated there were no minutes for Planning Committees.  NATC:  Planning minutes are available and would be attached to the next Agenda.  Mr. Atkins asked why the refreshment facility was making a loss and why the facility did not reflect all costs.  NATC: The losses were under investigation.  The facility is not expected to produce a profit nor bear all the costs that is how Council choose to measure it and reflect it in the management accounts.  The apportioning of costs reflects the buildings function as a community resource. Mr. Atkins congratulated Sarah Bettridge on her presentation of NATC accounts. Mr. Cranfield as the Alresford Wildlife sub section of the Greening Campaign reported that the hedgerow at Stratton Bates (Ashburton Road footpath) was a native species hedge which it was the Council’s duty and obligation to keep and asked if Council would review the removal of this hedge.  NATC:  The hedge was being removed due to excessive offensive litter and dangerous debris thrown into the depth of the hedge.  NATC had no wish to carry out any illegal actions in respect of the hedge and were investigating the legal issues surrounding the removal of the hedge and would report back the findings back to the Council.          meeting reconvened

 

997

Chairman’s Report - The following issues were covered by the Chairman:  Hedgerow - The Alresford Wildlife notification had resulted in the Clerk investigating whether there would be legal ramifications involved in the removal of the Stratton Bates hedgerow. Council would be informed of the outcome.  Hanging Baskets - A number of hanging baskets had been removed in the town and most had been recovered, restored and re-hung.  Where necessary the spare baskets displayed outside the old post office building had been used as replacements. Station Road - The promised work on Station Road remained outstanding and guarantees were needed for the completion of this work. Signage - Parking signs had been erected in the wrong location which had resulted in the obliteration of planters a meeting had been arranged to discuss Parking signage.  District Solicitor - A meeting was being arranged with the District solicitor to discuss the WCC handling of Standards Board Complaints.  It was considered that the procedure was not equitable to Cllrs. as they were not being given the opportunity to respond to recommendations and decisions.  WCC had directed a recommendation encompassing the entire Council for a complaint presented against a single member.  S104 - A meeting with the Director of Planning and Head of Development Planning was convened to discuss S104 levies.  Only two small developments had been requested to pay S106 levies.  It was agreed that in future unless the developer was directed to pay a specific levy in respect of their development a general payment would be levied.  West Street - The current administration would not endorse the West Street funding pledge of £20k. S106 levies may make up for some of this funding. SEEDA Funding - SEEDA funding of £15k needed to be spent by March 2011 and discussions were taking place to ascertain whether this money could be spent on the West Street development.

 

998

Finance

 

998.1

Year End Accounts 2009/10.  Resolution:  To approve the Year End Accounts for 2009/10.  Proposed:  Cllr. Power.  Seconded: Cllr. Yeldham (AGREED).  Assets were valued in accordance with statutory requirements.

 

998.2

Payments: Resolution: To approve the July Payments of £40,257.91.  Proposed:  Cllr. Middleton.  Seconded:  Cllr. B. Jeffs (AGREED) Cllr. Gentry drew attention to a payment made to him for £60.21 which represented reimbursement for sundry hanging basket requisites.

 

998.3

Building Maintenance Program.  Resolution:  To approve the formation of a working party to review and implement a program of maintenance and repair on all Council owned properties and the continuance of a program for building repairs and necessary equipment. Proposed:  Cllr. Middleton.  Seconded: Cllr. B. Jeffs (AGREED).  The working party membership was agreed as Cllr. Middleton, Cllr. B. Jeffs and Cllr. Gentry and their remit was to introduce a program of repairs which ensured the preservation of Council buildings. As the current budget only covered emergency repairs the cost of the working party recommendations would be taken into account in the 2010/11 budget.     

RG/ SM/ BJ

999

Grants.

 

999.1

CAB Grant.  Resolution: To approve the principle of an annual grant for the continuance of the Friends of Alresford Citizens Advice Bureau Outreach (FACABO) program.  Proposed: Cllr. Gentry  Seconded:  Cllr. Mansfield (AGREED)  The request is for .25p per electorate which would equate to a little over £1,000.  A provision for this grant has been made in the 2010/11 grant budget.  It was pointed out that no council is able to give long term commitments on behalf of future Councils.

 

999.2

Alresford & Cheriton Scouts.  Resolution: To approve a grant of £250 to the Alresford & Cheriton Scouts. Proposed: Cllr.  Middleton Seconded: Cllr. B. Jeffs. (AGREED)

SB

1000

Stratton Bate Pavilion Resolution: For the Building Maintenance Program working party (See Minute 998.3) to be given the responsibility for the future renovation and repair proposals of the Stratton Bates Pavilion.  The extension of the Pavilion to be held in abeyance until appropriate funding agents can be found.  Proposed:  Cllr. Gentry.  Seconded:  Cllr. Cattle (AGREED)

RG/ SM/ BJ

1001

Rugby Pitches and Compulsory Purchase Order

 

1001.1

Resolution: To engage professional and legal advisors to establish the true cost estimates for the progress of the CPO and estimate the land acquisition costs based upon possible decisions that may be made by the inspector.  Proposed: Cllr. Power.  Seconded: Cllr. Yeldham.  (AGREED)

RG/SK

1001.2

Resolution: Resolution: To make a budget provision of £10,000 to cover fees to be taken from reserves, if required and recovered, if necessary, from the 2011/12 precept. Proposed: Cllr. Gentry.  Seconded: Cllr. B. Jeffs (AGREED)

RG/SK

1002

Local Development Framework (Parish & Town Council input to revised LDF)

Resolution: To establish a small working party to develop the Town Council’s position on a revised Local Development Framework incorporating appropriate elements from previous reports on this and other design and planning matters.  Proposed:  Cllr. B. Jeffs.  Seconded:  Cllr. Middleton (AGREED)

BJ

1003

Committee Reports

 

1003.1

Recreation Committee 

 

1003.1.1

Resolution: To approve the Police holding a BMX day at Stratton Bates on Friday 20th August from 1000hrs -1600hrs and for a burger van to use the site car park in support of the event. Proposed: Cllr. B. Jeffs.   Seconded:  Cllr. Middleton (AGREED)

SK

1003.1.2

Resolution:  To approve the purchase of the selected dual able / disabled body play equipment. Proposed:  Cllr. Power.  Seconded:  Cllr. B. Jeffs. (AGREED)

LM/SK

1003.1.3

Resolution: To approve the release of Open Space Funds to purchase of a Youth Shelter at a cost of £8,571.63 to be installed at the bottom of Arlebury Park (near the Skate Park) subject to consultation with the Alresford Football Club.  Proposed:  Cllr. Power.  Seconded.  Cllr. Mansfield (Against: Cllr. Yeldham. Abstention: Cllr. B. Jeffs) (AGREED BY MAJORITY VOTE)

SK

1003.1.4

Perins Car Park A meeting was held with Perins and an agreement was made that the Perins Car Park would be opened up until 1300hrs every Sunday (except Bank Holidays).  Despite this agreement the Car Park failed to open and a letter of complaint was written to Janice Bernard, Head of Perins.  Clive Surry has given assurances that this will not happen in the future.  A suggestion to install a gate between the top and bottom car park could remedy the car park opening hours.  This point would be taken to Perins.  A meeting will be convened to discuss the parking signs which have been erected in the wrong location. 

RG

1003.2

Environment Committee  - No meeting has taken place.  It was reported that an allotment full consultation meeting was being convened.  The work carried out by the ‘pay back team’ will have an affect on the allotment program of works to be completed.  PSCO Hull and Cllr. Cattle to liaise.

JC/SH

1003.3

Tourism Committee -  No meeting had taken place.  The Millennium Trail leaflet was about to go to print. Cllr. Gentry would email a copy of the final proof upon request. Resolution:  To approve the payment to the Chamber of Commerce of £500 for the Pocketbook Guide. (Resolution deferred to the September meeting.)  The HCC procedure in respect of reimbursement for work carried out on their behalf to be ascertained to enable Council to review a resolution for implementing a £500 minor repair budget for the upkeep of the Millennium Trail.

RG

 

 

SK/LM

1003.4

Planning Committee  (Cllr. Middleton left the meeting) Resolution: To consider and ratify the ’No Comment’ as the NATC response to the planning application Case No. 10/01380/FUL in respect of Oakcroft, 83, Jacklyns Lane, Alresford - Change of use from 1 no. four bedroom house to 3 no. two bedroom dwellings including new dormer windows.  Proposed: Cllr. Power.  Seconded: Cllr. Mansfield (AGREED).  (Cllr. Middleton returned to the meeting)

Resolution: To ratify representation at WCC planning review committee on the Hasted Drive planning application if WCC request attendance. Proposed: Cllr. B. Jeffs.  Seconded:  Cllr. Mansfield.  (AGREED)

 

 

 

 

BJ

1004

Reports from Outside Bodies

 

1004.1

Chamber of Commerce - No Report.

 

1004.2

Town Trust - No Meeting.

 

1004.3

Perins Trust - No Meeting.

 

1004.4

WDA - No Meeting.

 

1004.5

Alresford Society - Stated they would be happy to participate in the update of the Town Plan.

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1004.6

Greening/Climate Change  Meeting to be held 4th August.

 

1005

Next Meeting - Time:7.30.  Date: 7th September.  Location: Alresford Recreation Centre, Upper Meeting Room.

 

 

                                                                             Meeting closed 9.10

 

 

 

 

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

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