Minutes of the FULL COUNCIL meeting of Bursledon Parish Council
held on Wednesday, 27 January 2010 at the Village Hall,
Long Lane, Bursledon at 7.00 p.m
Present :
Cllr Clarke (acting as Chair)
Cllr House (from the end of item 6.1)
Cllr Milne
Cllr Misselbrook
Cllr Moneypenny
Cllr O’Sullivan
Cllr Woodhouse
In attendance: Mrs Jennifer Whittle (Parish Clerk)
13 members of the public
1. Apologies for absence
Apologies had been received from Cllr Allen, Cllr Craig, Cllr Holes,
Cllr Lippold and Cllr Millar.
2. Declarations of interest
Cllr Milne declared an interest in item 6.4, as the applicant was a
neighbour and item 14, as he is a representative of the Community
Association.
3. Minutes of the meeting of 9 December 2009
Cllr Clarke proposed, Cllr Misselbrook seconded and Members voted
unanimously to agree and sign the Minutes.
4. Matters arising from the minutes of meeting 9 December 2009
There were no matters arising.
5. Public Session
Mr Henshall again raised the matter of speeding traffic in School Road
and queried that as Bursledon Parish Council were not prepared to take
any action, whom he should approach. Cllr Clarke (chairing the
meeting) felt that this comment was not justifiable, as Bursledon Parish
Council had carried out an extensive survey and had lobbied both EBC and
HCC Highways, who had advised that due to Highways Regulations they were
unable to undertake any suitable measures. Mr Henshall then said
that Bursledon Parish Council were not interested in this matter and had
made it clear in their Newsletter that they supported the safety of
drivers, rather than the safety of pedestrians. Members said that
the Newsletter did not represent the personal opinion of each Member.
The Clerk advised that she did not believe the Newsletter article
referred to had not represented the opinion of Bursledon Parish Council,
but had been quoting the advice received. Cllr Clarke advised Mr
Henshall to continue lobbying HCC Highways at EBC and Bursledon Parish
Council Members would endeavour to do the same.
Mr Norton once again raised the matter of potholes in the local roads.
Cllr Clarke advised Mr Norton to inform HCC Highways at Eastleigh
Borough Council of these, in order that they could be placed on their
list of works. Mr Norton felt this would not happen. The
Clerk advised Mr Norton that HCC Highways had an initiative to tackle
this problem and were evident on the roads trying to address problem
areas.
Mr Norton raised the matter of the water leak outside the motorcycle
shop. Cllr Woodhouse advised that this was a natural spring,
rather than a water leak. Cllr Clarke asked the Clerk to write a
letter to HCC Highways asking them to monitor this problem.
ACTION: CLERK.
6. Planning applications received from Eastleigh Borough Council
6.1 Escape, Long Lane, Bursledon – Retention of 1.8m fence and
gazebo. Case Officer: Nicola Reid. Case Ref:
F/09/66057.
A neighbour spoke to inform Members that this fence severely impeded her
access out of her drive onto the Long Lane. She also felt that the
fence was not aesthetically pleasing. The current tenant of the
property spoke to defend this application. She advised that she
had erected the fence, not being aware of the legislation or any
covenants on the property. She said they would also like to use
the land at the front of the property as a garden.
Cllr Moneypenny advised that this property was intended to be open plan
at the front and had no garden. Members felt the fence should be
replaced with a fence of 1 metre high or less, as the current
legislation required.
Cllr Moneypenny proposed TO OBJECT, Cllr Misselbrook seconded. 6
Members voted in favour. Cllr House abstained, as he had not been
present for this item.
6.2 Land Adjacent to Camelia Cottage, Dodwell Lane, Bursledon –
Construction of 2no. detached 3 bed dwellings and detached double garage
with associated parking, cycle and bin storage and new vehicular access
from Dodwell Lane following demolition of existing garage. Case
Officer: Dawn Errington. Case Ref: F/09/66413.
Robin Reay the architect spoke to advise that after liaising with Eric
Reed from EBC it was made clear that the preferred access for this site
was to the north, as it was safer. Mr Reay also said that the
previous application would have had the traffic associated with 14
properties and so the current application would appear to be preferable
to all parties.
Mr Brand a neighbour spoke to advise that although he generally
supported this application he was against there being two accesses to
this property, as it was dangerous. He also felt that EBC were not
overseeing the development of this property, as they applicants
consistently had bonfires burning and had started work on the current
residence before planning was granted. He also did not want his
trees touched by the developers.
Mrs Faro a neighbour likewise supported the revised plans, but had
concerns about the bin storage being so close to her property.
Cllr Misselbrook felt that two accesses with less properties seemed far
safer than one access with 14 properties using it.
Cllr House proposed DO NO OBJECT, subject to a request to EBC to
consider re-positioning the bin storage in a more suitable location away
from neighbours’ properties. Cllr Misselbrook seconded and Members
voted unanimously in favour.
6.3 Park Field House, Pylands Lane, Bursledon – Retrospective:
Retention of 1.8m high wire fence to rear boundary. Case Officer:
Nicola Reid. Case Ref: F/09/66259.
This application had been withdrawn by the Applicant.
6.4 Ensign House, Providence Hill, Bursledon – Lopping of branches
to 1 no. Oak in rear garden. Case Officer: Tessa Judd.
Case Ref: T/10/66500.
Cllr Moneypenny proposed DO NOT OBJECT and Cllr Woodhouse seconded.
6 Members voted in favour, with Cllr Milne abstaining in conjunction
with his declaration of interest.
7. Planning decisions notified by Eastleigh Borough Council
7.1 2 Holmlea, Station Road Bursledon – Installation of 1no. Bay window
to front. Case Officer: Nicola Reid. Case Ref:
F/09/66256. PERMIT
7.2 7 Larch Way, Bursledon – Crown thin 1no. Oak by up to 15% &
reduce branches growing toward house back to suitable secondary
laterals to ensure 2 metres clearance. Case Officer: Tessa
Judd. Case Ref: T/09/66318. CONSENT TO TREE WORKS
The planning decisions were noted.
8. Finance
8.1 To approve and sign the payments list and bank reconciliation
and to approve the monthly accounts, summary income and expenditure by
budget heading, and balance sheet. (Papers previously circulated to
Members).
Cllr Moneypenny proposed, Cllr House seconded and all agreed to approve
and sign the payments list.
8.2 To approve the final draft Finance Budget for 2010-2011 and
precept (previously circulated to Members).
Cllrs Misselbrook and Woodhouse opposed any increase to the precept.
Members discussed the draft budget in depth and although they were
generally against increasing the Parish Council Tax, it became evident
that there was no alternative due to circumstances out of their control.
Cllr House pointed out that Bursledon Parish Council had made the
decision to take £20,000 from reserves, in order to obviate the need for
a more substantial increase to the Parish Council Tax. The Clerk
informed Members that there were extenuating circumstances that had
warranted this action and could not be discussed in the public gallery.
However, she advised Members that Bursledon Parish Council currently
held healthy reserves because recent Clerks and Members had made a point
of avoiding unnecessary spending and it was her intention to cut costs
whilst maintaining services where possible in the future to help
maintain a healthy reserve fund.
Cllr House proposed to approve the final draft of the budget for
2010-2011 (as previously circulated to Members). Cllr Milne
seconded. 5 Members voted in favour, with Cllrs Misselbrook and
Woodhouse voting against.
8.3 To approve the Bursledon Parish Council Council Tax Leaflet
for 2010-2011 (previously circulated to Members). ACTION:
CLERK.
Cllr Clarke gave a précis of the Council Tax Leaflet for 2010.
Cllr Moneypenny proposed DO NOT OBJECT, Cllr Milne seconded and Members
voted unanimously in favour. ACTION: CLERK.
9. NEWSLETTER
9.1 To approve draft Newsletter for Jan/Feb 2010.
Cllr House proposed to approve Newsletter as drafted, Cllr Moneypenny
seconded. 6 Members voted in favour, with Cllr Woodhouse
abstaining, as she had not read this document. ACTION:
CLERK/ASSISTANT CLERK.
9.2 To consider/approve reducing the Newsletter publication from
bi-monthly to quarterly.
The Clerk advised Members that she was making this recommendation on the
basis that most other parish councils only had a quarterly newsletter.
She felt that the associated costs and officer time spent in preparing
and delivering the bi-monthly newsletter were unnecessary. Members
were happy with this suggestion, but discussed other options available
to reduce costs/workload further, such as only having the Newsletter on
the website, which was rejected or requesting those residents who did
not wish to receive the Newsletter notifying the Parish Council or
notifying residents in a future edition that the Newsletter would be
displayed at locations such as the Post Office, Parish Office for
collection. The Clerk felt that both of these options had adverse
implications as it would waste time for deliverers to identify who to
deliver to or not and if the Newsletters were placed in the Post Office
etc the Clerk felt there would be a poor uptake, as some parishioners
are housebound and others may not have time.
Cllr Clarke proposed to publish the Parish Newsletter on a quarterly
basis forthwith. Cllr Woodhouse seconded and Members voted
unanimously in favour. ACTION: CLERK.
10. DEVOLVEMENT OF COUNCIL SERVICES
10.1 Pilands Wood Play Areas - To approve the Report on Title,
signings of the Transfer on behalf of Bursledon Parish Council and
payment of the invoice rendered by Parish Smith.
Cllr Clarke informed Members that these papers had previously been
circulated to them. He advised that he would take this matter as
one item, with a separate vote for the Report on Title, Transfer and
invoice.
Cllr House proposed to approve the Report on Title, Cllr Misselbrook
seconded, with 5 Members voting in favour and Cllrs Milne and Woodhouse
voting against.
Cllr House proposed to approve the Transfer being signed on behalf of
BPC, Cllr Misselbrook seconded, with 5 Members voting in favour and
Cllrs Milne and Woodhouse voting against.
Cllr House proposed to approve payment of the invoice, subject to a
contribution from Eastleigh Borough Council, Cllr Misselbrook seconded,
with 5 Members voting in favour and Cllrs Milne and Woodhouse voting
against. ACTION: CLERK/CHAIR.
11. EBC REQUEST FOR CONTRIBUTION FROM BPC TOWARDS GRIT BINS
This item was withdrawn from the Agenda, as it had now been overtaken.
12. MOTION BY CLLR CLARKE – REVIEW OF COLD WEATHER RESOURCES
Cllr Clarke advised that he had asked for this item to be placed on the
Agenda, as he felt that most side roads had been impassable during the
snow and BPC needed to have a plan of action in future.
Cllr House confirmed that HCC were currently investigating this matter
and proposed carrying out a review, with a plan to be made in the
Autumn. They were currently investigating the possibility of
increasing their future salt stocks, which were currently twice the
recommend amount to three times the recommended amount, together with
the provision of storage facilities. HCC were also looking into
the possibility of increasing grit bin provision from 2,000 to 6,000
bins and were currently requesting details of sites, together with a
volunteer in each road to monitor their bin to ensure it remained topped
up and that supplies were being used for public highways and not
domestic properties, as had been happening. Other initiatives they
were looking at were having more farmers on call and local authority
employees who were unable to work, i.e. bin men etc helping to clear
roads/pavements. Cllr House advised the Clerk and Members to
collate a list of roads to be considered for grit bins and forward this
to HCC ASAP. ACTION: CLERK/MEMBERS.
13. GRANT APPLICATIONS
13.1 Hampshire County Youth Band – any donation from £50.00 to
£500.00. Cllr Clarke queried whether Members wished to give a
grant. Members unanimously agreed that they did not wish to do so
on this occasion. ACTION: CLERK.
13.2 Bursledon & District Community Association - £783.00.
Cllr Moneypenny felt that the Community Association should try to hold
fund raising events, as the Village Hall does. Andrew Madsen
advised that there were only three representatives of the Community
Association who were active and two had work commitments and one was
retired. Members were divided as to whether to give a grant and
consequently Cllr House recommended that the Community Association makes
an application to HCC Development Grants Fund for these funds.
Consequently Andrew Madsen withdrew the application and Cllr Milne
thanked Cllr House for his kind gesture.
14. TO APPROVE THE SIGNING OF THE COMMUNITY CENTRE CAR PARK LEASE
The Clerk advised that the format of the draft Lease had previously been
approved by Members. The Lease had now been signed by the
Community Association and she was purely looking for Members to approve
the signing of the Lease on behalf of Bursledon Parish Council.
Cllr Moneypenny proposed to approve the signing of the Lease on behalf
of BPC, Cllr Misselbrook seconded and Members voted unanimously in
favour.
15. TO CONSIDER DISCONTINUING NALC MEMBERSHIP.
Members discussed the various correspondence in this matter and were
uncertain whether NALC would improve its services and house matters, as
a consequence of these proceedings. Members felt that if the
current membership was cancelled, the NALC membership could be reviewed
at some time in the future, should they vastly improve their services.
Cllr House proposed to not renew BPC’s NALC Membership. Cllr
Misselbrook seconded. 5 Members voted in favour, with Cllrs Clarke
and Woodhouse abstaining.
16. Correspondence
16.1 HCC had written regarding the footpath from Bursledon Road to
Devonshire Gardens, Bursledon, enquiring whether BPC/Members had any
comments for or against HCC’s proposal to enter into an agreement with
Tesco to provide permissive or licensed access for walkers and cyclists
for a period of 10 years. Members felt they had no objections to
make. ACTION: CLERK.
16.2 Planning Aid South had written advising that they are a
charity which offers free independent planning advice and assistance for
individuals and community groups in Hampshire, independent of Local and
Central Government. They advise that should BPC wish at any time
in the future they would be happy to come along to a meeting and give
ten minute presentation about the work they do and any matters of
interest relating to planning. Cllr Clarke requested the Clerk to
invite Planning Aid South to attend a future meeting. ACTION:
CLERK.
16.3 EBC had forwarded a copy of the Biodiversity Supplementary
Planning Document adopted in December 2009, which the Clerk advised
would be filed in the Parish Office for anyone wishing to view this
document.
16.4 HCC had forwarded the Hospital Taxi Service figures for April
to November 2009, which be filed in the short term in the Parish Office
for anyone wishing to view these figures.
16.5 EBC had written to advise of an appeal by Mrs Cresy regarding
that Council’s refusal of planning permission for construction of 3 bed
chalet dwelling with associated driveway at Land adjacent to Pylands
House, Pylands Lane.
16.6 Vitalise had written to thank BPC for its kind grant of
£270.50.
16. Clerk’s report
The Clerk advised that Peter the Assistant Groundsman had now put up all
of the new oak Parish Notice Boards.
17. Chairman’s report
Cllr Clarke reported that GAF would like to make a contribution towards
the Centenary of Flight event as opposed to BPC giving a grant for this
event. The Clerk felt a grant might already have been given, but
Cllr Clarke felt it had not. He advised that GAF would like to
hold an event for children where they could learn a little about the
history of flight and make a model. Cllr House advised that if BPC
had not already made a grant, GAF could apply to HCC for a grant for
GAF’s event. Cllr Clarke thanked him for this information.
ACTION: CLERK/CLLR CLARKE.
18. Councillors’ Questions
Cllr Woodhouse asked what action was proposed for the Hungerford
footpath, as she had received complaints about the state of the
footpath. The Clerk advised that following the erection of the
fence at the allotments and alongside the footpath the Parish Council
had received a complaint and the Groundsmen had cleared the path as much
as was possible. The former Assistant Groundsman, Andrew Chesshire
had advised that he had been part of the volunteer group who had
re-surfaced the footpath with gravel 8 years ago and as Lengthsman he
had spent a great deal of time shovelling up gravel off of the road
after, as it was washed down the path due to the slope. Mr Norton
advised that at a previous meeting he recalled that EBC were
investigating possibilities. The Clerk thanked him for reminding
of this fact.
Cllr Woodhouse queried what the position was with regard to the dog bin
on the triangle. The Clerk confirmed that she had emailed EBC
following the meeting at which this was discussed to request that they
remove the dog bin from the triangle to Peewit Hill, as approved.
The Clerk advised that she would chase EBC again. ACTION:
CLERK.
19.2 Parish fees review. This item was retracted from Exempt
Business and discussed in the public forum.
Burial fees – the Clerk advised that several of the funeral directors
had advised her that Bursledon Parish Council’s fees were grossly under
the general average. The Clerk had established the fees of other
authorities and had drafted a list of revised fees based on the
information obtained.
Cllr Moneypenny proposed to approve revised burial fees for
implementation from 1 April 2010, as drafted, subject to the amendment
of the adult interment fee to £400 and the Cremated remain interment to
£100, purchase of burial plot or adjoining plot to £500 and purchase of
a cremation plot to £150, with the fees for non-parishioners being
tripled. Cllr House seconded and Members voted unanimously in
favour.
Allotment fees – Members discussed the allotments and felt that although
the allotments were non profit making, they were currently making a vast
loss and the parishioners were currently subsidising a relatively low
number of residents. Members also felt that the demands for Health
and Safety tree works and fencing on site placed an additional burden on
parish funds. Consequently Members felt that as these fees had not
been revised for many years, an increase should be implemented.
Cllr Moneypenny proposed to raise the annual allotments fee to £25 per
year. Cllr Misselbrook seconded. 5 Members voted in favour,
with Cllr House and Milne abstaining.
Football/Cricket Pitch fees - The Clerk advised Members that over
past months she had spoken to other parishes and most of their fees were
vastly above those of BPC. However, she advised that BPC was in a
different position, as football team Managers helped BPC with the pitch
maintenance.
Cllr House proposed to approve the revised football pitch and cricket
fees as draft by the Clerk and circulated to Members. Cllr
Misselbrook seconded and Members voted unanimously in favour.
ACTION: CLERK.
19. Exempt Business
19.1 Planning Enforcement. The items were noted.
19.3 Trainee Assistant Groundsman post – short listing.
ACTION: CLERK/ASSISTANT CLERK/CLLRS MILLAR AND MONEYPENNY.
The meeting closed at 9.47 pm.