Minutes of the meeting of Bursledon Parish Council
held on Wednesday 27 February 2008
at the Village Hall, Long Lane, Bursledon at 7.00 pm.
Present :
Cllr Millar (Chair)
Cllr Moneypenny (Vice Chair)
Cllr Allen
Cllr Clarke
Cllr Holes
Cllr House (for items 5 to 11)
Cllr Milne
In attendance: Mrs Jennifer Whittle (Parish Clerk)
10 members of the public
1. Apologies for absence
Apologies had been received from Cllr Craig, Cllr Lippold, Cllr Misselbrook
and Cllr Woodhouse.
2. Declarations of interest
Cllr House declared an interest in items 7.1 and 7.2.
Cllr Milne declared an interest in item 10.
3. Minutes of the meeting of 23 January 2008
Cllr Allen proposed, Cllr Moneypenny seconded and the Minutes were agreed
and signed.
4. Matters arising from the minutes of 23 January 2008
Item 5 Footpath 11 – Cllr Millar confirmed that HCC Highways had advised him
this repair work will be carried out as soon as possible.
5. Public Session
Cllr Holes informed Members and members of the public that the appeal for
the “Gulls Way” planning application had taken place on the 26 February
2008. It was attended by Cllrs Holes and Millar, an officer and
several members of the public. The applicant put forward the argument
that the dwelling would be modest for the size of the plot and Cllrs put
forward their case that the plans were a 100% larger footprint and a 100%
larger floor space. It became evident that some of the policies
concerned with this planning decision were subjective, which highlighted the
fact that EBC planning policies required to be reviewed. EBC had
confirmed that this would occur soon as the current policies had been in
place for 2 years and were due for review. Members would like to thank
OBAG for their input at this meeting, as it proved very helpful.
Footpath 501 – Following an update from the Parish Clerk, Diane Andrews had
been in touch with Colin Piper at HCC who had advised that there would be no
costs incurred by BPC in dedicating the small piece of land to extend this
footpath. The Clerk advised that she had also been in touch with Colin
Piper at HCC today, as there had been some confusion at their end, with one
officer advising costs would be incurred and Colin Piper advising they would
not be. Colin Piper had advised the Clerk that if the piece of land
dedicated represented an additional access route to Footpath 501 then no
costs would be involved. However, if BPC ever required the route to be
amended to remove the current access across the cemetery car park from the
Definitive Map this would incur costs. The Clerk advised that Members
would consider HCC’s advice under “Correspondence”, as they had already
voted in favour of dedicating the small piece of land.
Marcus Houghton spoke in relation to item 12 on the Agenda “Dog
Regulations”, to enquire why this was being raised. The Clerk advised
that there had been several complaints from football teams and members of
the public about the high level of dog fouling evident in the Recreation
Ground. The Clerk had also received complaints from two parents that
loose dogs had been allowed in the play area and the Groundsman had
witnessed several dog owners parking their cars and releasing their dogs
into the Recreation Ground (and Great Down Park) without accompanying them.
These dogs were then fouling the Recreation Ground and on several occasions
had attacked other dogs on leads. Cllr Clarke requested that Members
discuss this item when it arose on the Agenda.
6. PCSO’s Report
PCSO Tanya Scoates advised that this month there had been a rise in the
level of criminal damage incidents. The PCSOs had been extremely busy
over the half term period and had carried out additional patrols, as the
level of vehicle crime had risen greatly, with tyres being slashed etc.
The PCSOs had also carried out another alcohol seizure session and had
seized a large amount of alcohol from under aged drinkers.
Cllr Millar asked Tanya to report back to Bob that with regard to the
missing fence panel on Bursledon Green where youths were congregating, he
had reported this to EBC who were investigating the matter and would ensure
the missing fence panel was replaced by whoever was responsible for it.
Cllr Milne raised the matter of cars being parked, blocking the pavement at
Providence Hill. Tanya advised this matter was being regularly
monitored by them. A member of the public also requested the PCSOs to
visit Yachtsman Close as a vehicle there regularly blocked the pavement and
disabled access. Tanya confirmed they would investigate this.
7. Planning Applications received from Eastleigh Borough Council
7.1 Myrtle Cottage, Lands End Road, Bursledon – Listed Building
Consent: Installation of floating pontoon with steel bridge and tubular
steel piles. (Case Officer: Narinder Phagura Case Ref:
L/08/62243).
No letters of objection have been received. Cllr Clarke introduced
this item. Mrs Andrewes raised an objection about the intended pontoon
affecting the “setting” of a listed building, especially when boats are
moored there.
(Members discussed items 7.1 and 7.2 together). They generally felt
that it would be extremely difficult to uphold an objection to this
application, in view of the fact that other similar pontoons had been
constructed on neighbouring properties. Cllr House felt that if BPC
voted not to object, it could be subject to the planning officer giving
careful consideration to the conservation area architecture and ensuring the
materials used for the pontoon are sympathetic to the Conservation Area,
i.e. preferably using wood products, instead of tubular steel piles.
Cllr Clarke proposed NOT TO OBJECT on the grounds that the planning officer
ensures that consideration is given to the local Conservation Area
architecture and the materials used for the pontoon are sympathetic to the
Conservation Area, i.e. preferably wood instead of tubular steel piles.
Cllr Moneypenny seconded and Members voted unanimously in favour.
7.2 Myrtle Cottage, Lands End Road, Bursledon – Installation of
floating pontoon with steel bridge and tubular steel piles. (Case
Officer: Narinder Phagura Case Ref: C/08/61994).
No letters of objection have been received. Please refer to item 7.1
above for the discussion of this application.
Cllr Clarke proposed NOT TO OBJECT on the grounds that the planning officer
ensures that consideration is given to the local conservation area
architecture and the materials used for the pontoon are sympathetic to the
Conservation Area, i.e. preferably wood instead of tubular steel piles.
Cllr Moneypenny seconded and Members voted unanimously in favour.
7.3 17 Sunnyfield Rise, Bursledon – Lopping of overhanging
branches of 1 no. Scots Pine. (Case Officer: Ban Abbatt
Case Ref: T/08/62189).
No letters of objection have been received. Cllr Millar introduced
this application. He informed Members that he had advised the
applicant to make this application to EBC, as they were subject to the loss
of light caused by overhanging branches from the neighbour’s Scots Pine
tree.
Cllr Millar proposed NOT TO OBJECT, Cllr Allen second and Members voted
unanimously in favour.
7.4 2 Rathdora Mews, Hamble Lane, Bursledon – Construction of detached
garage. (Case Officer: Rachel Illsley Case Ref:
F/08/62082).
No letters of objection have been received. Cllr Clarke introduced
this application. Members discussed the application and felt that the
plans were acceptable.
Cllr Clarke proposed NOT TO OBJECT, Cllr Allen seconded and Members voted
unanimously in favour.
8. Finance
8.1 To approve and sign the payments list and to approve the monthly
accounts, summary income and expenditure by budget heading, and balance
sheet. (Papers previously circulated to Members).
Cllr Holes proposed Cllr House seconded and all agreed to approve and sign
the payments list.
9. TRAFFIC ISSUES – SCHOOL ROAD/LONG LANE
The Clerk advised that Cllr Holes had requested this item to be added to the
Agenda, as he had received a complaint from Mr Henshaw, who had been
prompted to write to him, due to a near miss incident in School Road, as a
result of a speeding car. Mr Henshaw asked if a letter could be
written to the schools, requesting mothers (who appeared to be the worst
offenders) to watch their speed. At the previous meeting the Chair had
requested the Clerk to ask an officer from EBC to attend this meeting.
The Clerk advised that Stuart Robinson-Woledge had responded that he would
be unable to attend but had advised that initial assessments made indicated
that there had been a marked improvement to these two roads since the
majority of the A27 road works had been completed. However, he gave
his assurance that the matter of speeding would be raised with the Police at
their next liaison meeting. He also advised that as Long Lane had
already received traffic calming measures, a traffic survey would be
required to collect the relevant data to assess whether further measures
were justified, but sadly the timescales for carrying out these surveys were
based on accident data provided by the Police, as resources were very
limited and had to be directed in the most urgent areas. He also
confirmed that Long Lane had been included for a traffic study to
investigate parking problems. Cllr Millar informed members of the
public that Bursledon Parish Council had referred this matter to HCC
Highways, who were responsible for such matters, on many occasions and had
always received the same response that this area was not high priority.
He believed that as there had been no accidents these roads would remain low
priority until there was an accident. Cllr Moneypenny queried why
these roads could not be made 20 mph and Cllr Millar informed her that they
were considered rural. Cllr House asked that the Clerk approach HCC
Highways to request that traffic speeding was included in their proposed
traffic study and also that the Police are requested to do some speed checks
during peak hours (8.30 am to 9.15 am and 2.45 pm to 3.30 pm). Cllr
Holes also requested that the Clerk requests temporary “Kill your speed”
signs be placed in School Road. The Clerk said she would also write to the
schools highlighting the problem of speeding parents delivering children to
school. Cllr Milne who is a Governor at one of the schools confirmed
he would deal with this request to the Infant and Junior Schools.
ACTION: CLERK/CLLR MILNE.
10. COMMUNITY CENTRE CAR PARK LEASE
Cllr Milne (who had declared an interest in this item) had requested this
item to be added to the Agenda, in order that the Community Centre Trustees
could establish the current position with regard to the renewal of the Lease
of the Community Centre Car Park. Cllr House advised that on this
occasion BPC were responsible for the delay, as this matter was on hold
whilst the discussions regarding the library were still going on between EBC
and HCC, who were refusing to fund their part of the library. He
suggested that it would be desirable to leave this matter in abeyance for
two or three months, by which time he should have heard whether the issues
between EBC and HCC had been resolved, allowing Bursledon Parish Council to
make an informed decision regarding the terms and conditions of the new
Lease. The Clerk pointed out that the surface of the car park was
breaking down and really needed renewing, but the Parish Council was
continuing to take responsibility and using cold tarmac to fill bigger holes
that could be dangerous to users. The Clerk would ensure that the
Groundsmen continued their regular inspections of the car park.
ACTION: CLERK/GROUNDSMEN.
11. RECREATION GROUND - PRACTICE FOOTBALL GOAL POST.
Members had previously voted in favour of adding a practice football goal
post to the Recreation Ground to resolve the problem of the football pitch
goal mouths being ruined by youths practising. For the benefit of the
public the Clerk informed that the current position was that she had
obtained several quotations for steel lockable goal posts (to help protect
against vandalism and theft) that could be relocated when the grass became
worn, by purchasing additional sets of lockable sockets; or as Cllr Holes
had suggested, could have a small area of artificial surface to enable the
goal post to remain fixed in one spot. Cllr Millar confirmed that he
and Cllr Craig had been discussing the feasibility of an additional full
sized artificial pitch being installed. The Clerk highlighted the fact
that there may not be suitable room for this option. Cllr Allen
proposed that the Parish Council should purchase one practice goal post,
together with net and two sets of lockable sockets to enable it to be
relocated when the grass became worn. Members voted unanimously in
favour. The Clerk confirmed the quotations would have to be considered
under Exempt Business.
12. RECREATION GROUND – DOG REGULATIONS.
The problems being encountered by BPC had been notified to Members in the
Public Session of this meeting. Members requested that the Clerk and
Groundsmen ensure that the relevant signage was in place to warn dog owners
about dog fouling and that the Clerk seeks the advice of the Dog Warden at
EBC, as to how they deal with such issues. Members also requested that
the Groundsmen take a note of any car number plates of dog owners who let
their dogs out of their cars, without accompanying, allowing them to foul
the Recreation Ground or attack other dogs and report these dog owners to
the relevant authorities. The Clerk would place an article
highlighting the problems and intended action by BPC in the next Newsletter.
ACTION: CLERK/GROUNDSMEN.
13. Clerk’s report
13.1 Digger is taking a week’s leave on the week starting 3 March
2008. Peter Milam will be covering the gates during this period.
13.2 The new bottle recycling skip has been installed in Great Down
Park. Contract Services are organising the removal of the three small
bottle banks forthwith.
13.3 The new sign for Great Down Park has now been installed by EBC.
14. Chairman’s report
Cllr Millar had that day attended the Bursledon Windmill Management
Committee (in the absence of Cllr Misselbrook). The Windmill Committee
had raised the matter of the grant made by Bursledon Parish Council and had
registered their thanks, which had been duly noted. Cllr Millar had
also raised with them (in accordance with Members’ request at the time the
grant was made) that the Windmill Management Committee need to be aware that
this grant was a one off and the Management Committee must ensure that they
look carefully at their budgets and structuring to ensure they do not
constantly have a shortfall in funding. The Windmill Committee had
advised that the Curator, who had been injured had now retired and they were
currently re-structuring the management of the Windmill, which should help
with future budgeting.
15. Correspondence
15.1 Jon Brown at EBC had emailed notifying that they need to recruit
3 additional Parish Councillors for EBC’s Standards Committee. They
had asked whether any Members would be interested in being nominated.
Cllr Clarke confirmed that he would not mind being nominated. Cllr
Millar requested the Clerk to nominate Cllr Clarke on behalf of BPC.
ACTION: CLERK.
15.2 Greyladyes Arts Foundation had written informally thanking BPC
for the kind grant made to them. Cllr Clarke confirmed they will be
writing a formal acknowledgement shortly.
15.3 EBC had sent their Planning Policy & Design Team Newsletter which
had been circulated to Members for information.
15.4 Derek Goodchild at EBC had emailed re: Footpath 11 (the cut from
School Road to Long Lane) to advise that he has made an order for the
necessary maintenance works to this footpath, which will hopefully be
carried out during the school holidays in either the Easter break, half term
break or Summer holidays.
15.5 Both EBC & HCC have written re: the Parish Consultation on the
proposed changes to the Planning and related application registration
requirements. Members wishing to view associated documentation or make
comment can obtain the relevant information from the Parish Clerk. The
deadline for comments to EBC is 21 March 2008 and HCC is 28 March 2008.
15.6 HCC had responded to BPC’s written request to dedicate a small
strip of land and modify the Definitive Map, to advise that the costs
involved with making the relevant orders would be in the region of £2,000.
The Clerk had updated Members during the Public Session of the current
position. Cllr Millar proposed that BPC upholds their dedication of
this piece of land, with both access routes to Footpath 501 remaining in
use, to overcome the issue of costs being incurred by BPC. Cllr Allen
seconded and all Members voted unanimously in favour. ACTION: CLERK.
15.7 Copy email from Diane Andrewes to EBC requesting their consideration of
“Over 70’s playgrounds”. EBC had responded that they would not be
considering this option, as there were sufficient open spaces within the
Borough for pensioners to take exercise. They suggested that Diane
Andrewes approaches BPC. Members considered this matter and resolved
that the Clerk contacts Diane Andrewes to advise that they were in agreement
with EBC on this matter and did not intend to implement such an area in the
Recreation Ground (especially as the current play facilities were constantly
being vandalised). ACTION: CLERK.
16. Councillors’ Questions
Cllr Moneypenny had received a recommendation from Mrs Stickland in relation
to speeding traffic in School Road/Long Lane to get Hampshire Fire and
Rescue to visit the schools to educate the children, who then seemed to go
away and raise more awareness in their parents, by guilt methods. Cllr
Moneypenny raised the question of whether the Clerk would contact the
schools. Cllr Milne who was present confirmed he would raise this on
behalf of BPC. ACTION: CLLR MILNE.
17. Exempt Business
17.1 Planning Enforcement – the complaints were noted.
17.2 Maternity leave – Locum cover.
17.3 Planning Meetings – Laptop & Projector quotations for
consideration and approval.
The meeting closed at 8.55 p.m.