Minutes of the Parish Council Meeting Held on Monday 8th December 2014
OWSLEBURY PARISH COUNCIL
MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON
8th DECEMBER 2014
COMMENCING AT 7.30PM IN THE HALL, OWSLEBURY PARISH HALL
PRESENT
Parish Councillor John Chapman (in the Chair).
Parish Councillors: Roger Page, Paul Phillips, Sally Tattersall, Gerry Tull
IN ATTENDANCE
Clerk and Responsible Financial Officer (RFO): Michael Cleary.
District Councillor Laurence Ruffell.
PCSO Richard Nolan
9 members of the public were present (left at varying times).
APOLOGIES.
Councillor Mark Egerton
Councillor Will Martin
County and District Councillor Rob Humby (information update provided to the Clerk).
226/14 DISCLOSURE OF INTERESTS FOR AGENDA ITEMS.
During the course of the meeting, Councillor Tull noted his personal interest in matters concerning land for potential social housing development (item233/14(f) below) and Councillor Phillips noted his personal interest (as a member of the PCC) in matters concerning St Andrews Church.
227/14 CONFIRMATION OF MINUTES OF THE PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON 10h NOVEMBER 2014.
The draft minutes of the Parish Council meeting held on 10h November 2014 had been previously circulated. All Parish Councillors noted their acceptance of the Minutes, and it was Resolved unanimously (Councillor Page proposed and Councillor Tattersall seconded the Resolution) that they were a true record.
228/14 PUBLIC QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS
a) Planning Applications.
Land off Hatchley Lane, Upham: The planning adviser summarised the application and responded to questions from councillors. In particular the adviser noted the application was for a Lawful use certificate and not a planning application per se. Accordingly, it was based on the historical facts (provided in four sworn statements) as to the usage of the land over a 10 year period, and these would have to be proved to be incorrect for the application to be refused. He noted the site would continue to be used for building and agricultural materials and gave examples such as dumper trucks. He stated, in response to a question, that it would not become a contractors depot.
Gorsedown House, Main Road, Owslebury: The architect for the applicants summarised the proposed development of Gorsedown House into a more substantial family home, and responded to questions from councillors. He noted that much of the proposed building work would be within permitted development .rights. However the proposals included significant work to improve the insulation and external appearance of the property and as such required planning permission. In addition to seeking clarification on certain points on the application, councillors asked the applicants confirm, in due course, that there would be no encroachment on land designated as being agricultural.
b) Other Agenda Items.
There were no comments on other agenda items.
229/14 VILLAGE AGENT INITIATIVE.
Gail Allen (Age Concern Hampshire) gave a brief presentation on the Village Agent project and noted, amongst other matters:
· the project is in its 3rd year and Hampshire now has 35 Village agents with seven more in the pipeline;
· the agent’s primary role is to assist elderly people in dealing with a range of issues by having the knowledge and training to refer them to appropriate organisations or people who can assist them;
· the role acknowledges that research has shown most elderly people prefer face to face contact rather than to use call centres or the internet to obtain advice;
· although the recent experience in Owslebury had not suggested any great demand for such services (1 person contacted the then Village agent), she felt that the project had a ‘long fuse’ and over time would be seen as a key service for the growing numbers of elderly people.
She responded to questions from councillors. At the end of the discussion councillors expressed their support for the initiative and would provide assistance in the recruitment of an agent for Owslebury.
230/14 POLICE REPORT.
PCSO Richard Nolan updated the Council on the latest incidents reported to Police. These included the theft of a trailer in Hurst Lane and the theft of significant quantities of heating oil. As regards the latter, he agreed to provide the Clerk with material to help warn parishioners of oil thefts and ways of safeguarding oil tanks. He commented on the parking problems in the vicinity of the school. (During the discussion a local resident, unfamiliar with the rules of Council, expressed his deep frustration at the damage caused by coaches – and which he had witnessed - and other vehicles on the verges outside his property and disputed the School’s view that the children could not board buses on the Main Road just outside the School. The Chairman brought the intervention to an end but assured the resident the matter would be on the agenda for the next meeting and he could express his view during the public session for that meeting). Councillors noted the parking issues would need to be addressed, albeit there was no obvious solution. Parents tended to use cars as either they lived outside the parish, or they were fearful of their children walking on the lanes with speeding traffic. The possible solutions to the longer term issues involved working with the Police and Hampshire County Council.
231/14 COUNCILLOR STATEMENTS MADE AT PREVIOUS MEETING.
The Chairman noted that during the Parish Council meeting held on 10th November, Councillor Tull made statements impugning the integrity of District Councillors Ruffell, Humby and Izard. The Chairman had met with Councillor Tull after the meeting and invited him to withdraw his statements. Councillor Tull had declined to do so. In such circumstances the Chairman was of the view the Council should not be associated with Councillor Tull’s allegations. Before proposing his Resolution the Chairman gave Councillor Tull the opportunity to respond to his comments.
Councillor Tull commented that whilst it may have been more appropriate for him to have used the word ‘misfeasance’ in place of ‘bent’ or ‘corrupt’, his underlying concerns remained the same, and recent events had reinforced his views. He was sorry if he had offended the Council but would not withdraw the substance of his allegations or apologise to the District Councillors concerned. Furthermore he had not sought to complain to WCC as, in his view, the review process is flawed in that it lacks independence.
The Chairman proposed the following Resolution:
The Council deplores, and disassociates itself from, the statements made by Councillor Tull at its meeting on 10th November 2014 impugning the integrity of District Councillors Ruffell, Humby and Izard, and asks Councillor Tull to reconsider his actions.
Councillor Page seconded the Resolution. On a show of hands four councillors voted in favour, and one abstained; the Resolution was, therefore, carried.
The Chairman moved on to emphasis the statement he had made in the attachment to the Agenda papers, namely:
The Chairman reminds all councillors of their obligation to comply with the Council's Standing Orders and the Code of Conduct. In addition, under the regulations for the Winchester District, individual councillors, officers and members of the public have the right to make a complaint to the Standards Board if they are dissatisfied with theprobity, ethics or behaviour of a councillor. Without prejudicing such rights, henceforth the Chairman will, at the end of a meeting, referthe Council to any instances which in his opinion constitute a material breach in the Code of Conduct and request the councillor(s) toapologise. If the councillor(s) declines to do so the Chairman will invite the Council, at its next meeting, to refer the matter to the Standards Board.
232/14 COUNTY AND DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORTS.
In his report, District Councillor Ruffell commented on planning matters raised at the previous meeting of the Council. He sought clarification on the Council’s concerns on building work at Marwell Barn and agreed to investigate the matter further. He noted an Enforcement Officer would be visiting Dundee Farm in the near term so as to establish whether there had been any unauthorised building work. Negotiations as to the payments of fees in relation to the Hydes Barn application had not yet been completed. On other matters, he noted the continuing involvement of the WCC Planning Committee in assessing the planning application for the Silver Hill development.
233/14 PLANNING
a) Planning Applications.
Proposal: / 2 storey extension
Closing date (OPC): / 9th December 2014
The Council unanimously Resolved not to comment on the proposed development other than to request the Planning Officer consider appropriate landscaping, on the front of the property, as a condition of any planning consent.
Proposal: / Certificate of lawful use for B8 use as a building and agricultural storage yard
Closing date (OPC): / 11th December 2014
The Council unanimously Resolved to object to the application. The Council acknowledged that the application is for a Certificate of lawful use for B8 use as a building materials and agricultural storage yard. Nevertheless, the property is located along a narrow country lane and very much in a rural area. The further development of a building materials and agricultural storage and distribution centre in the countryside is inappropriate and contrary to the goals set out in the Parish Plan.
Proposal: / Replacement of windows New external material to existing house Widen driveway access New swimming pool to rear of house. New extension to rear of house.3 Velux windows to front of property.5 Velux windows to rear of property. Removal of 1 tree.
Closing date (OPC): / 16th December 2014
The Council unanimously Resolved it had no comment on the application but should request the Planning Officer to ensure that all the proposed building work is within the curtilage of the house, and does not involve building on any land designated as 'agricultural'. In addition, the Officer should consider restrictions for the benefit of the community, as part of any consent, on delivery times and building activity. The property is located on a narrow section of the main village road. There had already been disruption, despite the best efforts of the householder concerned, as a consequence of a major building project on a property more or less opposite Gorsedown House, and measures to mitigate a period of further disruption may be appropriate.
Proposal: / Erection of agricultural building
Closing date (OPC): / N/A – for info only
The Council acknowledged that in accordance with law and regulation it was not asked for its views on the above Agricultural Prior Notice. However local residents had asked that the facts stated in the application be confirmed by the Planning Officer.
b) Planning Decisions
The Council noted the application in relation to Alpaca Meadows (SDNP 14/02024/FUL-change of use of land for siting a temporary mobile home for occupation by an agricultural worker) had been refused.
The Council noted that Simon Eden had not as yet responded to the Council’s letter in relation to the Cranbury Removals application.
c) Enforcement.
There were no new enforcement cases for Council to consider. The Council noted the recent changes to the Enforcement Team and asked the Clerk to invite the Head of Enforcement (or a designated Officer) to attend a Council meeting to discuss enforcement issues.
· Clerk to invite Enforcement to attend a Council meeting. / January/ February / Clerk
d) Planning Applications outstanding.
Councillors noted the list of planning applications where decisions are still outstanding.
e) SDNP Draft Core Plan
The Chairman and Clerk reported on their attendance at a recent SDNP workshop on the draft Core Plan for the National Park. The Clerk noted he had invited, as requested by Council at its last meeting, the Western Area Manager to the January meeting. Councillors also agreed to invite the SDNP manager for ‘dark skies’ to discuss the Park’s plans to minimise light pollution.
f) Strategic housing and land availability assessment (SHLAA).
The Council noted the objectives set out in the Parish Plan included the need to consider additional affordable housing. Most of the planning applications in recent years had been for larger expensive, homes. The Council asked the Clerk to ascertain whether SDNP had any guidance on the criteria for affordable housing. In due course parishioners would be asked whether they wished to put sites forward for SHLAA for the Council and SDNP to consider.
· Clerk to enquire of SDNP as to criteria for affordable housing
· Parishioners to be invited to put forward potential sites for assessment. / January/ February / Clerk
234/14 HIGHWAYS.
a) HCC Flood Mitigation measures.
The Chairman reported on his and Councillor Phillips attendance at the HCC ‘Working together seminar’. In particular he noted the focus and efforts being made by HCC on flood risk assessments and the related flood mitigation measures. In particular he noted he had asked one of Mr Jarvis’ senior assistants for clarification on the powers local emergency teams would have in extreme flood situation (eg knocking down a wall or digging ditches/channels) and was awaiting a response.
· Chairman to follow up on enquiry re powers of emergency committees / January / JC/Clerk
The Clerk updated the meeting on his recent discussions with Hampshire Highways on flood mitigation work in connection with ditches, drains and gullies in the parish.
b) Traffic Management.
The Clerk noted his recent discussions with Traffic Management and SDNP in relation to the Quiet Lanes initiative whereby the focus would be on the enjoyment of the peace and tranquillity of the country lanes and countryside, rather than getting from A to B as fast as possible. The initiative might enable the Council to achieve one of its main objectives – safer lanes for all users. The Council endorsed the initiative and noted the Chairman, Councillor Tattersall and the Clerk would be meeting with Traffic Management shortly.
· Clerk to report back following meeting with Traffic Management / January / Clerk
c) Community Challenge Fund.
The Council determined not to make any application under the scheme for the time being.