Minutes of the Meeting of

SOPLEY PARISH COUNCIL

HELD ON

THURSDAY 19th March 2009 AT 7.30P.M.

IN SOPLEY PARISH HALL

  1. ATTENDERS

Cllrs Paul, Rawstron, Lewis, Pease, Eccles,

DCllr Treleaven

Helen Smalley Parish Clerk + 5 Parishioners

  1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE

Cllrs SpringateWestmacott, CCllr Clarke.

  1. MINUTES OF MEETING OF 22nd January 2009

Minutes were reviewed 1 item on final page to be amended slightly, otherwise accurate and all actions had been carried forward onto the agenda for this meeting. Minutes were then signed.

  1. DECLARATIONS OF INTERESTS

None

  1. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION / QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

A parishioner who lives adjacent to the school made representation regarding possible site of school car park. She indicated that she would prefer a site to the rear of the school. Complaints were made that residents had not been consulted regarding this or the current planning proposal.

  1. SCHOOL TRAVEL PLAN

Cllr Lewis noted that there had been a number of complaints form residents regarding the parking problems at start and finish of school. The proposals currently included in the plan related to proposals for lift sharing, increased cycling, improved pedestrian routes, improved parking/drop off zone. Angie Hill had suggested the site that was currently used as parking during the school fete and that she had contacted Willie manners and that he was open to discussion. However, tenants and local residents had not been consulted regarding potential sites. There were three alternative sites proposed currently. Martin Sheret (Headmaster) was to consult all those that would be affected to seek views and opinions. Cllr Paul had attended a school governors meeting today and they had formally approved the travel plan. Consultation would now begin. Cllr Paul would feed back to school governors/head teacher that the parish council want all those affected to be part of the consultation process. CP

  1. SCHOOL TURBINE PROPOSAL

Cllr Paul reported that the school was trying to become carbon neutral and one of the ways to do this was by installing solar panels and a wind turbine. A meeting was being held on 1stApril for consultation with parents. It was agreed that they must consult publicly before submitting application for permission. DCllr Treleaven added that not all turbines have been granted within the forest. CP

  1. PARISH CLERK’S REPORT
  1. Financial matters & transaction summary

See accounts sheet.

Thanks were given to CCllr Clarke for his grant towards the parish hall.

  1. Misc Correspondence received

Periodicals were displayed for parishioners to view. A brief overview of the clerk’s conference was given, code of conduct details passed to all Councillors.

  1. Planning – Current consultations, recent recommendations & enforcement issues

MERRYFIELD PARK

An option had been purchased by ZERO C holdings who were a development company who had previously developed ex-mod sites. DCllr Treleaven added that as part of the Core strategy the site designation would be looked at next year.

MARTINS VIEW 09/93839

No objections to current proposal

  1. Burial Board – Memorial & Consecration

No burials to report, although three interested parties in plots. Trees had been removed.

  1. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Nothing to report specifically.

  1. HIGHWAYS & TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT ISSUES

a)Pedestrian Safety Project – progress and time schedule

Phase 1 having been agreed Apr 2008 is now according to Tim Lawton due to commence May 2009. Phase 2 has been put onto 2010/2011. The reason given for the delays was put down to change in contractors and there being too many potholes! Any letter of complaint regarding delays would be forwarded on to Tim Lawton. DCllr Treleaven would raise it again at the HAT meeting tomorrow to ensure it was in the programme.

b)Harpway Lane – Junction Improvement

The vegetation had been cleared back at the junction and visibility greatly improved. Only an oak tree was left and if it was felt necessary this could be removed also but sight lines were much better.

c)Northbound one way system

The pavement along Fordwater cottage had been extended to alleviate flooding into the building itself.

d)Derritt Lane

The hedges alongside Derritt Lane at the Sopley end needed trimming and taking back to the road edge as they had encroached onto the road itself, narrowing the road, by taking them back to the roadside it would improve visability and safety. Cllr lewis would consult the residents/highways authority to discuss this. GL

e)School Lane/Thatcher’s Lane

Pictures showing the damage caused had been submitted to the Highways Authority although the response not very favourable. Tim Lawton would be requested to attend for a Parish Visit. AR/GL

f)Drains & Gulley’s

Steve Ray had apparently started on these today although it would need to be checked AR/GL

Bennett’s Lane had flooding and drainage problems, the ditches belong to the Manners Estate and Norman Hiscock would most likely be requested to work on them.

  1. PARISH MAINTENANCE, FOOTPATHS & RIGHTS OF WAY ISSUES
  1. New Forest Spring Clean

This had been well attended with 20 parishioners in Ripley, 9 in Sopley and 8 in Shirley – although this could be improved. May repeat the activity in the Autumn. NFDC would collect the usual mountain of black bags that was collected. It was agreed that a bottle of wine would be given to the Mitchells who had collected all large dumped items with their tractor.

  1. Maintenance requirements

Ditching - Ripley and Sopley

Areas to be mown – Cemetery, Sopley Green, Shirley Rec

General Clearance – Bramble/Vegetation from noticeboards

  1. Land at Bransgore end of Derritt Lane

A request had been made by Bransgore Parish Council regarding the untidy nature of the site. This request had been forwarded to NFDC and then NPA.

  1. PARISH HALL PROGRESS – Cllr Eccles/Ann Ramm

The car park application was in progress. John Salmon had produced a plan and a draft was to be approved before submission. There were a few amendments to layout of parking bays. There would be 20 in total. The residents affected had been consulted and the car park was to be excavated and hidden by banking. Completion of construction must be completed by end of June as per the restrictions attached to the 20K Comma Funding. NMSB aim to start work Mid May.

A response is expected at the end of March for the application to both the LEADER funding and the EARLY YEARS grant scheme.

A project Manager had been appointed to oversee the Parish Hall Renovation/refurbishment.

Hall use had improved with the next function the local history and book fair on April 4th.

The process had been started to transfer the lease to the parish council.

More grants were required and Steven Lugg of HALC had offered assistance in locating suitable funding.

  1. ANNUAL ASSEMBLY 21st MAY 2009 7.30PM

The annual assembly would be used to promote the parish hall and notify parishioners of the current proposals and try and obtain more support. Sopley Mill would provide Cheese and Wine to entice more attendees.

  1. NEWSLETTER

The newsletter was in progress – quotes would be obtained to find best price and the newsletter would be distributed end of April.

  1. DISTRICT COUNCILLOR REPORT

2010/2011 budgets were being reviewed due to reduction in income, some staff were being re-deployed and some were taking early retirement.

County Elections were taking place June 4th.

  1. THE FOLLOWING ITEMS TO BE MOVED TO NEXT MEETING DUE TO LACK OF TIME

INTERNAL AUDIT PROCEDURES

TRAINING

CHUTE WAY

REVIEW OF TASK LIST

NEXT NORMAL MEETING -Thursday 16th July 2009 @ 7.30pm in SOPLEY PARISH HALL