Made Up Parish Council Old Alresford Parish Council
OLD ALRESFORD PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF OLD ALRESFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE CHRISTY HALL, OLD ALRESFORD ON THURSDAY 18TH JANUARY 2007 AT 7.30.P.M.

PRESENT:

Councillor B. TuckerChairman.

Councillors Mrs. J. A. Clarkson, Mrs. S. Richardson and Mr. S. Adlam

In attendance -

2 Parishioners

Mr. C. Laycock, Safer Roads Officer - Hampshire Police.

County Councillor Mrs. J. Porter

City Councillor S Cook

Mrs. M. Gould

Mrs R.R. Smith - Clerk to the Council

289/01/07APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from Parish Councillor C. Hancock and City Councillor G. Hollingbery.

290/01/07PARISHIONERS QUESTION TIME

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Mr. C. Laycock, Safer Roads Officer for the Hampshire Police and two local parishioners.

The two parishioners present raised the matter of speed through the village on the Basingstoke Road.     This is particularly bad at the northern end of the village.

The road has a 30 mph speed limit but as vehicles leave the village they gain high speeds passing properties at the northern end of the village.

Mr Laycock said that two or three speed checks had been done on the road and while vehicles did gain speed leaving and entering the village the speed was within Government laid criteria of under 40 mph.   Over a 1 hour period when Police were checking speeds only one vehicle was clocked doing 60.mph and this was dealt with.    He went on to say that in 3 years only two collisions had taken place, which resulted in injuries, in the village.    There is therefore a very good accident rate for the village and with limited budgets the highway authority has to prioritise needs.   Casualty reduction is the priority and both the Police and Highway Authorities have to meet targets set by the Government - therefore with tight budgets money is spent where there is the greatest need.

He confirmed that it would be unlikely that the village would ever get a camera as was being suggested by the parishioners present.

He suggested that the parishioners need to be vocal in their need but they also need to speak with one voice.     There are rigid policies but it may be that a concerted effort by everyone in the village would result in some form of partnership resulting in the Parish working with the Safety Camera Partnership which is due to have a change and become the Safety Roads Partnership in the new financial year where a Safety Camera van could be used at various times in the village.   However it does need a village initiative but before writing letters to various organisations for support the whole parish must agree what they would like to see to ensure that everyone supports the idea to regain the village from the driver.   The County Councillor suggested a letter and questionnaire to every household.  (This was later agreed by the Parish Council and will be carried out via the Village Voice).   In the meantime Chris Laycock agreed to visit the northern end of the village and look at the lack of footway, signage and the current location of the 30mph signs.  

Councillor Mrs. Jackie Porter said that it was important that the village try and consider a number of partnerships to get support for the need to control the speed of traffic on the Basingstoke Road i.e working with other villages, looking at the transport system for the village, safer routes to school projects, better footways and paths in the village.    She also referred to the Winchester Transport review.

The Chairman thanked everyone for their comments and views and thanked Chris Laycock for his interest and support of the village.

  

291/01/07MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 23RD NOVEMBER 2006.

Minutes of the meeting held on 23rd November 2006 having been circulated were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman.

292/01/07MATTERS ARISING.

(i)Reinstatement of grass verge. This work had still not been done and the Chairman will write again to Mr. Turner.  

(ii)Bus timetable - Councillor Mrs. J. Clarkson said that she was pleased to say that the bus timetable does appear to have been changed as buses are waiting for the children from Perins School.

(iii)HCC letter re Street Lighting Private Finance Initiative (PFI).  The Clerk to write to HCC to say that Old Alresford which has 6 lamp posts would like to be considered as part of the County project.    The Clerk will also notify Zurich Insurance on this matter when the policy comes up for renewal in May 2007.

(iv)Thank you letter from the Hampshire County Youth Band for thedonation.

(vii)Thank you letter from Winchester CAB for the donation.

(viii)Christy Hall letter from the Working Party.  The Chairman said that this matter is to be considered at the Christy Hall Management Committee at a special meeting.

293/01/07COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORT.

Councillors received a copy of the report sent to the Council by County

Councillor Mrs. J. Porter.

Councillor Cook said that the City Council were in the process of setting their precept.   He did however warn that a large part of the precept came from the County Council, the Police and the Fire Service.   The City forms only a small part of the final precept set in Hampshire.

294/01/06UPDATE THE REGISTER OF INTERESTS.

None

295/01/07PARISH COUNCILLOR'S REPORTS

(i) Christy Hall - The Chairman said that 10 new tables had been

purchased for the hall.    On the 10th February there will be the usual

Pub Quiz and on the 24th March the Village Quiz.   The Hall floor

is to be repaired and there will also be various items of renovation

undertaken in the hall.   

(ii) Environment - Councillor C. Hancock was not present so there was no report.    

(iii)Highways and Byways - permissive footpath.  Councillor Mrs. Richardson said that Mr. Morgan Giles was prepared to allow the permissive footpath to continue for the present but he did not want the matter put in writing.

(iii)Planning.

Application(s) received.

Application No. W 17651/01

Location: Meadow Down, Basingstoke.

Proposal - Single storey side/rear extension and loft conversion

    with 5 no dormer windows

Closing date - 16th January 2007

Parish Council comment - The Parish Council has no objection to the present application and notes that in 2002 permission was given for the alterations to the upper floor and attic with provision for obscured glass.  We note the comments on the present application made by the owners of  the next door property (Flowerdown) and also the problems connected with the boundary.  

Application No. W20406/01

Location: The Wagon House, Manor Farm Barns, Abbotstone Lane, Old     Alresford.

Proposal - Rear Conservatory.

Parish Council response - No comment.
Applications approved

Application No. 06/03053/FUL

Nettlebed Farm, Nettlebeds Lane, Old Alresford.

Extensions to House.

Application No. W 19526/01

Location - Top House, Kiln Lane, Old Alresford

Proposal - Detached timber double garage

Planning Correspondence

District Plan documents.

Winchester District Plan Review - Assessment of the Need for

Local Reserve Site Release - 2007

Application No. 06/00077/FUL

Location - Wearne House, Basingstoke Road, Old Alresford

No further information has been received relating to this application.

This is still pending.

296/01/07TO RECORD RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS MADE SINCE LAST

                       MEETING.  

To approve payments made since last meeting.

TMC Pphotocopying £14. 61

The Audit Commission£141.00

Serco Ltd£933.61

SLCC£55.00

Christy Hall Management Cttee£107.00

OLD ALRESFORD PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF OLD ALRESFORD PARISH COUNCIL HELD IN THE CHRISTY HALL, OLD ALRESFORD ON THURSDAY 19TH OCTOBER 2006 AT 7.30.P.M.

PRESENT:

Councillor B. TuckerChairman; Councillors Mrs. S. Richardson, Mrs. J. Clarkson, Mr. S. Adlam and Mr. C. Hancock.

In attendance -

City Councillors G. Hollingbery and S. Cook Forty Parishioners.Mrs R.R. Smith - Clerk to the Council

APOLOGIES

Apologies were received from County Councillor Mrs. J. Porter and Mrs. M. Gould.

PARISHIONERS QUESTION TIME

Wearne House. Planning Application.

The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Mr. David Burgess, owner of the property and Mr. S. Goddard, Manager of the proposed residential units.

Mr. D. Burgess proprietor of the Rest Home introduced himself and his Manager Mr. S. Goddard. Mr. Burgess explained that he had been in the business of healthcare for the elderly for over 20 years and had run the Rest Home in Old Alresford for 20 years.

Mr. Goddard had joined him in the business in 1999 as Manager of the Rest Home and he would be the Manager of the new business being proposed for Wearne House.

A parishioner asked what type of person will reside in the new units being proposed for Wearne House. He and his family were concerned that if these residents had behavioral problems they were going to be living very close to a children's play area, a busy road and with little access to the main shopping area.

Mr. Burgess explained that the units were designed to accommodate adults over the age of 60 with learning disabilities i.e. Dementia Alzheimer's etc.

Currently there is provision for people with learning disabilities between the ages of 30 to 59. There is no provision for people over 60 years and the new units will be designed to cater for this age group. These will be residents who need support and care to look after themselves with supervision. It is not a secure unit and each individual will be assessed on their needs before coming to live in the new units.

Each unit is self contained and provides independent living in the community with communal facilities and staff support as and when the resident needs it.

The Licence applied for for Wearne House is under the category of Mental Health with Learning Disabilities. The residents of the units do not display violent behaviour to other residents, themselves or the community.

It is a Learning Disability and under the registration will be "older persons with dementia".

There will be adequate level of service cover for the healthcare needs of the over 60's to 65's. These residents will have access to all types of therapies already available in Hampshire.

In answer to a question about access to these services Mr. Goddard said that Wearne House will provide transport either by Dial-a-Ride, Taxis or voluntary transport to allow these residents access to services in Hampshire.

City Councillor George Hollingbery reminded everyone at the meeting that the purpose of the meeting was to consider the PLANNING APPLICATION and the planners at Winchester City Council will not consider any of the points being made regarding the Licence. The Planning Permission will be based on "is the best use of the property and site". The planners will make their recommendations based on these points. How will its development affect the area and of course access and parking at the property. They will not be involved in the Licence being applied for or issued.

A parishioner expressed concern that the current state of the property was a matter of concern and the fact that since Mr. Burgess owned it the whole area and garden had not been looked after. Mr. Burgess accepted that the property was not currently in good order and apologised for this saying that there had been problems within his family use of the property.

In answer to a further question about the Licence Mr. Goddard said the Licence if it is issued will be in line with the recommendations of the Commission for Social Care. However this body does not consult publicly but if parishioners wished to know about their policies etc. this could be looked up on the Website www.csci.co.uk.

The Licence if issued will require that the staff ratio to residents is within the conditions of the license and that staff have the necessary competence, understanding and qualifications. These will be checked during regular inspections carried out by the CSCI.

Residents asked questions about car parking on site, deliveries, disable access to the property, proper wheelchair access etc. Mr. Burgess assured parishioners that all these matters had been considered by the architect as required by the planners.

City Councillor George Hollingbery assured residents that there would be a considerable number of conditions placed on the Planning Application relating to access to the site during building etc. If these conditions are not met then enforcement action would be taken against the builders and the site owner.

Most parishioners were very concerned about the access to the property.

The traffic to the site could be considerable and the current access to and from the site was a matter of concern. Mr. Burgess assured everyone present that the Highway Engineers and his architect had looked carefully at the plans but he was happy to make adjustment to the access proposals if this would reassure local parishioners.

A question was raised as to the time scale of the development. Mr. Burgess said that once planning permission was given this would be followed by building regulations. When all this work had been completed a builder would be appointed and he anticipated that building works would take approximately 6 months.

Mr. Burgess confirmed that he supported the view that no trees should be felled on the site and assured parishioners that when the car park and access from the current Rest Home to Wearne House was being prepared and built every care would be taken to protect the trees and the roots of trees.

The Chairman closed the discussion by thanking Mr. Burgess and Mr. Goddard for attending the meeting.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 7TH SEPTEMBER 2006.

Minutes of the meeting held on 7th September 2006 having been circulated were taken as read, approved and signed by the Chairman.

MATTERS ARISING.

(i)Vinyl stickers - 30 m.p.h. The Council was awaiting further information from County Councillor Mrs. J. Porter.

(ii)Playground Inspection Report. The Clerk had contacted WCC who had recommended UK Playgrounds and the Clerk had written asking for a quote for the repair works required.

(iii)Reinstatement of grass - Geest - letter from Mr. Turner. The Chairman reported that the grass verge has still not been re-instated although Mr. Turnerhad promised in early August to do this within four weeks.

(iv)Traffic speed in Old Alresford - members of the public had seen the Polce traffic car in Old Alresford but most felt that the place in the Basingstoke Road where speed was being checked was the wrong place. A request to find out the readings of the survey were requested and the Council will try and obtain these.

COUNTY COUNCILLOR AND CITY COUNCILLORS' REPORTS.

Councillors received a copy of the report sent to the Council by County Councillor Mrs. J. Porter.

City Councillor G. Hollingbery said that currently the City Council were going through the budget process which was proving difficult and it is likely that in order to keep within the budget some Council services would have to be cut. He also mentioned that a Speed Watch scheme had been set up and was working in Hambledon.

Councillor Hollingbery asked if the Bus time tables had changed following his request to the Bus Company and in particular relating to children coming from Perins School. Councillors agreed to check if the changes had taken place.

City Councillor S. Cook reported on the traffic problems related to the recent motorcross event. This event was on private land and did not require a licence or planning permission. However a major review of the event is taking place particularly in relation to environmental problems.

Footpaths - he asked for information from Councillors of any footpaths which were not in a good state of repair. He had received information about burglaries in the area and some vandalism which was taking place in New Alresford.

Councillors raised the matter of the30 mph sign which had been damaged. The Chairman said that this was in hand and WCC and HCC would be dealing with the repair. However it had been confirmed that it could not be moved without a traffic order. The Clerk was asked to find out how this could be done and the cost as the Parish Council would be prepared to contribute to the costs of the Traffic Order.

UPDATE THE REGISTER OF INTERESTS.

None

PARISH COUNCILLOR'S REPORTS

(i) Christy Hall - The Chairman gave details of the Pub Nights to be held soon and to the Inter Village Quiz on the 11th November 2006. He also reported that new tables were required for the hall and the Parish would obtain these. Christy Hall Management Committee would make a donation to the Council for the purchase of the tables.

(ii) Environment - Councillor C. Hancock said that the complaint by Mrs. Mackenzie about the large bush growing in the verge on the roadway close to her property had been dealt with - no one seemed to know when it esd cut bsck or by whom. Councillor Hancock said that Paul Bridges would be carrying out the autumn stream cleaning in the near future.

The green bin on the footpath by Old Alresford Place had gone missing and SERCO had been asked to provide a new bin which will cost the Council in the region of £60.

(iii)Highways and Byways. The bridge near the Bighton Road is being repaired due to damage to the bridge.. Discussion on whether a permissive path could be provided at the rear of Southdowns. Councillor Hancock said that there could be a problem with this as it is very close to the shoot on the Morgan Giles estate. As the 3 year period for the other permissive path is coming to and end the Council will write and ask if the estate would agree to its continuing.

(iii)Planning.

Application received:

Application No. W20298

Location - Enhams, Abbotstone Lane, Old Alresford.

Proposal - Demolition of attached garage and replace with a single storey

extension for double garage: raising of the roof with dormer windows.

Closing date - 18th October 2006.

Parish Council comment - No comment BUT some of the north facing properties at Manor Barns might object since they face the proposed extension.

Application No. W 19526/01

Location - Top House, Kiln Lane, Old Alresford

Proposal - Detached timber double garage

Closing date - 31st October 2006.

Application No. 06/02972/FUL

Location - Fairfield House, Godsfield Lane, Old Alresford

Proposal - Erection of single storey side extension; relocation of existing

conservatory from rear elevation to side and alteration to external

elevators.

Closing date - 25th October 2006.

Parish Council response - No comment.

Application No. 06/00077/FUL

Location - Wearne House, Basingstoke Road, Old Alresford.

Proposal - AMENDED PLANS - Change of use and single storey sideextension of existing dwelling to care home to form 7 no. self contained units.

Closing date - 6th November 2006.

Applications approved.

Application No. 06/02574/FUL

Location: West Lea Farm Shop, Alresford Road, Itchen Stoke

Proposal: To continue operating Farm shop without personal tie to Mr. J. Curtis and Mrs. J. Woodham as required under condition 3 of W11768/01.

Planning Correspondence

Planning Hampshire future leaflet - distributed to all Councillors

Draft South East Plan - distributed to all Councillors.

Planning Training letter from WCC 6th November - no Councillor was able to attending.

TO RECORD RECEIPTS AND PAYMENTS MADE SINCE LAST MEETING.

To approve payments made since last meeting.

Christy Hall - £105.

Letter from Hampshire County Youth Band requesting a grant. Clerk to

write and ask if any young person in Old Alresford plays in the Band.

Budget - 6 monthly costs against budget were presented and the final 2007 budget and setting of the Precept will be dealt with at the next meeting.

ANY OTHER BUSINESS

Date of next meeting - due to a change in the rehearsal schedule for TOADS the hall would not be available on the 30th November. The Chairman therefore proposed that the next meeting of the Parish Council be held on the 23rd November 2006

Date of next meeting - 23rd November 2006.

Meeting closed at 9.20.p.m.