Quarley Parish Council Minutes - November 2007

Minutes of the Quarley Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 20^th November 2007 in the Village Hall at 7.30pm.

WELCOME. Cllr Mrs Ferguson welcomed everyone to the meeting.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST. There were no declarations of interest recorded.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING - Cllr Mrs Ferguson signed the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record. Matters arising from those minutes :-

ROAD MATTERS - Cllr Mr Marshall reported that some remedial repairs have been carried out on Skew Road but they have not solved the problem of the eroding verges and the road breaking up. Further work is needed, the Clerk was asked to contact Highways again and highlight the fact that Skew Road is being used by HGV’s going to Fox Farm, the road is breaking up and there are concerns for the safety of other road users.

The Parish Council discussed the A303 and the recent re-surfacing on the east bound carriageway, it was not clear if it is the noise reduction surface that reduces road noise.

It was also noted that there has been no work carried out to the slip road under the bridge which still floods after rain fall.

The road to Grateley from Quarley was discussed, this is also in a bad state in places, especially the sharp corner which gets silted up reducing the width. The Clerk was asked to report this to Highways.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING - The Clerk reported that Mr Lancaster the Rural Housing Officer will come to a Meeting to talk about Affordable Housing at a time convenient with the Parish Council. The Parish Council thought some time in 2008, this will be discussed at the March Meeting.

PLANNING - No new Planning Applications.

PRECEPT 2008/2009.
The Clerk produced a financial sheet showing the estimated results for the year 2007/2008 and the budget for 2008/2009. Each item was discussed and it was noted that subscriptions, insurance and street lighting charges are all due in increase. After a lengthy discussion the Parish Council agreed that the Quarley 2008/2009 Precept would be set at £2,250.

CLLR MRS P WEST’S REPORT.
Cllr Mrs West spoke about the new Hampshire County Council Call Centre and reported that all calls will be charged at local rate regardless of where in Hampshire the call is made.

Cllr Mrs West spoke about the Government Payment to Hampshire County Council and the effect this will have on the budget, as soon as these figures are in Cllr Mrs West will inform the Parish Council. Initial indications are that the increase in the Hampshire County Council budget will be under 5%. The Fire and Police service are independent of H.C.C. and set their own budgets.

Cllr Mrs West spoke about the Tesco mega-shed and the proposed Concrete Crusher at CA Steven in Grateley. The Parish Council hoped that lorries going to the Concrete Crusher would not use the road through the village. Cllr Mrs West noted this and will Raise this issue when meeting with the planners.

COUNCILLORS REPORTS.

CLLR MR M VENABLES - Reported that he had spoken to Mr Kirby, the Young Guns Academy has been a great success and he wishes to carry it on. Mr Kirby has asked for the names of any young people wishing to take place to be forwarded to him. The Parish Council thought this excellent news and they were pleased to hear that the Young Guns Academy went so well, feed back from those who attended has been very positive.

CLLR MRS J FERGUSON - Spoke about recent reports in the press about flood defences and the clearing of the drainage ditches on roads. It was noted that many of the drainage ditches on the A303 are blocked and need clearing.

Cllr Mrs Ferguson reported that the drain by the War Memorial is in need of attention, as the drain is blocked up with silt. The Clerk was asked to contact Mr Walsh at Highways to see if they could come and clear this drain.

CORRESPONDENCE
Cllr Mrs Ferguson reported that the Parish Council have received a request from Amport School PTA for financial assistance for a new Classroom. This was discussed at great length and it was agreed that money from the precept should be spent in the village and in this instance the Parish Council will decline contribute to the Amport School new Classroom.

The Clerk was asked to write to the Amport School PTA with the Parish Councils decision.

DATES FOR 2008 MEETINGS - 18^th March, 17^th June, 16^th September, 18^th November

CHEQUES ISSUED IN NOVEMBER 2007

CLOSE OF THE MEETING Cllr Mrs Ferguson thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting.

DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING - 18^th March 2008 in the Village Hall at 7.30pm.