Quarley Parish Council Minutes - 18th March 2014

Minutes of the Quarley Parish Council Meeting held on Tuesday 18th March 2014 at Quarley Village Hall at 7.30 pm.

Present : Cllr Mrs J Ferguson - Chairman
Cllr Mr W Marshall - Vice Chairman
Cllr Mrs G Tubbs
Cllr Mr M Venables
Mr R Whiting
Mrs J Venables - Neighbourhood Watch

Richard Waterman - Parish Clerk
Members of the Public - 1
Apologies: Cllr Miss C Rowe
Borough Councillor Mr Ben Few Brown
County Councillor Mrs P West

WELCOME. The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

DECLARATION OF INTEREST.
Cllr Mrs J Ferguson declared an interest in the Quarley Church
Cllr Mr W Marshall declared an interest in planning application 14/00461/FULLN 

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

HIGHWAYS - The Parish Council discussed the state of the village roads. It was noted that the HGVs travelling through the village to get to Georgia Farm in Monxton are causing serious damage to the verge and residents hedges in Skew Road. These lorries are damaging the road infrastructure, the wisdom of the TVBC Planning Department should be questioned as to why the planning application was passed knowing that the roads are not suitable for HGVs. 

Highways are aware of the various repairs that are needed in the Parish but are prioritizing at the moment on the villages that have been flooded. The Parish Council understood this but will continue to chase for the repairs to be done. 

IVY ON TREES - Due to the recent weather the working party to remove the ivy off various trees in the Parish was postponed until the better weather. 

PARISH COUNCIL PRECEPT - Cllr Mr M Venables pointed out that on the latest Council Tax bill the Parish Rate shows an increase despite the Parish Council agreeing that there would be no increase in the requested precept. The Clerk confirmed that the same precept was requested and will ask TVBC for an explanation for the increase on the Council Tax Bill. 

VILLAGE DESIGN STATEMENT
Mr Richard Whiting reported that a non committal reply has been received from Mr David Bibby at TVBC, his comment has been that the Quarley Village Design Statement must fit in with the Local Borough Plan. Mr Whiting stated that of course the Local Borough plan is currently under review.
This was discussed and it was agreed that a meeting will be set up with Mr David Bibby at TVBC to discuss the way forward.
Mr Richard Whiting thanked Cllr Mr M Venables for doing such a good job on the Village History, being able to get the dates for the houses has been a great help with the VDS.
 

PLANNING

  • 14/00298/TREEN - Fell one Ash Tree - Apple Tree Cottage, Park Lane, Quarley. The Parish Council had NO OBJECTIONS to this planning application.

  • 14/00234/TREEN - Various tree works - Rose Cottage, Park Lane, Quarley. The Parish Council had NO OBJECTIONS to this planning application.

  • 14/00461/FULLN - Erection of orangey on South elevation - Hill House, Skew Road, Quarley                           

Cllr Mr W Marshall declared an interest and left the table to join the Public. Mr W Marshall informed the Parish Council that he would be making representation to TVBC he had no intrinsic objection to this planning application and explained the reason, Mr W Marshall stated that he has spoken to the applicant with his concerns.

The Parish Council agreed by majority that they had NO OBJECTION to this planning application but would make the following comment :-
“ It was hoped that the Planners would concede to mitigate concerns of the neighbour”
 

FINANCIAL REPORT
CHEQUES ISSUED IN MARCH 2014

Mr B Pearce Ditch Clearing £  60.00
Penton Grafton Parish Council Use of the Fairground Office
( 2 years at £25)
£  50.00
Bank Account Balance £824.27

RIGHTS OF WAY SIGN POSTS
The Chairman reported that there were several Footpath Sign Posts missing in the parish. A list will be forwarded to the Clerk who will report this to Peter Watson at Hampshire Rights of Way.

It was also noted that the metal direction finger post on entering the village is in need of a coat of paint. Cllr Mr M Venables stated that he was sure he had some paint that would be suitable for the job and said he would take a look. 

OPEN GARDENS DAY - 7th JUNE 14 - 2pm to 5pm
The Clerk reported that he has again spoken to the Parish Council Insurers and confirmed that as the event comes under the Parish Council umbrella this year it will be covered under the parish Council Public Liability. However the individual gardens that are open must make sure that they are personally covered under their household insurance.
 

Mrs Judy Venables reported that the following gardens are taking part :-
Thatchways
Longmead House
Bridge Cottage
Drum Cottage
Trinity Cottage
 

There will be a scarecrow competition and a raffle with some really good prizes, 20 in all, the top three being :-
1.       A driving experience in a Ferrari at Thruxton Race Circuit.
2.      
A 15 minute Helicopter ride
3.       A gardening voucher for ½ a days labour

A programme is being put together and Raffle Tickets will be on sale the first half of April. 

Plants will be for sale and there will be cream teas in the Village Hall and a cake stall. Money raised will be split between the Church and the Village Hall. 

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH
NHW Update

  • No direct reports of incidents in Quarley although there is a constant smattering of incidents in other local areas: theft from outbuildings; theft from motor vehicles; people in suspicious circumstances
  • Usual round of emails about various "scams"
  • Keep encouraging folk to sign up for Country watch e-newsletter
  • Ring 101 unless there is a crime in progress in which case ring 999.

Hampshire Constabulary Operational Change Programme - having already saved £55M in the period 2010-14 the Chief Constable is required to make further savings of £25M. The Operational Change Programme is looking at how this might be achieved and is focussing its attention on "frontline" policing services. Notwithstanding this the Chief Constable has made a commitment to:

  • retaining neighbourhood policing levels and reducing the times that Neighbourhood officers and PCSOs are moved to other tasks;
  • to keeping a Chief Inspector at District/Borough council level;
  • invest in technology to ensure that limited "human resources" are working in the most effective manner, eg mobile data, Body Worn Video.

PARISH COUNCILLOR’S REPORTS
CLLR C Rowe - The Chairman reported that Charlotte had asked for a Parish Defibrillator to be raised. Several of our neighbouring parishes are purchasing Defibrillators, the Clerk confirmed that Grateley are purchasing two and will supply the Parish Councillors with all the information, the cost of each unit with an external housing is £1400.
 

The Parish Council discussed this and will carry out some investigation work on the scheme, it was suggested that there may be one at Thruxton Race circuit that could be used. 

CLLR MR W MARSHALL - Asked if there was any news on the replacement of the street lights that was removed after it was hit some time ago? The Clerk was asked to contact Street Lighting for an up-date. 

CLLR MRS G TUBBS - Reported that an open barn in Bush lane is being converted into a grain barn. The Parish Council had not seen a planning application, but it was noted that this would be in the Amport Parish. The Chairman stated that she will contact Amport for more information. 

CORRESPONDENCE
The Chairman reported that Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service have sent information to the Parish Councils regarding devastation that can be caused by Chimney Fires, especially areas with a high volume of thatched properties. The information sheet will be displayed on the village notice board.
 

CLOSE OF THE MEETING
The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting.
 

DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
17th June 2014 in the Village Hall at 7.30pm

 
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