Littleton & Harestock Parish Council

1

Apologies: –.

Mr J Pepperell, Cllr J Jackson (WCC) and WO1 (RSM) P Sydenham (Sir John Moore Barracks)

ACTION

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Disclosure of Interest – Mr Parker disclosed that under item 10 the applicant at 17 North Drive was his neighbour and he would not comment on that scheme.

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Minutes of the meeting held 14 July 2008 - The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 14 July 2008 were agreed and were signed by the Chairman.

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Matters Arising

a) Parking at Harestock shops: Mr Hein the Parking and Concessionary Travel Manager at WCC suggested that if there was a two hour restriction it could displace the problem to residential streets. It was agreed to do nothing at present but to review the situation at a later date if it was causing more of a nuisance.

b) St Eloi naming of road: The Clerk reported that after a discussion with the contractor he had agreed with Mr Lupton (Chairman at the meeting) to confirm to WCC the agreement to call the road ‘Meadow Rise’.

c) Motocross meeting 16 July: Mr Walsh reported that there was nothing at present that could be done but on renewal the Council will be able to state its case. Cllr.Learney stated that we will be able to object and that we will have the experience to build a good case. It is possible that continued use will be agreed but with reduced usage.

d) New Play equipment at Bradley Rd: The Clerk reported that the new equipment was now installed. Mr Warren spoke of his experience after carrying a camera on to the play area.

e) Cricket nets run-up repair: Mr Lupton had spoken with a representative of the HPFA who had heard poor reports of the original contractor. He had been in contact with a local person in the sports surfacing business who had quoted a price of £1,375 for the work.

It was RESOLVED unanimously that the work should go to Mr. R A Lilley at a cost of £1,375.

f) Littleton Post Office: Post Office Ltd had not moved at all in their requirements for keeping the local post office open and as the task force had concluded that further time spent on it would not be successful they would be requesting Post Office Ltd to remove their equipment in early September.

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Sir John Moore Barracks.

Mr Lupton asked that the RSM be requested to increase the security patrols to the Recreation Ground during the Show week.

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Public Participation - None

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HB School Year 11 (15 – 16yrs) Community Action – Gini Ainley

Ms. Ainley told the meeting that there was a developing curriculum to get the 15 – 16 age group into the community for two hours every other Wednesday afternoon. This would take place from 1 October to the Easter holidays. Ms Ainley said that the work could be with the elderly residents of the area. Any suggestions should be sent to her via the Clerk.

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HCC Matters

Cllr Bailey had met with the safety officers regarding the lining of Priors Dean Road. Bradley Road was on the list for resurfacing. Mr Hickman commented that the spelling of ‘carriageway’ opposite the Andover Road/ Harestock Road junction was now correct. Mr Hickman requested that the grassed verge at the turning to South Drive should be repaired and Mr Lupton asked that the large pothole on The Crawley Road near Littleton House should also be looked at.

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WCC Matters

Cllr Learney suggested that extra reasons for objections to the removal of the BT telephone box at Priors Dean Road should be:- It was an accident spot, only one near the play area and close to tied housing where constant change took place. The problem of refuse bins being left beside the Harestock car park area would be resolved by the Council providing 1100litre bins both for refuse and recycling. The positioning of them would be probably at the end of the garage block. Mr Parker agreed to attend the Community Safety Conference on 26 November.

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Planning

The July planning report was circulated.

08/01769/FUL Land adjacent to the Down House, Harestock Road – Change of use to temporary car park. Mr Hickman was concerned that there was conflict with the ‘Local Gap’. It was agreed to take advice from WCC planning officers and if the scheme was agreed, to make sure the land was returned to its current use. Mr Lupton agreed that very strict conditions should be placed on any agreed scheme. Cllr Learney confirmed that Waitrose would be using the Aldi site for parking.

08/01816/FUL Avalon Cottage, Deane Down Drove, Littleton. Mr Hickman reported that although the scheme had reduced in size it was still a 250% larger footprint than the current property. Mr Lupton commented that the Council should support smaller properties.

08/01572/FUL Shadows, Fairclose Drive, Littleton. Mr Hickman commented that by increasing the size of the original scheme there was now a lack of amenity space.

Local Development Framework – The next step – It was agreed that Mr Hickman should attend the meeting on 11 September.

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Safer Neighbourhoods Panel and Community Engagement

A letter received from Chief Inspector Steve France-Sergeant proposed that Community Safety become a ‘standing’ agenda item and asked for three priorities to be addressed over the coming year. It was agreed that Anti-social behaviour, traffic generally and heavy traffic (HGV’s) should be the priorities but in order to be more specific statistics just for Harestock and Littleton should be requested.

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Littleton Pond – latest information and plan of the scheme

Most of the Councillors had attended the site meeting on the previous Friday when the detail of the scheme was explained. The price quoted was above the grant offered and a reductions in the price quoted was required. Mr Highfield suggested taking out the viewing platform. It was agreed that Mr Hickman should negotiate a reduction from Holmes.

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WDAPC meeting – Mr Lupton

Mr Lupton reported that a speaker at the meeting was from Ameys, the new highways contractor for HCC. It was promised that highway defects reported would be attended to more quickly than they were by the previous contractor.

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Sub-Committee and Other Reports

a)      Finance committee – The Clerk reported that after discussion with the Winchester branch of Lloyds TSB plc it appeared that the bank accounts needed to be moved to the Charities and Clubs section at the bank. He had agreed this with the Chairman with the result that a better return on surplus funds was now being received. It was RESOLVED unanimously that the action taken be confirmed. The Council’s Standing Orders required that any sealing /signing of documents required a resolution as to the signatories and this was required in the transfer of the small strip of land at the recreation ground adjacent to The Hallway. It was RESOLVED unanimously that Mr Michael Lupton and Mr Graham Wilkins should sign the transfer deed.

b)      Trees/Hedges/Conservation/Dogs – Daffodil planting in Littleton. This was discussed at the previous meeting and brought to the current meeting to agree the total sum. The grant offered by WCC was £250 and Mr Hickman proposed and Mr Parker seconded and it was RESOLVED that the Council should contribute another £250 in a selection of early and late bulbs. Mr Lupton commented that the hedge in the centre of the recreation ground had grown faster than normal and it would be helpful to the Show Committee if it could be reduced. The Clerk agreed to ask Holmes if this could be done. Mr Lupton reported that Mrs Weyndling had commented that the hogweeds were seeding in the conservation field. The Clerk agreed to speak with Mr Strugnell.

c)      Playgrounds: Mr Warren spoke regarding the previous discussion on a skateboard park. He circulated a photograph of the South Wonston site that was built in concrete and commented on how quiet it was.

d)      Recreation Grounds – The Clerk requested that a skip be hired to take weeds etc. cleared from the shrub bed It was RESOLVED that a skip should be hired.

e)      Traffic and Civil Engineering – 30 mph limit – The statutory notice had appeared in the Hampshire Chronicle.

      Safety work at Deane Down Drove/ Stockbridge Road – Details

      from HCC were received of safety work on the Stockbridge Road

      at both Deane Down Drove and the crossroads at Littleton Lane/

     Sparsholt junction.

f)       Pavilion – None.

g)      Sports Club – None

h)      Littleton VDS Revision – Mr Hickman reported that work was

       progressing and a draft will be circulated to all Councillors in

      order that it can be reviewed and approved at the next meeting.

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Correspondence

As per schedule.

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Payments - It was RESOLVED that payments totalling £21,990.44

proposed by Mr Lupton and seconded by Mr Warren should be paid.

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Items for noting only or inclusion on next meetings agenda

A draft of the Newsletter was circulated for comments. Mr Wilkins gave his apologies for the next meeting.

DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday 8 September 2008 at the Millennium Memorial Hall, Littleton at 7.30pm.

1

Apologies –. Mr B Everett, Mr M Farrell, Mr D Hickman,

Mr J Pepperell, Cllr K Learney (WCC), Cllr C Bailey (HCC), and WO1 (RSM) P Sydenham (Sir John Moore Barracks)

ACTION

2

Disclosure of Interest – Mr Parker disclosed that under item 9 the applicant at 17 North Drive was his neighbour and he would not comment on that scheme.

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Minutes of the meeting held 9 June 2008 - The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 9 June 2008 were agreed and were signed by the Chairman.

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Matters Arising

a) Affordable Housing s106 Agreement: A response from Mark Barnett, Enabling Officer to the Council’s comments stated that:

He had made the changes to the s106 regarding the areas, but had not made the changes regarding ft/pt employment in Test iii.  The reasons for this were:

1. The definition of a Local Connection, which includes the

reference to qualification through employment, has been agreed by all 6 LA’s within HARAH and is published in HARAH literature and on their website.

2.The purpose of the s106 heads of terms was to try, as far as

possible, to standardise s106’s across the HARAH area to make

the rather complicated process of supplying rural affordable

housing as simple as possible for the public, Parish

Councils, LA and RSL allocation staff.  

3.More and more employers now offer flexible working

arrangements to suit workers with children.  By excluding P/T

workers one could potentially exclude people working from

home, professional people, most single parent households, as

well as the few teenagers with part-time evening work..  P/T

workers now make up around 25% of the working population,

which is a sizable section of society to discriminate against.

The answer to the question raised about the length of time a local connection should exist for (3 and 1, rather than anything else) is that it was agreed as a standard definition by WCC at the time that the heads of terms were completed by the 6 Local Authorities making up HARAH.  The other LA’s, with exception of New Forest, have abandoned the time limit all together.  WCC felt a time limit was still important so a time limit has been included in all WCC s106’s, but the qualifying period has been reduced to fall more into line with the other HARAH members. 

 He hoped that this was satisfactory, and would now instruct the solicitors to draw up the remainder of the s106 agreement. He finally thanked the Parish Council for the support throughout this project.

b) Repair to cricket nets: Mr Lupton had spoken with Hampshire Playing Fields Association who had commented that they did not know of the contractor and thought that the estimate for the run-up looked high. They would come back with an alternative.

c) The Clerk reported that in the absence of Mr. Hickman he had received information from WCC (Mr Girdler) that the total possible area for planting was 227 sq metres that would require 22,700 bulbs and this would be too many. A bio-diversity grant of £500 was found to be available but needed immediate attention or it would miss the deadline and had been applied for with a matching sum of £500 offered from the Parish. This was considered to be excessive and the Clerk agreed to speak with Mr Hickman on his return and review the bulbs required and the sum offered by the Parish.

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Sir John Moore Barracks

Sergeant Major Darling attended the meeting in the absence of the RSM and told the meeting that from 15 August standard training stops and the new 23 week course with young soldiers begins.

The Annual Balls will take place as follows:

Sergeants         9 August

Corporals         8 August

Both will be held in the gymnasium and notices will be sent to local residents at the time.

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Public Participation

Mr Welch brought a proposal for a temporary car park for 60 cars on the Littleton side of Harestock Road adjacent to the Down House. This was to be available to the contractors of Sunrise Housing who were building an eighty-bed nursing home in Stockbridge Road. The aim was to reduce traffic problems in the area particularly as it was opposite the Waitrose site. The design had been discussed with the Highways department. The nine inches of topsoil would be scraped back and stock piled and the land re-instated after expiry of the planning permission. The car park was to be made up from crushed concrete and then rolled. Mr Welch was thanked for bringing the plan to the meeting and told that no decision would be made to support or object to the application until the actual planning application was received from WCC.

 DH/BE

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HCC Matters

Community Transport Review – A letter was received and passed to Mr Highfield for his information.

Cllr Bailey sent her apologies with Cllr Jackson who reported that checks were being made with the Land Agency as to the ownership of the land adjacent to the roadway between the Running Horse and the bottom of the hill. HCC had found £1m for work on potholes and verges and a request had been sent to parishes asking for any suggested sites where work was required. Special speed signs were being tried out and some parishes may buy their own. The 30mph limit work is due to take place in September.

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WCC Matters

The Clerk reported that complaints had been received regarding the line of refuse bins along the pavement opposite the parked cars in the Harestock shops car park. As they were left there all the time they became a health hazard as they became full and passers by used them as public waste bins. They belonged to the flat owners and WCC had been contacted to see if they could be moved.

Mr Parker raised the question of all day parking at Harestock shops. Cllr Jackson agreed to see if the period could be reduced.

Cllr Jackson told the meeting that she was now on the Environmental Scrutiny Panel looking at the management of trees and tree preservation orders (TPO’s)

‘Live your Dream’ was a project for raising interest in the 2012 Olympics

KL/JJ

JJ

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Planning

A planning applications report for June was circulated. The Clerk reported that 08/00966/FUL and 08/00593/FUL had now been received.

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Motocross meeting 16 July

The meeting with officers and Cllr Wood was now arranged to take place at the City Offices. Representatives from South Wonston Parish Council, and Councillors representing the various parishes have been invited. A number of questions were to be sent prior to the meeting.

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Littleton Post Office – latest information

A response from Essex County Council agreed that the costs charged by Post Office Ltd for re-opening Post Offices was a major sticking point.

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Littleton Pond – latest information

In the absence of Mr Hickman the Clerk confirmed that the £10,000 grant from HCC had been confirmed. As agreed with Anna Longley  the scheme had been passed to Holmes and Sons for costing. There may be a delay in the scheme if a Health & Safety report is required. In response to Councillors comments it was agreed to bring a copy of the plans to the next meeting.

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Other Reports

a)      Finance committee – The report of the Finance Committee was circulated.

1. Final Accounts 2007-8

The Clerk explained that the accounts will be audited by the Internal Auditor, Annie Manly, who will complete Section 4 of the return and that it will then be sent to the External Auditor, the Audit Commission.

It was proposed by Mr Highfield and seconded by Mr Warren and RESOLVED that the Final Accounts for the year ended 31 March 2008 be accepted and agreed and that Sections 1 and 2 of the Annual Return for the year ended 31 March 2008 be agreed.

2.      Employment of a pavilion cleaner

The Clerk reported that the cleaner had resigned due to ill health. He had recommended a replacement whom, unfortunately, had recently had a heart attack and was unable to take up the position. The Clerk was currently doing the work with the help of his wife and that it was intended to put an advert in the August edition of the Parish newsletter. Mr Lupton proposed that if no volunteer was forthcoming then a cleaning firm should be employed. Mr Lupton also proposed that an honorarium should be paid to Mr And Mrs Elsmore for the work done.

It was proposed by Mr Highfield and seconded by Mr Warren and RESOLVED that if no replacement be found for the pavilion cleaner then a cleaning firm should be employed and that Mr and Mrs Elsmore be paid an honorarium for the work done.

b)      Trees/Hedges/Conservation/Dogs – None

c)      Playgrounds – The Clerk reported that the installation of new equipment at Bradley Road was programmed to start that day but had been delayed by the contractors van breaking down. The RoSPA report had been received and would be circulated to the two playground representatives once the new equipment was installed. Mr Highfield asked that the bin at Littleton Play Area be replaced as the current one had been damaged. It was RESOLVED that a new litter-bin can be purchased for the Littleton play area.

d)      Recreation Grounds – Harestock Rd Football Ground – Confirmation was received from Defence Estates of the new rent of £500 but a new lease/agreement was required. In order to save the expense of extra solicitors fees the Clerk would request that the lease could be extended to at least another year even if it meant that only a short notice period was required from Defence Estates.

e)      Traffic and civil engineering – HCC have found an extra £1m to be used for the repair of potholes and areas of verge over-riding. All parishes were asked to recommend two or three locations in the parish. A very short notice was given to respond and the Clerk had suggested the Stockbridge side verge at the turning into Main Road and the continuation of the kerbing at the junction of Main Rd Littleton and Littleton Lane. The pothole at the junction of Priors Dean Road and Harestock Road was considered but the Clerk proposed that that be repaired under the normal procedures. Mr Lupton also mentioned the gully at the junction of Stockbridge Road and Main Road which was always flooded after rain and needed raising but this was not for consideration at this time.

The three house development in South Drive was nearly complete and a request was received from WCC for the Council to agree the new name for the road as it was unable to be called South Drive. The proposal was for ‘Meadow Rise’. After discussion it was RESOLVED to request that the site property name of ‘St Eloi’ should be used

A letter from HCC regarding the ‘Village 30’ scheme was circulated. It stated that the scheme would be implemented without alteration and that a county-wide campaign to encourage respect for the new limit was planned for September. The Road Safety Team will be contacting the Parish Council to invite participation.

f)       Pavilion – None

g)      Sports Club – None.

Littleton VDS Revision – It was moving on with the proposed completion date in twelve months.

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Correspondence

As per schedule.

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Payments - It was RESOLVED that payments totalling £6433.19

proposed by Mr Walsh and seconded by Mr Warren should be paid.

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Items for noting only or inclusion on next meetings agenda

Mr Parker, reporting on the Safer Neighbourhood meeting stated that there was a drastic increase in noisy behaviour in the City Centre. Statistics were not readily available for the Littleton and Harestock area as we were part of ‘North Winchester’

DATE OF NEXT MEETING - Monday 11 August 2008 at the Community Lounge, Henry Beaufort School, Harestock at 7.30pm.

1

Apologies –. Mr P Walsh, Cllr K Learney (WCC)

ACTION

2

Disclosure of Interest – None

3

Minutes of the meeting held 12 May 2008 - The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 12 May 2008 were agreed and were signed by the Chairman.

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Matters Arising

a) Littleton Pond. – The Clerk reported that Serco Ltd had now raised the drain cover to the level of the land.

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Sir John Moore Barracks

The RSM did not attend the meeting but the Clerk had received notice of the dates of the summer parties which were:

Officers Mess 21 June

Sergeants         9 August

Corporals         8 August

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Public Participation – None

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HCC Matters

Cllr Charlotte Bailey raised the possibility of two or three Parish Councils sharing flashing lights.

Mr Pepperell asked when surfacing of Priors Dean Road will take place

Mr Hickman spoke of the danger to cyclists of the loose gravel in Littleton Lane. The Clerk will contact Neil Broadbent.

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WCC Matters

Cllr Jackson confirmed that the scheme for the proposed synthetic turf pitch at Henry Beaufort School had received an offer of a £130k grant from WCC.

Cllr Jackson was asked if Cllr Webb would be attending the Motocross meeting – she agreed to find out.

Silver Hill was moving to the process of compulsory purchase of some of the properties.

The Cabinet had come to a decision on the Local Development Framework.

HCC had indicated that there were enough houses under construction not to need to bring in the Barton Farm site.

The Chimney’s site scheme for Aldi’s was going to Planning Committee on Thursday.

HCC was having a summer of cycling and WCC and local groups were arranging the annual ‘bike week’.

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Planning

A planning schedule was circulated.

The Clerk reported that the scheme at 30 Burley Road had been refused.

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