Minutes of the Meeting 1st November 2021
NOT YET APPROVED MINUTES of the Parish Council Meeting
Held Monday 1st November 2021
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Public Forum |
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Eight members of the public were in attendance. A member of the public referred to the illegal waste fire at Fen Lane, concerned that air quality is still impacted despite the fire having been extinguished. A resident of Fen Lane commented that the waste now needs to be removed. It was agreed the contact the Environment Agency requesting an update on the removal of the waste and details of the ongoing air quality monitoring. Local PCs are to be advised of the contact made in this respect. Action Clerk A resident referred the planning application S21/1990 stressing concerns over surface water and heights of the proposed houses. PW confirmed the application will be determined by the Development Control Committee. |
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Meeting commenced at 8.03pm |
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Present |
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Geoff Fearn (GF), Paul Wood (PW), Stephen Pearson (SP), Iain Lyon (IL), John Leventhall (JL), Daryl Walton (DW), Mick Brooks (MB), Mick Walker (MW), Cllr Maughan (AM) and Jane Evans (Clerk) |
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18/772 |
Apologies for Absence |
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Martin Wright (MMW), Chairman, Carole Lee (CL), Ross Warman (RW) and Alex Maughan due to personal commitments – apologies accepted. GF chaired the meeting in the absence of MMW |
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18/773 |
Declarations of Interest |
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None |
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18/774 |
Minutes & Matters Arising from Previous Meeting 6th September 2021 |
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It was agreed to open the meeting to allow John Thurston to address the PC on behalf of the VHMC, to provide background information regarding legal ownership of St James’s Hall to support the request to the PC to pay the invoice for roof repairs to take advantage to the VAT126 claims. It was RESOLVED to pay the invoice with the caveat that if the VAT cannot be claimed back, the VHMC will provide full reimbursement. The invoice is to be addressed to the PC and the VHMC will send the net funds to the PC. Further investigations regarding the ability to reclaim the VAT will be done by the Clerk. Action Clerk It was suggested and agreed to draw up a memorandum of understanding regarding ownership and responsibilities. It was further resolved to have a future discussion regarding financial responsibilities relating to St James’s Hall.
Matters Arising 18/765 – book tokens are to be purchased. Action Clerk 18/768 – it was agreed to chase Helen Macrow from South Street Capital for a response to the email re increasing numbers of HGVs on Costa Row. Action Clerk
It was RESOLVED that the minutes be signed as a true record. |
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18/775 |
County Council |
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Cllrs were referred to the written report sent ahead of the meeting. Cllrs referred to the meeting on 8th Nov with Highways regarding the planning application at the rear of the Royal Oak. It was agreed to summarise the main issues to raise and this is to be circulated to Cllrs for further comment. Action Clerk
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18/776 |
District Council Report |
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PW confirmed 2 by-elections has taken place and a brief summary of the make up of the elected Councillors was provided for information. |
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18/777 |
Planning |
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Applications – S21/1990 REL 2 Limited & Hawthorn Leisure. Application for the erection of 6 no. dwellings at Land East of The Royal Oak, Main Road, Long Bennington. RESOLVED to object mainly regarding drainage, access, previous reasons for refusal not addressed. Action Clerk S21/1998 Hampshire. Application for the erection of a single dwelling at 35 Church Street, Long Bennington. RESOLVED no objection S21/1995 John Ward and Son Application for a single storey extension to both sides of dwelling at 50 Church Street Long Bennington. RESOLVED to comment regarding drainage solutions and proximity to neighbouring property. Action Clerk Late agenda item - S21/1516 Goff. Demolition of existing dwelling and erection of replacement dwelling and detached annexe 8A Main Road Long Bennington. RESOLVED to comment to ensure adequate drainage solutions are submitted re the annexe and the distance from neighbouring properties is satisfactory. Action Clerk Planning Approvals –see agenda. It was agreed to check with the planning officers that the attenuation scheme is in hand re S21/0458 and S21/0459 and ask for an update re the transport plan. Action Clerk Planning Refusals – see agenda Planning Appeals/Withdrawals – see agenda. Other planning issues – None |
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18/778 |
Fire at Fen Lane Illegal Waster Site – to discuss action |
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See public forum |
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18/779 |
Development at Roseland Business Park and local infrastructure – to discuss response from Highways |
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Thanks was given to MB for his continued work on monitoring the HGV traffic in the village. |
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18/780 |
Riverview – to agree financial responsibility for grass cutting. |
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It was agreed the PC continues to cut the grass at Riverview to ensure a continued high standard of maintenance. |
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18/781 |
Memorial Garden – to discuss placement of memorial bench. |
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Councillors RESOLVED to grant permission for a memorial bench for Pat Fryer to be put in the Memorial Gardens. It was further agreed a contribution towards the cost of installation would be considered. |
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18/782 |
Chairman and Clerk’s Report |
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Chairman’s Report No Report Clerks Report Councillors were referred to the attached report. A late notice of damage to the PC noticeboard was discussed and it was agreed to obtain costs of refurbishing vs purchasing a replacement to present at the December meeting for discussion. Action Clerk Councillors discussed the grass cutting contract and the comment that the grass is still growing. It was RESOLVED to approve a further cut outside the annual contract if required, with a minimum of the Memorial Gardens having a further cut ahead of the Remembrance Day service. Action Clerk |
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18/783 |
Finance |
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Councillors were referred to the attached schedule of invoices for payment totalling £2106.73 RESOLVED – to pay the invoices.
Community Cleaner hours worked and payment – approved. |
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18/784 |
Reports |
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Playing Fields Management Committee – a summary of the repairs currently underway and completed was provided. It was confirmed the trial of the café at the Pavilion is being extended for a couple of months. Village Hall Management Committee – it was confirmed the roof repair has been completed and now the redecoration is to be done. School Liaison – none Emergency Planning Group Report – none Road Safety – it was confirmed a significant number of cars are travelling through the village. Councillors referred to the damage to the retaining paving slabs on Wheatsheaf Lane and it was agreed to report them as they are viewed as dangerous. Action Clerk Police Report – No report Footpaths & Streetlights – No report Communications Committee – there is now a page for Witham Meadow on the PC website. Data Protection and Cllrs email privacy was discussed briefly and it was agreed to investigate options. Action Clerk Witham Meadow Project Report – it was confirmed a grant application has been submitted and contact made with school regarding the winners of the anti-littering competition. Book tokens are to be purchased and presented in an assembly. Action Clerk/IL
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18/785 |
Correspondence |
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Councillors referred to attached list of correspondence received during the last month. Item 9 – recycling bins in the village was discussed and it was agreed that no further action would be taken, agreeing that there are enough options available to residents. No further questions |
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18/786 |
Items for next agenda and Parish News Report. |
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Next agenda - Witham Meadow equipment |
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18/787 |
Date of next meeting – 6th December 2021 |
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Meeting Closed 9.35pm |
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Signed Martin Wright Designation Chairman 6th December 2021. |