Present: Cllr Mike Cleugh – Chairman
Cllr Hugh Corroon- vice chair
Cllr Cathy Barbone
Cllr Rupert Staines
Cllr Camilla Elwell
TVBC Maureen Flood
Heather Bourner – Parish Clerk
2 Members of the Public
Apologies:
Apologies for absence had been received from HCC Chris Donnelly & TVBC S Hasselman
1.WELCOME.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
There were no declarations of interest.
3.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
The planning advisor on behalf of the owners of the Black Swan in attendance confirmed they have submitted Planning and LBC applications to TVBC to allow the owners of the Black Swan to stay for 1 year
(refs: 23/01104/FULLN and /01105/LBWN). No decisions have been made.
A pre app has also been submitted to understand what will be required for a permanent change of use. The property remains for sale with no offers so far. Three reports have been sent to TVBC explaining what has been done to market the pub. Builders estimates for work required to repair the building are in the range of £300,000 to £350,000. Only one potential purchaser has visited the pub but no offer has been made. The agent is trying to set up a meeting with TVBC to try and find a way forward. He said the Parish Council could be invited to attend if they wished.
4.MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING
The Chairman agreed to sign the minutes of the previous meetings of 9th May 2023 as a true record. All agreed.
5.VILLAGE HALL REBUILD UPDATE
Cllr Cleugh reported the hall has been demolished however there is a problem with the lack of foundations. Expert advice is being taken and reports are awaited. The additional costs are likely to be substantial and additional funds may be required.
The Clerk summarised the village hall management finance as below
Held in Barclays account-30/06/2023
Current account £944.57
Savings account £35.72.
6.PLANNING.
Applications since previous meeting: –
23/01398/TREEN- coppice sycamore-Monks Foyle Cottage, Green Lane-no objections
Applications to be considered
23/01741/FULLN-demolish 7 replace garage-Old Hoyles, Abbots Ann Road-no objection
Confirmation of outcome from TVBC
23/00784/FULLN- remove old and replace solar panels-Hutchens Cottage, High Street-permission
23/00925/FULLN-replacement gates Monxton Manor-permission
23/00220/LBWN-regularise repairs and renovations to Coach House-Monxton Manor-permission
22/02006/FULLN- change of use, Black Swan-refused
23/00138/FULLN-erect garden shed, The Old Cottage, Abbotts Ann Road-permission
23/00423/TREEN-tree works, Lilac Cottage, Andover Road, no objections
23/00599/TREEN- tree works, Monxton Manor, no objection
Amport house
An objection has been submitted to TVBC in relation to the Amport Parish Council report on traffic signage. A discussion at the fete highlighted that Amport Parish Council had not consulted Monxton Parish Council before submitting these comments. Confirmation of the date of the northern area planning meeting is awaited.
7.SUNNYBANK & FOOTPATHS
Cllr Barbone reported the road will be closed shortly as work to clear drains at Sunnybank are carried out.. She said she has established who the farmer is who owns the bridleway at the top of Monxton and will approach him to trim back some of the trees for the horses to pass. The landowner has cut back some of the hedge and footpath around the paddocks and beyond.
The footpaths are normally only cut twice a year due to funding and other requirements, however the Lengthsman is due to give the footpath by the grain store an additional strim towards the end of July due to the wet weather and adverse growing conditions.
8.TRAFFIC MONITORING
There is currently no Councillor in charge of the speed awareness machine which is currently located at Sunnybank. However, this could be a useful tool to monitor traffic users to the hotel. Cllr Elwell agreed to take on the task of reviewing data.
9. ENVIRONMENT
Cllr Cleugh reported Southern Water works are ongoing in Fyfield and Thruxton to reline sewers and private laterals. This should benefit the catchment lower down the valley including Monxton.
Southern Water are studying using a wetland project in the catchment, to act as a filter for any over pumping required in the future which will remove the need for tankers, subject to regulatory approval. The example being considered is Langford Lakes in Wiltshire, which has regulatory approval for use of the technology.
10.FINANCE
To note balance in Lloyds bank as at 30/06/23 £84632.24
Resolved: that the following payments be approved and transactions authorised
Payments to agree-
Clerks’ salary £133.52 per month and HMRC £33.20 payments by SO July, Aug & Sep
Shaun Rushton £380.00
Shaun Rushton £240.00
Payments to be made
Clerks’ expenses (May to July) £22.50
Shaun Rushton £180.00
Clerk lengthsman admin £320
Additional HMRC £80.00
Clerk additional hours re V Hall £95.76
Additional HMRC £23.94
Audit return year ended 31st March 2024
The internal auditor used in previous years has now retired and the Clerk reported details of a quote by a new auditor to carry oy the review for 2023/24. In view of the additional work required as a result of the Village Hall rebuild the quote was £400.00 for 23/24. In following years, the quote was £200.00 Cllr Cleugh proposed the quotes be accepted. This was seconded by Cllr Corroon. All agreed.
The Clerk agreed to make an in-year VAT claim given the volume of VAT paid on the village hall rebuild.
14.BOROUGH & COUNTY COUNCILLOR REPORTS
HCC Chris Donnelly had sent apologies
TVBC Councillor Maureen Flood confirmed TVBC is working on initatives where TVBC support the rural communities- meeting on 2nd August at Test Valley School to which parish councillors will be invited
15. CORRESPONDENCE
None.
16.Items for next meeting
There were no items noted for the next agenda
17.CLOSE OF THE MEETING
The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting.
18.DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be on Tuesday 10th October 2023, 7.30pm Abbots Ann Village Hall
Monxton Matters 