Minutes of the Monxton Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 11th October 2022, 7.30pm at Monxton Village Hall
Present: Cllr Mike Cleugh – Chairman
Cllr Cathy Barbone
Cllr Hugh Corroon-Vice Chairman
Cllr Rupert Staines
TVBC Maureen Flood
Heather Bourner – Parish Clerk
2 Members of the Public
Apologies:
Apologies for absence had been received from HCC Chris Donnelly.
1.WELCOME.
The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. Co-option of new Councillor
Following the resignation of Penny Kitson, Rupert Staines had expressed an interest in joining the Parish Council. After a short discussion Cllr Cleugh proposed, he be co-opted to the Parish Council. This was seconded by Cllr Barbone. All agreed.
3.DECLARATION OF INTERESTS.
There were no declarations of interest.
4.PUBLIC PARTICIPATION.
The planning advisor on behalf of the new owners of the Black Swan updated the Parish Council on progress with a temporary planning application to allow domestic use of the building while details are gathered to enable them to make an application for permanent change in use. He said he believed TVBC planners supported this application for a temporary change while he explored how a more permanent solution could be reached. He confirmed an onsite meeting with officers from TVBC planning department had taken place early in September. As a result, he had obtained estimated figures to renovate the building along with draft marketing details from the previous estate agent. In order to comply with COM 14 of the TVBC local plan they will now be trying to market the Black Swan as a viable pub business or another community business.
Cllr Cleugh provided background information on all previously unsuccessful attempts to gain permission to allow change of use and confirmed that the sale of the building had not included the car park or Village Green which were still owned by the previous owner. Cllr Corroon expressed concern that no marketing exercise could be viable if the pub no longer had access to a car park. Who could possibly be persuaded to run this type of venture if there was nowhere for customers to park.
The agent said that COM 14 of the TVBC local plan required this work to be carried out to establish viability to run a pub or some other community venture from the building. While this was by no means ideal it was what was required. It was suggested a meeting should be held with the owner of the car park to establish his intentions with regard to this land. The agent agreed to set up such a meeting with TVBC and the Parish Council invited to attend.
Finally, Cllr Cleugh confirmed he had completed and submitted all the necessary paperwork to TVBC to list the pub, carpark and Village Green as an asset of community value. If accepted the community will have the right to bid to purchase the property if it is put up for sale in the future.
5.MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
The Chairman agreed to sign the minutes of the previous meetings of 12th July 2022 as a true record. All agreed.
5.VILLAGE HALL UPDATE
Cllr Cleugh reported that a contractor has now been engaged to carry out the rebuild of the Village Hall.
Bids were received from two contractors and the winning bid was from Huttons of Andover. Discussions have been held with the contractor and the architect to finalise the work schedule and remove various items to reduce costs to bring total cost within the available funding.
The contractor will start in January 2023 with the asbestos survey and demolition work will follow. A 30 week build program is expected. The kitchen refit is not included in the works so will need to be source separately, hopefully a second-hand kitchen will become available to keep costs to a minimum.
The Clerk summarised the village hall finance as below
Village Hall Bank Reconciliation
Current account £2088.62
Savings account £35.67
Parish Council held
Village hall build fund £82370.77
The balance of costs of the rebuild will be met by grants and donations.
6.PLANNING.
Applications since previous meeting: –
22/01828/TREEN-fell redwood, Bec House- objection
22/01824/TREEN –fell 1 ash & 1 cypress, Meadow Lodge-no objections
22/01932/TREEN- reduce height beech tree, Rectory Cottage-no objections
22/02006/FULLN-change of use Black Swan-objection
22/02108/TPON-pollard weeping willow, Willow Field- no objections
Applications to be considered
None
Confirmation of outcome from TVBC
22/00601/FULLN-ground floor extension, Shoetree Cottage-permission
22/01517/FULLN-repointing and increasing height of chimney, Barn Cottage-permission
22/01828/TREEN- fell 1 redwood, Bec House-no objection
22/01932/TREEN- reduce height beech tree, Rectory Cottage-no objections
22/01824/TREEN –fell 1 ash & 1 cypress, Meadow Lodge-no objections
22/02108/TPON-pollard weeping willow, Willow Field- no objections
7.Sunnybank & footpaths
Cllr Barbone reported the hedge on the village green has been cut, and that footpaths are likely to need one further cut this year.
8.Traffic Monitoring
Cllr Cleugh explained that there is currently no councillor monitoring traffic in the village.
9. Environment
Cllr Cleugh reported on the latest developments from Southern Water in relation to the ongoing works to address the drainage issues in Monxton & surrounding villages. Sewers and lateral pipes to households are being relined and resealed to stop ground water ingress. Once this work is complete continuous tankering of excess water will not be necessary.
The Clerk reported a concern raised by a parishioner about dead and dying trees on the Village Green. The landowner applied for and was granted permission to remove these trees as they were dangerous however no work has taken place. Cllr Cleugh confirmed he had reported this issue to the TVBC tree officer who has said he cannot enforce removal but will make the landowner aware that if any of these trees cause damage to a third party, he will be liable.
10.FINANCE
To note balance in Lloyds bank as at 30/09/22 £107704.98
Resolved: that the following payments be approved and transactions authorised
Payments to agree-
Clerks’ salary £114.13 per month and HMRC £28.52 payments by SO Nov & Dec 2022
Payments to be made
Clerks’ expenses (Aug to Oct) £59.73
Lengthsman services (Shaun Rushton) £100.00
2023/24 budget
The Clerk presented budget workings. General expenditure for the year 23/24 was considered and the budget projections agreed. The precept level for 23-24 was considered and it was agreed that an 8% increase should be made to reflect current inflation. The precept level for 23-24 was therefore agreed at £8350.00
Clerks Pay.
It was agreed to the Clerk will be awarded a pay increase to £15.60 per hour with effect from 1/04/2022.
12.Borough & County Councillor Reports.
HCC Chris Donnelly was not present
TVBC Councillor Maureen Flood confirmed TVBC have drawn up a list of organisations which can help with the current cost of living crisis. She will supply details which can be uploaded to the village website.
Correspondence
Dates for meetings in 2023 were noted as follows,10th January, 9th May, 11th July, 10th October 2023. As the Village Hall is to be demolished in early 2023 the Clerk will arrange another suitable venue for these meetings.
The Clerk reminded all Councillors that an Election for Parish Councillors will take place in May 2023.
13.Items for next meeting
There were no items noted for the next agenda
14.CLOSE OF THE MEETING
The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting.
15.DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
The next meeting will be on Tuesday 10th January 2022, 7.30pm venue to be confirmed.
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