Author Archives: Monxton Matters

Amport (and Local Parishes) Burns Night – Saturday 21 January

by Monxton Matters

The Christmas decorations are away and a new year has begun but if you think there’s nothing more to look forward to, there is more fun to be had at Quarley Village Hall on Saturday 21st January when it’s time to celebrate Robert Burns’ birthday.

The format will be traditional but light-hearted, just as Scotland’s bard would have wanted. A 2-course supper with haggis specially imported from Royal Deeside will be served.

Unsure about haggis? You might be pleasantly surprised; but that’s not all there is. Wine and soft drinks on the table, and whisky for ‘toasts’ (a bit like speeches, but light-hearted and brief) are included in the ticket price. Dancing to a live band with a caller follows the supper, and hopefully everyone will be go home at the end of the evening with a smile on their face.

Doors open at 7pm for a prompt 7:30 start. It’s a packed programme, finishing at 11:30. Tickets cost £23 each, with any proceeds going to local causes. For more information, please go to www.birdsweb.co.uk/burns/ , call Gillian (01264 889463) or email gillian.j.bird@btinternet.com

It’s not-for-profit but any excess we make will probably be passed on either to the Amport & Monxton Community Charity, the Village Hall or to the Black Swan pub fund so the more tickets we sell, the better the night will be and the more likely it will be that something goes back into the community!

Save our Swan Team Gets an Early Christmas Present

by Monxton Matters

The Save Our Swan team have recently applied for a bursary from the Plunkett Foundation (a charity set up to try and assist community projects) and this week we received confirmation that Plunkett will provide a £2,500 bursary. These funds will be used to fund some of the work required to ascertain the value of the Black Swan building and also viability of the pub as a business.

This successful application was the result of some hard work by the team and takes us one step nearer to saving the Black Swan, with particular thanks to Paul Richards.

We are also in the process of setting up the Monxton Community Benefit Society (MCBS), which will be the legal vehicle for the project and should be in place early in the New Year

All donations, which villagers have provided will be transferred from the Monxton Parish Council bank account to the new MCBS bank account along with the bursary monies.

This will be used to fund the work required to undertake the ‘red book’ survey of the pub during the first week of January, which will provide the following:

  1. A valuation of the building and cost of reparations/refurbishment to the point where it can open for business
  2. An estimate of the likely business turnover for the Back Swan as a Free House

The next steps will be to open negotiations with Enterprise Inns and to propose a figure for the purchase of the Black Swan as an ongoing business.

While any development of the Black Swan itself, and the car park plus the village green, may mean a higher sale price for Enterprise Inns, it would require a Change of Use from TVBC. This would not be allowed while the Asset of Community Value (ACV) order is in place and while the community is negotiating with Enterprise Inns.

We will need assistance from the entire community and this includes the local villagers of Monxton, Amport, Quarley, Grateley and Abbots Ann, plus people from Andover and the Army HQ to support this project as it progresses and also to provide the various skills at different stages.

If you wish to help raise funds or join the team or offer any skills please call or email either:

Sarah Dowding on 01264 710375 / 07712 836383  sarah@classictravelling.com

or

Mike Cleugh on 01264 710276 / 07836 792545  mikecleugh@hotmail.com

Monxton vs Amport Football Match – Sunday 5th February 2017

by Monxton Matters
In a bid to keep the (friendly!) competition very much alive between the Roundheads (Monxton) and the Cavaliers (Amport)…. the two respective village teams will once again go head to head on Amport Green on Sunday 5th February at 2pm. Both teams need players, supporters and a team mascot… so if you are interested getting involved/ playing (both men & women) please contact:
Monxton: Richard Pearce: 710215 / richard@tcnuk.com
Amport: Teddy Martin: 771166/ e.martin@sky.com
We’d love as much village sideline support as possible, so please come along to watch. It will be very much a family-focussed event with drinks afterwards in The Hawk to celebrate.
Can Monxton hold onto the Football title or will Amport come back fighting & claim the ‘Roundhead vs Cavaliers Cup’….. find out on 5/02/17!

Fake Bank Letters

by Monxton Matters
This is a message sent via Hampshire Alert. This information has been sent on behalf of Action Fraud (National Fraud Intelligence Bureau)

Lloyds customers should be on the lookout for a new sophisticated fraud that involves fraudsters sending fake bank letters. 

The convincing letters being sent are a replica template from Lloyds and include their logo, address and signature from a customer service representative.
The letter tells recipients that there have been some “unusual transactions” on their personal account and asks them to call a number highlighted in bold to confirm they are genuine.
When victims call the number, an automated welcome message is played and the caller is asked to enter their card number, account number and sort code followed by their date of birth.Victims are then instructed to enter the first and last digit of their security number.
The fraud was spotted by the Daily Telegraph who was alerted to it by a reader who had three identical letters sent to an office address. On separate occasions the Daily Telegraph ran some tests using fake details and were passed to fraudsters who claimed to be from a Lloyds contact centre. The bank has confirmed that the phone number and letters are fake.
The letters are essentially a sophisticated phishing attempt and serves as a warning to consumers to question written correspondence from their banks.

If you are ever suspicious about correspondence from your bank you should call the customer serviced number on the back of their card.
To report a fraud and cyber crime, call us on 0300 123 2040 or visit http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report_fraud

Andover Business Park: HCV Cap Removal

by Monxton Matters

Removal of HCV Cap at Andover ‘Business’ Park

APPLICATION NO: 16/01512/OBLN
APPLICANT: Goodman Real Estate (UK) Ltd
PROPOSAL: Modify the planning obligation associated with Planning Permission 09/02392/OUTN by removal of Part II of Schedule 6 regarding HCV Traffic Demand Management systems
SITE: Andover Business Park, Monxton Road, Andover

Pete Parfrey, as a representative of Monxton Parish Council, attended a meeting of the Northern Area Planning Committee at TVBC Beechurst offices on 17th November where the application by Goodmans to remove the limit of 85 HCVs per hour was heard and considered.

It was interesting to hear Goodmans state that the current figure is only 41 HCVs per hour, and that their projections show they will not reach the 85 limit, despite building ever larger distribution, units requiring many heavy vehicle movements, such as the new ‘Angle 340’. The following statement is taken from their website today, “Global integrated property group, Goodman, can confirm work is underway on a state-of- the-art 336,300 sq ft industrial distribution unit at Andover Business Park”

They stated that they needed to remove the cap because of the way they had (over) allocated HCV slots in their leases, for instance, The Chalkhill Blue had been allocated 7 slots when they only needed one.

There were a large number of well-considered written objections from several local Parish Councils, including Monxton, and a representative from Abbots Ann spoke strongly against the motion. Monxton Parish Council also spoke against the motion. However, a representative from Goodmans dismissed the Parish Councils and residents statements as “not understanding” the application.

The objections were well supported by a number of local councillors, and the great majority of those who spoke were strongly against removing the cap. These councillors pointed out that, in order to secure the original planning permission,Goodmans had freely entered into an agreement with TVBC and thus agreed to the original restrictions.

It is worth noting that Highways England and HCC based their lack of objection solely on figures relating to the strategic highways network, and the only reference to local impact was to say that local villages are protected by the ANPR system. Pete Parfrey was one of a number of those present who pointed out that any system which is out of operation for over a year and a half in order to carry out repairs, cannot be regarded as a reliable or effective safeguard. There is also a lack of transparency, in that the system appears to rely on those who stand to be penalised to implement it.

The application was duly defeated, at which point the planning officer stated that this was both a technical and legal issue, and that councillors had to provide robust evidence that the cap was “serving a useful purpose”. She also, rather worryingly, stated that Goodmans had received planning permission for a “warehouse development”.

This is very different to the original application, which was for for a “Mixed Business Park”, with some warehousing, as illustrated in the Goodmans promotional video shown to councillors by planning officers at that original hearing.

Understandably, the councillors pointed out that they were not legal experts, giving TVBC the opportunity, once more, to refer the matter to TVBC’s Planning Control committee.

This is a re-run of the process which allowed the original application, which was also rejected locally , to be passed at a later date by Planning Control.

There is a very strong feeling locally that relaxing this condition would mark the beginning of a ‘slippery slope’, and seriously undermine trust and confidence in the planning system. What is the point of fighting for and agreeing restrictions, only to see them subsequently removed? If we are to have any influence on the outcome of this, and further applications, (which may well already be in the pipeline), we will need a co-ordinated show of force and support from affected local villages.

The next meeting is at 5.30pm on 20 December in Conference Room 1, Council Offices, Beech Hurst, Weyhill Road, Andover. The meeting is open to the public.

The agenda for the meeting, which includes the officers’ report for this application, will be available from 1.00pm at Customer Services, Romsey 5 clear working days before the meeting, or Customer Services at the Beech Hurst offices in Andover.  Additionally a copy of the agenda is available for viewing on the Council’s website (www.testvalley.gov.uk/view-applications).  Any update report will be available from 5.00pm on the day of the meeting at the committee.

Please speak up and make your voice heard. Get in touch with Pete Parfrey to do so by email (prparfrey@gmail.com) or phone 01264 710516.

 

 

Parish Council Minutes – 16 November 2016

by Monxton Matters

Minutes of the Monxton Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 16th November 2016 in the Monxton Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Present: Cllr M Cleugh – Chairman, Cllr P Parfrey, Cllr P Weston, Richard Waterman – Parish Clerk, David James NHW, Members of the Public – 1

Apologies: Cllr S Dowding – Vice Chairman, Cllr J Balding, County Councillor Mrs Z Brooks and Borough Councillor Mr B Few Brown.

WELCOME – The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

DECLARATION OF INTERESTS – There were no declarations of interest recorded.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – The Chairman signed the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record.

ENVIRONMENT – CLLR J BALDING
SOUTHERN WATER
Cllr J Balding attended a Southern Water Stakeholders on behalf of MPC in October.  Many topics were covered including securing reliable supplies of drinking water, planning for future growth and possible droughts in the future.

FOOTPATHS AND BRIDLEWAYS
MPC together with a number of other local parish councils, have applied to join the Lengthsman Scheme for 2017/2018 provided by Hampshire County Council.  Each Parish will receive £1,000 per year from HCC, but at least 20% of the allocated money must be spent on footpaths. Part of the criteria is that one of the Lengthsman’s duties will be to cut the footpaths of each parish. This is due to start on 1st April 2017 and Penton Mewsey PC has agreed to be the lead PC.

The stile on Footpath 6 is broken again.  We will look in to the possibility of replacing it with a kissing gate.

TRAFFIC – CLLR P PARFREY
Cllr P Parfrey, Cllr S Coke (Amport PC) and County Councillor Mrs Z Brooks met with HCC Highways Officers Stuart Morton and Ben Clifton at the HCC Offices, Winchester on 26th September 2016.

Mr Morton explained that the Hundred Acre Roundabout was ‘over engineered’ at the time of the original development, and that the forecast figures from Goodmans in the new application were acceptable’ and within the design capacity of the roundabout.

We were also informed that the vehicle cap related to the number of vehicles leaving the site, and that no account was taken of the impact of any increased flow on the ‘substandard junction’, (described as such by Highways England to Sir George Young), at the entrance to the roundabout.

There followed some discussion about the ‘real world difference’ between the figures and how poorly the system works in practice.

There are separate cameras around the site, independent of the ANPR system which were used for the application data. The ANPR cameras are now actually functioning and are waiting to be linked to Goodmans system on site. This should be very soon.

We raised once again the poor signage and the unclear instructions given to drivers, and Mr Morton said he would look at that issue for us.

Width restriction—Mr Morton said that if we emailed him re the lack of enforcement, he would take it up. Cllr P Parfrey have since done this, and it has ended up with Ray Alborough, who has indicated that he does not really think there is a problem.

Cllr P Parfrey reported that the extension to the 30mph speed limits is ongoing.

PLANNING
NOTIFICATION OF COMMITTEE  – 17TH November 2016
16/01512/OBLN – Modify the planning obligation associated with Planning Permission 09/02392/OUTN by removal of part 11 of schedule 6 regarding HCV Traffic Demand Management systems – Andover Business Park.

Cllr P Parfrey reported that a paper has been put together objecting to this application and a 3 minute slot has been booked to speak at the planning meeting.

Alpine Group
The Chairman reported that the Alpine Group are not answering emails and that he intends to pay a visit to the Alpine Group.

VILLAGE GREEN
The Chairman reported that an offer for the Village Green was submitted to Enterprise Inns and it has been rejected on this occasion. An interest in purchasing the Black Swan has been registered.

SUNNYBANK – Report submitted by Cllr P Weston
Cllr P Weston reported that there is an issue with an over grown hedge at one of the properties. It has been noted that there is an increase in dog fouling on the footpaths.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH – Mr David James
Rural Crime
Non-dwelling burglaries and thefts of plant and equipment and more recently horse boxes are still the main cause for concern.

Scams
Telephone scams continue to be a problem, including bogus calls from banks and the police. These are now getting increased coverage in the national news. Most recent was a case of bogus “heir hunters” who conned a significant amount of money up front with a promise of a legacy.

Rogue Traders and Cold Callers
An item on this subject appeared in October’s Parish News and the problem does not go away. Useful information and advice can be found on the Hampshire Police website: http://www.hampshire.police.uk/

FINANCE – Parish Clerk
ACCOUNTS – 1st April 2016 – 16th November 2016

INCOME.
Opening Balance BF              = £4,232.74
Precept                                = £5,700.00
=£9,932.74

EXPENDITURE
Wages                                    = £1,600.00
Insurance                                 =  £384.78
Village Maintenance                 = £1,620.00
Administration                         =   £156.00
Queen’s Birthday Celebrations     = £500.00
= £4,260.78

BALANCE IN BANK       =  £5,671.96

PRECEPT
The Chairman stated that the Parish Council intend to increase the precept to allow for more maintenance in the Parish. The Parish Council also intend to reduce the number of Parish Council meetings to 4 in the next financial year. The Clerk has agreed to take a cut in wages to reflect the reduced meetings. This will be proposed at the January meeting.

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

DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
18th January 2017

Monxton Parish Profile

by Monxton Matters

Interested to see information on Monxton and the surrounding villages?

For the past few months TVBC have been working to create a set of Ward and Parish profiles for Test Valley. Ward profiles have been developed for each of the 24 ward areas in Test Valley. Additionally, parish profiles have been developed for the borough’s parishes. The profiles aim to provide consistent information about local communities across the borough. It is hoped that these profiles will allow a greater understanding of your local area and help to identify priorities for the community.

‘Ward’ is a term used by the Council and other public sector bodies to define an area represented by one or more Borough Councillors. These Councillors have been elected by the people who live in that ward to represent their views. A parish is represented by a number of Parish Councillors, and is usually smaller than a ward.

The profiles for Monxton, Amport, Grateley and Quarley are now online, alongside the Amport Ward profile. The ward of Amport covers 3,382 hectares on the western edge of Test Valley. The ward is rural with housing focused in the six main settlements of Amport, East Cholderton, Grateley, Monxton, Quarley and part of Weyhill.

Click this link to see the Ward Profile and also each parish profile:
http://www.testvalley.gov.uk/resident/communityandleisure/workingwithcommunities/mylocalarea/amport/amport-ward-profile/

There is also a 2016 Test Valley profile for the borough as a whole:
http://www.testvalley.gov.uk/aboutyourcouncil/corporatedirection/about-test-valley-the-facts-and-figures/boroughprofile/

 

Piggles Trust Charity Auction

by Monxton Matters

piggle

Harriet Martin was an Amport resident and her parents, Teddy & Caroline, have set up a Charitable Trust, Piggles Trust, in  her memory. This weekend a sell-out fundraising ball is being held and there is a fabulous auction, both on the night and a silent auction. Anyone can bid on the items, whether or not you are attending the ball. So please click here to see the wonderful experiences, holidays, wines, art and products that have been kindly donated.

Harriet spent much of her short life at Ocean Ward in Southampton General Hospital. Creating a ‘normal’ environment within the most ‘abnormal’ of situations is the hardest challenge any children’s department within a hospital is faced with.

Whilst addressing the clinical needs of the most unwell children, it is no less important to consider the overall emotional, developmental and mental wellbeing of the child and their family. The complete upheaval, change of environment away from ‘normal’ family life, coupled with the fear of uncertainty all play a huge role in this hugely distressing time for both the child and, just as importantly, their family.

Piggles Trust aims to bridge some of these gaps by creating more of a  ‘home from home’ experience, specifically through education.

When children are in hospital they suffer considerably by missing out on vital education that ordinarily they would receive. They should not fail to experience the benefits of education due to their confinement in hospital. Children who are unwell deserve, need, and will benefit from education just as much as their peers.

Education is currently provided within hospitals on a very rare and ad-hoc basis, with little or no awareness of this.  Across the board, no provision at all is made for pre-school aged children despite this being such a crucial learning stage. Outside of the hospital environment it forms an integral part of their development as well as a means for them to form friendships and most importantly, being  a child.

We all know that education starts from home and we cannot allow the circumstances beyond our control to prohibit this.

Piggles Trust is committed to offering pre-school children these vital educational stepping-stones within the hospital environment.

No child should be left behind.

ocean-ward