Minutes of the Monxton Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 18^th November 2015 in the Monxton Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Present: Cllr S Dowding – Vice Chairman, Cllr J Balding, Cllr P Parfrey, Richard Waterman – Parish Clerk, David James – Neighbourhood Watch, County Councillor Mrs Z Brooks, Members of the Public – 8

Apologies: Cllr M Cleugh – Chairman, Cllr D Bateman and Borough Councillor Mr Ben Few-Brown.

WELCOME – Cllr S Dowding welcomed everyone to the meeting.

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

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC – The Clerk reported that he had not received any request to address the meeting.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING – Cllr S Dowding signed the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record.

PLANNING
15/02647/CLEN – Application for lawful development certificate for use of the land edged in red on the attached plan as garden, since the date of 1988 – Oakcutts, Old Stockbridge Road, Middle Wallop.

Cllr S Dowding stated that Mr Paul Flippance, the Architect for this planning application had asked to address the meeting.

Mr Paul Flippance gave a site history and the various applications that have been submitted to Test Valley Borough Council. Mr Flippance explained why this latest application has been submitted, it is more of a legal issue to provide evidence of the garden/curtilage on the site. 5 affidavits have been submitted with the application to back up the application.

The Parish Council discussed this application and agreed that they had NO OBJECTION to this planning application.

FOX FARM – The appeal submitted on the 3^rd July 2015 has been dismissed/refused by The Environment Agency. Test Valley Borough Council have yet to comment.

15/02535/TREEN – Crown raise Plum by up to 3m. Remove middle stem of one Sycamore. Fell 2 Sycamore – Monxton Manor, Amport Road, Monxton. The Parish Council had NO OBJECTIONS to this planning application.

ENVIRONMENT – Cllr J Balding

FLOODING – Ground water levels are constantly monitored and are very low according to the readings taken on the 12^th November 2015. At present there are no Flood warnings for Monxton.

It was noted that the water in the weir has reached the level where it is starting to flow in to the river bed. Several river issues were briefly discussed and noted.

FOOTPATHS – The Hook Lane bridleway is blocked in several places. Amport parish Council have been contacted to see if a joint venture could be undertaken to clear the bridleway. A broken stile at Manor Farm has been reported 4 times and has still not been repaired.

TRAFFIC – Cllr S Dowding

The Speed Watch Scheme is quiet at the moment due to Alan Barbone’s work commitments. The scheme is in need of more volunteers.

Test Valley and Hampshire County Council have been contacted to chase up various issues. The village gateways and the extension to the speed limits are now promised for the summer of 2016. It is very disappointing that the date for their implementation has been extended from the original promised date of early 2015.

After some discussion it was agreed that the Police should be contacted about the regular disregard for the width restrictions by coaches and large HGV’s.

New oak posts have been installed round the village pond, which has enhanced the look of the pond area.

VILLAGE HALL – Cllr S Dowding

There has been a good response from the village to the recent questionnaire on the refurbishment and plans for the Village Hall. TVBC have confirmed that there is probably no height restriction for the site. A planning application is to be submitted and fund raising will start with an event on the 21^st November 2015. It is hoped to start the project in 2017 if the funding is in place. The Village will be kept informed of progress.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH – Mr David James

None-dwelling burglaries and an increase in scams remain a problem in our area, there has been an incident in Monxton.

Our local PCSO has proposed a joint presentation with Amport to inform residents of the increase in cyber-crime and id theft and how to protect your personal details.

SUNNYBANK – Report submitted by Cllr D Bateman

The overgrown bus stop still needs to be cleared and has been reported. Damage to the 30mph sign has been reported to Highways. Highways have carried out verge repairs and the byway has been cut back, but there is now an increasing problem with motorcycles and cars.

FINANCE – Parish Clerk

ACCOUNTS – 1^st April 2015 – 18^th November 2015

INCOME
Opening Balance BF              = £5,293.92
Precept                                    = £5,200.00
Police Grant                          = £1,000.00
Defibrillator Grant                 = £1,381.75
=£12,875.67

EXPENDITURE
Wages                                 = £1,600.00
Insurance                              = £410.44
Play Ground Inspection           =   £65.40
Village Maintenance              = £1,125.00
Dog Bins                               =   £130.08
Speed Watch Scheme            =   £767.87
Administration                      =   £117.80
Chairman’s Expenses             =    £68.77
Defibrillator                         = £1,658.10
Rubbish Bin                          =   £452.14

= £6,396.60

BALANCE IN BANK       = £6,480.07

VAT to be Claimed £527.37

MONEY SET ASIDE – NOT INCLUDED IN ABOVE FIGURES
£1000.00 for Village Project/Maintenance

2016/2017 PRECEPT
The 2016/2017 Precept will be discussed and set at the January meeting.

CLLR MRS Z BROOKS
Cllr Mrs Z Brooks reported that she is trying to organise a meeting with all the Parishes in her Ward and Hampshire County Council Highways Officers. It is hoped that outstanding issues in the parishes and the way forward will be discussed. Cllr Mrs Z Brooks will keep the Parish Council up-dated of her progress.

CLOSE OF THE MEETING
Cllr S Dowding thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting.

DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
20th January 2016

Minutes of the Monxton Parish Council meeting held on Wednesday 30^th September 2015 in the Monxton Village Hall at 7.30pm.

Present: Cllr M Cleugh – Chairman, Cllr J Balding, Cllr P Parfrey, Cllr D Bateman, Richard Waterman – Parish Clerk, David James – NHW, Members of the Public – 5

Apologies: Cllr S Dowding – Vice Chairman, Borough Councillor Z Brooks and Borough Councillor B Few-Brown.

WELCOME The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting.

DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST There were no declarations of interest recorded.

MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC There were no request to address the Parish Council.

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

PLANNING

• 15/01363/FULLN – Amendment to Planning Application No:15/01363/FULLN: Abbotts Mead, Chalkpit Lane, Monxton
• 15/02135/TREEN – Fell Ash and Norway Spruce. The Black Swan Car Park, High Street, Monxton.
• 15/02100/TREEN – Overgrown Beech Hedge – Reduce to 2m and prune back to the boundary on the roadside. Middle Orchard, Green Lane, Monxton.
• 15/02183/LBWN – Replacement Signs to include one externally illuminated fascia
• 15/02182/ADVN    sign, one hanging sign, two hording signs and two internally illuminated signs – The Black Swan, High Street, Monxton.

The Parish Council will study the planning applications and make comment in due course.

ALPINE GROUP

The Chairman gave an update on the Alpine Group at Manor Farm. A new developer has expressed an interest in the project, a site for a new factory is being sort, and there is the potential to have contracts in place by the end of October with a planning application being submitted by the end of February 2016.

The Chairman reported that recently there have been problems with large Lorries causing damage in the village. A damaged tree and smashed pot have been reported to Kelvin Barry.

Cllr J Balding reported that there have also been several incidents of Lorries using Chalkpit Lane and these have also been reported to the Alpine Group.

ISSUES WITH LORRIES IN MONXTON

The Chairman gave an up-date on the lorry movements through the village to Fox Woods from information received from TVBC and the Environment Agency.

Cllr J Balding reported that Clegg and Booking coaches are still coming through the village empty. The Clerk reported that he had spoken to the company and would do so again.

ENVIRONMENT AND FOOTPATHS – CLLR J BALDING

FRACKING – Fracking Licenses were issued on the 18^th August 2015 – including land in Monxton.

FOOTPATHS – After many requests the broken stile on footpath 6 had been repaired, but unfortunately is now broken again.

The ‘Hook’ Lane Bridle Way is very overgrown between Amport and Monxton.

HIGHWAYS

Cllr S Dowding is away on business. An update will be given at the next meeting.

SPEED CHECKS

Alan Barbone reported that two speed checks have been done but only 4 motorists were recorded speeding. Timing is the essence when carrying out the speed checks. Over the coming weeks the group will be experimenting with different times and positions. The Police see the Speed Check scheme as a high visibility deterrent rather than an exercise to catch speeding motorists. More Volunteers are required.

DEFIBRILLATOR

The Defibrillator was discussed and it was felt that it would be a good idea to put details on the web site.

FINANCIAL REPORT

ACCOUNTS – 1^st April 2015 – 30^th September 2015

INCOME.

Opening Balance BF              = £5,293.92

Precept                                = £5,200.00

Police Grant                          = £1,000.00

Defibrillator Grant                 = £1,381.75

=£12,875.67

 EXPENDITURE.

Wages                                = £1,200.00

Insurance                             =  £410.44

Play Ground Inspection           =   £65.40

Village Maintenance              = £1,125.00

Dog Bins                               =   £130.08

Speed Watch Scheme            =   £767.87

Administration                       =   £117.80

Chairman’s Expenses              =    £68.77

Defibrillator                      = £1,658.10

Rubbish Bin                      =   £452.14

= £5,996.60

BALANCE IN BANK       =  £6,880.07

VAT to be Claimed £527.37

MONEY SET ASIDE – NOT INCLUDED IN ABOVE FIGURES

£1000.00 for Village Project/Maintenance

AUDIT

The Clerk reported that District Audit have issued the Audit Certificate for the Accounts 2014/2015. There were no matters which came to their attention which required the issuing of a separate additional issues arising report.

The Parish Council agreed to the conclusion of the Audit.

SUNNYBANK – CLLR D BATEMAN

Cllr D Bateman reported that he has not had much joy with TVBC or HCC in regard to issues that he has reported.

• TVBC took no action on an abandoned car on Monxton Road and suggested that it be reported to the Police on 101.
• Road damage was reported to HCC and reference numbers given. Highways came out and marked the damage but have not come back to do the repairs.
• The Bus Stop at Sunnybank is very overgrown, this was reported to HCC but nothing has been done. The Chairman suggested that Clive Hutchinson be asked to cut back the overgrowth. All agreed.

Cllr D Bateman reported that the Church Gate Post is rotten and needs replacing and other repair work is required, would the Parish Council consider giving a grant towards the work?   The Chairman asked the Clerk to check past accounts as he was sure that the Parish Council had given a grant at some stage.

NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH – DAVID JAMES

Non-dwelling burglaries remain a problem in our area but progress has been made following a successful policing operation in the Test Valley district.

The initiative, which is part of the force’s rural crime crackdown Operation Falcon, saw a 20% reduction in the number of reported non-dwelling burglaries during the operation period.

CRIME ALERTS

An alert was issued on the 31^st August which was distributed in Monxton and posted on Monxton Matters. This gave more details of the work undertaken by the Police during Operation Falcon. It also outlined the property recovery service ‘Immobilise’.

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

DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING – 18^th November 2015