AMPORT PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting held on Monday 308th
April 2006 at 7pm in Amport School.
1. Present
Mr I. Morrison, (Chairman), Lt Col Stephens, (Vice Chairman), Mrs Carolyn
Mallam, Mr Ian Long, Mrs Diana Preston, Mr Tim Southern, Mrs Sarah Hammer, Mr
Maurice Hardy, Mr Neville Geake and Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk)
Mrs Unwin, the village correspondent was present, 5 members of the public
attended.
3 visitors attended; PC Williams, Brian Nolan –Neighbourhood Watch and David
Horne – Amport fen.
Apologies None.
Minutes of the Previous Meeting these were agreed and signed last May but were
circulated tonight, no further comments were received.
The Chairman Ian Morrison introduced the 3 guests and asked PC
Williams if he would like to start the evening with his report.
2. Reports
The Police
PC Williams stated that he is now our official beat officer and this will mean
he will not be taken off duty in this area to cover Andover .He has an extensive
beat covering from Vernham Dean down to Shipton Bellinger, some areas such as
Shipton Bellinger command more of his time than other areas but he stated that
he is willing to come to the Parish and deal with any matters of concern.
PC Williams reported that there had been 4 incidents since January in the area,
3 thefts and a break in at the fishing lake. Generally we are very lucky in the
Parish and do not suffer unduly from criminal activity.
Ian Long asked if PC Williams could visit on a wet morning when Parents are
dropping children to School. Some parents forget the rules and manners of
parking.
PC Williams stated that he could certainly visit the school and monitor parking.
Ian Morrison thanked PC Williams for attending the meeting and PC Williams then
left as he was on duty.
Neighbourhood Watch
Brian Nolan, co-ordinator for Neighbourhood Watch, then gave an update of his
role since taking over from Freeman Smith. There have been 19 alerts since last
July and the majority of key information disseminators are on e-mail which makes
the job much more efficient.
At an open meeting last November ideas were exchanged and Brian expressed his
appreciation to his key personnel.
Ian Morrison thanked Brian for taking on the role of co-ordinator and for his
professional approach to the task.
Amport Fen
David Horne announced that the latest report from the Hampshire Wildlife Trust
had recently arrived and that he hoped to study the report and put the
recommendations into action as soon as was practical. There was concern about
the number of willows on both sides of the Mill Stream: these were thirsty and
continually sent out suckers with ensuing encroachment onto the Green and Amport
Fen. This in turn was creating a problem with increasing numbers of vermin in
the area. Replacing some willows with native species has been suggested and
several local people have offered to donate trees A cat has recently destroyed a
duck family and the several birds.
The front area will only be mown 4 more times this year to control the nettles.
Volunteers are always welcome and needed to help maintain the Fen, David Horne
stated that he was happy to talk over ideas with anyone and welcomed any help.
Maurice Hardy asked when the nettles were going to be cut and was informed that
some will be cut in July and the debris removed, and others will be left for the
wildlife.
Chairman’s Report
Good evening and welcome to the 2007 AGM. This is the time when the Chairman
gives the annual ‘State of the Parish’ address, and I see that last year I
referred to the previous 12 months as a time of modest improvement. To a large
extent this has been continued during 2006/7 with some minor disappointments.
There is however a cloud on the horizon which may well develop into a major
storm during the current year.
On the planning front very little of major significance has occurred, and,
compared with many Parishes in the area, we have not changed much over the past
40 years.
The VDS grinds gradually to completion – held up now by funding difficulties
at TVBC.
The Green still appears idyllic and provides healthy recreation for children of
all ages .We have renewed swing seats and re-dug the ditch and brought new goal
post sockets. After a promising start we were disappointed with our mowing
contractor, but he has been replaced and we have every hope of the Green being
better maintained this year.
Amport Fen about which David Horne has just spoken, is now going to take more of
our attention. What I particularly applaud is David and his Committees wish
that, as far as possible this will be a Parish Project and we hope not look for
institutional grants. I hope that the work parties which will be arranged this
year will attract a wide range of villagers and thereby create a strong sense of
ownership and pride in this charming Parish asset.
Regarding Transport we have supplied another salt-bin and have had a visit from
the TV Highways Officer looking at our safety concerns. They will during the
year install rural kerbing to protect the vulnerable part of the Green and they
have given favourable comments on our wish to have more pavement along the
Monxton Road for the children to walk to school.
Generally the Footpaths have been well maintained and we are fortunate in having
so many paths with varying characteristics.
We have made a substantial donation to the Lily Appeal, are impressed by the new
layout of St Mary’s and are pleased that the PTA will take on an active role
at the village fete this year.
Regarding the outlying settlements, we continue to hold one meeting a year at
Weyhill, but regretfully nothing has progressed to date with the provision of a
playground there.
Near Quarley, Lains Shooting School has generously awarded 3 scholarships for
young people in the Parish for shotgun training.
So, all seemed well in the Parish until October when we heard of Tesco’s
interest in the Airfield site. If this progresses to a formal application (as it
presumably will), it will cause considerable concern for all Parishes in the
neighbourhood. At the moment we are canvassing surrounding Parishes to see if
they will contribute towards the cost of a senior Planning Consultant to protect
our interests.
Finally I am sorry to announce some farewells .During the year Bob Horne retired
from cleaning the bus shelters after 50 years and, as of next week Cllr Norman
Arnell ceases being our TVBC Council member after 12 years of vigilant concern.
Also next week, we lose Tim Southern, who will step into Norman’s shoes as our
Borough Councillor, Maurice Hardy and Neville Geake are also not staying with
the Parish Council for family reasons. During the past 4 years they have both
been valuable members of the team and we are sad to see them go.
Consequently there are now 3 openings for new members, and as there were no
candidates in time for next weeks election, we expect to co-opt as soon as
possible. Incidentally, as a result of there not being an election, we have
saved some £2,000 in expenses.
My thanks to the village correspondent Caroline, to Brian Nolan for shouldering
neighbourhood watch and to David Preston for persevering with our website.
Particular thanks to David Horne for taking the lead at Amport Fen.
Finally my gratitude to Team Amport for giving up so many Monday evenings to
handle our Parish Matters and last of all, as always, an enormous thank you to
Suzanne for shouldering the secretarial duties.
3. Finance
The year end figures for 31st March 2007 were circulated for all to
consider.
The precept changed very little but expenditure increased over income as a
direct result of a policy to reduce the Council’s deposit at the bank. This is
in line with the District Auditors advice. No questions were received.
4. Question Time
Richard Unwin asked about the value of Parish Plans.
Tim Southern replied that eventually TVBC would like all Parishes to have one,
but first we would persevere to complete the VDS, which planning officers did
take note of.
The Parish plans are more detailed and cover more issues and Tim doubted if it
would have any more relevance to our Parish than a VDS
Chris Pettet thanked the Parish Council for the donation to the Lily Appeal and
the help with the after school club. Chris Pettet then took the opportunity to
thank Ian Morrison for his work as Chairman of the Parish Council.
The Meeting closed at 7.40pm.