AMPORT PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday August 18 2003 at 7.45pm at Amport School

  1. Present
    Mr I. Morrison, (Chairman), Lt Col Stephens, (Vice Chairman) Mr Ian Long,
    Mr Maurice Hardy, Mrs D.Preston, Mrs S.Hammer, Mr T. Southern,
    Mr George Bacon, Mr Neville Geake,
    Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk)
    Mrs Unwin, the village correspondent was present +5 members of the public.

Apologies, Mrs C Mallam, Cllr Arnell

A minute’s silence was held in remembrance of Dick Aubertin

  1. Minutes of the Previous Meetings
    These were agreed and signed.

  2. Finance
    The Annual return for the year ended 31march 2003 was presented to the Council, it was proposed by Tim Southern and seconded by Maurice Hardy, all councillors present were in favour. This will be dispatched prior to the Sept 8th deadline.
    The Internal Audit had been carried out by Martin Startup whose recommendations were discussed and accepted, his invoice for £100 was approved by Ian Morrison and seconded by Tim Southern, all councillors present approved this payment.
    The first invoice for play equipment was introduced to the meeting. Ian Morrison proposed delaying payment until the grant from TVBC (50%) was received, Clerk to obtain. Approval was granted by councillors at this meeting to pay the remainder of the invoice (£1116.00) when the grant was received.
    The clerk’s salary will in future be paid monthly to avoid any problems with NI payments therefore a cheque was approved for 2 months salary             £407.00
    The final cheque presented was for John Hanson school prize             £25.00
    This was also approved by all councillors present, John Hanson being the official catchment school for Amport.

  3. Planning Applications
    1. TVN.LB.00796/1 Replace four windows on rear elevation with four double glazed units Victoria cottage, The Green. Amport No Comment
    2. TVN.05263/3 Conversion of outbuilding to house with integral garage (renewal of TVN.05263/2) Haydown House Wiremead Lane No Objection
    3. TVN.LB.00139/7 Internal Alterations to build 80cm stud wall in bathroom Cob Cottage Sarson Lane Amport. No Objection.
    4. TRE.CA.00587/78 Removal of Whitebeam tree. The Old Chapel, Sarson Lane Amport No Objection subject to the aboriculturist
    5. TVN.06792/2 Siting of mobile home for agricultural worker . Pipers Hill Farm. Objection

  4. Planning Results
  1. TVN.08863 Erection of temporary 15 metre high telecommunications tower, 3 antennas, 1 transmission dish and ancillary equipment within fenced compound OS parcel 5366, Lains Farm Quarley Amport Temporary Permission
  1. Correspondence
    1. Communication will become an agenda item at the next meeting, David Preston had evaluated the Local Channel and his report was accepted.
    2. The Bt Phone Box at Fox Corner is being considered for closure, local resident Maria Hayhurst has been asked to assess local views.
    3. David Mallam has enquired about a donation towards a proposed flagpole at Amport Church, the council felt that a donation might be possible some time in the future.
    4. Rose Wareham has written suggesting a memorial tree for Dick Aubertin and possibly a bench to be placed on a suitable site within the village. The council was in favour and further definite proposals were invited. George Bacon to approach Tony Derbyshire.         GB

  2. Matters Arising
  1. Footpaths
    Excellent draft maps have been received from HCC for comment             MH
    A letter has been received from Richard Unwin complaining about the state of the footpaths, especially the Watercress Beds path, where nettles are a real problem. MH to talk to David Anne- probable landowner. An attempt should be made to identify landowners of footpaths where a problem with overhanging vegetation is reported.
    Maurice Hardy proposed;
    A second full cut of the Footpaths by William Ross at a cost of £750 immediately, this was accepted by all councillors
    A later date to be set for a working party to deal with problem footpaths (using equipment supplied by Mr Ross). Not resolved.
  2. The Green
    The legal right to grant an easement over the south side of the Green (registration No 280) was discussed The clerk will write to the County Secretary to determine the legal ownership of this section of the green. This will clarify the Parish Council’s role in granting easements under the Countryside Vehicular Access Regulations 2002.
    A letter has been received from Mr and Mrs Wyles who were concerned over the monitoring of forthcoming functions on the Green. Ian Morrison assured them that events would be fully evaluated to identify any problem areas.
    Disclaimer/Ownership signs were still needed on the Green             GB
    The play area on the green was reviewed with Ian Morrison proposing that the cost of safety matting under both sets of swings should be regarded as maintenance and not as capital expenditure, this will result in more money being available for the project, this was approved by all councillors present.
    Ian Long informed the meeting that HCC need more information on the project, Ian Morrison stated this was available from Carolyn Mallam.
    Insurance of new equipment - clerk to follow up.
  3. A303
    Maurice Hardy presented a mission statement, it read " To provide the parish of Amport with safe all ways access to the A303 at the Sarson Lane crossing at the earliest opportunity."
    The Highways Agency is going ahead with the temporary closure.
    Copies of a letter from Ted Hart (Highways Agency) were distributed to all councillors, this included comments from Tim Southern on the issue, all councillors are invited to comment via e-mail to Ian Morrison and Maurice Hardy as soon as possible to establish the parish response before the next meeting. All Councillors
  4. Village Design Statement
    Neville Geake has contacted Monxton councillors and met with Charles Stephens to construct a time plan for the production of the Village design Statement.
    He identified the following areas of need.
    Raising of funds for the project – Parish council responsibility
    Questionnaire -- Collating public response.
  1. AOB
    Charles Stephens proposed sending flowers for Dick Aubertin`s funeral—approved
    Ian long will pursue funding opportunities available through the Environment agency even if a registration fee of £500 is involved.         IL
    Ian Long further stated that the Parish seems to lack strategy; Sarah Hammer feels that she does not know how the council wants to work and would welcome clarification.
    Charles Stephens and Tim Southern stated they both felt the council worked well in its current form. The key to strategic direction will be encapsulated by the village design statement. Neville Geake commented that he felt the council was coming to a point where a longer-term view was needed.
    Maurice Hardy suggested the Parish wrote to Michael Mills thanking him for painting the Bus Shelter by the Amport Inn. Clerk

The meeting closed at 10.09pm
Date of the next meeting September 15th at 7.45pm Amport School.

 

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