Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday October 18^th 2004 at 7.45pm at Amport School

1. Present Mr I. Morrison, (Chairman), Lt Col Stephens, (Vice Chairman), Mrs C Mallam, Mrs Diana Preston, Mrs S.Hammer, Mr Neville Geake, Mr Maurice Hardy, Mr T.Southern, Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk)
Mrs Unwin, the village correspondent was absent. 1 member of the public attended.
Apologies. Mr Ian Long, Mr George Bacon

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
These were agreed and signed.

The date of the December meeting was agreed as Monday December 13^th.
The grant from TVBC of 50% towards the installation of the stepping-stones has been received. This leaves a grant of around £2200 still available and all councillors present felt that this money should be used for a play area north of the A303 if a site were to be found.
The footpaths along the old Amesbury road have been cleared by TVBC.
Ian Morrison and Tim Southern are to meet to discuss the Bus shelter in Fyfield Road.
The vagrant in the field opposite the Church has moved, Ian Morrison to talk with Simon Chesshire with a view to discuss a barrier to stop any further visits. All Councillors present felt that a contribution could be offered towards any such barrier.

The Green
In George Bacon’s absence, Ian Morrison reported that fresh grass clippings had been dumped into the brook adjacent to the Green by the Bridge. This was considered an unfortunate event and should be discouraged.

Village Design Statement
Nearly 5,000 words have been produced and the text is almost complete, some overlap has occurred between Buildings and Settlements and this needs clarification.
Liaison with David Bibby continues and another public meeting is to be scheduled.

Footpaths
Maurice Hardy will follow up the promised 3^rd cut from HCC and information from this will be used as the basis for a new contract for 2 cuts to be offered in the new year.
A letter offering ground keeping services has been sent from a company based in Amesbury - File
Maurice Hardy will follow up the contact with Mr Hawkins-Byass to determine the current situation with regard to the footpath alongside the old watercress beds.
Ian Morrison will write to Mr White at Woodside in an attempt to get the hedge overhanging the same footpath cut back.

1. TRE.CA 00587/97 Trim and shorten a cotoneaster, hornbeam and apple tree. Fleur De Lys Amport No Objection subject to the aboriculturist
2. TRE.CA 00587/98 Crown and thin/clean a silver birch and a flowering cherry. Old Post Office Amport No Objection subject to aboriculturist
3. TRE.CA 00586/7 Fell 30 trees at Stable Barn Fox Farm Amport Objection planning sub-committee
4. TVN.02395/1 Erection of detached garage and carport with storage area over. Sefton Warren Thruxton Amport. No Objection

A request from John Hanson School has been received for a donation to form a book prize at their annual presentation ceremony (November 17^th) £25 was agreed by all those present and this cheque was duly presented for signature by Ian Morrison and Charles Stephens. I.M may attend.
S A Hoare salary cheque of £208.78 plus £8.56 (£217.34) was also signed.
The external Audit has been returned approved and without comment. The notice informing the public on this matter has been displayed.
The second payment of the precept (£4000) has been banked.

A Letter from Mr Parnham to the TVBC and the reply received was discussed. This concerned the hedge at the boundary of Sarson Farm and the Monxton Road. The Head of Planning stated that there were no grounds upon which they could act over the matter of the hedge. Some members were concerned that a grant had been obtained to plant the hedge and that there may have been stipulations over the height of this hedge. I.M to investigate. Maurice hardy felt the hedge was becoming a safety issue as visibility was reduced and several punctures had occurred due to hedge clippings being left in the road.

Charles Stephens reported a tree down in Pill Hill Brook; this was downstream of the Bridge and on land owned by Matthew Anne. Clerk to write and ask for it to be removed.
Carolyn Mallam asked if 11/12 meeting of the Parish Council were needed, could there be less? This will be investigated prior to the next meeting Clerk
Sarah Hammer presented a letter from Mr and Mrs Smith at Station House, Weyhill who expressed concern should the telecommunications mast already present at Lenham industries be heightened. Ian Morrison to reply that at present no application to do so has been received and that we will keep their concerns on file. Clerk/IM
Neville Geake asked whether the bus shelter concerns at Fyfield Road should be included in next years budget in case re-building is required. To be investigated as reported earlier in the minutes. Also could roving dog-mess signs be a solution to continuing dog fouling within the village’s footpaths. He commented that although most replies to the questionnaire for the VDS expressed concerns over traffic within the village, none offered a solution.
Maurice Hardy reported that he had attended the 5 parishes traffic group, which met in Monxton, their next meeting is on the 13^th Jan 2005 and he offered to attend again. Their objective was to try and reduce traffic not to move it to other villages.
Ian Morrison asked how often councillors felt they should meet at Weyhill, everyone present was in favour of 2 meeting a year, March/Oct preferably 3^rd Mondays- clerk to investigate and book.
Mr Pettit (member of the public) was concerned that vagrants don’t become an issue within the parish and reminded those present of the continuing presence of travellers at Grateley Drove, of which the first 200m is within the Parish of Amport.

The meeting closed at 9.00pm

Date of the next meeting….November 15th – 7.45pm at Amport School.