Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday January 17th 2005 at 7.45 pm in Amport School.

Mr I. Morrison, (Chairman), Lt Col Stephens, (Vice Chairman), Mrs Carolyn Mallam, 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, 2 members of the public attended.
Apologies. Mr Ian Long

These were agreed and signed.

Further to George Bacon’s resignation the council was informed that nobody had contacted TVBC and therefore it was up to the Parish Council to co-op another member. Initial enquiries have not produced any volunteers - Ian Morrison will follow up interest.
The bus shelter at Weyhill - no progress has been made, Ian Morrison will telephone the council contact to arrange a site meeting. Sarah Hammer reported that she had not received any information on usage and redecoration plans for the bus shelter from Steve Verdier, the leader of the residents association at Fairways.

Carolyn Mallam reported that quotes for cutting the Green were still being sought and she hoped to report further at the next meeting.
2 keys to enable access to the water stopcock in the road by the Green are to be purchased to enable the supply to be switched off at the meter, this follows a leak last spring which has resulted in a bill for over a £100 for the supply.
It was further agreed by all councillors that private hire events on the Green of a non-charity nature would incur a fixed cost of £100. Clerk to adapt application form.

Neville Geake reported that he is awaiting feedback from David Bibby at TVBC.
The VDS from Wallop was shown to councillors.
Neville Geake will investigate the budget available from TVBC.

Maurice Hardy reported that the large pothole on Footpath 29 near Georgia Farm is to be repaired by the farmer.
Footpath 6 is showing wear and tear from horse riders.
HCC are set to perform the first cut of the footpaths at end April/early May.
William Ross will be asked to quote for the July cut. Mr Pettit / Elliman will be asked to quote for the September cut. Clerk to contact contractors.

4. New Matters

1. Travellers – Charles Stephens reported that he had visited Grateley Drove and spoken to one group. A further caravan was empty, the travellers were not perceived as a threat but councillors remain worried that one group may attract more.
   Grateley PC have maintained a low gateway, which allows access by a 4/4 but not a bus.
   No contact has been made by Simon Chesshire following the PC offer to help with a gate at the footpath opposite the Church in Amport.
2. Pill Hill Brook – Robin Aisher is concerned about the flow of Pill Hill Brook between Waterloo Bridge and the old watercress beds. Cattle are reportedly breaking down the bank and dissipating flow in the water meadows, this coupled with the blocking of the natural springs at the site of the old watercress beds has diminished flow. Ian Morrison will contact Mr Aisher and ask for a copy of the Environment Agency report on Pill Hill Brook. He will then follow this matter up with the Environment Agency.
3. Roads – Ian Morrison and Tim Southern met with Paul Walsh from the Highways Agency during December. The crack in Waterloo Bridge is deemed to be the responsibility of the dept in Totton. The councillors also discussed the state of the pull- ins in Wiremead Lane and HCC said they would be improved but the matter was not considered urgent.
   The incident that resulted in damage to Mr Van de Pette’s cottage was discussed.
   The increasing of usage of local roads by heavy lorries and the necessity to salt certain areas within the village was considered. This resulted in Maurice Hardy being appointed Transport Councillor and he will investigate salt bins for several locations within the village and contact Amport House and others about deliveries /collections made locally.
   It is hoped that some arrangement to minimise visits by heavy goods vehicles could result.
   Ian Long reported prior to the meeting via e-mail concerns on the slippery state of the roads through the village.
   A general discussion followed on traffic calming in the Parish especially within Amport Village.
   Tim Southern was in favour of traffic calming measures being introduced.
   Carolyn Mallam was in favour but wary of changing the village into a suburban environment, this view was shared by Charles Stephens and Ian Morrison.
   Maurice Hardy felt locals were often to blame for the speeding in the village.
   Diana Preston was worried about the potential ugliness of any measures and the tendency to produce irritated drivers.
   Neville Geake felt that temporary measures could be tried and removed if unsuccessful.
   Sarah Hammer felt the Parish Council should seek advice and data to assess both the usefulness and the effectiveness of such measures.
   Therefore it was agreed that Maurice Hardy should contact HCC regarding traffic calming and the clerk will pass on the existing file on the matter to him.
   It was agreed to ask TVBC if a second street sign could re erected at the bottom of Sarson Lane opposite the exiting one to alert emergency vehicles of its whereabouts. Clerk

5. Planning Applications

Several TVBC members spoke against the application, as did Carolyn Mallam and Toby Wyles. Mr Wyles has suggested that a barrister should be employed by the Parish to put the objections as forcefully as possible at the forthcoming 1-day hearing on Jan 26^th on the initial application.
Discussion then took place on the motion that Ian Morrison should contact Julia Barratt, a barrister whom Monxton had used in the past to see if she was prepared to represent the Parish at the 1-day hearing, with a costing of up to £500.
Sarah Hammer felt that this could set a precedent without reference to any criteria over the use of a Barrister and decided to abstain.
Tim Southern has taken photos of the site and intends to be present at the hearing.
Maurice Hardy felt hiring a barrister would demonstrate the seriousness of our response to the application.
A vote for the motion resulted in 7 in favour and 1 abstention.

Tim Southern left the meeting at 9.33pm.

The following cheques were presented for signature, by Ian Morrison and Charles Stephens
    SA Hoare Jan salary         £208.78
    Southern Water Bill           £114.66

Details of how to notify authorities of pollution in local rivers were distributed to Parish Councillors.
Maurice Hardy reported that Mr Hawkins Byass had offered to put stock fencing up adjacent to the footpath by the old watercress beds, after discussion this was felt to be acceptable.
The clerk will now keep the diary for events on the Green and will notify the School.
Charles Stephens voiced a concern over the planning application at Monxton Nurseries, if this was refused was there a likelihood of housing on the land, the Chairman thought this extremely unlikely.
Amport and Monxton Village Hall is to have a further film show after the success of the first – a sell out on Jan 15th.

The meeting closed at 9.55pm

Date of the next meeting….FEBRUARY 21st –7.45pm at Amport School.