Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday February 21st 2005 at 7.45 pm in Amport School.

Mr I. Morrison, (Chairman), Mrs Carolyn Mallam, Mr Maurice Hardy, Mr Neville Geake and Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk)
Mrs Unwin, the village correspondent was present, 3 members of the public attended.
Apologies. Mr Ian Long, Lt Col Stephens, (Vice Chairman), Mrs Diana Preston, Mr Tim Southern, Mrs Sarah Hammer.

These were agreed and signed.

Ian Morrison met with Highways to discuss the bus shelter opposite Fairways. It was decided to cut the Hawthorn hedge back to improve visibility, and once this is completed the shelter will be decorated by the students to an approved design. The school the students attend will be contacted to emphasise road safety aspects. Hopefully these initiatives will reduce the potential for an accident. The car- park bays have been marked at Fairways.
Water flow at Pill Hill Brook –English Nature have advised that the reduced flow is due to falling winter rainfall and animal damage to river banks is not having a significant effect.

3 tenders for cutting the Green have been received by Carolyn Mallam

1. D.E.Pasque £960 for 14 at cuts at £30 plus 6 strimming sessions around trees.
2. Test Valley Garden Care propose 18 cuts at £62 = £1116. Would like 2 yr contract.
3. Bawden 14cuts =£1050, 18cuts = £1350 References were discussed.

A unanimous decision was taken to award the contract to Test Valley Garden Care.
Carolyn Mallam to telephone contractors with result and clerk to write follow up letters.
Ted Perren has made and given to the parish a long handled ‘key’ to turn the water off in the road. This will be kept by Carolyn Mallam. A letter of thanks will be sent to Ted Perren. Clerk

Neville Geake reported that David Biddy at TVBC had commented on 8 minor points in the VDS, no information yet available on finance for the document, however it should be published in a draft form for the next meeting on March 21^st.

A letter of thanks will be sent to Ivor Smith following his clearance of a blocked footpath IM/clerk.
Mr Hawkins-Byass has agreed to improve the fencing around the old watercress beds as the lake is said to be 3 metres deep.
No reply was received from Tony Pettit, and Mr William Ross has retired from footpath cutting. Clive Hutchinson, a local contractor is to be asked to cut the footpaths twice this year, July and September. Maps will be given to Mr Hutchinson and Maurice Hardy will follow up his public liability insurance.
Following a question on ploughing of footpaths Maurice stated that farmers do not need to reinstate footpaths, and that it is up to the public to do so when conditions permit.

An official from Amport House confirmed that their lorry access route is via Keepers Hill.
Hampshire CC is actively considering salting the roads through the village.
Following discussions and a unanimous vote, salt bins are to be purchased for 3 sites within the Parish. 2 bins will be purchased for use in Sarson Close, one will be sited at the bottom and the other halfway up the road. A third will be positioned opposite Bridge Cottage. HCC will fill and install them - however the parish will be charged £ 206.12 each ( £618.36). The bins hold 488kg of salt to treat up to 9,760 sq m of road the existing bin outside The Old Farm, the Green needs checking to ascertain if it is full.
Comments have been received concerning the drainage gulleys on Wiremead Lane at East Cholderton. Maurice Hardy reported that these are cleaned on rotas and felt that they would be on a maintenance contract at HCC. He will confirm this.
Waterloo Bridge, the issue of cracks will be followed up at the next meeting.
Traffic calming – Maurice Hardy reported that the experiment in Monxton has not worked and they are reviewing their strategy. As this is an important issue further discussion was postponed until another meeting when all councillors were present.

New Parish Councillor – Bill Gore made brief comments on why he would like to become a Parish Councillor and questions were asked by councillors present. Ian Morison thanked Bill Gore for attending the meeting. Ian Morrison announced that Tanya Garman also wished to be considered for the vacancy but was unable to attend this evening. Further discussions and a vote would take place at the end of the public meeting.

4. Planning Applications

( As the Planning Inspectorate mentioned that any development must preserve the character and appearance of the conservation area it was agreed that a close watch will be kept on anything that happens in this field and if there is cause for concern the matter will be reported to Test Valley Borough Council straightaway.)

The following cheques were presented for signature, by Ian Morrison and Charles Stephens ( to be obtained later)
SA Hoare     Jan salary     £208.78

Several matters were deemed necessary to be investigated. The Clerk will write to the enforcement officer to enquire whether planning permission is necessary on the following sites

1. The satellite dish at 1 Woodside Cottages, the Green.
2. Loose boxes adjacent to Waterloo Bridge.
3. Shed at the White Horse pub.
4. The new wall at the entrance to The Hawk Conservancy.

A questionnaire asking for comments on the mobile library service has been received and will be returned, as this is an important service for all ages within the Parish.
Carolyn Mallam asked for permission to hold the Village Fete on the Green on July 23^rd A 10pm extension was agreed upon for non –amplified music at the event.

The meeting closed at 9.25pm to the public

At the closed session discussion took place over the 2 candidates and a unanimous decision was reached to ask Bill Gore to become a Parish Councillor. IM to action

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