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

Mr I. Morrison, (Chairman), Lt Col Stephens, (Vice Chairman), Mrs Diana Preston, Mr Maurice Hardy, Mr Bill Gore, Mr Ian Long, Mr Neville Geake, Mrs Carolyn Mallam and Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk).
2 members of the public attended.
The village correspondent was in attendance.
Apologies: Mrs Sarah Hammer and Mr Tim Southern, these were accepted.

Bill Gore wanted it noted that the complaint regarding the stile on the watercress bed footpath had been dealt with and that Ian Morrison had spoken to Mrs Wilkinson.
The minutes were then agreed and signed, having been proposed by Ian Long and seconded by Bill Gore

The cost of positioning a new bus shelter outside the Thruxton Post office was estimated at £5,000. Phil Lashbrook (TVBC Councillor) had been contacted and said that only 2-3 boys currently use the shelter and that the bus was generally very prompt.
The Post office were against its installation, fearing youths might hang around outside. Therefore the agreement of the meeting was that at present there was no justification for a shelter being erected.

4. Reports

The Green
Carolyn Mallam reported that at present there was no visible glass at the old dump on the Green and that the coating of leaves would make any clear up impossible at the current time.
Therefore it was agreed to keep this matter under review and attempt a clear up should wet weather make the area boggy and lead to an increase of glass on the surface.
Ian Long undertook to mention the problem to the School so that parents were aware of the potential dangers of playing in that particular area of the Green. Ian Long reported that the School currently had no intention to pursue the erection of a storage shed on the Green.
The grass cutting contract for 2006 needs to be decided at the January meeting, Carolyn Mallam agreed to get 3 tenders for the work from Mr Pasque, Test Valley Gardencare and Clive Hutchinson. Discussion on this matter can then take place prior to the contract being awarded. It was proposed by Ian Long to contact the School and ask for a contribution of £300 towards approximately 5 extra cuts of the Green during the summer. This would allow a shorter grass length to be maintained and would benefit the school’s sports program. This proposal was seconded by Maurice Hardy and approved by all councillors present. IL

Village Design Statement
Tim Southern has taken the photographs needed for the VDS and Di Darbyshire has produced the layout of the draft VDS. This is currently being prepared for a print run of 100 at an approx cost of £800. Neville Geake will contact David Bibby at TVBC to determine what grants are available towards this cost.
Carolyn Mallam felt strongly that the forthcoming open meeting on the 23^rd November at the Amport Inn had not been advertised enough and feared that few people would attend.
Ian Morrison stated that the meeting would go ahead as it had been advertised and Neville Geake would report on attendance levels, he also felt that a second meeting should be arranged for the New Year. It was agreed that the further date would be February 11^th 2006 at 11.30am in the Amport Inn.

Footpaths and Highways
Bill Gore had been in contact with Clive Hutchinson to confirm 2 cuts of the village footpaths next year.
Andrew Milne from Hampshire Highways has been in contact regarding funding possibilities for the proposed extension of the grass crete on the track on the Green. Ian Morrison will meet with Andrew Milne to discuss various option available and report to the next meeting.
Maurice Hardy reported that the new salt bins were in place and the existing ones had been refilled, the grit bin by Bridge Cottage has already been used.
Ian Morrison reported that Hampshire highways have cleared the gulleys in East Cholderton.

Stroud’s Field
Further to the comments made at last month’s meeting concerning the potential to dispose of Stroud’s Field should costs become prohibitive a letter has been received from Allan Maddern. Mr Maddern a former Trustee of the Amport Village Hall Charitable Trust expressed his concerns stating that the Parish Council could not avoid its responsibilities to maintain the land as a small wildlife reserve. The Trust felt the Parish Council would be in a better position to apply for grants to help with its maintenance.
Ian Morrison stated that the Parish Council had only wanted to determine what could be done with the land and in the light of the letter and lengthy discussions tonight he proposed that the Parish Council should not pursue the matter of disposal any further. This was agreed by all members of the Parish Council.
It was proposed that Charles Stephens would meet with the Stroud’s Field committee and consider the placement of a bench within Stroud’s Field, as this was one of the original criteria for the field. In the Spring Charles Stephens will undertake to publicise fully the history and plans for the future of Stroud’s Field in order to help villagers understand the position of Stroud’s Field within the Parish of Amport. Carolyn Mallam felt at present there was a lack of confidence in the purpose of the field. All members of the Parish Council agreed that Charles Stephens should undertake to clarify the current situation.

5. Planning Applications

The following cheque was signed by Ian Morrison and Charles Stephens.
S A Hoare    Nov salary    £214.57

A letter has been received from Sandra Storey a resident living in Pear Tree Cottage close to the Amport Inn concerning the recent Fireworks Display held at the Pub. TVBC has told the Parish Council that there are no official guidelines on holding displays and the only regulations enforced by the police concern the timing of displays. Further advice may be obtained from the Fire Brigade. After discussion it was decided that Ian Morrison would write to the Amport Inn asking them to ensure that the utmost care is taken in planning future displays. IM Ian Morrison will also write to Sandra Storey assuring her of our concerns in this matter. IM

It was noted that Dr Hoole`s hedge has been trimmed.

The alternate bin collection scheme pilot is not thought to affect the entire Parish. The main changes will not be implemented until Dec 2006

Charles Stephens reported that the top of Footpath 6 on the Grateley road has not yet been blocked to vehicles to deter further fly tipping

Diana Preston reported that Grateley are unhappy about outside residents using the recycling bins at their village hall

Meeting closed at 9 10pm.