Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday December 12th 2005 at 7.45 pm in Amport School Hall.

1. Present
Mr I. Morrison, (Chairman), Mrs Diana Preston, Mr Ian Long, Mrs Sarah Hammer, Mr Tim Southern, Mr Neville Geake (arrived 8.10pm), and Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk)
No members of the public attended.
The village correspondent was in attendance.
Apologies. Lt Col Stephens, (Vice Chairman), Mrs Carolyn Mallam, Mr Maurice Hardy and Mr Bill Gore, these were accepted.

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes were then agreed and signed, having been proposed by Ian Long and seconded by Tim Southern.

3. Matters Arising from the last meeting
The Parish Council wrote regarding the fireworks to both Mrs Storey and the Amport Inn, no replies have been received. Ian Long suggested we contact parties concerned with Firework displays in September next year to ensure the safety of such events.

4. Reports

The Green
It was not possible to determine whether a binding 2-year contract was in place with regard to the cutting of the Green. In Carolyn Mallam’s absence it was proposed to defer this item until the January. Meanwhile Mr Walker will be contacted with regard to the contract CLERK

Village Design Statement
The cost of the VDS is likely to be approx. £1,000. TVBC will meet 50% of the cost retrospectively. 4 people attended the recent discussion evening at the Amport Inn.
The February Meeting needs to be changed to SATURDAY FEBRUARY 25^TH 11.30am at the Amport Inn.
The Thruxton draft VDS has been sent to our Parish Council and likewise ours will be sent to neighbouring Parish Councils and TVBC for consultation.

Footpaths and Highways
Mr Morrison and Mr Gore met with Andrew Milne from Hampshire Highways for an initial discussion on funding options for the increase to the grasscrete area. A letter will be sent to follow up this meeting and continue this project IM and BG

Stroud’s Field
In Charles Stephen’s absence this item was deferred until the January Meeting

5. Planning Applications

6. Planning Results

The cheques were approved by all those councillors present.
The budget update and proposed budget for 2006/7 were then discussed; these documents form part of the minutes.
The budget was discussed in general and then the discussion focused on the major expenditure items which included -

These items could well demand most of the Parish Councils current reserves.
The proposal by Tim Southern was therefore to raise the precept from £8,500 to £9,000 next year on the understanding that the routine expenses of the Parish Council will cost just under £11,000. These expenses alone could reduce the reserves by nearly £2,000. A gradual increase in the precept was judged to be prudent.
This proposal was seconded by Diana Preston and approved by councillors present with 1 abstention.
The current years graveyard maintenance grant was discussed and more grass cutters are needed as helpers retire. Ian Long suggested that the Parish could be made more aware of the need for helpers and proposed increasing the maintenance grant from £200- £250. Ian Morrison asked councillors to vote on this proposal and the result was 3 for and 3 abstensions – the proposal was therefore carried on the Chairman’s vote.

8. AOB and Correspondence
A meeting will be arranged for next year at Weyhill Fairground Hall.
Ian Morrison reminded councillors of the planning training session to be held at Thruxton VH on 23^rd January (6.30pm) TVBC would like an indication of numbers attending- please contact clerk if you intend to go.
Councillors felt the proposed seat at Stroud’s Field should be followed up at the next meeting.

Meeting closed at 9 00pm.
Date of next meeting MONDAY January 16th –7.45pm