Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday March 20th 2006 at 7.45 pm in Amport School Hall.

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

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

3. Matters Arising from the last meeting – None not dealt with in tonight’s meeting.

The Green
Carolyn Mallam reported that she is to contact Timberline concerning necessary maintenance of the play equipment.
The family who recently lost their young son are considering erecting a small piece of play equipment in his memory- more information will be available in due course.
The molehills have been flattened however some have reappeared. Action on their removal was approved. The clerk to contact the mole catcher.
The Green has been cut once this month and a second cut is due before the end of the month.
The School has approved a cost of £300 towards the extra summer cuts on the Green.
Ian Long asked if the Parish Council would consider replacing the metal door that acts as a bridge at the exit of the Green next to the bridge. Ian Morrison asked Carolyn Mallam if she would investigate more suitable options than the metal door and suggested that George Bacon could be asked to assist. CM/GB
Diana Preston asked if the Parish Council knew the history of the stone signpost on the ground adjacent to the phone box .Ian Morrison to investigate
Grasscrete capable of carrying 26 tonnes is available and more research will be undertaken in the matter of the improving the surface of the track.
The phone box on the Green has been repaired.

Village Design Statement
Information received from Neville Geake concerning the recent open meeting at the Amport Inn stated that 21 people attended. Neville Geake will incorporate these comments in the VDS – more details at the next meeting.

Footpaths and Highways
Matthew Ann has been contacted regarding the hedge clippings in Wiremead Lane. Ian Morrison has cleared the gulleys of clippings and Matthew Ann has pledged to complete the clearance after Easter.
The post to stop vehicular access at the top end of Footpath 6 have been erected by the land owners and hopefully this will see an end to the fly tipping.
2 posts have been positioned at the base of Church Path again to stop vehicular access.
The clerk will contact Sue Ryan the Chairman of Monxton PC to advise on the poor condition of the Footpath sign indicating the path from Green Lane to Broad Lane by the Railway Bridge, although some of the path is in the Parish of Amport, the first section is not.
The potholes, which recently appeared in Wiremead lane, have been filled by TVBC-Hampshire Highways.
Maurice Hardy reported that he felt there were 2 or 3 loose tiles on the bus shelter roof outside the Amport Inn. The clerk to write to Chappell Builders and ask them to assess the need for repairs.
The increase in traffic in Wiremead Lane has led to considerable erosion of the verges. Ian Morrison is to meet Paul Walsh to discuss this problem and that of the repairs needed to Waterloo Bridge.
The traffic calming measures proposed for the Monxton Road from the School are still under review IL & MH
Sarah Hammer reported continued speeding on the Amesbury / Fyfield Road; this problem has been referred to the Police in the past. Cllr West stated that TV Highways have purchased 2 mobile flashing signs, which alert motorists to the need to slow down at the forthcoming speed limits. This matter along with the need for better pedestrian access to the play area behind the Fairground is to be taken up by Ian Morrison with John Payne.
It was further reported that potholes are becoming a nuisance on the Fyfield Road and this will be referred to John Clark who deals with matters north of the A303.

Stroud’s Field
Charles Stephens reported back on the issues raised at the last meeting.

Maurice Hardy reported the sighting of Water Rail and queried whether dogs could be restricted on the site.
It was suggested that a padlock be fitted to the main gate to prevent illegal access to the site by travellers or vehicles.

5. Planning Applications

The following cheques were signed by Ian Morrison and Diana Preston and approved by all councillors present where relevant.

The accompanying budget update was discussed and no specific comments were made. The full accounts for the year ended March 31^st 2006 will be available at the Annual Parish Meeting.

A letter has been received from the Countryside Access Forum indicating matched grants are available for projects designed to enhance your village. This may be of some use in the future.
Diana Preston reported very low water levels by Nether Cottage, stating that some glass is exposed. The riverbed is very silted up; clearing the streambed could encourage a river flow.
A letter has been sent to the owners of Nether Cottage asking them to confirm they own the land that the lamppost has been erected on.
Diana Preston asked if a welcome pack could be sent to the new occupants of Daisy Cottage.

The next meeting is the Annual Parish Meeting ( 7pm) followed by an ordinary meeting at around 7.45pm

Meeting closed at 9 10pm.