Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 25^th September 2006 at 7.45 pm in Weyhill Fairground Hall.

1. Present
Mr I. Morrison, (Chairman), Lt Col Stephens, (Vice Chairman), Mrs Sarah Hammer, Mrs Carolyn Mallam, Mr Maurice Hardy Mrs Diana Preston, Mr Ian Long and Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk).
15 members of the public attended.
The village correspondent was absent.
Apologies Mr Tim Southern, 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 Carolyn Mallam and seconded by Charles Stephens

3. Matters Arising from the last meeting
There were no matters that would not be dealt with at tonight’s meeting.

The Green and play area
Carolyn Mallam reported that the Green had been cut at the weekend, the school had been waiting to mark a pitch out, there was concern expressed about the length of the grass clippings and Ian Long asked whether a group could clear the football pitch area.
Carolyn Mallam was asked to ensure that there had been 2 cuts of the Green in September before the bill was paid.
George Bacon is to be asked to re-erect the goal posts on the Green Clerk to contact
Empty bottles have been found around the play area on the Green, Mr Nolan asked whether the bin could be moved nearer the play area, the Parish Council expressed its thanks to Mr Nolan in his role as Neighbourhood watch.
Dog Mess is again a problem on the Green; perhaps some temporary notices in different locations might prompt people to behave more considerately.
The new swing seats were installed during the summer, complying with the ROSPA report.
Annette Hardy was thanked for her repairs to the commemorative plaque by the oak tree.
Ian Morrison has written to Mr C Dunning and St Modwen Property Company with regard to obtaining some land suitable for a small play area near Fairways and Michaelmas Estates – the Parish Council awaits a reply.

VDS
This issue is ongoing.

Footpaths and Highways
Bill Gore reported in his absence that he felt a 2^nd cut of the paths was not needed, one path however that perhaps needs a second cut was identified as the path parallel to the old watercress beds clerk to ask for this one path to be cut.
Diana Preston and Maurice Hardy felt that low branches past Bush Farm were becoming a problem and Ian Morrison said that he would write to the landowner on this matter.
The time limit in which Dr Hoole was asked to cut his hedge has expired and Ian Morrison reported that he had already written to Paul Walsh concerning this matter in Monxton Road and the hedge in Wiremead Lane. The Parish Council has asked what dangers these wide and high hedges pose but we still await a reply. Follow up clerk/IM
Maurice Hardy asked if reflectors could be placed on the road along from Monxton to Grateley to deter deer from crossing the road whilst cars are passing IM to contact Kieron Beattie.
After many years Mr Horne is retiring from the job of keeping the bus shelters tidy, he has advised that Mr Dennis Bushall of Furzedown Cottage may be willing to take over this role, the clerk will contact Mr Bushall regarding this post and how many of the Parish’s Bus Shelters he is prepared to keep tidy. A formal thank you to Mr Horne will be considered at the next meeting agenda.

Stroud’s Field
Ian Morrison opened this item on the agenda saying he welcomed the opportunity for a full discussion on Stroud’s Field but did not expect to achieve a completed plan tonight. It was hoped that a process would evolve to allow the development and upkeep of Stroud’s Field.
Comments were heard from all the councillors present and from members of the public at the meeting.
The possibility of obtaining grants was raised but it was felt that a firm plan would be needed before applications for Grants would be successful.
Ian Morrison raised the issue of the Parish Council’s liability; during the summer it had been necessary to obtain 3 quotes to clear a fallen Willow on Stroud’s Field. Whilst inspecting the area where the willow had fallen it appeared that several other trees might be at risk of collapse therefore this issue should be considered urgently.
Charles Stephens stated that planning permission is needed before tree works can start on Stroud’s Field and the meeting unanimously decided that TVBC – Mr Dermot Cox should be contacted for advice on obtaining an aboricultural survey of Stroud’s Field. This survey should include the trees adjacent to the Green, as some of these may need some attention.
Advice on these matters may further be obtained from David Harris of Tree Care Associates and Tony Darbyshire a local Aboriculturist. Clerk
A suggestion was put forward that the Parish Council contacts Susan Symmonds from the Hampshire Wildlife Trust the original author of the 5-year plan for Stroud’s Field.
It was felt that a further long-term plan would be a positive step in managing Stroud’s Field.
Ian Morrison commented that Goodworth Clatford had received grants from the National Lottery to develop their nature area and perhaps a visit to this small reserve could provide some useful insights when developing plans for Stroud’s Field.
A motion to change the name of Stroud’s Field to Amport Fen was felt to be a little premature and that this matter could wait for further discussion at an Open Meeting on the future of Stroud’s Field which may take place in due course.

5. Planning Applications

6. Planning Results

All the above mentioned cheques were approved by Amport Parish Council.
The 6-month budget update was presented – no comments were received.

It was decided not to give a donation to the Hampshire Youth band this year, as there was no known parish connection.
Further correspondence has been received on the Lighting of highways Clerk to determine action needed.
John van de Pette, a visitor to the meeting reported a further crash in Wiremead Lane, the 3rd in 3 years; speed was felt to be a major factor. Mr Morrison reported that this has now been identified as a black spot. Clerk / IM to chase Paul Walsh at Hampshire Highways and possibly arrange a visit to a Parish Council meeting by a senior member of his department.
Charles Stephens clarified the dates of the next 3 meetings - OCTOBER 16^TH, NOVEMBER 20^TH, DEC 11^TH.
He further commented that huge changes are imminent at DLO and he would report further at the next meeting.
Carolyn Mallam stated that comments had been received concerning the untidy state of the area surrounding the new horse occupants in Wiremead lane. IM/Clerk to write to Simon Chesshire concerning -

Sarah Hammer commented on the footpaths along the Amesbury rd and asked if they could be cleared again. who had nowhere to store his wheelie bins other than the footpath

Meeting closed at 9.55pm.

Date of the next meeting - October 16 th at 7.45pm at Amport School.