Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 26th February 2007 at 7.45 pm in Amport School Hall.

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

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes were agreed and signed, having been proposed by Bill Gore and seconded by Charles Stephens

3. Matters Arising from the last meeting
Tim Southern reported that a pump and filtration equipment will be fitted to the sewage pumping station at Wiremead Lane in the next few days and the lorry pumping sessions will cease.
Neighbouring Parishes at Weyhill have expressed an interest in sharing a speed camera initiative.

4. Andover Airfield Development
The current designs available were laid out for councillors to inspect.
The developers are planning to have Industrial units at the old Airfield, this is within the area plan - however the plans are not detailed.
Maurice Hardy highlighted several key areas of concern:

Maurice Hardy felt that independent surveys should be obtained or requested from TVBC to cover all these points.
Neville Geake made several points following his attendance at the public meeting held by the developers in Abbotts Ann

1. We should insist on much more information and be very proactive on this issue.
2. Tesco have very deep pockets and if the development becomes inevitable we should seek the best form of development possible

Sarah Hammer asked if, due to the scale of the proposal, other agencies such as Hampshire CC and Wiltshire CC would be involved, it was felt that only Highways would be consulted.
Ian Marshall, formerly of the Rothsay Action Committee, was invited to address the meeting.
He stated that his Action Committee were meeting the next day and felt strongly that they would become a cross parish liaison group working to promote dissemination of information around the parishes to the South and West of Andover. He felt it was important to involve the Andover Councillors especially those covering the top end of Weyhill Road and Salisbury Road.
Ian Morrison asked at this point whether the Parish was empowered to spend any money on planning expertise. Clerk to investigate
Ian Morrison further asked all councillors whether they felt the Parish Council should write to Madalene Winter – Head of Planning at TVBC to register our initial concerns. Everyone agreed on this course of action except Tim Southern who abstained. This letter will be circulated to other parishes and put on the website.

5. Parish Elections
The clerk reported on the forthcoming Parish Elections on May 3^rd.
Nomination papers were available and distributed to those councillors who wish to stand again for election – additional forms are available from TVBC at Beech Hurst.
Forms must be returned by the nominee after March 13^th and before noon on the 4^th April directly to Beech Hurst. Be advised to allow a few days to deal with any problems which may arise.
Notices advertising the forthcoming election will be posted in the Parish by the 13^th March.
The opportunity to withdraw will be available to candidates from the 4^th to 11^th April.
In the event of there being more candidates than places on the Council there will be an election on May 3^rd in tandem with the Local Borough Elections.

The Green
The Parish Council has received a request to have the second set of Goal posts erected this was unanimously approved and will be executed. Clerk
The Sea Scouts have asked to hold their Annual Fete on the Green on the 24^th June from 12-4pm- This was approved.
The Annual Village fete will be held on the 21^st July and will be a joint venture between the School and the Church.
A letter has been received from Mr Walker at Test Valley Gardencare indicating his intention to take the Parish Council to court if his outstanding bill for Nov 2006 is not paid. Ian Morrison said he has looked at the Terms of the Contract very carefully and cannot see on what grounds Mr Walker feels we must pay.
Members of the Parish Council looked at the documents and read the clause where other work would be offered if weather conditions did not permit the original work to be completed. The offer of alternate work was not made but perhaps £160 worth of tree work could be performed now before any payment was made.
Ian Morrison will write to Test Valley Gardencare and ask on what precise grounds they are asking for payment.

Tim Southern left the meeting at 8.45pm

VDS
This issue is ongoing.

Footpaths and Highways
The sewer outside Flagons is overflowing – the clerk to contact Southern Water again regarding this matter.
Mr George Chinga has written back to the Parish Council regarding the potential footway along from Sarson Mill to the bridge by the Green. He said the path had been added to a list of projects waiting funding and approval within the Borough.
Residents close to the proposed path did not have any objections to its construction except the owners of the Cottage on the Green. Ian Morrison had been in contact with Mrs Wyles over the matter.
Bill Gore reported several fallen trees on Footpaths including 1 on Footpath 6 - Clerk to write to Kieron Beattie to ask for the tree to be removed.
Clive Hutchinson has cleared a tree on a footpath in East Cholderton.
The clearance work on the footpath by the trout lakes was discussed and will be monitored.
The issue of a BOAT being created in Hook Lane was discussed and similar action to that adopted by Monxton will be followed by Amport Parish Council.

Amport Fen
David Horne has been very active and a new report from Hampshire Wildlife has been received. This will be reported in more detail when David Horne attends the next meeting.
A village Working party will be formed in March to undertake some clearance work. No funding is being sought at this time.

Charles Stephens and Ian Morrison signed the following cheques at tonight’s meeting. These cheques were approved by all councillors present.

10. AOB and Correspondence

Charles Stephens gave information concerning 2 shooting scholarships available to young people from within the Parish - Joe Smith and Bradley Taplin were names that have been put forward. This information will be passed onto Lains farm. Clerk

Meeting closed at 9.30pm.
Date of the next meeting March 19th 2007 at 7.45pm at Amport School