Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 16th July 2007 at 7.45 pm in Amport School Hall.

1. Present
Mr I. Morrison, (Chairman), Lt Col Stephens, (Vice Chairman), Mr Bill Gore, Mrs Sarah Hammer, Mrs Diana Preston and Mr Nicholas Hoare attending as a potential Parish Councillor. Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk)
Apologies Ian Long, Jean Arnell and Carolyn Mallam.
5 members of the public.
The village correspondent was present.
Ian Morrison introduced Nick Hoare who has expressed an interest in becoming a Parish Councillor and is seeking co-option, he was invited to sit in and experience a meeting.

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

3. Matters Arising from the last meeting
After discussion it was decided that the clerk will write to Smith of Derby stating that the Parish Council only wish to be contracted on an annual basis and do not wish to take up the 5-year discount deal. Clerk
Robin Aisher is aware of the missing posts at the top of Green Lane and is set to replace them as soon as possible.
Bill Gore reported that he has cleared a fallen tree on a footpath at East Cholderton.

The Green and Amport Fen
David Horne gave an update to the meeting and stated that improvements to the Fen continue. It has not been possible to spray the nettles around the Pill Hill Brook with herbicide due to the weather but they have been cut again by Clive Hutchinson at no extra cost. It is hoped that they will be sprayed at some future date, weather permitting.
The Goat willow behind the play area on the Green has been crown lifted and all the debris cleared away.
Concern was expressed over the large number of cars parked in the turning area on the Green. It was appreciated that the new owners of Nether Cottage have just moved in but Ian Morrison will write to them clarifying the Parking Policy on the Green.
Clerk to check that the Grass will be cut again prior to the Fete.
David Horne expressed his wish to set up a working party to clear the Fen during September.
More tree work is required on the Fen, principally on 4 trees but this extends to 7 or 8 trunks. Planning permission is already held on this work and quotes will be obtained.

Footpaths and Highways
Bill Gore reported that the 2^nd cut of the Footpaths is to be arranged for the 2^nd week in August, the budget does allow for a further full or partial cut if necessary.
Work on a footway from Sarson Mill to the Bridge on the Green does not appear to be a priority at Hampshire Highways and the project has not been accepted for funding during 2007/8.
Letters are to be sent to several residents asking them to cut back their overhanging hedges, to improve safety within the village. Clerk IM

VDS
The 4 week formal consultation period ended on the 15^th of June and 4 comments were received, all were favourable and Charles Stephens said he would approach David Bibby to determine the next step. Charles Stephens

Tesco Application
Ian Morrison reported that on the whole the TVBC Planning department would appear to be in favour of the application. This was depressing news for the Parish Council, however objections will continue to be raised and the Parish Council representative group are due to meet again soon. Further information concerning the application and information/protest meetings will be relayed via e-mail to all Parish Councillors. Letters citing our objections will be sent to the planning dept and copied to every member of the northern area planning committee IM/Clerk

Co- option of a new Parish Councillor
Ian Morrison asked Nick Hoare if he still felt he wished to join the Council and asked the Parish Councillors present if they had any questions for Nick. Nick Hoare was then proposed by Diana Preston and seconded onto the Parish Council by Bill Gore, all other councillors welcomed Nick to the Parish Council.
One place still remains vacant on the council and further attempts to fill the post will take place in the autumn.

The following cheques were presented for signature by Ian Morrison and Charles Stephens - all were approved by those councillors present.

The internal Audit was reported to the Parish Council and the Councillors approved section 2 the Annual Governance statement of the external Audit.

Bill Gore gave his apologies as he will be away for the next 2 meetings.
Diana Preston informed the Council that the end of the lane from Quarley to Cholderton was becoming difficult to pass due to the overgrown hedge on the north side, the road edge opposite was being worn away by the heavy Lorries visiting the new build in the lane. Clerk will visit to ensure exact position is notified to Hampshire Highways and Pat West/ Phil Lashbrook for help if needed.
Concern was expressed over continuing helicopter noise and Parish Councillors were asked to keep a log of any noisy incidents.
Parish Councillors were asked if they would be able to attend when Howard Kirby presented awards to the juniors who have been receiving coaching. The presentation will be on the 18^th of August.

Date of the next meeting September 10th 2007 at 7.45pm at Amport School

The Meeting closed at 9.30 pm.