Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 20th April at 7.40 pm in Amport School

1. Present
Mr I. Morrison (Chairman), Lt Col Stephens (Vice Chairman), Mrs Jean Arnell, Mr Bill Gore, Mrs Sarah Hammer, Mr Nicholas Hoare, Mr Ian Long, Mrs Diana Preston, Mr Ashley Smith, Mr Tim Southern - TVBC Councillor and Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk)
Apologies Mrs Tanya Garman
The village correspondent, plus 3 members of the public were present.

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

3. Matters Arising from the last meeting and Declarations of Interest
30 letters were sent to residents in the western ‘pan handle’ of the Parish asking for their comments regarding the possible redrawing of the Parish Boundary between Amport and Quarley, so far 13 replies have been received - 10 in favour of a move and 3 wishing to remain within Amport Parish. 17 Households have yet to reply and this will be mentioned in the Andover Advertiser notes on the Council Meeting. The closing date for replies is the 1^st June. Parish Councillors did not feel that a reminder letter to residents was necessary at this stage.
There were no declarations of interest for tonight’s meeting.

The Green and Amport Fen
Ashley Smith reported on clearance work in the Fen and informed the Parish Council that 8 nesting boxes have been put up. Children have again dammed the Brook but this has been cleared.
Ian Morrison asked if a plan for the Fen was emerging from the work carried out so far. Ashley Smith said that proposals were in the early stages and would come before the Parish Council in the near future. Further work was not urgent as the breeding season has started and future work could not restart until the autumn.
A member of the public asked Ashley Smith if he was aware that Sparsholt Collage might use the Fen for a project for its Students and therefore provide people to work on the area, Ashley Smith acknowledged this.
There was a question concerning insurance on the Green for the forthcoming fete. It was felt that the Council’s own public liability insurance would not provide any cover for the fete.

Footpaths and Highways
Bill Gore reported that the Footpaths were due to be cut during the 1^st week of June.
Bill Gore had spoken to Peter Watson at HCC regarding the flooding at Georgia. HCC is responsible for this path as it is a BOAT; however Bill Gore was not hopeful of HCC funding the repairs as land drain work would be needed. It was not felt that anything further could be done at the present time.
The website update was delivered by David Preston as he was present tonight. The website receives on average 450 visits each month. David Preston made an appeal for anyone who wished to help as his assistant to come forward. This information will hopefully appear in the Andover Advertiser as well.
A letter has been received from David Wilkinson commenting on the bad repair and upkeep of the ditches in East Cholderton, Tim Southern was asked to contact Paul Walsh at Hampshire Highways to with regard to the following points -

1. Drainage at Waterloo Bridge, the promised relief drain to end flooding has yet to be provided.
2. The ditch through East Cholderton is tatty; perhaps Hampshire Highways could clear this.
3. Whilst in the past the state of Wiremead Lane was felt to keep speeds down, the disrepair of the passing places is becoming a problem and perhaps Hampshire Highways could provide some hard core to ease conditions and improve safety for cars and especially cyclists.

Tim Southern was thanked for his continued assistance with the problem of foul effluent in east Cholderton; tankers are still pumping out on a 24hr cycle to the continued distress of the residents. Southern Water say they cannot justify the expense needed to provide a permanent answer to this problem and unfortunately this has become an ongoing problem. Tim Southern commented that he intends to write to Offwat.

Goodman Application
The section 106 agreements pertaining to this application were signed at the meeting on the 31^st March.

5. Planning Applications

6. Planning Results
None reported

These were approved by those councillors present.

The Account were presented, having been scrutinised at the Annual Parish Meeting prior to this meeting – there were no questions. –These will be signed at the May Meeting.

9. AOB and Correspondence
Diana Preston reported Pot Holes in Skew Lane at the Monxton Rd end – these will be reported to HCC via their website clerk.
Ian Morrison recommended the special evening held at the Hawk Conservancy for disadvantaged children, this year it will be held on July 2^nd and 8 helpers around 10years old are needed.

The Meeting closed at 8.50 pm.
The date of the next meeting is May 18th – Annual General Meeting at 7.45pm Amport School.