Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 14^th September 2009 at 7.00 pm at Amport School

1. Present
Mr Ian Morrison (Chairman), Mrs Jean Arnell, Mr Bill Gore, Mrs Sarah Hammer, Mr Nicholas Hoare, Mr Ian Long, Mrs Diana Preston, Mr Ashley Smith and Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk)
Apologies Lt Col Charles Stephens (Vice Chairman), Mrs Tanya Garman and Mr Tim Southern TVBC Councillor
Pat West HCC Councillor plus 1 member of the public were present.

2. Minutes of the Previous Meetings.
The minutes from the June meeting were approved and signed having been proposed by Jean Arnell and seconded by Ian Long.

3. Matters Arising from the last meeting and Declarations of Interest
The Green - the wooden swing supports were stained during the holiday but the slight gulley formed under the seats remains, Ashley Smith offered to look at this and suggest a possible repair.

The Green and Amport Fen
Charles Stephens left a report in his absence on the application for section 106 money to improve Amport Fen. TVBC are currently stating that the application does not fall into its criteria ‘Green Space Strategy’ as it is not a sports pitch or play area.
Ian Morrison has asked TVBC to make a grant to the village cricket club as this does qualify.
Pat West suggested a meeting including Phil Lashbrook to investigate ways to enhance the application for funds regarding the Fen. It may be that with more emphasis on the safety, disabled and educational aspects of the project, it could find favour and be approved. Parish Councillors were anxious not to lose funds generated within the village for the village.
Ian Morrison to organise meeting with PW- PL- AS –CS
Ian Morrison thanked Colin Wareham for replacing the user awareness signs on the village Green.

The track on the Green
A letter was sent to the 5 concerned parties using the track on the Green, the letter detailed the work involved and the recommendations made by a Civil Engineer including the cost of an upgrade to the track. It was likely to cost each party approx £750 assuming a grant from TVBC, the track has not been improved since 2002.
One user of the track has replied and comments that he does not have a problem with the surface as it is. No comments have yet been received from the other users.
It was decided to contact TVBC to ask whether the work currently being proposed would be considered the basis of a suitable repair. It was also proposed to wait for further comments from the interested parties before any decisions are made.

Footpaths and Highways
Bill Gore asked for any requests to cut the footpaths to be made to him - Clive Hutchinson will cut them on an individual basis. It was suggested that the end of the watercress footpath nearest the Green needs cutting.
Some signs were said to be missing on the Footpath near the Weyhill garden centre – Bill Gore to investigate. A broken stile was reported at the top of Pipers Hill again Bill Gore to investigate.

Lighting
The lights at Fairways have been repaired.
The contract to join the PFI has been received and will be considered at next months meeting.

5. Planning Applications
Cllr West reported that the Co-op were in negotiations with Goodman to occupy the distribution warehouse at the old Airfield, on a positive note the warehouse was expected to be considerably smaller than the current permissions allows. It was hoped that local Parish Councils would be allowed some input into any changes considered by TVBC. Hampshire County Council would be maintaining its stance on Highways and traffic issues.

6. Planning Results
None at tonight’s meeting

The following cheques were presented at tonight’s meeting

The cheques were signed by Ian Morrison and Diana Preston.
These were approved by those councillors present.
The clerk reported the Annual return for 2008/9 had been returned from the Audit Commission as passed.
The 3-month budget update will be circulated by e-mail for councillors to comment on.

Rural Settlements - Core Strategy
During the summer recess Councillors have had the opportunity to consider this issue and further comprehensive discussions took place on the 3 options available to the Parish Council. The options were

1. Leave the situations as it is. This was how TVBC originally addressed the problem but they have been instructed by central government to change this planning policy.
2. Loosely indicate areas within the village envelope where planning would be permitted, whilst indicating a few areas where no more housing would be considered suitable. This is an open response allowing planning to allow housing on almost any suitable plot of land in the village, obviously subject to the usual planning application process, effectively removing the ‘brown line’ behind which currently only tandem infill is allowed.
3. Tightly draw a line around housing within the village and only indicate where the Parish would consider extra housing. This policy would be slightly more controversial but would allow local people some control where extra houses would be sited.

These options are being considered throughout Test Valley and once our preference is recorded the decision goes out for public consultation. Our individual decision may not form part of the final policy by TVBC and we would be obliged to conform to the final choice.
At the end of the discussions it was felt further guidance was needed and a representative from TVBC will be invited to speak at the start of the October meeting. IM

9. AOB and Correspondence

Information on forthcoming Tea Dances in Test Valley and financial help from HCC with the young drivers Pass Plus scheme will be placed in the Parish Magazine.
Diana Preston asked if the Old A303 could be named to aid local people giving directions. Ian Morrison to speak with Mr Millner
Rose Wareham reported that the railway bridge at Red Post is to be strengthened; there was concern that this could lead to increased HGV traffic though the village.

The Meeting closed at 9.25 pm.

The date of the next meeting is Monday 19^th October – 7.45pm at Amport School.