AMPORT PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 14th December 2009 at 7.45 pm at the Hawk Conservancy
1. Present
Mr Ian Morrison (Chairman), Lt Col Charles Stephens
(Vice Chairman) Mrs Jean Arnell, Mrs Tanya Garman, Mr Bill Gore, Mr Ian Long,
Mrs Sarah Hammer, Mrs Diana Preston, Mr Ashley Smith and Mrs Suzanne Hoare
(Clerk)
Apologies, Mr Nicholas Hoare, and Mr Tim Southern TVBC Councillor and Pat West
HCC Councillor
The village correspondent was present plus 2 members of the public
2. Minutes of the Previous Meetings.
The minutes from the November meeting were approved
and signed having been proposed by Jean Arnell and seconded by Diana Preston.
3. Matters Arising from the last meeting and Declarations of
Interest
No declarations of interest were declared and there
were no matters arising from the last meeting which will not be discussed
tonight. Ian Morrison thanked Ashley Smith for hosting tonight’s Parish
Council meeting at the Hawk Conservancy
4. Reports
The Green and Amport Fen
3 moles have been caught at a cost of £50.
Mr Pasque has quoted to cut the Green next year; the Parish Council is currently
engaged in a 3-year contract with Mr Welch, who is proving very satisfactory. A
letter will be sent to inform Mr Pasque. clerk
A Risk Assessment carried out at the November Finance meeting was
presented and Don Garman was asked to consider this and comment. Ian Long was
asked if a maintenance check book could be kept for the play equipment on the
Green, with a check being made every 2 or 4 weeks.
After contacting HALC approximately 15 e-mails were received on the subject of
purchasing the red phone box on the Green, the majority of Parish Councils were
not taking up the offer to buy their box, fearing ongoing maintenance costs. In
fact it was felt that as some boxes were listed BT would be unable to remove
them, this situation will be monitored.
The Fen path is planned for mid-January with the majority of the money coming
from the section 106 agreement. A working day is to be arranged to clear the
stream – Charles Stephens will
let everyone know the date.
The Track
The winter has worsened the condition of the track and
it was agreed that parking for the school does contribute to the wear and tear,
it was noted that the first 50 mts are the worst.
The original letter sent to all parties quoted a cost of approx £750 – no
work would be considered unless all parties agreed to contribute a share.
The building work at the school will need to be completed before the work was
undertaken.
Ian Morrison will contact Brain
Nolan and ask him to get some firm quotes on the work required and report back
to the Parish Council.
Ashley Smith reported that the Tawny Owl nest boxes had been put up on the Fen.
Diana Preston asked that the Parish Council contact TVBC and asked for the name
to be changed from Stroud’s Field to Amport Fen on the online VDS Clerk
to investigate
Ashley Smith commented that the introduction of webcams into the Fen
may be sidelined until 2011.
After the path is completed the school will be invited to walk the Fen and a
news item put in the Parish Magazine.
Footpaths and Highways
Clive Hutchinson will be contacted with regard to organising the first cut of
the footpaths in 2010 Bill Gore to organise.
Diana Preston asked Bill Gore to
investigate a seat on the footpath 10 overlooking Wiremead lane and the Pill
Hill Brook.
Rubbish is being dumped at the end of Hook Lane track –Footpath 21 Amport. The
area is part of Footpath 9 Monxton therefore Monxton will need to be contacted
about this problem. Bill G / Ian M
Ian Gaitskell has very kindly replaced the bollard at the top of
Footpath 6, a letter of thanks will be sent. IM/Clerk
5. Planning Applications
 | 09/02376/FULLN Erection of detached dwelling and garage Yew Lodge Amesbury No Objection except specify fixed opening window to north elevation |
| 09/02504/TPON Fell Scots Pine- Linden House 1, The Limes No Objection subject to the aboriculturist |
| 09/02611/FULLN Erection of single storey rear extension to provide enlarged kitchen/diner together with pitched roof over existing flat roofed art room at rear Furzedown house Furzedown lane Amport. |
| 09/02485/FULLN Single storey extension to form porch, 2 storey side extension to provide dining room, utility and w.c with bedroom and bathroom. 45 Fairways Weyhill |
| 09/01902/FULLN Erection of conservatory at rear 3 Chapel Close No Objection |
A letter will be written to the PCC for forwarding in support of the recent application for a disabled toilet at St Marys Church which was refused. The plans were approved by the PCC and Diocese and the Parish Council felt the planned toilet was essential for the church to be used as a community venue. It was disappointed that the application had been refused by TVBC.
6. Planning Results
| 09/02163/TREEN Fell Goat Willow and coppice further Goat Willow- 2 Sarson Barns Monxton rd Amport Permission | ||||||||||||
| 09/02162/TREEN Grey Poplar crown lift and clean - Stonebrook 5 Sarson Barns Permission | ||||||||||||
| 09/02081/FULLN Rose Wareham spoke following a meeting
attended by the Co-op with regard to its planned warehouse at Andover
Airfield. The following points were made -
|
7. Finance
The following cheque was presented at tonight’s meeting
| S A Hoare | Dec salary | £243.55 | plus 8 x £2.29 back pay from April |
| HCC | lighting at Fairways to include repairs | £539.55 | |
| Mr Welch | Oct | £79.00 | |
| Andover Pest Control | £50.00 | ||
| Mr Bushnell | bus shelter cleaning | £48.00 |
The cheques were signed by Ian Morrison and Charles Stephens.
These were approved by those councillors present.
The budget for 2010-2011 was considered along with the recommendation for a
precept set at £11,000. This would represent a decrease from £11,750 from last
year; the play area north of the A303 would appear not to be an option on the
current terms.
The budget was proposed by Diana Preston and seconded by Bill Gore and
approved by all councillors present.
The financial risk assessment is set for approval after further checking.
8. AOB and Correspondence
Jean Arnell reported that a new contractor, a Mr Chris Baldwin, had been found
to maintain the Millennium Clock. The clerk
will
write to Smith of Derby cancelling their services.
Robin Aisher may well become the new Chairman of Monxton and Amport Village
Hall.
Jean Arnell asked if the Parish Council Meeting could be moved to another
night of the week – this will be discussed at the next meeting.
Peggy Harcourt hopes to get the old legal papers to the Parish Council once
her busy Christmas is over.
The Meeting closed at 9.35 pm.
The date of the next meeting is January 18th – 7.45pm at Amport
School.
The February meeting will be arranged for the Weyhill Fairground.