Minutes of the Annual General Meeting held on Monday May 17th 2004 at 7.45pm at Amport School

1. Present
Mr I. Morrison, (Chairman), Lt Col Stephens, (Vice Chairman) Mr Ian Long, Mr George Bacon, Mrs C Mallam, Mr T.Southern, Mrs Diana Preston, Mrs S.Hammer, Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk)
Mrs Unwin, the village correspondent plus 3 members of the public
Apologies Mr Neville Geake, Mr Maurice Hardy

2. Minutes of the Previous Meetings – both Parish and Ordinary
These were agreed and signed.

The clerk called for nominations for Chairman - Diana Preston nominated Ian Morrison and this was seconded by Charles Stephens - all councillors present were in favour.
Election of Vice Chairman, Charles Stephens was nominated by Ian Morrison and seconded by Tim Southern. All were in favour.
The planning sub-committee will consist of the Chairman, Vice Chairman and George Bacon, Diana Preston will continue to comment on applications in the west of the parish.
The 3 bank signatures will continue to be the Chairman, Vice Chairman and Diana Preston.
Tim Southern will continue as the Responsible Financial Officer.
Maurice Hardy to be Footpath officer.
George Bacon will accept responsibility for the Green.
Neville Geake will continue to lead the VDS aided by Charles Stephens.
Schools Liaison Officer will continue as Ian Long.
David Preston will lead communications.
Charles Stephens is stepping down from the position of Stroud’s field co-ordinator; this may be taken by Maurice Hardy- to be confirmed.
The council unanimously agreed all the above positions.

1. The parish council is to consider ways to involve the northern area of the parish; this may include holding 1 or 2 meetings a year at the village hall in Weyhill. This matter will be considered as an agenda item at the next meeting.
2. The Green
   Len Locke is currently replacing the tap in readiness for the summer events being held on the Green.
   The wording on the Oak tree plaque was agreed and this will be given to Maurice to enable the commemoration to be ordered.
   Ian Morrison thanked George Bacon for renovating the footpath signs outside his cottage, George further volunteered to repaint the railings on the pill hill bridge. (GB will check with HCC.)
   The track- Ian Morrison met with Chappell Builders to obtain their comments on the potholes in the track, John Chappell’s view was that the pot holes will worsen and that filling them in would be pointless, he felt their previous job was satisfactory and that this could be repeated at a cost of between £2-3000 pounds but would only last around 3 years .The alternative would be Tarmac which is unsuitable or Grasscrete which would be expensive.
   Ian Morrison is to meet with a TVBC surface specialist to seek advice and will report at the next meeting. The Parish Council responsibility extends only to the footpath.
   Some drivers are using the Green as a turning circle and to deter this further telegraph poles will be obtained to block access to the Green itself.
   The cost of the Stepping Stones for the Play Area on the Green was estimated as £175 plus installation. A letter has been received from Rose Wareham objecting to further equipment on the Green, discussions took place and all councillors voted in favour of adding the stepping-stones to the existing equipment. However the Rospa inspection took place immediately prior to the council meeting and certain maintenance work may be required, which will be detailed in the report. After discussion it was therefore decided to await the Rospa report and consider options for repairs and installing the new equipment at the next meeting Agenda item for June.
3. VDS. This project is ongoing and more information will be provided when available.
4. Footpaths. John Peacock has contacted Ian Morrison and stated that he will arrange for the stiles to be replaced on his land. The clerk to write to Matthew Ann to ask for the stiles to be replaced on his land.
5. Stroud’s Field. Charles Stephens reported that a full history is being prepared by Allan Maddern but that he understood the position of Stroud’s Field to be :

6. Talkback – visitor numbers have doubled in the last month.

1. TVN.09086 Erection of two storey side extension to provide family room with bedroom/ensuite over and replacement porch Thimble Hall, Middlecot, Quarley Amport Planning sub- committee No Objection subject to access being maintained
2. TVN.09095 Siting of demountable building to be used as an office/storage use. Mountfield Cholderton Planning sub-committee No Objection
3. TVN.AG.00050/1 Insertion of underground water storage tank OS Parcel 5300, Monxton Nurseries, Amport Parish Council Objection on several matters
4. TVN.01626/3 Erection of detached 3 bedroom dwelling with new access onto Sarson Close No objection

TVN.AG.00050/1 Insertion of underground water storage tank OS parcel 5300 Approval not required
TVN.07795/1 Erection of single garage Lilac Cottage, Sarson lane Permission

The accounts for the year ended 31 March 2004 were presented to the Parish Council, they were approved by all councillors present and a meeting will be arranged at the end of June with the internal auditor to finalise the accounts prior to submission to the Audit Commission at the end of August.
2 cheques were presented and signed at the meeting :

SA Hoare salary May         £203.50
Allianz Cornhill Insurance    £597.71

A budget update will be presented at the next meeting.

8. Correspondence

A reply has been received from TVBC concerning Dr Hoole`s land, the letter states that the current view of the planning dept is that no breach of planning control has occurred. It was therefore decide that no further action will be taken at present.
Maurice Hardy to be given a copy of the letter to circulate to interested parties.
A Planning Enforcement training evening is planned by TVBC, the clerk to book 3 places at the event at King Sombourne Village Hall on the 22^nd June at 7.00pm.
The AGM of Amport and Monxton Village Hall is on 24^th June 7.30pm.

George Bacon informed the council that a meeting had taken place between the Hawk Conservancy and the Highways Agency concerning the diversion route when the A303 gap is closed, around mid-June.
Carolyn Mallam was concerned about the lack of signs into Amport from the A303; Wiremead lane was not signposted due to the HGV restriction on Waterloo Bridge.
Diana Preston reported that at the last meeting of the TVA of PC it was announced that under a transport initiative 2 mini buses and 8 mopeds were available for hire in situations where no transport was available - at very reasonable rates.
Charles Stephens asked if there was a Parish Council meeting during August, the Chairman replied that a meeting would not be held unless essential.

Meeting closed at 9.35pm

Date of Next Meeting June 21st at 7.45pm