1. Present
Mr Ian Morrison (Chairman), Lt Col Charles Stephens (Vice Chairman), Mrs Tanya Garman, Mr Bill Gore, Mr Nicholas Hoare, Mr Ian Long, Mrs Diana Preston Mr Ashley Smith and Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk)
Apologies, Mrs Jean Arnell, Mrs Sarah Hammer, and Mr Tim Southern TVBC Councillor.
The village correspondent, Pat West HCC Councillor and 2 members of the public were present

2. Minutes of the Previous Meetings.
The minutes from the January meeting were approved and signed having been proposed by Charles Stephens and seconded by Nicholas Hoare.

3. Matters Arising from the last meeting and Declarations of Interest
Bill Gore declared an interest in a planning application at 1 New Cottages.

The Green and Amport Fen
Ashley Smith reported that the pathway on the Fen has been completed and councillors commented on how pleased they all were with the outcome. The picnic bench has also been installed. The path will be compacted again over the next few weeks until the surface has set firm.
Ashley Smith informed the Parish Council that he will lead a working party from the Hawk Conservancy to clear a larger than usual dam which is blocking the stream.
A further working party from the village will undertake clearance work later on in the spring - Ashley Smith will keep everyone informed.
Tony Darbyshire has agreed to become the Tree Officer for the Parish and after an initial examination of the Fen/Green has indentified 4 trees which need to come down for safety reasons. He suggested the work is likely to cost about £400 and recommended other contractors to avoid a conflict of interest. Parish Councillors authorised the spending of up to £400 to fell the 4 trees identified. Tony Darbyshire is able to remove an Ash Tree free of charge in exchange for the wood. Ian Morrison to write and thank Tony Darbyshire for accepting the role of Tree Officer.
The school is keen to use the Fen for wildlife research and will undertake several ‘base line’ studies in the coming months. This will give valuable information which can be compared over the coming years. Ian Morrison thanked Ashley Smith and his employees at the Hawk Conservancy for their continuing hard work on the Fen.
After discussion it was decided not to erect anymore warning signs on the Fen. A wait and see policy will be adopted with regard to dogs and litter.
Charles Stephens has offered to write an article on the recent improvements at the Fen for the Parish Magazine.
Moles have again been in evidence on the Green and need to be eliminated before the grass cutting season begins.
Risk assessment was discussed, Don Garman having updated the risk assessment which was worked on in November 2009. Training would appear to be the next issue and the clerk will investigate what training other parish councils undertake and check with HALC with regard to our legal obligations.

The Track
No further information available, this project is awaiting specifications.
The building work at the school has commenced and therefore this project will be kept on hold until its completion.

Footpaths and Highways
Charles Stephens reported a crack in the side of the bridge which runs over Pill Hill brook at the back of Sarson Mill. Bill Gore has looked at the problem and feels it is quite safe. The repair may eventually need to be done to stop erosion of the banks.
The Parish Council has been asked to write to Amport House about the overhanging Yew Trees on the permissive right of way at the top of Furzedown Lane. Clerk/IM
The problem of aggressive dogs on the trout farm path has been concluded as the dogs concerned have now left the village.