PC Meeting Report 5 September 2017

Table of Contents

Report of the Parish Council meeting held on Tuesday 5 September 2017 in the Compton Room, Shawford Parish Hall.

Introduction

Pollution from the Biomass plant at Four Dell Farm, the purchase of two BT kiosks and parking in Shawford village were among the issues discussed at this month’s meeting.

County & District Councillor’s Report

Councillor Warwick reported that Skanska had been awarded the new highways contract, which began on 1 August 2017. The contract covers highways maintenance work on Hampshire’s 9600 miles of roads and footways, including resurfacing, winter salting, drainage and road repairs. Apparently, Skanska has an ‘innovative pothole-patching machine’, which should speed up the process of repair.

Councillor Warwick also advised that the Biomass Boiler Retrospective planning application committee hearing would take place on Wednesday 18 October 2017. The deadline for registration was 12 October 2017. Since this issue was of importance to those members of the public present, the chairman allowed representations to the council.

Concern was raised about the smoke and noise pollution emanating from the Biomass boiler. The residents of Compton Down would appreciate the council’s support for their campaign to encourage Hampshire County Council to reject the retrospective planning application. The chairman noted that Councillor Jordan had been in contact with the WCC Environmental Protection Team to express the council’s concerns. Councillor Jordan also confirmed that he would be attending the hearing on 18 October 2017 and advised that he had been in regular contact with Paul Murray, who was working on behalf of the Compton Down residents.

Councillor Warwick recommended that all interested parties should co-ordinate their approach to this problem. It was agreed that Councillor Jordan should produce a document, by 29 September 2017, expressing the council’s concern about the noise and air pollution emanating from the Four Dell Farm Biomass boiler.

In her capacity as a District Councillor, Councillor Warwick advised the council that the Winchester bus station had re-opened on 4 September 2017. Improvements had been made to the flow of buses through the site, which will increase pedestrian safety. The firm of architects, Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, had been appointed to take forward the Winchester station approach development and consultation on the Winchester Sports and Leisure Park at Bar End was continuing.

BT Kiosks

PC Meeting Report 5 September 2017 — Phonebox at Shawford Station

Councillor Webster confirmed that the council had purchased the telephone kiosks in Martins Fields and Shawford Road for the sum of £2. The Big Lottery Fund had indicated that, subject to confirmation, it would provide financial support for the future installation of defibrillators in each kiosk. Once installed, a training programme, to ensure that local residents are able to operate the defibrillator equipment, would commence. The Shawford Village Residents Association had agreed to keep the Shawford kiosk clean and tidy and to report any problems to the council. Councillor Strange was optimistic that the Compton Village Association would provide a similar service.

Highways and Public Transport

The council discussed Councillor Bell’s report and his recommendation that it should write to the chairman of neighbouring parishes about parking problems in Shawford, especially in relation to that caused by commuters using Shawford railway station. During the discussion, it was noted that the council had adopted the following policy on 10 January 2017 viz.: While recognising HCC has primacy on highways issues, it would not, in principle, support the introduction of additional parking restrictions in the village without prior consultation with local resident associations, neighbouring parish councils and rail user groups.

District Councillor Eleanor Bell advised that Winchester City Council would not take any action on parking in Shawford, without prior consultation with all interested parties. The chairman noted that, while the council had a keen interest in trying to resolve the problem, it could only provide a contribution to the process. Until such time as First Group produced plans for additional station parking, the policy adopted on 10 January 2017, would continue to be appropriate.

Planning

Councillor Jordan confirmed that he had responded, on behalf of the council, to Hampshire County Council (HCC)’s public consultation on Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations. HCC’s plans did not affect the parish directly but the council needed to be aware that there were some sites, which could be vulnerable to unlicensed activity. The chairman asked Councillor Jordan to speak to the owners of such sites to see what preventative measures could be taken.

Councillor Jordan also expressed concern about the method of publicising planning applications in Attwoods Drove (one planning notice had been ‘hidden’ under brambles) and an apparent lack of understanding by WCC planning officers of the disruption that can be caused by building works in the area. Both he and Councillor Strange intended to attend the next TACT (Tenants and Council Together) meeting on 19 September 2017, in support of Attwoods Drove tenant representatives.

Playing Fields Management

Councillor Wilkinson reported that, following receipt of the quarterly playing fields report in August, action had been taken to address minor repairs. She also confirmed that both play areas (QEII Field and MPF) are inspected weekly by council members and a record kept and a note made of any action taken

Footpaths and Environment

Councillor Wilkinson noted that the HCC noticeboard, adjacent to the PC’s map board, at the base of Shawford Down, needed some minor repairs. The council agreed to meet the cost.

Councillor Wilkinson also reported that the lengthsman had visited the parish on a very wet day on 9 August 2017. The team had spent 12 hours clearing about a mile of the vegetation along Otterbourne Road, from the Badger Farm roundabout. They had expressed concern about the poor condition of the footpath down the hill from the Park and Ride. Following discussion, Councillor Wilkinson was asked to raise this issue with the HCC highways department and all councillors were encouraged to use the ‘Fix My Street’ website to report highways issues.

The council noted that litter continues to be a problem at Compton Lock: the clearance of which is primarily undertaken by local volunteers. Councillor Wilkinson was asked to produce a proposal at the next council meeting in November to combat the litter problem, which could include additional signage.

Finance and Administration

Following a request from the Citizens’ Advice Bureau (CAB) for a grant, the council reviewed its policy on grants and donations, which was adopted by a previous council on 7 December 2010 viz.

“The Parish Council is sometimes asked to make donations to charities.
Charitable giving should be a personal decision.
The Parish Council will not make donations to charities.”

It was agreed that the policy was appropriate and would continue to be applied to requests for charitable donations/grants. The chairman would inform the CAB accordingly.

Councillor Webster asked the council to note the External Auditor’s report, which reported that “in our opinion the information in the annual report is in accordance with proper practices and no other matters have come to our attention giving cause for concern that relevant legislative and regulatory requirements have not been met”.

The clerk advised that, following the resignation of Councillor Brant, he would be advising Winchester City Council (WCC) that there was a vacancy on the council. Public notices to that effect would be posted on 11 September 2017.

Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

The council noted that both local schools had projects for which council financial assistance would be appreciated. Following discussion, the clerk was asked to seek confirmation from WCC that CIL funds could be used to assist with the funding of school projects. The chairman noted that the Sports Club project to improve the car park drainage was ‘on hold’.

CASCA

Councillor Wilkinson reported that the parish hall kitchen had been upgraded during the summer and that the AGM would take place in November. The chairman wondered whether CASCA had any plans to install Wifi in the hall? There was a possibility that installation costs could be met by CIL. Councillor Wilkinson agreed to raise the issue with the CASCA committee

Date and Venue of Next Meeting

7.30pm Tuesday 7 November 2017 in the Compton Room, Shawford Parish Hall.

David Drake, Clerk

PC Meeting Report 5 September 2017