Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday February 20th 2006 at 7.45 pm in Amport School Hall.

1. Present
Mr I. Morrison, (Chairman), Lt Col Stephens, (Vice Chairman) Mrs Diana Preston, and Mr Bill Gore, Mrs Carolyn Mallam, Mr Maurice Hardy, Mr Ian Long, Mr Neville Geake (7.55pm) and Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk)
6 members of the public attended.
The village correspondent was in attendance.
Apologies Mrs Sarah Hammer, Mr Tim Southern, these were accepted.

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes were then agreed and signed, having been proposed by Maurice Hardy and seconded by Carolyn Mallam.

3. Matters Arising from the last meeting – None not dealt with in tonight’s meeting

The Green
Carolyn Mallam reported the presence of molehills on the Green, it was agreed to monitor them before any action is taken.
Carolyn Mallam and Maria Long have both collected litter from around the play area since Christmas.
The phone box remains un-repaired – clerk to follow up.

Footpaths and Highways
Bill Gore felt there was nothing specific to report on footpaths, Bill Gore will organise the 1^st cut for an appropriate time in April (Neville Geake joined meeting).
The grasscrete proposal for the track on the green looks in doubt as investigations indicate that the TVBC waste cart weighs 26 tonnes and the grasscrete quoted for is designed to take up to 13 tonnes. Further investigations into possible surfaces are needed if this project is to proceed any further.
A letter of thanks has been sent to Stephen Oxley for removing all the Ivy from the Bus Shelter – Maurice Hardy to check structural condition of roof.
Maurice Hardy and Ian Long stated that they would try to meet with TVBC to pursue the traffic calming white line project from Monxton to the School. MH/IL

Village Design Statement
Neville Geake reported that the VDS was currently complete with pictures and occupied 80MB of computer space, however it could be displayed on the website in a text only format quite easily. Neville Geake reminded everybody of the final consultation meeting on Saturday 25th February from 12-2pm at the Amport Inn.

Stroud’s Field
Charles Stephens presented the report attached to these minutes and stated that he would like it put on the web site and printed in the Parish Magazine.
Stroud’s Field was left to the village as a Wildlife reserve and the trustees are following the plan laid down by Hampshire Wildlife trust.
Diana Preston offered wild flower seeds on behalf of neighbour Care, Charles Stephens was worried that the land might be too fertile.
Maurice Hardy would like attempts to open up the field resisted and felt that it should remain as it is.
Carolyn Mallam felt that if it is to be left as it is then the village should perhaps be allowed a little more access.
Neville Geake asked that the 2 benches which were previously proposed should be erected, otherwise it should remain roughly as it is.
Ian Long queried that lack of benches in the report; Charles Stephens replied that the area was not really ready yet for benches.
Bill Gore commented that a balance should be struck between the village having access and the site being preserved as a wildlife site.
Carolyn Mallam felt that the large gate was forbidding and asked could a smaller pedestrian gate be added.
Ian Morrison summarised the position and asked the public present for comment.
Comments received suggested slightly improved access with a mown path and bench would meet most people’s expectations of the site.
Ted Perren reported the presence of Hemlock on the site and Charles Stephens and the Stroud’s field committee was asked to deal with this problem.
In summary Ian Morrison stated that the Parish Council should actively ask the Stroud’s Field Committee to address the issues of:

5. Planning Applications

The problems concerned with the clay shoot at Lains Farm Quarley were discussed.
New occupants at Quarley Manor have reported Mr Howard Kirby for exceeding his quota of corporate shoots at the farm.
Mrs Ferguson from Quarley Parish Council addressed the meeting and informed the Parish Council that over Christmas extra days shooting did indeed occur and that on some days noisier shot was allowed. Mr Kirby has apologised for this and now will need to put in an application for further days shooting to allow the business to remain viable - Quarley Parish Council will support this.
The Parish Council is now up to date with the situation and will await an application before any further comments are made concerning shooting at Lains Farm. However it was noted that Amport Parish Council received 2 complaints about noise over the Christmas holiday.

7. Finance
The salary cheque for the clerk was signed and the January salary cheque approved.

Ted Perren complained about hedge cuttings in Wiremead lane which have been left on the verge Ian Morrison to contact Matthew Ann on this matter.
A new resident from Weyhill has complained about rubbish dumped in Tittymouse Lane Clerk to investigate and contact TVBC
Correspondence from Fairways again reminds the Parish Council about the need for a play Area. Ian Morrison welcomes suggestions.
Ashley Smith from the Hawk Conservancy would like to launch a nationwide campaign to have perches put on power line for Red Kites so that they do not injure themselves. Ian Morrison suggested inviting him to speak at the Annual Parish meeting in April.

It was noted that the April meeting will fall on Easter Monday – the meeting is therefore changed to the Tuesday of that week- the 18^th April.

Meeting closed at 9 15pm.

Date of next meeting MONDAY March 20th –7.45pm