Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 17th October 2006 at 7.45 pm in Amport School Hall.

1. Present
Mr I. Morrison, (Chairman), Lt Col Stephens, (Vice Chairman), Mr Bill Gore, Mrs Carolyn Mallam, Mr Maurice Hardy Mrs Diana Preston, Mr Ian Long and Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk).
4 members of the public attended.
The village correspondent was present - Cllr Pat West arrived at 8.40pm.
Apologies Mr Tim Southern, Mr Neville Geake and Mrs Sarah Hammer, these were accepted.

2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes were agreed and signed, having been proposed by Diana Preston and seconded by Ian Long

No replies have so far been received from the potential landowners adjacent to Fairways Weyhill. The Clerk/IM to follow up this new play area initiative.
George Bacon stated that only 1 goal post was unusable and questioned whether a second needed to be erected on the Green. The meeting agreed to erect 1 goal post and judge opinion. Clerk to determine availability and cost of new goal post sockets.
The official thank you to Mr Horne was discussed and Maurice Hardy was asked to research and obtain a framed map or print of the village possibly from Charles Littleworth to the value of £50. This will be presented at the December meeting.
Mr Dennis Bushnall has agreed to take on the cleaning of 4 bus shelters on a 3 month trial at a cost of £12 per shelter per 3-months. This was agreed by all present.

The Green and play area
The Green will be cut tomorrow after a gap of 3 weeks; concern was again expressed about the length of the grass clippings.
A new contract will be needed for next year and discussion on this subject took place - a potential contractor could be Amport House, TVBC was also mentioned and other local contractors will be contacted when the current contract finishes at the end of November.
Moles have been dealt with on the Green. Rabbit damage on the Green is becoming a problem and needs repairing regularly especially on the football pitch area. Ian Long asked whether a local person could be found to take on this problem and cut back the scrub around the Green to help control the rabbits.
Hampshire Highways have cleared the ditch after recent heavy downpours led to some local flooding, this led to the exposure of a cable in the ditch which is thought to be the property of BT, clerk to investigate.
A Lady from Grateley has reported a local resident and dog owner from Amport for fouling the Green. Ian Morrison will write to the dog owner concerned

VDS
This issue is ongoing.
Comments from David Bibby were circulated and the new Sustainability Appraisal Scoping Report now needed will further delay the VDS until late January early February 2007.

Footpaths and Highways
The low branches on the footpath/ track past Bush Farm have been dealt with.
Bill Gore was asked to investigate the reported problem on the footpath near the sub station at East Cholderton.
The Footpaths will be budgeted for 2 cuts next year but Bill Gore commented that it will be very difficult to judge when to start cutting as it is very dependent on the weather.
An apology was received from Paul Walsh at Hampshire Highways regarding our safety of hedges inquiries and a reply had been promised for tonight - unfortunately one has not arrived.
This matter will be followed up. IM
Waterloo Bridge is to undergo some repairs to the gabions and further work on the brickwork is to be scheduled.

Stroud’s Field
David Harris of Tree Care Associates Ltd has carried out an aboricultural survey of Stroud’s Field and the adjacent trees on the Green. The full report has yet to be received but work is indicated on several trees and ivy continues to increase the risk to the leaning willows. A further stretch of the riverbank between Stroud’s Field and the Green was previously scheduled to be pollarded as per the original Hampshire Wildlife report and this awaits confirmation.
The boundary of the site needs to be clarified to allow the full extent of the Parish Councils responsibilities to be determined. Maps in the possession of the Parish Council have been sent to Mr Harris to aid in the preparation of the aboricultural report.
Mr van de Pette informed the meeting that TVBC have condemned a second tree next to the fallen willow. The necessary action will be taken to deal with this tree. IM/ Clive Hutchinson
Tony Darbyshire, a local aboriculturist, may be able to use some trees as a training exercise especially the large Crack Willow on the Green thereby reducing the maintenance costs to the Parish Council.
Mr van de Pette informed the meeting that the Parish Council has contravened the 1981 Wildlife Act and that he had sought legal advice. Mr van de Pette refused to enlighten the Parish Council upon the matter however he advised the Parish Council to take independent legal advice. Mr van de Pette did state that TVBC had performed a survey on the riverbed adjacent to Stroud’s Field. Ian Morrison felt that the Parish Council should contact TVBC Legal and Planning Departments to determine what survey has been performed and how and if the parish Council has contravened the 1981 Wildlife Act. IM
Cllr West arrived at the meeting and confirmed the course of action that the Parish Council needed to take to clarify the situation.
It was agreed that further consultations would take place with the Hampshire Wildlife Trust.
The question of restricted access to Stroud’s Field was discussed but signs warning of this were felt to have little legal value.
Ian Morrison informed the Parish Councillors present that he would contact TVBC as a matter of urgency and distribute the aboricultural survey as soon as it was available, he would endeavour to keep everyone informed of any action taken or action that needed to be taken.

5. Planning Applications
None

7. Finance
No cheques were presented for signature at the meeting

8. AOB and Correspondence
Diana Preston reported overhanging hedges which were causing horse riders problems at the western end of the Tidworth /Grateley road. Clerk to contact Hampshire Highways.
Diana Preston further queried whether the bus stop at Fox Farm is on the timetable. Clerk
Ian Long asked about local mini bus hire -Cllr West suggested that TV Community Services have mini buses available with drivers and that he should contact them.
Ian Long further reported that the School have a building project in the consultation stage and the Parish Council should give some consideration to a donation towards any project that may emerge.
Charles Stephens reported that the increase in personnel at DLO will mean more building and that the MOD may consider moving the local road around the perimeter to increase the safety of the site, this would have a major impact on Monxton as well as affecting Amport.
Cllr West stated that the head of DLO, Allan Parvez, would be willing to come to a future Parish Council meeting to expand on the plans.

Meeting closed at 9.10pm.

Date of the next meeting - November 20th at 7.45pm at Amport School