AMPORT PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 15th September 2008 at 7.45 pm in Amport School Hall.
1. Present
Mr I. Morrison, (Chairman), Mrs Sarah Hammer, Mrs Diana Preston, Mrs Jean
Arnell and Mrs Suzanne Hoare (Clerk)
Apologies, Lt Col Stephens, (Vice Chairman), Mr Bill Gore, Mrs Tanya Garman,
Mr Nicholas Hoare and Mr Ian Long and Mr Tim Southern - TVBC Councillor
Cllr Pat West (HCC) was present.
The village correspondent and 2 members of the public were present.
2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting.
The minutes were agreed and signed after, having been proposed by Diana Preston
and seconded by Sarah Hammer.
3. Matters Arising from the last meeting and Declarations of Interest
 | Ian Morrison will check with Bill Gore to ensure the telegraph poles have been secured |
| The red telephone kiosk on the Green is not currently under threat but the council may at some stage wish to consider the possibility of purchasing it as a way of retaining this village landmark. |
| Testway Housing are investigating the parking and land use issues with regard to the property in Sarson Close. |
| Ian Morrison has received a petition from residents in the west of the Parish who consider that they should in fact be part of Quarley. Ian Morrison is to contact Joanna Ferguson concerning the next step forward in the move to review Parish Boundaries. |
No declarations of interest were made.
Ashley Smith arrived and was welcomed as a potential new
councillor.
The Parish Council was not contacted by any other interested parties during the
summer break and Ashley Smith was unanimously co-opted onto the Parish Council
by those Parish Councillors present.
4. Reports
The Green and Amport Fen
Ian Morrison asked councillors if they felt the mole problem should be dealt
with, Diana Preston suggested the use of moth balls and
the clerk will purchase some and determine
if these will act as a deterrent.
Unfortunately there have been more attempts to dam the Pillhill brook on the
Green; David Horne feels this undermines his and others hard work on the Green
and Fen. A brief discussion followed with several suggestions made but a full
discussion will be tabled for the next Parish Council meeting in October.
The Ditch continues to cause concern, Ian Morrison has been contacted by Mr
Nolan regarding a potential flooding risk and TVBC do not appear to accept
responsibility for its clearance.
Cllr Pat West suggested the Parish Council write to her
and detail the problem. This would allow her to negotiate with relevant
parties and possibly organise the installation of a buried pipe to transport the
water to the brook. The Parish would then only be left with the task of clearing
the grille to the pipe several times a year.
Footpaths and Highways
Bill Gore reported to Ian Morrison before the meeting that Clive Hutchinson is
trying as the weather allows to complete a second cut of the Parish’s
footpaths.
A letter has been received informing the council that the footways along side
the Amesbury Road at Weyhill will be cleared and a recommendation put in that
remedial work is needed.
Cllr West commented that in fact the money has been approved for this upgrade.
Tesco Application
Most people are aware that the initial vote by the Northern Area Planning
sub-committee went against the applicant Goodman, unfortunately the application
now has to go to Planning Control who traditionally tend to favour the Head of
Planning’s recommendation.
The STOP team are working hard to reassure Councillors that there are valid
planning objections and play down the threat of costs going against the rate
payer.
A local councillor not involved with the planning control committee has set up a
GO ‘blog’ on the Andover Advertiser web site urging people to lobby for a
yes to Tesco vote. STOP would like as many people as possible to add their anti
megashed comments to this blog – to keep up the pressure.
The Parish Council at Monxton is approaching other Parishes for financial
assistance through the S137 scheme and this will be discussed at the October
meeting.
Weyhill Play Area
Sarah Hammer has a meeting planed for October 8th with TVBC to
discuss funding opportunities, Ian Morrison will attend.
Cllr Pat West informed the Parish Council that she is able to meet the cost of a
set of goal posts from within her budget. This would enable the play area to
open sooner and judge the local interest. Fencing would however still be needed.
Ian Morrison and Sarah Hammer are to visit a play area recently completed in
Grateley
5. Planning Applications
| 08/01777/FULLN Erection of two storey side extension to form annexe, provision of bay window to south-east elevation and increase depth of chimney to accommodate additional flue No Objection planning sub –committee |
| 08/01949/FULLN Erection of double garage Objection by planning sub-committee, development outside original curtilage, overly prominent building at start of footpath 9 |
| 08/01975/FULLN + 08/01981/LBWN Widening of existing single storey extension to accommodate 2 bedrooms and a bathroom together with internal and external works Fleur de Lys Amport No Objection planning sub-committee |
| 08/02003/TPON Height reduction and pruning of 5 yew trees Weyhill Lodge Weyhill Rd No Objection subject to the aboriculturist PS-C. |
| 08/02065/PON Crown lift epicormic growth 1 lime Broadwater No objection subject to the aboriculturist - PSC |
| 08/02060/TREEN tree works – pollarding and crown lifting Land at the Cottage on the Green No Objection subject to the aboriculturist - PSC |
| 08/01408/FULLN Conversion of 1st floor of garage to bedroom plus bathroom and kitchenette, provision of 2 roof lights The Cottage on the Green. No further additions to the original no objection with provision comment. |
| 08/02136/FULLN Erection of garden room to rear 2 Sarson Barns No Objection |
6. Finance
A 3- month budget update was presented (attached to the minutes). No comments
were received.
The following cheques were signed by Ian Morrison and Diana Preston
| John Hanson | book prize – donation | £25.00 |
| Mr Bushell | 3-months bus shelter cleaning | £48.00 |
| S A Hoare | 3-months clerical expenses for Amport PC | £55.67 |
| S A Hoare | Aug+Sept salary | £461.62 |
The cheque for £20.00 for flowers regarding Mrs Mallam’s
retirement from the Council was signed by Charles Stephens and Diana Preston
outside the meeting.
A cheque for Mr Welch re 2- months grass cutting (July and Aug) £395.00 was
signed before the meeting by Charles Stephens and Ian Morrison.
7. AOB and Correspondence
Diana Preston commented that a local resident had noticed an increase in litter
on the Green, this is unfortunate but there is little the PC can do.
Ashley Smith asked if the date of the December meeting was the 15th,
generally it is earlier on the 8th but those councillors present
agreed that a more festive meeting on the 15th was agreeable
.Therefore the date of the DECEMBER MEETING IS CONFIRMED AS THE 15TH
. Clerk to inform relevant bodies.
The Meeting closed at 9.05 pm.
The date of the next meeting is October 20th at Amport School at 7.45pm