AMPORT PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the Ordinary Meeting held on Monday 20th October 2008 at 7.45 pm in Amport School Hall.
1. Present
Mr I. Morrison, (Chairman), Lt Col Stephens, (Vice Chairman ) Mrs Tanya Garman,
Mr Nicholas Hoare, Mrs Diana Preston, Mr Ashley Smith and Mrs Suzanne Hoare
(Clerk)
Apologies Mr Bill Gore, Mrs Sarah Hammer, Mrs Jean Arnell, Mr Ian Long and Mr
Tim Southern - TVBC Councillor
Cllr Pat West (HCC) was present. (Arrived 8.15pm)
The village correspondent and 1 member of the public was present.
2. Minutes of the Previous Meeting.
The minutes were agreed and signed after, having been proposed by Diana Preston
and seconded by Nicholas Hoare.
3. Matters Arising from the last meeting and Declarations of Interest
 | Ian Morrison to liaise with Johanna Ferguson to arrange a meeting to discuss possible boundary changes in the Quarley area. |
| Moles continue to move into the Green despite moth balls being placed in the holes – Clerk to contact Mr Welch to see if this is an immediate problem. |
| The date of the December meeting is still not settled; Ian Morrison asked Ashley Smith if the meeting room at the Hawk Conservancy was available for a more informal December meeting. Suggested dates were at the beginning of the week commencing the 15th December (excluding Monday). Ashley Smith to let the Clerk know availability |
No declarations of interest were made.
4. Reports
The Green and Amport Fen
Responsibility for the drainage ditch on the Green
continues to be contentious, several quotes for the clearance have been received
and a local resident is concerned that his property is at risk of flooding.
During the discussion on this issue, Cllr Pat West arrived with good news for
the Parish Council - Paul Walsh from the Highways Department had agreed that his
Department would clear the ditch as a one-off solution to the risk of flooding.
Thereafter it was felt that once clear, the community workers would be able to
maintain the state of the ditch to alleviate the risk of flooding. Cllr West was
thanked for her help in this matter.
Amport School are about to start a building project to
construct a new classroom. The Head Teacher has approached the Parish Council
via Ian Long to ask if an area of the Green could be used to store materials and
provide a base for the project portacabin etc.
The project is set to start in mid-February and complete in mid-July; use of the
Green could reduce the cost of the project as lifting equipment and stores over
roadside cables would be expensive.
Ian Morrison stated that the Parish Council fully supported the project and
asked Parish Councillors present for their comments on the scheme.
All Councillors considered that some space on the Green could be used and
Nicholas Hoare felt the area asked for - 100 sq mts was available using only the
grasscrete surface, this found favour with Councillors who were worried about
the normal summer events on the grass. In fact use of the normal grass area was
at this time considered unsuitable.
Questions were raised as to use of the Talbot-Rice’s field opposite the
school; most councillors felt that a combination of the grasscrete area, the
playground and possibly some space in the field opposite the school was the best
solution.
Ian Morrison to ask for a meeting with Mrs Fleet and the Architect
to gain more information before a final decision is made.
Footpaths and Highways
The northern end of Footpath 6 continues to cause concern; there is doubt over
the responsibility for this area and what remedial work is needed. A
site meeting with concerned parties would be useful and this will be arranged
with Bill Gore on his return.
A bill for a damaged street lantern at Fairways has been received from
Hampshire CC, confusion over the costing of street lighting remains a concern of
this Council. A proposed private finance initiate devolving responsibility from
HCC is set to happen shortly. However questions asked by this council on the
plans effects on our 3 lights have not been satisfactorily addressed. Cllr Pat
West was asked to help clarify the matter with HCC and information on our lights
was passed across at the meeting.
Tesco Application
Dismay was expressed by all parties concerning Tesco’s announcement that
it would be unable to meet some of the traffic management targets set out in the
planning application, Cllr West reported that HCC would not relax any of the
conditions imposed.
The Planning control meeting is still set for Dec 1st, with Southern
Area councillors being lobbied by the STOP campaign.
Weyhill Play Area
Ian Morrison had attended a meeting with Sarah Hammer
and an advisor from TVBC, a plan is being produced and will be brought to the
Parish Council meeting when available.
5. Planning Applications
None
6. Planning results
| 08/01949/FULLN Erection of double garage at Nether Cottage Refused |
| 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 Permission |
7. Finance
The following cheques were signed by Ian Morrison and Charles Stephens
| Smith of Derby | – clock maintenance | £200.93 |
| Mr Welch | 3 cuts September | £237.00 |
| Southern Water | £16.66 | |
| S A Hoare | Oct | £230.81 |
| Clive Hutchinson | 2 cuts of village footpaths | £1600.00 |
| Donation to Church | loo hire | £123.38 |
All the above cheques were approved by those councillors present.
8. AOB and Correspondence
No items of correspondence prompted comment.
Caroline Unwin asked if the Parish Council would consider sponsoring the Porta
Loo needed for a forth coming fundraising evening. The funds raised would go
towards the development of the kitchen and toilet needed at the Church for its
use by the community. Councillors voted to donate the cost of hire on this
occasion.
The Meeting closed at 9.25 pm.
The date of the next meeting is November 17th at Amport School at 7.45pm