AMPORT PARISH COUNCIL
Minutes of the AGM held on Monday 17th May 2010 at 7.45 pm at Amport School
1. Present
Lt Col Charles Stephens (Vice Chairman), Mr Bill Gore,
Mrs Sarah Hammer, Mr Nicholas Hoare, Mr Ian Long (arrived 8pm), and Mrs Suzanne
Hoare (Clerk)
Apologies, Mr Ian Morrison (Chairman), Mrs Jean Arnell, Mrs Tanya Garman, Mr
Ashley Smith and Mr Tim Southern TVBC Councillor.
The village correspondent and HCC Councillor Pat West were present.
3 members of the public were present.
2. Minutes of the Previous Meetings.
Charles Stephens welcomed Neil Warren to the meeting,
who was attending the meeting with a view to joining the Parish Council.
The minutes from the April meeting were approved and signed having been proposed
by Nicholas Hoare and seconded by Bill Gore.
The minutes of the Annual Parish Meeting were approved and signed having been
proposed by Sarah Hammer and seconded by Bill Gore.
3. Election of Officers
Chairman
Charles Stephens proposed Ian Morrison as Chairman (Ian Morrison had
previously indicated his willingness to stand) he was seconded by Nicholas
Hoare.
Vice Chairman
Charles Stephens was proposed as Vice Chairman by Bill Gore and was seconded
by Sarah Hammer.
Footpaths Bill Gore was proposed by Charles Stephens and seconded
by Nicholas Hoare.
Jean Arnell will be asked to continue as the Responsible Financial Officer (to be confirmed).
Sarah Hammer agreed to continue as Schools Liaison Officer.
Ian Long agreed to continue as Officer with responsibility for the Green.
None of the councillors present were prepared to take on the Role of liaison Officer for HALC and TVA of PC’s.
The bank signatures will remain the same – IM/CS/BG (any 2 from 3).
The above elections were agreed by all councillors present tonight.
4. Matters Arising from the last meeting and Declarations of Interest
No declarations of interest were offered.
The Goal Posts were discussed and a proposal for one set is to be taken down
and one set is to remain during the summer was agreed. Neil
Warren who helped Ian Morrison take one set down was asked to mark the
grass to indicate where the goal posts can be re erected in September ( this can
be very difficult). The posts need to be re erected
before the school pitches are marked out at the beginning of the autumn term. NW/IM
The membership of HALC was discussed and councillors were reminded that it is
referenced as a source of information in the risk assessment and as such it was
agreed to continue with the membership for a further year, whilst constantly
reviewing its value to the council. Clerk and Council
5. Reports
The Track
All Councillors had had the chance to read the notes taken at the recent
meeting held at the track with Ray Alborough. Charles Stephens highlighted some
important issues that were raised at the meeting.
 | Clarify ownership – this needs more investigation IM/Clerk |
| A full specification needs producing to enable quotes to be sought - Brain Nolan. In general the base of the track was declared solid by Ray Alborough with scraping and top compacting of MOT 1 material needed. |
| Seek further assistance from HCC or TVBC if required. |
| Approach companies engaged in local projects i.e. Andover Airfield development. |
The track will continue as an agenda item at the next meeting.
The Green and Amport Fen
Charles Stephens reported on the fen in Ashley Smith’s absence, 2
working parties have recently been held and the fen is looking very good. It was
felt a shame that the writer of the critical letter in the Andover Advertiser
hadn’t contacted the Parish Council directly to determine what projects were
currently underway.
Ian Long asked if the nettles behind the benches on the Green would be cut
this year. It was agreed that Mr Welch be asked if he was able to cut them and
quote for the task Clerk
A local resident Mr Jeff Nolan has contacted the Parish Council about the
ditch on the Green, he felt it was filling up and could impair the drainage at
the bottom of Furzedown lane. This ditch was cleared last year by HCC and the
council was informed that it would not be cleared again free of charge. Ian
Long agreed to look at the ditch to check on the level of silt by the
drainage outlet. The issue of responsibility for clearance of the ditch needs to
be addressed and perhaps help will be sought again from HCC Councillor Pat West.
Footpaths and Highways
Bill Gore said the first cut of the footpaths would go ahead next month,
Clive Hutchinson was awaiting instruction.
The Pumping of effluent at East Cholderton has caused the hard standing by
the pumping Station to break up. Tim Southern will be contacted to see if this
can be repaired.
Foul water is again coming up the drains opposite Flagons on Monxton Road;
the clerk will contact Southern Water about this
problem.
Mrs Joe Scott a resident from East Cholderton attended the start of the
meeting to bring to the attention of the council the continuing problem of
speeding along Wiremead Lane. A discussion took place on what options were open to the Parish Council and
Charles Stephens asked that this matter be an agenda item next time. More
information will be sought on mobile speed warnings. The Police will be written
to for advice however the road has no record of accidents so they may not be
able to act. Clerk /IM/CS
6. Planning Applications
| 10/00872/TREEN Fell 2 sycamore Broad Meadow 1 Sarson Barns No Objection subject to the aboriculturist…….. PSC prior to meeting |
| 10/00956/FULLN Provision of a 1.7m high boundary fence Tamarisk Dauntsey Lane Weyhill No Objection |
7. Planning Results
| 09/01357/FULLN Erection of dwelling at Land Adjacent Westmead Amesbury Rd Weyhill. Permission |
| 09/01659/FULLN Erection of detached dwelling on site of mobile home at Middlecot Stables, Middlecot, Quarley, AMPORT 1 Day Hearing - 5 May 2010 - The Lights, Andover |
| 10/00594/TREEN Fell T2 + T3 - Ash trees - Upper Haydown Cottage, Wiremead Lane, East Cholderton Permission |
| 10/00557/TREEN T1 (Sycamore) - Remove branch to right, reduce branches over lawn by 4.5m and 8m; T2 (Weeping Willow) - Crown reduce to 6m; T3 (Christmas Tree) - Fell; T4 (Leylandi) Fell -Spinney Hill, Wiremead Lane, East Cholderton Permission |
| 10/00644/TPON Fell 1 Yew tree -Upper Haydown Cottage, Wiremead Lane, East Cholderton Permission |
| 10/00872/TREEN Fell 2 Sycamore -Broad Meadow 1 Sarson Barns, Monxton Road, Amport Permission |
| 10/00699/FULLN Provision of canopy over entrance door at numbers 1 and 6, reduction to bank along flank wall of No 6 and erection of retaining wall together with creation of access to garden with new pedestrian gate and repair and re-capping of garden wall -Sheppard Almshouses, The Green, Amport Permission |
8. Finance
The following cheques were presented at tonight’s meeting.
They were signed by Charles Stephens and Bill Gore.
| S A Hoare | May salary | £243.55 |
| Mr Welch | £237.00 | |
| David Preston | Website costs | £84.50 |
| HALC | £282.00 | |
| Aon Insurance | £764.65 | |
| Leaving Gift | £26.27 |
The above cheques were approved by all councillors present tonight.
The second section of the Audit was completed tonight, this having been sent
via e-mail to all councillors before the meeting. The form was duly completed
and approved by those councillors present. Approval was made for a signature to
be sought from Jean Arnell outside of this meeting (in her role as RFO).
The Audit sheet will now be sent to the Internal Auditor, Mr Martin Startup,
for his approval prior to it being sent onto the Audit Commission.
It was noted that this year Amport is in a 5% sample for an intermediate
Audit where more information on balances and insurance cover is required.
9. AOB and Correspondence
Charles Stephens read out the Thank you card received from Diana Preston on
her retirement from the Parish Council.
A get well card will be sent to Tanya Garman as she has recently undergone a
spell in hospital CS
Pat West updated the Parish Council on the forthcoming traffic problems at
Red Post bridge and at 100 acre roundabout.
Red Post Bridge will be closed for a time whilst the bridge is replaced. Upon
completion, traffic lights will be installed as visibility at the crossing point
will be reduced.
Work on the new roundabout will commence in the next few weeks. The bridge
should already be in place but there have been delays.
Charles Stephens thanked Pat West, Caroline Unwin and visitors as they left
the meeting.
10. New Councillor
Charles Stephens thanked Neil Warren for attending tonight’s meeting of the
Parish Council.
Questions were than asked of Neil Warren as to why he wanted to join the PC
and what he felt he could offer the Parish. A short discussion followed and Neil
Warren was invited by those Councillors present to join the Council.
The clerk will deliver relevant paperwork for completion to Neil
Warren.
The Meeting closed at 9.30 pm.
The next Ordinary meeting will be held at Amport School 7.45pm on Monday 21st May