Durley Parish Council held its Monthly Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday 8th December, 2015 in the Ken Stainer Suite at Durley Memorial Hall, Durley. 6 Parish Councillors, County/District Councillor Humby, the Clerk – Mrs Anne Collins and PCSO Richard Nolan were in attendance, along with 5 parishioners.

Apologies were received from Cllr Pitter and District Councillor Ruffell.

County Councillor Humby said that Patrick Blogg has now been appointed by HCC to help try to achieve a faster broadband for Hampshire. CC Humby and other officers are meeting to discuss if the State Aid Rules can be challenged to enable a 3rd party to get involved in providing faster broadband.

Further quotes will be sought for the drainage on the Sawmills Green and Play Area. A decision will then be made as to whether the work is carried out all at once or in two phases.

Councillors and residents are still concerned about the parking at Beech Corner and at the end of Manor Road. Photographs have been taken by residents and these will be compiled and forwarded to HCC. CC Humby has also taken this up with HCC on our behalf. PCSO Nolan said that the Police will also help when they are covering this area.

Cllr Charles and the Clerk attended an Emergency Planning Workshop in Winchester and found it very interesting and informative. Durley is in the process of updating their Emergency Plan and were told at the Meeting that Plans should be kept as short and concise as possible so that it can be read quickly in an emergency situation. Flooding was discussed and areas which regularly flood were of concern to the Emergency Planning Team. Beech Corner properties are flooded on a regular basis so a visit was offered. This offer will be taken up to try and see if a resolution could be achieved. HCC have dug out the ditch along Durley Brook Road again, but Councillors are still not confident that this will stop the flooding into properties near Beech Corner. This problem has been going on for 9 years and Councillors agree that it is time it was sorted.

Cllr Delmege attended a School Meeting and reported that the main issues discussed were the proposed lay-by and speeding vehicles. Clerk was asked to find out when the School Meetings are being held so that a Councillor is able to attend.

Cllr Burton said that the Durley Parish Plan is progressing and some of the issues raised are now being worked on. There will be a Public Meeting on Thursday 18th February, 2016 at 8.00 p.m. to update residents on the progress and then prepare for some of the Groups to be set up if there is still sufficient interest. The Groups will be the easy to set up Groups that need little or no financial support. Notices about the Meeting will be put on the village noticeboards and website. The Village website will also be updated and given links to various organisations within the village. Durley Parish Council agreed to pay the set up cost and the yearly hosting fee. Ian Medd is plotting all the Durley road signs on a Map of Durley so that the Parish Plan Team can see which signs are actually needed and which ones are obsolete. Villag entry signs are also being looked at.

CC Humby gave a Report saying that he has been working hard on rural broadband, rural Post Offices and highways issues. He is also meeting with Louise Hubble to discuss rural crime. CC Humby spoke about the Botley By-pass which looks as if it is going ahead.

A parishioner present asked the Parish Council if they were going to provide a memorial to Sir Jeremy Black who sadly passed away recently. A relative was also present who suggested that perhaps fruit trees could be planted on The Sawmills Green to replace the 3 trees which had died, or perhaps a wooden bench. It was pointed out that many families wish to have a memorial in the village and that this could be considered at a future Meeting.

A request from the Bus Company that comes through Durley was read out. They are asking if landowners along Durley Street/Durley Brook Road/Snakemoor Lane etc. could keep their hedges and bushes cut back from the roadside as some overhanging branches etc. are damaging their new buses. Councillors were concerned that if the hedges, trees, bushes are not cut back then the Bus Company might refuse to come through Durley, which would making travelling very difficult for those residents who rely on the bus service.

An e-mail was receiving expressing concern over the proposed School lay-by. Kirstie has now sent a revised Plan which is half the length of the previous proposal. Councillors were concerned about the proposal and wished to know who has been consulted from the village and what the results were of the consultation. Concern was also expressed that CC Humby had not been informed of the revised Plan until the Clerk forwarded him the details, especially as he has been working very hard on this project and has secured the funding required.

A large sign which has been erected in The Sawmills has received complaints and the Clerk has asked Persimmon Homes if the owner could remove it.

A Devolution Workshop on 1st March, 2016 in Winchester will be attended by Cllr Charles and the Clerk.

PCSO Nolan gave Police Report and said that he hopes to attend the Parish Council Meetings quarlerly as well as attend Events in the village. He has visited Durley Lunch Club recently to see the elderly residents of the village.

A Highways Report was given by Cllr Farr and Cllr Watts reported that a Contractor cleaning out the drains was outside her property at 4.00 a.m. with yellow flashing lights which woke everyone up. She asked if this was normal practice. Clerk will ask HCC Highways if this is normal to carry out this work at 4.00 a.m.

Cllr Charles has fitted the baby changing facilities into the disabled toilet at the Hall. Non-Hall rubbish was dumped into the Hall bin recently which filled the bin up. Councillors agreed that this is not acceptable and that the bin is to be used for Hall rubbish only. It is hoped that this will not happen again.

There being no further business the Chairman wished everyone a Happy Christmas and New Year and then declared the Meeting closed.

Anne Collins
Clerk to Durley Parish Council
durleypc@homecall.co.uk

Durley Parish Council held its Monthly Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday 13th October, 2015 in the Ken Stainer Suite at Durley Memorial Hall, Durley. 6 Parish Councillors, County/District Councillor Humby, the Clerk – Mrs Anne Collins and 2 parishioners were present. Kirstie Baines (Headteacher) was in attendance to give a School Report.

Apologies were received from Cllr Smith and District Councillor Ruffell.

CC Humby gave Councillors an update on the progress that has been made by HCC to try and achieve faster broadband for Durley. There is still a long way to go, but HCC is putting pressure on BT to provide more rural villages with a faster broadband.

A County Councillor Grant was approved towards the drainage of the Play Area at The Sawmills. Cllr Pitter is looking at an alternative quote and will get back to Councillors when he has received it.

Durley Parish Councillors agreed to adopt the Parish Plan Action Plan and were looking forward to implementing some of the Actions which were highlighted in the Plan.

Cllr Farr and the Clerk attending a Meeting on Recycling which was attended by Rob Heathcock. Rob explained how the recycling contracts were agreed and worked out. Schemes operating in the Winchester District were working well, but could always be improved and assessed, although the Scheme does have to be cost effective.

Parking at the entrance to Manor Road and at Beech Corner are still causing problems for anyone who is trying to come out of Manor Road and Stapleford Land or Church Lane. Cones have now been placed at the end of Manor Road which has helped this problem. Councillors have been asked for double lines at these locations to stop vehicles from parking in this dangerous position. A request will still be pursued as it was felt that this is still very dangerous and an accident waiting to happen. A Pay Phone sign at the end of Church Lane which is no longer required was asked to be removed, as it has still not be taken down a request will again be put in for its removal.

Cllr Charles attended a Planning Coach Tour on 9th October. This was well supported and he encouraged any Councillors who had the opportunity in future to try and go on this Tour.

Cllr Delmege and the Clerk attended a Code of Conduct Training. Although this was vaulable there has been no changes since the last Training Session.

Cllr Charles gave a Report of the Hampshire Association of Parish Councils’ AGM which he attended on 10th October. Cllr Roy Perry – Leader of HCC spoke about Devolution which will be upon us in the future.

County Councillor Humby reported that he had attended a Rural Forum Network Meeting in Cheltenham and the items on the Agenda included Affordable Housing, Broadband and Rural Isolation. Cllr Humby also spoke about Andover Mind – which helps understand dementia patients.

Flooding at Beech Corner is a constant worrying problem each time we have rain and photographs were shown to Councillors giving details of how much flooding was affecting the properties and residents in the Beech Corner area. Parish Councillors and CC Humby will do all they can to help the situation. CC Humby will meet with Lisa Davis (Highways Officer) and see how we can sort out this problem. HCC have done some work, but it has not resolved the issue.

Kirstie Baines gave Councillors a School Report and this included a Survey which was carried out by the School showing the way in which children get to and from School each day. Councillors were then informed of draft proposals for a revised footway and drop-off lay-by outside of the School to try and help with the parking problems. Final plans have not been drawn up yet, but some funding has been secured towards the project.

Cllr Farr said that all pot holes which have been reported have been filled in. Cllr Pitter was thanked for reporting the pot holes on-line and following them up.

Clerk gave a Hall Report stating that the sound system has now been repaired. Baby changing facilities will be installed in the disabled toilet and a deep clean will be carried out in the toilet areas.

There being no further business the Chairman declared the Meeting closed.

Durley Parish Council held its Monthly Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday 11th August, 2015 in the Ken Stainer Suite at Durley Memorial Hall, Durley. 7 Parish Councillors, County/District Councillor Humby, District Councillor Ruffell and the Clerk – Mrs Anne Collins were present.

The Chairman Cllr Charles, Cllr Smith and the Clerk met at The Sawmills with Dave Rappini and Patrick Aust from WCC to discuss possible ways of draining the ground on the Green and in the play area so that it is not so wet. The Meeting was constructive and various options will be looked at. Quotes will then be received for any work.

County Councillor Humby informed Councillors about Rural Crime figures which are on the increase, and it is a real concern that Hampshire are 4th in the top ten counties. He is meeting with the Police Authority to discuss why Hampshire’s figures have increased so much compared with other counties. CC Humby also spoke about Devolution and Combined Authorities, which will lead to a consultation process for Parish Councils to comment on. CC Humby was asked if he would find out if a lorry count had been carried out through Durley yet.

District Councillor Ruffell reported on the contribution rates for affordable housing from developers. He was also looking forward to visiting Boom Town before the event commenced. DC Ruffell informed Councillors of the date and procedure of the North Whiteley Planning Application Hearing and Site visit.

Clerk confirmed that the sign which was ordered for The Sawmills showing children crossing/playing has been in situ for some months.

Councillors had no comments on the Statement of Principles – Gambling Act 2005.

Cllr Farr said that most pot holes had been filled in, but some were still marked with white paint ready to be filled in. Parking at the entrance to Manor Road by visitors to the Robin Hood were causing a safety hazard, especially when vehicles park both sides of the road. At times large farm vehicles or emergency vehicles would not have been able to get into Manor Road which is a concern.

Repairs have been carried out in the Hall and Clerk will get the light and fan repaired as soon as possible.

Cllr Watts reported that there will be a larger extractor fan fitted into the changing rooms in the Pavilion to try and help the condensation problems. More signs asking dog owners to keep their dogs on a lead and pick up after their dog have been placed at the Ground. Councillors agree that the Recreation Ground should be a place that everyone can enjoy – young children, footballers and other residents just walking and enjoying the surroundings. Dogs are welcome, but they need to be on a lead and to be picked up after them and consideration should be given to others who use the Recreation Ground.

There being no further business the Chairman declared the Meeting closed.

Durley Parish Council held its Monthly Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday 9th June, 2015 in the Ken Stainer Suite at Durley Memorial Hall, Durley. 5 Parish Councillors, County/District Councillor Humby, the Clerk – Mrs Anne Collins, and 2 parishioners were present. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Pitter, Cllr Delmege, District Councillor Ruffell and PCSO Nolan.

Cllr Burton reported that the Parish Plan Report has been delivered to every household in Durley and the Public Meeting has been arranged for Thursday 25th June at 7.30 p.m. in Durley Memorial Hall.

CC Humby informed Parish Councillors that he is meeting with BT to find out the latest situation with the faster Broadband. He will update Parish Councillors as soon as he has any further information.

The Clerk attended a Consultation at Moorgreen Hospital to see what future facilities it could hold for local parishioners. As Moorgreen is right on the Durley boundary it would be beneficial for Durley residents to be able to have access to some of the services which might be offered in the future. A further Consultation will be held to widen the area of consultation.

Residents attended the Meeting to hear the latest update on the rubbish which has been dumped in Church Copse, Greenwood Lane. The Clerk has been sent e-mails by residents and has been consulting with CC Humby and George Hollingbery MP. CC Humby has been working very hard behind the scenes trying to get this unsatisfactory situation resolved.

CC Humby gave a County Council Report and said that he has been given a new post which incorporated rural affairs, and this would include health, rural broadband, rural isolation and other issues which affect the rural areas.

The Electoral Review of Hampshire County Council was discussed by Councillors and it was agreed that the present system of having 78 Councillors works well and they would not wish to see Durley/Upham split from Bishops Waltham. Councillors proposed that Durley stay in the present Division with Upham and Bishops Waltham.

Parish Councillors were very concerned that during the last month there has been two separate incidents of dead dogs being left in carrier bags in the Hall car park. The Police have been informed and enquiries are being made. Anyone who sees anything unusual in the car park is to either report it to the Clerk, or the Police. This activity is not acceptable and is not a pleasant experience for the Hall staff.

Cllr Farr had nothing to report on highways this month. Some pot hole have been filled in.

There being no further business the Chairman declared the Meeting closed.

Durley Parish Council held its AGM on Tuesday 19th May, 2015 in the Ken Stainer Suite at Durley Memorial Hall, Durley. 5 Parish Councillors, the Clerk – Mrs Anne Collins, and 1 parishioner were present. Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Charles, County/District Councillor Humby and District Councillor Ruffell.

As this is a new Term of Office the following Officers were Elected:

Cllr Charles – Chairman
Cllr Watts – Vice Chairman
Cllr Smith – Hall Committee Chairman
Cllr Pitter – Hall Commitee Vice Chairman
Cllr Farr – Highways Officer
Cllr Smith – Footpaths Officer
Cllr Watts – Recreation Ground Chairman
Cllr Pitter – Transport Representative

Councillors agreed to leave the post of Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator Representative until the next Meeting and after the next PACT Meeting. Another Footpaths Officer was also needed, this will also be agreed at the next Meeting.

Councillors signed the Declaration of Office Forms and the Register of Members’ Interest Forms.

As only 6 Councillors stood at the Election for 7 vacancies, the Clerk has advertised for an additional Parish Councillor to be co-opted. 2 candidates came forward and they were both very good candidates. However, Councillors proposed Steve Delmege to come onto the Parish Council. Steve will be asked to come to the next Parish Council Meeting. The other candidate will be informed that they were unsuccessful on this occasion, but hopefully they will stand again in the future.

Councillors also wished to congratulate Councillor Rob Humby on his re-election as our District Councillor. He could not be at the Meeting as he and District Councillor Ruffell had to attend the first Meeting of WCC after the Election.

The Financial Regulations were adopted as previously.

Cllr Burton said that the Parish Plan Report is going to the Printers at the end of the week and will be then circulated to residents. The Public Parish Plan Meeting will be held on Thursday 25th June at 7.30 p.m. in Durley Memorial Hall. It is hoped that many residents will attend.

The cycle racks have been installed at Durley Memorial Hall (under the stairs outside of the Committee Room). These are being used by school children catching the bus, but they are for anyone to use – be green and come to the Hall functions on your bike!

Views are needed from members of the public on the future use of Moorgreen Hospital. An Open Drop in Event is being held on Thursday 28th May from 5.00 – 6.45 p.m.

An e-mail was shown to Parish Councillors from a resident who lives in Greenwood Lane showing the rubbish which has been dumped at Church Copse. Authorities are aware of the problem.

Some highways problems were reported to Cllr Farr so that they can be reported to HCC Highways. Cllr Pitter offered to take photographs so that exact locations can be found by Officers. Clerk said that the telephone cable is still exposed alongside Mincingfield Lane where the roadside is very bad. The problem is mainly caused by large vehicles pushing in the ditch.

The Chairman and Clerk signed the Annual Return for 2015, and Councillors agreed the Accounting Statements for 2014/15 and Annual Governance Statement for 2014/15. These will now be sent off to the External Auditor.

The Memorial Hall sign over the front door has been re-varnished and some broken ceiling tiles have been replaced.

The swings have been replaced at the Recreation Ground, but the chains to the cradle seat are too short so the Clerk is returning them for longer ones. The tidy-up of the lock up continues and will be completed by the end of the month.

There being no further business the Chairman declared the Meeting closed.