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.
