THE MINUTES OF THE MONTHLY PARISH COUNCIL MEETING HELD ON TUESDAY 13th SEPTEMBER, 2016 IN THE KEN STAINER SUITE AT DURLEY MEMORIAL HALL, DURLEY AT 7.30 p.m.
5 Parish Councillors, County/District Councillor Humby, Mrs Anne Collins (Clerk), Kirstie Baines (Headteacher) and 7 parishioners were present.
1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Apologies were received from Cllr Charles and Cllr Delmege.
2. ANY DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST UNDER THE CODE OF CONDUCT. There
were no Declarations of Interest declared.
3. THE MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 9th AUGUST, 2016 WERE READ, CONFIRMED AND SIGNED.
4. MATTERS ARISING:
(a) Drainage at The Sawmills update. The Clerk has been in contact with Playdale (the original installers of the play equipment) and they were unable to supply a drainage engineer who would be able to help. She is now trying other play area specialists. Cllr Smith said that the Village Green is now a lot drier and children are playing on it.
(b) Flooding at Beech Corner and outside of School – Update from CC Humby. CC Humby reported that the ditch has been dug in Stapleford Lane and the ditch reinstated where an illegal lay-by has been used. The pipe under the road will be installed shortly The Clerk said that she has been trying to arrange a Meeting about a Grant which might help towards some of the cost for elderly residents who have spent £15,000 on flood defences to protect their property. CC Humby said that there has been a Meeting with the School to discuss measures which could be taken to prevent flooding in future at the School. Maps show where the flooding occurs and it has been suggested that a holding area be created for water in the memorial garden opposite the School. Drains have been cleared, air bricks have been changed and barriers have been made for doors at the School. Once the Maps have been studied by HCC for various flood prevention methods CC Humby will get back to us with their conclusions. HCC do not wish to put something in place that does not work. Beech Corner and the School are the worse affected areas in Durley, but Parsonage Lane is also another concern as the road floods outside of 1 Hazeldene on a regular basis. This will also be looked at to see if anything can be done.
(c) Fly-tipping in the buffer area at The Sawmills. Clerk sent out a letter to the resident who dumped the rubbish and gave them 7 days to pick it up or the Parish Council will pick it up and send them the bill. The rubbish has been cleared so no further action will be taken by Durley Parish Council.
(d) HCC Parish Lengthsman Scheme. Clerk reported that everything is in place and our Groundsman at The Sawmills is willing to be our Parish Lengthsman. The Clerk has now received the Grant of £2,200 as a Lead Parish for this Scheme. £1,000 will be sent to Upham Parish Council for their Lengthsman to be paid and £200 will be paid to the Clerk for administration costs and then £1,000 will be left for Durley Parish Council to use on our Lengthsman. Clerk has printed Maps of all the footpaths in Durley and Upham and will distribute them to the Lengthsmen, along with a Work Schedule.
(e) Brick wall outside of Priory View has been repaired by WCC.
(f) Fly-tipping in Durley. Clerk has received several reports of fly-tipping in Durley over the past month. 2 on this weekend alone – one in Greenwood Lane completely blocking the road and another in the lay-by in Netherhill. A resident witnessed a vehicle with rubbish on the back and then coming back empty in Greenwood Lane and this has been reported to WCC. However, as she did not actually see them fly-tipping it is likely that nothing will be done. As we do not appear to be able to put up cctv cameras the Clerk suggested just putting up signs stating that we have cctv in operation to try and deter fly-tippers. Councillors agreed that signs should be purchased as it is little cost and will hopefully make potential fly-tippers think twice. CC Humby updated residents and Councillors on the current situation with fly-tipping in the area and what can be done. A resident asked about the replanting of trees in Church Copse. CC Humby will ask the Forestry Commission for an update. Clerk will put into the Parish Magazine how to report fly tipping via the WCC website.
5. COUNTY COUNCILLOR’S REPORT: CC Humby reported on the Consultation which
was held recently on the Waste Disposal Sites in Hampshire. All 24 sites will stay open at the moment, although their hours of opening will be reduced. Most sites will be able to accept commercial waste although it will cost a small amount. CC Humby has held a Meeting with all relevant Authorities to try and produce a Fly Tipping Strategy which will mean that all Authorities will work together to try and resolve this huge problem in Hampshire. CC Humby has attended a Meeting with George Hollingbery MP to discuss with a Minister to get a change in the law to allow the charging of taking waste to the tip. This would then generate funds to keep and improve services.
6. DISTRICT COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS: DC Humby, DC Mclean and DC Miller. DC Humby said that he has now taken on a new role of Income Generation.
7. PUBLIC PARTICIPATION ITEMS BY INVITATION OF THE CHAIRMAN.
Most residents attending were there to discuss the fly-tipping in Durley and flooding which are discussed in other sections of the Minutes.
One resident who lived near the Durley Recreation Ground asked if the hedge behind the Pavilion could be cut back. Peter – our Parish Lengthsman will be asked to do this.
Two residents were concerned about the speed of traffic going down Parsonage Lane. As residents find it difficult to come out of their driveways it was suggested that the Clerk write to the owners of hedges along the right-hand side of Parsonage Lane (as you come from The Sawmills) to ask if they would cut their hedges down so that sightlines are better. Two large mirrors have been placed opposite 1 Hazeldene which deflect lights and the sun which is distracting. This is a Highways issue and Councillors were not sure about the legal side of putting these mirrors up on Highways land. Clerk will investigate.
8. CORRESPONDENCE:
(a) External Audit Report completed and approved.
(b) Insurance for 2016/17 renewal. Clerk read out the quote for the renewal and said that there would be a 5% reduction in fees if we signed up for a further LTC until 2019. Councillors agreed that it would be beneficial to have a further Contract and get the 5% reduction.
(c) Letter from resident regarding slow broadband speeds in Durley. Councillors agreed that broadband speeds in Durley appear to have got slower rather than faster recently. Clerk suggested putting a note in the Parish Council Report asking if residents would e-mail the Parish Council with their broadband speeds so that we could compare various parts of the village and what speeds they achieve, perhaps we could also ask who their provider is as this also might make a difference. Councillors agreed that this would be a useful exercise. Clerk will also ask Glen Peacey if there is any further update on when Durley would be getting a better service. Sometimes there is no internet at all!
(d) Electoral Review of Hampshire: Final Recommendations. It was noted that Durley will still be in the Bishops Waltham Ward.
9. SCHOOL REPORT: Kirstie Baines (Headteacher) reported that the School was flooded again in June and all the carpets, flooring and half the furniture had to be replaced. As reported some flood prevention measures have been taken.
10. NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT: Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinator. Linda Summers has now sold her property and hopes to move shortly. She has asked Sheena Judd and Joyce Simmons if they would like to take the Lead for the Neighbourhood Watch Co-ordinators, neither is interested. However, Linda did say that there is not much activity as most residents now look on the internet for information. Cllr Watts will ask at the next PACT Meeting where we go from here.
11. HIGHWAYS REPORT: Cllr Farr said that many of the pot holes which have been reported have been filled. Lorries are still travelling through Durley with sand/gravel. Cllr Pitter said that some are going to Torbay Farm and should not be travelling through Durley but using the main roads. Clerk will write to the developers and ask them to use the approved routes.
12. FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS: Councillors agreed invoices presented by the Clerk and signed cheques as agreed.
13. HALL: Toilets have been replaced in the Hall. Re-painting of the foyer, toilets and kitchen will take place shortly. Clerk has received a quote of £650 plus £200 for materials to re-paint the foyer, toilets and kitchen areas. Councillors agreed that this was an acceptable quote and agreed that the Clerk should ask for the work to be carried out. Cllr Smith asked if a video of the Hall could be taken to show what the Hall has to offer. This was agreed.
14. RECREATION GROUND: Cllr Watts reported that the only concern was that the grass cutting is either cut very low or high. Clerk will contact OCS and ask that they cut the grass evenly.
15. PLANNING:
16/01444/FUL. Mr & Mrs Barney. Detached garage block. The Bungalow, Gregory Lane, Durley. GRANTED.
16/01805/FUL. Mr and Mrs Richmond. Proposed demolition of existing garage and erection of new garage and annexe. 2 Majuba Cottages, Manor Road, Durley. Councillors had no objection to this application, but wished to make a comment that the annexe should not be sold as a separate dwelling in the future.
16/01782/FUL. Mr C Page. Change of use from existing stable block to dwelling. Land to the east of Maybank Cottage, Durley Hall Lane, Durley. Councillors agreed that an objection should be made as there is no Planning sign up outside of the property, if approved this application would set a precedent for future development in Durley and there is no justification for an additional dwelling on this size of plot.
Clerk will chase up Enforcement cases which were reported in Durley Hall Lane and Durley Street.
16. THERE BEING NO FURTHER BUSINESS THE CHAIRMAN DECLARED THE
MEETING CLOSED AT 9.15 p.m.
