Durley Parish Council held its Monthly Parish Council Meeting on Tuesday 14th February, 2017 in the Ken Stainer Suite at Durley Memorial Hall. 7 Parish Councillors, District Councillor David Mclean, the Clerk – Mrs Anne Collins, Kirstie Baines (Headteacher), PC Chatwin, PCSO Slater and 3 parishioners were present.
Apologies were received from County Councillor/District Councillor Humby and District Councillor Miller.
Clerk reported that the play area in The Sawmills is still too wet to carry out the drainage work so the Contractor will commence the work in March/April time when the ground is drier.
Councillors were pleased that the pipe under Durley Brook Road connecting the ditches is going to be installed shortly. The Road Closure Notices have been put up and a diversion will be in place. Buses will not be going through the village so residents will need to phone the Bus Company or HCC for bus diversions. Clerk has asked HCC Highways if the reinstatement of the sides of the road in Snakemoor Lane can be carried out whilst the road is closed, she has also asked EBC if they will carry out a litter pick during this time as it would be a lot safer.
A Report was given to Councillors on the recent Parish Plan Meeting. Apart from members of the Parish Plan Team there were only 2 residents attending the Carnival Meeting held recently so it has been agreed that a Carnival will not be able to go ahead this year. If there are ideas for other village events/activities then residents can make suggestions to the Parish Plan Team via the village website. Allotments have been offered to those residents who wished to have an allotment in Albany Road, Bishops Waltham, which is ideal as they are right on the boundary of Durley parish and have great facilities. The Parish Plan Team visited these allotments and BW are only took happy for Durley residents to use them as they do have un-used allotments available. At the present time no Durley residents have made enquiries to BW. A village Apple Picking Day might be arranged as there is fruit grown in the village which is not picked. A Community Orchard will also be looked at. The Good Neighbours Group is working well and has many volunteers to help those who need a hand in the village. The Village gateway signs are moving forward.
Cllr Charles and the Clerk attended a Southern Parishes Meeting. CC Humby spoke at the Meeting about fly-tipping, the Botley By-pass and Eastleigh Borough Council planning. The Group is also in the process of agreeing a Constitution so that they can respond on various issues affecting the southern parishes.
A Planning Seminar was attended by the Chairman and Clerk to see how to negotiate with developers when there is a development proposal in the village. The Seminar was interesting but as Durley is not allocated any development at the moment the information gained will not be used at the moment.
DC Mclean gave a District Councillors’ Report. He informed Councillors of the new Officers appointed at WCC and said that the Winchester Local Plan has now been adopted and the Inspector found it to be sound. Fly-tipping prosecutions have been taking place and it is hoped that this will reduce the offending rate. DC Mclean reported that there are 20 Apprenticeships available which are on the WCC website if anyone would like to apply. The Development Plan for the Gypsy and Traveller Sites in Winchester is progressing.
A Deed of Dedication – Adoption Certificate has been received for The Sawmills. Clerk will now see if the road markings can be progressed by HCC.
A Licence Application for a Charity Event on the first weekend of September was discussed with the applicant/organiser and Parish Councillors. The organisers said that this will be a family event and with no fireworks. It is to raise money for the Heart Ward at Southampton General Hospital. The noise levels will be monitored and previous events have been organised in other areas very well. Parish Councillors agreed to support the Licence this year and then review after the event for future years if a request is made in the future.
Councillors agreed to apply for the HCC Parish Lengthsman Scheme again for the 2017-18 year as it has worked well this year.
PC Chatwin and PCSO Slater gave a Police Report stating statistics for the year. Durley is a low crime rate area. Parking at junctions and speeding are the main problems for Durley. The Police will monitor the parking at Beech Corner Garage and the School areas. PCSO Slater will visit Lunch Club to discuss with members the latest scams that are in operation.
Cllr Pitter has reported any pot holes which have appeared in Durley and will keep them monitored. The two large ones in Durley Street will be reported again as they come out every time they are filled.
The Clerk gave a Financial Report for February.
The tiling of the Hall kitchen and foyer has now been completed. Councillors were pleased with the result and it certainly brightens up the Hall entrance. It is hoped that small folding tables can be purchased with a Grant from WCC. These will be easier for hirers to put up and take down.
A Planning Application for permitted development at Durley Brook Farm to convert 3 agricultural buildings into dwellings was discussed. Councillors felt that an Objection should be made to WCC on the grounds of safety, flooding and highways. Kirstie Baines was present and expressed the concern of the Primary School. It is hoped that Planning Officers will see that this is a unique case as the only way to enter these 3 new dwellings would be via the School track and the safety of our young children should be a high priority.
Anne Collins
Clerk to Durley Parish Council
durleypc@homecall.co.uk
