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Godshill Parish Council Minutes - Tuesday 12 January 2010

 

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Present:
Cllr Powell - Chairman
Cllr Mrs Brown
Cllr Mrs Cakebread
Cllr Draper
Cllr Hillier
Cllr Stammers

 

NFDC Cllr Dow

Mr Lugg - Clerk

 

16 members of the public (including Cllr O’Brien who gave his apologies for the meeting but arrived during the meeting and sat with the public)

 

Parish Cllr from Woodgreen Pete Skinner and Mr Richard Vaughan, Manager of Pound Bottom Landfill Site were in attendance for their respective items on the agenda

 

1. Apologies

Apologies were accepted from Cllr O’Brien, and noted from County Cllr Heron.

 

2. To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 8th December 2009

It was resolved by Cllr Stammers and seconded by Cllr Hillier that the minutes of the monthly meeting held on 8th December 2009, having been circulated, be signed as a true record.
All in favour, motion carried.

 

3. Matters arising from the minutes

Nil

 

4. Declarations of interest

Cllrs Draper, Hillier and Powell declared a personal interest in the planning application at Gorse Farm, Blissford Road.

 

Cllr Draper declared a prejudicial interest in the tree works application at Wildwood, Newgrounds – both items to be discussed under planning applications.

 

The respective councillors signed declaration forms.

 

5. Woodgreen Community Shop signage

Following debate at previous meetings, Cllr Pete Skinner from Woodgreen PC who is also involved in the community-owned shop in the village attended to discuss Godshill’s issue with untidy ad hoc signage in Godshill advertising Woodgreen’s shop.

 

Cllr Skinner made a presentation explaining progress with the new shop site, apologising to Godshill for the inconvenience and asking for support to a local business.

 

Following debate and questions it was stated that the informal signage would be removed once the new permanent shop was opened in a maximum of 18 months. The council agreed to monitor the situation with an attitude of supporting local businesses but wishing to avoid proliferation of informal signage.

 

The issue will be revisited as necessary.

 

Cllr Skinner thanked the council for listening, and the Chairman thanked Cllr Skinner for coming to Godshill.


[After meeting note: Following the meeting Mr Vaughan, Manager Pound Bottom Landfill Site contacted shop representatives with an offer to give a grant to support a permanent ‘brown sign’ to advertise the community shop, which Godshill PC had said would be acceptable in the discussion above.]

 

6. Presentation by Mr Vaughan, Manager at Pound Bottom Landfill Site

Following concerns previously voiced at Council, Mr Vaughan attended to discuss the issues of concern to the council and public.

 

Mr Vaughan emphasised the improvement to operations since his employment as manager, twice weekly cleaning of the roads leading to the landfill site, the no-tolerance policy to drivers not obeying site rules, and the employment of local people at the site.

 

He stated that although this was a commercial waste site, it could be arranged for local people to dispose of waste to help the local environment. He also intimated that grants could be requested for local projects and that the company were committed to keeping relations as good as possible with communities.

 

Visits were welcome at the annual Open Day and additional visits could be requested by members of the council simply by phoning him at the site.

 

Following several questions from Cllrs and the public Mr Vaughan was thanked by the Chairman for attending the meeting.

 

7. Public Forum

Two residents living at Crystal Hollow made it clear that they wished to be part of the Godshill community rather than in Fordingbridge from which they felt removed, and looked forward to being consulted by NFDC during the Community Governance Review when they would confirm this.

 

NFDC Cllr Dow confirmed he was supporting the proposal for Crystal Hollow to be part of Godshill as he was aware it was what residents wanted, and had sent a letter to the NFDC Committee Chairman confirming this opinion.


Comments were made by the applicants for the Gorse Farm planning applications, and by several neighbours of the proposed changes in support and objecting to the application.


The Chairman thanked the public for their interest, attendance and comments, which would be noted and considered as appropriate.

 

8. Planning

Applications to consider

 

Application Number Address Proposal
09/94773 Gorse Farm,
Blissford Road,
SP6 2JH		 Change of use of farm building to vet surgery, external alterations, replacement garage, widening of existing access

 

Cllr Draper appraised this application for the benefit of the council.


It was resolved by Cllr Draper to support the application [with comments under] and seconded by Cllr Hillier. Motion carried 4 votes to 2.

 

Comments to be passed to NFNPA:

Planning Authority asked to note that concerns have been voiced by the residents and are shared by the PC with regard to the adequacy of parking provision within the boundaries of the property.

 

There are two consulting rooms so presumably the staff is likely to comprise of two vets, two assistants/nurses and a receptionist, there is no public transport to the area so that will mean that five out of the seven parking places are likely to be taken by staff, one of the remaining two places is shown as disabled which only leaves one other parking space for clients or other visitors, therefore should more parking provision be provided on site.

 

The PC requests that steps are taken to prevent parking on the verges of the very narrow road outside Gorse Farm or in or around the entrance to the vets or Gorse Farm.

 

Also that a condition is imposed ensuring that there is no deterioration of access and safety for both motorists and non motorised users in and around the farm area from that currently experienced, due to the reuse of a redundant farm building.

 

Concern was also expressed that no further expansion should be allowed beyond the reuse of the redundant farm building.

 

Application Number Address Proposal
09/94795 Willow Cottage,

Woodgreen Road

SP6 2LP

 Roof alterations to create new first floor

 

Cllr Stammers appraised this application for the benefit of the council. It was resolved by Cllr Stammers and seconded by Cllr Hillier that this application should be supported.

All in favour, motion carried.

 

Comments to be passed to NFNPA:

Increase in bedrooms means likely increased pressure on the septic tank which already is unable to cope, causing effluent run-off down to Godshill Village Hall.

 

The PC requests a condition that a modern biotreatment tank that has the correct volume capability be installed if this application is approved by the Planning Authority (the tank and its installation should be approved by the Environment Agency).

 

Decisions to note

Nil

 

Tree Works Applications

 

Application Number Address Proposal
09/0378 Sandy Balls Estate

SP6 2JZ

Lime – reduce end weight by up to 25% of 1 branch, crown lift to statutory height (to comply with highway height restrictions).
Oak – reduce length of all limbs by 25% (history of branch failure).
Fell Lime (tree is dying).
Fell 2 Horse chestnut (trees are dead/dying).

 

Tree Officer’s comments received: “I viewed the trees before Christmas and found that the condition of a Lime (tagged 274) and two Horse Chestnuts (tagged 278 and 279) were such that I would consider them exempt from Conservation Area legislation (under section 198(6) trees that are dead, dying or dangerous).

 

The Lime has extensive dieback in the crown and the Chestnuts, though still with healthy crowns, have advanced bleeding canker in the stems and main limbs. This disease, when advanced to this extent, will kill the trees in the foreseeable future and there is an increasing risk of limb failure.

 

The remaining work includes pruning a Lime to prevent obstruction of the highway, and reducing the crown of a declining Oak to live growth points.”

 

At 9.30pm it was resolved by Cllr Stammers and seconded by Cllr Hillier that Standing Orders be suspended in order for the business on the Agenda to be completed. All in favour, motion carried.

 

It was resolved by Cllr Powell and seconded by Cllr Hillier that this application be supported with the request to the planning authority that a condition be placed that expects replanting in the current season with as mature specimens as possible to mitigate the loss of amenity to the community. All in favour, motion carried.

 

Application Number Address Proposal
10/0002

Wildwood,

Newgrounds

SP6 2LJ

 Fell 2 Oak trees
Prune 3 oak trees
Prune 3 Ash trees

 

Cllr Draper had a prejudicial interest and left the room for this item on the Agenda.

The Clerk read out a letter from Cllr Draper in line with the provisions of the Code of Conduct, with regard to the application for the council to consider during their debate.

 

Following debate it was resolved by Cllr Stammers and seconded by Cllr Powell that the council object basis that two Oaks are to be felled for no good reason and the trees appear to be in good condition.

 

The Council also requests that a tree protection order be considered. All in favour, motion carried.

 

9. County Councillor's & District Councillor’s Report

 

HCC Cllr Heron – Cllr Heron had passed a letter to the Clerk with the following paraphrased comments:

 

A338 works over a nine week period under traffic control:

Did not feel HCC could become involved in commenting on how Wiltshire Council best maintain the fabric of their network.

 

Crystal Hollow, Community Governance Review:

Did not intend to make any comment as both Fordingbridge and Godshill were within his Division.

 

Road Widening Problems in Godshill:

Has noted again the comments made by council on 10 Nov 09.

 

Salt Bins:

Informed the council that Leader HCC has committed funds to increase the provision of salt bins within county from 2,000 to 6,000. The council may wish to contact Hampshire Highways to request if they will contribute or fund the two additional salt bins recently agreed by council.

 

NFDC Cllr Dow

No further report following his earlier comments on the District Community Governance Review.

 

The council noted the reports. It was agreed that three more salt bins were needed by the council; two in Blissford Road and one on the road rising to Castle Hill. The Clerk would write to the Highways Authority as suggested by Cllr Heron.

 

10. Finance and Policy

a. Payments Authorised.

 

It was resolved by Cllr Stammers and seconded by Cllr Mrs Cakebread, that the following payments be authorised:

 

  Item Amount
Imagenta PLC Provision of two 350l Forest Green Grit Bins as agreed £274.95
S M Lugg Clerk’s Salary
17 Aug – 31 Dec 09 inclusive		 £796.71 @ £8.545 ph gross
HMRC Income Tax 17 Aug – 31 Dec 09 inclusive £530.40
Broker Network Ltd Council Insurance
7 Dec 09 – 6 Dec 10		 £309.24

 

All in favour, motion carried.

 

11. Outside Bodies

 

a. Sandy Balls.

No report.

 

b. Closure of A338, Wiltshire Council.

The work at short notice over Christmas by Cllr Powell and Cllr Mrs Cakebread to stop the Wiltshire Council’s intention to close the A338 was appreciated by the whole council.

 

The situation remained overall unsatisfactory and it was resolved by Cllr Mrs Cakebread and seconded by Cllr Powell that it be encouraged that the combined parishes and stakeholders involved write one last letter of appeal to the Leader, Wiltshire Council asking for delay in this work and for it to be done properly. All in favour, motion carried.

 

c. Hampshire Minerals & Waste Questionnaire.

Cllr Mrs Cakebread had prepared a response which was commended by the council. It was resolved by Cllr Stammers and seconded by Cllr Powell that the draft response be used by the clerk to respond to Hampshire County Council. All in favour, motion carried.

 

12. Website Development

It was proposed by Cllr Stammers and seconded by Cllr Mrs Brown that the tlc-online website proposal be accepted in principle, to the limit of the budget and that Cllr Stammers meet with tlc-online and all interested parties in a separate meeting to discuss how practical progress should be made, with urgency. All in favour, motion carried.

 

13. Community Governance Review

It was noted that Boundary Cottage could not be included in the NFDC CGR as it sat on the county boundary and would need to be picked up in the next cross-border review. Unfortunately in the last Wiltshire review Hampshire had not been consulted so the opportunity had been missed.

 

It was proposed by Cllr Powell and seconded by Cllr Stammers that Cllr Stammers would represent the council at the NFDC CGR meeting on 15 Jan at the offices of NFDC.

All in favour, motion carried.

 

14. Current Items for Consideration at February Meeting

Update on Countryside Access Improvements
CPRE Call for Evidence on Light Pollution
Annual Review on the Effectiveness of Internal Audit.

 

The meeting closed at 10.20pm.


Next meeting:

Tuesday 8 February 2010


Steven Lugg
Clerk to the Council

 

 

 

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