silchester parish council date: monday 6 time...4.1 parish magazine article to be submitted by 13 th...

October 2014 final Page 42 09/10/2014

SILCHESTER PARISH COUNCIL

Minutes of the Meeting of the Council

Date: Monday 6th October 2014 Time: 7.30pm

Place: Club Room, Silchester Village Hall

Present: Cllr Spillane (Chair) Cllr Richards (Vice Chair)

Cllr Miles Cllr Monger

In Attendance: Maxta Thomas (Clerk) 2 members of the public

Chris Lee

Apologies: Cllr Harrison Cllr Mahaffey

Cllr Westwood Cllr Gardiner (Borough)

Cllr Tucker (Borough) Cllr Keith Chapman (County)

Action

1. Apologies for Absence

As above.

2. Minutes of the Last Parish Council Meeting

The minutes of the meeting held on 1st September 2014 were unanimously agreed as being a true and accurate record of the meeting, and were duly signed by the Chairman.

3. Matters Arising

None

4. Clerk’s Report & Correspondence

I have attended the HALC AGM with the Chairman. They keynote speaker was the new Chief Executive of NALC, who is keen to work more closely with the County associations, as well as expanding the number of parish councils in the country. Another focus of the AGM was the issue of councillor recruitment.

I have received a request for permission for fireworks at Silchester House on 18th October 2014. Permission has been granted. The display will be at around 8.30pm, and will use low noise fireworks. Neighbours will be informed, and a notice will be issued via the community facebook page.

4.1 Parish Magazine author – this author for the next edition was due to be Cllr Pragnell. However, since she has now stood down and Cllr Miles has been co-opted, it was suggested that he write the article for November. The deadline is 13th October.

Cllr Miles

4.2 Grant Application Procedures – no further action to date. Clerk to take forward ready for November meeting.

Clerk

4.3 Standing Orders review – the new document is not yet ready for Councillor review – Clerk to finish updating and distribute ready for November meeting.

Clerk

5. Reports

5.1 See Appendix A.

PCSO report – PCSO Nathaniel Johnson introduced himself to the Council – he has been in post for since July. Tadley Police Station is about to close, and all staff will move to Basingstoke. He went through the local crime figures for September.


Action

Anti-Social Behaviour – all incidents were from the same two addresses. Assault – work related

Burglary – this was at a house being built

Shed burglary – two mowers stolen

Suspicious incident – turned out to be not suspicious

Theft from vehicle - Roman Wall car park

Across the beat – an increase in outbuilding thefts. The suspected perpetrators have been arrested.

Village Hall – AGM on 23rd October.

Community Speedwatch – traffic calming has been suggested for Little London Road. Cllr Spillane noted that options are being explored with HCC Highways.

SCMC – Cllr Richards asked when a planned meeting with a Common resident was occurring – Cllr Spillane to ask Jon Saltmarsh to organise.

BDAPTC – meeting was brought forward with little notice, and most people missed it, including Cllr Richards.

Playground – bark spread went very well. Lots of volunteers meant work only took half an hour. Repairs have been carried out on equipment. Lapsett – work has been done, but no invoice has been forthcoming as yet.

Trees – Chris Lee has met with Impstone Road resident, and has agreed that proposed work is reasonable. He also noted that a low branch near the bridge on Little London Road has been broken off – he will look at this in due course.

Cllr Spillane

Chris Lee

5.1.1 Playing Field grant – the final details of the playing field grant from Sport England have now been agreed, and the work was carried out on 2nd October. The resurfaced area of the cricket outfield will be monitored over the course of the winter by the contractors.

5.2 Borough Councillor report – See Appendix A.

Cllr Gardiner was unable to attend the meeting. However, he sent in the following report.

I had my charity Variety Show on Saturday which was a) excellent, b) well supported, and c) was graced by the presence of the Silchester School Choir singing with the combined schools choirs. They were brilliant.

5.3 County Councillor report – See Appendix A.

5.4 Chairman’s Report – Cllr Spillane stated that Kirstie Jones is to receive training and look after the defibrillator. Training will cost £100 donation to First Responders – this has been previously agreed.

6. Open Forum

Mr Oram asked if the school bus should be using the pavilion car park, as it is actually reversing up School Lane. Clerk to contact school to query.

Mr Oram queried the ownership of land down Impstone Road – he thought it might still belong to the Stratfield Saye Estate. However, Cllr Spillane confirmed that it does not, and is part of Silchester PC land (but not Common land).

Cllr Monger noted that a recent newspaper report confirmed that the Environment Agency have found no guilt on the part of Thames Water with regard to last year’s possible pollution incident in Silchester Brook. They believe that it was a natural occurrence.

Clerk

7. The Common


Action

7.1 Update on bylaws and legal matters –three firms of solicitors are being investigated. Quotes have been requested on some work, together with a request on how they would best complete the work.

7.2 Request for ferreting on Common – the Clerk has received a request from Karl Daw, a Tadley resident who would like to carry out ferreting on the Common. He has been doing this on Tadley Common for some time now, and Tadley Town Council have had no problems in that time.

Cllr Miles noted that the local authority has an obligation to keep the rabbit population down. However, Mr Daw should have his own insurance (public liability). Cllr Miles observed that there is a closed season for ground game on open land – 1st Sept-31st March is open season. It was agreed that the Clerk should investigate the whether Tadley Town Council have a formal agreement with Mr Daw, and that the matter should be referred to SCMC.

Clerk

7.3 School Lane turning circle – Cllr Spillane noted that the fence needs to be repaired, and that the area needs tidying up. He has received an estimate of £300 to carry out work. Unanimously agreed. Cllr Spillane to action.

Cllr Spillane

8. Planning

8.1 New Applications

14/02587/HSE – 25 Dukes Ride, Silchester

Proposed new lantern roof in existing ground floor flat roof to rear of property

Cllr Richards declared an interest in this item as her property backs on to the property in question.

No objections

T/00488/14/TPO – 1 Romans Field, Silchester

Application to fell mature oak tree (Quercus robur) standing on Highway verge at junction of Romans Field and Dukes Ride.

It was noted that the application came from HCC Highways. The PC Tree Officer recommended seeking an expert independent opinion. General consensus was that the tree is a major feature in village, and it would be a shame to lose it. Tree Officer to contact a tree surgeon (Paul Goodwood Trees) or Graham Dennis from Pamber Forest to discuss, and respond on basis of this recommendation.

Chris Lee

8.2 Approvals/Refusals

14/02327/HSE - Gem Cottage, Kings Road, Silchester

Erection of single storey rear extensions GRANTED

9. Parish Environment/Maintenance

9.1 WW1 Commemorations update – the project is moving forward. Cllr Spillane and the project manager have met with three companies for website design, and will be making a decision shortly. Project manager has suggested spending more of the budget on the web design and data input.

9.2 War Memorial area improvements – s.106 money to be spent on clearing area properly, and cleaning war memorial. This work will cost around £2500 in total. A resident is buying a memorial bench for the area, and the PC will pay for fitting.

10. Highways

10.1 Issues – The Clerk is in the process of setting up a meeting between Dan


Action

Beasant of HCC Highways and Janet Earl. Once this has taken place, a full meeting between Silchester PC and HCC Highways will be booked – probably for the end of October. SS noted that Highways will only look at traffic calming schemes on roads with speed limits.

Clerk

10.2 Road Closures – none

11. Consultation documents

None

12. Finance

12.1 Payments approval – the Clerk presented the payments for October (see Appendix B). She noted the following:

The invoice to TTS for the tender work for the playing field can finally be paid as the grant money has now been received from Sport England. It is hoped that further grant payments will be processed more promptly.

The tax and NiCs payment is higher than anticipated. This is due to the Clerk taking on another role, and tax codes being adjusted accordingly.

It was proposed by Cllr Spillane and seconded by Cllr Richards to authorise the payments as outlined in Appendix B and above. Clerk to process.

Clerk

12.2 Receipts – the Clerk noted receipt of the second half of the Parish precept, and payment of the rent for the School Field.

12.3 2013/14 Audit update – the external audit for the previous financial year has now been completed. There were no comments or actions forthcoming, despite several supplementary questions. This is an excellent result.

12.4 2015/16 budget requirements – draft budgets to be ready by November meeting. Cllr Spillane noted that significant amounts need to budgeted for parish maintenance. Cllr Richards noted that a separate meeting to discuss budget would be useful – Clerk to organise for mid-November.

Clerk

13 Grant Applications

None

14. Resolution – to exclude press and public from items that may require discussion of possible and financial proceedings i.a.w Public Meeting – Admission to Public Meetings Act 1960.

15. Items of a Confidential Nature

None

16. Date of Next Meeting

Monday 3rd November 2014

The meeting closed at 8.43pm


ACTIONS

4.1 Parish Magazine article to be submitted by 13th October Cllr Miles

4.2 Grant application form to be reworked and distributed for next meeting

Clerk

4.3 Standing Orders to be reviewed and distributed for consideration at next meeting

Clerk

5.1 Contact Jon Saltmarsh re meeting with Common resident Cllr Spillane

5.1 Look at broken branch by bridge on Little London Road Chris Lee

6. Contact school re coaches using Pavilion car park rather than School Lane

Clerk

7.2 Contact Tadley Town Council re ferreting, and refer matter to SCMC

Clerk

7.3 Organise work at the School Lane turning circle Cllr Spillane

8.1 Contact tree surgeon re tree at end of Romans Field Chris Lee

10.1 Set up meeting between Dan Beasant and Janet Earl, and set up meeting between HCC Highways and Silchester PC

Clerk

12.1 Process payments Clerk

12.4 Complete budgets and set up separate Council meeting to discuss and approve

Clerk


Appendix A – Reports

Pavilion Committee

The work on the cricket outfield has finally been approved. Ground works was completed on Thursday 2nd October; however the contractor will continue to maintain the area until Springtime. It is imperative that the ground remains fenced to allow settlement and germination.

Silchester Roman Town – Joint Advisory Panel

No meeting, so no report

Village Hall Management Committee

No written report

Community Speedwatch

Between January and September 2014 the SpeedWatch team has deployed on 14 occasions.

During the summer period we have had to cancel a couple of planned deployments as there were not enough volunteers available (the police require a minimum of 3 volunteers). This was as a result of holidays and some volunteers not being available during the summer period. A couple of additional volunteers were recruited at the village summer fete, however additional volunteers are required so that we can make better use of the equipment we now have on full time loan from AWE,

The table below shows the results from those deployments in 2014:

Location Traffic to

Date Time No of cars

>34mph40mph >34mph Max mph

2014

Village Hall

South 14-Jan

1030-1230

55 9 1 18% 43

Early Lands

North 05-Feb

0740-0930

464 27 4 7% 41

Early Lands

South 05-Feb

0930-1110

114 23 5 25% 44

Tinkers West 28-Mar

0650-0825

387 24 7 8% over 45

Village Hall

South 09-Apr 1600--1810

197 24 39 32% over 45

8 over 45

Early Lands

South 30-Apr 1600-1815

453 62 18 18% 0ver 45

5 over 45

Tinkers East 16-May

1510-1715

426 35 32 16% over 45

7 over 45

Kings Road

West 22-May

1610-1720

106 17 13 28% over 45

2 over 45

Kings Road

East 22-May

1720-1800

61 6 1 11% over 45

1 over 45

Early Lands

South 20-Jun

1610-1800

266 48 12 23% 44

Tinkers West 11-Jul 0705-0830

340 14 3 5% over 45


Tinkers East 11-Jul 0830-0905

110 13 6 17% over 45

1 over 45

Village Hall

South 19-Aug

1700--1900

195 38 19 29% over 45

3 over 45

Early Lands

North 16-Sep

0940-1130

111 22 6 25% 45

The results show that speeding within the village continues to be an issue with around 30% of vehicles exceeding 34mph on the section of Little London Road between Kings Road and the Calleva Arms. It is recommended that the Parish Council investigate traffic calming on this section supported by the data the speed watch team has gathered.

A number of potential additional monitoring sites have been identified within the new 30mph and 40mph sections on Bramley Road. We now need to visit those sites with the police in order to agree safe methods of work.

I have attended a couple of meetings about speed watch.

At the end of July a meeting was held in Basingstoke and Deane Council offices and attended both current and potential speed watch coordinators. The meeting was addressed by Chief Superintendant Dave Powell from Basingstoke who has overall responsibility for Speed watch for Hampshire Police. The meeting identified that there were a number of deficiencies and inconsistencies in the processes and that communications were ad hoc and poor.

Following this a county wide one day speed watch conference was arranged on September 30th to which the coordinators for the 61 active schemes were identified. The conference was opened by Chief Superintendant Dave Powell who confirmed his concern that there was a lack of consistency with the processes and that little had been done with the speed watch data and that he intended to change this. It proved to be quite a lively event and the police took away a large number of issues to resolve.

I also met with Cllr Spillane and discussed a number of issues including using the Speed Indicator Device unattended. Cllr Spillane will check to see if the unit is covered by insurance for use unattended.

Tony Roberts

SCMC

Volunteer Work Parties – The first work party of the season was held on Saturday September 20th with clearance work between the school and the school playing field.

Cattle - All are well.

Contractor Work - Localised treatment of birch re-growth by spraying selected areas of the

common has been completed. A contract has been let for clearance of a large area alongside Impstone Road. This work will start in late October.

Path Work - Summer work on a number of paths has been completed with widening and re-surfacing where necessary.

Karslake Pond -Work will continue on the pond with a progressive work regime to minimise disturbance of the pond.

BDAPTC

No written report

AWE

No report

Playground Association

No written report


Footpaths

No written report

Tree Report

No written report

Beat Officer Report

Rogue Trading - There has been various incidents of rogue trading in the area. I have worked with Trading Standards to host an awareness day at Sainsburys in Tadley, this was widely accepted by shoppers and staff with approximately 400 Buy with Confidence (Trading standards approved businesses) books were handed out with the relevant crime prevention advice:

Always use the door chain when answering the door, if you are not sure do not open the door.

Always check the credentials of unknown callers. Do not phone the number on the ID card, use a phone book or a bill.

Never employ cold-calling doorstep traders or engage with cold callers on the phone.

Do not keep substantial sums of money in the home.

Always keep front and back doors locked.

LOCK STOP CHAIN and CHECK - if unsure do not open the door.

Consider joining or setting up a No Cold Calling Zone or Neighbourhood Watch scheme.

Report any suspicious callers or activity to the police immediately using 101.

Keep an eye on elderly or vulnerable neighbours, friends and family.

Rogue trading is a serious crime which anybody can be a victim of, however offenders often target the elderly and vulnerable. These ‘Rogue Traders’ often tell the victim that some sort of maintenance work is required on or around their premises, and state that a large sum of money is needed to carry out these works. Unfortunately some Rogue Traders are vicious enough to repeatedly visit a victim and demand more money for continuing work or maintenance, which often results in the victim feeling intimidated, scared and helpless in refusing any further work to be done. Please contact the Police on 101 if you or anybody you know has been a victim of Rogue Traders. I would like to ask residents that if they are aware of any neighbour who is elderly and/ or lives on their own, please be extra vigilant regarding tradesmen going to and from the address, and call us on 101 if you have any suspicions.

Shed and Outbuilding Burglaries: -There has been an increase of Shed Burglaries across the whole of Basingstoke Rural, a couple of people have been arrested in relation to these offences and are awaiting their time in court. I have received a few questions from concerned residents that they feel their home might be targeted. It is unusual for people who commit Shed and Outbuilding Burglaries to move the step forward and commit Dwelling Burglaries as this could involve being confronted by the home owner. Most offenders who commit these crimes dislike confrontation so they are more likely to target a shed or outbuilding instead of you home. Items being targeted are high value lawn mowers, leaf blowers, chainsaws, hedge trimmers and other high value gardening equipment.

Please consider this advice:

Multiple (different types) locks on your shed doors. – Most locks require different tools to remove

Place net curtains in the windows of your shed/ outbuilding.

Ensure you have all valuable garden equipment serial numbers stored somewhere safe.

Consider placing a ground anchor lock within your shed/ outbuilding and secure valuable equipment to that with a heavy duty lock.

Take pictures of your valuables so if they are stolen and recovered it is easier to find out who the owner is.

Use a UV pen to write your postcode on any equipment so it’s easier to identify the owner.


Anti Social Behaviour: - There has been a decrease in Anti social behaviour reports in Sherfield on Loddon and, however ASB in Bramley is still causing problems to local residents, the Police and other local authorities. We are working very closely together in order to tackle these issues as best as we can. Please be assured that these reports are very localised, coming from the same areas and does not spread across the whole of Bramley.

We carried out a multi-agency visit to an area in Bramley which consisted of Police, Housing and Council to deliver advice and possible actions that would be taken if the ASB issues continued. This seems to have been working and the reports of ASB in the area have lowered.

There has been a slight increase in ASB reports for Silchester but these again are very localised and the occupants are in the process of coming to a mutual agreement to reduce any issues.

I would like to encourage all residents to report any incidents of anti social behaviour to us on 101, or if you are a resident of social housing and your issues are with a neighbour also living in social housing accommodation, please report any incidents to your local housing officer.

Overall: - Overall my local “beat” has relatively low crime rates and is a pleasure to police. Some figures might be high on the crime stats attached but please remember that Basingstoke Rural patch has over 250 square miles to cover so that is a lot of ground for criminal offences to be committed. This beat is one of the busiest beat within the rural sector so considering that, occurrences are very low.

Emergency - As always, please can I ask all residents to report any suspicious persons, vehicles or incidents using the 101 telephone number; please only ring 999 if it is a genuine emergency.

Neighbourhood Watch

Anti-social behaviour – 4, Assault – 1, Burglary (dwelling) – 1, Burglary (non-dwelling) – 1, Suspicious Incidents – 1, Theft from vehicle - 1

Borough Councillor Report

No written report

County Councillor Report

No written report


Appendix B – Finance

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