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A meeting of Grimstead Parish Council was
held at 7:30pm on 23rd June 2003 in West Grimstead
Village Hall.
Present: Mr R Amor (Vice-Chairman), Mrs
A Read, Mrs R Clark, Mr J Maple, Mr T Shrapnell, Mr R
Parsons (Clerk), County Cllr Bill Moss, District Cllr
Richard Britton and eight members of the public.
Apologies were received from Mrs M Sheppard, Mr J Wrigley
and District Cllr Leo Randall.
41/03 Public Question Time: A West
Grimstead parishioner spoke against the planning
application next to Rose Cottage in Chapel Hill. District
Cllr Britton voiced his concern that he understood that
some East Grimstead residents were faced with the
prospect of having to purchase easements across PC owned
land to access their properties. It was explained that
the Vehicular Access Across Common and Other Land (England)
Regulations 2002 that came into effect on 3rd July 2002
set a limit to the amount that landowners could charge
for easements across their land. It further required
those that were being denied a right of access to apply
to the landowner for the granting of an easement before 4th
July 2003.
42/03 Declaration of Interest: Cllr Read
declared a personal and possibly prejudicial interest in
planning application S/03/1232 because she is related to
the applicant. She also declared a personal and
prejudicial interest in any discussion about the land
behind the Village Hall. She absented herself from the
meeting while these matters were discussed. Cllr Clark
declared a personal interest in any matter relating to
East Grimstead Chalkpit because she is a friend of the
owner's wife.
43/03 Planning: * S/2003/1232 - FULL
APPLICATION - ERECTION OF 2 NO DWELLINGS AND ACCESS at
ROSE COTTAGE (LAND ADJACENT TO) CHAPEL HILL WEST
GRIMSTEAD - Following considerable debate the PC resolved
to object to this application. There is concern that the
bedroom windows would overlook neighbouring properties to
the rear and car-parking space to the front is very
limited.
44/03 Minutes: The minutes of the annual
PC meeting held on 12th May 2003, having been circulated,
were agreed and signed by Cllr Amor.
45/03 Matters Arising:
* The Clerk reported that the dead limbs along the Farley
road had been removed.
* A response from WCC regarding restoration of the East
Grimstead Chalkpit is still awaited.
* Cllr Maple and Cllr Shrapnel agreed to survey the
condition of the Sycamore trees in the West Grimstead
Playingfield to establish the most appropriate method for
removing excessive growth.
* Cllr Maple asked why the PC wanted to own West
Grimstead Chalkpit. Cllr Clark replied that it had
historical importance. Cllr Read stated that WCC had
provided evidence that the PC is the owner by default
because of the Inclosure Act of 1805 and the Local
Government Act 1894. It was agreed that the PC should
proceed with an application to HM Land Registry for a
First Registration of the land. Action:
The Clerk.
* Cllr Clark reported that there was a demand for the
installation of a replacement goal post in the recreation
ground. It was agreed that R2 money should be made
available for this. Action: Cllr Clark.
* Cllr Read reported that the project to provide a
walkway between Whaddon and West Grimstead was still
undetermined. She had located a Charity called SusTrans
whose objective is to encourage projects that would
enable non-vehicular transport initiatives. Action:
Further information needs to be obtained.
* The safety report on the Playingfield is still awaited.
46/03 Reports: * Cllr Read had attended
the Police Community Consultative Committee meeting on 27th
May where she learnt that Wiltshire is one of the safest
counties in the country.
* The Wiltshire Association of Local Councils AGM is on
17th July and is being chaired by Robert Key MP. The
event will also be for the launch of the Association's
training initiative.
* There will be an election during July for two
representatives from the Downton Area 19 to serve on the
Executive Committee of WALC.
* The Clerk reported that he had attended the Local
Agenda 21 meeting on 25th June and the Community First
event on 18th June.
* The Standards Board has provided a video that shows the
Code of Conduct in action.
47/03
Finance: * The Annual Audit Return for the year
ended 31st March 2003 was completed from the previously
agreed accounts and signed by Cllr Amor and the Clerk. A
meeting with the Parishioner who has agreed to provide
the Independent Internal Audit will be arranged and the
completed return will be forwarded to the External
Auditor. * The Clerk reported that the Insurance quote
from Community First had offered a saving of nearly £140
against the offer from Cornhill to renew. Since the PC
had agreed to accept the lowest quote for comparable
cover, the policy underwritten by Zurich Municipal had
been accepted. * There was some concern that the Clerk's
contract of employment had still not been resolved. Action:
Cllr Amor agreed to arrange a private meeting
between the Councillors and the Clerk in order to reach
an agreement. * The Clerk had produced and circulated a
budget for the current year and Councillors were
concerned about the potential liability if it became
necessary to employ a solicitor to deal with Rights of
Access in East Grimstead.
* The following payment was approved:
Community First -
Insurance Policy ----------- 192 - £270.83p
Salisbury District
Council - Election Expenses - 194 -- £58.33p
R Parsons - Clerk's fee on account
------------ 195 - £230.00p
48/03 Transport, Roads and Footpaths: *
The next lengthsmen's visit is scheduled for 1st/2nd
September. Action: A list of work will
be compiled by next meeting. * Nothing to report on the
fence along Dean Road.
49/03 Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000:
The PC was unable to reach any decision with regard to
the potential need to obtain legal advice and will await
developments.
50/03 Recreational Facilities in West Grimstead:
The PC is not aware of any new proposals.
51/03 Correspondence: * The PC noted the
June circular from WALC and the Local Agenda 21 meeting
in the City Hall on 25th June. * The following
correspondence was identified for circulation before the
next meeting: * Quality Parish Council publication from
the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister. * The July
circular from WALC.
52/03 The next Council Meeting is on
Monday, 4th August 2003 in East Grimstead Read Room.
The meeting closed at about 9:38pm
Signed by the Chairman, Cllr J Wrigley, on 4th August
2003 subject to the following ammendments:
1. Under Minute no.45 it was agreed that
R2 money should be committed to the playground
improvements proposed by Cllr Clark and approved by the
full Council.
2. Cllr Read recalled that she had
requested that the PC consider placing a litterbin on
Crockford Green.
The PC unanimously agreed to the amendments to the
minutes and Cllr Wrigley signed them as a correct record.
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