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A meeting of West Dean Parish Council was
held at 7.30pm on 8th February 2005 in King George's Hall.
Present: Mrs J Gimpel (Chairman), Mr P
Dawkins (Vice-Chairman), Mr P Hargrave, Miss C Warry, Mr
M Rowe, Mrs P Parsons, Mrs S Gruzelier, Mr R Parsons (Clerk),
Salisbury District Cllr Chris Devine, County &
District Cllr Bill Moss and four members of the public.
Apologies were received from PC Henry Clissold.
1/05 Declaration of Interest: None.
2/05 Planning:
a) S/2005/0142: FULL APPLICATION at
WINDRUSH FARM DEAN ROAD WEST DEAN. It was agreed not to
raise any objections to the most recent application. It
was also agreed that SDC should be informed that WDPC
wishes to ensure that the premises is used in the future
for agricultural/equine use only and that there should be
no future development rights, particularly concerning
residential accommodation.
b) S/2004/2734: FULL APPLICATION at
WOODSIDE FARM BENTLEY WOOD FARLEY. It was agreed not to
raise any objections but that SDC should be requested not
to grant permission until the work required under the
Enforcement Order has been completed.
c) Planning Liaison: The Chairman
reported on the very well attended planning seminar on 25th
January.
1) Better teamwork in the SDC Planning
Dept had led to improved performance that is more in line
with Central Government guidelines although recruitment
of staff is still proving to be difficult.
2) PC members will be encouraged to
participate in the drafting of the new Development
Frameworks.
3) There will be an increase in the
allocation of authorised sites for Gypsies and a more
clearly defined definition for those entitled to be
included in this category. This should make enforcement
easier.
4) In future, planning officers will
explain their reasons for a decision contrary to a PC's
formal planning response to an application in their area.
These will be communicated to the PC at the same time
that the decision is made. Action: the Clerk will ensure
that these are circulated to members immediately.
5) District Cllrs will still have the
power to direct that a planning application be determined
at an Area Committee meeting. Action:
the Clerk will copy planning comments to the District
Cllrs in future.
d) Local Plan Document and
Housing Policy Boundary Map: A copy will be
obtained for WDPC members.
3/05 Police Community Consultative Meeting:
District Cllr Devine reported that devolved policing will
introduce 'crime teams' who will liaise with District
Cllrs to validate problem areas. The Police element of
the 2005/06 Council Tax will increase by no more than 9.9%
in order to avoid 'capping' by central government. Ten
additional Police Officers will be introduced across the
County and there is a pledge to increase rural patrols.
Pilot schemes to establish the practicalities of using
Community Support Officers are proving successful.
4/05 Minutes of the WDPC meeting held on
7th December were agreed as a true record and signed by
the Chairman.
5/05 Tsunami Disaster: It was noted that
Parish Councils do not have the power to donate public
funds for overseas relief. Nevertheless, members and
villagers had raised over £1,930 at a Bring and Buy sale
to provide immediate relief for the devastated area. In
response to the many suggestions received, members
believe that longer-term support should be considered,
possibly in conjunction with the Church. It was agreed to
investigate the possibility of the Village supporting an
orphanage in the disaster area. Action: Cllr
Gruzelier.
6/05 Matters Arising:
a) Report from Alderbury Police: In his
absence, PC Clissold had provided a report advising
continued vigilance within the community for bogus
callers and potential distraction burglars. The
registration number of any vehicles seen to be acting
suspiciously should be reported immediately.
b) Playingfield Notice: Cllr Hargrave
had carried out a survey of local play areas to discover
established examples of signage and had contacted Hags
Play for advice. It was agreed that Cllr Hargrave should
carry out further research on the age limits of children
using the equipment. It was also agreed that dogs should
be permitted in the area but only on leads. Cllr Hargrave
was asked to re-draft the sign when he had completed his
research and to append a copy to the minutes. Action:
Cllr Hargrave.
c) Village Map: The Chairman reported
that she expected this to be completed during 2005.
d) Sandbags: The owner of Church Farm
had confirmed that the sandbags can remain where they are
for the time being. If they have to be moved, a similar,
easily accessible, dry, site would be found. The new
sacks will be stored in the Village Hall annex. Action:
the Clerk
e) MoD Dean Hill: No progress to report.
However, it was noted that, if former owners had not made
claims, the site would be offered for sale as an entity
in March, but without the prospect of anything above
small-scale development. It was also noted that, whilst
there had been some interest shown by a conservation body
in purchasing the land, this interest had now waned
because of the liability of the tunnels.
f) Hillside Close: It was noted that the
three remaining houses were to be auctioned on 16th
February and that Defence Estates hoped to complete all
sales by the end of March.
g) Street Lighting at Hillside Close: The
Chairman reported that the task of replacing the
streetlights with a design similar to that on the village
green has been put out to tender by Defence Estates. The
overall number of lights will be reduced by two and once
completed it is hoped that new street lighting will be
adopted by HCC.
h) Dean Hill Sports & Social Club: Cllr
Dawkins reported that the meeting on 28th January had
been well attended. Club members hope to be able to
negotiate with Defence Estates for an alternative site to
provide a village Post Office, Community Centre, Sports
Centre and to include suitable car parking facilities.
i) Sawmills Signage: The Salisbury Joint
Transportation Team had confirmed that a replacement
finger for the fingerpost at the road junction by the
river bridge had been ordered. East Brothers (Timber) Ltd
will contribute half of the cost. WDPC will fund the
balance from reserves.
j) Recycling Bottle Skips: These had
been well received although members are concerned that
late night usage might inconvenience neighbours. It was
agreed that a sign should be placed on each skip
requesting that bottles were not placed there during the
hours of darkness. The Chairman reported that SDC had
agreed to install a screen to hide the skips from view. Action:
Cllr Hargrave and Cllr Rowe to produce laminated
signs.
k) Village access rights: Cllr Warry
reported that HCC Regulatory Committee was to consider
the Village Green application on 16th February. It was
noted that legal advice had been sought but that as yet
no reply had been received. Cllr Warry also reported that,
as there had been no appeal against the Inspector's
decision within the 42-day statutory period, the way was
now clear for WCC to add the byway to the definitive map
without a Road Traffic Order. It was agreed that in the
light of the WCC action, Cllr Warry should now approach
users of FP22 in Hampshire. Action: Cllr
Warry. [Afternote: The Regulatory Committee will now meet
on 23rd March]
l) Beacon Suggestion: It was agreed not
to light the beacon in commemoration of the Battle of
Trafalgar but to consider doing so to mark 60 yrs of
peace since VJ Day. Action: Clerk to
place on agenda for next meeting.
7/05 Southern Area Community Plan: The
Chairman will consolidate members' comments into a draft
that can be forwarded to the WCC Community Planner.
Action: Chairman and Clerk
8/05 Finance:
a) Annual Return for 2003/04: Members
noted that the External Auditors certificate and opinion
had been signed off without comment. Members approved the
payment of the Auditor's fee for £141.
b) SDC Skip Grant: Members resolved that
the balance (£320) should be spent on the provision of a
special Saturday morning visit by the regular refuse
vehicle. This would need to be well publicised. Action:
the Clerk agreed to draft a notice that Cllr Rowe would
print for distribution to villagers.
c) Payments: The following were approved:
Mazars - External Auditor's Fee for 2003/04 ----- 183 -
£141.00p
R Parsons - Clerk's Fee and Expenses (9 weeks) - 184 - £161.46p
9/05 Transport, Roads and Footpaths:
a) WCC Parish Lengthsmen: The Lengthsmen's
co-ordinator had confirmed that all tasks had been
completed.
b) FP8 into Hampshire: No
developments. Cllr Warry will continue with the
collection of user evidence.
c) Overgrown Hedgerow: Defence
Estates have agreed to cut the roadside hedgerow at the
depot's west gate.
10/05 Reports and Correspondence:
a) SPLASH fundraising: Members resolved
to discover if this Police initiative benefited any
parishioners before deciding whether or not to contribute.
Action: Clerk to place on agenda for
next meeting.
b) WCC Environmental Services Annual Review:
Cllr Warry drew attention to an eMail alert service for
trading standards advice providing specific warnings
about rogue traders and potential burglars. Members
agreed that it might be worthwhile subscribing to this.
Action: the clerk was asked to make enquiries.
c) Freedom of Information Act: Cllr
Warry requested more information to determine whether the
PC was in full compliance with the new regulations.
Action: the clerk will search the Internet and provide
relevant copy.
11/05 The next PC meeting is scheduled
to be held at 7:30pm on Tuesday, 29th March 2005.
The meeting closed at 9:45pm
Signed without amendment by the Chairman, Cllr Gimpel, on
29th March
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