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A meeting of West Dean Parish Council was
held at 7.30pm on 29th March 2005 in King George's Hall.
Present: Mrs J Gimpel (Chairman), Mr P
Dawkins (Vice-Chairman), Mrs S Gruzelier, Miss C Warry,
Mrs P Parsons, Mr R Parsons (Clerk), WC Cllr W Moss and
nine members of the public.
Apologies: Mr P Hargrave, Mr M Rowe, SD
Cllr C Devine, PC H Clissold.
12/05 Open Public Forum: Many of the
parishioners attending the meeting were there to voice
their concerns regarding the motorcycle event held at
Church Farm on Sunday, 13th March. The majority of
villagers had not been warned in advance and those that
had were not aware that the noise and fumes would be
apparent between 9:30am and 5:30pm. The Chairman reported
that in response to the complaints that she had received,
she had drafted a letter to the landowner's
representative, drawing to his attention the concerns
expressed by many parishioners. In his reply, the farmer
assured WDPC that he remained sensitive to the feelings
of the village. He also explained that he had passed the
issues raised to the promoter of the event. SDC
Environmental Services have offered their services to
advise and monitor should another event take place.
13/05 Declaration of Interest: None.
14/05 Minutes of the WDPC meeting held
on 8th February were agreed as a true record and signed
by the Chairman.
15/05 Matters Arising:
a) Tsunami Disaster: Cllr Gruzelier
reported that whilst the relief organisations needed no
more money at present there would be a need for longer-term
support. Members resolved to stay prepared for any
requests.
b) Playingfield Notice: Members
considered the prepared illustration of the proposed sign
[appended] and resolved to proceed. Action: The
Clerk was requested to arrange for the manufacture of the
sign.
c) Sandbags: New sandbag covers are now
stored in the village hall annex and the old bags remain
accessible at Church Farm with the owner's permission.
d) MoD Dean Hill: The Chairman reported
that a further meeting was planned during April with
Defence Estates and the two Local Planning Authorities.
It is hoped that a purchaser will be found for the whole
site and community benefits will be negotiated in
exchange for limited development to include affordable
housing and homes for the elderly.
e) Hillside Close housing: The Chairman
reported that TestWay Housing had acquired seven of the
houses. Three houses had been sold at auction on 16th
February.
f) Sawmills Signage: Members noted that
the new fingerpost indicating 'West Dean Sawmill' had
been installed.
g) Recycling Centre: The timber screen
erected around the recycling skips had improved the
visual amenity close to the Village Hall and the parish's
thanks had been communicated to SDC Environmental
Services.
h) Anniversary Celebrations: Members
decided that Saturday, 9th July would be the most
convenient day to hold the hog-roast and celebrate the 60th
anniversary of the end of WW2. The Royal British Legion
can provide balloons and bunting. The village also has
its own supply of decorations. It was decided that a
small charge would be asked from everyone attending. Action:
The Chairman to book the Pig Roaster. Cllr
Hargrave to order display material from the British
Legion.
i) Village access rights: Cllr Gruzelier
reported that that there had been no response from WCC to
the PC's letter of November 2004 regarding the highway
and the possible traffic order. The efforts of County
Cllr Moss to achieve some progress had also been
unsuccessful so far. Accordingly, a further letter had
been sent to WCC and copied, under suitable covering
letters, to Robert Key MP, Sandra Gidley MP and the
Deputy Prime Minister, the Rt Hon John Prescott MP. Cllr
Warry reported that the court of appeal had delivered a
judgment in the Trap Grounds case which was relevant to
the village green application pending before HCC and
which would have to be considered further.
j) Southern Area Community Plan: The
Chairman confirmed that she had liaised with the
Community Planner to correct several errors in the
prepared draft Community Plan for the Southern Area of
Salisbury District.
k) Special Refuse Collection: This had
had been arranged for 26th February and proved to be well
received by parishioners. The refuse vehicle parked
outside the Village Hall for one and a half hours, then
moved to Hillside Close for an hour. WDPC's thanks had
been communicated to SDC and to the refuse vehicle driver
for his courteous and helpful assistance on the day. It
was noted that if this service were to be used in future,
the vehicle would only be located at the Village Hall.
16/05 Roles and Responsibilities:
a) Local Government Act 1972: The Clerk
advised that it was important to be aware of the law
governing Parish Council affairs. Charles Arnold-Baker's
sixth edition of 'Local Council Administration' explains
in layman's terms, the up-to-date legislation. WALC has a
copy of LGA72 and can advise on its relevance.
b) Standing Orders and Financial Regulations: The
Clerk reminded members that these were approved in
January 2001 and that they need to be updated in line
with the Parish Councils (Model Code of Conduct) Order
2001 and the Accounts and Audit Regulations 2003. Action:
Clerk to place on agenda for next meeting.
c) Working with Your Council - The Knowledge: This
is a home study course for members and council officers
developed by the Society of Local Council Clerks in
conjunction with the University of Gloucester.
d) Freedom of Information Act 2000: This
provides a right of access to recorded information held
by public authorities; creates exemptions from the duty
to disclose information; and establishes the arrangements
for enforcement and appeal. The FoI Act 2000 amends the
Data Protection Act 1998 and the Public Records Act 1958.
WDPC approved its required publication scheme under
minute no.06/03. Following further enquiries of the
Information Commissioner's office regarding notification
requirements, it was decided that WDPC did not need to
change the resolution made under minute no.16/02
17/05 Training Initiatives:
a) WALC/NALC Briefing Day: The Clerk
reported that he would be attending on behalf of
Grimstead PC.
b) SLCC Training Conference: Members
agreed that they would support the clerk if he wanted to
attend.
18/05 Finance:
a) SPLASH Fundraising Initiative: In the
absence of any direct benefit to parishioners, members
resolved that WDPC should not make a donation for the
current financial year.
b) Payments: The following were approved:
B Vine - JCB hire --------------------- 185 -- £33.00p
SDC - Special Refuse Collection ------ 186 - £268.66p
C Jones - Hedge Cutting -------------- 187 -- £35.25p
R Parsons - Clerk's Fee and Expenses - 188 - £223.95p
19/05 Transport, Roads and Footpaths:
a) FP8 into Hampshire: Cllr Warry has
collected user evidence that should enable the correct
route to be entered on the definitive map.
b) Overgrown Hedgerow: The roadside
hedgerow at the depot's west gate is still not been cut
back. Action: The Clerk will remind
Defence Estates that they had given an undertaking to
complete this task.
c) WCC Parish Lengthsmen: A report by
WCC had been provided to illustrate what the Lengthsmen
can and can't do. The next visit will be on 1st / 2nd
August. Action: Cllr Warry will prepare
a list of tasks.
20/05 Planning:
a) TVS.01223/1: Change of use of
agricultural land and buildings to B1 Use (light industry)
at Glebe Farm, Rectory Hill, West Dean, SP5 1JL. Members
would be concerned if this were to lead to a substantial
increase in delivery traffic and the associated early
morning noise and headlights. They would expect to see
some limit placed on working hours. Action: The
Chairman to liaise with West Tytherley PC to submit
recommendations regarding restrictions for noise and
working hours.
b) S/2005/0142: INTERNAL CONVERSION OF
PART OF BARN TO 4 LOOSE BOXES ADDITION OF REST ROOM AND
OFFICE TO BARN AND ERECTION OF OPEN FRONTED STORAGE BARN
at WINDRUSH FARM LONG FIELD DEAN ROAD WEST DEAN. APPROVED
by SDC on 31st March
c) S/2004/2734: CONSTRUCT ACCESS ROADWAY
AND TURNING / PARKING AREA at WOODSIDE FARM BENTLEY WOODS
FARLEY. APPROVED by SDC on 15th February.
d) Local Plan Document and Housing Policy
Boundary Map: The Chairman reported that she had
received a copy on CD-Rom and that a paper copy will soon
be available from the printers.
21/05 Reports and Correspondence:
a) Best Kept Village Competition: Cllr
Warry agreed to prepare an application from West Dean.
b) Spring Clean Day: Members agreed to
organise volunteers to help clean the village on Saturday,
14th May.
c) Flower Barrels: These will need to be
repaired and refilled with plants before the summer.
22/05 The Annual Parish Meeting: Cllr
Dawkins proposed and Cllr Warry seconded that the APM
would be held at 7:00pm on Tuesday, 10th May.
23/05 The Annual Parish Council meeting
will be convened after the APM at about 7:30pm on Tuesday,
10th May.
24/05 AOB: Community Transport: Members
discussed the possibility of developing a scheme to
subsidise taxi fares for parishioners. Action: Clerk
to place on agenda for next meeting.
The meeting closed at 9:35pm
Signed without amendment by the Chairman, Cllr Gimpel, on
10th May 2005
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