Whiteparish Parish Council

PARISH COUNCIL NOTES
From the meeting held 17th February 2005 in the Village Hall

Parish Councillor vacancies
There are two vacancies which have been advertised in the usual way. There were two applicants: Mrs. Jenny Foster attended the meeting and was co-opted as a member. The other applicant was unable to attend and also cannot attend the next meeting; it was decided to hold the post vacant until she can attend.

Matters Arising from last meeting
Intelligent bus stop pole on the green opposite the shop - WCC had replied to PC objections that this pole is obtrusive and out-of-keeping with the village scene. The Transport Committee will discuss the options with the Passenger Transport Unit at WCC. CPRE to be contacted for their advice.
Properties subject to an agricultural tie condition of occupancy - SDC have replied that they are unable to set a date by which the list of properties will be available. They are investigating the possibility of obtaining additional resources for a temporary period to speed up the project. They are considering providing an annual list of such conditions in future; Clerk to enquire when such a list will be available. Requests for extensions to speed limits in Whiteparish village - In response to a query by a member of the public, the Chairman stated that the extension of the 40 mph limit at the Cowesfield end of the village to the county boundary had been requested by residents there. Village committee to look into maintaining a shop in the village - Margaret Tarrant reported that there had been a meeting the previous week; the Post Office must appoint a full time postmaster/mistress. Various ways of running a community shop are being investigated.

Finance
A letter had been received from the Treasurer of the Parochial Church Council thanking the PC for previous years' financial help with maintenance of the churchyard and stating that the expected cost of grass cutting for 2005 is £2,300. The PC voted unanimously to continue with the agreed policy of donating half of these costs and so granted £1,150 to the PCC for churchyard maintenance. It was agreed to continue subscribing to CPRE at a cost of £25 pa.

Rights of Way
Footpath 3, parallel to Newton Lane, continues to be blocked. This is an important footpath as it provides a safe alternative to walking down the very narrow Newton Lane. Names and addressed of the landowners of the land over which the footpath runs to be given to the WCC Footpath Warden. The Transport Committee to follow this up. A footpath diversion at Cowesfield Park to be applied for.

Environment
The huge increase in traffic through the village during the closure of the A36 has caused damage to roads and verges throughout the village. The Transport Committee to make a list and present it to the Highways Agency and their contractors. Site for recycling skips - the skips in the village hall car park will have to be moved when the village hall project starts building work. However, this may be some time off and by then SDC may be providing doorstop collection of all recyclables, not just paper and cardboard. Therefore it was decided to shelve the decision on where to re-site the skips.

Village Hall
Jenny Threadgold gave a report on the last two Village Hall Management Committee meetings. Subcommittees have been formalised and dates for meetings arranged. Meetings of the main committee will from now on be monthly instead of bi-monthly. It was agreed to ask the PC to contact HM Customs & Excise again about whether VAT will be repayable on refurbishment; the PC discussed this and agreed to send a copy of the approved village hall plans and to inform HM Customs that an application for funds had been made to DEFRA and also there is a possibility of funding from the Landfill Credit Tax. Their opinion is to be sought on VAT liability.

Parish Council website (www.whiteparish.org.uk)
It was decided to discontinue this and to take space on the village website which is being maintained by David and Jackie Hawker. The notes will now be published on www.whiteparish.co.uk as soon as this can be arranged.

Planning
A planning application had been received to increase the height of the stockpiles at Biffa from 3m to 5m. The PC will object - the stockpiles exceed 5m already so this should be a retrospective application. The material is ash and cinders not soil or sub-soil. A complaint to be made to the chief executive WCC that nothing has been done; also there are long-lasting breaches of planning conditions at Brickworth Quarry which have not been enforced.

Next Meeting + Annual Parish Meeting
Villagers are encouraged to attend the Annual Parish Meeting which will be held at 7.30 pm on Thursday, 31st March, 2005 in the Village Hall. This is a meeting of parish electors and any village matter can be raised. Please inform the Clerk of any topics you wish to discuss so that an agenda can be issued. The next Parish Council Meeting will follow the Annual Parish Meeting.

Anita Boakes, Parish Clerk, Tel. 884646
The Gatehouse, The Street, SP5 2SG
E-mail DandA.Boakes@care4free.net

Click here for CLARENCE (road and lighting defects) or call 0800 232323
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