NEWTOWN PARISH COUNCIL
Hampshire
Minutes of a meeting of Newtown Parish Council held on
Monday 10th March 2025 at 7pm, Newtown Village Hall
Present: Meeting Chair: Tom Reseigh
Councillors: Jo Exelby, Karen Sirett-Kelly, Will Page,
In attendance: Clerk: Rebecca Cloke
Cllr Izett, Cllr Harvey (B&D)
76. Apologies
None Cllr Ward – absent
77. Cllr Harvey (Chief Exec B&D)
Cllr Harvey briefed the council on the recent plans for local government reform and B&D’s proposals to join Hart and Rushmore for a North Hants unitary.
78. Co-option of local Councillor to fill casual vacancy
Proposal to co-opt Will Page was made by Cllr Reseigh and seconded by Cllr Exelby. Thanks were given to Cllr Page for standing.
Cllr Page submitted his application for dispensation to participate in council decisions on budget and precept. The clerk signed an updated confirmation of dispensation to include Cllr Page.
ACTION: Cllr Page to submit Registration of Members’ Pecuniary Interests to Clerk to be submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Monitoring Officer within 28 days of co-option.
79. Declarations of Interest
None
OPEN FORUM
80. Approval and signing of the minutes of the meeting held on 13th January.
The minutes were approved by the Council and signed by the Chair. Proposed by Cllr Exelby and seconded by Cllr Sirett-Kelly.
Carried forward actions:
C/Fwd Total number of Slow and 5mph speed signs needed to be established so the Clerk could order the signage. TR / RC
C/Fwd Cllr Reseigh to contact Cllr Harvey regarding litter grants. (Clerk to forward previous email chain) TR / RC
C/Fwd Cllr Reseigh to follow up email PC Martyn Evans regarding an update on implementing speed enforcement measures on the B4640. TR
C/Fwd Cllr Ward to initiate the project in Spring 25 to update and reprint the residents book. BW
C/Fwd Cllr Reseigh to place another FOI request for speed data for the B4640 in March / April. TR
C/Fwd Cllr Sirett-Kelly to follow up on the email sent to Hampshire regarding installing village gateways if nothing heard by mid-March KSK
C/Fwd Cllr Reseigh to contact landowner (field adjacent to The Swan) and request ditch / drain clearance. TR
C/Fwd Cllr Reseigh to follow up correspondence with Cllr Thacker regarding traffic calming at Jonathan Hill. TR
C/Fwd Cllr Ward to forward details of Starlink wi-fi to Cllr Reseigh. BW
81. Report for “News from the Villages”
ACTION: Cllr Sirett-Kelly agreed to compile the April edition and it was agreed that it would be published on the Newtown Parish Council website “News from Newtown” page each month.
82. Report from borough and/or county councillor
Cllr Thacker – absent
Cllr Izett provided an update on the proposed devolution of Hampshire County Council. He stated that disruption was anticipated during the devolution process. He stated that shadow unitary councillors would continue to act during the process.
Cllr Izett briefed the councillors of proposed changes, which would see removing Borough Councillors influence over planning applications for sites under 10 houses.
Cllr Izett briefed the councillors on the recent budget that had been passed by Basingstoke and Deane.
Cllr Izett pledged to follow up the planning applications at South View.
83. Report from PCSO / CSPO
CSPO / PCSO / PC unable to attend meeting and had not sent report updates.
84. Highways and traffic issues
a) B4640
Cllr Reseigh had emailed PC Martyn Evans in September and October but had yet to receive a reply. He resolved to visit Basingstoke Police station if no response received.
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to try to visit PC Martyn Evans regarding an update on implementing speed enforcement measures on the B4640.
Cllr Reseigh briefed he would place another Freedom of Information request to HCC t o get some more speed data for the B4640.
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to place another FOI request for speed data for the B4640 in April.
b) C45
Cllr Reseigh briefed the councillors on the extensive repairs that had been carried out by Hampshire County Council. The repairs had resolved the issue of the spring water but further down the road there had been a blockage on private land which was causing surface water to accumulate.
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to contact landowner (field adjacent to The Swan) and request ditch / drain clearance.
c) Jonathan Hill
Cllr Reseigh advised that he had not received a response from Cllr Thacker with regards to traffic calming measures for Jonathan Hill.
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to follow up correspondence with Cllr Thacker regarding traffic calming at Jonathan Hill.
d) Restricted byway 710
Cllr Exelby briefed the councillors on the actions that had been taken recently to ensure that restricted byway 710 is respected as a “no through route”. This was as a result of residents requesting support for track maintenance as the volume of traffic using the track had increased. This had been declined on the basis that the surface is an acceptable standard for a restricted byway which should only be used by pedestrians, cyclists an horse riders.
Horris Hill School are supporting by requesting parents do not use the track.
Hampshire Countryside Access Team have provided “no through route” signage to use and advised how to change the road classification on Google maps. Cllr Exelby has written to B&D to request the road signs be changed to reflect the no through route.
ACTION: Cllr Exelby to establish how to change the maps used by satnavs to reduce the volume of delivery vans. Cllr Exelby to give Cllr Reseigh a copy of the no through route signage so larger signs can be made.
85. Planning and development control
16/02230/FUL Hill Farm Erection of 8 dwellings Withdrawn Returned (unlikely to be det.)
22/01781/LBC The Swan Inn Replacement of weathered and worn roof tiles Awaiting decision (bat survey)
23/01045/FUL (WB) Land South Of Abbottwood Retrospective change of use to a Gypsy / Traveller site PC oppose – Approved
22/02754/OUTMAJ (WB) Land East of Newbury College Retail unit, Care home and 75 residences PC oppose – Approved
24/00290/FUL Land south of Threeways Erection of a detached dwelling. PC objection – Application withdrawn
24/00677/FUL Newtown Court Barn Conversion of barn PC objection – awaiting decision. Contaminated land concerns
24/02780/HSE The Lodge, Horris Hill Addition of extension following demolition of outbuilding PC support with conditions – Application withdrawn
25/00209/LDEU
South View To establish outbuilding as ancillary accomm. To be considered – deadline extension granted
25/00210/LDEU South View Regularisation of the front from ‘Common land’ to residential land To be considered – deadline extension granted
The applications for South View were considered and it was agreed that an objection would be lodged against 25/00210/LDEU on the grounds that the land was common land and therefore could not be included in the property curtilage.
ACTION: Clerk to lodge objection on behalf of NPC to BDBC before the extension expiration.
It was also agreed that no response for 25/00209/LDEU was required.
86. Newtown Common
a) Update by Common Management Committee Chair
Cllr Exelby briefed that she had met with Simon Melville to review the management plan.
Cllr Exelby briefed the councillors regarding the encroachment at Millets Brow which would need to be addressed.
ACTION: Cllr Exelby to contact Millets Brow regarding the encroachment.
Cllr Exelby stated the work at Sheepwash would need to be monitored closely to ensure NPC were aware as the works came to an end to ensure that the site was cleared as requested.
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to contact Hugh Marriage to request he notify NPC as the works come to an end.
b) Byelaws update and summary signage – Cllr Reseigh briefed on the response received from Tom Payne, Head of Environment and Community Services B&D. He stated he would not be able to review the bylaws before April 25.
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to email details to Cllr Harvey who had pledged to follow up on NPC behalf.
87. Lengthsman Scheme
Cllr Exelby briefed the councillors on the work that the lengthsman had carried out diverting a footpath around a tree and clearing the B4640. Next ear’s dates have not yet been set.
88. Village Hall
Cllr Reseigh had circulated the minutes from a recent Village Hall committee meeting.
The village hall is being redecorated and bookings are at a good level.
89. Community Infrastructure Levy funding (£16,596)
CIL funding to be utilised for the village gateways proposed. Cllr Sirett-Kelly had prepared a proposal document which would be circulated. Cllr Exelby stated that she believed the costing would be in the region of £20k.
NPC continue to wait for communication from Hants Traffic Team to make contact regarding the project.
90. NCRA Parish Council representative
Cllr Reseigh was appointed as the PC NCRA representative. Proposed by Cllr Sirett-Kelly and seconded by Cllr Exelby.
91. Residents book update
Cllr Ward absent and no update sent.
92. Review and ratify policies
The Clerk had previously circulated updated polices for review. The following were considered and approved:
a) Data Protection Policy
b) Financial and Management Risk Assessment
c) Publication scheme
d) Financial procedures
e) Standing Orders
93. Finance reports
a) To receive the report on the budget for 2024/25
The clerk summarised the main variances to budget, year to date, in the income and expenditure and summarised the reserves held. The Chair checked the bank balances to bank statements. Received and approved.
b) Approval of payments
To approve and ratify the following payments:
[See agenda item 94 regarding B128 level of grant agreed}
94. Correspondence
The Clerk had received a letter from a resident (Forge View) regarding surface water issues at her and neighbours properties. Cllr Reseigh had tried to visit to speak with the resident. ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to attempt visit again
The Clerk had received correspondence from the Treasurer at Burghclere with Newtown Parochial Church Council requesting a contribution. A £500 contribution was proposed by Cllr Reseigh and seconded by Cllr Exelby.
ACTION: Clerk to confirm contribution to BwNPCC designating contribution for churchyard upkeep. Clerk to request evidence of spend.
Cllr Reseigh briefed the councillors on an email he had received about dogs on the common off leads during the ground nesting bird season.
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to order some further “dogs on leads” signage for the common.
95. Date of next meetings
19th May, 7th Jul, 22nd Sep, 10th Nov, 19th Jan, 9th Mar
(Note since the meeting the dates have been amended to 19th May, 14th Jul, 15nd Sep, 10th Nov, 19th Jan, 9th Mar)
The meeting closed at 9:05pm
Signed ……………………………. Date……………….
Appendix 1 – Summary of agreed actions
C/Fwd Total number of Slow and 5mph speed signs needed to be established so the Clerk could order the signage. TR / RC
C/Fwd Cllr Reseigh to contact Cllr Harvey regarding litter grants. (Clerk to forward previous email chain) TR / RC
C/Fwd Cllr Reseigh to follow up email PC Martyn Evans regarding an update on implementing speed enforcement measures on the B4640. TR
C/Fwd Cllr Ward to initiate the project in Spring 25 to update and reprint the residents book. BW
C/Fwd Cllr Reseigh to place another FOI request for speed data for the B4640 in March / April. TR
C/Fwd Cllr Sirett-Kelly to follow up on the email sent to Hampshire regarding installing village gateways if nothing heard by mid-March KSK
C/Fwd Cllr Reseigh to contact landowner (field adjacent to The Swan) and request ditch / drain clearance. TR
C/Fwd Cllr Reseigh to follow up correspondence with Cllr Thacker regarding traffic calming at Jonathan Hill. TR
C/Fwd Cllr Ward to forward details of Starlink wi-fi to Cllr Reseigh. BW
Cllr Page to submit Registration of Members’ Pecuniary Interests to Clerk to be submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Monitoring Officer within 28 days of co-option. WP / RC
Cllr Sirett-Kelly agreed to compile the April edition and it was agreed that it would be published on the Newtown Parish Council website “News from Newtown” page each month. KSK
Cllr Exelby to find out how to change the maps used by satnavs to reduce the volume of delivery vans. JE
Cllr Exelby to give Cllr Reseigh a copy of the no through route signage so larger signs can be made. JE / TR
Clerk to lodge objection re 25/00210/LDEU on behalf of NPC to BDBC before the extension expiration. RC
Cllr Exelby to contact Millets Brow regarding the encroachment. JE
Cllr Reseigh to contact Hugh Marriage to request he notify NPC as the works at Sheepwash come to an end so NPC can ensure the site is cleared as requested. TR
Cllr Reseigh to email request to Tom Payne, to Cllr Harvey who had pledged to follow up regarding the bylaws on NPC behalf. TR
Cllr Reseigh to attempt further visit to speak to Forge View. TR
Clerk to confirm £500 contribution to BwNPCC designating contribution for churchyard upkeep. Clerk to request evidence of spend. RC
Cllr Reseigh to order some further “dogs on leads” signage for the common.
TR