NEWTOWN PARISH COUNCIL
Hampshire
Minutes of a meeting of Newtown Parish Council held on
Monday 11th November 2024 at 7pm, Newtown Village Hall
Present: Meeting Chair: Tom Reseigh
Councillors: Sean Curry, Jo Exelby, Karen Sirett-Kelly, Bob Ward,
In attendance: Clerk: Rebecca Cloke
1 member of the public
43. Apologies
None
44. Declarations of Interest
None
OPEN FORUM
45. Approval and signing of the minutes of the meeting held on 9th September.
The minutes were approved by the Council and signed by the Chair. Proposed by Cllr Exelby and seconded by Cllr Reseigh.
Carried forward actions:
Newtown Court Barn – Cllr Reseigh to take photos and submit site recommendations to the Planning Officer (Jessica Sullivan) TR
Cllr Reseigh to organise the additional bylaw signage. TR
Cllr Reseigh to pursue previous correspondence with B&D legal dept regarding out of date bylaw breach sanctions. TR
Total number of Slow and 5mph speed signs needed to be established so the Clerk could order the signage. TR / RC
Cllr Reseigh to email a response to Enborne Action Group regarding Long Corpse Farm TR
46. Report for “News from the Villages”
Cllr Reseigh had previously circulated the Parsh Council submission for New from the Villages.
47. Report from borough and/or county councillor
Cllr Thacker – absent
Cllr Izett provided an update on Basingstoke and Deane budget proposals. He stated that the increase in the Borough Council share of council tax equated to an average of £5 per household.
Cllr Izett outlined the plans to decrease the general refuse collections to fortnightly and introduce a weekly food waste collection. He stated glass collections would not be required to be separated.
Cllr Izett stated that Basingstoke car park charges would be increasing.
Cllr Izett briefed that the Parish Litter Grants would be increasing.
The clerk stated that NPC did not receive a litter grant and when we she had enquired as to how to apply to receive it had been informed that, as they weren’t currently a recipient, there was no further funding available. Cllr Izett advised that a query could be raised with Cllr Harvey.
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to contact Cllr Harvey regarding litter grants. (Clerk to forward previous email chain)
Cllr Ward asked Cllr Izett what Basingstoke and Deane were doing about the provision of Household Waste Centres to North Hampshire residents. Cllr Izett reminded Cllr Ward that provision of Household Waste Recycling Centres were the remit of the county council and not the borough council.
Cllr Izett briefed the councillors regarding the impact of the Employers NI increase, additional housing allocation (NPPF) and proposed local council devolution.
Cllr Izett outlined current planning issues:
Abbotswood – Cllr Izett in touch with West Berkshire councillors over this planning but no recent communication or updates
Threeways – Cllr Izett stated he had apposed the development on heritage grounds and proximity to the road.
Manydown (Basingstoke) – agreement now signed
48. Report from PCSO / CSPO
CSPO / PCSO / PC unable to attend meeting and had not sent report updates.
49. Highways and traffic issues
B4640
Cllr Reseigh had emailed PC Martyn Evans in September and October but had yet to receive a reply.
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to email PC Martyn Evans regarding an update on implementing speed enforcement measures on the B4640.
The clerk stated she had contacted Hampshire County Council to enquire as to the process to install village gateways but had yet to receive a response.
ACTION: Clerk to follow up on email sent to Hampshire regarding installing village gateways.
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 was a blockage on private land which was causing surface water to accumulate. Cllr Curry advised this had been an issue previously and was able to contact the landowner to request the ditch and drain clearance.
ACTION: Cllr Curry to contact landowner (field adjacent to The Swan) and request ditch / drain clearance.
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.
50. 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 – Awaiting decision.
23/01585/OUTMAJ (WB) Warren Farm Outline for 360 dwellings PC opposed previous app. – Awaiting decision
22/02754/OUTMAJ (WB) Land East of Newbury College Retail unit, Care home and 75 residences PC oppose – referenced Burghclere PC submission – awaiting decision
24/00290/FUL Land south of Threeways Erection of a detached dwelling. PC objection – awaiting decision. (amendment 30/8)
24/00677/FUL Newtown Court Barn Conversion of barn PC objection – awaiting decision. Contaminated land concerns
Cllr Reseigh briefed the councillors that he had visited the site at Newtown Court Farm with Cllr Izett following a written report he had sent. Cllr Izett forwarded the report and his own concerns to the Planning Officer at Basingstoke and Deane. The Planning Officer responded that no construction conditions or required method statements and therefore there were no breaches. She advised contacting HCC regarding the damage to the highways and the Health and Safety Executive regarding the site safety concerns.
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to contact Cllr Thacker regarding the road damage and road safety issues at Newtown Court Farm site.
51. Newtown Common
a) Update by Common Management Committee Chair
Cllr Curry updated the councillors that the Winter Work plan had been delivered to residents.
He further updated on the work that had been carried out including flailing and mulching and other clearance work.
A member of the public enquired as to whether anything could be done about the piles of green waste created by the clearing as they become snake habitats. Cllr Curry resolved to find out.
b) Bylaw update and summary signage
Cllr Reseigh updated the councillors that there had been no response to his email sent to the legal department at Basingstoke and Deane in October. Cllr Reseigh suggested that he contact Silchester and Sherfield On Loddon parish councils (as the other commons covered by the same bylaws) to request their assistance in the proposal to update the penalties.
ACTION: Clerk to forward the clerk email addresses for Silchester and Sherfield on Loddon to Cllr Reseigh so he can make contact.
c) Additional signage quotes and track slow signs – as per the carried forward action, a total number of Slow and 5mph speed signs needed to be established so the Clerk could order the signage.
ACTION: TR to total number required so order can be placed.
d) Motorised bikes / damage to common – Cllr Curry met with the CSPO to highlight the damage. CSPO stated there hadn’t been the volume of reports of the vehicles to warrant further action.
52. Lengthsman Scheme
Cllr Curry and Reseigh stated that the lengthsman hours would be used to install more posts at Jonathan Hill to prevent unauthorised parking on the common. Cllr Reseigh stated that the vehicle that had been reported as abandoned was still present.
53. Village Hall
Cllr Reseigh briefed the councillors that the VH committee were getting quotes to have the car park cleared. He further briefed that the local residents had come to an agreement about track maintenance.
Cllr Reseigh further briefed that lettings were up in the VH and they had held a recent meet and greet for the new residents. A mulled wine and mince pie event was to be held following the Christmas carol concert on the 15th December.
Cllr Reseigh stated that the VH committee were keen to see that the village hall was used for community events.
ACTION: Cllr Exelby look into an annual parish party / event.
54. Community Infrastructure Levy funding
The Clerk had circulated correspondence regarding the CIL funding (£16,596) that the Parish Council had received in respect of the Newtown Court Farm development. The PC has until Oct 29 to spend the funding which must be used to support the development of the local area. It was proposed by Cllr Reseigh and unanimously agreed that the CIL funding should be utilised for the village gateways proposed.
55. 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:
c) Approval of clerk salary increase – NJC salary 2024/2025 pay scales
The clerk had previously circulated the NJC National Salary 2024/25 Pay Scales and the proposal to increase the clerk salary in line with these pay scales. Received and approved.
d) Asset verification – notice board, laptop, printer, SLR, tree poppers
The assets were accounted for and agreed to be in working order.
e) Draft budget for 2024-25
The clerk had circulated the draft budget for review prior to the meeting along with a summary document of potential projects to be funded by the PC. A precept of £6,500 was proposed. The budget and precept were agreed.
ACTION: Clerk to submit precept request form to B&D by required deadline of 31st January.
56. Succession Planning
Cllr Reseigh briefed the councillors that Cllr Curry would be resigning as a parish councillor as he was moving out of the area. He stated that the Parish Council needed to recruit, not only to replace Cllr Curry but also to allow for newer residents to join.
It was suggested that social events would help to encourage participation and Cllr Reseigh urged the councillors to speak to new residents to establish if anyone would be interested in getting involved.
It was suggested that the book that was produced with pictures and descriptions of all the residents of the parish, could be updated in 2025 as a community activity.
ACTION: Cllr Ward to initiate the project in Spring 25 to update and reprint the residents book.
57. Correspondence
The Clerk briefed the councillors that she had received the following correspondence:
Remote attendance / proxy voting – ACTION: Clerk to submit response on behalf of NPC
Site at Newtown Court Farm
Increase in Employers NI
58. Date of next meetings
Dates for the next meetings were set for:
13th January, 10th March
The meeting closed at 8:45pm
Signed ……………………………. Date……………….
Appendix 1 – Summary of agreed actions
C/Fwd Newtown Court Barn – Cllr Reseigh to take photos and submit site recommendations to the Planning Officer (Jessica Sullivan) TR
C/Fwd Cllr Reseigh to organise the additional bylaw signage. TR
C/Fwd Cllr Reseigh to pursue previous correspondence with B&D legal dept regarding out of date bylaw breach sanctions. TR
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 email a response to Enborne Action Group regarding Long Corpse Farm TR
Cllr Reseigh to contact Cllr Harvey regarding litter grants. (Clerk to forward previous email chain) TR / RC
Cllr Reseigh to email PC Martyn Evans regarding an update on implementing speed enforcement measures on the B4640. TR
Clerk to follow up on email sent to Hampshire regarding installing village gateways. RC
Cllr Curry to contact landowner (field adjacent to The Swan) and request ditch / drain clearance. SC
Cllr Reseigh to follow up correspondence with Cllr Thacker regarding traffic calming at Jonathan Hill. TR
Cllr Reseigh to contact Cllr Thacker regarding the road damage and road safety issues at Newtown Court Farm site. TR
Clerk to forward the clerk email addresses for Silchester and Sherfield on Loddon to Cllr Reseigh so he can make contact. RC / TR
Cllr Exelby look into an annual parish party / event. JE
Clerk to submit precept request form to B&D by required deadline of 31st January. RC
Cllr Ward to initiate the project in Spring 25 to update and reprint the residents book. BW