NEWTOWN PARISH COUNCIL
Hampshire
Minutes of a meeting of Newtown Parish Council held on
Monday 15th July 2024 at 7pm, Newtown Village Hall
Present: Meeting Chair: Tom Reseigh
Councillors: Jo Exelby, Karen Sirett-Kelly, Bob Ward,
In attendance: Clerk: Rebecca Cloke
1 member of the public
14. Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr Curry
15. Co-option of local Councillor to fill casual vacancy
Proposal to co-opt Karen Sirett-Kelly was made by Cllr Reseigh and seconded by Cllr Exelby. Thanks were given to Cllr Sirett-Kelly for standing.
Cllr Sirett-Kelly submitted her application for dispensation to participate in council decisions on budget and precept. The clerk signed an updated confirmation of dispensation to include Cllr Sirett-Kelly.
ACTION: Cllr Sirett-Kelly to submit Registration of Members’ Pecuniary Interests to Clerk to be submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Monitoring Officer within 28 days of co-option.
16. Declarations of Interest
None
OPEN FORUM
A member of the public queried spray painted letters at various locations on the common. Cllr Reseigh requested a photograph was sent to the Clerk to be investigated. [It was later established that these were part of an orienteering exercise by Horris Hill school
17. Approval and signing of the minutes of the meeting held on 13th May.
The minutes were approved by the Council and signed by the Chair. Proposed by Cllr Exelby and seconded by Cllr Reseigh.
18. Report for “News from the Villages”
Not applicable – no August edition
19. Report from borough and/or county councillor
Neither borough / county councillor present
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to email Cllr Izett and Cllr Thacker to request a written update if not able to attend. (TR)
20. Report from PCSO / CSPO
CSPO / PCSO / PC unable to attend meeting.
ACTION: Clerk to email to request written update if unable to attend meeting.
21. Highways and traffic issues
B4640
Cllr Reseigh briefed the councillors on the traffic speed data provided by Hampshire County Council and the response received from Inspector Alastair Lloyd from Thames Valley Police which stated that no specific actions would be taken but that the situation would be monitored.
ACTION: TR to reply to email to reiterate concerns and request that the data be revisited and further action be reconsidered.
C45
Cllr Reseigh briefed the councillors on the recent development regarding the water leak in the C45. Southern Water operatives had tested the water and found evidence of chlorine suggesting that the water was mains water rather than underground spring water as previously suggested. Southern Water will seek permission from Hampshire Highways to close the road to establish if there is a leak further up the road which is causing the ongoing road surface water.
Jonathan Hill
Following several complaints from residents about speeding vehicles on Jonathan Hill, Cllr Reseigh emailed Cllr Tom Thacker (HCC) querying what traffic calming measures could be introduced.
ACTION: TR to follow up email to Cllr Thacker.
22. Planning and development control
16/02230/FUL Hill Farm Erection of 8 dwellings No update
Withdrawn Returned (unlikely to be det.)
22/01781/LBC The Swan Inn Replacement of weathered and worn roof tiles Awaiting decision following bat survey.
23/01045/FUL (WB) Land South Of Abbottwood Retrospective change of use of land to a Gypsy / Traveller site PC oppose – Awaiting decision.
23/01585/OUTMAJ (WB) Warren Farm Outline for 360 dwellings PC opposed previous application – 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.
24/00677/FUL Newtown Court Barn Conversion of barn PC objection – awaiting decision
Newtown Court Farm – Cllr Reseigh noted that the construction vehicles were causing a significant level of road damage to the main highway.
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to email the planning case officer to raise the issue. (TR)
23. Newtown Common
a) Update by Common Management Committee Chair – not present. Meeting to be held 25th July.
b) Bylaw update and summary signage – summary documents of the bylaws have been created and posted on the parish noticeboards. The summary and the full document are also available on the parish website. Signage to include a QR code to the full bylaws was approved at a previous meeting and can now be ordered.
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to organise the additional bylaw signage.
Cllr Reseigh briefed the council of the further correspondence with Tola Otudeko, Legal Serivces, Basingstoke and Deane regarding the sanctions for a breach of the bylaws as current sanctions are inadequate and not indexed linked.
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to pursue previous correspondence.
c) Additional signage quotes and track slow signs – It was discussed that 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) Repairs to Jonathan Hill car park – Thanks were given to Basingstoke and Deane and Hampshire County Council for the grants provided to fund the repairs. The Clerk confirmed that all funds had been received, the contractor invoices paid and grant returns completed.
e) Vehicle parking / storage at Jonathan Hill – Cllr Reseigh confirmed that following the action taken by the Parish Council and Basingstoke and Deane, the area was largely clear. It was proposed that aline of posts be installed to prevent future occurrences.
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to obtain quotes for this work to be carried out and to circulate a note to the residents outlining the planned work.
f) Motorised bikes / damage to common – The Clerk briefed the councillors that further correspondence had been received from concerned residents about electric bikes / trail bikes being used on and around the common. It was noted that other local areas such as Highclere and Burghclere were facing similar issues. It was further noted that wildlife cameras may help with data collection for the police or Basingstoke and Deane.
ACTION: Clerk to purchase wildlife camera to be deployed in future.
24. Lengthsman Scheme
The councillors reviewed, agreed and signed the new contract from St Mary Bourne for the lengthsman hours for 24-25. Proposed by Cllr Exelby, seconded by Cllr Reseigh.
ACTION: Clerk to return signed contract to St Mary Bourne Parish Council.
25. Village Hall
Cllr Reseigh briefed the councillors on the ongoing work by the Village Hall committee.
26. 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:
27. Correspondence
The Clerk briefed the councillors that she had received the following correspondence:
701b footpath overgrown and impassable. It was resolved to send the land owner a letter from the Parish Council requesting that it was cleared.
ACTION: Clerk to send landowners letter.
Concern about speeding at Jonathan Hill and frequency of tree surveys – partially covered in minute 21.
ACTION: Cllr Reseigh to respond to resident regarding speeding vehicles and tree survey frequency.
Damage / nuisance to common caused by bikes- covered in minute 23f.
28. Date of next meetings
Dates for the next meetings were set for:
9th September, 11th November, 13th January, 10th March
The meeting closed at 8:30pm
Signed ……………………………. Date……………….
Appendix 1 – Summary of agreed actions
Cllr Sirett-Kelly to submit Registration of Members’ Pecuniary Interests to Clerk to be submitted to Basingstoke and Deane Monitoring Officer within 28 days of co-option. KSK / RC
Cllr Reseigh to email Cllr Izett and Cllr Thacker to request a written update if not able to attend.
TR
Clerk to email CSPO / PCSO / PC to request written update if unable to attend meeting. RC
TR to reply to email from Thames Valley Police to reiterate concerns and request that the data be revisited and further action be reconsidered. TR
TR to follow up email to Cllr Thacker regarding speed calming measures on Jonathan Hill. TR
Cllr Reseigh to email the planning case officer to raise the issue of the road damage caused by construction vehicles at Newtown Court Farm. 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 obtain quotes for the post installation at Jonathan Hill to be carried out and to circulate a note to the residents outlining the planned work. TR
Clerk to purchase wildlife camera to be deployed in future to assist with data collection in respect of electric bike use on the common.
RC
Clerk to return signed Lengthsman contract to St Mary Bourne Parish Council.
RC
Clerk to send landowners a letter requesting the 701b right of way be cleared.
RC
Cllr Reseigh to respond to resident regarding speeding vehicles and tree survey frequency. TR