NEWTOWN PARISH COUNCIL
Hampshire
Minutes of a meeting of Newtown Parish Council held on
Monday 28th September 2023 at 7pm, Newtown Village Hall
Present: Meeting Chair: Tony Webb
Councillors: Sean Curry, Tom Reseigh, Jo Exelby
In attendance: Clerk: Rebecca Cloke
33. Apologies
Apologies were received from Cllr Ward and Cllr Izett.
34. Declarations of Interest
None
OPEN FORUM – none
35. Approval and signing of the minutes of the meeting held on 17th July.
The minutes were approved by the Council and signed by the Chair. Nominated by Cllr Exelby and seconded by Cllr Curry.
36. Report for “News from the Villages”
Cllr Webb stated he would be including information about recent burglaries in the local area in the News from the Villages November issue.
37. Report for the district and/or county councillor
None provided
38. Report from PCSO
The clerk reported that the PCSO had been invited but had not been able to attend. A brief written update had been provided with details of three burglaries and one incident of a suspicious vehicle. These did not include other burglaries that the Parish Council were aware of.
ACTION: Clerk to query the additional properties with the PCSO and further query what action was being taken.
39. Highways and traffic issues
a) SLR deployment data and proposed locations – To follow
b) SLR deployment B4640 – Cllr Webb had written and circulated a note to be distributed to all Newtown residents asking for support to petition Hampshire to allow use of the SLR on the B4640. It was suggested an online petition could be used to collate the petition data.
ACTION: Clerk to review the wording to update to reflect registering on the website for Parish Council communications and to look into, and create an online petition platform that can be added to the website.
c) C45 – The council discussed the response received from Cllr Nick Adams-King, Lead Cabinet Member for Universal Services (Highways, Transport, Environment, Countryside and Communities) Hampshire County Council with regards to the issue of surface water on the C45. The proposed solution consisted of a trial hole to expose and repair the damaged pipe at the underground spring location. In addition high power water jets will be used to ensure the pipe is clear and the drainage system along the length of the C45 to ensure it is working at optimal levels. There will also be an exercise carried out to install / re-install roadside grips to reduce the water running down the road by directing it off the road. A full road closure will be required, however the date has not yet been set.
40. a) 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 PC – no comment
Awaiting decision
23/01169/FUL Land at Old Post Office New detached 2 bedroom dwelling PC oppose – granted
23/01045//FUL (WB) Land South Of Abbottwood 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
23/02086/HSE Millets Hill Single storey extension PC supported previous application
b) Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan Update
Correspondence had been received from Cllr Andy Konieczko regarding the next steps for the Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan Update. The communication stated that Cllr Konieczko and Cllr Harvey would be meeting with individual parishes to discuss the Local Plan.
ACTION: Clerk to contact to establish if the meeting can take place at the November PC meeting (if appropriate).
41. Newtown Common
a) Cllr Curry had circulated an update on the common which was discussed regarding planned works by Heathland Management, Sparsholt College, Green Gym and the lengthsman. He stated the Winter Work Plan was being finalised and would be circulated shortly.
b) Byelaws – Cllr Webb stated he had not received a response from HCC in regards to his request to update the byelaws.
ACTION: TW to consider what action required next
c) Footpath boardwalk 701b – Cllr Curry briefed the council that landowner permission had still not been granted for the 701b boardwalk to commence.
ACTION: Cllr Curry to contact Hampshire to request support to remind landowner of their responsibility.
d) Terms of Reference – The Clerk had rewritten the Common Management Committee Terms of Reference at the request of the CMC Chair as they did not reflect the current situation. A draft had been circulated for review. Cllr Exelby suggested that “woodland management” be added to the responsibilities section. The TOR (following the minor addition suggested) were ratified. Proposed by Cllr Curry and seconded by Cllr Webb.
ACTION: Clerk to make minor amendment and circulate final version and include it on the new website.
42. Lengthsman Scheme
Cllr Curry stated that the Lengthsman would continue to maintain the west footpath from Horris Hill down towards the Swan.
43. Coronation / Elizabeth trail
Postponed as Cllr Ward not present.
44. Village Hall
Cllr Reseigh thanked the Parish Council for their kind donation towards the next set of improvements. He stated a fund raising quiz was due to be held at the Village Hall the following evening.
45. Parish Council website / email
The Clerk briefed the councillors that the draft website was almost ready. A lot of work had been put into transferring data over to the new platform and including new features such as a planning map, contact section and the ability for residents to sign up for Parish Council notifications. The Clerk requested that the PC review the draft website and provide any constructive feedback before the site could go live.
ACTION: PC member to send clerk bio and headshot if not already completed. Clerk to circulate the link to the draft website for the councillors to review and provide feedback.
46. Finance reports
a) To receive the report on the budget for 2023/24
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 / ratify the following payments:
17-July B071 The Good Exchange Village Hall donation £650.00
21-Sep B072 ICO Data Protection renewal fee £35.00
30-Sep B073 Rebecca Cloke Clerk salary – Jul-Sep £658.28
30-Sep B074 HMRC Clerk PAYE – Jul-Sep £164.40
47. Correspondence
The Clerk had received notification of some proposed maintenance work by SSE on Sheepwash Lane. The works order had been reviewed and permission granted.
A member of the public had requested details of pothole reports to Hampshire Highways following damage to their tyre.
The Clerk had sent an annual donation reminder to Horris Hill due September.
48. Date of next meetings
Dates for the next meetings were set for:
13th November, 8th January (changed from 15th), 25th March
The meeting closed at 7:45pm
Signed ……………………………. Date……………….