Meeting held on Thursday February 2^nd 2006 in Easton Village Hall.

PRESENT: Alison Matthews (Chairman), Bob Banham, Cynthia Bolton, Jennifer Ffennell, Elaine Labram, Geraldine Phillips, Eric Thompson, Joyce Edgell (Clerk).

Jackie Porter (County Councillor) and two members of the public were present.

02.1 APOLOGIES: Steve Gapper, Fiona Parry

02.2 MINUTES of LAST MEETING

The minutes of the meeting held on January 5^th 2006 were approved and signed.

02.3 MATTERS ARISING                                                                                          ACTION

a)      Couch Green

Sara Mason spoke on behalf of local parents about the need for improved play equipment for Couch Green. AM informed her that this is under review but there are constraints with the amount of money IVPC is able to provide. Sara will liaise with FP.                                                                                      FP

The play equipment inspections will take place in the week beginning 20.02.2006. The cost is £34 plus VAT.

The Parish Councillors are Corporate Trustees of KGV.

HAPTC has published information re liabilities. This was circulated at the meeting.

b) Low Cost Housing

            Ursula Bennion has asked IVPC to check the criteria. JAE to check which version was agreed by                                IVPC.                                                                                                              JAE

            The Banner Homes development will have 3 affordable dwellings (1 house and 2 one bedroom flats). AM will put  something in the magazines at the appropriate time to inform local people.   AM

c) Sign in Church Lane, Easton

            An estimate of £145 has been received from Mr Beaumont. EL to check on the size. If acceptable JAE will ask Mr Beaumont to make the sign.                                                 EL/JAE

d) Footpaths

            CB reported dog fouling on the railway line footpath. A local farmer is concerned about bridleways being turned into BOATS. Should an injury occur to a walker or horse rider the landowner could be responsible. Jackie Porter said there is a test case on traffic regulation orders proceeding at the moment.

            JF asked about the slippery state of the bridge at the bottom of Church Lane, Martyr Worthy. CB has consulted HCC who are not keen to put wire on it. Stapling was suggested.                               CB

e) Traffic Calming

            The gateways in Easton have been agreed with HCC. It was suggested that consultants should be asked to                         prepare a report on the B3047, similar to “Rural Roads at Risk”. EL to investigate the cost of this with a more                         detailed estimate on time required to report.                                                       EL

f) Avington Open Space

            Work being carried out at Avington Open Space is to allow 6 Highland Cattle to graze there.

g) Easton Village Hall

            A response has been received from Stephen Whetnall re a resident adding money to IVPC’s grant. It was                         agreed that this was not feasible.

02.4COUNCILLORS’ REPORTS and QUESTIONS           

CB reported that the land agreement for the Itchen Abbas sewage works is expected and work will then start.

Couch Green sewage works will be delayed for another year as there is a restriction on finance.

JP informed the meeting that Itchen Abbas School is hoping to get a walk way through the Old House grounds to the             school.

GP suggested that as the playing field at Easton is underused could it be publicised? The new swings planned will be announced in the village magazines

GP stated that parked cars are hiding the footpath sign by the Chestnut Horse. CB to ask if the sign can be moved so that it is more visible.                               CB

EL has consulted with the trustees re the suitability of the new swings for the Old School Field. The trustees are happy with this proposal.

JAE to check on the cost and apply for costing from the Open Space Fund.                 JAE

ET reported on the AGM of Easton Village Hall. The funds are building up but the Cricket Club is lacking support.

BB has checked the accounts to date. He noted that the insurance premium is very high and wondered if IVPC tenders for this. He will consult with HAPTC.                                                                                           BB

JF continues to chase for deeds and sale of land for Couch Green sewage works.

AM has reminded the housing department about the resurfacing of the path at the top of the zigzag footpath on Station Hill, Itchen Abbas.

AM had been contacted by a Mr Michael Cunliffe re a proposed application for change of use to a Gospel Hall at                 Lunways. He would like to make a presentation when the application has been submitted.

02.5 PARISH COUNCIL VACANCY

            Paul Twelftree has resigned from the Parish Council. JAE will advertise the vacancy in the March magazines.                                                                                                                                                                         JAE

02.6 SCRUTINY COMMITTEE

            AM has been asked to give a half hour talk re how WCC addresses communication with Parish Councils.

02.7 FINANCE

The following cheques were approved and signed:

101439 The Park Golf Club                                                                                     £111.63

101440 Martyr Worthy Parish Hall (Hire Jan.)                                                          £12.00

101442 Joyce Edgell (Salary and Expenses Jan.)                                                £232.91

02.8. PLANNING APPLICATION

W10484/05 Mr and Mrs Langley, The Willows, Avington Park Lane, Easton. Single storey rear extension, entrance porch. No objection to extension but it is hard to equate the height with the application for a SINGLE storey extension.                                                                                           JAE

An application is expected for demolition of Stillwaters House, Avington. The meeting agreed to AM/CB/BB consulting.

02.9. PLANNING DECISION

            W17745/05 Mr Judson, Pipit’s Hill, Avington Road, Avington. Change of use of land from agricultural to residential             garden. APPLICATION PERMITTED

02.10 PLANNING MATTERS 

            Banner Homes have withdrawn their appeal for 14 dwellings. 

            The application at Chillandham Cross was refused as it would be detrimental to the character of the area 

            AM has received some documents re the motorcross planning application. These to be circulated for comments. The main application is expected. (This year Homelands is expected to be over 3 days).

            Comments on the latest revisions on the Winchester Local are required by 28.02.2006. In view of the changes to Policy H3 (development frontages) in Itchen Abbas, councillors from that ward will write the comments. 

.           JAE will write and support the Hampshire Water Partnership asking that building regulations be updated to make               economies with water.                                                                                                                 JAE 

An outline of the responses to the South East Regional Plan had been received. 

            EL will respond to the Biodiversity Action Plan Consultation Document.                     EL

            WCC are holding an internal meeting to ask the developer to explain what work has been carried out at Morn Hill to             justify the S106 agreement.

            Steve Opacic to be invited to the March or April meeting to explain the value of Village Design Statements.                                                                                                                                                       JAE

02.11 CORRESPONDENCE 

A letter has been received from a resident re the state of Grace’s Corner bus shelter. It was felt that all the bus shelters could be looked at. CB will ask Charlie Yeates if he is willing to do this.                                 CB 

02.12 DATE of NEXT MEETING 

Thursday 2^nd March 2006 at 7pm in Itchen Abbas and Avington Village Hall.