MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY

PENTON MEWSEY CIVIL PARISH

PENTON VILLAGE HALL - 19^th MAY 2008 7.30 pm

Present

                Apologies for Absence: Harry Vialou Clark (Vice-Chair), Ward Cllrs Lashbrook & Charnley

1)    OPENING REMARKS

Chairman welcomed the members of public and thanked the retiring Councillor Janice Mitchell for her service, the Clerk for his on-going vigilance and Cllrs Carrick & Bennett for procuring refreshments.

2)  INVITATION TO FILL COUNCILLOR VACANCY

Since an election had not been requested, Penton Mewsey Parish Council (PMPC) was free to co-opt a councillor to fill the vacancy left by Mrs Mitchell.  Clerk advised that the vacancy had been advertised on notice boards and by E-Mail, with a closing date of Friday 27^th June 2008.

2)  MINUTES OF THE 2007 ANNUAL PARISH ASSEMBLY

The Chairman signed the Minutes (approved by PMPC 9^th July 2007).

3)  CHAIRMAN'S REPORT (incl. Finance Report)

1)     Planning applications

PMPC had received sixteen applications during 2007-08.  Thirteen had been for building work and three related to trees.  Of these 16 applications, only two had been objected to by the Parish Council, but each had been objected to more than once:-

1) Hillside infill : 2^nd application approved by Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC) after height reduction.

2) Airfield : PMPC objected on grounds of: traffic, all forms of continuous pollution 24/365 (light, sound, exhaust fumes) and unsuitability regarding employment aims. It was understood that the proposal would go to Northern Area Planning Committee in June 2008.

Chairman reminded those present that in The Pentons Conservation Area permission was required for satellite dishes facing the road, for garden sheds above a certain size, for demolition &/or erection of walls, fences, hedges - amongst other things.  Owners of Listed Buildings needed consent for both internal and external work.  It was advised to always ask TVBC first -this could prevent issues arising when selling.

2) Drainage

Chairman advised that, as almost the final stage in the Penton Mewsey Drainage Improvement Scheme, a new culvert would be installed in Foxcotte Lane, resulting in road closure in June and July 2008 (the Environment Agency required that such work be done between May and September).  The aim was to prevent the flooding and deterioration of Foxcotte Lane, as had been experienced in early 2001 and 2003.  The other outstanding project was to pipe drainage from the East Lodge area down Newbury Hill to Chalkcroft Lane.  All these works would be paid for by Hampshire County Council without any financial contributions from PMPC.

3) Rights-of-Way, Penton Pond & PMPC Land

PMPC paid for the mowing of the pond surrounds and Parish Council land in Trinity Rise. The intention remained to improve the surface of Blacksmith's Lane whilst retaining the rural atmosphere, subject to funding from Penton Grafton Parish Council in which it mostly lies.

4) Parish Boundary

Chairman noted that a brief article had appeared in the Andover Advertiser of May 9^th about TVBC cancelling a boundary review.  The aim had been to see if the population of The Pentons would agree to an option of moving the current boundary a few hundred yards west to include Penton Grafton and creating a Pentons Parish Council and a Weyhill Parish Council, rather than the current status where the parish boundary zig-zags through the village and 80% of the inhabitants of Penton Grafton Parish live in Weyhill & Clanville.  Penton Grafton Parish Council had first to check on the implications regarding a house they own in Penton Grafton so the review had been deferred.  It was noted that if such a proposal were to be agreed, it would make no difference to anyone's address - the names Penton Grafton and Penton Mewsey would not change.  However the Penton Grafton electors would vote in Penton Village Hall instead of Weyhill, and Parish Council Tax money would be dedicated to The Pentons community.

5) Roads

All the potholes complained about last year had since been repaired, especially the bottom of Harroway Lane and many places up and down Chalkcroft Lane.  An access ramp had been added for wheelchairs & scooters going to the church.  Some Grainstore traffic continued to use Chalkcroft Lane, contrary to the Tenancy Agreement, however it was understood that the main offending company would not have its tenancy renewed in November 2008.  TVBC was investigating complaints about business activities taking place on Sundays.  The Penton Harroway zig-zag corner at the junction of Harroway Lane and Short Lane had had new and additional chevron signs installed.  Looking ahead, TVBC/HCC plan to install better signage on the A342 to deter HGVs from using this route.

6) Transport

The Cango bus service appeared to be satisfactory.

7) Financial Summary

Penton Mewsey PC had started the year (1^st April 2007) with a Bank Balance of £3214.  Receipts through the year included £4500 Precept from the Council Tax, a donation from the PRC, various VAT refunds and bank interest, making a Receipts Total of £5494.   The Total funds (Balance plus Receipts) had been £8708.

At year-end (31^st March 2008) the bank balance had been £2176 (i.e. 75% had been spent).  The Payments Total had been £6532, of which £1835 had been for donations to third parties to benefit the community, as follows:-

                Penton Village Hall: two fridges + a new carpet
                Penton Bonfire: Fireworks display
                Holy Trinity Church for Churchyard maintenance
                The Airfield Campaign
                The Pentons Neighbourhood Watch              

The rest (£4697) had been for insurance, office costs (phone, paper, postage, photocopier), various obligatory fees (subscriptions to Hampshire & National associations, Information Commission, Internal & External Auditors), Village Hall rental, street lighting, grass mowing, bus shelter maintenance and Clerk's salary. 

Chairman noted that the Parish contribution from the 2008-09 Council Tax bill had been increased by about 7% (depending on housing band).  This reflected the fact that it had been about minus 1% the previous year because the Precept of £4500 had not been increased for 2007-08, due to a higher carry forward than planned.  For 2008-09, due to a lower carry forward (more spent) and due to rising costs, it had been increased to £5500.

5) OPEN MEETING

Chairman invited the members of the public for their comments on his report and for suggestions for the current year.  The only issue raised was that of the Airfield application.  HCC Cllr Pat West advised on the likely schedule for TVBC Planning meetings for the Andover Airfield application, subject to the HCC and Highways agency reports being submitted in the time frame.  Cllr West, on behalf of herself and the Borough Cllrs Lashbrook and Charnley, thanked the Council chairman, Cllrs and Clerk for the exemplary manner in which they conducted the business of Penton Mewsey Parish and stated that it was a pleasure and an honour to work with them

Chairman thanked the members of public for attending. 

The meeting closed at 8.00pm.

(Followed by the PMPC AGM)