Quarley Parish Council Minutes - September 2003

WELCOME.
Cllr Mrs Ferguson welcomed everyone to the meeting.

MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING.
Cllr Mrs Ferguson signed the minutes of the previous meeting as a true record. Matters arising from those minutes :-

GRASS CUTTING - The Parish Council were pleased with the grass cutting in the village this year. Test Valley have cut the grass area at Etwall more frequently, and Mr Pearce has done a good job in keeping the remaining grass areas in the village cut and looking tidy.

Cllr Mrs Ferguson asked Cllr Miss Cross to thank her father for keeping the grass area by the Village Hall cut.

DRAINS - Mr Pearce is keeping a close eye on the Gullies in the village and also the Drain cover in Park Lane. These will be cleared some time in October in preparation for the winter.

The Clerk was asked to contact the Area Surveyor to ask if Road Drain in Park Lane could be dug out and rodded before the winter.

MIRRORS - The Clerk showed the mirrors to the Parish Council. Cllr Mr Marshall will liase with Mr Brian Pearce and a site meeting will be held to place the mirrors. It was thought that the mirror on the comer by the war memorial will be difficult to position, and could be a case of trial and error before the final site can be agreed.

SMALL SCALE ENVIRONMENTAL GRANT - The Parish Council were dismayed that this project is taking so long to do and that there was still no news of a start date. Cllr Mrs Ferguson stated that it was Test Valley Borough Council that contacted the Parish Council in the first place almost two years ago.

WEB SITE - It was reported that the web site is up and running and is easily accessible, information about the village and the Parish Council Minutes are available.

FOOTPATHS - Some of the footpaths have been cleared although the trees that have fallen over the path have not yet been removed. The state of the footpath by Quarley manor was briefly discussed - Cllr Mr Marshall reported that a Parishioner has complained that the stile by the manor is broken and impassable due to the large number of weeds and nettles growing in this area.

The Parish Council discussed the footpaths, and agreed that they are a village asset there to be enjoyed by everyone. The Parish Council agreed that in 2004 the Village Footpaths would be the Parish Council’s main project. With co-operation of Hampshire Paths, it is intended to get them back into good condition and all walk-able, a footpath map will be displayed on the notice board and on the web site.

PLANNING - Nothing to report.

2004/2005 PRECEPT.
The Clerk reminded the Parish Council that the 2004/2005 Precept must be decided at the December Meeting. The Parish Council felt that it would be a good idea to help support the Village Hall by giving an annual donation. It was felt that the Village Hall is an asset to the village and that the entrance could be made more visually inviting, maybe with planting etc.

The Clerk was asked to write to Mr Cross, Chairman of the Village Hall, asking if the Village Hall Committee could please attend the December Parish Council Meeting so that the matters could be discussed.

COUNCILLOR'S REPORTS.

CLLR MISS L CROSS - Reported that the 'Right Hand Bend’ sign is missing as you come down the hill to the War Memorial. The Clerk was asked to report this to the Highways Department.

CLLR MRS G TUBBS - Reported that the Street Light by the Old Bus Shelter is still not working; this has been reported on numerous occasions. The Clerk was asked to chase this up as the evenings are drawing in.

CLLR MR W MARSHALL- Reported that there was a recent burglary in the village and urged everyone to be extra vigilant.

CLLR MRS J FERGUSON - Reported that the Road signs in the village are dirty, and the 30 MPH sign is barely visible. The Parish Council discussed this and decided that a Working party with a sponge and Bucket would soon remedy this. Another village Clean-up before the winter is planned, date and time will be published in the Village News Letter.

Cllr Mrs Ferguson reported that she has received a request for an additional name sign to be placed in Park Lane. This Lane has is also known as 'Duck Street' and delivery men are always getting lost.

The Parish Council discussed this, it was suggested that both Park Lane and Duck Street could be put on the Village Map when it is displayed on the new Notice Board. The Clerk was asked to put the Village Map on the December Meeting Agenda.

Cllr Mrs Ferguson reported that she had received a letter from Mr N Cavill regarding the lack of parking spaces in Etwall. There are five properties (3 Flats and 2 Bungalows) that do not have driveways or designated parking spaces. Cars etc have to park on the road causing problems for the refuse lorry, delivery vehicles and residents entering their properties.

Test Valley Borough Council has been informed of this problem; they have visited the site and have been in contact with Mr Cavill. The Matter has now been passed to Testway Housing who are looking at the possibility of creating some off street parking spaces.

PARISH COUNCIL NEWS LETTER
The Parish Council felt that the News Letter was a great success. The Clerk will produce a News Letter before each Parish Council Meeting, and this will be delivered to every house in the Parish.

YEARLY AUDIT
The Clerk reported on the Accounts and stated that they were with the Internal Auditor who was preparing them to be sent to District Audit in Plymouth.

CHEQUES ISSUED IN SEPTEMBER 2003

DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING
9TH DECEMBER 2003 IN THE VILLAGE HALL AT 7.30pm.