SHERFIELD ENGLISH PARISH COUNCIL

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL PARISH COUNCIL MEETING

Held on Wednesday 6 May 2009

at Sherfield English Village Hall

PRESENT

Cllrs. Pybus (in the chair), Dixon, Dovey,  Kulkarni, Leigh, and Newman.

ALSO PRESENT

Ward Councillor G. Bailey, County Councillor R. Perry, Mr. J. Hartley (Manager, Parish Plan) and 1 member of the public.

APOLOGIES

Cllr. Kirkwood, Ward Cllr. G. Bailey.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

A copy of the Chairman’s report is annexed to these minutes.

OTHER REPORTS

(i) County Councillor (Cllr. R. Perry)

· HCC Council Tax has been set at £1018 (band D) – an increase of 1.9% over the previous year. This is the lowest of any county in the South East. The downside is that Hampshire gets the lowst grant per head in the country.

· The Minerals Plan had not designated any site in Sherfield English for new waste or mineral developments.

· The speed limits on the A27 are under review with a proposal to extend the limit at Shootash to beyond The Frenches.

· The Government has just confirmed the South East Plan, imposing 133,700 dwellings in Hampshire by 2026. Most of the allocation will go to Romsey and southwards and to Andover.

(ii) Parish Plan (Mr. J. Hartley)

· The definitive version of the Plan has been published and is available.

· The next stage is the preparation of a Village Design Statement.

· Mr. Hartley had attended two planning appeal hearings to present evidence of the views of the village as formulated in the Parish Plan.

(iii) Sherfield English Village Hall Management Committee (Mr. R. Taylor, Secretary)

· The Hall has regular bookings and is in use most days. The hire rates have not risen since 2002 and are therefore very competitive.

· Works for this year will include total redecoration of the two halls.

· All Committee members were re-elected at the AGM on 20 April.

· The Income and Expenditure Account had been submitted to the Parish Council.

(iv) St. Leonard’s Church PCC (Mr. R. Taylor, Church Warden)

· Several items of repair and redecoration have been completed, including the provision of a new ringing chamber. All work had been funded by a grant of £2,500 from Sherfield English School Trust.

· Church membership – about 40 on the current roll

· One wedding in the past year, several baptisms and 6 funerals.

· Two new Church Wardens have been appointed and Mr. Taylor has stepped down.

(v) SEEP (Mr. D. Shaw)

· No hostile planning applications during the year.

· A considerable amount of work done in regard to the planning application for Showpeople's Accommodation.

· Treasurer stepping down and a replacement is being sought.

· AGM to be held on 24 June.

(vi) Children's Gardening Club (Cllr. Kulkarni)

· The Club, run by Smita Kulkarni, has seen an increase in the number of children attending.

· The children are taught how to grow  their own flowers and vegetables and the club is thriving.

(vii) SERP 2000 (Mr. S. Dovey)

· Several successful fundraising events held – fun day, rounders, horse show, dog show, music supper

· Plans for pavilion are ongoing

· Play area extended

· Plans to extend car park

(viii) Sherfield English School Trust (Cllr. Newman)

· Mr. M. Tennant has been elected Chairman of the Trust.

OPEN FORUM

A parishioner thanked the Parish Council for its prompt action in reporting a breach of planning conditions at Hill Farm Caravan Park.

Cllr. Dixon confirmed his retirement from the Council. Members were unanimous in their thanks and appreciation for his work as Chairman of the Planning Committee and his valuable input on environmental issues. Mr. Dixon indicated his willingness to continue to report informally to the Parish Council on environmental issues and members approved this proposal.

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Chairman

-----------------------------------------------------------  2009

Date