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The following matters were amongst those
discussed at the Parish Council Meeting in the Church on
12th April 2001.
Matters Arising
Hop Gardens - Following the meeting on 4th March, it was
decided to tackle the issue by treating the Hop Gardens
and Clay Street as separate areas. Although it is
believed each resident is the legal owner of the road
fronting their property up to the centre line,
confirmation of this is being sought.
A site visit to the school by a WCC Road Engineer will
take place on 24th April at around 3pm to assess the
traffic problem along Common Road when the children
finish school.
Temporary repairs to the road surface have been made
along the lane leading to Testwood Cottages.
The swimming pool cover at Wisteria House has been
removed.
Biffa Grant
Biffaward is the division of the Company that returns
wastefill tax in the form of grants for environmental
projects. An award of £100,000 has already been made
available to go towards the construction of a new village
hall. It has now been suggested the PC re-applies for a
larger amount to incorporate the existing grant for the
construction of a new pavilion instead. Despite
opposition to this proposal, it was carried by a small
majority.
Environment
Planning Permission has been granted for a new flare and
higher fence at the Biffa site.
Residents of Highlands Way have received a letter from
SDC asking for their co-operation in keeping the
recreation area known as The Copse litter free.
The number of flower tubs to be provided this year may be
scaled back because of demand.
The village caretaker requested that the rubbish bins in
the Memorial Ground be fixed to prevent vandals from
emptying them and using them to climb on the roof of the
Portakabin. He also noted that one of the seats in the
children's play area has a broken wooden slat.
Rights of Way/Transport
A letter from WCC sent out on 12th April gave details of
further footpaths to be opened; none are in this Parish.
It was agreed by a majority vote that the National Trust
could re-open the car park and part of the byway at
Pepperbox Hill.
Village Hall
Decoration of the interior is taking place between 7th
and 22nd April.
It was agreed a maintenance book will be provided on the
premises for all hall users to note faults.
The Pepperbox Pre-School want a lock on the store in
which they keep their goods. They also complained about
children getting splinters from the floor; a villager has
volunteered his equipment to scrub the floor which is
hoped will remedy this.
On the advice of the SDC Planning Officer, the
application for a new hall has been suspended in order to
assess what needs to be done to obtain Planning
Permission. Objections were received from two villagers
and the Conservation Officer. Before any building takes
place on the MG, an archeological valuation is required
by the Education and Library Department of WCC.
Skateboard Park
This has been delayed by the MGMC requiring it to be
constructed in a different material. The PC is also
checking whether planning permission is required.
A group of youths using Highlands Way for their
activities have been requested by the police and
householders to desist, in the interests of safety and
well-being of residents.
Planning
The problems with BKG Transport continue. A warehouse was
built without PP after a fire. Plans were then submitted
for a further warehouse. Although this was refused, SDC
will allow the transfer of permission to the existing
building. The new Section 106 order redefines the site so
trailers are off the common.
Despite promising to move trailers from the old dairy
site, they are still in situ.
Enforcement Officers are looking at the Harestock Cottage
sandpit site, known as Harestock Farm where a caravan is
to be used as an office to sell agricultural machinery.
The enforcement action of visibility splays at Cowesfield
Nursery will result in a contractor carrying out the
necessary work by the end of April, and SDC invoicing the
owner.
The MGT has given permission for the land adjacent to the
Surgery to be sold for housing. However, permission is
still required from the Charities Commission. Given the
criteria, it is unlikely they will refuse, so it was
decided to resubmit the planning application for a single
dwelling.
Computer Awareness Day
This free session will take place in the Village Hall
from 2pm until early evening on Thursday 24th May, where
experienced helpers will assist villagers on all aspects
of computing and using the internet.
Police Matters
PC Alan Day reported via email three crimes had been
committed in the village over the past eight weeks. A van
was broken into and parts stolen; a statue and letterbox
were stolen, as were six items of garden machinery. The
last theft was carried out in daylight; any sightings of
suspicious vehicles, or persons calling at homes for
gardening or building work should be reported. A man was
arrested for drink/driving after crashing into a wall in
The Street.
Memorial Ground
At the AGM, a new Chairman and secretary were appointed.
Next Meeting
Villagers are very welcome to attend the AGM on 17th May
at 7.30pm in the Village Hall, where they will be able to
speak on any matter that concerns them at the Chairman's
invitation. If you can't attend but wish to
raise any village matter, please contact any Parish
Councillor whose details are on the homepage.
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