MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON MONDAY 12th MAY 2025
Present
Councillors Mr S Hoskins (Chair), Mrs K Saunders (Vice Chair), Mr K Rhatigan, Mr J Sunley and the Clerk, Mr S Marshall.
Cllr Mellor and members of the public were also present.
1. Apologies
Apologies had been received from Cllr Bound, Cllr Dunn, Cllr Woodford and Cllr Parker.
2. Declaration of interest
There were no declarations of interest.
3. Minutes of previous meeting for approval
The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 14th April 2025 were approved and signed by the Chair as a true record.
4. Matters arising & Outstanding Action Points
Cllr Sunley had previously circulated a collation of the results of the allotments questionnaires which were discussed briefly at the previous meeting. The results would be advertised and advice sought accordingly from BDBC as to the next steps of the potential project.
The Chair requested that a report on advice sought from BDBC be made available by Cllr Sunley at the June 2025 meeting. *
Cllr Sunley was yet to arrange a trial run of the new ANPR equipment in conjunction with Cllr Parker. Cllr Sunley confirmed that he had completed a ‘user guide’ for the use of the equipment.
The Chair requested that Cllr Sunley had a confirmed date for the trial run of the equipment before the next meeting in June 2025. *
Cllr Hoskins and Cllr Parker further had further agreed to discuss the options available to advertise the underutilised use of the Headley Pavilion. *
Cllr Dunn was pursuing alternative quotes for the additional parking spaces at the Headley recreation ground. *
Cllr Woodford had previously raised a staffing issue which was to be addressed at a meeting with Cllr Woodford and Cllr Rhatigan. *
5. Highways
The recent road traffic accident at the junction of Thornford Road and Ashford Hill Road in Headley was discussed and advice was provided by Cllr Mellor as to what measures were not feasible to reduce such accidents except for the possibility of clearer white road lining to delineate the end of the road at the Thornford Road junctions. Cllr Mellor confirmed that the County Council’s ‘Safer Roads’ department would be investigating this particular road traffic accident.
Cllr Rhatigan emphasised the importance of recording the details of such road traffic accidents at that location which had driver visibility issues because such information could be used to oppose any housing development proposals at that location because of the road safety issues that have been identified because of several road traffic accidents.
Cllr Rhatigan raised the issue of the traffic congestion when the A339 was recently closed, particularly where the C111 narrows near to Tanhouse Cottages near Headley and suggested the introduction of a temporary traffic lights control system being in place next time the A339 was closed, and the diversion was in place.
6. Planning Applications
There were no planning applications received for the month. An appeal was being made against BDBC’s refusal to grant planning permission to an application for 1, Tanhouse Cottages near Headley.
Cllr Rhatigan reported to the meeting that he would be chairing the ‘Residents Against Ashford Hill Development’ action campaign which had been resurrected because of the housing development proposal by the Sigma Homes Group. Cllr Rhatigan would be acting as Chair in his capacity as a resident of Ashford Hill.
7. Reports
County Councillor
Cllr Mellor commented on the road safety and access implications of any housing development proposal by the Sigma Homes Group at the proposed location.
Cllr Mellor commented on an independent review undertaken by tiers of local government into potential boundary allocations because of the local government review which was likely to formally start in mid-September 2025.
Cllr Mellor confirmed that whilst there were very few potholes on the B3051 and that it was not possible for a complete resurfacing of the entire road, repairs would be taking place at the junction of the B3051 and the Ashford Hill Road.
Borough Councillors
Cllr Bound had provided a written report with an update of points on interest for Parish Councillors.
Chair of the Parish Council’s report
Community MUGA (Multi Use Games Area)
The planning application would be considered by the Development Control Committee on 14 May 2025 at 6.30pm. The application is recommended to be granted by the Planning department. Mr Geoff Allwright and the Chair will be attending the meeting.
S106 Developer Contributions – Play & Public Open Space
The Chair and Cllr Parker had met with a supplier of sensory panels suitable for children with additional needs in the form of finger mazes, comms boards etc. The Council is purchasing two panels each for Headley and Ashford Hill playgrounds.
Headley Pavilion
Maintenance work on external wooden panelling was being undertaken.
Parish Council Notice Boards
New boards have now been ordered.
Woodland Management
A plan to replace dead trees that were recently removed from the recreation grounds with replacement saplings will be undertaken in the autumn if the Parish Councillors approve the expenditure.
Kingsclere U9s Football Team
The team have now signed the agreement to use the Headley recreation ground for Saturday training and wish to continue beyond their initial trial 2 months period. Cheam School has been contacted to see if they can assist with the reseeding of the goal mouths on the Headley recreation ground.
Footpath Volunteers
The volunteers have undertaken some re-invigoration and two new members; Mr Matt Ottway and Mr Simon James had joined the team. Last week Mr Geoff Allwright and the Chair had cleared a path down the side of the White House in Galley Lane that a member of the public had reported.
Headley Litter Warden
Sue Kemp has taken over from her husband Phil as the official Headley Litter Warden and the Chair expressed his appreciation and that of the Parish Council for Mr Phil Kemp’s hard work and commitment to the role of Litter Warden for Headley.
Fly Tipping – Thornford Road, Headley
Fly tipping had occurred near to the ford crossing point on three occasions recently and had been cleared very promptly when reported to the Borough Council. The Clerk had informed the local Police Officer and the Police Community Support Officer about the ongoing problem and he was liaising with the Borough Council’s Environmental Health Team in an attempt to resolve the antisocial behaviour.
Defibrillator familiarisation training
Defibrillator familiarisation training is carried out on a regular basis for the equipment located at the Community Shop in Headley and it was suggested that the same familiarisation training is carried out for the new defibrillator located at the Ashford Hill Village Hall.
BDBC Presentation – Monday 9th June Meeting – 7.00 pm – Headley Village Hall
Cllr Paul Harvey, the Leader and Chief Executive of Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council will provide an update on the Council’s budget, the Council Plan, or anything else the Councillor may wish to share. Councillor Gavin James (Co Leader) and Councillor Andy Konieczko (Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning & Infrastructure) will also be attending the presentation.
Parish Councillors
Cllr Woodford had provided the meeting with a written report covering several issues. The report included notification of a broken footpath sign by Old Lane in Ashford Hill which the Chair had in hand. * Goal mouths had been moved to their new locations for the summer on the Ashford Hill recreation ground and the Clerk confirmed that the old goal post sockets had been cut down to prevent a trip hazard. Cllr Woodford suggested to the meeting another sign from the C111 onto the recreation ground reminding visitors of the prohibited activities which included cycling. Cllr Woodford had attempted to repair the Ashford Hill SID (Speed Indicator Device) but it would now be sent away for an analysis of why the equipment was not working whilst the Clerk would investigate the cost of a replacement SID if it were required. Cllr Woodford reported that with the second SID not in use it had been very noticeable that traffic speeds from Tadley into Ashford Hill had risen dramatically. Cllr Woodford further stressed the importance of using the ANPR equipment as part of the ‘Speed Watch’ initiative.
Cllr Sunley reported on the recent meetings that he had attended as the Council’s representative which included the Ashford Hill Educational Trust and the Ashford Hill Village Hall Committee.
Cllr Rhatigan requested the Clerk to enquire if a covered bin could be installed near to the Ashford Hill playground to replace the existing open bin which often overflowed in windy weather conditions. *
Clerk to the Council
The Clerk had requested a quote for the professional cleaning of the 4 bus shelters in Headley on the A339 which would include repairs to the wooden shelters.
The Clerk had invited the newly designated Police Officer for the villages as well as the Police Community Support Officer to future meetings of the Parish Council when their shift patterns allowed in order to meet with Councillors.
The Clerk reported that because of a substantial increase in the Litter grant from BDBC for 2025/2026, the grant now covered the full cost of the employment of the two Litter Wardens. BDBC had concurrently introduced a Service Level Agreement for all Parish Councils to adhere to which was currently being reviewed by the Chair and the Clerk to ensure that the terms of the SLA would be achievable.
The Clerk reported that work was being finalised for the financial audit of the annual accounts and would be presented to Councillors prior to the June meeting when the Annual Return to the Audit Commission would require approval from Councillors.
8. Recess
Discussion ensued between members of the public and Parish Councillors regarding several minor issues which were be addressed because of constructive dialogue and the provision of additional information.
9. Financial statement
The Lloyds TSB current account of the Parish Council stood at £1,797.59
The Lloyds TSB deposit account of the Parish Council stood at £94,348.77
which included payments received from CIL and S106 funding as well as 50% of the annual Precept.
10. Accounts for approval & payment
BDBC – Playground inspections – April 2025 – March 2026 – £1308.73
KT Design – Website annual hosting & 3-month management fee – £400.00
Ostrich Print – Printing of Chair’s letter for Parish Magazine – £175.00
Bramley Business Services Ltd – Audit of Annual Accounts & PAYE admin. – £525.00
SSE Energy Solutions – Headley Pavilion electricity – 28/2 – 31/3/25 – £110.11
EDF – Headley Pavilion electricity – April 2025 estimate – £59.30
Southern Water – Headley Pavilion water consumption – £13.22
Scofell Landscapes Ltd – Recreational grounds maintenance – £1464.83
Ady Miles Services – Ashford Hill rec.grnd goal post sockets removal – £65.00
Cllr Joe Woodford – Expenses – Capacitators for Ashford Hill’s SID – £28.97
Cllr Joe Woodford – Expenses – Parish Council’s domain name – 2025 -2028 – £57.16
The Chair declared the meeting closed at 8.34pm.
