9/09.1

Apologies: none. The Chairman welcomed Cllr Savin to the committee

9/09.2

To review minutes of the GP meeting held 13/07/09

The minutes of the meeting held on 13^th July 2009 were accepted as a true record.

9/09.3

9/09.4

Matters arising: 

GP 7/09.5  Clerk still awaiting quotes

GP 7/09.6   Letters have been sent to those concerned

SLR Trial Date (Basingstoke Road)
Four weeks from 10/11/09.  Monitoring first and last weeks.  The Parish Council has to pay for the post.

9/09.5        

Cemetery Issues

(i)  Clerk reported that there had been unauthorised opening of graves, presumably for the burial of ashes. Clerk to put a reminder in the Tower that authorisation was needed to open a grave and a small fee was payable

(ii)  A number of tags have been cut off the graves and thrown into the hedge in one corner.  These will need to be replaced.  Clerk & Cllr Porton to carry out an inspection

(iii)  Some stones have been laid flat. It is not clear whether this has been done by relatives or vandals.  They need to be put on the graves and relatives notified.

(iv) Spoil has been dumped by the undertakers.  Clerk to write to the Co-op reminding them of the rules that no spoil is to be dumped anywhere on site

(v)   A request has been made to place a memorial bench.  There is a limit to how many can be put in the burial ground, but there are other places in the village where they would be welcome. Likewise trees with plaques.

(vi) The Giles family had made a further request for exclusive rights of burial. After some discussion it was agreed that, as an exception, this would be granted (5:1).  Cllr Woodman proposed that this singular exception should not be allowed again.  This was agreed 5:1

(vii)The tap on the butt has been broken again, perhaps by people standing on it to use the butt as a trough.  Perhaps a stone could be laid to facilitate this.  Clerk to discuss options, (butt or trough) with Arthur Rampton.

Clerk

Clerk/LP

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

Clerk

9/09.6

Wildflower Meadow Maintenance

(i)    A number of people have offered to help with the raking of the meadow

(ii)  The advice from the Wildlife Trust is that it is more important to take out the ragwort than to rake, but this can only be done in July/August, so will be left until next year

(iii) Opinions differ as to whether or not wildflower meadows should be raked.  LP to contact Sarah Ball for advice.  Apparently as there are still orchids, the meadow is in good shape

LP

9/09.7

To consider replacing a handrail at the cemetery.

This is becoming unstable. AR has quoted to replace with longer, sturdier rail for a cost of £320.  This was agreed.

9/09.8

Malthouse Open Space

Clr Smith noted that the pond was full of rubbish.  It is due to be cleared by Kieron Beattie next month.  There is a maintenance plan for this area, which the Clerk will circulate.  Cllr Bates  agreed to remove the stakes from the middle of the pond

Clerk/AB

9/09.9

Notice Boards

Cllr Smith asked whether there was any merit in the idea of councillors each ‘adopting’ a notice board which they cleared of irrelevant/unwanted notices.  In fact this is largely what happens and it was agreed to continue.  PG - Newbury Road; FS - Swan Street; LP - School; AB - Crown Green; RS - George & Horn; Clerk - Parish Office.  The notice board on the toilets to be finished.

PG/FS/LP/AB/RS/Clerk

9/09.10

Rolling List

(i)  Bridges at the lake: a band of volunteers was ready to get to work.  First of all the permission of the landowner had to be obtained.  Funding has been obtained. The work would have to wait until better weather.

(ii)  Village Guide: funding has been obtained for the printing and existed for the distribution

(iii)  Childrens’ Play facilities: awaiting quotes from SMP.  An additional play structure was need at the Rec and provision should be made in next year’s budget

(iv) Parking at the Health Centre: planning permission has to be applied for.

PG

LP/PW

AB

9/09.11

Date of next meeting Monday 9^thNovember 2009 at 7.30pm