Abbotts Ann

Rosemary Groves

AT the June meeting of Abbotts Ann Parish Council the following items were discussed:
 

Appointment of Responsible Financial Officer (Treasurer – RFO): It was agreed that the roles of RFO and parish clerk be separated. A chartered secretary, Rosemary Griffiths, was duly appointed RFO.
 

Maintenance: A parishioner, Darren Murphy, had been asked to take on the parish’s grass-cutting. However, residents were responsible for their hedges. The footpaths officer should advise Hampshire County Council of overgrown paths. The county council would then contact owners direct. 
War Memorial Hall: Andover Groundworks had visited the car park. Laying chippings could alleviate the poor drainage.
 

Duck Street pavement: Cllr David Paffett asked if the dangerous kerb was yet scheduled for attention. The clerk would write again to the county council.
 

Jubilee Oak: Replacement ‘Keep left’ signs had finally appeared.
Test Valley Association of Parish Councils: The chairman, Cllr Bernard Griffiths, had attended a very interesting meeting. Only six parish councils from 59 in the borough had sent representatives.
 

‘Your Countryside’ evening: Gamekeepers, farmers, river managers and others had talked about their work in the rural economy, at this well-attended village event.
 

Burial ground: The clerk and chairman had discussed the state of the church and burial ground with the church warden, Gordon Howard. The Parochial Church Council’s architect was particularly concerned about branches of a large lime tree overhanging the church. However, if it were felled, rotting roots could leave a subterranean cavity that might undermine the foundations. 
 

Children’s playground: Cllr Rebecca Bone had contacted Adam Rose, who constructed the play equipment, about making a visitors’ seat. 
Telegraph / electricity poles: The clerk had tried unsuccessfully to contact both BT and Openreach for removal of the unsightly posts. The chairman would try Scottish and Southern Electricity.
 

Nursery school: The nursery school manager had agreed access to the War Memorial Hall grounds was necessary even when the nursery school was present. A notice would now indicate that an alternative gate to the children’s playground was open if the school’s entrance was closed.
 

Clerk’s report: The clerk thanked the council for their vote of confidence at the last meeting.
A resident had asked to be sent draft minutes of meetings. However, drafts were unofficial. Minutes could not be publicised until approved and signed by the council. They were then available at the village shop and on the website. 
The Chairman read out a synopsis of the resident’s criticisms, many of which were reasonable and constructive.  Although the council and the auditor were satisfied with the existing systems, procedures were being amended to improve transparency and accessibility.   
 

Test Valley Borough Councillors report: Borough Cllr Maureen Flood said the borough council had received over 2,000 comments on the local plan consultation. These were on the borough council’s website. 
There were 15 new ‘dash and go’ parking spaces in Andover, giving 15 minutes’ free parking.
She asked about a ‘No Dogs’ sign for the children’s playground. The chairman said there used to be one and it should be replaced. 
 

Archivist: Tim Tayler had enquired whether it was permissible to acquire a WW1 rifle for the forthcoming exhibition. The clerk would check the insurance.
 

Footpaths: Cllr Stan Oram said the footpath at the back of the school was so overgrown that he had cleared it himself, receiving many scratches. The clerk thought individuals could undertake to maintain stretches of pathway.
 

Finance: The RFO was asked to place the monthly accounts in the village shop and to submit the supporting spreadsheet to the website.
The bill for refurbishing the village shop was received. Councillors proposed that as they had agreed to fund ‘at least’ 10 per cent, their donation should be increased to £1,600, being for the benefit of the village.
 

General: The chairman reported the lease transferring Manor Close Playing Field to the parish was complete.  Penny Wilkins proposed a village suggestion box for ideas for its use. Cllr David Paffett and Stan Oram felt it should remain an open space, possibly with benches. Cllr Brian Sims would undertake maintenance. Penny Wilkins suggested a pedestrian gate. The vehicle gate could then stay locked.
 

Next Meeting: 3 July, at 6.30 pm in the War Memorial Hall