AT the December meeting of Nether Wallop Parish Council with Cllrs Edward Souter (chairman), Ian Carpenter, Jon Cotterell, Lynne Curry, Helen James, James MacDonald-Smith, the parish clerk together with three members of the public, the following topics were discussed:

Neighbourhood watch: Lynne Curry reported that she had received the usual Christmas reminder from the police of refraining from putting presents so they can be seen in house windows.

Highways: The chairman read out Hampshire County Cllr Andrew Gibson’s report which was sent by email.

Over Wallop Parish Council agreed to ask the county council to go ahead and design the traffic solution for a final consultation. This involves the possible closure of Salisbury Lane which requires a turning area.

The traffic calming in Station Road and the road layout at Grateley to be changed to make the main traffic route down Stockbridge Road to Kentsboro.

The county council have been asked for a timescale for repairs to the footpath alongside Fishing Cottage.

Andrew has also requested traffic records for Jacks Bush and will endeavour to get a response during the week.

James MacDonald-Smith commented that the plan for Kentsboro may require the purchase of land.

The chairman has had some correspondence from a resident in Farley Street who is appalled at the speed of vehicles and has complained to Hampshire Highways. Correspondence had also been received from a resident at the other end of Farley Street who has complained about the speed of vehicles on the school run. A letter would be written to the head teacher.

James questioned the fact that funding is unavailable from the county council for traffic control unless there is history of injury.

Lynne Curry suggested that the council continues to raise its concerns to the county council.

Village green: Ian Carpenter reported that the repairs to the river bank are nearly finished.

Nether Wallop Village Hall Trust: The chairman of the council reported that the minutes from the last meeting would be circulated. The hall is going on well although it is three weeks behind schedule. The handover from the Trust to the council will officially take place on 7 January which is the opening of the new village hall. A plan on the new layout of the hall will be available.

Matters raised by councillors: Jon Cotterell reported that the website would host a hall booking form together with a calendar of bookings. He wanted to demonstrate the website but unfortunately there is no internet connection in the Wallops Parish Hall.

A parish council village hall bookings officer needs to be confirmed.

Lynne Curry confirmed that all parish council business should from now on be conducted by gmail. Ian Carpenter confirmed that his email address is now nwpc.cllr.ian.carpenter@gmail.com The chairman read the rights of way officer’s report. A quote for £199 for a two stroke hedgecutter has been obtained. He requested the council to approve submission to the county council under the small grants scheme for 50 per cent matched funding.

A priority cutting list for 2017 has to be submitted. These would include paths onto the Romsey Road, School Lane, Knockwood Lane and Ducks Lane to The Splash. Behind Berry Court would also be included as last year.

The rights of way officer explained that the decision would be made by mid February. Ian Dunn has agreed to help the rights of way officer with the paths. He will use his own equipment as a private volunteer and so does not need to use the council equipment.

The rights of way / footpaths officer was thanked for his work on behalf of the council. He was unclear on the work being done by the commercial contractor and Jon Cotterell confirmed that this had been done on a voluntary basis. Points from the floor: A resident suggested that speeding offenders in the village be named and shamed. Two other residents also agreed. Mothers driving to school had been spotted using mobile phones.

Date of next meeting: The next monthly meeting date will be held on 9 January in the new Nether Wallop Village Hall at 7.30pm. The Chairman thanked all for attending.