THE November meeting of Thruxton Parish Council was chaired by Cllr Charles Milner-Williams.

Cllrs Ross Mallock, Ray Bradbury, John Davis, Debi Foynes and Kate Phillipson were in attendance.

Test Valley Borough Cllr Ellie Charnley was also present.

The chairman welcomed the new clerk, Heather Bourner, officiating for the first time.

The following topics were discussed: Footpaths: There was still concern about the footpath from Mullenspond to Fyfield Church – it had not been satisfactorily cleared in spite of requests. This issue has been deferred until spring, given that most of the vegetation will now be dying off.

Village hall trustees: The chairman of the village hall trustees, Chris Rome, had come along to address the council on the workings of the hall, its maintenance, improvements to the heating system and methods for publicising the hall to attract more local and external use.

Inevitably financing has a powerful bearing on the success, or otherwise, of the hall and the trustees looked to the council for tangible support.

Councillors all recognised the importance of the hall as a great community asset, and, within budgetary constraints, would plan to make money available to the trustees in the next financial year.

Highways: It was felt that Hampshire Highways were failing to do anything about the long-outstanding damaged stream edging, stolen man-hole covers, some pot-holes and other reported defects.

Ray Bradbury, in particular, expressed anger and frustration regarding this and Ellie Charnley said that she would press for action.

Walking the bounds: The idea of walking the bounds had been suggested by Cllr Ron Pennells, who was not present at the meeting. It was agreed that this was more of a summer idea, so it would be looked at again next spring.

Planning: Although permission had at last been gained for the new car park at the recreation ground, there was frustration with seemingly inappropriate conditions which had been set, and the sheer length of time that the whole process had taken.

There was a general feeling the council views on planning matters were not given due weight and the chairman asked the council to back a call, via the Test Valley Association of Parish Councils, for the National Association of Local Councils to be made to the national government. The call should be to ensure that the planning views of parish councils are given full and proper recognition as befits the first tier of local democracy.

Finance: The financial position showed in the council’s two bank accounts a total in excess of £15,000, as at the end of October.

Looking ahead to the next financial year, and after examining the draft budget, it was decided that the precept should be increased by £500 to a total of £9,250.

Weyhill police station: The council had learned, with great concern, that there was a move to close down, and to sell the Weyhill police station.

It was agreed that the Chairman would write to the Hampshire Chief Constable, Alex Marshall and put the case as strongly as possible for the retention of this valued local facility.

Next meeting: The next meeting of the council will be on 3 December, at 7.30pm, in the war memorial hall.