Grateley Parish Council

Peter Bye

AT the annual parish council meeting of Grateley Parish Council with all parish, borough and county councillors present all the parish councillors signed their Declaration of Office.

Election of chairman and vice-chairman: Cllr Peter Bye and Julie Blakeman were both re-elected.

Chairman’s report: The chairman reported that despite the best efforts of the parish council, with the exception of Pond Lane, the various highways projects around the village namely the safer crossing point, the priority changes to the Wallop Road and Old Stockbridge Road junction and the 30mph speed limit, that little progress had been made.

Presentations have been made by highways representatives both at a Grateley Parish Council meeting and a joint Grateley/Over Wallop meeting, where these projects along with the crossroads in Over Wallop were discussed. Timescales extracted at these meetings now appear to be somewhat optimistic.

After the April council meeting the chairman sent a strongly worded letter to those Hampshire Highways who he had details of. He subsequently received a communication from Paula Edwards who has promised to supply information on exactly what is planned to be taken forward, what stage of development each element is at, who is responsible for it and what the delivery plan for the package of works is.

The pothole repairs in Pond Lane have been somewhat ineffective as new holes appear around the repairs within a short space of time. However, this road is due to be resurfaced in the near future but an exact date has not been communicated to the council.

Cllr Peter Blakeman had organised another litter pickup day for which the chairman expressed his thanks.

Grateley Village Friends report: The chairman reported that Grateley Village Friends had had another good year with members enjoying the usual fish and chips, hot cross buns and cream teas. The Christmas lunch was not good with lack of staff providing poor service. After strong complaints some recompense was achieved and the lunch would definitely be held in a different venue this year. He thanked the committee members and especially Christine Bye who had obtained a grant from the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Community Foundation and Peter and Linda Griffith who continued to donate money received from the sale of books.

Grateley Village Hall report: The clerk read out a report from Kaye Claydon, chairman of the village hall committee, stating that the village hall committee was working effectively as a team. The new heaters and pull down projector screen had been well received with positive feedback from users of the hall. She also thanked Chris and Shirley Stevens for keeping the hall and surroundings in excellent condition and Christine Bye for managing the hall bookings.

Hampshire County Councillor’s report: Cllr Zilla Brooks stated that she was looking forward to working with Grateley in the future.

Test Valley Borough Councillor’s report: Cllr Ben Few Brown reported that the borough councillor’s community grants will be available again this year and he would be happy to support any community projects.

Parish Councillors’ reports: Cllr Rob Tierney reported that the potholes in Pond Lane were due for their third repair. The large pothole in the dip in Station Road had been filled with soil and grass seeded which had been washed away with the first heavy downpour but had blocked the drainage gulley making the situation worse than before. Zilla Brooks said that she would raise this with highways.

Cllr Keith Smith reported that he had sent an email to Mandy Ware re-village gateways but had yet to receive a response.

The vice-chairman reported that she had obtained some pricing information on new flashing speed signs and would get more information for the next meeting.

Peter Blakeman reported that he had reported the fading white and yellow lines in the village with a request that they be reinstated.

Cllr Rita Underhill produced a comprehensive report on the state of the Locke Close play equipment which recommended that several items be removed. This was agreed and Keith Smith agreed to organize this.

Rob Tierney raised the issue of the path running from the High Street to the church which although on original plans was no longer included on the latest set. This path is a permissive path and when approached the owner, Steven Goddard, had stated that it was not his intention to reinstate it.

Neighbourhood watch report: John Stamp was pleased to have nothing to report other than to remind everyone to report any suspicious activity to the 101 telephone number.

From the floor: Brian Funnell reported that the tree works at Tor Cottage, Streetway Road had been carried out. However the verge had been only partially cut and remains untidy. This was noted.