Jeremy Sweeney spoke on behalf of East Meon School. The new Head Teacher will take office in January – she comes highly recommended.
A new administrator will start on 6 January. Philippa Tyrwhitt Drake is now Chairman. An IT expert has been taken on.
A strategy group has been set up to create a context as to where the school wants to go. East Meon School is set tobe the choice for the whole community. The Parish Council wished them well.and it was suggested that the new Head Teacher be invited to the Parish Assembly to give the school platform to publish their new initiatives. To visit the School's own area of this website ...Link to school area >>
Leana Warwick, Community Police Officer at Whitehill - Roads Policing Unit. Leana informed the meeting that the policy was for Leana to work closely with the Parish Council on traffic matters.
There will be another officer working with Leanna and covering the whole district. Leana reported on impact on villages that they have worked with. It was agreed that it would be a good idea for there to be at least an occasional police presence on the roads in the parish. AR suggested 8.30am and 4.00pm any day but Friday was particularly bad on the C28, the Clanfield road, and Chapel Street. AR suggested that a ‘be aware’ article is submitted to Meon Matters.
There will be another officer working with Leanna and covering the whole district. Leana reported on impact on villages that they have worked with. It was agreed that it would be a good idea for there to be at least an occasional police presence on the roads in the parish. AR suggested 8.30am and 4.00pm any day but Friday was particularly bad on the C28, the Clanfield road, and Chapel Street. AR suggested that a ‘be aware’ article is submitted to Meon Matters. For the Hampshire Police Authority website .... Link>>
Allotments: Philippa Tyrwhitt Drake agreed to supply Dominic Carney with a map indicating the boundary to the current rough play area next to the car park in Workhouse Lane which may be a possible site for new allotments.
The issue of planning permission was highlighted and agreed should be
checked. Alan Redpath estimated that the likely cost would be in the region of £4,000 although grants are likely to be available.
It was suggested that apple trees be planted in the middle. AR highlighted the issue of demand for allotments which would dictate whether we move forward. AR suggested an advert in Meon Matters to ascertain demand.
DC was asked to proceed with a more detailed feasibility/viability study. DC said he will prepare a plan, budget and project management scheme for the next meeting.
The Clerk reported on her research on who lives in each cottage and whether they have a licence in place giving them permission to use the Car Park.
It was clear that there were some owners who do not currently have a Licence. Heather Kendall suggested there should be a fee on assignment for issuing the licence. Given that the use of this Parish land has been free gratis for the benefit of only these residents, Alan Redpath suggested that for those residents using the access road and parking there should be levied a modest fee for maintaining the car park – this would be fair and in everyone’s interests.
George Atkinson reported via Alan Redpath that many issues have been addressed.
The line markings are complete, the lay-by by the village shop has been completed and a sign will be erected for parking for customers only. Rails at Bunny Pond, sign outside
Lower Farm has been refurbished. Lights in Workhouse Lane are notworking and APM reported on a light being on constantly by the Forge and The Chapel. AR reported that the Forge light is on because the
hedge has not been cut. The highways authority is aware of all other issues. The river wall near the Notice Board has a plant growing out of it which may cause the wall to fall in. Ruth Atkinson agreed to liaise with the Environment Agency on this issue. AR suggested that the Environment committee meet to
clarify some issues and to invite Michael Atkinson with his sound local knowledge.