News: Parish Council to perform their own traffic survey
In a long meeting last night, the Parish Council covered a lot of ground. The most eye-catching item was a proposal to counter the limited traffic survey in James Painter’s planning application, with something more comprehensive.
Traffic Survey
Cllr Neil Connor said that the working group for the 75-home planning response had analysed the consultants’ traffic survey in the planning application. They observed that they hadn’t measured traffic volumes in the Village, apart from the immediate vicinity of the proposed development.
They had also chosen Four Marks and Romsey as models for traffic. Both are larger than Chilbolton, and have road infrastructure better suited to absorbing additional traffic.
He proposed that the working group perform their own analysis of roads and traffic:
- He and Alisdair Campbell would measure road widths
- A “perception survey” of sixty people would be undertaken to gain an understanding of their views on traffic volumes
- He recommended a vehicle movement and speed count at exits and entrances within the Village. It would use cameras but would not collect registration numbers
- The count would take place during the week commencing 8 Dec 2025 and would cost £1,500 plus VAT
Councillors approved the proposals with the proviso that a contract for the count is circulated to all Council members.
Public question about Cllr Julian Hudson
During “Questions from the Public”, Duncan Revolta asked about Cllr Julian Hudson, Chair of CPC. He observed that the last meeting the Chair had attended was in October.
Meetings had instead been chaired by Cllr Tony Ewer, however Cllr Ewer now had to recuse himself from part of the meetings.
Mr Revolta asked “We’ve talked about lots of things, many of them important. What’s the procedure for getting the Chair to step down?”
Cllr Ewer responded saying “It’s impossibly awkward for me because of my declaration. We can’t fire Councillors or Chairmen. Julian [Hudson] may stand down. If he does we will have to have an election.”
Cllr Neil Connor said “I worry about Julian’s health, and our responsibility as a Council.”
Cllr Ewer said that remarks made on social media had greatly upset Cllr Hudson.
Cllr Martin Watson, who is a moderator for the Chilbolton Residents’ Forum on Facebook, said that he had put out a warning . He had also looked through all the posts made there “from top to tail”, but couldn’t find anything that would cause such upset.
Cllr David Griffiths noted that a Councillor is allowed a leave of absence for up to six months. “That’s the law,” he said.
Cllr Hall said “It’s a very important time for the Village. A Chairman who wants to step aside - we need to take great care of him. The Village needs leadership at the moment.”
Observing that the main issue was to respond to the 75-home planning application, Cllr Ewer said “Once we get a response in, there’s nothing to do until we get a planning decision.”
Cllr Hall said “Since July he’s been in a bad way. There needs to be a way out.”
Sue Larcombe’s Parish Magazine article
During the agenda item on Communications, Cllr Debbie Collis asked Cllr Sue Larcombe whether she had circulated her recent article in the Parish Magazine to other Councillors before publishing it.
Cllr Larcombe replied “We’ve never done that before”. Cllr Collis observed “It’s part of the communications strategy.”
After a brief discussion, Councillors agreed that in future statements by any Councillor on behalf of the Parish Council would be circulated to all members 24 hours before publication.
Trial of abolishing the Planning Committee
The meeting considered the recommendations of the “Do the Numbers” consultancy concerning Parish Council procedures. Cllr Hall said that he had put the recommendations forward, and that they had the support of the Hampshire Association of Local Councils.
One item was discussed - a recommendation that planning meetings should only be held if there were five or more applications to be discussed. Otherwise, planning items should be considered at the Parish Council meeting.
Cllr Hall observed that HALC said that considering planning matters during council meetings was normal practice, even in far larger councils within Hampshire.
Councillors agreed that, as a trial until the Annual Parish Meeting, planning applications would be be dealt with at Parish Council Meetings. Accordingly, meetings would now start at 6pm.
CDC’s terms of reference agreed
Ending a saga that batted the issue backwards and forwards for months, Parish Council finally agreed the Community Development Committee’s Terms of Reference - version 4.3.
As to the CDC’s work, a letter proposing discussions on development of 20 to 25 homes has been sent to James Painter. It also included an invitation to come and speak at a Village Meeting about his own 75-home proposal. Mr Painter hasn’t replied yet.
Similar invitations to discussions about 20 to 25 homes will be sent to the owners of the land near Gravel Hill, and the owners of Betts Farm.
Parish Clerk arrangements and the Locum Clerk
Cllr David Hall outlined the arrangements for covering the position of the Clerk until a permanent appointment is made. He said that Cllr Debbie Collis would take on the role of Clerk and Proper Officer, while he would be Financial Officer.
They would be supported by Emma Noble, former Councillor, and on a part-time basis by Mandy Denyer, the former Clerk.
This arrangement would allow Ms Noble to train as a Clerk, with a view to taking on the role in September 2026. She cannot be paid for this work for twelve months from the date she resigned as Parish Councillor. CPC will pay for her training “within reason”.
Councillors also discussed the previous Locum Clerk, Tom Brindley. He had ended his engagement with the Parish Council, on the basis that it was in breach of contract for not providing him with a laptop computer.
He is, currently, the only person with access to CPC’s bank accounts. Several bills payable by CPC have gone unpaid.
Cllr David Hall recommended that Parish Council withhold all payments to Mr Brindley’s company, Todeka.
Cllr Ewer asked Cllr Hall whether he would negotiate with Mr Brindley. Cllr Hall said “Absolutely not.” He added that once the Parish Council regained access to their bank accounts, they would pay Mr Brindley.
Parish Council agreed to support Cllr Hall’s plan.
TVBC Cllr David Drew
Cllr David Drew began by congratulating the two new Parish Councillors. He said that he always gave the same advice to first-time Councillors - “We are a team. In order to deliver the best for all our communities, we need to work together.”
He spoke of the impending consultation on council reorganisation. Hampshire County Council’s proposal, Option 1, is to join Test Valley with Eastleigh, Southampton and New Forest. An alternative, Option 2, would join Test Valley with East Hants, Winchester and New Forest. He explained that while Option 2 was a better blend of rural communities, Option 1 would be cheaper and may well be preferred.
A member of the public, Peter Collis, asked him where he stood on the 75-home development. Cllr Drew said that he had supported the 65-home allocation in the Local Plan consultation. For the 75-home proposal he “had to be a little more nuanced.” He said that he would speak on behalf of the community at the Northern Area Planning Committee, and he would point out that the increase in houses was unusually high for a Tier 3 Village.
Village Hall response to 75-home plan
Mr Howard Barrie, Chairman of the Village Hall Management Committee, briefed Councillors on their response to the 75-home planning application.
He explained that James Painter had not consulted them, despite the fact that his application includes part of the Village Hall site. The response they have made, which is now available on TVBC’s Planning Portal, has four significant points
- Mr Painter has proposed community facilities, which would be in a new, separate building. The Village Hall committee would welcome discussions with him about incorporating the new facilities into an extension of the Village Hall
- Eastman’s Field is not a suitable access to the new development
- There are long-term benefits to keeping the green, open-space view from the back of the Village Hall
- The Village Hall should not become a thoroughfare for access to the development
A resident asked whether the fact that the Painter family had gifted the land for the Village Hall had any influence over their response.
Mr Barrie replied “None whatsoever.”
And finally …
The gathering enjoyed some welcome amusement during Cllr David Drew’s segment.
He ended with a flourish apt for the pantomime season. Reading from his notes, he said that he had researched which homes in Chilbolton would suffer the Government’s new “Mansion Tax”. “I found one,” he said. “It’s called ‘Upcote’”.
Councillors and members of the public all laughed, but barely managed not to roar “Behind you!” For sitting only feet away from him were Nicola and Duncan Revolta, owners of … Upcote.