Item 2

MINUTES of the MEETING OF THE YATELEY COMMON MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE held in the Rose Rent Room, The Tythings, Reading Road,

Yateley on 15 June 2005.

PRESENT :

Hampshire County Council

Councillors : A. P. Collett; ( Chairman ) D.E. Simpson

Yateley Town Council

Councillors : D. Benham; R.E. Harward;

Observer

P.J. Tipton

1 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED :

That, Councillor A.P.Collett, be appointed Chairman for the ensuing year.

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COUNCILLOR A.P. COLLETT IN THE CHAIR

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2 DECLARATION OF INTERESTS

Members were mindful that, where they had a personal or personal prejudicial interest to be considered at the meeting, they should declare their interest and, having regards to the circumstances described in paragraphs 9,10,11 and 12 of the County Council's Code of Conduct, consider whether to leave the meeting whilst the matter is discussed. Any declaration to be made at the time of the meeting. There were no declarations of interest.

3 APPOINTMENT OF VICE-CHAIRMAN

RESOLVED:

That, Councillor R.E. Harward be appointed Vice-Chairman for the ensuing year.

4 MINUTES

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9 February 2005 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

5 CHAIRMAN'S COMMUNICATION

There were none.

6 DEPUTATIONS

There were none.

7 SITE MANAGER'S REPORT

The Committee considered the meeting of the Site Manager ( Item 7 in the Minute Book ) outlining work undertaken since the last meeting.

Tracing alleged offenders in fly-tipping incidents continued to prove difficult as the Environment Agency were no longer able to undertake traces. In future would be necessary to make the enquiries with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Centre in Swansea. Hart District Council were unwilling to prosecute in such cases, but might assist the County Council with information. The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 enabled District Councils to take action, but the County Council were not empowered, even in cases involving its own land.

Councillor Simpson undertook to contact Hart District Council seeking action regarding the prosecution of fly-tippers and owners allowing dog fouling on the Common.

Peter Tipton reminded the Committee that English Nature had powers to fine offenders damaging habitats up to £25,000 over most of the Common which had been declared a Special Protection Area. It would be necessary that warning signs had been erected. The local police had taken action against motor-cyclists on the Common, and the area was now much quieter. Several prosecutions were pending. Thanks were to extended to the police for their assistance.

The Clean Neighbourhoods and Environment Act 2005 gave the County Council powers to remove vehicles from the Common and impose large fines for offenders. English Nature's assistance might also be sought in removing vehicles which had not been stolen.

The Office of Deputy Prime Minister ( ODPM ) had given technical advice to the proposed Byelaws as being based on out of date model byelaws. A revised draft was in preparation. The County Council had made every endeavour to achieve the erection on the Common of the new signs. It would now be possible to display the Crow Act 2000 signs, and to give notice that fines of up to £20,000 could be imposed on those found guilty by a court. The Byelaws would need to be displayed separately from the wording provided by English Nature.

The Rights of Way Section of the Recreation and Heritage Department had taken action regarding the diversion of bridleways on the Common. The purpose of the Review was to rationalise bridleways and reconcile ways marked on the map to that existing `on the ground'.

Councillor Murr reported that Community Service Team projects were anticipated .

Money had been found for carbon dating of trees on the Common. The Committee expressed the wish to visit areas of the Common during the summer.

The Secretary of State for Rural Affairs, Alun Michael, had visited the Common on a fact finding exercise for the new Commons Bill.

The Committee visit to the Common was arranged for Thursday 30 June 2005, at 7.00pm. Members were to meet at the western end of the Common in front of the Industrial Estate.

RESOLVED:

That the report be noted.

8 DATES OF NEXT MEETING

Tuesday 11 October 2005 in the Rose Rent Room, The Tythings, Reading Road, Yateley.

9 EXCLUSION OF THE PRESS AND PUBLIC

RESOLVED:

That, by virtue of paragraph 12 of Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, the press and public be excluded from the meeting

10 138 ACRES AT BLACKBUSHE AIRFIELD, SECTION 52 OF THE TOWN AND COUNTRY PLANNING ACT 1971

The Committee considered the confidential oral report of the Chief Executive regarding 138 acres of land at Blackbushe Airfield.

(Summary of a Minute which contains confidential information )

4cM330705