Sheet Parish Council

Cold Temperatures

You will be acutely aware that we are heading into another prolonged cold snap and temperatures are expected to remain very low until at least the end of the week. This will have further implications for the Highways service and it is highly likely we can expect to see more potholes and degradation on our roads, and especially so given the expected daily freeze-thaw cycle that caused so much damage before Christmas. The recent heavy rain has added to the service pressures with widespread surface water flooding and high groundwater still evident in many places, increasing the risk of ice. It is likely that at least two gritting runs will be required every day until the temperatures rise in order to deal with the continuous wash-off and the freeze-thaw impact - this has consequential impacts for Milestone's resources as many of the gritter drivers are also frontline operatives.

The highways team are continuing to work flat out to keep on top of the situation, including working evenings and weekends, but these current challenges will mean a further re-prioritisation of frontline activity to ensure resources are directed to where they are most needed. The ongoing issues, together with the impacts of further wintry weather, means that it could be several months before the frontline service can return to anything like business as usual activity.

The team are taking urgent steps to update our highway webpages to highlight the peak demand and to inform users/residents that there may be a delay before lower priority repairs can be actioned. So you are aware, and to put the current situation into some perspective, over the weekend alone more than 700 reports/enquiries were received!

Milestone are endeavouring to scale up their resources through their supply chains to meet the heightened demand but most, if not all, of the regional authorities are trying to secure the same resources as their networks also deteriorate.

Ice is a considerable challenge in some parts of the County this morning. There are road closures in place and you can see the latest situation with traffic via the ROMANSE map which you can find here:

The better news is that we are now less likely to see any snowfall in Hampshire, but the team will remain vigilant, monitoring forecasts so that if the weather does deteriorate, we are in the best possible shape to respond.

EAST HAMPSHIRE DISTRICT COUNCIL

(SHEET: FARNHAM ROAD) (TEMPORARY CLOSURE) ORDER 2023

NOTICE is hereby given that not less than seven days from the date of this notice, East Hampshire District Council pursuant to an arrangement entered into under Section 19 of the Local Government Act 2000, with the Council of the County of Hampshire, intend to make an Order under Section 14 of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984, as amended by the Road Traffic (Temporary Restrictions) Act 1991, the effect of which will be to prohibit any vehicle from proceeding along a 40m length of Farnham Road, Sheet outside of The Church of Saint Mary Magdalen. See MAP here.

Pedestrian access and vehicular access to affected properties will be maintained but remains a 'No Through Route'.

The Order is necessary to facilitate access to the spire with a MEWP (“the Works”).

The alternative route for vehicles will be via Farnham Road, Mill Lane, Village Street and vice versa.

It is expected that the Order will last for approximately 6 months or until the Works are completed, whichever is the sooner starting on or after 31st January 2023.

Not withstanding the above, it is expected that the closure will be required for 1 day, between the hours of 8.00am and 5.00pm.

For any queries about the Works taking place please call Road Traffic Solutions on 01724 848246

Dated this 13th day of January 2023.

East Hampshire District Council Penns Place Petersfield GU31 4EX

Accounts and Audit regulations.

Any person interested has the right to inspect the accounting records of Sheet Parish Council for the 2020/2021 financial year. The audit of these records is now complete. All documents are available on the Disclosures & Documents page.

Council meetings

Meetings are usually held on the second Tuesday of the month (except August), in the small meeting room at Sheet Village Hall.
Agendas are posted on the village noticeboards outside the village hall and in Pulens Lane, as well as on this website, and will give details of how you can join the meetings. Our elected representatives from Hampshire County Council and East Hampshire District Council are present at most meetings. Members of the public are welcome to attend all meetings and one agenda item allows for brief 'public comment'.

The next full meeting of the Parish Council is on Tuesday 10th January 2023 at 7.00pm in the small meeting room. The agenda for the meeting is available here.

Planning

Planning matters are normally considered in the full council meeting, but occasionally we hold an additional planning meeting which is advertised on noticeboards and the website as above.

Minutes of meetings

The minutes of Parish Council meetings and any additional Planning meetings are available on the Meeting Minutes page of this website. These are in draft form until formally approved.

Future meeting dates can be viewed here

Millennium Field Wildflower Audit

A botanical survey of the Millennium Field was carried out at the beginning of July by Steve Povey, a member of the Botanical Society of Britain and Ireland. You will see from the attached report here that over 76 species were found.

Sheet Parish Council is very grateful to Steve Povey and his able assistants, Tony Clear and Bill Lowe, for this very interesting piece of work.