MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF LYNDHURST
PARISH COUNCIL HELD AT APPLETREE COURT ON TUESDAY 8 FEBRUARY
2005 AT 7.15 PM
Present:
Mr G W Bisson – Chairman
Mr M Abbott, Mr F Alexander, Mrs E A Butcher,
Mr J Drew, Mr M Gammon, Mr D Newport, Mr J Wilding Mrs P Wyeth
Clerk to the Council:
Mrs M H Weston
In Attendance:
5 members of the public
Mr B Craig (Advertiser and Times)
Daily Echo Reporter
Mr M Kendal (County Councillor)
Mr N Hunt (Principal Engineer, NFDC)
381 Presentation regarding Temporary Closure of the
Fenwick Hospital by NF PCT
Yvonne Le Brun, Deputy Chief Executive: Service Delivery
and Tim Moran, Head of Patient and Public Involvement attended
the meeting.
It was stated that in the current financial year
the NF PCT budget was £163,000,000 but at the present time
the overspend was £9,800,000. A quick appraisal of the
situation had taken place and it had been decided to close the
Fenwick Hospital for a minimum of three months.
This hospital
had been chosen from the five community hospitals because
there were concerns about the quality of care for patients,
how medical care was provided – high bank usage,
it was one of the smallest units, difficulties in staffing,
low occupancy and the fact that its services were not so
tied in with other services as the other four hospitals.
It was emphasised that no decision has yet been reached
regarding the long term future of the hospital although
emphasis was placed on the fact that a new 104-bed hospital
is being built in the area.
Mr Bisson stated that the physiotherapy department and day
care centre had previously closed.
Mrs Le Brun replied that the
day care centre was run in conjunction with Social Services
and because of the changes they had made it was no longer feasible
to run the Centre. However, discussion was taking place with
Social Services to reprofile the service to the local community.
Mr Bisson felt that the hospital had been deliberately “run
down” so that it could be closed.
Mr Moran stated that the Community Services Strategy Board
were looking at the best way of using all the hospitals and it
might take longer than three months to make a decision. Consultations
would take place with the public.
Mr Alexander asked who would take the blame for the mismanagement
and no satisfactory answer was forthcoming.
Mrs Wyeth said what annoyed local people was that they had
put a great deal of money into the Fenwick Hospital over the
years and they felt they should have been consulted.
Mr Gammon asked whether cost cutting or patient care was the
most important factor.
The answer was that the primary driver
was patient safety. It was not thought good management to keep
several hospitals open if they were not fully used and the
same number of beds are still available to the population.
Mr Drew felt there were a lot of elderly people who needed
the Fenwick Hospital.
It was pointed out that the outpatient
and rehabilitation units would be retained.
Mr Paul Mapes, President of the League of Friends, stated that
he felt the closure would become permanent. He pointed out that
the Friends had raised a great deal of money towards the day
centre and this had been wasted. There should have been more
consultation.
Mr Moran stated that it was very important that anyone interested
in getting involved in the public group for development of future
services should get in touch with him through the Parish Council
Chairman and it was agreed that his contact details be placed
on the website.
Another option is to contact him (Patient Advice
and Liaison Manager) at 8 Sterne Road, Tatchbury Mount,
Calmore, Southampton SO40 2RZ
or by telephone on 023 8087 4291/fax
023 8087 4275
email tim.moran@nfpct.nhs.uk
382 Presentation regarding Air Quality in Lyndhurst by
NFDC Environmental Protection
The presentation was made by Carole Gallagher (NFDC Environmental
Protection Manager) and Rachel Higgins (a member of that
department).
It was stated that the Environment Act 1995 placed
a statutory duty on local authorities to assess air quality
in their area in terms of the air quality objectives.
The
pollutant nitrogen dioxide applied with regard to the level
of traffic in Lyndhurst High Street which had been identified
as “a narrow congested
street with residential properties close to the kerb/busy junction/busy
street where people may spend one hour or more close to traffic”.
The health implications applied to people who suffer with
respiratory problems. Levels were being assessed by
using diffusion tubes and these had been extended to 16 sites
from January 2005 which measured an average concentration over
a 4 week period, from which an annual mean is determined.
A real time analyser, located at 14 High Street, could
determine both the annual and hourly means.
However, as it
was thought unlikely that an air quality objective would
be met NFDC had declared an Air Quality Management Area with
respect to the 2005 annual mean objective for nitrogen dioxide
in Lyndhurst.
There was now a need to decide on the boundary
of the AQMA, which would be submitted to DEFRA.
The two suggestions made by NFDC were from the school to
Gosport Lane, not including the Church and from the school
to the lower end of the High Street, not including the Church.
The second suggestion would also take into account traffic
now using the lower end of the High Street due to the Colbury
right turn.
RESOLVED: To recommend that NFDC pursue the
second suggestion, ie from the school to the lower end of the
High Street, not including the Church.
Mr Hunt explained that work has started on the transport plan.
A number of proposals have been suggested to give drivers better
information when traffic congestion is experienced on the M27/A31
and in Lyndhurst.
Variable message signing on the motorway could
be used to alert drivers to use the Colbury right turn when there
is traffic congestion in Lyndhurst .
383 Public Participation
None
384 County Councillor ’s
Report
Mr Kendal reported on the DEFRA view of National Park relationship
to other bodies. With regard to planning, although the National
Park Authority will be the sole planning authority the service
could be contracted out and at officer level this service could
be provided by the local planners.
With regard to the Verderers,
protection of the forest is placed above recreation so there
should be no conflict. DEFRA were also advising the use of other
bodies who have local knowledge.
Mrs Wyeth stated that a letter and questionnaire had been
circulated to all parents and interested parties regarding
children at Lyndhurst Infant School. It might appear to have
come from the school but this was not the case as it was from
a private individual and the school did not agree with some
of the suggestions made with regard to road safety aspects.
Mrs Wyeth explained that she had replied to the letter some
time ago.
Mr Kendal felt that a yellow “no entry” box
hatched in the road before the crossing might be another option.
385 Disclosures of Interest
None
386 Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from
Mr J Charlesworth,
Mr E Gailor and Mr M Rollé.
387 Minutes
RESOLVED: That the minutes of the meeting
of the Council held on 11 January 2005, having been circulated,
be signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
388 Matters Arising from the Minutes
(a) Damage to Goose Green
It was noted that although the Highway Department had not yet
repaired the damage to the green the daffodils were coming through.
389 Reports from Representatives of Outside Bodies
PC Ennew presented his crime summary for the period 20 January
to 8 February 2005.
390 Correspondence
- NFDC – New arrangements for liquor
and public entertainment licensing coming into effect on 7
February. Briefing sessions may be arranged on one of these
dates (depending on demand) 15, 17 and 23 February at 10.00
am at Appletree Court.
- NFDC – Application for renewal of
public entertainment licence at the Crown Hotel.
- NFDC – New Forest District Local Plan
Monitoring Report.
- Paris Smith & Randall – Notification
of application for transfer of licence at The Oak Inn, Bank.
- Lamport Bassitt – Notification of
application for transfer of licence at The Waterloo Arms.
- Batt Broadbent – Notification of application
for transfer of licence at Coburns, High Street.
- Due South (Training Consortium) – Information
about workshops for voluntary and community organisations.
Topics include Basic book-keeping, registering charities, lone
working and running voluntary organisations.
- Forest Friendly Farming – Newsletter.
- HCC – Community Transport Newsletter.
- HCC – Letter concerning essential
drainage works in Princes Crescent commencing 24 January for
approximately 3-5 weeks.
- Environment Agency – Flooding: Be
Prepared – A Guide for Older People.
-
- New Forest Community
Legal Services – Information
Newsletter.
- English Nature – Letter explaining
replacement of boundary wall to the east of their property
with a fence and closure of the gate in the wall at the front
of the building.
- New Forest District Council - Email
from Stuart Beaton, Assistant Engineer (Drainage) explaining
that NFDC have a land drainage section that will advise and
in some circumstances assist people suffering problems of
flooding from watercourses. He would be pleased to meet members
of the Parish Council to walk or look at a chosen watercourse
and answer any questions that arise.
- SEEDA – Information
and invitation regarding information meetings to be held
on Tuesday, 15 February at 5.00 pm ( Littleton) and Thursday
17 February at 2.00 pm (Wickham) about Hampshire Food Festival
(26 June – 11
July).
- Hampshire Constabulary Roads Policing Unit – Invitation
to attend meeting on Thursday, 10 February at 7.00 pm at
Lymington Town Hall to discuss Roads Policing issues in the
New Forest. Agenda available on the day.
- TVBC/NFDC – Launch
of garden waste collection scheme on 7 March at 11.00 am
at Bransgore Village Hall. For a small charge residents will
be provided with a heavy duty garden waste bag which will be
emptied fortnightly. All garden waste collected will be made
into “Progrow” compost.
- NFDC – Notification
of application for a road closure order for A35 High Street
between the school and junction with the Beaulieu Road on
Friday 25 March from 11.15 to 11.30 am for a procession of
the cross.
- Health and Safety Executive – Copy
letter from the office of the Deputy Director General (Operations)
to Chief Executive, NFDC regarding the interpretation of
the law on health and safety aspects in relation to paddling
pools.
- NFDC – Application for renewal
of public entertainment licence at the Community Centre.
- Lyndhurst Residents
Association – Email
regarding date of AGM – Tuesday, 22 March at 7.30 pm
at Lyndhurst Community Centre.
- Hampshire Playing Fields
Association – Newsletter.
- Eric Robinson
Solicitors – Application
for notice of Transfer – Whitemoor House Hotel.
- Mr
Maurice Porter – letter regarding
access to Brooklands, Gosport Lane.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk
ask Mr Millar, Hampshire Highways for details of the proposals.
391 Open Verges including Gales Green
RESOLVED: To hold this matter in abeyance
until the Annual Parish Meeting
392 Annual Parish Meeting
A copy of the proposed agenda and notice were presented for
confirmation. The Chairman asked if anyone had any ideas for
a speaker and stated that a tentative enquiry had been made to
see if TLC-Online would be prepared to give a presentation on
the new website. They had indicated that they would be able to
attend.
RESOLVED: That TLC-Online be invited to give
a presentation at the Annual Parish Meeting.
393 Accounts
Confirmation was given for the following accounts now due for
payment:
| Mrs M Weston |
Clerk’s Salary and Expenses |
£711.30 |
| Lyndhurst and District Community Association |
Room Hire |
£18.00 |
| Fearless Ramps |
Repairs to half pipe (skateboard ramp) |
£2,232.50 |
394 Grant Applications
(a) Lyndhurst Lighting
and Decorations Committee
RESOLVED: That a
grant of £500 be made.
(b) Emery Down and Bank Village Hall Trust
RESOLVED: To ask for a copy of the 2004 Accounts
before a decision is made.
395 Memorials and Purchases
Confirmation was given for the following memorials granted
since the date of the last meeting:
No 2387/62 |
Dorothy Bessie Allen |
£21.00 |
Additional Inscription |
No 2414/62 |
Horace Arthur Charles
Falcon |
£21.00 |
Additional Inscription |
Confirmation was given for the following purchases granted since
the date of the last meeting:
No 2530/74 |
Mr Raymond Elliott |
£74.00 |
Burial Plot |
No 2531/82 |
John Neville Sykes |
£74.00 |
Burial Plot |
396 Items for Discussion at the Next Meeting
Agenda items brought forward from Agenda for February meeting.
Any other items brought to the Clerk’s attention by
Tuesday 4 March 2005.
397 Rumour Corner
None.
The Chairman thanked those present for attending and closed
the meeting. |
