Present:
Mr G W Bisson – Chairman,
Mr M Abbott,
Mr F Alexander,
Professor K Barber,
Mrs A Butcher,
Mr J Charlesworth,
Mr E
Gailor,
Mr D Newport,
Mr M Rollé,
Mrs A Trend,
Mrs P
Wyeth
Clerk to the Council:
Mrs M H Weston
In attendance:
Mr Ben Craig (Advertiser and Times)
231. Public Participation
None.
232. Disclosures of Interest
None.
233. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Mr P Boyes and County
Councillor Kendal.
234. Minutes of Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the meeting dated 13 June 2006, having been
circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
235. Matters Arising
None
236. Minutes of Committee Meetings
The minutes of the following Committee meetings held since
the date of the last meeting were presented:
(a) Planning Committee
(27 June)
It was noted that the Clerk had written to NF NPA drawing attention
to various points concerning the way the Parish Council was being
consulted regarding planning matters.
(b) Allotment Committee
(10 July)
It was noted that Farwells had undertaken an excellent job
on the track leading from opposite the Fenwick Hospital to
the Allotment entrance.
All rubbish on Plot 65 had now been removed from site.
237. Reports from Representatives of
Outside Bodies
Mr Abbott reported on his attendance at a meeting of New Forest
Transport Forum. From 4 September it was anticipated that
the bus services to Minstead and Fritham would be withdrawn and
replaced with non-conventional transport. Cango transport
to Sway and Fordingbridge would also be withdrawn.
In response to a question from Professor Barber, Mrs Wyeth
explained that the New Forest Bus was funded jointly by HCC,
NFDC and NFNPA. Over
60s could travel free, but otherwise the cost was £9
per person although there are concessions.
Mr Abbott had attended a meeting of New Forest Consultative
Panel. Items discussed had included the Ashurst to Lyndhurst
cycle track (work due to commence in September), the Countryside
Access Plan consultation, sale at Holmesley, unauthorised felling
by the Forestry Commission at Kings Hat inclosure and motorway
signs diverting traffic due to delays at Lyndhurst.
Mr Charlesworth stated that the Community Centre had applied
for funding from the National Park Authority for an energy
study to be undertaken on their building. He also stated
that HCC were looking into running a Good Neighbour scheme
in the village.
238. Community Policing
Mrs Wyeth asked if other Councillors had seen any evidence
of community policing in recent times. The Parish Council
had previously received an undertaking from Inspector Moore that
PC Ennew would spend the majority of his time in the village. Councillors
agreed that the level of policing was not acceptable
RESOLVED: That the Clerk write to the Superintendent
in charge at Lyndhurst Police Station asking that this situation
be rectified.
239. Zebra Crossing at School
Mrs Wyeth stated that she had met representatives from the
School Crossing Patrol, HCC, NFDC and County Councillor Kendal
on site to discuss ways of improving safety. The Parish
Council would be kept informed when ideas had been formulated.
240. Fenwick Hospital Update
It was reported that the Fenwick Hospital would now reopen,
possibly in September, as a resource centre for chronic conditions. There
might also be some palliative care undertaken. Concern
was expressed that this would be more of an office than a hospital
environment.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk write to Dr Julian Lewis, MP
expressing the Parish Council’s concern that the hospital
would not be reopened to serve the local community, ie as a
cottage hospital.
241. Correspondence
SHUV – Letter from South Hampshire’s Unheard Voices
formed to fight excessive over-development proposed in the
draft South East Plan.
Community First, New Forest – Newsletter, Summer 2006.
Forestry Commission – Forest Holidays Newsletter.
Hampshire County Council – Letter regarding reductions
in supported bus services. (Information given to Mr Newport).
NF NPA – Statement of Community Involvement Pre-Submission
Draft – June 2006. (Information given to Mr Charlesworth)
Hampshire Police Authority – Notification that Annual
Report 2005/06 and Local Policing Plan 2006/07 available at www.hampshirepoliceauthority.org and www.hampshire.police.uk
NFDC – Correspondence regarding possibility of signing
on A337 to indicate direction to Catholic Church.
RESOLVED: To inform NFDC that the Parish Council had
no objection in principle to the erection of a sign but would
like to see the sign and its size before giving a formal opinion.
Email from Tony Herbert, Secretary, Lyndhurst Residents Association – Residents
Association requested an update on the following items:
A. Proposed pedestrian refuge at Romsey Road. Mrs
Wyeth reported that this was still planned but further negotiations
would take place with English Nature.
B. The condition
of Le Canard Restaurant. Mrs Wyeth reported
that there was new Empty Homes legislation making it possible
to compulsorily purchase empty property if the owner refused
to do anything with it. The matter was being dealt
with by NFDC.
C. Flyposting. Mrs Wyeth said the Community
Centre and Chamber of Trade would be discussing this matter.
RESOLVED: That this item be added to the Agenda for
discussion at the September Parish Council meeting.
D. The Parish
Council’s view on McNamara’s Emporium. It
was felt that the shop owner continued to operate in line
with a previous agreement between himself, the Parish Council
and HCC regarding the display outside his premises.
242. Bypass Update
Mr Charlesworth reported that further letters had been received
from Parish Councils supporting the Parish Council’s proposed
route. The Parish Council agreed that the inner route
proposals that had recently appeared in the Lymington Times
were unacceptable.
RESOLVED: That as no letter of acknowledgement had been
received to the correspondence sent to Mr K Thornber and copied
to Dr Julian Lewis, MP the Clerk would write asking for confirmation
that the letter had been received.
243. Public Seating
A letter had been received from Mrs Polly Hudson asking for
permission to erect a commemorative seat to her parents Mr
and Mrs Harding. Present Council policy was not to allow further
seats due to the cost of upkeep and the large number of seats
already in existence. It was suggested that a possible
way forward would be to make a charge for seating with the
money being ring-fenced to provide a maintenance fund.
RESOLVED: To defer this matter until the next meeting
of the Amenities Committee.
244. Recreation Ground Questionnaire
The Vice Chairman reported that 300 copies of the questionnaire
had been printed. 180 had been distributed and 128 had
already been returned or were ready for collection. A
report would be ready for the next meeting.
245. Website
The Clerk reported that the website had now received a large
number of hits. This was thought to be due to the interest
from the bypass campaign.
NFDC had requested contact
details for Parish Councillors to be placed on their website.
RESOLVED:
1. That, with the exception of Mr Gailor, contact details
for Councillors be placed on both the NFDC and Parish Council
website.
2. That the Bypass Powerpoint presentation and Recreation
Ground questionnaire be placed on the website.
3. All Committee
minutes be placed on the website.
246. Fault Log
Councillors were reminded to inform the Clerk of new faults
and those that had been repaired.
247. Accounts
The Clerk submitted the accounts as detailed on Appendix A for
payment.
RESOLVED: That accounts as detailed in vouchers 1192
to 1198 totalling £2,363.68 be approved and paid.
248. Memorials and Purchases
None.
249. County Councillor’s Report
None.
250. Items for Discussion at the Next
Meeting
Agenda items brought forward from Agenda for July meeting.
Any other items brought to the Clerk’s attention by
4 September 2006.
Flyposting.
Speed Indicator Device.
Remembrance Day Parade.
251. Rumour Corner
The Chairman reported that Romsey Road was now closed for maintenance
work.
Various rumours were circulating about the level of Police presence
to control traffic visiting the New Forest Show.
Arrangements in the coach park were again being actively considered.
The Vice Chairman reported that during a conversation with the
new vicar he had expressed an interest in joining the Parish
Council.
Congratulations were given to the Vice Chairman on receiving
an MA.
Mr Charlesworth reported that residents in Shrubbs Hill were
experiencing trouble with rat infestation. The problem
was thought to be widespread throughout the village.
English Nature were to be disbanded/taken over by DEFRA.
It was noted that deliveries to Julian Graves were made at
the front of the premises and lorries were parking on the pavement. The
Clerk agreed to write asking that this situation be remedied.
In the absence of any other business the Chairman thanked those
present for attending and closed the meeting. |
