Present:
Mr G W Bisson – Chairman
Mr M Abbott
Mr F Alexander
Professor K E Barber
Mr E Gailor
Mr D Newport
Mr M Rollé
Mrs A Trend
Mr J Wilding
Mrs P Wyeth
Clerk to the Council:
Mrs M H Weston
The Chairman opened the meeting by asking for a few moments silence in memory of Mr Ray Butcher, former Clerk to the Parish Council.
The Council’s wishes for a speedy recovery were expressed to Mr J Charlesworth, who was recuperating in hospital following a knee operation.
141. Public Participation
None.
142. Disclosures of Interest
None.
143. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Mrs E A Butcher and Mr J Charlesworth.
144. Minutes of Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the meeting dated 10 January 2006, having been circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
145. Matters Arising from the Minutes
(a) CCTV
Following the enquiry made by Mr Newport at the January meeting Mrs Wyeth had made enquiries regarding the possibility of obtaining a further CCTV camera for Lyndhurst.
The only way forward would be for the Parish Council to fund the camera from their own resources. This was not considered a feasible possibility. There was no foreseeable government funding for CCTV.
(b) Footpath at Goose Green
Following the last Parish Council meeting both Mrs Wyeth and the Clerk had contacted Tim Lawton, Hampshire County Council Highways Department who had intimated that he supported the proposal in principle but had concerns regarding whether it could be built without compromising other highway users.
He had arranged for the scheme to be independently safety audited and the engineer had reservations about whether the proposal was viable given that the road would have to be narrowed to accommodate a useable footway.
Similarly, he felt that to put a footway further south near Brooklands would create a sharp S bend which would cause an unnecessary hazard for both drivers and pedestrians. It had therefore been decided to discontinue the proposal until a more appropriate solution could be found.
(c) Fenwick Hospital update
Mrs Trend reported that FOLS and the League of Hospital and Community Friends of the Fenwick and Milford Hospitals were working to devise a business plan for the future use of the Fenwick Hospital.
A visit had been organised to look at the condition of the premises and whilst it was noted that work would be needed to the outside in the form of land maintenance the inside of the building and its contents were in very good condition.
146. Minutes of Committee Meetings
The minutes of the following Committee meeting held since the date of the last meeting were presented:
Planning Committee meeting dated 24 January 2006
147. Reports from Representatives of Outside Bodies
Mr Abbott had attended a meeting of New Forest Transport Forum. The main focus of the meeting was public bus services with presentations on bus services in the Waterside area, progress on the New Forest Transport Review and the forthcoming changes to concessionary fares in the New Forest.
Government legislation states that people who are over 60 or disabled people are entitled to free local bus travel within the council boundary area during off peak times.
NFDC would be offering eligible residents to choose one of two options – Countywide Farepass or Local Travel Vouchers.
PC Ennew presented a crime summary for the months of December and January. He reported that both months had been quiet. There had been several shed break-ins at the Allotments.
148. Grant Application
Village Decorations Committee
The Chairman explained that he did not have the necessary information to hand yet.
RESOLVED: To hold the matter in abeyance until the next meeting.
149. Correspondence
New Forest Community Safety Partnership – Bobby Trust
Homechecks – Keeping Unwanted Visitors Out (6 packs available for distribution).
Community First New Forest – Letter from Community Transport Manager offering to discuss transport issues in our area.
Community First New Forest – Letter asking if there are any activities in the Lyndhurst area that could benefit from help from Girl Guiding Association between 29 July and 5 August 2006.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk reply suggesting that the Girl Guides consider cleaning at the Churches at Lyndhurst and Emery Down.
HAPTC – Letter asking if we would like to nominate our Chairman for invitation to Buckingham Palace Garden Party on Tuesday, 18 July.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk write a letter of recommendation regarding Mr George Bisson, Chairman to the Parish Council.
HAPTC – Notification concerning changes in pricing structure for orders of Local Council Review.
RESOLVED: That all Councillors continue to receive a copy of the Review but that an order be placed for three years in order to take advantage of the reduction in cost.
HAPTC –
Mail No 010-06 – Water Efficiency and Building Regulations
Mail No 002-06 – Protocol on mutual promotion between NALC and SLCC
Mail No 006-06 – Basic Charity Law – Local Councils and Trustees
NFDC – Letter concerning the effect of changing parking standards: consultation, together with our reply.
NFDC – Press release regarding Rural Housing Development Strategy to Increase Resources for Villages.
NFDC – CCTV Statistics for December 2005
NFDC – Notification regarding Licensing Act 2003 – Premises – New Licence application for Prezzo, 20 High Street – application for the sale of alcohol and provision of late night refreshment and the regulated entertainment of recorded music.
It was noted that these premises had formerly been occupied by The Pump House.
Hampshire Playing Fields Association – The Playing Field Newsletter.
Hampshire & IOW Strategic Health Authority – Consultation on the reconfiguration of the NHS Ambulance Trusts, strategic health authorities and primary care trusts in Hampshire and IOW.
NFALC – Copy of amended constitution.
National Park Authority – correspondence re planning. It was noted that the NPA would continue the same consultation process at present adopted by NFDC and hoped to enhance this policy in time.
150. Bypass Proposals
(a) Proposed Document
RESOLVED: To allow Councillors more time to study the document and make suggestions on its content with a view to making it more precise in order to get its message across to the public.
(b) Proposed Open Day
RESOLVED: To defer this item until after the Annual Parish Meeting when the Bypass Committee would be making a presentation to the public.
(c) Proposed Questionnaire
RESOLVED: To defer this item until after the Annual Parish Meeting.
150. Speed Indicator Device
Sufficient volunteers had now been recruited to operate the trial. The Parish Council had been invited to send a representative to a meeting to discuss full details of the scheme and its implications. This meeting would take place on 28 February.
151. Annual Parish Meeting
The Agenda for this meeting had been distributed to all Parish Councillors. Notices would be displayed shortly.
152. Fault Log
All faults should be reported to the Clerk for addition to the fault log.
153. Accounts
The Clerk submitted the accounts as detailed on Appendix A for payment.
RESOLVED: That accounts as detailed in vouchers 1163 – 1171 inclusive totalling £1,714.87 be approved and paid.
154. Purchases
Confirmation was given for the following purchase made since the date of the last meeting:
| Mrs Lesley Dawes |
Cremation Plot |
£42.00 |
P |
155. County Councillor’s Report
County Councillor Kendal presented his report. He stated that HCC had received a four star rating from the Audit Commission although traffic congestion in the county had been highlighted as a major problem.
He explained the individual authority budgets that had led to the percentage rise in Council Tax for the forthcoming financial year. HCC now acts as a school meal provider taking orders direct for schools.
156. 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 6 March 2006.
157. Rumour Corner
Mr Wilding stated that he would be resigning from the Parish Council following the March meeting, although he would attend the Annual Parish Meeting to present his report as Chairman of the Cemetery Committee.
The Chairman reminded all Committee Chairmen that they should have their reports ready for presentation at the Annual Parish Meeting.
Mr Alexander said he was concerned about the condition of Gales Green. Mr Kendal suggested that it might be possible to plant shrubbery as a deterrent to motorists driving across the green and said he would look into this and report back to the Parish Council.
In the absence of any other business the Chairman thanked those present for attending and closed the meeting. |
