Present:
Mr G Bisson (Chairman), Mr M Abbott, Mr F Alexander, Professor K Barber, Mr M Böckle, Mr P Boyes, Mrs A Butcher, Mr J Charlesworth, Mr E Gailor, Mr M Rollé, Mrs A Trend and Mrs P Wyeth.
Clerk to the Council:
Mrs M H Weston
In Attendance:
Mr M Kendal, County Councillor (part of the meeting)
83. Public Participation
None.
84. Disclosures of Interest
The Chairman declared an interest in Agenda item 18 when the subject of car parking charges was discussed.
85. Apologies for Absence
None (all present).
86. Minutes of Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the meeting dated 11 September 2007, having been circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
87. Matters Arising
Item 79 – The Chairman reported that the Parish Council’s request for yellow lines in areas around the village would be granted.
Mr Charlesworth reported that that there would be a soft toy day at the Community Centre on 26 October and a Quiz Night on 10 November.
88. Minutes of Committee Meeting
The minutes of the following Committee meetings held since the date of the last meeting were approved:
Bypass Committee (25 September)
Planning Committee (25 September)
89. Reports from Representatives of Outside Bodies
Mr Abbott had attended a meeting of the Open Forest Advisory Committee where it had been reported that remedial action would be undertaken on trees, etc around Bolton’s Bench (Beaulieu Road side).
90. Correspondence
South East Employers – Information regarding essential skills half day workshop for Town and Parish Councils (2 dates 30 and 31 October). Reply by 15 October.
Amey Infrastructure Services – Request for information to assist in winning contract for HCC Term Highways 2008 to 2015.
HAPTC – New guidance relating to the Licensing Act 2003.
HAPTC – Multimedia Resources available for member councils.
HAPTC – Post Office closure programme.
HCC – Hampshire Minerals and Waste Development Framework: Core Strategy and Hampshire Minerals Plan.
Lord Lieutenant of Hampshire – Invitation to any couple in the parish who are celebrating their Diamond Wedding Anniversary this year – service in Winchester Cathedral on Sunday 18 November.
HCC– Transfer of open space land at Gosport Lane, Lyndhurst. Mrs Trend enquired as to the intended use for this land and wondered if it could be used as a park, with seating.
Mrs Wyeth said she would not be in favour of seating but thought it should be an open space, perhaps a wild flower meadow, for use by the community. It was also envisaged that any extension to the cycle path would follow this route.
The Clerk was asked to ascertain when the money would be forthcoming from the National Park Authority.
New Forest Community Safety Partnership– Letter from Cllr Goff Beck, NFDC Crime and Disorder Portfolio Holder stating he would like to come and talk to the Parish Council about the work of the Community Safety Partnership.
Dr Jo Whapham – Letter regarding a register “Our New Forest: A Living Register of Language and Traditions” made up of memories photographs, local words, Forest place names and stories.
Community Intelligence Officer, Hampshire Constabulary – Explanation and introduction of the work covered together with community information referral form.
NF NPA – Future Leader Funding in the New Forest. Invitation to sustainable communities workshop at Lyndhurst Community Centre on Monday 15 October from 2.30 to 5.00 pm.
DEFRA – “Ways to tackle climate change” – a guide that offers advice on how parish and town councils can play a substantial role in the drive to combat and mitigate climate change. Also available on line at
http://defra/environment/climatechange/uk/publicsector/index.htm
NFDC – Lyndhurst TRO (High Street, Gosport Lane, Great Mead, Pikes Hill) – Proposals – formal parish view not necessary at this stage as an opportunity will be given to make comments during the advertisement period.
NFDC – CCTV monitoring statistics – August 2007.
NFDC – Environmental Protection Liaison Committee meeting – 11 October.
91. Accounts
(a) The Clerk submitted accounts as detailed on Appendix A for payment.
RESOLVED: That voucher numbers 1357 to 1365 for the period 11.09.07 to 9.10.07 in the sum of £5994.21 be approved and paid.
(b) The Clerk submitted accounts outlining the Parish Council’s income and expenditure for the period April to October 2007.
92. Cycle Track
The Chairman reported that he had attended the official opening of the cycle track by Dr Julian Lewis, MP. Discussion took place regarding the opinion that the surface gave cause for safety concerns for riders of bicycles other than mountain bikes. A full safety audit would be conducted in due course.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk ask that remedial action be taken at bus stop opposite Queens Road as rainwater flooding was now taking place and to ask that regular maintenance and debris removal be undertaken to the cycle track.
The Chairman reported that he had written to Natural England, and had subsequently met with Rachel Green, to obtain clarification regarding land in mitigation for the cycle track. He had been informed that the former cricket green at Ashurst was classified as enhancement and not land in mitigation.
Information had
also been given that the dragons’ teeth at Clay Hill had been installed in mitigation for land given for a footpath at Balmer Lawn.
93. Parish Plan
Mrs Trend updated Councillors on progress. “Lyndhurst Area Plan” had been chosen as a name for the group and a draft constitution was being drawn up. Expenses were now being incurred.
Councillors were requested to return their forms to the Community Centre. A competition for children had been launched to provide a logo. It was hoped to raise the profile at the Village Fun Day.
94. Lyndhurst Draft Air Quality Action Plan
The Parish Council had held a public meeting on 17 September at which NFDC had given their presentation. A reply to the plan had been formulated and circulated to all Councillors.
RESOLVED: That this reply be sent as the Parish Council’s official response to the action plan.
Professor Barber asked if consideration had been given to the fact that satellite navigation systems might not take into account the type of vehicle being driven and HGV lorries could be directed down the High Street. Concern was also expressed regarding the lack of enforcement of the HGV ban by the Police.
RESOLVED: To write to Dr Julian Lewis, MP asking him to raise these concerns.
95. HCC Bypass Scrutiny Review
The Bypass Committee had prepared a full report which would be sent to Hampshire County Council. They had been invited to a “question and answer session” on 5 November.
96. Rural Access Grant
Mrs Wyeth explained that she wanted to ensure that the grant was used straight away and had identified a need with the Junior Football Club who would like to purchase white lining equipment and some small trophies.
97. Remembrance Day Service
Arrangements were in place although the Clerk had been unable to contact the bugler who had played on previous occasions. Mr Charlesworth said there would be a band concert at the Community Centre on the evening of 11 November.
98. Village Walk
Mr Bőckle reported on his progress with this project. So far the replies he had received from local authorities, etc had all been positive. He had also prepared some draft proposals for a leaflet. Mrs Wyeth pointed out that he would need to consult with the NF NPA.
RESOLVED: That Mr Bőckle continue to pursue this project and report back on progress to subsequent Council meetings.
99. Memorials and Purchases
Purchases
Mr and Mrs G Kirkup |
Burial plot |
£160.00 |
NP |
Memorials
No memorials had been granted since the date of the last meeting.
100. County Councillor’s Report
Mr Kendal reported that any proposals for a bypass would need planning permission and he had seen the NF NPA’s submission regarding HCC’s Bypass Scrutiny Review.
He felt that the Parish Council should read this submission as it gave reasons why a bypass would not receive planning permission. Proof would be needed that a bypass was in the national interest.
Mr Kendal also reported on the official opening of the cycle track.
With regard to the minerals and waste consultation it had been established that landfill sites will not be needed. Areas for mineral extraction under consideration are in New Milton and Ringwood and no transportation across the New Forest will be necessary as transport routes will be to the west.
Bus subsidies had been cut which resulted in a loss of the No 56 service on Sunday and after 7.30 pm.
With regard to car parking charges the short stay permit would be increased to £10 but the long stay permit would remain at £80 (both per annum). Councillors felt that a permanent clock that could be displayed on a car windscreen would be helpful.
101. Dates of Future Committee Meetings
Amenities Committee |
16 October at 7.15 pm |
Allotment Committee |
29 October at 7.00 pm |
Planning Committee |
23 October at 7.15 pm |
Recreation Ground Committee
|
|
Finance and General Purposes
Committee |
20 November at 7.15 pm |
102. Items for Discussion at the Next Meeting
Agenda items brought forward from Agenda for October meeting.
Any other items brought to the Clerk’s attention by 5 November 2007.
103. Rumour Corner
(a) The Clerk reported that Ineos would be holding a meeting at Hawkslease for residents in the Clay Hill area on Wednesday, 17 October from 6.00 to 7.30 pm regarding their proposals for the premises.
Councillors were welcome to attend. The company had also asked to make a presentation to the Parish Council at their November meeting.
RESOLVED: That Ineos be invited to attend the next Parish Council meeting, which would commence at 7.00 pm, on Tuesday, 13 November.
(b) Mrs Wyeth drew Councillors attention to the deteriorated condition of the building adjacent to the fire station.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk write to the Fire Service asking if it would be possible for this building to receive remedial attention or be removed from the site.
In the absence of any other business the Chairman thanked those present for attending and closed the meeting. |
