41. Public Participation
Mrs S Arnold, Chairman of Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council, explained that she was attending the meeting to speak about NFALC. (New Forest Association of Local Councils).
Firstly, she explained the history of the organisation and the fact that she was the representative for Lyndhurst Parish Council on the organisation.
She went on to outline the advantages including the fact that they met regularly with heads of department of NFDC and, by this means, helped to solve some of the problems met by parish and town councils.
She urged the Parish Council to send a representative to meetings. The Chairman replied that this Parish Council’s policy was to send either the Chairman or Vice Chairman to meetings and we would endeavour to lend support in the future although it was good to know we have a neighbouring councillor to represent us as well. |
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42. Disclosures of Interest
Disclosures of interest were noted as follows:
- Mr Bisson – Agenda Item No 14 (Great Mead)
- Mrs Wyeth – Agenda Item No 14 (Great Mead)
- Mr Abbott – Agenda Item No 14 (Great Mead)
- Mr Charlesworth – Agenda Item No 15 (Community Centre Grant)
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43. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Mr P Boyes, Mrs A Butcher and Mr M Rollé. |
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44. Minutes of Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the meeting dated 10 June 2008, having been circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a correct record. |
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45. Matters Arising
(a) Handy Person
It was reported that both applicants were now undertaking work on the Parish Council’s behalf and this would continue for a three month trial period.
Mr Alexander said that he was concerned that this was making extra work for the Clerk and felt this should be reflected in the number of hours she was asked to work when the matter was next discussed. |
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47. NF NPA Core Strategy Proposals
RESOLVED: That, in order to give this important matter full consideration a Parish Council meeting be held on 12 August at 7.15 pm in the Community Centre.
The Clerk would endeavour to obtain paper copies of the proposals for all Councillors when they became available, although it was understood that the proposals would be available on the NF NPA website. |
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48. Correspondence
- Hampshire Biodiversity Partnership – Newsletter.
- South East England Regional Assembly – Newsletter.
- Health and Safety for Local Councils – Newsletter and invitation to join group.
- Plastic Card Services – Information regarding plasticised ID cards.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk obtain further details and report back to the next meeting.
Hampshire Countryside Access Forum – Invitation to “Paths to Partnership” half-day conference on Thursday, 9 October from 1.00 pm to 5.00 pm at the Maltings Centre in Alton.
Hampshire Police Authority – Invitation to be considered for appointment of independent members to Hampshire Police Authority. Information passed to Mr Bőckle.
NF NPA – Information on Consultation on Draft Conservation Areas Management Plan and request to complete a questionnaire. Passed to Mrs Wyeth/Mr Abbott/Mrs Trend.
Hampshire Highways West – Reply to Clerk’s letter drawing attention to the fact that the Parish Council were unhappy with the service received and stating that once Amey are fully up and running there would be an improvement. Rob Millar would be attending to all new faults recently reported as necessary. |
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49. Village Walk
Mr Bőckle reported on progress made so far and said he felt it was important to take time to ensure that this matter was fully addressed before the launch of the walk. |
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50. CCTV
The Clerk read a letter that had been received from Councillor Beck, NFDC, stating that he could not consider a deferred payment for the CCTV until the next financial year and stating that if a decision was not reached before 31 July the camera would be switched off and subsequently removed.
RESOLVED: (4 in favour, 1 abstention and 1 against) That, with some reluctance, the Parish Council felt that they were left with no other choice but to pay the amount requested of £700 and that the Clerk convey this information to Councillor Beck. |
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51. Shrubbs Hill Road – Bus Lane
Councillor Kendal attended the meeting at an earlier stage and was invited by the Chairman to join the meeting and give a report.
He reported on the trial bus priority scheme stating that he felt the Parish Council had received full information from him on the proposals via the Focus Group prior to commencement of the work and that the criticism levelled at him by the Parish Council and particularly reported comments from the Chairman had been unjustified and unhelpful.
The Road Safety Audit Team had selected the signs and HCC are bound to use their recommendations. He also explained the way the new scheme would link buses and trains to Lyndhurst.
The Chairman attempted to reply but was constantly interrupted by Councillor Kendal.
The Chairman asked that he be afforded the same courtesy and respect that he had given to Councillor Kendal i.e. that he be allowed to speak uninterrupted.
The request was made several times and when it became apparent that it would be ignored the Chairman asked Councillor Kendal to leave the meeting.
Councillor Kendal left the meeting and later returned for part of the meeting as a member of public.
General opinion from Parish Councillors was that they had received incorrect information from Councillor Kendal and it had not been in line with the measures that had taken place in that it had been stated that the provision for buses would simply be in the form of a short Keep Clear box enabling buses to change lanes near the junction of Shrubbs Hill Road and the High Street.
Mr Alexander stated that the signage had now been rectified.
Mr Bőckle said that he felt trust of our County Councillor had now been lost and Mr Charlesworth stated that local residents were extremely annoyed with the initial changes, although they were happier now these had been rectified.
The Chairman was thanked for his prompt action in this matter.
Mrs Wyeth said that she would like an assurance that the Parish Council would not be represented by someone outside the council on any future meetings. |
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52. Village Directory
The Clerk stated that work was progressing well and a good deal of information had been forthcoming.
However, there was still room to diversify and Councillors were asked to let the Clerk have any suggestions as soon as possible.
It would also be necessary to have a front cover that facilitated black and white printing. Mr Bőckle agreed to let the Clerk have a copy of a black and white outline similar to the Parish Council logo. |
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Clerk
Mr Bockle |
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53. Lyndhurst Area Plan
Mrs Trend said that groups were still working on this project and the Alice Festival plans were well in hand for 2009. |
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54. Vacancies for Parish Councillors
RESOLVED: That candidates for the two vacancies be invited to attend the September meeting of the Parish Council to give a short presentation. |
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55. Minutes of Committee Meetings
The minutes of the following Committee meeting held since the date of the last meeting were received:
- Recreation Ground Committee Meeting – 23 June
- Planning Committee Meetings – 10 and 24 June
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56. Great Mead
Mr Alexander reported that a site meeting had taken place the previous evening at which the future of Great Mead had been discussed.
This parcel of land had recently come into the ownership of the Parish Council and it was now our duty to maintain it.
The Committee had recommended that the area be split into two sections, the lower section to be kept free of dogs allowed to roam.
They would only be allowed in this section to pass along the path and under strict lead control.
The boundary with Gosport Lane would be fenced and the middle section would be separated by logs used as fencing with a gate to allow entry/exit.
There would also be a gate on the Gosport Lane boundary. It was hoped to form a path through the area.
All ideas were at the exploratory stage.
Mrs Wyeth said she felt using logs as a boundary might be dangerous to children.
She also asked that enquiries be made to establish whether it would be necessary to obtain planning permission for any changes as this area is a designated open space. |
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57. Request for Grand Aid from Lyndhurst and District Community Association
Having previously declared an interest in this item, Mr Charlesworth left the room and, therefore, took no part in the discussion.
A letter had been received from Mr D Croucher, Executive Committee Member of L&DCA requesting grant aid from the Parish Council for grant aid in the sum of £5,000 per year for the years 2009, 2010 and 2011 in order to facilitate improvement work.
It was agreed that the Community Association provided a very useful service but it was also recognised that there were other organisations in the village, eg Scouts, who also provided a vital service and were desperately short of funds, in their case also for a rebuilding project.
RESOLVED: That this matter be deferred until public opinion could be sought.
As any grant would need to be added to the precept the number of ratepayers within the parish would also be ascertained, as would the size of contribution made for holiday homes/lets. |
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58. Accounts
(a) The Clerk submitted accounts which had become due for payment or had already been paid since the date of the last meeting, as detailed on Appendix A, and these were approved.
(b) The accounts for the financial year to 31 March 2008, showing income and expenditure were approved.
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59. Reports from Representatives of Outside Bodies
None. |
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60. Dates of Future Committee Meetings
Amenities Committee Meeting – 23 July 2008. |
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61. Items for Discussion at the Next Meeting
New Forest National Park Authority |
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62. Rumour Corner
No further information had been forthcoming regarding the replacement of the bus shelter near the police station.
It is understood that the owners of South View may be trying to prove that the building is unsafe.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk write to the NF NPA stating that barrier fencing had been placed on site and asking for further information.
In the absence of any other business the Chairman thanked those present for attending and closed the meeting.
Chairman:
Date:
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