Full Council Minutes - 9th September 2008

Clerk to the Council:

Mrs M H Weston

74. Co-option of Councillors to Fill Two Vacancies

Candidates for the two vacancies were as follows:  Ian Clark,
Rob Dewing,
Steve Jackson,
Dennis Newport and
Helen Palmer. 

The five candidates each gave a short presentation and answered questions from Councillors after which three secret ballots were held, eliminating one candidate on each occasion until two candidates remained. 

The two successful candidates – Ian Clark and Helen Palmer – were invited to join the Parish Council and took up their places.

75. Public Participation

A resident, Jane Buckmaster, asked if the Parish Council could help in any way to alleviate the problems that were being experienced in Dearing Close, whereby people were walking and cycling through the Close from the footpath in the car park.  Motorists were also leaving cars in the Close and using it as a short cut to the centre of the village, thus avoiding car parking charges.  There was also a problem of people exercising their dogs and allowing them to foul in the area.

Mrs Wyeth stated that there was a recognised right of way through from the car park which had been part of the original planning permission.  She undertook to ask the housing association if any signage could be erected stating “Residents Only” and “Beware of Children”.

Ms Buckmaster also drew the Parish Council’s attention to the lack of any facility in the village for disposal of plastic carrier bags.  Mrs Wyeth stated that NFDC did not have any facility available for recycling carrier bags.

A resident, Alan Brown, alerted the Parish Council to the problem of blocked drains in Shrubbs Hill Road and produced an excellent diagram.

RESOLVED:  That the Clerk send a copy of Mr Brown’s diagram to the Highway Authority with a request that remedial action be taken as soon as possible.

76. Disclosures of Interest

As a member of the NF NPA Mrs Wyeth disclosed an interest in Agenda Item Number 5 (New Forest National Park Plan).

77.  Apology for Absence

An apology for absence was received from Mrs A Trend.

78. Minutes of Previous Meeting

The Minutes of the meeting dated 12 August, having been circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a correct record. 

79. Matters Arising

CCTV – Car Park

The Clerk reported that she had written to Councillor Goff Beck regarding this matter but to date had not received a reply.  NFDC Revenue Services were aware that the Parish Council are in dispute concerning this matter.

80. New Forest National Park Plan

It was noted that the Clerk would be making arrangements with the Clerks of Ashurst and Colbury, Brockenhurst and Sway for a joint meeting on this matter.

With regard to the NF NPA Conservation Area proposals it was noted that some concern had been expressed that Pikes Hill Avenue will lose possible protection as an area enjoying special character status.  Mrs Wyeth said they would still be protected as new policies are much more stringent.

81. Correspondence

New Forest Access Forum – Invitation to “Focusing on Future Forest Access” on 17 September at Brockenhurst Village Hall.

NFDC – Liaison meeting with New Forest District Parish and Town Councils on 25 September at 7.30 pm at ATC.

NFDC – Proposed CCTV fees for financial year 2009/2010.

NFDC – Police Community Reassurance Van and Speed/Casualty Reduction Initiatives, 18 November, 9.30 – 10.45 am, Committee Room No 1, ATC.

NFDC – Information and leaflets concerning electoral registration canvass 2008

NFNPA – Corporate Plan 2008-2009.
Environment Agency – Changes to the Environment Agency flood warning areas in Solent and South Downs.

HALC – Information regarding the new Hampshire Senate.  HALC point of contact is John Korbey.

HCC – Invitation to Paths in Partnership countryside access and rights of way conference on 9 October, 1.00 – 5.00 pm, Maltings Centre, Alton.

HCC – Community Transport News.  Passed to Mr Charlesworth.

HCC – Planning Hampshire’s Future Newsletter.  Passed to Mr Charlesworth

HALC – Information concerning BT Adopt a Kiosk programme.

Clerk to the Verderers – Agisters areas.  Copy to be sent to Mrs Wyeth.

Hampshire Minerals & Waste Development Framework – Newsletter 6.

Community Action Hampshire – Newsletter.

82. Village Walk

Mr Bőckle suggested that, in view of the amount of business to be considered at this meeting, this matter be held in abeyance until the October Parish Council meeting.

83. NFDC Garages at Clay Hill

Mr Bőckle explained that nearby residents were concerned by the deterioration of this site and felt that as there was now no access to the garages available something should be done to tidy up the site in general and endeavours made to find another use for it.

RESOLVED:  That the Clerk contact NFDC to express the Parish Council’s concerns and to request that action be taken to control vermin.

84. Minutes of Committee Meetings

The minutes of the following Committee meeting held since the date of the last meeting were received:

Planning Committee – 26 August

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 Clerk submitted details of Parish Council spending for the period 1 April 2008 to 9 September 2008.

Reports from Representatives of Outside Bodies

Mr Charlesworth reported that he had met on site with representatives of NFDC and the Forestry Commission concerning the trench that was being dug in the car park at the side of the Community Centre without permission. 

The Community Association had obtained a grant from the NF NPA to conduct a survey into the possibility of using a biomass boiler.

Mr Boyes stated that he felt the Parish Council should support the Community Centre with grant aid as previously requested as it is at the heart of the village.

85. Dates of Future Committee Meetings

The Clerk asked the two new councillors if they had any preference as to which committee would be best served by their talents.

RESOLVED:  That Miss Palmer join the Allotment and Recreation Committee and that Mr Clark join the Recreation Committee.  Mr Charlesworth joined the Cemetery Committee.

86. Items for Discussion at the Next Meeting

Items brought forward from Agenda for the September meeting.

Any other items brought to the Clerk’s attention by 3 October 2008.

Use of Cemetery Chapel.

Mr Boyes outlined the proposal received from the Reverend Rod Walton of the Anglican Independent Communion to use the cemetery chapel for services on a regular basis.

RESOLVED:  That Mr Boyes obtain more information and that the views of the heads of the existing village churches be sought.

It was noted that several more plaques had been removed from the circle of remembrance without permission.

87.  Rumour Corner

In the absence of any other business the Chairman thanked those present for attending and closed the meeting.
          

Chairman _________________________