The Chairman welcomed Mrs Rutins and Mr Harrison who were attending the meeting as part of the NFDC Standards Committee’s work on raising ethical standards.
Mr Harrison thanked the Chairman and said the visit was part of a programme of random visits to town and parish councils.
146. Public Participation
Mr Herbert stated that he would like to comment regarding the parish precept as he felt that a precept of 48% was too large in the present economic climate, especially in view of the number of elderly residents managing on limited incomes.
He thought that some budget items could be seen as aspirational but not essential and that only essential items should have been added to the 2009/2010 budgetary requirement.
Professor Barber stated that he agreed with these views and, having obtained figures for the last five years from the Clerk, he commented that although the percentage increase in the precept for the financial year 2005/06 had been 59% and he had been a Parish Councillor at that time, he had been told that this was in order to “catch up” on previous years when the precept had not allowed for work that was now considered desirable.
He felt that only essential items should now be added to the precept and did not consider some of the items in the budget to come into this category.
147. Disclosures of Interest
Mrs Butcher declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 15 – grant applications.
Mrs Trend declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 15 – grant applications.
Mr Boyes declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 15 – grant applications.
Mr Bisson declared a personal and prejudicial interest in agenda item 15 – grant applications.
Mr Alexander declared a personal interest in agenda item 11 – New Forest Golf Club, Lyndhurst.
148. Apologies for Absence
None
149. Minutes of Previous Meeting
The Minutes of the meeting dated 13 January 2009, having been circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a correct record.
150. Matters Arising
Mrs Wyeth reported that she was continuing to press NFDC to obtain use of the hut in the car park as a base for a new youth club (funding for a leader is already in place).
Action: Mrs Wyeth
151. Correspondence
HCC – Hampshire Action Team Information Bulletin – New Forest – Winter 2009.
NFDC – Lyndhurst Car Park remedial works – an area to the SE of the Community Centre has suffered surface damage owing to protruding tree root growth. This has become a tripping hazard and is to be re-laid.
The offending area covers some 35 parking bays. Work will involve removal and replacement of existing trees, erection of new timber bollards, tree grilles and root directors. Work to commence within two weeks of 29 January and take three weeks to complete.
NFDC – New Forest Spring Clean 2009.
NFDC – New Forest District Annual Monitoring Report.
Hampshire Probation Area – Letter inviting Parish Council to use unpaid workers in the community. We already use them at the Cemetery.
Letter from Clerk to FC – This letter replies to the letter from the FC concerning allotment rent and makes an offer to pay 5% increase, ie. £475 per annum and letter from FC accepting the Parish Council’s offer.
Mrs Butcher said she was pleased to see that the Forestry Commission had agreed to take up the Parish Council’s proposal.
Boldre Parish Council – Email inviting Lyndhurst Parish Councillors to join them at a Code of Conduct Training Session on 4 March at 6.30 pm at Boldre War Memorial Hall, Pilley Street, Pilley SO41 5QG.
Speaker will be Steven Lugg, Director of HALC.
Boldre PC have decided to hold the training session in view of the fact that if a complaint is made against a councillor a check is made as to whether or not they have undergone training.
Cost will be £10 per councillor.
Ringwood Town Council – Copy of email sent to NFDC stating that 21 parish and town councils have now joined up for the GIS scheme and asking to be kept informed regarding funding arrangements.
NF NPA – Information regarding method of claim for developer contributions (LPC contributions for Gosport Lane Bus Depot development is now £10,844.00).
RESOLVED: That the Clerk contact the NF NPA to ascertain whether they would adhere to the previous arrangement that the contribution be paid to the Parish Council in one lump sum to be used for maintenance of Great Mead.
NF NPA – Information regarding working groups for NF NPA plan.
Invitation to join Service Villages and Housing Working Group on 4 March at Lyndhurst Community Centre at 6.00 pm. Invitation for one person only.
RESOLVED: That a Parish Council representative would attend the meeting.
Hampshire Countryside Access Forum – Annual Report 2008.
152. Minutes of Committee Meetings
The minutes of the following Committee meeting held since the date of the last meeting were received:
Amenities Committee – 20 January
Mr Boyes asked that it be noted that marriages could take place in the Chapel but only if they were religious ceremonies.
Planning Committee – 27 January
153. Annual Parish Meeting
The Chairman reported that it was hoped to use a similar format to the previous year, which had seemed popular.
The Clerk would be producing posters giving notice of the meeting and also copies of the Agenda.
Mr Charlesworth stated that the original four custodians of the Community Association were now deceased and in order to satisfy the criteria of the lottery grant it might be necessary for the Parish Council to adopt new custodians at the Annual Parish Meeting.
It was pointed out that if this item needed to be added to the Agenda the Clerk would need early advice of this matter.
The Notice of the meeting needed to be put on public display 28 days before that meeting took place and Mr Charlesworth undertook to inform the Clerk as soon as possible whether action would be necessary.
154. Accounts
The Clerk submitted accounts which had become due for payment since the date of the last meeting, as detailed in Appendix A and these were approved.
(b) The Clerk submitted details of Parish Council spending for the period 1 April 2008 to 10 February 2009.
155. New Forest Traffic Management Steering Group Meeting
The Chairman reported that the next meeting of this group would be held on 26 March and that, following the meeting last autumn, engineers had been charged with finding new ideas.
All Councillors were welcome to attend the meeting.
156. New Forest Golf Club, Lyndhurst
Mrs Wyeth referred to a report and a letter in the press concerning the fact that the Club were being pressed to reduce to a nine hole course.
Discussion took place and general opinion was that the Club was an integral part of the community and had existed and been enjoyed by local residents in harmony for well over 100 years. It would not be considered viable to reduce to nine holes.
RESOLVED: That the future of the golf club be added to the Annual Parish Council meeting agenda to ascertain public opinion.
157. The New Forest Community Planning Guide
The Chairman reported that further information had been received concerning Information Sheet 1:4.
RESOLVED: That councillors give further consideration to this matter and report their observations to the Clerk. The Parish Council’s views would then be sent to NFDC and to NFALC, who were collating the views of all parish and town councils in the district before expressing their own opinion.
158. Assets Register/Insurance Register
The Clerk reported that she and Miss Palmer would be collecting information from the Parish Council’s Committee Chairmen in order to compile a new register of assets and insurance requirements.
ACTION BY: Miss Palmer and the Clerk
159. Reports from Representatives of Outside Bodies
Mr Abbott reported that he had attended a meeting of the New Forest Passenger Transport Forum. Passenger transport requests were sought, costs were rising and concern had been expressed as to whether older people were being well served.
The New Forest Bus was out for tender for the coming season. The Chairman stated that he felt NFDC were serving our older generation very well.
Mr Charlesworth stated that the Community Association had met with interested parties regarding planned building work. Discussion had taken place with NFDC regarding car parking access.
A new double sided notice board would be provided and one side would be available to the Parish Council. There would be a children’s outdoor seating area.
A meeting would be held on 20 April to outline how the centre would operate while building operations took place and all community centre users were urged to attend.
Mr Böckle reported that an opening ceremony for the new bus shelter would take place on 13 February. He had attended a meeting of the Scout Executive to outline proposals for a fund raising activity they had been invited to undertake on the Circular Parish Walk open day and a reply was awaited.
He asked for volunteers to distribute the walk leaflet. Mrs Trend said there were a number of residents who would undertake this type of task.
The Chairman reported that the Lights and Decorating Committee had decided to alter arrangements this year and the lights switch on and Fun Day were planned for 28 November, followed by the carol service and visit by Father Christmas on 12 December.
Mr Charlesworth undertook to see if the Community Centre Christmas party could also be held on 12 December.
160. Grant Applications
The Clerk reported that four requests for grant aid had been received as follows:
Lyndhurst Area Plan
New Forest Disability Information Service
Cruse Bereavement Care
New Forest Community Media
Discussion took place and the Chairman, Mr Boyes and Mrs Trend made statements in support of grant aid to Lyndhurst Area Plan.
Mr Charlesworth and Mrs Wyeth spoke in support of New Forest Disability Information Service.
Mrs Wyeth proposed that £250 be given to Lyndhurst Area Plan and £250 to New Forest Disability Information Service.
Whilst voting took place the Chairman invited the Vice Chairman to take the Chair and he and Councillors Boyes, Butcher and Trend left the room having previously declared personal and prejudicial interests in the allocation of grant aid.
RESOLVED: That £250 be awarded to Lyndhurst Area Plan and £250 to New Forest Disability Information Service.
161. Dates for Future Committee Meetings
Planning Committee – 24 February 2009 Community Centre 7.15 pm Allotment Committee – 2 March 2009 Beechings Over 7.15 pm
162. Items for Discussion at the Next Meeting
Items brought forward from the Agenda for the January meeting.
Any other items brought to the Clerk’s attention by 2 March 2009.
163. Rumour Corner
The Chairman reported that there were likely to be changes at the school whereby schools at Lyndhurst, Copythorne and Netley Marsh would become a Federation. A meeting was due to take place the following evening regarding this matter.
Concern was expressed regarding the condition of Cemetery Road and the Clerk was asked to write to the Forestry Commission to ask for this long standing matter to be rectified.
Mr Charlesworth asked councillors to view the photographs of members of the community to see if there was anyone they could identify.
It was noted that the Hamper Shop had now closed but would be reopening as a sandwich bar.
In the absence of any other business the Chairman thanked those present for attending and closed the meeting. |
