62. Apologies for Absence
Apologies for absence were received from Mrs H Klaassen (Vice Chairman), Mr F Alexander and Mrs P Wyeth.
63. Question and Answer Session with HCC Highway Representatives
(1) Sandy Lane has become a dangerous rat run. The new traffic system has made things worse for residents. Are there any plans to rectify the problem? Mr Grey agreed to look into the situation and report back to the Parish Council.
(2) There was an inquest recently concerning a lady who died in RTA caused by ice last winter. The ice resulted from a leaking manhole cover which had been reported many times. The coroner severely criticised the relevant authorities.
On the road from Brockenhurst to Lymington during the big freeze up there were two places where water leaking across the road had turned to black ice, one of these points being on a hill adding to the hazard. The condition persisted for days, how would you respond to similar conditions in the future?
Mr Lawton stated that HCC were aware of this situation. The manhole was the responsibility of BT and had been reported on several occasions.
(3) In view of the traffic congestion we have suffered this year and which is still ongoing, how much longer are some of the proposals that the County is trialing going to take before they can be implemented?
(4) What measures are the County taking to fine the large lorries that are coming through the village illegally? A survey has been conducted and it was agreed that there was often no real need for these lorries to come through Lyndhurst. Councillor Mans asked Mr Grey to write to Lidl, who are opening a supermarket in New Milton, to draw their attention to the fact that they should not come through Lyndhurst with deliveries.
(5) Why cannot the two pedestrian crossings in the High Street be phased to show red or green at the same time as the lights by Tasty Pastry? Mr Grey said that pedestrians had to be considered but he would look into this matter. Traffic lights are monitored remotely to some extent.
(6) Could it be pointed out that the main reasons for the hold ups are at the top of the hill by Queens House where people have to filter in?
(7) When are we going to get the designs for the replacement for the temporary bus priority system? HCC are still waiting for a response and design statement. The Passenger Transport Group have reported that there is a benefit to buses by as much as 20 minutes. Work is being done on the designs and the Parish Council would be consulted within the next few weeks.
(8) Can you explain what criteria HCC use to decide when a pavement needs resurfacing? For instance, why are the (well maintained and good condition) pavements in The Meadows considered to merit the cost of resurfacing, when others, such as Hillary Close, Queens Road and Princes Crescent, which are in a very poor state, get overlooked?
Mr Lawton stated that the measures taken were different in that The Meadows and Knightwood Avenue would receive surface dressing, whereas Hillary Close needed to be completely resurfaced. This would take place during 2011. Highways and footways are regularly inspected by HCC and defects are sent to Rob Millar to be prioritised.
(9) Can you give us an update about the ‘long vehicle detector’ outside the school in the High Street, and why it doesn’t appear to be in use? There is no doubt that when the filter light at the junction with Romsey Road is working, the traffic flows better around the one-way system. We need to find ways to keep the filter light working beyond the current very restricted times.
(10) What is HCC policy regarding the maintenance of ‘dragons teeth’ wooden posts to protect the grass verges around the village. A number of posts e.g outside and near Forest Lodge Hotel, Pikes Hill have been dislodged or missing for some time. Mr Lawton said he would look into this question and report back.
(11) A resident asked if anything could be done about the speed of traffic outside Rufus Court. Mr Grey stated that the only measures that could be taken were enforcement of the speed restrictions.
Leading on from this a request was made for a review of the speed restriction at Clayhill as it was thought this should be reduced to 30 mph. Mr Grey agreed to look into this and report back.
(12) Can something be done about the rat run in Mill Lane from the Cadnam road to Swan Green. It was felt that it would assist if proper signage, indicating that the road was not suitable for large vehicles and was not a through route, was installed on the Cadnam road. Mr Grey agreed to take this question away and look further into the problem.
Mr Charlesworth asked for an assurance that we would receive feedback on the above questions.
It was agreed the fault log was working well.
64. Public Participation
None.
65. Disclosures of Interest
None
66. Minutes of Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 14 September 2010, having been circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.
67. Matters Arising
Mr Böckle reported that the bus shelter at Foxlease would be refurbished with a seat extension and a new seat would be placed outside the shelter.
Mr Rollé reported that the aerial runway had been removed due to safety concerns, partly due to misuse, but would shortly be reinstalled.
68. BT Telephone Kiosk at Silver Street Emery Down
It was reported that the kiosk stood on Forestry Commission land and a SSSI. The Forestry Commission Land Agent had stated that it would be necessary for them to provide a licence for the kiosk. The NFNPA had confirmed that if the Parish Council took over ownership of the kiosk they would not have to seek planning permission and this would also apply if residents took over the ownership providing the kiosk was only used to display small leaflets. The Clerk stated that she was still trying to ascertain whether there would be any cost implications with the Forestry Commission licence.
69. Correspondence
Applications for grant aid – New Forest Citizens Advice Bureau Limited, 1st New Forest North Lyndhurst Scout Group, New Forest Disability Information Service.
Local Authority Publishing Company - Information regarding publishing of official guides and street plans. (Passed to Mrs Trend).
Rosemary Rutins, NFDC - Template of Operating Framework.
Rosemary Rutins, NFDC - Quadrennial Elections – 5 May 2011 – estimated cost of an election in Lyndhurst will be £2,250 (Clerk recommends adding this amount to precept for 2011-2012).
HALC - Proposed increase in affiliation fees recommended of between 4% to 8%. In the case of Lyndhurst this would be as follows: 4% = £498, 8% = £512. If the HCC grant is cut by 25% they will be asking for £633. At present we are paying £484.
NFDC – Email from Parking Manager stating that the District Council were once again offering to suspend car parking charges to Town and Parish Councils who had charged car parks an afternoon in the four week period immediately prior to Christmas Eve.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk write to NFDC asking if it would be possible to suspend car parking charges for a full day on 11 December to coincide with the village Christmas fun day.
HCC – Information concerning Project Restoration: road closures in Shrubbs Hill Road on 13 and 14 October and Gosport Lane on 15 and 18 October.
NFALC – Information regarding dissolution of NFALC and establishment of new local Association. The inaugural meeting will be held on 18 November.
70. Minutes of Committee Meetings
Planning Committee – 28 September
Cemetery Committee – 7 October
71. Accounts
The Clerk submitted accounts which had become due for paymet since the date of the last meeting, as detailed in Appendix A and these were approved.
The Clerk submitted records showing spending for the period 1 April 2010 to 12 October 2010.
72. Reports from Representatives of Outside Bodies
PC White gave his crime report and stated that there had been 53 reported incidents during September. The worst of these had been the theft of 131 commemorative plaques from Lyndhurst Cemetery. He had contacted the scrap yards but all had confirmed that they had not been offered any of the plaques.
There had been a slight increase in drunken behaviour during the month and this was being monitored. One person has been visiting local bed and breakfast establishments and leaving without making payment. Three drunken males had thrown vodka over a dog. A satellite navigation system had been stolen. Thefts from the car parks at Fritham remained a problem.
Mr Charlesworth reported that the Community Centre would be hosting a Club lunch on a regular basis and 27 people had already signed up. The youth club is going well.
Mrs Trend reported that a local history group had been established, with over 40 people attending a recent meeting at Emery Down Hall.
73. CCTV in the Recreation Ground
Mr Rollé reported that he had now conducted some research into security systems. An appropriate camera could be sited on its own post and would have a line of site over the whole Recreation Ground. It would have a masking system which could be used in order to ensure privacy of adjoining properties. It would also have the ability to support other cameras should this prove necessary.
The cost would be approximately £5,000 and the Junior Football Club would be prepared to allow the Parish Council to use their electricity supply and house the video recorder in the Clubhouse. Maintenance costs were likely to be in the region of £200 once the initial warranty period had expired.
74. Theft of Plaques from the Cemetery Wall of Remembrance
Mr Charlesworth reported that he had been approached by a member of the public who would be willing to make a donation to be used for anyone who could not afford to replace their plaque. Mr Boyes stated that this had been discussed at the Cemetery Committee meeting but it had been decided that it would not be practical to administer such a scheme.
The Committee had decided not to allow brass or bronze plaques in future but to stipulate that all plaques must be made of granite. It was considered that the Wall of Remembrance would not need to be repaired as future plaques would cover any slight damage.
Three estimates had been obtained for ordering plaques in groups of ten and further investigations would be made before a decision was taken. The Parish Council could then pass on names to the chosen monumental mason.
75. Village Fete
The Clerk had received a planning schedule from the Chairman of Ashurst and Colbury Parish Council. The Chairman stated that the fete would be self funding.
RESOLVED: To set up a Committee consisting of the Chairman, Mrs Butcher, Mrs Trend and the Clerk, who would get together to chose a suitable Saturday during June for the fete
76. Remembrance Sunday
The service and parade to the war memorial would take place on Remembrance Sunday, 14 November 2010. At present, it had so far proved impossible to obtain a bugler to play at the event. It was hoped that Mr Böckle would be available to take the salute.
77. Future Planning
No items to report.
78. Dates for future Committee Meetings
Planning Committee 26 October 7.15 pm Lyndhurst Community Centre
F & GP Committee 16 November 7.15 pm Lyndhurst Community Centre
Amenities Committee To be arranged
Allotment Committee To be arranged
79. Items for Discussion at the Next Meeting
Items brought forward from the Agenda for the October meeting.
Any other items brought to the Clerk’s attention by 1 November 2010.
In the absence of any other business the Chairman thanked those present for attending and closed the meeting. |
Parish Council Minutes
