33. Public Participation
Mrs Palacio drew the Parish Council’s attention to the grass verges around the village, as she considered the grass should be collected when it had been cut and she felt some areas had become unsightly due to the use of weedkiller.
Mrs Wyeth explained the financial constraints experienced at NFDC prevented grass collection and any weedkiller used must conform to regulations.
Mr Power explained that the residents of Silver Street would be prepared to “adopt” the redundant BT telephone kiosk in Silver Street but understood that, although BT were prepared to sell these kiosks for £1, purchases could only be made by Parish Councils.
The Parish Council had discussed this matter in the past but the offer had not been taken up due to the possibility of vandalism, ongoing maintenance costs and public liability issues. However, it was decided that further investigations would be made and the item would be added to the September agenda.
33. Disclosures of Interest
None
34. Apologies for Absence
An apology for absence was received from Mr P Boyes.
35. Minutes of Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 8 June 2010, having been circulated, were signed by the Vice Chairman as a true and accurate record.
36. Matters Arising
Mr Charlesworth reported that he had received information that buses were not stopping at the bus stop opposite the Queens Road junction (A35). This was because the Wilts and Dorset Bus Company had told drivers not to stop and when buses pulled up other drivers were passing on the wrong side of the recently installed traffic island.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk write to Wilts & Dorset Bus Company expressing concern and seeking an assurance that, if requested to do so, buses would stop for passengers to alight and board at this stop. A copy of this letter would also be sent to County Councillor Keith Mans as a large amount of money had been spent on these roadworks. An urgent reply would be requested.
Mr Abbott enquired if a notice could be placed adjacent to the space vacated by the old noticeboard to indicate its new position at the Community Centre entrance.
An email had been received from Lee Cintra stating that the local Police would be conducted speed checks in Shrubbs Hill Road and thanking the Parish Council for giving consideration to this matter.
The Clerk reported that she had sought information from St Michael and All Angels PCC regarding their request for grant aid for work undertaken on the closed graveyard and the history behind why the Parish Council was asked to contribute towards the costs but to date no reply had been received.
Mr Bisson stated that the Twinning Association were pursuing the choice of commemorative tree to be planted at Great Mead with the NFNPA and would inform the Parish Council when a decision had been made.
It had been recommended that the seat be placed around the tree as soon as possible after it was planted.
37. Village Youth Leader
Mr Patrick Webb, Lyndhurst Youth Leader stated that the club had taken over the hut in the car park and were looking forward to refurbishing it so it could be used by the youth of the village.
Volunteers were being sought to undertake work.
The Club would meet three nights a week and there would be two age groups: 7 to 11 and 12 to 16. The aims would be to promote a programme of physical, educational and emotional wellbeing, to develop the self esteem of all local youth people and to help young people take a pride in their community.
38. Correspondence
NFDC – Newsletter from the Safer New Forest Partnership (seven copies).
NFDC – 2011 Census: Councillor Handbook. Can be downloaded from www.census.gov.uk
Atkins – South East Dorset Transport Strategy “Have Your Say” (five copies of the leaflet).
Lyndhurst Twinning Association – Letter from the Secretary in reply to the Clerk’s letter explaining the decision re grant aid. The matter will be discussed further by their Committee and the Parish Council will be consulted re type of tree and sums involved as soon as possible.
NF NPA – Email regarding visit to the September Parish Council meeting by Alison Barnes, new Chief Executive of the NF NPA.
Lee Cintra – Email thanking the Parish Council for looking into the speeding/parking issue at Shrubbs Hill Road and reporting that the local Police would be looking at the speeding issue.
Various emails concerning the parking issue at Bank
Tim Lawton – Email stating that he would be willing to attend the October Parish Council meeting to address various issues concerning the condition of highways in the parish.
Newspaper reports re possibility of Magistrates Court closure – It was noted that Dr Julian Lewis, MP had intimated that he would not act until he had ascertained local opinion.
RESOLVED: To write to Dr Lewis stating that because of problems associated with the Magistrates Court the Parish Council would prefer to see it removed. There were better transport links in Southampton.
39. Minutes of Committee Meetings
Amenities Committee – 15 June
Mr Böckle explained that, although in favour of the proposed plans for a new bus shelter at Lyndhurst Infant School in principle, the Amenities Committee had decided that it would be necessary to obtain a computerised mock-up photograph of the proposed bus shelter showing the street scene.
Accordingly, copies were distributed for Councillors to study. Discussion took place and although, in general, Councillors favoured a bus shelter in this position concern was expressed regarding the size, possible planning and highway issues and perceived affect on the school building.
The general design and materials to be used were thought to be good and moving of the traffic directional sign would be advantageous. It was recognised that there was a requirement for buggies and motorised scooters. It was thought that the subject of possible seating could be decided at a later date. Mr Böckle was thanked for all the work he had put into this project so far.
RESOLVED: That Mr Böckle discuss the scheme further with Architects, Simpson Hilder, to ascertain whether it would be possible to produce a smaller shelter to lessen the impact on the school and allay other concerns.
It was reported that a meeting would shortly be held with local residents at Clay Hill to discuss the bus stop and seat as these were now in a poor state of repair.
Recreation Committee – 25 June
40. 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.
The Clerk submitted records showing spending for the period 1 April 2010 to 13 July 2010.
41. Reports from Representatives of Outside Bodies
Mr Charlesworth reported that SCATS had completed the planting at the Community Centre. Treework had also taken place at the Nondescripts Club and the site would shortly be made tidy.
The library licence had been renegotiated and usage had increased from 800 to 1000. A monthly report has to be completed for the Big Lottery Fund who also conducted checks.
PC Andy White gave his report on the work of the Safer Neighbourhoods team in the previous month.
Crimes included burglary at the golf club, a wallet stolen from a contractor’s vehicle in Beaulieu Road and a moped stolen from a house in Pikes Hill.
Play equipment had been vandalised at Coles Mead Recreation Ground.
With regard to theft money had been stolen from an open till in a restaurant.
A man had been arrested for a public order offence at a hotel in Lyndhurst. He had now been banned from all pubs taking part in the Pub Watch scheme.
There had been reports of a suspicious man in the Swan Green area although PCSO Lisa Quinn asked the public not to be alarmed but to remind children about the dangers of talking to strangers.
Mr Abbott had attended a meeting of the New Forest Consultative Panel.
Mr Cornell had attended a meeting of the New Forest Transport Forum. Topics discussed had included patient transport services, problems with transport and transport payments to volunteers.
Mr Wyeth had attended the Parallel Games and the local school at Coxlease had won the football competition and been placed third in athletics.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk write to the school offering the Parish Council’s congratulations on their achievements.
42. Vandalism in the Recreation Ground
The Chairman reported that there had been some vandalism to play equipment and a picnic table in the Recreation Ground. The damage had been quite extensive, although repairable.
The Recreation Committee had reached the conclusion that the way forward would be to install CCTV in the Recreation Ground. Consultation with PC White and PCSO Quinn had backed up this decision.
It was recognised that any equipment purchased would be expensive and could not be met from the Recreation budget. It would therefore be necessary to ask the Parish Council to use reserve funds to cover the cost of this item.
43. Future Planning
None.
44. Dates for future Committee Meetings
Planning Committee 20 July and 24 August 7.15 pm Lyndhurst Community Centre.
32. Items for Discussion at the Next Meeting
BT telephone kiosk at Emery Down.
Queen’s Jubilee 2012.
Items brought forward from the Agenda for the July meeting.
Any other items brought to the Clerk’s attention by 6 September 2010.
In the absence of any other business the Chairman thanked those present for attending and closed the meeting. |
