20 Public Participation
Jane Parry, Jo Perrett and Cathy Cooke outlined the case they were preparing to take to Hampshire County Council concerning the problem that pedestrians have in crossing over Shrubbs Hill Road between Cedar Mount and Sandy Lane.
Questionnaires had provided support for pedestrian safety improvements with the preferred solution being a pavement/footpath on the left hand side of Shrubbs Hill Road, enforcement of the speed limit, a pedestrian crossing to be provided between the entrance to Cedar Mount and Sandy Lane and that a pavement or footpath be built along the left hand side of Shrubbs Hill Road between the entrance to Cedar Mount and Sandy Lane. The group asked for Parish Council support for their recommendations.
RESOLVED: That the subject be made an Agenda item for the July meeting to enable further discussion to take place.
Mrs Annie Braisher asked that the Parish Council also give consideration to the petition for a pedestrian crossing between the bus stops outside the Thatched Cottage Park, Southampton Road. It was felt that the situation had been exacerbated by the 30 mph speed limit as drivers who do heed the limit are very often overtaken at high speed by impatient motorists and there seems to have been no enforcement of the new speed limit and very few warning signs of the change. Elderly and partially sighted people need to cross this road when using public transport.
RESOLVED: That the subject be made an Agenda item for the July meeting to enable further discussion to take place.
With regard to the possibility of implementing the 20 mph speed limit which had been widely requested, Councillor Mans reported that the Highway Authority would shortly be in the position to be able to decide whether this would be feasible.
In reply to a question from Mr Wayland Councillor Mans reiterated a statement made at a previous Parish Council meeting that if the consensus of opinion showed that Lyndhurst wanted a bypass he would be prepared to take this idea forward.
With regard to traffic problems relating to requests for pedestrian crossings both the volume of traffic and speed had to be taken into consideration. Mrs Wyeth said it was not just a cost issue but a numbers one as well.
21 Disclosures of Interest
None.
22 Apologies for Absence
None – all present.
23 Minutes of Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 10 May 2011, having been circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record.
24 Matters Arising
(a) Verge opposite Knightwood Lodge Hotel
The Clerk reported that Hampshire Highways had undertaken to provide dragons teeth in this situation.
(b) “Unofficial” layby opposite Police Station
Mr Bisson reported that some remedial work had taken place by way of gravel patching to potholes.
RESOLVED: That a close eye be kept on the situation as the repairs were not considered to be acceptable in the long term.
25 Co-option of Parish Councillor
Advertising to fill the vacancy for a Parish Councillor had taken place and Mr Karl Kaljura was introduced as the only candidate who had come forward to fill the vacancy.
RESOLVED: That Mr Kaljura be co-opted to fill the vacancy.
26 Correspondence
Viridor Credits – Invitation to nominate a person to act as a representative to sit on the decision making steering group in this area.
RESOLVED: That the Clerk make enquiries as to whether the representative would have to abstain if a grant application was received from this area.
Lyndhurst, Emery Down and Bank Residents Association – Copy of letter sent to Lyndhurst Chamber of Trade voicing concern regarding the proliferation of A boards felt to be obstructing pavements in the High Street.
HALC – Notification of town and parish quadrant representative elections.
RESOLVED: That Lyndhurst Parish Council cast their vote in favour of Clive Maton.
NFDC – Email concerning the Parish Council’s request for signing in the High Street to indicate the direction of Coles Mead Recreation Ground. Information was requested regarding the parking provision.
Mrs Wyeth had received correspondence from a resident concerning the difficulty in negotiating the pavement with their mobility scooter.
RESOLVED: That Mr Bisson check whether it was necessary to use the road and communicate this information to Councillor Mans.
27 Minutes of Committee Meetings
(a) Cemetery Committee
Mr Boyes stated that plaques that had been stolen were now starting to be replaced with new ones. All large stonework had been completed. All memorials have been tested for stability using the system as laid down in the Ministry of Justice recommendations for managing the safety of burial ground memorials and Mr Boyes further stated that he was prepared to accept full responsibility for these inspections.
All inspection is carried out by operators, ie burial authorities/local authority operators. Recommendations stated that inspections should be carried out every two to five years, although he was carrying out inspections in Lyndhurst Cemetery every six months.
To date this financial year fees in the sum of £500 had been forthcoming, whereas for the same period in the last financial year fees of £5,000 had been received. The Clerk has details of funding paid from the Cemetery account to other Parish Council expenditure.
Road resurfacing would be necessary shortly and Mr Boyes undertook to obtain tenders for the work involved.
Mr Boyes stated that he had sought advice from stonemasons and undertaken research when he first took up the position of Cemetery Committee Chairman some six years previously. A risk assessment had also been carried out by the Placement Manager of the Probation Service Interventions Unpaid Work in the Community Service.
Mr Boyes concluded by stating that he would be holding a short Cemetery Committee meeting following the Parish Council meeting.
Mr Cornell reiterated his statement made at the Cemetery Committee meeting in that he felt that the NAMM recommendations regarding installation of gravestone crosses should be adhered to when reinstating existing crosses in the Cemetery that had fallen into disrepair.
(b) Planning Committee
28. County Councillor’s Report
Councillor Mans reported that a survey was being undertaken into how the New Forest should move forward. If parts of it are not sold then DEFRA will be short of finance. There was a need to look at what residents would like to remain the same.
RESOLVED: To add this item to the Agenda for next month’s meeting and to ask a representative from the Forestry Commission to attend the meeting.
Councillor Mans reported that he would be conducting his walkabout with Tim Lawton next month. Issues concerning temporary refurbishment of the layby at the Police Station and the badly executed repairs at Swan Green, Emery Down were drawn to Councillor Mans attention.
29. District Councillor’s Report
Councillor Wyeth reported that she had met the Environmental Officer on site at South View. The site owners had been contacted regarding steps to combat vermin. She had previously met on site at Swan Green regarding traffic safety issues. NFDC are now dealing with this but may need funding from HCC. Lines, signage and bollards have all been suggested and to make a proper job it needs to be remodelled. The 20mph issue is a county wide scheme.
A transport strategy meeting concerning Lyndhurst had taken place the previous week. All the answers had come forward but there was no easy solution. The large lorry detection system is working well but air quality is poor and is not at an acceptable level adjacent to The Orchards in Shrubbs Hill Road. There is a need for a relief road for the whole of the forest but this will not be looked at before 2015.
Councillor Wyeth reported on the Design Guide for the NFNPA and the need to compile some ideas.
RESOLVED: To make this an Agenda item for the July meeting.
30. News Sheet
The Clerk stated that she had obtained some information about local news sheets but it seemed that most distribution relied on the internet. Mrs Butcher pointed out that not everyone had access to the internet.
The Revd Dr Wilkins asked when previous enquiries had been conducted regarding the feasibility of producing internet news information and the Clerk replied that it was seven years ago. The Revd Dr Wilkins stated that use of the internet as a communication method had changed in this time and she felt it would be worth looking into this idea.
RESOLVED: To explore this idea further and report back to the July meeting.
31. Traffic Problems in Lyndhurst
Councillors Bisson, Butcher and Wyeth had attended the Transport Strategy Group meeting. This group had now been wound up meaning no more meetings would take place. Officers had completed some computer modelling. Nitrogen dioxide pollution was proving a big problem. Timing for the traffic filter (High Street to Romsey Road) would be extended and traffic lights placed near the school.
RESOLVED: To ask Adrian Gray, HCC to attend a Parish Council meeting to further discuss the traffic problems in Lyndhurst.
Mrs Klaassen reported that residents of Bank wishing to cross the A35 to walk along the footpath to Lyndhurst with children attending the local school had asked for a speed limit of 30mph.
32. Parish Champion
Mrs Trend said she felt the Parish Council should look to acknowledge someone who has done something worthwhile and given their time freely. This would help to show appreciation for the work some people do.
RESOLVED: To discuss this matter before the next Parish Council meeting and eventually to ask organisations to nominate someone, make a choice and have a presentation at the Annual Parish Meeting.
33. Village Fete
The Revd Dr Wilkins and Mr Kaljura indicated that they would like to join the organising committee. Possible dates for the fete were discussed with 14 July being chosen as the most favourable date.
34. 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 2011 to 14 June 2011.
The accounts for the financial year 1 April 2010 to 31 May 2011 were submitted for adoption.
RESOLVED: That the accounts for the financial year 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011 be approved, adopted and duly signed.
35. Reports from Representatives of Outside Bodies
Mr Abbott had attended a meeting of the New Forest Consultative Panel.
Mr Charlesworth reported that from 1 July 2011 the Community Centre WCs would be undergoing a period of refurbishment and that environmental issues would be addressed. On Saturday 10 September there would be an open day for anyone who wants to show the community what they can do.
36. Future Planning
The Chairman reported that plans were going ahead for the purchase of CCTV for the Recreation Ground and a suitable quotation would be accepted. He asked if there were any other significant plans that should be made. It was noted that it was because of prudence and sensible budgeting it had been possible to hold the budget in the current financial year.
It was felt that consideration should be given to possible renewal of bypass proposals. It might also be possible to gain grant aid for an eco toilet for the Recreation Ground.
37. Dates of Future Committee Meetings
Amenites Committee – 20 June 2011
Planning Committee – 28 June 2011
38. Items for Discussion at the Next Meeting
Possible pedestrian crossing at Shrubbs Hill Road
Possible pedestrian crossing at Southampton Road
Residents’ views on the future of the New Forest
Design Guide
Items brought forward from the June Agenda
Any items brought to the attention of the Clerk by 4 July 2011.
In the absence of any other business the Chairman thanked those present for attending and closed the meeting.
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