Present:
Mr M Rollé (Chairman), Mr M Abbott, Mr G Bisson, Mr P Boyes, Mrs A Butcher, Mr J Charlesworth, Mr L Cornell, Mrs H Klaassen, Mrs A Trend, the Revd Dr C Wilkins and Mrs P Wyeth.
Clerk to the Council:
Mrs M Weston
In attendance:
Three members of the public, Press Representative.
101 Public Participation
Mrs Palacio asked why the rungs on the ladder of in the play trail were too far apart for very young children. It was pointed out that children using this equipment should be tall enough to cope with the ladder due to the fact that the age group that it was designed for was children of an older age group.
102 Disclosures of Interest
None.
103 Apology for Absence
An apology for absence was received from Mr Kaljura.
104 Minutes of the Previous Meeting
The minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday, 11 October 2011, having been circulated, were signed by the Chairman as a true and accurate record with the following amendment:
Minute 90 – Traffic Problems in Lyndhurst – “Mr Abbott reported that Natural England and the NFNPA had withdrawn opposition at a late date and if they had done so earlier an enquiry may not have been needed. The result of the enquiry was still awaited”.
105 Matters Arising
The Clerk reported that she had sent a letter to HCC requesting that the Library open for longer hours, including an evening slot.
A letter of objection to the proposed Navitus Bay Wind Park had been sent.
A letter voicing the Parish Council’s concerns regarding pressure being put on the NFNPA by developers concerning affordable housing had been sent to the Rt Hon Eric Pickles, MP, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government and this had also been copied to Dr Julian Lewis, MP.
106 Correspondence
None.
107 Minutes of Committee Meetings
(a) Recreation Committee – 15 October 2011
(b) Cemetery Committee – 25 October 2011
Mr Cornell asked that the minutes be amended to show that previous committee meeting had been held on 23 May and not 25 May, as stated.
(c) Planning Committee – 25 October 2011
Mr Cornell asked for clarification regarding Application No 96887 – Premier Coffee as he felt the terminology in the application was ambiguous and might be construed as being incorrect. It was felt that the application should have read “inside hours of 7.00 am to 7.00 pm” and the Parish Council comments reflected this view.
108 County Councillor’s Report
Mr Mans reported on the review of mental health services in Hampshire. It was proposed to close the Woodhaven unit at Tatchbury and Dr Julian Lewis, MP and Councillor Mans are meeting with the Foundation Trust. The policy now was to move more people with mental health problems into the community. Councillor Mans felt it was very important to ensure that there was sufficient care for people in the community before this took place.
RESOLVED: That Mr Charlesworth and the Clerk draft and send a letter regarding this matter.
Mr Mans asked to receive copies of letters sent by the Clerk regarding reduction in hours of opening for the library and affordable housing issues.
109 District Councillor’s Report
Mrs Wyeth asked if the Clerk would make strong representations to HCC Highways regarding the problem with the manhole cover in Gosport Lane near Great Mead.
Road marking has now taken place at Swan Green and Mrs Wyeth has now contacted HCC because this has led to a dangerous situation.
Correspondence had been received regarding a request for yellow lines in Great Mead and Mrs Wyeth’s view was that the road was wide enough not to lead to a situation where motorists could not gain access.
The Cabinet at NFDC had recommended that when the parliamentary boundary changes took place Lyndhurst was placed in with New Forest East, which included the Waterside, Totton and Romsey.
110 Lyndhurst Area Plan
Discussion took place and it was recognised that this is a useful and well laid out valuable document which could be used as evidence and guidance to form the working basis for the future.
RESOLVED:
(a) That the Parish Council endorses the draft plan and agrees to adopt some of the action plan, where these are within the remit of Parish Council expectations of achievement, and to progress to the reality check and launch.
(b) To add this item to the APM Agenda with a slide presentation.
111 National Planning Policy Framework
The Clerk reported that following the last Parish Council meeting she had written to Steve Avery, Director of Park Services at the NFNPA to ask if a member of his staff could come to a Parish he Council meeting to outline the facts of the framework.
A reply had been received saying that there had been a run through of the draft at the recent round of quadrant meetings but a visit from a member of staff could be arranged once the move to new offices had been accomplished.
The NFNPA response to the NPPF to the Department of Communities and Local Government was also attached.
112 Traffic Problems in Lyndhurst
A response had now been received in which Paul Garrod had indicated that he and Richard Bastow would be willing to meet with the Parish Council during January.
RESOLVED: That the dates 17 January and 7 February 2012 be suggested.
Councillors were also reminded that questions for that meeting should be sent to the Clerk by 12 December 2011 in order that they could be sent on and replies prepared.
The Clerk was also asked to enquire again when the new signage for the bus priority route would be put in place.
(a) That the Clerk ascertain when the new signage for the bus priority route would be put in place.
(b) That the Clerk request a January meeting with Paul Garrod and Richard Bastow and that Parish Councillors should email their questions to the Clerk by 12 December 2011.
113 Parish Champion
RESOLVED: That proposals be launched at the APM and an award made at the December (Christmas) meeting of the Parish Council 2012.
114 Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Beacons
Consideration was given to this item but it was not considered to be feasible.
It was reported that there would be various Jubilee celebrations. However, it has recently been announced that Lyndhurst will be on the route of the Olympic Torch Relay and the Parish Council have been invited by NFDC/LOCOG to become part of the Olympic Torch Task Force.
Whilst it is optional as to whether the Parish Council “dress the route” it is anticipated that there may be some financial outlay and planning will be needed.
RESOLVED: To discuss this matter further at the F&GP meeting.
115 Remembrance Sunday
The Clerk reported that two marshals were still needed for this event and Mr Cornell and Mrs Klaassen volunteered to assist.
116 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 8 November 2011.
117 Parish Council Christmas Tree at St Michael and All Angels Church
Plans are in hand regarding the tree which will be displayed from December 9 to 12.
RESOLVED: That after the event the tree be removed to the Community Centre and displayed there.
118 New Forest Keepers
It was reported that after re-organisation there would be ten keepers and this was considered to be sufficient in number. There would be four keepers in the north of the forest, four in the south, one head keeper and one estate keeper. Some work has been taken over by other staff over the years and there will be two new ecology staff and two rangers.
119 Reports from Representatives of Outside Bodies
Mr Abbott reported on a meeting of the New Forest Consultative Panel that he had attended. This had included an overview by Ecologist Sarah Oakley of restoration works that will be taking place.
The Forestry Commission new area will be 48,000 hectares and there will be staff reorganisation. There was a presentation about the New Forest Panel and the Government Review regarding the NFNPA. A Panel tour will shortly take place.
Mr Charlesworth reported that a Remembrance Sunday band concert would be taking place in the Community Centre. In future the Christmas lights would be stored under the Community Centre building.
An excellent quiz evening had recently been held and money had been raised for the Bowls Club. The Choir was proving a successful venture.
It was noted that the Youth Club was being refurbished.
The Rev Dr Wilkins stated that she had noted from an email that NFDC were reviewing the possibility of instigating parking charges on car parks where previously no charge had been made. These included Eling Cemetery car park.
Mr Bisson, as an employee of NFDC, declared an interest in this item.
RESOLVED: That a letter be sent to NFDC asking that no charges be made at this car park. Criteria would be examined to see which car parks will remain free of charge.
Mr Cornell asked why the new Welcome to Lyndhurst signage was not to be moved as mentioned at the Amenities Committee meeting.
Mr Charlesworth explained that, although it had been hoped to move the signs, as already explained to Mr Cornell by both himself and the Clerk, this would not now be possible and all signage would be placed in the existing positions.
120 Dates of Future Committee Meetings
Finance and General Purposes Committee – 15 November 2011 at 7.15 pm
Planning Committee – 22 November 2011 at 7.15 pm
121 Items for Discussion at the Next Meeting
Items brought forward from the October Agenda and meeting.
Any items brought to the attention of the Clerk by 5 December 2011.
In the absence of any other business the Vice Chairman thanked those present for attending and closed the meeting.
|
